Historical Collections, by John Warner Barber

331

NORTHAMPTON.

males employed, 64; females, 60; capital invested, $100,000. There are 2 silk manufactories; value of ribbon and sewing silk manufactured, $40,000; males employed, 20; females, 40; capital invested, $100,000. There is a paper-mill, an air and cupola furnace, and other manufactories of various kinds.

The inhabitants of Northampton appeared to have lived in great harmony with the Indians. In 1664, the Indians requested leave of the people to build themselves a fort within the town; leave was granted, and their fort was erected perhaps about thirty rods from the most populous street. The conditions on which leave was obtained for building their fort were,-- that they should not work or game within the town on the Sabbath, nor powaw here or any where else; they should not get liquor, nor cider, nor get drunk; nor admit Indians from without the town; nor break down fences, &c. "The Indians," says Dr. Dwight, "were always considered as having a right to dwell and to hunt within the lands which they had sold." Although the Indians lived in such close contact with the whites, there is not even a traditionary story of any quarrel between them and the people of Northampton. But after Philip's war commenced, the inhabitants were in continual danger. In 1675, a guard was kept continually; several of the inhabitants had their houses burnt. In King William's war, in 1690, a fortification was ordered to be run quite round the town. In 1704, a body of French and Indians, numbering, it is supposed, about five hundred, invaded the town, but it appears that the inhabitants were so vigilant and well fortified, that they made no serious attempt upon the place. It appears that one house was fortified in every little neighborhood, so that all the inhabitants might have a place of refuge near, in case of an attack. "These fortifications must have been expensive. Those which were erected around the town, were palisadoes set up in the earth, thrown out of a trench; and must from their great extent have involved an expense scarcely supportable." The first road to Windsor, their only passage to market, was laid in 1664. The first bridge over Manhan river, a mill stream three miles south of their church, was voted in 1668. At the same time, they paid their taxes at Charlestown first, and afterwards at Boston, in wheat. This was conveyed to Hartford in carts and wagons, and there shipped for Boston. There is one account, only, of their expense in a transaction of this nature recorded. In this instance, they were obliged to pay one third of the cargo for the transportation from Hartford to Charlestown.

During Shay's insurrection in 1786, after in insurgents had concerted their measures at Hatfield, they assembled to the number of about 1,500 under arms, at Northampton, took possession of the court-house, and effectually prevented the sitting of the courts as prescribed by law. Upon this violence being committed, the governor issued his proclamation in a feeling and spirited manner upon the officers and citizens, to suppress such treasonable proceedings, but such was the state of things in the common