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

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886. 445
He rivalled George Aslimuu as a guest or host, aud had sat at the
head of many banquet tables, political and social. His honorable
record as superintendent of the armory is a matter of history. He
had command of Fort Griswold, Grotou, Conn., in the War of 1812.
Wdliam Bliss, the lawyer, died March o, 18:38, aged forty-one. He
ranked in his profession among the first in the county, and was
prominent in town affairs. He was chairman of county commis-
sioners in 1834. Mr. Bliss was a very companionable man, and
was very much of a wit. ]Many anecdotes are associated with his
name. Perhaps it would not be out of place to give one of them.
Samuel Bowles was very fond of pictures, and delighted especially in
a good portrait. He was very much interested in Mr. Elwell's paint-
ing, and gave him much encouragement. Mr. Elwell used to tell of
an artist who had a studio in the Byers building, facing on Court
square, and to please Mr. Bowles it was arranged one day that an
empty frame should be placed in a remote and somewhat shaded cor-
ner of the studio. Behind this AVilliam Bliss was placed in tableau,
and Mr. Bowles invited in to view the new portrait. The visitor
was wonderfully impressed, and finally when ]Mr. Bliss stepped aside
and left the frame empty, 31 r. Bowles threw his hands across his
breast aud sighed deeply.
It may be mentioned by way of church activities that the Baptist
meeting-house was dedicated Sept. 12, 1832. In that year was held
a convention of the Baptist denomination of Massachusetts in the
new Baptist church, one hundred and eighty churches being repre-
sented. Kev. Dwight Ives was ordained pastor of the First Bap-
tist Church, in January, 1836, Rev. Dr. Davis, of Hartford, preach-
ing the sermon. In October, 1836, Rev. Simeon Howard Calhoun
was ordained at the First Church as an evangelist preparatory to his
duties in Greece and the Holy Land. Christ Church (Episcopal) was
christened April 1, 1840, and on the following day Mr. Henry 3V.
Lee was installed rector, Rev. Dr. Stone, of Boston, preaching the
sermon.