Memorial Day- May 30, 1922

The Memorial Boulder
Location: Longmeadow, MA Town Green
(click photo to enlarge)

Memorial Day, May 30, 1922, was a very special day!  The Memorial Boulder located on the Town Green in Longmeadow, MA was unveiled and dedicated during the morning ceremony.  The 16 ton granite boulder had been donated to Longmeadow by Mrs. Joseph Wesson with the aid of her son-in-law Flynt Lincoln.  The origin of this large boulder was the Wesson Estate in Palmer, MA.  A bronze plaque on the boulder displayed the names of Longmeadow, MA residents who had served in all wars up to and including WWI.  For more information click here to visit last year's post.

Following a parade earlier that morning, the ceremony on Longmeadow's Town Green was very well attended by town residents, residents of surrounding communities and distinguished guests.  Area American Legion Posts were invited and attended.  During the ceremony the chairman of the Board of Selectman, John G. Maxfield, accepted the Memorial Boulder for the town.  It was unveiled by two children- Thomas Francis Cordis and Sallie Wesson.  There were many special speeches that day.  Maj.Gen. Clarence R. Edwards was the invited special guest who gave the dedication speech. He had been the commander of the 26th (Yankee) Division in France in the "World war" (WWI).

In his speech Maj.Gen. Edwards spoke of the bravery of the men who had served to protect their lands and their families.  He was proud that he was related to one of these men.  That individual was Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt (1711- 1755).  Lieutenant Burt had lost his life at Lake George on Sept. 8, 1755.  His name is the first name inscribed on the Memorial Boulder's bronze plaque.  Following the dedication ceremony on the Town Green everyone walked over to the Longmeadow Cemetery on Williams Street.   There, Maj.Gen. Edwards proudly placed a wreath of white carnations and pink snapdragons on the grave of his maternal ancestor.  

Following this, a procession through the cemetery was led by members of Longmeadow's Albert T. Wood American Legion Post and members of the Longmeadow Historical Society, so other deceased war Veterans could be honored and all of the graves of war Veterans could be decorated.  Attendees walked back to the Town Green for the historical address given by Rev. Henry Lincoln Bailey, former Minister of The First Church in Longmeadow.  

May 30, 1922 was a day that Longmeadow residents and area guests would remember for so many years to come.  Today is the 100th anniversary of that date!  The day the Memorial Boulder on the Longmeadow Town Green was dedicated!

Additional interesting information: Lieutenant Nathaniel Burt's widow, Sarah Chapin Burt was the second wife of Rev. Stephen Williams, Longmeadow's first Minister of The First Church.      

Sources:  Proceedings at the Centennial Celebration- published 1884, Springfield Republican- May 28, 1922 and May 31, 1922 and Through the Lens Longmeadow Into the New Century 1890- 1920 by Judy and Jim Moran.

~Written by Judy Moran                       

Old House on the Green

Courtesy of
Longmeadow Historical Society

Mother's Day has been celebrated for many years in our country!  In our beautiful town of Longmeadow, MA there was a restaurant located on the Town Green where families could enjoy a special dinner on the special day set aside to honor mothers.  The Old House on the Green was located at 797 Longmeadow Street.  George E. and Margaret Adams had purchased the house at this address in 1921 and moved with their family from Springfield, MA.  The house had been built for Justin Colton, ca. 1833 (perhaps earlier).  Justin Colton's granddaughter, Miss Elsie Hatstat and other heirs sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Adams.

797 Longmeadow Street in 1909
from the Emerson Collection
Longmeadow Historical Society

On October 11, 1940 Mr. and Mrs. Adams opened their home to visitors during specific hours and the next day guests with reservations could enjoy dinner at their establishment.  For many years organizations from surrounding areas enjoyed luncheons and dinners here.  The private home located at 797 Longmeadow Street became a guest house and a tea room.  The name was the Old House on the Green.

Bridal showers, wedding receptions, anniversary parties and annual banquets were celebrated at this charming destination.  Advertisements appeared in our local newspapers.

Source:  Springfield Republican
Sept. 16, 1945

In 1953 advertisements for Mother's Day reservations were found in the Springfield Union newspaper.
                

Source:  Springfield Union
May 3, 1953

The 1950 U.S. Federal Census lists this business that Mr. and Mrs. Adams owned as a "Tea Room".   An undated Luncheon and an undated Dinner menu can be viewed.

(Click to enlarge.)
Menu- undated
Courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society

In October of 1958 Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary.  During that month and that year they also closed their destination restaurant.  Over the years the Old House on the Green had become a treasured dining experience for so many guests.  That dining destination became a wonderful memory for so many people in our area.

Some additional background information- George Adams did have insight into running a restaurant.  In 1899 his father Leroy Adams and his uncle Edward C. Crosby had purchased the Brooks House in Brattleboro, Vermont.  The Brooks House was well known in the Brattleboro area.  Leroy Adams sold his share of this establishment in 1907 and then spent part of his time in Springfield, MA.  He became the president of The Springfield Flour and Grain Company located on Liberty Street in Springfield, MA.  His son George E. Adams was the secretary and the treasurer of the company.

Sources:  1909 Springfield, MA City Directory; 1920 U.S. Federal Census; 1950 U.S. Federal Census; Springfield Republican-  Feb. 5, 1910; Oct. 31, 1921; Oct. 11, 1940; Springfield Union- Nov. 9, 1958 and Massachusetts Historical Commission- 797 Longmeadow Street written by Peter Santos. 

~Judy Moran

Meadowview Greenhouses

Meadowview Greenhouses
Rear 734 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA
Source: Springfield Republican
April 2, 1939

Flowers have been enjoyed on Easter Sunday for decades.  Easter Lilies and Potted Plants decorate homes and churches.  Perhaps not so much these current days, but many years ago women and girls happily and proudly wore an Easter Corsage pinned to their coat, jacket, blouse or dress.  It added that extra touch of beauty to their "Easter outfit".

The flowers were purchased from a florist.  Here in Longmeadow, MA there was a local florist.  Meadowview Greenhouses was located at the rear of 734 Longmeadow Street.  An advertisement in the Springfield Republican for this business was printed on April 2, 1939.  It was one week before Easter Sunday.  Easter Sunday that year was on April 7, 1939.  Mary Ida Young Denault was the owner of this business.

Source:
Report of the Planning Board
1939 Longmeadow, MA Town Report

In 1939 Mrs. Mary Ida Young Denault had been granted special permission by the Longmeadow Town Planning Board to construct a greenhouse on her property.  We recognize this address of 734 Longmeadow Street as the location of the beautiful Wolcott-Brewer-Young Mansion on the Longmeadow Town Green.     

~Written by Judy Moran         

Ninety Years Ago

Photo of St. Mary's Church
July 1976
Source: Seed Sown on Good Ground
A History of St. Mary's Parish
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
by Sister Mary H. Murray, S.S.J., Ph.D. 

The newly built St. Mary's Catholic Church was located on the corner of Longmeadow Street and Bliss Road. On December 31, 1931 parishioners were getting ready to attend the first Mass that would be celebrated.  It was Midnight Mass.  

On this day ninety years ago today, the first wedding in this Gothic style church took place.  The date was April 4, 1932.  Elias Andrew Baudin and Ethel Betty Miller were married by the Pastor,  Rev. John J. Rogers. 

Source:  Springfield Republican
April 6, 1932

There were other marriages that took place that year in St. Mary's Church.  Theresa Guidette lived on Maple Road in Longmeadow.  She and Francis Cuglietti of Thompsonville, CT were married on June 25, 1932. 

Source:  Springfield Republican
June 22, 1932

That year, a few months apart two sisters married their spouses.  Both young women were born in Ireland and had immigrated to the United States.  Beven Sears married Joseph E. Dwyer of Boston, MA on August 3, 1932.  

Source: Springfield Republican
Aug. 3, 1932

Her sister Anna Ita Sears married Francis M. Kennedy of Springfield, MA on November 10 that same year.  

 
Source: Springfield Republican
Nov. 9, 1932

 
Both times after each sister was married the newly married couple and their guests traveled to Springfield, MA for a wedding breakfast/ reception.  The receptions took place at the Hotel Clinton.  Before their marriages both young women made their home with their brother-in-law and their sister Mr. and Mrs. John (Nora Sears) Landers on Colton Place.          

1932 was the first year that marriages were celebrated in this new beautiful Catholic Church and these are just a few of them.  Since that date so many more couples have been married at this location at the corner of Longmeadow Street and Bliss Road.

Additional Sources: 1932 Longmeadow, Massachusetts Town Report- Marriage Records, Springfield Republican- April 6, 1932, June 22, 1932, Aug 03, 1932 and Nov 09, 1932. 

~Judy Moran   

Happy Birthday Paesiello Emerson!

Paesiello Emerson
Photo Date: June 10, 1918
Courtesy of the Longmeadow Historical Society

Today is February 10th. On February 10, 1832 Paesiello Emerson was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. It is fitting to remember him today, because 100 years ago this Union Veteran of the Civil War lived in our town at 476 Longmeadow Street.  He lived with his step-brother and step-sister Henry and Annie Emerson.

In 1891 Paesiello Emerson's wife Nancy E. (Hartshorn) Emerson had passed away in the town where they lived- Spencer, MA.  After he retired from his occupation as a boot maker, he took up the hobby of photography.  This was at the turn of the 20th century.  We Longmeadow, MA residents are so fortunate that Mr. Emerson enjoyed his new hobby when he visited Henry and Annie.  He took photographs and documented our town as it was developing as a suburb of Springfield, MA.  

After moving to Longmeadow Mr. Emerson continued to take photographs of houses, old and new.  He also took photographs of people and places in town.  Paesiello Emerson died on December 28, 1927 and his glass negatives are now in collection of the Storrs House Museum in Longmeadow, MA.

Today, on February 10th let us remember this gentleman on his birth date!

~Judy Moran    

Sources:  1832 Hopkinton, MA Birth Records, Civil War Soldier Records, 1891 Spencer, MA Death Records, 1912 Longmeadow Street Directory, 1910 and 1920 U.S. Census Federal Records,                        

A Winter View

Photo courtesy of the Longmeadow Historical Society
Exact date of Photo and Photographer unknown

The First Church and the Chapel in the early 20th century in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. 

"Marchant" Samuel Colton's Front Door- A Treasured Gift

"Marchant" Samuel Colton's Front Door
Courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Boston, MA

 
On this day #OTD- October 29, 1921- an article was published in the Springfield Republican with the news that the Boston, MA architects William T. Aldrich and Robert P. Bellows had gifted the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with the front door of "Marchant" Samuel Colton's house.  The museum had described this door in its Bulletin as "typical of the finer houses of the Connecticut Valley during the early half of the 18th century and was well known to architects".  This gift was received during the time period of March 4- June 2, 1921.

(Click to enlarge)

During the 18th century "Marchant" Samuel Colton (1727- 1784) was a wealthy businessman.  His house had been located on the west side of Longmeadow Street, south of the Longmeadow Town Green.

He had a shipyard on the Connecticut River bank and his ships transported goods to the West Indies and to Bristol, England.  His beautiful house was built by John Steele.  

 
Attached to the rear of his house was his store that contained goods that this merchant sold to customers in the area.

 
In an interesting story that was read on October 6, 1905 to the members of the Longmeadow Historical Society at their annual meeting, Mrs. George E. Brewer (Caroline Brewer) gave a history of this house.  The information was found in "Marchant" Colton's ledgers.  Mrs. George E. Brewer was a Longmeadow resident, a reporter for the Springfield Republican in Springfield, MA and also a descendant of Quartermaster George Colton- one of the first residents of Long Meddowe (Longmeadow).  

In Mrs. Brewer's story she stated, "in June, 1754, five-days' work was done on the fore door" of this beautiful house.  She also stated that "Marchant" and Lucy Colton's only son, also named Samuel (1778- 1811), married Anne G. Warriner of Wilbraham and they "remained in the ancestral home" in Longmeadow.  After Samuel died in 1811 his widow married Rev. Gideon Leon Burt.  She survived her second husband, also, and died in 1853.  The property was purchased by the descendants of Thomas Colton who also owned the property next door.  For 45 years the house had been unoccupied and was falling into disrepair.     

Eventually, Longmeadow resident Everett B. Allen purchased it and then sold the house to W. Dillon to "remove" it.  The house was torn down in September 1916 and parts of it were saved and purchased by parties interested in antiques.  

"Marchant" Colton's door was gifted to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston by these two gentlemen, William T. Aldrich and Robert P. Bellows, who recognized the significance of this doorway.                               

Sources:  Boston Herald:  Aug. 7, 1921; Evening Gazette:  Oct. 17, 1921; Springfield Republican:  Oct 08, 1905;  Sep. 8, 1916; Sep. 17, 1916; Oct. 29, 1921 and Dec. 8, 1925; and Map and other Photos courtesy of Longmeadow Historical Society.    

~Judy Moran