The University of Massachusetts Amherst
Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center
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Enfield (Mass.)

Enfield (Mass.) Collection

1800-1939
8 boxes 4 linear feet
Call no.: MS 010
Depiction of Birdseye view of Enfield, ca.1915
Birdseye view of Enfield, ca.1915

Situated at the confluence of the east and west branches of the Swift River in western Massachusetts, Enfield was the largest and southernmost of the four towns inundated in 1939 to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Incorporated as a town in 1816, Enfield was relatively prosperous in the nineteenth century on an economy based on agriculture and small-scale manufacturing, reaching a population of just over 1,000 by 1837. After thirty years of seeking a suitably large and reliable water supply for Boston, the state designated the Swift River Valley as the site for a new reservoir and with its population relocated, Enfield was officially disincorporated on April 28, 1938.

The records of the town of Enfield, Mass., document nearly the entire history of the largest of four towns inundated to create the Quabbin Reservoir. The core of the collection consists of records of town meetings and of the activities of the town Selectmen, 1804-1938, but there are substantial records for the Enfield Congregational Church. The School Committee, Overseers of the Poor, the town Library Association, and groups such as the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bethel Masonic Lodge.

Background on Enfield, Mass.

Situated at the confluence of the east and west branches of the Swift River in western Massachusetts, Enfield was the largest and southernmost of the four towns inundated to create the Quabbin Reservoir. Laid out in June 1787 as the South Parish of the town of Greenwich, Enfield was officially incorporated from parts of Greenwich and Belchertown on Feb. 18, 1816, and named in honor of one of its early settlers, Robert Field.

With a population reaching nearly 1,100 by 1850, Enfield was the largest of the Quabbin towns and for most of its existence, it was the most prosperous in a generally impoverished region. While agriculture remained the primary source of income for most residents, it was also the site of an early grist mill and whetstone production, and by the 1820s, it was home to the Swift River Valley’s only printers, Solomon and John Howe. The relative abundance of water power from the Swift River promoted manufacturing too, resulting in a flourishing of textile mills (cotton and wool) and the manufacture of wood products, leather goods (including boots and shoes), shingles, pearl buttons, and palm-leaf hats. Smith’s Village, the upper of two villages in Enfield, was virtually a company town for the Swift River Company, a textile manufacturer, which operated there from 1821-1935, while the Minot Manufacturing Company chartered a woolen mill in the lower village in 1837. A spur of the Boston and Albany Railroad (the “Rabbit Run”) was built through Enfield in 1871 connecting the town to Athol to Greenwich, New Salem, and Athol to the north and to Springfield to the South.

Like other towns in the Swift River Valley (Dana, Greenwich, and Prescott), Enfield’s fortunes declined sharply after the turn of the twentieth century. Confronted with a critical demand for water in the Boston metropolitan region in 1895, the Commonwealth authorized the new Metropolitan Water District to seek new supplies in the western parts of the state. Construction of the Wachusett Reservoir along the Nashua River (1897-1908) bought time, but ultimately failed to meet projected demand, and by 1922, the MWD officially signaled its intention of damming the Swift River Valley, signifying an end to habitation there. All residents were ordered removed from the valley, with homes, farms, and places of business systematically destroyed, the land cleared, and graves removed.

Work on the Quabbin Reservoir began in 1926 with construction of the Ware River Diversion, a tunnel connecting the Wachusett Reservoir with the Ware River, followed in 1936 by construction of the Goodnough Dike and Windsor Dam. After the town’s official disincorporation on April 28, 1938, the above-water portions of Enfield were annexed to nearby Belchertown, New Salem, Pelham, and Ware. On Aug. 14, 1939, the reservoir began to fill.

Contents of Collection

The records of the town of Enfield, Mass., touch on nearly the entire history of the largest and most vibrant of the four towns that were inundated to create the Quabbin Reservoir. The core of the collection consists of records of town meetings and the town Selectmen, 1804-1938, but there are substantial bodies of material documenting the Enfield Congregational Church, School Committee, Overseers of the Poor, the town Library Association, and groups such as the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Bethel Masonic Lodge. This finding aid includes both materials held by SCUA and those held at the Swift River Valley Historical Society in New Salem, Mass., that were part of a cooperative digitization project centered on the records of the Quabbin towns.

Of particular interest in the Enfield collection are significant sets of records relating to three women’s organizations: the Women’s Auxiliary and Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church, and the Enfield Mother’s Club. The collection also includes ephemera relating to events such as the Centennial celebration in 1916 and the welcoming home reception given to servicemen returning from the First World War, and numerous photographs.

Series descriptions
Biographical note:

Within fifteen years of the incorporation of the town of Enfield in 1816, members of the Greenwich Congregational Church South Parish (established in 1786) reorganized to establish the Enfield Congregational Church. They applied to Enfield Constable Orum Hanks in 1831 to post a warrant for a meeting of the Enfield parish and acquired the services of Josiah Crosby and Summer G. Clapp as minister and assistant respectively. The land upon which the Congregational Church was built was donated by Captain Joseph Hooker, grandfather of the prominent Civil War general.

Membership in the Church approached 300 at its peak, representing about one quarter of the town’s population. Served as the social and cultural center of the town, the church sponsored a Men’s association and a Women’s Missionary Society. After the Church was laid down in 1939 when the town was taken for the Quabbin Reservoir, the chapel bell was installed in the New Salem Central Congregational Church in 1938.

Contents:

The series includes records of the church and its committees from the time of incorporation of the town through its dissolution in 1938. SCUA’s collections include deeds, charters, and other legal documents concerning church property and accounts (1800-1939); detailed minutes of parish meetings (1831-1887), the parish treasurer’s record book (1871-1916), and the parish trustees’ account book (1885-1938), including the administration of the will of Henry Fobes; articles of faith and covenant (n.d.), the church manual (1927), a manuscript sermon of Reverend S. G. Hitchcock (1848), the sermons of Rev. Colton (1873-1879), an historical sermon (1916) commemorating the celebration of Enfield’s Centennial by Reverend F.B. Richards, church bulletins (1874-1883), and records of the Women’s Missionary Society (1885-1927).

In partnership with our colleagues at the Swift River Valley Historical Society, we have digitized nine ledgers containing records of the church, its treasurer and standing committees, the Gentleman’s Association (later the Enfield Benevolent Society), and three volumes of the Women’s Auxiliary (1904-1924).

The town records from Enfield include records of the fire department, library, Overseers of the Poor, schools, and the Selectmen, along with seven ledgers containing town records.

The series contains records from three organizations based in Enfield — the Bethel Masonic Lodge, the Joseph Hooker Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Enfield Mother’s Club — along with miscellaneous materials relating to the town’s centennial celebration in 1916, records of Civil War veterans, surveys or property owners and real estate as the town prepared for disincorporation, and materials relating to the celebration for returning servicemen from the First World War.

ca.1900-1930
0.5 linear feet

Photographs and real-photo postcards of the town of Enfield and its inhabitants from ca.1916 until the late 1930s, just before the town was flooded in the making of the Quabbin Reservoir.

Collection inventory
Series 1. Enfield Congregational Church (Enfield, Mass.)
1800-1939
Articles of faith and covenant, of the Congregational Church, in Enfield, Mass. S.l.: s.n.
ca.1840
Box 1: 1
Book of Records of the Trustees under the will of Henry Fobes
1885-1938
Box 4: 1
By-laws, creed and covenant, historical sketch, and form of service for reception of members of the Congregational Church, Enfield, Mass. Belchertown, Mass. : Lewis H. Blackmer
1927
Box 1: 2
Church members (list)
1930 Aug.
Box 1: 3
Church Record… “by the Pastor of the Congregational Church, Enfield, Mass.” S.l. : s.n.
1874-1883
Box 1: 4
Congregational Society of Enfield, Mass. Parish records
1831-1887
Box 4: 2
Congregational Society of Enfield, Mass. Treasurer. Accounts
1871-1916
Box 4: 3
Enfield (Mass.): manuscript map of Congregational Church and adjacent properties
ca.1934
Box 1: 5
Enfield (Mass.). Selectmen, Authorization for Methodist meeting
1847
Box 1: 6
Greenwich (Mass.). South Parish, Petition to Massachusetts General Court to incorporate
1815 June 2
Box 1: 7
Howe, Edwin H., Correspondence on church finances, etc.
1937-1939
Box 1: 8
Enfield Congregational Church Ledgers
1804-1938
9 vols.
Location of originals:

Originals are held by the Swift River Valley Historical Society

South Parish of Greenwich Cong’l Church later known as the Enfield Cong’l Church of Enfield, Mass (First Treasurer’s Book) (1804-1857)

Treasurer’s book for the Religious S
ociety in Enfield (1835-1837)

Records of the Church in Enfield, Mass. (1838-1861)

Records of the Congregational Church in Enfield Massachusetts (1861-1885)

Enfield Congregational Church record (1885-1915) (records of the Enfield Christian Temperance Union, 1878-1881, precede the Church records)

Annual reports of Standing Committees (1868-1889)

Last record of Enfield Congl. Church, Enfield, Mass. (1915-1938)

The Gentlemen’s Association in Enfield was formed to raise money for missions. The Enfield Benevolent Society raised money for missions and those in need. Includes Constitution of the Gentlemen’s Association in Enfield and minutes of its annual meetings, 1826-1832 with names of officers and donation lists. Accounts of the Enfield Benevolent Society , 1850-1882, make up the rest of the volume.

Blank book with manuscript registers. Includes Registers of Pastors, Deacons, Church Committee, Sunday School Superintendents; Miscellaneous Register; Registers of Communicants (1845-1886), Baptisms (1868-1883), Marriages (1867-1874), Deaths (1867-1883), Attendance (1869-1880), Councils (1829-1887), Conferences (1867-1886), Contributions (1865-1886); Digest of Marriage Laws

Massachusetts, Charter for the Congregational Church of Enfield, Mass.
1896
Box 1: 9
Program of the 179th anniversary of the incorporation of the Parish of the Congregational Church of Greenwich, Mass.
1928
Box 1: 10
Programs of services
1910, 1923
Box 1: 11
Real estate documents
1812-1906
Box 1: 12
Receipts and accounts
1895-1937
Box 1: 13
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
1873-1874
Box 1: 14
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
1876
Box 1: 15
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
1877
Box 1: 16
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
1878
Box 1: 17
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
1879
Box 1: 18
Sermons: Ewing, Edward C.
undated
Box 1: 19
Sermons: Hitchcock, S. G. A sermon delivered at the funeral of Hiram H. Martindale
1848 Sept. 25
Box 1: 20
Enfield Congregational Church. Women’s Auxiliary
1904-1924
3 vols.
Contents:

The Woman’s Auxiliary was formed November 22, 1904 “to aid the Church by whatever methods shall seem expedient to the Auxiliary.” Records Include Constitution, By-laws, membership lists, minutes of meetings, financial accounts.

Location of originals:

Originals are held by the Swift River Valley Historical Society

Enfield Congregational Church. Women’s Missionary Society
1885-1927
1 folder

In 1885, the women of the Enfield Congregational Church formed a woman’s missionary society to disseminate information on, increase interest in, and raise funds for missionary work. The Society sponsored lectures with missionary workers and distributed funds to women’s missions associations and smaller, local charities. In 1927, the Society merged with similar groups in Hatfield and Northampton, Mass., forming the Hampshire County Branch of the Women’s Board of Missions. The records of the Woman’s Missionary Society of the Enfield Congregational Church consist principally of minutes of meetings and one account book.

Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1885-1887
Box 5: 1
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1888-1892
Box 5: 2
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1893-1899
Box 5: 3
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1900-1904
Box 5: 4
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1906
Box 5: 5
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Minutes (includes Constitution and membership lists)
1917-1927
Box 5: 6
Women’s Missionary Society of the Congregational Church of Enfield (Mass.), Cash book
1919=1928
Box 5: 7
Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor of the Congregational Church, Enfield, Mass., Constitution and by-laws. [Easthampton, Mass.] : Easthampton News Steam Print
ca.1885
Box 1: 21
Series 2. Enfield (Mass. : Town) Records
1816-1938
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department Records
1911-1938

Records include a minutebook kept by the Secretary irregularly between 1911 and 1938, recording details such as the purchase and use of rubber clothing; the care and refurbishing of the engine house; fires extinguished; the preparation of warrant articles for Town Meeting requesting, for example, funds for an addition to the engine house for ladder storage; the submission of names for membership and the vote taken on them; and very frequently over the years, the decision to hold the annual Firemen’s Ball. The tradition of these balls culminated in a Farewell Ball held April 27, 1938, “commemorating the passing of the Town of Enfield and Swift River Valley.” Also includes is a 1902 booklet of Rules and Regulations; the 1916 financial records for the Firemen’s Ball; correspondence between the Chief, Dr. Willard B. Segur, and the members regarding his 1915 illness; and a list of names, mostly regional, date and purpose unknown.

Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Correspondence: W. B. Segur
1915
Box 1: 22
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Dance card from Annual Concert and Ball (9th, 11th, and 16th)
1912-1920
Box 1: 23
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Dance card from Farewell Ball
1938 Apr. 27
6 copies
Box 1: 24
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Fireman’s Ball: reports
1915-1916
Box 1: 25
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Minute book
1911-1938
Box 1: 26
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Miscellaneous
Undated
Box 1: 27
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Postcard of “Steamer Quabbin, Enfield, Massachusetts”
1910
Box 1: 28
Enfield (Mass.). Fire Department, Rules and Regulations. Ludlow, Mass. : A.H. Bartlett
1902
Box 1: 29

Records of the Enfield Library Association, including minutes, lists of members and officers, financial records, and a constitution

Includes financial records and letters written and received concerning persons who required financial support

Enfield (Mass.). School Committee
1816-1914
1 folder

The records of the schools in Enfield include three items: the Selectmen’s school appropriations account book, 1816-1856, documenting funds raised annually by the town to support the schools, and noting allotments to each of the five districts as well as how, when, and to whom the money was disbursed. In 1816, the total amount raised was $300, which by 1828 was already noted as insufficient. After increasing to $400 in 1829, the appropriation dipped to $300 two years later before rising to $500 in 1832. State aid to the schools began in 1837 when the town’s $800 was matched by $65 from the state. In 1856, the last year of these records, the town supplied $800, the state $43.72. By 1854, there were 8 school districts, with student numbers as follows:

District 1854 1855
1 82 84
2 40 40
3 36 40
4 21 18
5 32 44
6 27 25
7 15 10
8 18 12

Secondly, the collection includes an account book from School District no. 5 for 1854-1868, recording the annual allotment from the town as the district’s proportion of the total school appropriation, as well as disbursements for teaching, boarding the teacher, supplying cord wood and making fires, or repairing the school building. The records were kept by the town’s Prudential Committee, which sometimes appears as receiving payments for board, cord wood, or teaching. School terms ran from 10 to 14 weeks and teachers seldom taught for longer than one term, although a few returned. Sixteen of the 22 teachers listed were women, with only one (Mrs. E.S. Wheeler) who appears to have been married. Teachers were generally paid between $2 and $4 per week, although Henry Brown (the Prudential Committee for 1854) received $1 per day and another, Esther Morton, received payment for boarding herself. In most cases, the town paid for boarding the teacher, usually at a rate of $1.50 to $2.50 per week. Other teachers included Augustus Tuttle, Lucy M. Brackett, Pamelia B. Warner, Mary Sears, Sarah D. Blodgett, Lyman Morton, Jane Howe, Rebecca and Ellen Davis, and Lysander Thurston.

The Prudential Committee included H. Brown, Henry Fobes, Augustus Tuttle, David Blodgett, Joseph Collis, Charles H. Dow, H.C.M. Howe, James Foster, H.M. and S.D. Potter, Charles Scott, William W. Hanks, and Daniel Fisk. In 1854 District 5 had 32 students; in 1855 it served 44.

Finally, the collection includes a set of programs from graduation exercises for the grammar school held at the Enfield Town Hall in 1902, 1906, 1913, and 1914. Includes list of graduates, as well as speakers and performers.

Enfield (Mass.). School Committee, Account book
1816-1856
Box 2: 1
Enfield (Mass.). School District No. 5, Account book
1854-1868
Box 2: 2
Enfield (Mass.). School Committee, Graduating exercise programs, Enfield Grammar School
1902-1914
Box 2: 3
Enfield (Mass.). Selectmen, Account book
1816-1846
Box 5: 8

Beginning at the time of the town’s incorporation in 1816, this account book documents the public expenses of a small rural town in central Massachusetts over a thirty year period. Most accounts are for orders drawn, covering routine expenses such as ringing the bell; sweeping or repairing the meeting house; supporting a widow or a pauper and family; supplying materials or labor for roads or bridges; providing services as an assessor or overseer of the poor; building coffins and digging graves; providing a yard to serve as a pound; building or repairing the gates and fence to burying ground; teaching singing school.

The accounts include a great many names representing a cross-section of Enfield society from the well-off who lent money for town purposes to paupers on town support, individuals paid for services rendered, and tradespeople who supplied goods. Among the names mentioned are Henry Fobes, Asa Shaw, Thomas Cary, Polly Pettingill, Abner Eddy, Rufus Powers, Thomas Jones, Elnathan Jones, Alvin Smith, Ichabod Woods, members of the Howe family, Elisha Hunting, Widow Bump, Hosea Hooker, and Freeman Pope.

Enfield (Mass. : Town). Records
1816-1927
7 ledgers
Contents:

Includes town meeting minutes, elections, perambulations, financial records, dogs, etc

Location of originals:

Originals are held by the Swift River Valley Historical Society

Enfield (Mass.). Town Reports
1857-1937
Note:

Title may vary from year to year.

Series 3. Enfield (Mass.). Civic and social life
1846-1938
Bethel Lodge Free and Associated Masons Records
1858-1938

Organized in 1825, the Bethel Masonic Lodge was the oldest recorded social or fraternal group in the Swift River Valley. Although it flourished initially, the Lodge suspended its operations in late 1829 and surrendered its charter in response to the rise of anti-Masonic sentiments. The charter was restored in 1858 to petitioners Aaron Woods, Henry Fobes, Nathan Weeks, J.B. Woods, John Crosby, Ichabod Pope, and Daniel Ford. Erected in 1926, the Masonic Building was located in the central business district of Enfield. When the town was evacuated to make way for the Quabbin Reservoir in 1938, the Bethel Lodge folded and most of its members merged into Eden Lodge in nearby Ware, Mass.

The Bethel Lodge collection consists of material dating strictly from the period following reinstatement of the Lodge’s charter in 1858. Records include a membership list (1861), financial records (1858-1898), by-laws (1882, 1937), a burial service manual (1909), directories (1898, 1929-1938), insurance policies (1873-1898), meeting cards (1880-1926), and a one-hundredth anniversary booklet (1925).

Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Annual return of membership
1861
Box 2: 4
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1858-1859
Box 2: 5
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1860-1865
Box 2: 6
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1866-1870
Box 2: 7
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1871-1875
Box 2: 8
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1876-1885
Box 2: 9
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1886-1889
Box 2: 10
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1890-1894
Box 2: 11
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Bills and receipts
1895-1897
Box 2: 12
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., By-laws. Springfield, Mass. : Weaver, Shipman, and Co., 1882; By-laws. Turners Falls, Mass. : Cecil T. Bagnall, 1896; By-laws. Belchertown, Mass. : Lewis H. Blackmer, 1937
1882-1937
Box 2: 13
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Directory of the seventeenth Masonic District of Massachusetts. Palmer, Mass. : C. B. Fiske
1898
Box 2: 14
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Directory of members
1929-1934
Box 2: 15
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Directory of members
1936-1938
Box 2: 16
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Ephemera
1886-1888
Box 2: 17
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Insurance policies
1873-1898
Box 2: 18
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Masonic burial service. Boston : Grand Lodge
1909
Box 2: 19
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Officers and stated meetings
1880-1881
Box 2: 20
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Officers and stated meetings
1884-1888
Box 2: 21
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., Officers and stated meetings
1913, 1926
Box 2: 22
Bethel Lodge F. and A. M., One hundredth anniversary… [program]
1925
Box 2: 23

In volume titled “Complete record of the names of all the soldiers and officers in the military service, : and of all the seamen and officers in the naval service of the United States, from Enfield, during the rebellion begun in 1861: together with the authentic facts relating to the military or naval career of each soldier, seaman and officer.”

Daughters of the American Revolution. Captain Joseph Hooker Chapter. Record book
1916-1922
Box 4: 4

The records of the Captain Joseph Hooker Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Enfield, Massachusetts, consist of a single book (first six pages missing) with five entries, 1916 and 1922. Two entries are obituaries of members Frances (Fanny) Woods Kimball and Prudence Goodsell Sibley; the longest entry records the Chapter’s services rendered in World War I; and two concern prizes given or received during the Enfield Centennial celebration, 1916.

Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee
1916
1 folder

The town of Enfield, Massachusetts sent invitations across the country to former residents and natives to celebrate its centennial between July 2-4, 1916. Private contributions supplemented the $1000 appropriated by the town for festivities, which included a parade of “floats, automobiles, horribles, etc.”; religious services; sports events; band concert; and fireworks. Members of the Executive Committee included Dr. Willard B. Segur, R.W. Hewitt, J.W. Flint, D.W. Howe, and Charles W. Felton. Records consist of minutes of some of the public and committee meetings held to plan the celebration; letters received by committee members, chiefly from vendors of services for such celebrations; historical sketches prepared for distribution at the event; programs of the entire celebration and sports events; the official invitation; a committee member’s badge; and news clippings.

Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Correspondence
1916
Box 3: 2
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, The hundredth anniversary celebration [booklet] including “Lines on the one hundredth anniversary,” by Carrie Warren Harwood and “A sketch of Enfield’s history,” by Amanda Woods Ewing
1916
7 items
Box 3: 3
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Invitations
1916
2 items
Box 3: 4
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Official program, Enfield Centennial
1916
2 items
Box 3: 5
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Minutes
1916
Box 3: 6
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Newspaper clippings
1916
Box 3: 7
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Newspaper clippings (photocopies)
1916
Box 3: 8
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Realia: commemorative town seal, one hung from ribbon for member of “clean-up” crew
1916
2 items
Box 3: 9
Enfield (Mass.). Centennial Committee, Richards, Frederick B., Historical sermon preached in Congregational Church, Enfield, Mass., July 2, 1916, centennial of town. Belchertown, Mass. : Lewis H. Blackmer
1916
Box 3: 10
Enfield Mother’s Club
1916-1937
Contents:

The Enfield Mothers’ Club, open to all mothers in Enfield, Mass., was formed in 1916 “to promote the spiritual, intellectual and social life of mothers”. It ceased to exist in 1937.

Location of originals:

Originals are held by the Swift River Valley Historical Society

Volume includes Constitution, membership lists, minutes of meetings.

Howe, Oliver H.
1896
Box 3: 11
Howe, Sylvanus: includes receipts for pew purchase, document regarding fencing of burial ground, and will
1846-1851
Box 3: 12
Names of property owners in Enfield
1933
Box 3: 13
Real estate survey
Box MAP:
Swift River Hotel menu
ca.1920
Box 3: 14
Welcome Home Dance, Enfield, Mass. Service Men
1919 Oct. 13
2 items
Box 3: 15

In honor of the fifty-one men from Enfield who served in the First World War, the town held a dance celebrating their return was held Monday evening, October 13, 1919. Two dance program cards from that event comprise the collection. Both are filled out, chiefly with initials. The back cover identifies W.H. Young as Floor Director, along with five aides.

Series 4. Enfield (Mass.) Photographs
ca.1900-1930
1 folder
Centennial celebration: Automobile with patriotic bunting and two boys dressed as doughboys
1916
2 copies
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: F. C. Kelly place decked out in patriotic bunting (later reprint)
1916
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Group dressed in historical costumes standing on steps, one man in black face
1916
2 copies
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Group dressed in historical costumes standing on steps, one man in black face
1916
Mounted photo
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Houses decked out in patriotic bunting
1916
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Swift River Hotel decked out with patriotic bunting
1916
2 copies
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Union P. of H. No. 64 float
1916
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Welcome banner hung over street, buildings draped with patriotic bunting
1916
2 copies
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Women in costume, dancing (later reprint)
1916
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Women in historical costumes posed with sign reading “Votes for women”
1916
Box 3: 16
Centennial celebration: Women in historical costumes posed with sign reading “Votes for women”
1916
Mounted photo
Box 3: 16
Howe, Edwin H. house
ca.1900-1915
7 items
Box 3: 17
Howe, Edwin H.: Edwin Howe seated at desk, hands folded (photo by W.C. Gardner)
ca.1930
Box 3: 18
Howe, Edwin H.: Annie Howe, seated (photo by W.C. Gardner)
ca.1930
Box 3: 18
Howe, Edwin H.: Edwin H. and Annie Howe, seated together (photo by W.C. Gardner)
ca.1930
3 copies
Box 3: 18
Howe, Edwin H.: Edwin H. and Annie Howe, seated next to one another (photo by W.C. Gardner)
ca.1930

5 copies
Box 3: 18
Photograph album (disbound)
ca.1910
Box 3: 19
Postcards: The cove, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Box 3: 20
Postcards: “In order that you may forget-me-not…,” with inset Birds eye view, Enfield, Mass.
1912
Box 3: 20
Postcards: Linda Vista, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
2 copies
Box 3: 20
Postcards: “Why did I waste so many years… ,” with inset Birds eye view, Enfield, Mass.
1912
Box 3: 20
Real photo postcards: Bird’s eye view, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Bird’s eye view of Smiths, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Bridge Street, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1920
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Cabot Bridge, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Cary Bridge, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Congregational Church, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Cove, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Cove, Enfield, Mass. [alt.view]
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Enfield Chapel
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Enfield Fire Department
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Hotel, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Railroad station
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: River view at Smiths, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: River view near Tebo’s Mill, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Tebo Manufacturing Co. , Enfield, Mass.
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Tebo’s Mill, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Real photo postcards: Town hall, Enfield, Mass.
ca.1910
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 21
Snapshots: Baseball team
ca.1915
2 copies
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Business district, Enfield: automobile and young boy and man with camera
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Business district, Enfield: automobile parked
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Business district, Enfield: automobile, young man with camera
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Business district, Enfield: automobiles parked
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Congregational Church (in snow)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Edwin H. Howe Store and Post Office
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Edwin H. Howe Store and Post Office (verso: image of Enfield Grammar School)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Field house (home of Robert Field)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Field house (verso: old Town Hall before renovation)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Fire house (verso: Field house)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Fire house and Swift River dam
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: “I am looking for the horse thief” (man in buggy)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Ice cream and soda shop with man in doorway (Unc?)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Post Office, Enfield, with bearded man in doorway
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Post Office, Enfield, with bearded man in doorway
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Post Office, Enfield, with bearded man in doorway (Unc?)
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Potter’s Feed Store and Paine Block
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Smith’s Village School
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Swift River Dam and Enfield mill
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Swift River Dam and mill
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Town Hall and Congregational Church: view looking west from across the river
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Town Hall: first Town Hall, later to become Grange Hall
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
Snapshots: Twink Dawson and Skinny Gage in baseball uniforms
ca.1915
Box 3: 22
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior entry gates
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior front entrance
1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior side view
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior side view
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior view of grounds, spruces, and house
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: exterior view of spruces from side of house
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: interior of parlor
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: interior of parlor with piano
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: interior view through parlors
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
The Spruces: home of Henry W. Smith: interior views through parlors
ca.1915-1928
Box 3: 23
Unidentified: Boy with horse (later reprint)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Fishermen and women with their catch
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Girls and dog in horse cart (later reprint)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Horse-drawn water wagon in Enfield streets
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: House and barn
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: House and grounds (later reprint)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: House and trees
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: House in snow
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: House, Cape Cod-style (later reprint)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Mowing hay (later reprint)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Rose climbing on trellis by doorway
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Streets scenes (front and verso)
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Swift River
ca.1915
Realphoto postcard
Box 3: 24
Unidentified: Woman seated on porch
ca.1915
Box 3: 24
Ware River Division Photos (MDC): Ida M. Parker et al. (Coldbrook) — Oakham (photo by Chetwynd)
ca.1930
Box 3: 25
Ware River Division Photos (MDC): Rutland Worsted Company, West Rutland, W-16 (photo by Chetwynd)
1928 May 3
Box 3: 25
Ware River Division Photos (MDC): White Brothers Company, Barre, W-117 (photo by Chetwynd)
ca.1930
Box 3: 25
Administrative information
Location of Originals

This finding aid includes materials digitized in partnership with the Swift River Valley Historical Society in 2014, where the originals remain.

Provenance

Original materials in this collection were the gift of Donald W. Howe, 1960; digital content made possible through a collaboration with the Swift River Valley Historical Society, 2014.

Processing Information

Processed by I. Eliot Wentworth, Ken Fones-Wolf, Linda Seidman, and others, 1984-2014.

Related Material

Additional material relating to the history of the four Quabbin towns is indexed in SCUA’s online catalog, UMarmot, and includes the following materials of note:

The Swift River Valley Historical Society contains other records for the Quabbin towns that have not been digitized. These include photographs of residents of the town and materials relating to town finances and taxation.

Digitized content

Enfield’s records have been digitized by SCUA in collaboration with the Swift River Valley Historical Society and are made available both through the Internet Archive and Credo.

Copyright and Use (More informationConnect to publication information)

Cite as: Enfield (Mass.) Collection. Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Subjects

Enfield (Mass.)--HistoryEnfield (Mass.)--Politics and governmentEnfield (Mass.)--Religious life and customsEnfield (Mass.)--Social life and customsQuabbin Reservoir Region (Mass.)--HistoryQuabbin Reservoir Region (Mass.)--Social life and customsWomen--Societies and clubs

Contributors

Daughters of the American Revolution. Captain Joseph Hooker Chapter (Enfield, Mass.)Enfield (Mass. : Town)Enfield (Mass. : Town). Overseers of the PoorEnfield (Mass. : Town). Prudential CommitteeEnfield (Mass. : Town). School CommitteeEnfield Congregational Church (Enfield, Mass.)Enfield Congregational Church (Enfield, Mass.). Women's AuxiliaryEnfield Congregational Church (Enfield, Mass.). Women's Missionary Society

Types of material

Account booksChurch recordsPhotographsSermons