Historical Collections, by John Warner Barber

263

MONTAGUE.

hats manufactured. Population 1,260. Distance, 7 miles from Greenfield, and 80 from Boston.

In the north-westerly part of the town there is a canal 3 miles long, commencing at the head of Turner's falls, descent 70 feet, through which lumber and goods are conveyed in great abundance annually. There is a post-office at this place, called Montague Canal post-office. From time to time many traces of savage men are here discovered, such as points of arrows, stone chisels, &c. The first ordained minister was the Rev. Judah Hash, as appears upon a slab of slate-stone over his grave; was settled Nov. 17, 1752, died Feb. 19, 1805, having continued with his people 53 years. And it is engraven upon said slab, that

"He was faithful to his God, a lover of the church, a friend to mankind.

Ever ready to hear affliction's cry,
And trace his Maker's will with a curious eye,
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds and led the way.
At church, with meek and unaffected grace,
His look adorned the venerable place."

The names of some of the first settlers are Ellis, Harvey, Root, Gunn, Taylor, Clapp, &c. The celebrated Capt. Jonathan Carver had his residence in this town for many years.* One of his daughters married a Mr. Moses Gunn, who is still living in this place, and through the descent of his children by Capt. Carver's daughter claims an interest in what is called the Carver lands, granted him by the western Indians, situated in the Wisconsin Territory. The following was transcribed from a grave-stone in said Montague, about one mile from the present center:" -In memory of Mrs. Olive, wife of Mr. Moses Gunn, and daughter of Capt. Jonathan Carver of Montague, who died April 21, 1789, aged 30 years, leaving 4 children."

That part of the town taken from Sunderland in early times was called Hunting-hill Fields. Tradition says that is was thickly inhabited by animals of the forest, such as bears, wolves, deer, and moose. From the many stories of hunters, one only is selected. "A Mr. Ebenezer Tuttle and his father, of this place, at the time of its first settlement, went out on a hunting expedition, agreeing to continue out over night, designating the spot, about 3 miles from any house, in the easterly part of the town, in a gloomy forest, They separated for the objects of their pursuit. The son returned first to the place of encampment; he had not been there long before he heard a noise, saw the bushes move, and, being somewhat frightened, he thought he saw a bear, levelled his piece and fired; his father replied, 'You have killed me!' and soon expired. It was then almost dark. He took his father in his arms, with what emotions nor pen nor tongue can describe, and continued with till day, and then went and gave information of what had taken place." In the grave-yard in said Montague there is the following inscription:--

* Communication from J. Hartwell, Esq.