13.08.2013 Views

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

3704] ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT—POST-OFFICE—FIRE-ENGINE. 565<br />

Treasurer's Aoeouut- Either by accideiit or design, one or more<br />

Books Burned. <strong>of</strong> the Town Treasurer's account-books<br />

were burned <strong>in</strong> 1794. A committee was<br />

appo<strong>in</strong>ted to <strong>in</strong>vestigate the affair, and their report was<br />

accepted and placed on file. No vestige <strong>of</strong> that document<br />

has come to light, and it is not known how serious was the<br />

loss occasioned by the conflagration. ^ The accident happened<br />

early <strong>in</strong> the year, before the annual meet<strong>in</strong>g, and<br />

caused considerable excitement <strong>in</strong> town, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the<br />

electian <strong>of</strong> Samuel H<strong>in</strong>ckley as Treasurer <strong>in</strong> March. Mr.<br />

Clark had served satisfactorily <strong>in</strong> that capacity for thirteen<br />

years.<br />

First Town Map. Duriug tMs year the first map <strong>of</strong> the town^<br />

<strong>of</strong> which there is any record, was made.<br />

The General Court ordered that every town <strong>in</strong> the State<br />

should prepare a map and forward it to the State-House.<br />

A committee was appo<strong>in</strong>ted to attend to this duty, and the<br />

map which is reproduced <strong>in</strong> this volume^ is now on file <strong>in</strong><br />

the State-House, together with the others which were prepared<br />

<strong>in</strong> accordance with the Resolve.<br />

Music Teacher Pro- A uumbcr <strong>of</strong> citizeus, " siugers," the war-<br />

^ided. i-ant calls them, presented a petition pray<strong>in</strong>g<br />

that a teacher <strong>of</strong> music might be employed<br />

at the public charge. At the September meet<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the selectmen were directed to confer with the petitioners<br />

and " if they th<strong>in</strong>k necessary to hire a s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g master at<br />

the expense <strong>of</strong> the town." This <strong>in</strong>dicates that either s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g-schools<br />

had been discont<strong>in</strong>ued or that they had been<br />

carried on by private subscription. Very likely there had<br />

been none for several years. The selectmen were also <strong>in</strong>-<br />

structed to supply the pulpit when the pastor was absent,<br />

and they were recommended to keep regular books conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />

all the bus<strong>in</strong>ess transacted by the selectmen and<br />

assessors.<br />

1 Mr. Judd <strong>in</strong> his diary has the follow<strong>in</strong>g allusion to this affair: -'Mr. Joseph<br />

Clark has had his desk on Fire, and the Town Book <strong>of</strong> Treasury is burnt up. Much<br />

talk about it."<br />

'3 Copies <strong>of</strong> these maps <strong>of</strong> all the Towns <strong>in</strong> Hampshire County may be found at<br />

the Forbes Library.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!