ty-four. In May of this year, the parish was incorporated by the name of the fourth parish of Springfield, but it usually went by the name of Springfield Mountains till 1763, when it was incorporated as a town by its present name. It had not, however, the privilege of sending a representative to the general court till the adoption of the new constitution, in 1780. Rev. Noah Merrick, the first minister in this place, was ordained in 1741. The ordaining service was to have been performed under a large oak tree, but as the morning proved rainy the people assembled in a barn belonging to Mrs. Warriner, and there attended the ordaining solemnities. There were six male church members, viz., Nathaniel Warriner and David Merrick, (afterwards deacons,) Moses Burt, Nathaniel Hitchcock, Stephen Stebbins, and Samuel Stebbins.

Western view of the Wesleyan Academy in Wilbraham.

It appears that the council that convened to organize the church, determined that no less than seven could constitute a church, and were therefore brought to a stand in their proceedings. At length David Warriner stated that he had for some time wished to make a profession, but waited only for the ordination of a minister. Being admitted to the number, the council were relieved from their difficulty. The first meeting-house in Wilbraham was built in 1748. It stood 30 rods south of the house occupied by Mr. Merrick, the first minister. In 1783, the town was divided into two parishes.

The above is a western view of the "Wesleyan Academy" in Wilbraham, taken from the boarding-house, a three-story building on the opposite side of the street. This institution was incorporated in 1824, and is governed by a board of trustees. It has ever been in high repute; it had during the last year (1837) upwards of 300 pupils, of whom 190 were males and 114 females. Scholars are received from 10 years old and upwards. "The course of study is systematic and extensive, and includes all those branches which are requisite to prepare the pupil for the common business

of life, or for a higher course of collegiate or professional duties. The year is divided into four terms, corresponding, as nearly as possible, with the four seasons." The academy is 10 miles west of Springfield, 30 miles north-easterly from Hartford, and 83 westerly from Boston. There are in the town 4 churches, 2 Congregational and 2 Methodist. Population, 1,802. In 1837, there were in this town 457 Saxony, 1,054 merino, and 781 other kinds of sheep, and the value of wool produced was $3,668 62; capital invested, $35,460. The value of boots and shoes manufactured, $8,498 75; value of straw bonnets and straw braid manufactured, $2,000; palm-leaf hats manufactured, 7,145, valued at $1,000 30.

The following is from the Massachusetts Spy, (Worcester,) Nov. 20, 1805:

MR. THOMAS, JUN. Sir, I have written the following at the earnest request of the relatives of the deceased. Please to give it a place in your paper, and you will gratify the public, and discharge a duty which humanity imposes.

Your real friend,

HORRID MURDER AND ROBBERY.

Z. L. L.

Mr. Marcus Lyon, a young man of peculiar respectability, about 23 years of age, left his friends in Woodstock, Con., last March, and went to Cazenovia, N. Y., and labored through the season. As he was on his return to his native place, mounted on an excellent horse, he was attacked by two merciless ruffians in Wilbraham, on the Springfield turnpike road, between the gate and Sikes' tavern, on the 9th inst. about 2 o'clock, P. M., and there murdered in the most barbarous manner. The circumstances attending the awful scene are almost too shocking to humanity to relate. It is supposed, from the best circumstantial evidence, that the unfortunate young gentleman was first shot with a pistol; but the assassins, perceiving the wound not fatal, (as the ball was afterwards found on the outside of his ribs,) fell upon him like bloodhounds, and with a club and breech of the pistol lacerated and mangled his head in a most savage and barbarous manner. The upper part of his head over the cerebrum, and also over his left eye, was indented with wounds, evidently made with the cock of the pistol, and the back part, against the cerebellum, was all mashed to a pulp. They beat him till the guard of the pistol flew off and the ramrod was knocked out, which were afterwards found lying on the fatal spot. Having thus far gratified their infernal disposition, they robbed him of his pocket-book, (how much money it contained we are not able to inform,) then threw him over the wall, dragged him a few rods to Chicopee river, and there deposited him, and placed large flat stones upon his head to prevent his rising. Without delay they next conveyed the horse through a small piece of wood to a sequestered enclosure, and then turned him loose, with saddle, saddle-bags and bridle on, and then went on. Soon after the horse was found and taken up; the neighbors conjectured he had by accident gotten away from some place where his rider had hitched him, and supposed that inquiry would soon be made for him, it being Saturday in the afternoon. They waited till Sunday morning, but, alas! no rider appeared! The alarm spread. The woods, fields, and every bye corner were searched, and at evening they found the corpse close by the edge of the river, with all his clothes on, mittens on his hands, and his great coat wrapped about his head, with a large stone pressing him to the bottom. The pistol was found on the brink, broken to pieces. The young man's hat, new and unharmed, was discovered under a small bridge near the spot. The corpse was conveyed to a neighboring house, and the inhabitants paid that pecu. liar attention which sympathy alone can dictate and gratitude reward. The remains were conveyed to Woodstock on Tuesday, and the funeral attended on Wednesday, when the Rev. Abiel Ledoyt addressed the assembly from Mark xiii. 33. The grief of the mourners, the numbers convened, and the tears that profusely flowed, presented a scene which we conclude has never had a parallel in these our inland towns.

The villains who perpetrated the awful crime are supposed to be two foreigners in sailors' dress, who were seen that day by a number of people making their way toward Springfield. One particular circumstance tends much to strengthen the suspicion. A lad, about 13 years of age, being sent after some hogs in the woods, near the place of the murder, happened to come out into the road, within two or three rods of two men in sailors' habit. He declared under oath before the jury of inquest, that before

he got out of sight of them, he saw one mount the same horse which was afterwards found, and ride him up the hill into the woods, while the other stood with a new cud. gel in his hand leaning upon the wall. The same persons, according to the description, were soon after observed travelling in great haste towards Springfield. We are happy to learn that his excellency Governor Strong issued a proclamation offering a reward of five hundred dollars for the detection of the villains, and that the high sheriff of Hampshire county greatly interested himself in taking measures to detect them, which we learn have proved effectual, and the murderers are both committed to gaoĺ in Northampton. (See Northampton.)

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY was incorporated in 1662, and embraced at that time the three counties of the state which are centrally intersected by Connecticut river. Before its division it was the largest county in the state, and Northampton, being in the central part, was a shire town. The county was divided into three by the legislature of 1811 and '12. Franklin county was formed from the northern section, Hampden the southern; Hampshire, the central part, retained the original name. The surface of Hampshire is generally hilly, and in some parts mountainous. The land in the western part of the county gradually rises, and its western border lies on the summits of the Green Mountain range. The Lyme and Mount Tom ranges of mountains begin in this county, and continue to the ocean, on the southern shore of Connecticut. The soil is of very unequal quality, being best in the center, and growing less and less fertile towards the eastern and western extremities. There are, however, fine interval lands on the banks of the Connecticut, being some of the best lands in the state.

The following is a list of the towns, which are 23 in number.

In 1820, the population of this county was 26,447; in 1830, it was 30,210; in 1837, it was 30,413.

AMHERST.

THIS town was originally a precinct of Hadley, called "Hadley East or Third Precinct." It was incorporated as a town in 1759. The first church was organized, and Rev. David Parsons, the first minister, was settled Nov. 7th, 1739; he died in 1781, and was succeeded by his son, Rev. David Parsons, D. D., who was or dained in 1782. "The ministers who belonged to the council which ordained Dr. Parsons, were the Rev. Messrs. Robert Breck,

AMHERST.

of Springfield, Joseph Ashley, of Sunderland, John Hubbard, of Northfield, Samuel Hopkins, D. D., of Hadley, Roger Newton, D. D. of Greenfield, Simon Backus, of Granby, and Josiah Dana, of Barre." Dr. Parsons died suddenly at Wethersfield, Con., where his remains were interred. He was succeeded by Rev. Daniel A. Clark, who was settled in 1820, and continued here in the ministry till Aug., 1824. Rev. Royal Washburn next succeeded, and continued his labors here five and a half years, and died in 1833. Rev. Micaiah T. Adam succeeded Mr. Washburn. He is a native of England, and passed a number of years a missionary of the London Missionary Society at Benares, in Hindoostan. Rev. Josiah Bent succeeded Mr. Adam, in 1837.

North-western view of Amherst College.

The Second Parish in Amherst was incorporated in 1783. The church was organized the year previous, and their first minister, Rev. Ichabod Draper, was ordained in 1785. He was succeeded The South Parish was incorby Rev. Nathan Perkins in 1810. porated in 1824. The church was organized in 1824, and Rev. Horace B. Chapin, the first minister, was ordained the following year. The North Parish was incorporated in 1826, and Rev. William W. Hunt was settled as pastor of the church the next year.

The above is a north-western view of the Amherst College buildings, which are four in number, constructed of brick. Three are occupied by students; the one surmounted with a tower is occupied as a chapel, library, and for lecture-rooms. These buildings stand on a commanding eminence, and overlook the valley of the Connecticut to a great extent. "This institution was established in 1821. Its resources were comparatively limited at first, and its success, by some, considered doubtful; but it is now in a highly prosperous state. It has a fund of $50,000, made up of the contributions of individuals. This fund is under the direction of five trustees, chosen by the subscribers; and the interest is annually appropriated towards the support of the college. There are 7 or 8 pro

fessors, including the president, 3 or 4 tutors, besides other officers; and from 150 to 200 students. The yearly expenses of a student are from 90 to 118 dollars, including college bills and board. There are three vacations per annum; the first for four weeks from commencement, which takes place the fourth Wednesday in August, the second for six weeks from the fourth Wednesday in December, the third for three weeks from the third Wednesday in May. The number of volumes in the library is 7,000 and upwards, and the terms of admission, and the courses of study, are similar to those of Yale college, Con. The numerous difficulties which Amherst college encountered in its infancy are fresh in the recollection of many persons, as well as the violent opposition which was raised against the application of the trustees for a charter from the general court."-American Magazine, 1835.

The venerable Noah Webster, LL. D., the author of the American Dictionary of the English Language, was for a time a resident of this town, and was one of the presidents of the board of the Amherst academy. He inaugurated the first president, and delivered an address on the occasion, standing on the north-west corner-stone of the south college. Besides the college, there is in the place an academy, and a seminary, called the "Mount Pleasant Institution." There are 9 or 10 instructers, and it has acquired celebrity throughout the state.

The village in the vicinity of the college consists of about 75 well-built dwelling-houses, a bank, and other public buildings. Distance, 63 miles to Northampton, 108 from Dartmouth college, N. H., 46 from Hartford, and S2 miles west of Boston. Population, 2,602. In 1837, there were in this town 2 woollen mills, 4 sets of woollen machinery; wool consumed, 39,000 lbs. ; cloth manufactured, 62,195 yards, valued at $40,337; males employed, 22; females, 30; capital invested, $30,000. Two hat manufactories; value of hats manufactured, $3,600; palm-leaf hats manufactured, 60,000, valued at $12,000; value of carriages manufactured, $100,000; hands employed, 100; capital invested, $30,000; value of joiners' planes manufactured, $8,000. There were 2 paper mills: stock manufactured, 42 tons; value of paper, $7,000.

The following inscriptions are copied from monuments in the grave-yard in this place:

In memory of the Revd. Mr. David Parsons, first pastor of the church at Amherst, who died Jan. 1, 1781, in the 69 year of his age, and 41st of his ministry. A man of God and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Rev. 14, 13. Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; yea, saith the Spirit, their works do follow them.

Rev. ROYAL WASHBURN, born at Royalton, Vt., Dec. 6, 1797, graduated at Vermont University, 1820, and at the Andover Theological Seminary, 1824, settled as pastor of the first church and parish, Amherst, Jan. 4, 1826, died Jan. 1, 1833. Honored & be loved in the church, having a good report of them without; seeming blameless as the steward of God; in doctrine showing sincerity and sound speech, in practice a pattern of good works; yet lowly of heart, & ascribing all to the grace of God through Christ; his ministry short. but blessed with joyous fruit; his life as becometh saints; his death full of peace. Multum diuque desiderabimus.*

* Much and long shall we lament for him.