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

SPRINGFIELD, 1636-1886. 561
wick, Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Longmeadow, Somers,
Enfield, Suffield. She would hear of their prosperity and their progress, and
whether they often think of the days of their childhood, when they sat by her
fireside and were folded in her embrace. I call upon Hon. John L. Houston, of
Enfield.
Mr. Houston. — Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, — When the invita-
tion of your committee came over the border to me, a few days ago, urging me
to come and take part in the literary exercises of this occasion, my first feeling
was one of wonder and astonishment that they should request a native and citizen
of Connecticut to take a formal part in a local celebration in Massachusetts. But
a little reflection satisfied me that there might be method in this seeming mad-
ness, and that there were, at least, plausible reasons why the Connecticut town
of Enfield should receive such an invitation. For, in recounting the historical
events, traditions, and reminiscences of Springfield, the name of Pynchon be
a name to "conjure with," as it certainly is, then may we, natives of the
river border of Enfield, well lay claim to be " sons of the soil." We -were
born and have lived upon, and the ashes of our dead are mingled with, the
soil once owned and dominated by Pynchons. One of the earliest wonders
and mysteries of my childhood Mas the grist-mill located near my birthplace
(where it still stands doing its useful work to-day), the lineal descendant, if
I may so speak, of the grist-mill erected by Major Pynchon sometime during
the seventeenth century. The extensive manufacturing corporation with which
I am officially connected traces the title to its real estate back to the days
and the persons of the Pynchons ; and the control which it exercises over
the stream on whose banks its manufactory is located, and which is essential to
its operation, is based upon a grant given by the plantation of Springfield to
Major Pynchon more than two centuries ago. Certainly, in all the early
historic events and traditions to which Springfield so fondly clings, we natives
of the town of Enfield cling as fondly and share as full an interest in as do
you.
But I must not forget that my duty here and now is to respond, very briefly,
to the warm and generous words of welcome just uttered by his Honor the Mayor,
so far as they apply to the thirteen towns that have, first and last, during the past
two and a half centuries, been carved from the territory of old Springfield.
Springfield has indeed been a bountiful mother, and has given to each one of her
children a magnificent dowry; and they, emulating her thrifty example, have
each and all made good use of their heritage. Time will not permit, and if it did
I am not capable of doing justice to the distinguishing traits of each one of these