The Two Physicians of 720 Longmeadow Street

Springfield Republican
July 11, 1933

The large beautiful brick home located at 720 Longmeadow Street next door to the Brewer- Young Mansion was sold in 1933 to Longmeadow residents Dr. R. Nelson Hatt and his wife Dr. Ednah S. Hatt. They and their children Mary, William and Constance moved from their home at 57 Belleclaire Avenue in Longmeadow.

Springfield Daily Republican
June 27, 1933

Dr. Rafe Nelson Hatt was born in West Paris, Maine in 1889 and his wife Dr. Ednah Swasey Hatt was born in Salem, MA in 1895. Both became physicians. They had graduated from Tufts College of Medicine (Tufts Medical School) in 1918 and soon after they were married.  Dr. R. Nelson Hatt completed his orthopedic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was recommended for and became the head of the soon to be established mobile unit of the Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children in Honolulu, Hawaii. Then, in 1924 the family returned to the East Coast when he accepted the position to head the new Shriners' Hospital for Crippled Children in Springfield, MA. They and their children Mary and William moved to Massachusetts. 

Springfield Weekly Republican
Jan. 8, 1925

They lived at 57 Belleclaire Avenue. 

1927 Longmeadow Street Directory

Then, another daughter, Constance, was born.  

During WWII Dr. R. Nelson Hatt served his country. It was at this time that his wife Dr. Ednah S. Hatt opened a practice in pediatrics in their home at 720 Longmeadow Street- on the Longmeadow Town Green.

Springfield Daily News
May 28, 1949

When her husband returned from active duty the family moved back to Hawaii in the fall of 1946. He returned to the Shriners' Hospital in Hawaii and was the chief surgeon there and once again helped children. On May 27, 1949 this well respected and distinguished surgeon passed away in Honolulu, Hawaii. 

R. Nelson Hatt, MD
Springfield Daily News
May 28, 1949
AI enhanced for clarity

Springfield Daily News
May 28, 1949

After her husband passed away Dr. Ednah S. Hatt returned again to her Longmeadow home at 720 Longmeadow Street.

Ednah S. Hatt, MD
Springfield Republican
April 23, 1944
AI enhanced for clarity

Springfield Union
July 12, 1949

She continued practicing medicine- as a general practitioner. In addition to her private practice she was the physician for the Chicopee Police Dept. in Chicopee, MA. Dr. Ednah S. Hatt passed away in 1969. 

The residents of Hawaii and also the residents of the Longmeadow/Springfield/Chicopee area were fortunate to have two caring adults help them whenever they needed medical guidance. Both Dr. R. Nelson Hatt and his wife Dr. Ednah S. Hatt devoted their lives to helping children and adults. As time moved on their son William S. Hatt also became a physician. 

Additional Sources: Springfield Daily News- Oct. 24, 1969; Springfield Republican- May 29, 1949; 1920, 1930, 1940 and 1950 United States Federal Census. 

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian            

720 Longmeadow Street

720 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, MA
photo courtesy of Thomas Connery

In 1928 George A. and Caroline L. Beaumier and their two sons George A., Jr. and Daniel A. moved into their new beautiful large brick house located in Longmeadow, MA. The address was 720 Longmeadow Street. 

Springfield Daily News
July 16, 1928

The beautiful house was located on the property where the large historic Medlicott house once stood. In 1921 the Medlicott house was torn down after it was sold to a new owner. At the time the plan was for the building materials to be used to build another house in another location. It may or may not have happened. 

A few years passed and Mr. Beaumier owned the property. He built a beautiful large house for his family at this location. The house he built was set back from the street.

720 Longmeadow Street

**Important to Note- The 1920 map above is modified.**
The demolished Medlicott house and the Beaumier house are both shown on the property.
  

George A. Beaumier was a talented Springfield resident. He was born in New Hampshire in 1893 and his family eventually settled in Springfield. His father and uncle were plumbers in Springfield. After graduating from high school George learned the trade, also. He married Caroline L. Savage of Enfield, CT in 1925. Mr. Beaumier became the president/treasurer of his very successful plumbing and heating contractor business- Beaumier Brothers, Inc. He was also involved in real estate.

1926 Springfield, MA Street Directory

Mr. Beaumier was also president/treasurer of Beaumier- Guerin, Inc.- a builder and real estate development business.

Caroline L. and George A. Beaumier
undated photo
photo courtesy of Thomas Connery

In 1933 George and Caroline sold their Longmeadow home and moved back to Springfield. They and their children George Jr., Daniel, Arthur, Irene and Dorothy moved to Belmont Avenue. They later moved to another beautiful home at 190 Longhill Street in Springfield. More children- Carolyn, Maryann, Jane, Robert, Bettyann, Charles, Bernard and Glenn joined the family.  During the summer months the family spent time in the country on the farm that they owned in Hampden, MA. As they grew older the young men in the family learned the trades of bricklayer, plasterer, automobile mechanic, painter, rigger and television repairman. They knew how to build and/ or repair so many needed items. Many family members became involved in the family businesses. George A. Beaumier, Sr. owned the Beaumier Real Estate Co. 

George A. Beaumier, Sr. served as a member of the building code committee and also as a member of the Chamber of Commerce in Springfield, MA. He passed away in 1970. His wife Caroline passed away 2 years later in 1972. The beautiful large brick house set back from the street that George A. Beaumier built for his family at 720 Longmeadow St. has been enjoyed by many other families over the years.

Additional Sources: The Springfield Daily News- Dec. 14, 1956; Springfield Republican- Sept. 26, 1921 and Dec. 31, 1972; The Springfield Union- March 18, 1970; 1910 United States Federal Census and 1933 Longmeadow Street Directory.    

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian           

Longmeadow Bride Opens Private School

On January 2, 1926 Longmeadow's first wedding of the year 1926 took place! Benjamin F. Lewis married Jessie Spaulding in Longmeadow, MA at the home of her sister and brother- in- law Ruth G. and Chester P. Johnson. The wedding took place at 112 Benedict Terrace.  

Springfield Republican
January 3, 1926

Note: Chester P. Johnson was the step-son of the well known children's author Thornton Burgess.

The newly married couple Benjamin and Jessie Lewis moved to Longmeadow and lived at 158 Bliss Road. Jessie was a teacher and she opened a private school in Longmeadow- The Jessie Lewis School. She was the owner and the principal of this school. At first classes were held in the Longmeadow Community House. In 1928 her private school moved to 148 Bliss Road. 

Springfield Daily News
August 1, 1928

The new location for her private school was conveniently located in Longmeadow. The school offered a private playground for the children.

1930 Longmeadow Street Directory

 
Beginning in 1932 classes in Latin and French were taught by Miss Helen Begley. This private school was advertised in the local Springfield, MA newspaper.  

Springfield Republican
September 3, 1939 

Then, the school closed. 
148 Bliss Road became a private residence as it is today.

148 Bliss Road
Then and 21st Century

 
Jessie and Benjamin Lewis lived at 158 Bliss Road for the remainder of their lives. Mr. Lewis passed away in 1962. Before retiring he had been employed in the men's department at the Albert Steiger Company. Jessie Lewis passed away at the age of 97 years in 1985. Many students began their educations at her private school that was located at 148 Bliss Road.

Additional Sources: 1929, 1930, 1938 Longmeadow Street Directory, Springfield Daily News- Oct. 6, 1938; Aug. 31, 1985 and The Springfield Union- Sept. 11, 1962.

~Written by Judy Moran/ Longmeadow Historian