Harper's New Monthly Magazine
November, 1871.

A New England Village.

mission by Hopkins, published soon after Sergeant's death, he not only describes the process of making maple sugar, but the article itself, and gives its name, as though something previously unknown. He speaks thus, also, of the sirup "The molasses that is made of this sap is exceeding good, and considerably resembles honey. Three, or at most four, barrels of this sap, reduced to one by boiling, will ferment and make a very pleasant drink, which is sufficiently spirituous and, I suppose, by being distilled, would make excellent rum, though the experiment has not, that I know of, been yet made." He suggests also that if the business were to be properly taken up, maple-trees are so abundant that the whole country might be Supplied with sugar from this source.        As the Indians would go to the woods to make sugar, the faithful missionary resolved to go with them. Night and morning he led their devotions, and, when the daily work was done, taught them to sing. When the sugar-making season was ended the Indians returned to their central camp for a little while, but soon went to their separate settlements, as the planting season came on, that they might engage in their rude agriculture and follow the chase. This scattered and unsettled condition of the natives was so unfavorable to the work of instruction that, after the experiment of a year or two, an effort was made to induce them to settle permanently in one place. This was favored by the General Court, as the government of Massachusetts was called, and a tract of land six miles square was set apart and given to the Indians. This tract included the upper and larger settlement of the Indians and a considerable portion besides, and embraced the present township of Stockbridge, with that of West Stockbridge, and some land in addition. There were already a few Dutch and English settlers on this land, but their titles were purchased by the colony. The Indians were pleased with this action on their behalf, and almost immediately gave up their lower village, and settled together on the Great Meadow, or W-nahkta-kook, which afterward was incorporated as a town by the name of Stockbridge. The work of preaching and teaching was now prosecuted with increasing interest and success by Sergeant and his worthy assistant, Mr. Timothy Woodbridge.        It was part of the plan, in gathering the Indians together in one place, to introduce into the settlement a few white families of the best character for the sake of their influence both in civilizing and Christianizing the natives. By consent of the Indians one-sixtieth part of the land assigned them was reserved for each of four such families, as well as for Sergeant and Woodbridge. These families were carefully selected by a committee appointed for the purpose by the Legislature. The result of this arrangement was that a choice society of whites was formed at Stockbridge from the beginning. Men and women of Puritan descent laid its foundations. Begun thus with families of the highest respectability and the best character, rather than by any company of adventurers or speculators, and pains being taken at the same time to remove the few of doubtful character who had previously gained a foot-hold, such as may always be found in or near new settlements, it was only a natural consequence that, in subsequent years, the spot which came into notice as the seat of a mission to heathen savages should be distinguished for the high-toned character of its people and the many persons of eminence who have had their abode there.        The formal ordination of Sergeant to his missionary work was a peculiar scene, and is eminently a fit subject for the canvas of the artist. It shows the remoteness and difficulty of access of the Housatonic region that this installation took place at Deer field, fifty miles from Stockbridge. It shows, too, the connection of the colonial government at that time with the religious affairs of the people, and especially with this mission to the Indians, that it took place by direction of the Governor and Council, and with their personal presence and participation. The scene is thus described by our historian: August 25, the Governor and a large committee from the Council and House of Representatives arrived, and the week was spent in forming a treaty, ratifying the peace and friendship which existed, and exchanging pledges. On the evening of Friday, the 29th, Mr. Sergeant reached Deer field, and the morning of the Sabbath, August 31, was set apart for the services of the ordination. The neighboring ministers attended, the usual congregation worshiping in the church assembled, many of the Indian delegates were grave spectators of the scene, the Governor and Council were in their places, and the Housatonic Indians, seated by themselves, completed tile motley and interesting group. As an introduction to the ordination, the Rev. William Williams, of Hatfield, addressed the Governor, and humbly asked if it were his Excellency's pleasure that the pastors there convened should proceed to set apart Mr. Sergeant for the work to which he had been appointed. The Governor manifested his approbation. Mr. Williams then asked Mr. Sergeant if he were willing to devote himself to that work; Mr. Sergeant gave his assent, and the ordination services were performed. After the fellowship of the elders bad been given, Rev. Dr. Williams, of Longmeadow, asked the Indians, through an interpreter, if they were willing to receive Mr. Sergeant, thus solemnly set apart to the work of teacher, among them. The Indians signified their assent by rising." 818 | Previous Page | Next Page | | Berkshire County Home |