Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

396 SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886.
Rice, Allen Bangs, and Biidgnian Chapin ; 1826, William Rice,
Joslnia Frost, Bi'idgman Chapin, Harvey Chapin, and Solomon Hatch.
We make a pei'iod at 1831, for dnring that year the old Pynchon
manor-house on Main street was pulled down, by what ill-advice we
know not. It had figured in history and fiction, was indeed so an-
cient that tlie local newspaper notices occasioned by its demolition
were not accurate. Fiction first Ijorrowed from history, and then his-
tory from fiction. By August the building was pretty well de-
molished. Men stood mournfully about the ancient site where Will-
iam Pynchon had built his modest house, and John Pynchon this
palace fort, and vainly protested against its removal.
In philanthropic and literary matters the aggressive spirit was pro-
nounced. The Springfield lyceum was in its glory. Debates and
lectures followed in rapid succession. The soft-tongued Peabody,
the learned and serious Calhoun, the prismatic and popular George
Ashmun, the painstaking and candid Willard, in turn addressed the
lyceum ;
and among other lecturers were William C. Dwiglit, Thomas
Dwight, Lieutenant Tyler, Dr. L. W. Belden, Rev. B. Putnam,
Samuel Bowles, William Bliss, 3d, and J. B. Eldridge.
The society for the promotion of temperance had made substantial
advances. It had been an ancient custom to have beer on the table.
In the early part of this century beer had given place to hard liquors.
The society had already induced man}' to remove the spu-its from the
table. Even at gatherings of militia and other organizations less
liquor was drunk. This meant much for Springfield. Parson How-
ard was president of the society in 1828, and at the meeting m Mr.
Peabody's church in September John Hooker was choseu vice-presi-
dent and William B. Calhoun corresp(jnding secretary. George Ban-
croft was present, and standing upon a chair made a ringing tem-
perance speech. The sale of spirituous liquors in Springfield had
decreased one-half since the previous 3'ear, and the society was en-
couraged to continue its noble work.
The Springfield debating society was at this time in full blast.