The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-09-30
NoRTHAMPToS.
a city whose History Reveals Inter
est In the oIden Times.

A city whose History Reveals Inter
est In the OIden Times.
From the Springfield CNiass.) Republican
Diving into the old records OF one OF the
most charming cities OF our common
wealth. Northampton. we hnd much q
deep interest as revealing customs and
habits OF olden time. No FIRE was found
In the meeting house" In olden time. and
comparatively recently foot stoves wers
carried 70 church. as were tallow candles
10 the evening meetings. In 1871 the i'm
partant vital question az legal town was
shall men and their wives be seated to-
ge,her in pewsg' and the vote was an
emphatic Not
In iTss. about the beginning Of Jonathan
Edwards trouble in the parish, Il was
voted not ito pay the charges OF bringing
his daughter from Brookheld." In lbs
this appears on the town record; Taking
into consideration the difficulty Mr.. FL
wards hath labored under this year and
some time past with respect 70 his fire.
wood the town voted that those persons
who have not this year brought him a
load q wood might have liberty between
this time and next Tue siay night 10
bring each one a load OF wood" IN there
was not a suficiency OF wood by that
lime the town then voted. the selectmen
shall see that the deficiency should be met
al The cost Of tho town.
Later. In l7Sa. We ind In the warrant for
town meeting this entry: To procure
hrewood for ths Rev. Mr.. Williams 20
choose a committee 20 seat the meeting
house" A most serious business 20 decide
who should take preference IN the broad
81 Hs4E- Il ~
ed BY the writer. caused no trouble G.
said officers as that was readily accepted
BY the "colorcd hrothern." ike COWS in
the stable who went dutifuly 20 their
separate stalls
Not only the living had special rules
governing their conduct. but the rules
about the dead were very quaint a hy
this report OF a committee May II. in
10 whom had been referred the conduct u
funerals. as follows
Whereas II Is the opinion OF this town
that funerals ought 40 be conducted with
great decency and decorum Ia order e. Inn
press on rising and risen generation tho
importance Of the awful sOlemnity. and 10
render the house of mourning better Than
the house OF feastlug. BE IL Therefore
recommended TO all the inhabitants OF this
town to observe the following regulations
agfunerals;
!. That the relatives OF the deceased f'i-
low next the corpse. two and two.
Q IL the deceased was "a male person
The males are 20 follow next the mournefs.
two and two. and the women after them.
two and two: but n the deceased was a
women then the women are 60 follow
next the mourners and the men after
them.
3 Those on horseback are 10 follow n
after the foot folks. horses two and two
and the carriages are 70 follow In the rear
OF the procession. And 81 IL reques'eh
that no person walk or ride on either sla'
the procession from the house TO th'
grave.
Ten OF the prominent mon OF the 'Ny
were appointed and requested 10 attend ~
funerals and 10 regulate the processl't
thus recommended until the samc sHlh
become habltuai 20 the people. IN li4' 'h'
question was raised la the annual town
meeting III the town would be al the 81,
pense OF coloring the meeting house. ana
il paszed in the negative! Evidently toel
thought thar nature would do Il witho",
expense. Not tll I7i9 We're the forts az
fortiaoations OF the town demolished dH'
the timber and boards cold for the oeue-
IA OF the town. Laws were passed Fe,'-
tive 10 the schooling OF boys ana ~.
AMOUNT OF wood they should bring % '"o
schooihouse. girls were OF no account 10
those days.