Sentenced to Death for Treason: Alpheus Colton of Longmeadow

Jonathan Hale Daybook: Jan 25, 1787

On January 25, 1787, a Longmeadow merchant, Jonathan Hale, recorded in his daybook a debit to Alpheus Colton for the rental of a “slay to West Springfield.” On that same day, Hale made a notation that felt like it carried far greater importance. It referenced a decisive incident in the series of actions collectively known as Shays’ Rebellion. Hale wrote, “This Day about 4 o’Clock Began the Sivel War by Shaiyes Party …on the Hill in Springfield, were fired on & Turned and they Left three Men Dead on the ground & one Mortally wounded.” Why does the rental of the “slay” (sleigh) on January 25th matter?Because the man who rented it, Alpheus Colton, would be sentenced to death for actions he took that day in his role in Shays’ Rebellion.

Alpheus Colton, of Longmeadow, MA, was only fifteen years old in 1781 when he and two other young men from town appeared at the Rev. Stephen Williams’ door asking for a blessing as they left their families’ farms in Longmeadow to enlist in the Continental Army: “This day Alpheus Colton, Hancon [Hanan] Colton, & Alpheus Hancock - weny off to go to ye Army - ye Youth called at my house - I prayed with them. Ye Lord be pleased to be with and bless them.” Records show that Colton served for 2 years and nine months in the Continental Army before being honorably discharged at West Point in December of 1783.

Despite the end of the Revolutionary War, all was not settled for many of its veterans. Many men who had fought and served found themselves back in their hometowns struggling financially. Pensions and payments that had been promised by the government never materialized, leaving many veterans destitute and angry. In general, the new nation was struggling under the uncertainty of a fledgling financial system, and citizens throughout the new republic were anxious and stressed by their lack of access to real money to meet their basic needs. When pleas, petitions, and letters to government representatives were unsuccessful, men like Daniel Shays of Pelham attempted to harness the energy of fellow frustrated Americans into action. Shays’ Rebellion culminated on January 25, 1787 in an attempted raid on the Springfield Arsenal, today known as the Springfield Armory. Six men from Western Massachusetts, including Alpheus Colton, were sentenced to hang for their role in the unsuccessful uprising. Alpheus Colton was only twenty-two years old at the time.

On that frigid January afternoon in 1787, as many as 2000 frustrated men, many veterans like Alpheus Colton, tramped through knee deep snow from various points in Western Massachusetts prepared to overwhelm the military stationed at the Springfield Arsenal with their show of unity and strength. Ultimately their goal was to steal the weapons housed there and march towards Boston to force the government to recognize their frustrations and act to make necessary changes to relieve them of their financial problems. The soldiers at the Arsenal fired on the Shaysites forcing them to retreat. The raid was unsuccessful.

So, what was the sleigh to West Springfield for? We can’t know for sure, but it is likely Alpheus Colton was taking it to the headquarters of Luke Day, one of several leaders of groups organized in support of the Rebellion. A very interesting account of how he might have used the sleigh appears in an 1893 family history of the Burt family of Hampden County: “The last Nathaniel Burt was taken as a hostage during “Shays’ Rebellion” and carried to West Springfield. He was a large, heavy man and he made his captors carry him by force and put him in the wagon when they took him prisoner. … The leader, Alpheus Colton, wrote an humble and heartfelt apology to Nathaniel Burt, for the part he took in his capture, under date January 30, 1787, acknowledging that he had ‘acted the part of a fool,’ but pleaded that he was a ‘hasty youth.’ ‘My design,’ he wrote, ‘in taking you was to exchange you for William Russell, as I told when I took you, but as soon as I got to West Springfield I felt a sorrow within. The next day I went to Luke Day to get him to write your brother [Col. Gideon Burt] to make an exchange for William Russell, but his answer was ‘No.’ I repent of what I have done. It causes bitter repentings and sincere sorrow, and I pray you to overlook it if it be possible. *** I humbly ask pardon from you and your whole family.’ ”

While some of the attackers were arrested, none faced punishments as dire as the men sentenced with Alpheus Colton on April 27, 1787. Per newspaper accounts, “Last Saturday ended a fortnight’s sessions of the Supreme Judicial Court at Northampton; at which were convicted and sentenced to DEATH for the crime of TREASON six unhappy persons, who had taken a very active part in the late rebellion, had been concerned in captivating, plundering, bayoneting or firing upon peaceable citizens of the Commonwealth, had been in arms from time to time, for stopping courts of justice, and acted as zealous officers under Shays and Day, at the time of the attack upon the continental arsenal…” In reading out his sentence that day in April in Northampton, Alpheus Colton, among his fellow conspirators, heard the sentence pronounced by the Hon. William Cushing, Esq, Chief Justice, ““You shall go from hence to prison, from whence you came, and thence to the place of execution, and there be each of you hanged by the neck, till you are dead.” And God Almighty have mercy on each of your souls!” Strong words indeed.

Ultimately, within a matter of weeks, all men would receive pardons from Gov. John Hancock. In a dramatic turn, the last two men to be pardoned were first led to the gallows before an assembled crowd. Nooses were placed around their necks, and only then were they informed of the governor's pardon.

Alpheus Colton lived out his days in Longmeadow. In 1818 he was still seeking the pension he had been promised for so long. In a letter published in the Hampden Federalist on Nov. 12, 1818 he wrote, “Attention! Soldiers of the thundering 3rd of the Massachusetts line! Rear rank! Take distance! March! Dress! Order arms! Bear regimental orders! Daniel Merrill calls upon us once more to petition to the honored fathers of our country, for that is our just due. Let us hear the call, brother officers and soldiers, or lose the blessing by delay. …Ought I now give up the chase? No - let us all try once more, that we may receive our just dues; and may the blessings of heaven follow. - Alpheus Colton. Longmeadow, November 5, 1818.” It appears that he did receive a pension of $96/ yr from 1818-1820. Colton died in 1823 at the age of 58 and is buried in Longmeadow Cemetery. A marker placed near his gravestone pays tribute to his service as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, but makes no mention of his brief, but dramatic turn as an insurrectionist. Nathaniel Burt, whom he allegedly forced from his bed on that cold January night in 1787 is buried nearby in the same cemetery.

photo credit: Betsy McKee

Special thanks to Dennis Picard for his editorial assistance.

Sources

1. Ancestry.com, Military Records, Pension Papers for Alpheus Colton (1765-1823)

2. Burt, Henry M. and Silas W. Burt. Life and Times of Henry Burt of Springfield and Some of His Descendants, 498. Clark W. Bryan Company, Springfield, 1893.

3. Hale, Jonathan. Daybook C: 1784-1788 BV 52, Longmeadow Historical Society Archives

4. Hampden Federalist. Nov 12, 1818: p.2 letter from Alpheus Colton

5. Johnson, Clifton. Hampden County 1636-1936, 219. Am. Historical Society, New York, 1936.

6. Massachusetts Gazette. Apr 27, 1787: Boston, MA Vol: VI Issue: 325 Page: 3

7. Williams, Rev. Stephen. Diaries Vol. 10. May 2, 1781

Contributed by Melissa M. Cybulski, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member

Originally published January 27, 2022

Preserving Longmeadow

First Congregational Church on the Longmeadow Town Green

When my husband and I first drove north on Longmeadow Street, we were drawn to the well-maintained antique homes and boulevard-like appearance of the street. By the time we reached the north end of town, we were intrigued enough by the physical beauty of the town to stop at Stearns & Yerrall to make an appointment with a realtor. The built environment and expansive vistas that caught our attention were not an accident; they were intentionally created and maintained by the Town of Longmeadow.

Longmeadow residents have been actively preserving it’s history for a long time. Longmeadow is fortunate to have so many older houses still standing; they are here today only because many early residents of Longmeadow valued and maintained their homes. As the town evolved and new streets and community buildings were required, residences which were standing in the way of development needed to either be relocated or torn down. To preserve these homes, residents moved them to new locations. For example, the Storrs House Museum was moved to its current location in 1932 when the Richard Salter Storrs Library was built. When Center School and Center School Annex were built in the 1920’s, existing homes on the property were moved to new locations. When the streetcar was installed on Longmeadow Street in the 1890’s, the Thomas Hale house had to be moved; it is now at 37 Birnie Road. For information on moving homes in Longmeadow, see Houses on the Move.

Residents of Longmeadow, many of whom were farmers, valued and wanted to preserve the town’s rural and agrarian aesthetic. In the 1800’s, most of the commercial enterprises and community buildings in the west village were located on the Green and neighboring Chandler Avenue. A beautification push to enhance the appearance of the west village and “restore” the Green to an open, green expanse began in the 1830’s. Shops located on the Green were given 40-year leases which were not renewed. By 1898, all commercial activity had been cleared from the Green.

The sanctuary of First Congregational Church, which was also located on the Green, was moved to its current location in 1874.

As part of this beautification movement, the Longmeadow Street Improvement Association was founded in 1876.

In 1899, interest in the history of Longmeadow spurred residents to organize the Longmeadow Historical Society. Now a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, the Longmeadow Historical Society operates and maintains the Storrs House Museum, curates and preserves extensive town archives, images, and artifacts, and serves as a resource for persons interested in Longmeadow history. Our archive of early town documents has provided researchers with the opportunity to re-evaluate existing narratives of Longmeadow's history, updating them to respond to today's queries. For 40 years, the Longmeadow Historical Society ran Long Meddowe Days, a history-celebrating community fair held on the Green. For more details on the founding of the Longmeadow Historical Society, please see Our History.

Springfield Republican, June 3, 1899

Over the years, Historical Society members have led town preservation efforts. For example, in the 1930s, ten volumes of the diary of Rev. Stephen Williams were transcribed as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). When WPA funds were fully expended and the project had not yet been completed, Historical Society members stepped in and finished the job. Rev. Stephen Williams, the first pastor of First Church, had kept a daily diary for the 66 years of his pastorate. The 4,000 page transcription, as well as the original handwritten diary, have been digitized and can be accessed through the Storrs Library website.

Oral histories of town residents have been preserved through at least two projects:

• In the 1970s, Historical District Commissioners and Historical Society members audio-taped interviews of former selectmen, librarians, school headmistresses, and other long-time residents.

• About 10 years ago, former Selectwoman Kathy Grady and Longmeadow Community TV created Living History, a series of video interviews of long-time Longmeadow residents. These interviews can be viewed at Living History.

One of the most important Longmeadow preservation efforts was the establishment of “The Green” historic district in 1973. A Massachusetts Local Historic District, it is governed by the Longmeadow Historic District Commission. In 1982, “The Green” also became listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2012, "The Green" district was expanded and six neighboring houses were added.

Longmeadow Historic District "The Green"

In 1994, the “Longmeadow Street – North Historic District” was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Unlike "The Green", The “North Historic District” is not also a Massachusetts Local Historic District, so the Historic District Commission is not responsible for it.

“Longmeadow Street – North Historic District”

As Longmeadow developed away from the Green, the town worked to preserve the aesthetic of open space in other parts of the town through the establishment of parks.

• Public water works land containing Cooley Brook, along with 70 acres of its watershed, became parkland in 1934 and, when Laurel Street divided the parcel, Bliss and Laurel Parks were formed.

1910 Map Section of Longmeadow

• Turner Park was formed later. In 1964, the town began a 10-year plan to purchase the parcels of land which now comprise the park.

• The Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge, while not town property, created additional preserved open space in Longmeadow. Owned and maintained by the Allen Bird Club and The Nature Conservancy, it became a National Natural Landmark in 1972. As of 2016, ownership of this land has begun to transfer to the National Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Silivio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge.

Today, in addition to the Longmeadow Historical Society, there are four town boards which help to preserve the historic character of Longmeadow. These organizations are often confused, but they have different responsibilities in the town. Links to the town boards can be found at www.longmeadowma.org

• The Historic District Commission was the earliest of these town boards. It is currently responsible for preserving the historic nature of "The Green" Historic District. It approves or denies certificates of appropriateness for any exterior alterations to a property in the Historic District that are visible from a public view.

• In 1987, the Historic District Commission commissioned Longmeadow, Massachusetts: A Plan for Historic Preservation. Upon receiving the recommendations of this plan, the Historic District Commission realized that the town's preservation needs were far too large in scope for one commission. Based on that realization, the Select Board created the Historical Commission in 1988. Irregularities in the 1988 creation of the Historical Commission were rectified at the 2021 fall Town Meeting. The Longmeadow Historical Commission is now formally established under Mass. G.L. c. 40, sect. 8(d).

• The Historical Commission’s mission is to identify, preserve, and educate the Town of Longmeadow about its unique historical heritage. Board members work in an advisory capacity to other town commissions and boards to ensure that historic preservation is considered in planning for future community development.

• The Community Preservation Committee was established in 2006 when Longmeadow adopted the Community Preservation Act. Through an annual grant process, the CPC awards funds that support historic preservation, open space, recreation, and affordable housing.

• The Building Demolition Committee was established in 2007 when Longmeadow passed the Demolition Delay Bylaw. Demolition of the Born House, a beloved older home in town, inspired a community grassroots movement which culminated in the enactment of the bylaw. The Demolition Delay Bylaw applies only to structures built before 1901; the list of properties impacted can be found on the Historical Commission website. If a demolition permit is requested for one of these structures, the Building Demolition Committee will determine if the permit can be issued.

We welcome you to join us in our efforts to preserve our town’s history for future generations. Support the Longmeadow Historical Society and attend our programs and activities, apply for an appointment to a town board, and learn more about Longmeadow's long history.

Sources

1. Longmeadow, Massachusetts: A Plan for Historic Preservation

2. 1870 Map of Longmeadow

3. Bliss and Laurel Parks Master Landscape Plan

4. www.longmeadow.org

5. Springfield Republican, June 3, 1899

6. Springfield Republican, October 25, 1876

7. 1988 Longmeadow Annual Report

8. Thanks to Tim Casey

Contributed by Elizabeth Hoff, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member Originally published January 20, 2022

The White Tavern

766 Longmeadow Street- c. 1982 via MACRIS

Longmeadow was home to multiple taverns in earlier centuries. One well known tavern in town was the Old White Tavern located at 766 Longmeadow Street. It has also been referred to as the Colton Tavern and the Allen Guest House. Some of what we know about the Old White Tavern comes from Annie Coomes Leete (1856-1961) who lived in the house as a young girl. Living to the remarkable age of nearly 105 in Longmeadow, Mrs. Leete recorded some of her memories about the home during her lifetime.

100 years after the home was built, Seth Steele was the first to operate it as a tavern from The Hampden Federalist,1818

Taverns were meeting places for both travelers and local residents, and the Old White Tavern was no exception. Being located on the Green, the Old White Tavern was centrally located. Travelers passing through could rest and replenish themselves and their animals and exchange news. Local residents held dances and gathered to casually discuss topics of public interest as well as hold official meetings, although the tavern had to be kept clear during church services. Town residents also used the inn to celebrate victories in competitions like turkey shooting. Annie Coomes Leete even describes the discovery of a paper from 1822 advertising the exhibition of an elephant for one day only!

The property transferred ownership through different families for about 100 years until it was deeded to “Seth Steele, Tavern keeper” in 1811. This is the earliest indication we have at this time of this property serving as a tavern, though we know there was at least one other house operating as a tavern in the 18th century. The deed passed to Calvin Burt in 1819 and then to William White in 1825, who also operated the building as a tavern. Dimon Colton, Sr purchased and took over the tavern in 1832. The house has also been referred to as a hotel while in the care of Colton.

A sign bearing an eagle hung from an elm tree on the property at some point in time. According to the recollections of Annie Coomes Leete a sign reading , “The Old White Tavern” or “Hotel D. Colton, Keeper” also identified the property. The space inside the Old White Tavern was adaptable to suit different social settings. One floor housed a bar in addition to three dining rooms. These were separated by folding doors that could be opened to create one large room. The second floor was also partitioned by hinged panels that could be fastened to the ceiling. The third floor was one large hall suited to many different purposes.

Dimon Colton is the last known tavern keeper of 766 Longmeadow Street. When Dimond Chandler bought the house in 1856, it served for a time as a boarding house for workers at the Newell family button shop. More history on the Newell Button Factory can be found in this History Note from last year by board member Beth Hoff, and this article by former board member Michael Gelinas from The Town Crier. Later, the house passed to the Coomes family in 1866, when some alterations and remodeling were done. The Old White Tavern then became a private residence, occupied for almost thirty years by gold and silver manufacturer William Coomes, who operated out of a nearby shop. The house has continued to serve as a private residence since.

We'll be continuing our research into the taverns of Longmeadow and look forward to sharing more stories with you as we uncover them.

Sources:

1. Annie Coomes Leete’s recollections via Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System database (MACRIS)

2. Genealogy Bank

3. Longmeadow Assessor Database

4. LHS Archives National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places

5. National Archives (NARA)

Contributed by Becky Vitkauskas, Longmeadow Historical Society Board Member

Originally published January 13, 2022