A Whately Almanac - Victor Bardwell declines his invitation

Or we think he did... the invitation included a card to allow admittance (non transferable!) and it was not used. 

Victor Bardwell died on 31 March 1932 at the age of 78.  He was a cattle dealer and farmer and widely known and respected in Franklin County.  His imposing house and farm at the top of Polar Hill was a thriving enterprise.  The story was told that if any many needed money, he could walk out to West Whately and Victor Bardwell would give him a day's work. 

In 1897 Bardwell was selected to serve as one of the jury in the trial of John O'Neil.  O'Neil was a neer-do-well man accused of strangling Hattie McLeod, then raping her corpse.  Hattie was a 37 year old widow, living with her father in Shelburne Falls. The trail was a sensation widely reported in the newspapers and O'Neil was easily convicted. On 7 January 1898, one year less one day from Hattie's death, O'Neil became the last man to be hanged in Franklin County.  

Zebina Bartlett's Account Book

Zebina Bartlett’s Book of Accounts

Zebina Bartlett, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Bartlett was born at North Hadley, Massachusetts 18 October 1780.   Zebina was the second of three children born to Daniel and Elizabeth. 

In 1803, now 23 years old,  Zebina married Demis Allis, daughter of Russell and Sarah (Edson) Allis.  They resided in present day East Whately at what was then called “Bartlett’s Corner”.  I believe this to be where present day Christian Lane meets River Road.  Between 1808 and 1824, the couple had seven children.   Zebina was a contractor and bridge builder. He died in Whately 9 November 1862 and is buried in the East Whately Cemetery. 

Zebina was twenty years old when he purchased and began to use his account book.  Measuring 15.5 tall and 6.5 inches wide, the book is in extremely poor condition with water stains and mold.  The paper is strong and although the binding is loose and the covers badly worn, the book is in one piece.  Many entries are badly faded and some are illegible. 

The pages are numbered only erratically; Zebina did not start at the beginning or go to the end and numbered only the verso.  My numbering starts on the first page inside the cover and goes through 204 pages. 

Zebina  used a form of double entry bookkeeping with monies owed to him itemized on the left.  The right side was used in two ways; sometimes to settle accounts with his customers and sometimes to itemize his own expenditures.  In many but not all cases, the settling of accounts was recorded on the page directly opposite the itemization of jobs.

While difficult to read, the book of accounts is an open window through which we can glimpse everyday life in the 1800’s in Whately.  Zebina Bartlett was called a carpenter but he was able to make anything from a cradle to a bridge. 

A sampling of the items for which he charged various clients goes to show the range of work he was willing and able to do.  In addition, he charged clients for riding to various nearby towns on errands, he “rented” his horse to neighbors, and he charged for work done by his sons Alvan and Zebina W.  He sold a lot of woven woolen, linen and cotton goods and it is presumed that these were the labors of his wife and five daughters.  He sold rum, cider, ashes, salt, seeds, potatoes and other items. 

Levi Morton                   “to move house”

Levi Morton                    “to pair small shoes”

Joel Wait                        “to make corn barrow”

Joel Wait                       “to mend a table”

Philow Bacon                “ to making 2 pair of shafts”

Oliver Graves                “to one bushel of salt”

Oliver Graves                 “my horse to Buckland”

Oliver Graves                “for 13 lbs of veal hind quarters”

Josiah Gilbert                “to making a slead”

Thomas Marsh              “to making a coffin”

Thomas Marsh              “for my horse to Hatfield”

Oliver Morton                “for one pair of wagon wheels”

Oliver Morton                “for hanging a grind stone”

Joshua Belding               “for taking care of two hogs”

Capt. Thos. Sanderson  “for making seed harrow”

Capt. Thos. Sanderson  “to setting glass one evening”

Solomon Adkins            “to work on tan pots”

Solomon Adkins            “to one days work chopping”

Benjamin Cooley           “to driving one hog home”

Town of Whately           “to work on highway”

Town of Whately           “to work on schoolhouse”

Asa Parker                     “to two days work reaping”

Lucius Graves                “to one bread trough”

Lucius Graves                “to help Simon finish off wheels”

Lucius Graves                “to help Rowland turn five hubs”

David Stockbridge          “to work laying floor”

David Stockbridge          “to making hay cart”

Erastus Crafts                “to make small coffin”

Samuel Bartlett              “to make a cradle”

Osee Smith                    “to one day moving cider mill”

David Stockbridge          “to my trouble collecting timber for your barn”

David Stockbridge          “to put up lightning rods”

David Stockbridge           “to fix pump and barnyard fence”

Page showing details for Oliver Graves.  

Page showing money owed to David Stockbridge.  Since this is primarily for "flip", brandy and tobacco it reflects time spent at the Stockbridge tavern.

The Account Book is in the collections of the Whately Historical Society and is catalogued as number 1981.098.001.

  

This history of the Waite Farm is unattributed but is probably by Argie Waite Strippe.  The original paper is very faded and will neither photograph nor scan.  The photograph and the history are in the collections of the Whately Historical Society.


The information about Benjamin Waite, "The Hero of the Connecticut Valley", is readily found in many places in books and on the Internet.  This paper is of interest not because of Benjamin but  because of the specific details about previous buildings on the site and the specific materials used in building the present house.  The Waite House is located at the intersection of Webber Road, Strippe Road and Mountain Laurel Road in West Whately..

No 1.  February 1905

A History of this, “The Waite Farm” West Whately Mass[1] 

Benjamin Waite the “Indian Scout” and called the Hero of the Connecticut Valley was our own first ancestor.  He had several children, his son’s were John and Jeremiah.  Jeremiah had a son Nathan, and he and his son Jeremiah bought this farm about 1781, of Capt. Church and sister of Hatfield, Mass. 

There was at that time a small frame house:  in 1776 that house was taken down and a larger one built.  Many of the old boards were  being used in building the second house which stood upon nearly the same (lines) foundations as the first.  The second house was taken down in May 1904, being one hundred and eight years old (108).  It was in a fairly good state of preservation, although the large chimney was considered unsafe and much work would be necessary (to be done) if the house were remodeled, to make it in good condition; therefore this present house was built.  It stands nearly on the same lines but everything from foundations to finish is new.  A large heavy stone wall cellar replaces the small one (which was under only two rooms.  The stones for the cellar were blasted and brought from the Laurel Mountain west of the house.  The lumber grew on the woodlot on the mountain west of the house and in the edge of Conway owned and cut by Willis Waite, the present owner of the farm.  The slate for the roof came from Vermont by carload.  The carpenter and builder of this house was Charles Field, son of Frank and grandson of Paul W. Field of West Whately.  The first old boards, which were used on houses No 1 and No 2 are also used on this house.

Since the farm was first purchased in 1781 or 1783 it has never been sold, but has been handed down by will from father to Son, until the present time.  First Nathan, then Jeremiah, then Nathan, then John Bement Waite born August 5, 1812 and died April 16, 1888, age 74 and eight months.  He married Celia Ford, daughter of John Ford manufacturer of woolen cloth at and  of Cummington, Mass.  She was born October 28, 1819;  they had eight children, Alfred, Eugene, John, Edward, Adelaide C, Arthur (died young), Willis Ford, M  Madora, Francis and Anna L.  The farm was willed by John Bement to his wife Celia Ford and at her decease to their son Willis A., the present owner and builder of this house. 

He was born March 21, 1850 and married Sept. 17, 1879 [to] Marianna Brewer daughter of Amos Brewer of Sheffield, Mass.  She was born March 18, 1857.  They have two children Clifford Earl born November 3, 1882 who is unmarried and lives with his parents at the present time, and Argie Lena born November 14, 1884.  She married William G. Stripp, October 13, 1902, and at present they live with her father.

Six generations have lived upon this farm up to the present time and here is hoping it will remain in the Waite name until six generations more come and go.  Many acres have been added to the farm by both Willis and his father since the original purchase in 1781. 

Further account pertaining to family, house and locations can be found in Crafts History of Town of Whately, Mass. 

This is a transcription of a paper owned by the Whately Historical Society and catalogued 1999.157.001

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[1] Words in italic are corrections or additions added to the original, presumably by the author.  

From Lebbeus Jenkins to Capt. Rufus Smith

Williamsburgh Nov th 20 1830

Honoured Sir

I take this method to declare the great regards and affection I have for your amiable daughter whom has in possession those qualities that adorn the female mind and render the connubial state pleasant and happy.  I would in the mean time Sir through the medium of these few poor written lines solicit your consent and approbation. and that of your good Lady to be a relative to your worthy family worthy fam  family by her means.  When this Sir you receive and it be your pleasure to honour me with your daughters hand in marriage and favour me with an answer it will be ever esteemed as a particular favour and acknowledged with sincere gratitude.

By your obedient and humble servant

Lebbeus Jenkins

Notes on the letter:  It was written on one sheet and folded with an address in lieu of an envelope.  It was addressed to Capt. Rufus Smith Whately.  Lebbeus never names the daughter in question and it sounds like this is a letter copied from a pattern book.

Rufus Smith had 13 children, six of whom were girls; the last two a set of twins.  There is no record that any of them married Lebbeus and, sadly, Lebbeus himself died 13 February 1832 in Cummington aged 31 years old.  His probate record is in Hampshire County and has recently been filmed by LDS. To his brother he left a bit of land, a horse and a gold watch.  There is no mention of a wife.

The Smith family lived on Grass Hill Road in Whately, a road which runs to the left off the Whately Williamsburg Road (heading to Williamsburg).  This road is now abandoned although clearly discernible and passable on foot.

I have found no record of the parents of Lebbeus.  He may have been the son of Southworth and Eunice (Williams) Jenkins who were in Williamsburg in 1830 but a list of their children on Find A Grave does not include Lebbeus.

This letter belongs to and is in the collections of the Whately Historical Society, catalogued as 1998.025.001.

Sylvester Waite to Elihu Waite

Mr. Elihu Wait

I hope that you remain my dear father, as yet also a dear mother, but as I have not heard from father mother brothers nor sisters so long that I don’t know whether any of you are now in the land of the living and if you are all dead may these words be found by some connection or some neighbor that I may hear whether you are dead or not as I am some distance from you and do not expect to [two words crossed out] see you very soon it would please my mind to hear from you very much. 

I am now in the state of Ohio town of Talmage (Tallmadge) village of Middleburg county of Portage thirty six miles from Cleaveland.  I am to work for a man by the name of Jackson a making fanning mills which I got thirteen dollars a month for one year which I begun April the twenty fourth.  He had got fifty mills all but done and fifty more expect to finish the first of October which I think they will sell them all for thirty dollars a pease.  I like this business very well but if I cant get a living at this I shall try the plough.  If I get any money from Chester I think that I shall try Michagan another year if  [?] don’t suit myself in this estate. 

I was out to see our cousins the twentieth of March they were all well and I think in a good situation to live.  They want that I should buy a lot by them of thirty six acres they think that I can get the lot for three dollars an acre.  The land suits me very well but I think there is more chance for the rise of land in Michagan.  I have been expecting a letter from Chester this month but I have not heard from him yet I think that he must be well off.  I should heare from him and Elihu but I think that they must be well. 

[?]  corn is worth thirty one cents wheat is worth thirty seven cents. This is a lively place, there is a stream runs through this place that is called the little Cuyahoga there is two large gristmills, two sawmills, a forge, two carding machines, clothing works, all in about to miles.  There is six or seven stores in this place, three stages run through this place and teams without number.  The canal runs within about a mile and a half of this place which causes a great deal of trade.  I went out a coursing [not sure if that is the word]  which is about thirty or thfive miles.  Some I conversed with a while they knew me not and expect it will be so with you and I am forgot on every side and it seems  that you had forgot me entirely, therefore I think it will be of no use for me to come home. I am not known but dear father brothers and sisters if you would just call and see this western world, see the population and soil of this country you would forget the days that you have had and no rocks and stones which I expect that you are carting them stones at this day while the farmer here has not hardly stone to weigh on his scythe. The crops are coming in well, the wheat not so good the fruits hang beyond all description.  And now I must draw to a close and wishing you to give my love to all that has not forgot me.  I remain your youngest son Silvester Wait

 July th30 1826. 

Notes on the Letter:  This is an original held by the Whately Historical Society.  It is handwritten on both sides of a 8.5 x 11 sheet of plain paper.  It is in very good condition.  There is an envelope.  On the back of the envelope is written the following list of names:  Patty, Calvin, Dimmis, Sally, Luther, Roxany, Rufus, Chester, Rebecah, Elihu, Silvester Wait.  These are the names of the whole family including the parents, Rebecah and Elihu.

Notes on the Family:  Silvester Waite (he used the spelling Wait but the customary spelling includes the "e").  was born 12 June 1799 in Whately, Massachusetts.  He was the twelfth and youngest child of Elihu and Rebecca (Graves) Waite.  The list of children provided in Crafts History of Whately  matches that on the envelope with the exception of their first child, Lucretia who is not included in the list.  His mother had, in fact, died in 1821 and his father was remarried to Electa Kellogg by the time Silvester's letter arrived.  

Crafts writes that Silvester "resides about ten miles from Leroy", and says he had a least three children of whom only Elvira is named.  A Sylvester Waite of the right age, born in Massachusetts was in Elba, New York in the 1850 through 1880 census records.  He had a daughter named Elvira and it is presumed that this is the same man who wrote the letter.  Further substantiation of this is that Silvester's brother Chester also resided in Leroy.  

Seth Kenney to Lyman Crafts

This is a letter from Seth Kenney in Minnesota to his cousin Lyman Crafts in Whately.  He writes to tell of the death of his father and includes interesting information about other family members and about his cane syrup business.  Seth was born 22 February 1836 in Massachusetts, the son of Stephen and Sophronia (Alexander) Kenney.  He died 24 May 1917 in Morristown, Minnesota.  Lyman Crafts, the cousin to whom the letter is addressed, is the son of his mother's sister.  That sister, Lucy Alexander, married Walter Crafts of Whately and Lyman was their eldest child, born in October 1854.


Morristown, Rice County, Minnesota

Oct 11th 1897

Dear Cousin Lyman Crafts,

I write you to tell you my father Stephen W. Kenney died at 1/2 past 6 in the morning of 22nd Sept 1897 aged almost 84 years.  He had a cancer in the stomach and had been ailing for one year but was not real sick till 6 or 7 weeks before his death.  Before he died he expressed a hope that he should meet us on the other shore.  We miss him so much at the same time do not wish him back.  He was a great sufferer till in the last 2 weeks we kep him with morphine that reduced his sufferings very much.  He was very grateful to us in helping to ease him as much as possible.  Mother is very feeble and it would seem she cannot long remain behind.  At the present time Uncle Elias Alexander is dangerously sick with an infection of bowells and we have no hope of his recovery.  My own health is not the best but I carry on quite an extensive business but will have to stop sometime.  Am now working up the sugar cane with 14 [?] expenses $30 per day.  I have some money ahead probably enough to pay all bills.  We grind 50 tons cane a day, it takes considerable help to do it.  Sold 9000 gals last season.  Write when you can.

Are your prices on tobacco satisfactory?  Since the Cuban Rebellion I thought it might help you.  How is Uncle Walter?  Can he work any?

A letter from she that use to be Sylvia Alexander, her husband died in Middleboro Mass a few years since she since married a man and lived in Rockport Mass but now lives in Middleboro Mass.

How old are your children and their names one by one?  Our friends leave us but I think there is something better beyond and look for a glorious "Reunion beyond".  The though is sweet "not lost but gone before".  I have had this same faith 47 years and it has been my "anchor".  My mother and one of my sons has the same father brighter as the end grows nearer.  Such a meeting I love to think of it.

Your cousin Seth

I hope you have the same faith to carry you through.

Notes on the letter:  This is an original held by the Whately Historical Society.  It is handwritten on both sides of a sheet of letterhead paper, 8.5 x 11, faintly lined.  There is no envelope.  The printed portion of the letterhead is complex as is seen in the photo heading this post.  There is a large stain that goes through both sides but does not obscure the writing.  Insignificant changes have been made for clarity.