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Designing To Get An Apprentice Boy
On October 31, 1774, Rev. Stephen Williams of Longmeadow wrote in his diary, “this day, my son Samuel set out on a journey for Boston...
Beth Hoff
Nov 13, 20223 min read
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Thanksgiving Proclamation!
We may think that the holiday of Thanksgiving has always been celebrated like we do it now--with big meals featuring turkey, and family...
Betsy McKee
Nov 13, 20222 min read
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John Akley and Sarah Forbus
Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze Who were John Akley and Sarah Forbus? They are pauper children from Boston whom Ensign...
Beth Hoff
Nov 13, 20227 min read
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William Holland, Longmeadow's First Stone Carver
When people ask what the oldest gravestone in the Longmeadow Cemetery is, the answer is the stone for Mary Drake Colton. She died in...
Al McKee
Nov 12, 20224 min read
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Tales from the Cemetery
Longmeadow Cemetery We have often admired the skillfully carved gravestones in the Longmeadow Cemetery. Most made from locally quarried...
Betsy McKee
Nov 12, 20222 min read
63 views
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The Pistol
One of the most intriguing objects in the Longmeadow Historical Society collection is an ancient pistol. Measuring almost two feet long,...
Betsy McKee
Nov 12, 20223 min read
32 views
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Peter Pease- "... if he should be living..."
Indenture of Peter Pease to Noah Ashley “…if he should be living…” Sometimes, research leads you to more questions than answers, and this...
Beth Hoff
Nov 11, 20224 min read
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Searching for Susan Freedom
Susan Freedom d.1803, Springfield Cemetery (image courtesy of Betsy McKee) Under the shade of evergreen trees in a section of Springfield...
Melissa M. Cybulski
Nov 11, 20227 min read
77 views
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Granny Tales- Part II
"The Granny Tale: The Process of Discovering the Truth Behind the Note" As some of our readers will recall, we recently discussed so...
Betsy McKee
Nov 11, 20223 min read
10 views
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Granny Notes and Bough Pots
Have you ever heard of a granny note? This is what historical societies and museums call the little slips of paper that come with...
Betsy McKee
Nov 4, 20223 min read
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The Elusive Johnny Appleseed... of Longmeadow- Part II
Illustration by George Richards from "Johnny Appleseed and Other Poems" by Vachel Lindsay, NY, 1929 Last week’s History Note article...
Melissa M. Cybulski
Nov 4, 20227 min read
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The Elusive Johnny Appleseed... of Longmeadow
Harper's Magazine, 1871 This article is widely believed to be the source of much of the myth of Johnny Appleseed. Is it true? Was he...
Melissa M. Cybulski
Nov 4, 20224 min read
450 views
2 comments
Stockbridge Indians and Rev. Stephen Williams
Stockbridge Indians and Rev. Stephen Williams Stockbridge, Massachusetts is the quintessential New England town. Norman Rockwell, who...
Beth Hoff
Nov 4, 20225 min read
42 views
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Buzz Buzz Buzz
Beehive Skeg (image by Rosser 1954) "If there’s a buzzing noise, somebody’s making a buzzing noise, and the only reason for making a...
Beth Hoff
Nov 2, 20223 min read
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The Whispering Stick
Many of our readers will remember seeing a singular object in the Storrs House Museum called the "Whispering Stick." The story that was...
Betsy McKee
Nov 2, 20224 min read
783 views
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Solomon Burt and the Explosion at the Powder Mill
As this gravestone attests, patriots faced danger at home as well as on the battlefield. This stone stands in Longmeadow Cemetery,...
Betsy McKee
Nov 2, 20222 min read
67 views
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To Encourage Music
Music at Longmeadow's early meeting house had been a very controversial topic during Stephen William's early years as minister. The...
Betsy McKee
Nov 2, 20223 min read
60 views
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When the Clock Strikes Midnight
Storrs House Museum, Longmeadow In a few short days we will all settle in and prepare to ring in a new year. Perhaps a clock like this...
Melissa M. Cybulski
Oct 27, 20222 min read
92 views
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Early Music in Longmeadow's First Church
Recently on Facebook, the First Church of Longmeadow began sharing a few videos of their virtual choir. In this global pandemic age when...
Melissa M. Cybulski
Oct 27, 20223 min read
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