Red Sandstone in Longmeadow

We live in a geologically very interesting area in western Massachusetts. The Connecticut River Valley is a rift valley, which means it was formed when two parts of the continental crust pulled apart. (see information below about our joint program with Storrs Library on Wednesday, October 28th). Longmeadow sandstone was formed from sediment carried from mountains to our east and washed into our valley at the time of the dinosaurs. The Connecticut Valley is a rich source of red sandstone, with distinctive colors and mineral makeup particular to different areas. Longmeadow was lucky to have some of the best quality stone. It's a relatively soft stone to work.

Many of you have seen the brownstone row houses in cities like Boston and New York. Did you know that much of the brownstone (red sandstone) came from Longmeadow? Locally, the stone was mostly used for foundations, lintels, steps, trim and gravestones. Two nearby exceptions are the East Longmeadow Town Hall, built in 1882, and the Clapp Memorial Library in Belchertown.

Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, St. Johnsbury, VT built 1890 from Longmeadow stone

It is estimated that at one time there were as many as 55 active quarries in town! Many of them were small outcroppings for local use.

Portion of 1870 Map of Longmeadow

Many workers employed in the quarries were Swedish, Italian, Irish, and French immigrants. It could be a dangerous business, as a Springfield Republican newspaper notice attested in 1889 "John Driscoll, who was badly injured at the Longmeadow quarries a few days ago, is dead."

Taylor Quarry, site of the current East Longmeadow DPW (George Patrick and Ox cart) Photo courtesy of East Longmeadow Historical Commission

Gravestones were usually made from stone near at hand--it was not easy to move heavy stone any great distances before railways were established. We had several very skilled gravestone carvers, or, as they often referred to themselves, sculptors. Most of the red sandstone gravestones in this area came from East Longmeadow quarries.

Hermon Newell 1774-1833

Abigail Williams, 1766

Stone working tools, Author's collection

Stone working tools, Author's collection

Contributed by Betsy McKee, Board Member, Longmeadow Historical Society

Originally published October 22, 2020

Grace Trowbridge Smith's Scrapbook

This History Note shares a page or two from a scrapbook in our collection once belonging to Miss Grace Trowbridge Smith. It sheds light on the election process of 1920.

Grace Trowbridge Smith's Scrapbook

Several scrapbooks reside in the archives of the Storrs House Museum, home of the Longmeadow Historical Society. Many are collections of newspaper clippings that the keeper thought worthy of collecting during their lifetime. One of particular interest these days belonged to Miss Grace Trowbridge Smith (1880-1969) who lived all of her life in Longmeadow.

Of keen relevance right now is a clipping about the November 1920 presidential election where the Warren G. Harding/ Calvin Coolidge ticket won against the opposing James M. Cox/ Franklin D. Roosevelt ticket. This election was the first presidential election in which the women of Massachusetts could vote. Grace T. Smith’s scrapbook contains a clipping advising would-be voters to hit the polls early as the turnout was expected to be much larger than usual. The clip states: “So great is the number of ballots expected on account of the enfranchisement of women that there is fear that not all who may want to vote can do so on account of the jam. The way to avoid losing your vote is to VOTE EARLY."

Scrapbook Clipping: November 1, 1920

In 1920, Grace T. Smith would have been 40 years old. She was a 1902 graduate of Mt. Holyoke College, a schoolteacher, and unmarried. Her family was deeply involved in civic life in Longmeadow. Her brother Frank at various times had served as town clerk, town treasurer, and tax collector. Her mother, Lucy Griswold Smith, was the very first woman elected to serve on the town’s School Committee. It is easy to imagine that the experience of voting in this election would have been very meaningful to Grace.

Annual Town Reports show that 1916’s presidential election drew 392 total votes as compared to the 1920s which saw an enormous increase to 1020 total votes cast.

1916 Election Results: Longmeadow

1920 Election Results: Longmeadow

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

Originally published October 15, 2020

William Sheldon (1788 - 1871)

Of the many daguerreotypes in the collections of the Longmeadow Historical Society, 10 of them are of this eccentric gentleman. He was described in the Springfield Republican Newspaper obituary as: "an aristocrat of the first water, never having accepted the American Revolution. A Tory, a monarchist of the day of Queen Bess, and a churchman of a higher order than any American..." He preferred to dress in old-fashioned clothing, "As he took his daily walk by the roadside, with a silver-headed cane in hand, he was a quaint and ancient looking figure of a portly old man with long white locks, a bell crowned hat of great breadth and height, a high standing collar, sustained by a white cravat, with ample bows and double frilled shirt bosom, and to complete the effect, a blue dress coat, with gilt buttons, and pantaloons of too ancient a cut for minute description."

Sheldon's father, Dr. William Sheldon, married Eunice Williams, one of Reverend Stephen Williams' granddaughters. Eunice was the younger sister of Sarah Williams Storrs, second wife to the Reverend Richard Salter Storrs. After both of the Williams sisters were widowed within a year of each other, they lived together in the family home in Longmeadow. The younger Sheldon lived with his aunt and mother in the Storrs home until about 1860. At that time he built a house at the north end of Longmeadow Street and proceeded to live there with domestic help. The census records describe him as a literary professor, gentleman, author, and retired farmer!

Wealthy enough not to have to work, he had the opportunity to explore scientific theories. According to the Springfield Republican obituary, "he understood all mysteries and explained the 'spirit rappings.' His greatest scientific discovery was the utilization of the 'Od Force' by which he claimed to have stayed Cholera and other epidemics. His Last and crowning invention, a secret to be buried with him, was a method of aerial navigation." Keep in mind that this was the mid-19th century!

St. Albans Daily Messenger

See also Stephen Gencarella's book: A Celebration of New England's Eccentric and Misfits: Wicked Weird & Wily Yankees

Contributed by Betsy McKee, Board Member, Longmeadow Historical Society Originally published October 8, 2020