kept in the early days by Amos Allen, just south of "Ball's Corner," at the Harlan Coit place, where the "Ball elm" stands, and still further east, in the Ingleside region, Colonel Ely kept a tavern. Upon his farm the last of the Indians of this region was permitted to build a hut, in which, unwilling to follow his dusky tribe to parts unknown, he dwelt for several years and died. On the same historic street stands the "Brown house," now doubtless the oldest in town. Here once lived Enoch Ely, a Revolutionary soldier. The insurgents engaged in Shay's rebellion, on their march down the valley, at one time attacked this house, but failed to sucure the occupant, who had probably sought cover in a neighboring wood. Bullet holes were plainly visible I the double front door a few years since.       Another ancient tavern upon the same street still stands, facing the west end of Dwight street. This was the half-way house sixty years ago on the stage route between Springfield and Northampton, and the place where the mail was received and delivered for the Dwight Street. parish. The house was kept by Chester Crafts and was doubtless the last country inn within "Ireland Parish." Still further north on the same street stands the old Fairfield homestead, in early years the property of Lucas Morgan. The date of its construction is not at hand, but an incident will nearly indicate it. One dark night Mr. Morgan, on leading his horse into the stable, placed his hand upon the warm head of a crouching Indian, and lost no time in placing himself on the inside of the strong back door of his house, which soon resounded with the blows of a tomahawk. A shot from Mr. Morgan's gun soon made all quiet without; the morning light revealed in the snow the tracks of three Indians, and before the door the farm dog lying dead.       On "Back" street stands another house of uncertain age, formerly home of Rev. Thomas Rand. Doubtless all of these houses and a few more had been built here while the territory belonged to the ancient town of Springfield, or prior to the year i774. At this early date our pioneers rode Previous Page | Next Page | HolyokeMass.com | Hampden County Page | | Western Mass History & Genealogy | © Laurel O'Donnell 1998 - 2006, all rights reserved This document is an edited adaptation of the original publication and may be downloaded for personal non-commercial use only. These pages should not be reproduced or distributed in any format without permission.