The Town of Enfield, Massachusetts

You may have guessed from the title of this blog post that the subject was related to the town of Enfield, Massachusetts in Hampshire County that disappeared as a result of the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir... but guess again.  It turns out that the first Enfield, Massachusetts was Longmeadow's neighbor to the south which is now called Enfield, Connecticut.

1785 map section
[click image to enlarge]

 

 

The boundary of Massachusetts and Connecticut was disputed for many years and was caused by a surveying error in 1642 by Woodard and Saffery- two Boston surveyors who were commissioned by the Colony of Massachusetts.  Their survey showed that the town of Enfield and other nearby towns were within the colony of Massachusetts.  At that time Connecticut was seeking a charter from the King of England and Massachusetts decided it was wise to survey its southern border.  A second 1695 survey by Butler and Whitney commissioned by Connecticut corrected the error and it showed that Enfield, as well as Suffield and Woodstock were within the borders of the Connecticut Colony (see 1713 survey map below).

1713 Map
Details 1642 survey and 1695 corrected MA/CT Border
[click image to enlarge]

In 1713 there was an agreement between the two colonies that allowed Massachusetts to continue governing the towns as defined by the 1642 survey even though it was recognized that there was a significant boundary error. 

"By the agreement Massachusetts was as before to have jurisdiction over her old border towns, though they fell to the south of the new Colony line. For this privilege of jurisdiction Massachusetts agreed to compensate Connecticut. For as much territory as Massachusetts governed south of the true line, she agreed to give the same amount of territory to Connecticut in unimproved lands in Western Massachusetts."  [The Boundary Disputes of Connecticut Chapter II, page 58]

Despite this 1713 agreement between the two colonies, the border dispute continued and was not fully resolved until 1804- a total of 162 years from the original 1642 survey.

Here is a 1774 map that showed the towns of Suffield and Enfield were included in the Colony of Massachusetts.

1774- Thomas Jefferys- Geographer
[click image to enlarge]

Another map- a 1785 post-Revolutionary War map of Massachusetts and Connecticut showed similar information.  The towns of Enfield and Suffield were both located in the state of Massachusetts.

1785 Map of MA/ CT/ Surveys by Holland, Evans and others
Source: Massachusetts State Archives
[click image to enlarge]

 

 

 

 

Below is a enlargement of the Enfield/ Longmeadow section of this map.... This 1785 map showed "Long Meadows" (included both East and West Villages of Longmeadow) as a town which was incorporated in 1783 after it separated from Springfield, MA.  This map clearly showed Enfield and Suffield to be part of Massachusetts at that time.

Enlargement of the 1785 map

 

 

While researching this subject I found an interesting book related to this subject....  The Boundary Disputes of Connecticut by Clarence Winthrop Bowen- published in 1882.  In Part III/ Chapter 3 of this book, entitled The Controversy Concerning Woodstock, Enfield and Suffield there are some notable comments....

"The next controversy Connecticut had with Massachusetts was with regard to the border towns (Enfield, Suffield and Woodstock) above alluded to. They desired to change the jurisdiction to Connecticut. In 1724 Enfield (March 9) and Suffield (March 12) asked to be brought under Connecticut. The General Assembly appointed a Committee to examine the question, but they reported that the agreement of 1713 with Massachusetts would prevent, and Connecticut should now stand by her agreement.*"

“Though Massachusetts would not openly recede, Connecticut continued to govern Enfield, Suffield, and Woodstock. Massachusetts continued until the Revolution to levy taxes without collecting them, and to send notices of fast days and elections to the three towns; and as late as 1768 claimed that she had not given up jurisdiction, and warned the towns not to pay taxes to Connecticut.”

Another history tidbit can be found in this chapter about this ongoing boundary dispute... Enfield did not want to wait to officially become part of Connecticut.... In 1750 Enfield seceded from the colony of Massachusetts and joined the Colony of Connecticut.

"the Colony (Connecticut) voted May 1749, to receive the towns, declared the agreement of 1713 not binding, and appointed Commissioners to unite with Massachusetts in determining the line, and in case of refusal to appeal to George II"

However this did not resolve the boundary dispute between the two colonies and it continued for another 50+ years.

Another map of Longmeadow was created in 1794-5.  It was part of a state mandated survey that was required of each town in Massachusetts by the state legislature.

"For the compilation of a state map, each town in Massachusetts (including those in the five eastern counties now part of Maine) was required by Resolves 1794, May Sess, c 101 to make a town plan based on a survey no more than seven years old, to be submitted to the state secretary's office. Rivers, county roads, bridges, courthouses, places of public worship, and distances of the town center to the county shire town and to Boston were to be included."

Here is the 1795 map submitted by the town of Longmeadow to the state which has been annotated for clarity that showed Enfield to be well within the borders of the state of Massachusetts.

1795 Map of Longmeadow
[click image to enlarge]

Interestingly enough, when the compiled state of Massachusetts map (1802) (see below) was drawn that used input from these surveys, it showed Enfield and Suffield within borders of the state of Connecticut.

1802 Map of Massachusetts
[click to enlarge]

1802 Map- enlarged section of Enfield/ Longmeadow

 

 

This 1802 map was the first time that Massachusetts had acknowledged that Enfield was in the state of Connecticut and not Massachusetts.   

In 1804 the border dispute involving the towns of Enfield and Suffield was finally resolved and agreed upon by both states- Massachusetts and Connecticut ending the 162 year old border dispute.

For those who are reading this post and are interested in the history of Enfield, Massachusetts located in Hampshire county, here are some specifics...

• Incorporated on February 15, 1816 from portions of Greenwich and Belchertown
• The Massachusetts towns of Enfield as well as Dana, Greenwich and Prescott were disincorporated in April 1938 when Quabbin Reservoir was created.

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References

1. The Boundary Disputes of Connecticut by Clarence Winthrop Bowen- published in 1882 
2. The Settling of Enfield, Enfield Historical Society
3. 6 Places That Used to be Part of a Different State, New England Historical Society
4. Massachusetts State Archives
5. Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center

In addition, the assistance of William Fournier and Robert Ellis- members of the Enfield Historical Society are gratefully acknowledged for their contributions to this article.

by Jim Moran/ Guest Historian

A Difficult Travel Day in the Longmeadow Area

Unidentified trolly
Date: ~ 1905

The weather on Sunday- January 11, 1903 caused havoc for many people in the Longmeadow, MA area!  Snow began falling in the morning around 11 AM.  By 5 PM there was 2"- 3" of snow on the ground.  Then, there was more challenging weather.  A heavy rain and sleet storm suddenly appeared!  A method of transportation for so many people was taking a "trolly".  The electric trollys were running to stops in Springfield and to nearby towns.  

However, later that afternoon the temperature dropped and water froze on every surface including tree branches, sidewalks and the electric power line wires for the trollys.  A metal "wheel" at the end of a long pole connected the trolly to the overhead wires to supply electrical energy for the trollys.  These trolly wheels were smooth and had a difficult time moving along the ice coated wires.  To remedy this situation the electric current through the power lines was increased in  an attempt to melt the ice but the result was breakage of the power lines in eight different locations.  Loss of power disabled a number of the trollys and they were not able to move!  Repair wagons were sent out and the passengers needed to be helped.

At first reports had come in that broken wires affected 3 trollys.  One was located on the Liberty Street line in Springfield and another was on Springfield's Sumner Avenue line.  The third was on the Longmeadow line and this trolly was stuck on Pecowsic Hill.  Then 2 more trollys were affected in Longmeadow.  One trolly was located near the home of E. S. Brewer on Longmeadow Street (on the Town Green).  The second trolly was "in one of the gullies" in the southern part of town.  Then, more reports came in about broken wires in Springfield.  

Source:  Springfield Daily Republican
Jan. 12, 1903

Fortunately, not all of the trolly cars had been affected.  However, travel was slow for these cars, as described in the newspaper clipping below.

Source:  Springfield Daily Republican
Jan. 12, 1903

Many Springfield area travelers who used the trolly on January 11, 1903 would not forget this experience!  It was a day with snowfall and then heavy rain and sleet fell!  

Source:  Springfield Daily Republican- Jan. 12, 1903.  

~Written by Judy Moran                       

A New Year's Day Dinner Option in 1950

Springfield Republican
December 25, 1949

On New Year's Day in 1950 Longmeadow, MA residents and also residents in the area enjoyed their opportunity to have dinner at the Old House on the Green!  This restaurant was located at 797 Longmeadow Street in Longmeadow.  It was a favorite establishment for many organizations and also for family celebrations.  George E. and Margaret Adams were the proprietors of this restaurant that was located in a historic house on Longmeadow's Town Green.

797 Longmeadow Street
Date: 1909
Courtesy of
Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society

Click here for a previously written post to learn more about this historic home that became a destination restaurant for many years. 

It is now the year 2023! 
I wish you all a Happy and a Healthy New Year!!    

~Written by Judy Moran    

A Christmas Tree at the Turn of the 20th Century

Harry E. Bisco- December 1905
Photo colorized by Longmeadow Historian
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
(Click photo to enlarge.)

In 1907 the Spencer, MA resident Paesiello Emerson moved to Longmeadow, MA.  Many of us recognize his name.  He was the gentleman who took up the hobby of photography later in his life.  Mr. Emerson took photographs of people, places and objects in Longmeadow, MA- documenting our town at the turn of the 20th century.  

Before moving to Longmeadow, Mr. Emerson enjoyed using his camera and took photos in the town where he lived, Spencer, MA.  The photograph above was taken in Spencer in 1905.  It is very interesting to see a young boy standing next to an early 20th century Christmas tree. We have the opportunity to view decorations on the tree and also gifts that he enjoyed.  Strands of popcorn decorate the tree along with treasured manufactured ornaments and other keepsakes.

The boy is 6 year old Harry Evelith Bisco.  He was born in Spencer, MA in 1899.  Harry's father Leonard was a farmer in Spencer where Harry, his dad and his mom Nellie lived.  

Perhaps this was a Christmas keepsake photo that Mr. and Mrs. Bisco paid Mr. Emerson to take.  Or maybe it was a gift from Mr. Emerson to Harry's parents.  Harry's name (first name misspelled) and the date is written on a sign under the tree.  

This 1905 photograph gives us a wonderful opportunity to view a Christmas tree from 117 years ago!

Paesiello Emerson took another photo also dated December 1905.  It was a photo of the Bisco family.

Bisco Family- December 1905
Photo colorized by Longmeadow Historian
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
(Click photo enlarge.)

 

This is a beautiful family photo of 3 generations of Harry E. Bisco's family.

Left to Right:
Joel F. Draper (his maternal grandfather), Nellie and Leonard A. Bisco (his parents), Harry sitting in front, Ella and Felix Cassavant (his step- sister and her husband)

Thank you Mr. Emerson for taking these interesting photographs 117 years ago!

Sources:  1899 Spencer, MA Marriage Records, 1899 Spencer, MA Birth Records, Springfield Republican- May 15, 1907, 1880, 1900 and 1910 U.S. Federal Census, 1903-04 Spencer, MA Marriage Records and 1907 Spencer, MA Street Directory.

~Written by Judy Moran            

1923 King Tut Lecture Given at Community House

Egyptologist Arthur Weigall
"at the Temple of Edfu
before 1913"
courtesy of Roger Bragger

It's so interesting to learn about subjects that fascinated residents of Longmeadow and the surrounding communities 100 years ago! One topic of interest to them was the discovery of mummies in Ancient Egypt.  In November of 1922 the British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter discovered and opened the tomb of King Tut-ankh-Amen (King Tut) in Egypt's "Valley of the Kings" at Thebes.  News traveled and so many people everywhere including the United States were very interested in this discovery!  That included the residents of Western Massachusetts!  

The following year, on December 14, 1923, a lecture was given at the Longmeadow Community House about this discovery!  The British Egyptologist Arthur Weigall captivated his audience with his lecture titled, "Recent Discoveries in Upper Egypt"!  Mr. Weigall had been present when the "inner shrine" of King Tut-ankh-Amen (King Tut) was opened.

Springfield Republican
Dec. 11, 1923
(Click to enlarge.)

Arthur Weigall toured the United States in 1923/1924 giving a lecture tour and sharing information about this discovery. 

Arthur Weigall
Archeologist and Author
former Inspector General of Antiquities
for England

Local residents were very curious and very interested in learning about "King Tut".  Advertisements for this special lecture at the Community House were found in the Springfield Republican newspaper. Tickets for this event cost $1.00 and could be purchased at Steinert's in Springfield, MA and the Longmeadow Drug Stores in Longmeadow. 

Springfield Republican
Dec. 13, 1923

It was an event that so many people attended and enjoyed!  Today in the 21st century, many of us remain curious about the Egyptian Pharoah Tutankhamun.  We are fascinated with Egyptian history and the ancient pyramids and their contents.  We take opportunities whenever possible to visit special exhibits at museums and/ or read articles about "King Tut".  We do have similar interests as the residents of Longmeadow and the surrounding area did- 100 years ago. 

Additional Sources: Springfield Republican-  Dec. 14, 1923.   

~Written by Judy Moran  

Longmeadow on the Internet- 25 Years Later

Longmeadow News article announcing the
official launch of the town website
[click to enlarge]

On this day 25 years ago (December 8, 1997) Longmeadow became one of the first towns in Western Massachusetts to have a presence on the World Wide Web or Internet as it is called today. The town’s web address was www.Longmeadow.org that predates the launches of Facebook, Twitter and the many other social media platforms that are available today. MS Internet Explorer and Firefox browsers were not yet developed so early Internet users employed Netscape, Mosaic and Cello browsers which have since disappeared.

Earlier this year (2022) the Town of Longmeadow decided to move its Internet web address to one better reflecting its current purpose as a town government website ---> www.LongmeadowMA.gov. 

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Here is a little history about the development of the town's website….

In early 1997 Jim Moran, a town resident and member of the town’s Technology Planning Committee organized a group of volunteer town residents including Rick Beale, Jane Berg, Donna L.S. Fisher, Mark Gold and Farida Pomerantz to create the town’s first website. The primary purpose of this original website was to be a “community” website including content ranging from town government announcements, online access to Storrs Library, school lunch menus, links to diverse civic group websites, etc. After many months of effort this volunteer group was able to launch the new town website. Below is a screenshot for the homepage of the new website as it appeared in 1999….

[click image to enlarge]

 

After the new website was launched in late 1997 and interest by the design team waned, self-appointed webmasters Mark Gold and Jim Moran continued to spend thousands of hours updating the website design and content over the next 13 years.  Because of this volunteer effort, cost to the town was estimated to be less than $100/ year for domain name registration and web hosting.  The Longmeadow website-  www.Longmeadow.org became a valuable information resource for the Longmeadow community.

[click article to enlarge]

Below is a screenshot for the homepage of the website as it appeared in early 2010….

[click image to enlarge]

During the early years there were a couple of serious conflicts with Select Board members created by disagreements about what should be considered allowable content on the “town” website. Moran and Gold both had a broad vision of the website as a community resource while some Select Board members wanted it to be much more restricted. At one point the webmasters proposed creating a non-profit organization funded by private donations and run by a board of directors (see newspaper article below).

[click article to enlarge]

By 2010 certain members of the Select Board wanted to impose significant content moderation policies about issues involving the building of the new high school and to remove unapproved postings of other community information.   At this point the webmasters removed the “objectionable” content as well as their support for maintenance of the “town” website.   Over the next 5 years the website quality significantly deteriorated and became much less of an effective town communications resource due to the lack of active support.
 
Below is screen capture of www.Longmeadow.org home page as it appeared in late 2010.

[click image to enlarge]

The new Longmeadow website launched earlier this summer at www.LongmeadowMA.gov is a vast improvement over earlier versions and hopefully it will become a valuable town government and community information resource. Below is screen capture of the new home page in 2022. 

~written by Jim Moran/ town resident and owner of LongmeadowBiz, LLC

Longmeadow Junior High School

Longmeadow Junior High School
Date: April 27, 1923
courtesy of Digital Commonwealth/ Longmeadow Historical Society
colorized
(click image to enlarge)

The new Junior High School in Longmeadow, MA opened on September 6, 1922!  This beautiful new school was located on Longmeadow Street across from the Town Green just north of the Center School.  (This building is now part of the current Center School campus.)  After completing the first 6 years of their education, the students were now attending the new Junior High School.  Previously, they all had attended Center School for Grades 7- 9 with the "Shop Work" class taught at Norway Street School.      

1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The Principal of this beautiful new school was Herman H. Brase.  Mr. Brase had this position for 2 years.   

Springfield Daily News
September 5, 1922

After graduating from Longmeadow's Junior High School many students continued their education in Springfield, MA at Central, Commerce or Technical High Schools.

1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The first class to graduate from this school in June 1923 are listed below:

1923 Longmeadow Annual Town Report

The principal, Mr. Brase, left his position when was offered an appointment at the State Normal School in Lowell, MA.  In 1924 Charles M. King became the new Principal.  He had previously been the Principal at Monson Academy in Monson, MA.

Additional Source: 1922 Longmeadow Annual Town Report, Boston Herald (Boston, MA)- Feb. 15, 1958 and Springfield Republican- Sept. 7, 1923. 

~Written by Judy Moran