| Deacon Samuel Chapin |
| At Springfield the Indians had destroyed not only the town saw mill but the grist mill as well, necessitating the carrying of grain ten miles to Westfield for grinding. Thus, three weeks later, on October 27, 1675, tragedy came again to these harassed people. The diary of the Rev. Edward Taylor of Westfield relates that "our soil was moistened by the blood of three Springfield men, young Goodman (John) Dumbleton, who came to our mill and two sons of Goodman Brooks (John, aged 18 and William, aged 20) who came here to look after the iron ore on the land he had lately bought of Mr. John Pynchon, who being persuaded by Springfield folk, went to accompany them but fell in the way by the first assault of the enemy." The winter passed in a state of siege. Long unused implements were brought out and grain was ground by hand. There were anxious days and sad days. Three of the town's stalwarts died, due perhaps to the hardships of the times; Deacon Samuel Chapin on November 11, Nathaniel Ely on Christmas day and Elizur Holyoke on February 6. At Longmeadow died Lawrence Bliss, son of a gallant mother. Margaret Bliss. John Leonard was killed by the Indians on February 24, Pelatiah Morgan March 1, and William Hunter July 4. On October 31, 1676, the beloved Captain Samuel Holyoke died of exertions at the Falls Fight. Tradition says that he was born or lived in Dartmouth, England, for a time, or at least sailed from that port, about 1635, while there is reason for the belief that he came over in 1631 or 1632 in the "Lyon," if he was not of the original Pyncheon company. He was a contemporary with Pyncheon in the settlement of Roxbury, Massachusetts. He followed him to Springfield and was known as "Pyncheon's right-hand man" and one of the "founders of Springfield". He was made a freeman, June 2. 1641, and elected to town office in 1642. The Chapins of this country are all descended from him, according to the best authorities. He was a distinguished man in church and state. He was deacon of the Springfield church, elected in 1649, and employed to conduct services part of the time in 1656-57 when there was no minister in town. He was appointed commissioner to determine small causes, October 10, 1652, and his commission was indefinitely extended in 1654. His wife, Cicely Penny, died February 8, 1682-83; he died November 11, 1675. Of their children five were born in Europe: Catherine, Sarah, David, Henry and Josiah. Japhet was born August 15, 1642, and Hannah, December 2, 1644. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was a descendant of Catherine Chapin and President William H. Taft is of the Josiah Chapin line. The following information was obtained from Richard F. Strait, Grandson of Adolphe Chapin, 6th Great Grandson of Samuel Chapin: (our second cousin once removed) Samuel Chapin was christened and married in the St. John The Baptist Church Paignton, Devonshire, England. Samuel Chapin came to New England with his father and family in 1638. A record at Roxbury, of early but unknown date shows that he possessed 24 acres of land there, and had eight persons in his family, himself, wife, father and five children. [Note: His father could not have been with him as his father died in 1600.] In 1641 he bought a house and a lot of James Howe and became a freeman, which implied that he was a church member and gave him a right to vote and hold office under the Colonial Government. He was evidently an acquaintance of William Pynchon in England and a neighbor, for a short time, in Roxbury. Pynchon, in 1636, led about a dozen families westward to the Connecticut River where he founded a settlement first known as Agawam, later renamed Springfield. The Chapins apparently migrated to the new settlement during the winter of 1642-3. This change doubtless largely due to Pynchon's influence. William Pynchon appointed five men of standing in Springfield, called Selectmen, to watch over the morals, health, and public measures. Deacon Samuel Chapin was one of these. One of their most delicate duties was that of assigning seats in the Meeting House. The place of Mrs. Cissily C. is there recorded: "Goodwife Chapin is to sitt in the Seate alonge with Mrs. Glover, and Mrs Hollyock." Mrs. Glover was the minister's wife and therefore the leading lady, and Mrs. Hollyock was the daughter of William Pynchon. Engaged in town business and held continuous office of selectman 1644 to 1652 and again in 1661 and 1664, and later as auditor. He is first called deacon in the records on Feb. 21,1650. Besides the regular duties assigned to this office, he conducted the Sabbath services, including preaching, for several years when the church lacked a pastor. Cont.... |
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