Springfield, Massachusetts

Today there is not much left of Springfield's distant past. Even the old burial grounds were removed to make way for a road. The cemetery once stood along the river and the inhabitants were all the founders and early settlers of Springfield. In 1848 the graves were removed to the newer Springfield Cemetery, also known as Peabody Cemetery. More than 2,000 remains from the Old Burying Ground were placed in a mass grave unidentified. Some graves were moved with the headstones though. There is a small park in Springfield near the Courthouse that has a few historical references. I have put photos I took there in the photo gallery.

Springfield, Massachusetts Index

Historical Overview

The founding of Springfield began with a small group of people led by William Pynchon. William Pynchon was a businessman who came to the colonies to do business. William Pynchon led the group to Agawam Plantation which was renamed Springfield in 1641. I have not seen a list of the founders of Springfield with the exception of William Pynchon. I am working on a list of the founders and earliest settlers. I hope to have it here soon. Under Pynchon the small outpost became a successful village in agriculture and fur trading. Pynchon authored a book that became the first banned book in the colonies. Soon after he left Springfield and returned to England leaving his son Hohn Pynchon in charge. He never returned to the colonies.

Originally a part of the Connecticut Colony, Springfield became part of the Massachustts Bay Colony because William Pynchon and the early settlers of Springfield disagreed with the harsh beliefs and actions of Reverend Thomas Hooker who led the Connecticut Colony in Hartford. During King Philip's War in 1675, the majority of Springfield was burned to the ground. At the time, 60 houses existed along with a saw mill and a grist mill. The mills were burned along with 45 houses. John Pynchon (son of the founder William) owned a large house made of brick where many of the settlers of Springfield stayed for protection during the war. A group of men were sent to Westfield to procure grain to replace their supply which had been burned in the siege, but were ambushed by the native warriors..

First Death Inquest

A recorded court inquest for a death was held in Springfield on 30 September 1684. The deceased was Elizur Weller who died in Westfield without a will. It appears to be the equivient of a modern Coroner's Inquest. This record is so unusual I am reprinting it here as written. The spelling errors and misuse of uppercase letters belong to the author, John Pynchon.
"Att the Countie Court held at Springfield, Sept. 30, 1684." "Nathaniel Wellere p'sented to this Corte the Inventory of the Estate of Elizer Wellere of Westfield, late deceased & made oath to the truth of the Inventory, and he sd. deceased dying intestate, in his own selfe Murther, power of administration is granted to sd. Nathaniel Wellere upon said estate: And the Inquest made upon sd. Elizer Wellere death, was p'sented to this Cort, and is as followes:
Westfield: 17 Aug. 1684
We whose names are undr written being defined by the Constable as a Jury according to Law, to give or Judgmt on the awful, amazing, and untimely death of Elizer Wellere, after due notice taken, we all unanimously agree, that through the strength of temptation he became his own Executionr, by hanging himself, al signes and circumstances fully concurring therein, and nothing appearing to the Contrary, to the best of or Judgmts, we suppose he might be dead 24 houres before it was known."

"The sevrall psons above subscribed Saml Root excepted, who was from home, made oath to what is above written this 10th of Sept., 1684. Before me,
John Pynchon, Assist."

Below are links to the galleries of photographs taken in Easthampton. The majority of photos were taken at The Main Street Cemetery.

More will be coming soon.

• Photo Gallery with maps

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