Category Archives: Local history

Historical posts about the Connecticut Valley, most likely the Pioneer Valley.

Nov
11
2024

Nope. Not a Patten Family in Patten District

by Gary Sanderson

As English speakers, we all know that “best laid plans” saying aimed at “mice and men.” Lifted from 18th-century Scotsman Robert Burns’ poem To a Mouse, it reminds us that intentions can and “often” do “go awry.” Chalk this up as one of those. Not unusual among history sleuths who, in the process of researching […]

posted in Columns, Genealogy, Local history | No Comments

Oct
12
2024

Merrimack Shad Diary

by Gary Sanderson

In the research game, a chase can be quickly rewarded. Always nice. Then again, important information sometimes appears unexpectedly, from the clear blue sky. Even better. Well, chalk up a recent discovery we’ll soon explore – pertaining to 18th-century migratory fish of the Merrimack River – as the latter. What led to my new finding […]

posted in Columns, Local history, Salmon, Shad | No Comments

Aug
17
2024

Falls River Has Become Fall River

by Gary Sanderson

A sharp, irritating, old thorn again found its way to my paw recently, placing me on a path I have previously traveled but never discussed in print. I guess now is the time to go there. So, let’s venture off on a little discovery mission to set the record straight and put a vexing question […]

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Jul
30
2024

Locating First Encampment of Deerfield’s 1704 Captives

by Gary Sanderson

Although it’s probably too late to prove the location of an important colonial Greenfield landmark, it never hurts to ponder the possibilities. The place under consideration is the first overnight encampment occupied by captors and captives retreating from the surprise pre-dawn attack on Old Deerfield by French and Indian raiders on February 29, 1704. The […]

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Jun
13
2024

Constant Bliss Ambush

by Gary Sanderson

Gray, rainy, spring morning. Woodstove idle. Cool indoors. Still writing in my comfy winter kitchen nook. I’m thinking about colonial New England soldier Constant Bliss, who, by chance, popped into view during recent local-history meanderings. What a name, huh? Constant Bliss. Something to stive for. Perpetual joy. Very un-Puritanical. Born to Reverend John and Anna […]

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Apr
25
2024

New Weir Information

by Gary Sanderson

I spoke too soon about ancient Indian weirs in the neighborhood. So, with new information in hand about the stone fishing structures, a follow-up’s in order. My last column questioned the curious (to me) design, and thus the functionality, of two extant, manmade, downstream-pointed weirs on the lower Westfield and uppermost Chicopee rivers. Little did […]

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Apr
05
2024

Indian Weir Dynamics: A New Twist

by Gary Sanderson

A long, winding path sat me in this bow-back Windsor chair this morning – seasoned-oak oozing warmth from the woodstove to stimulate thought about Indian weirs. My introduction to these manmade fish-catching structures occurred more than 30 years ago. Deerfield artist/illustrator Al Dray had been following my columns on salmon, shad, and ancient spring fishing […]

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Mar
31
2024

The Penalty-Box Home Run

by Gary Sanderson

March daybreak. Frosty. Spring in the air. Calm and clear. Brooks rattling – one a soothing roar, the other a gurgling whisper. Endless dawn sky blushing to a soft, warm blue. Soon the glitter of frosted lawns would vanish under the first rays of sun peeking over the eastern horizon. The perfect setting for an […]

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Mar
15
2024

Punch Brook Revisited

by Gary Sanderson

One never knows what peripheral treasures will appear during deed research. This one focuses on new information about a brook I wrote about less than two years ago. First, a preface. The brook reference jumped off a deed last week while I was trying to figure out a fascinating Revolutionary War powder horn owned by […]

posted in Columns, Indians, Local history | No Comments

Feb
24
2024

Sugarloaf Suicide

by Gary Sanderson

Boyhood memories, however vivid they may seem, can be unreliable. Of this sobering fact I was reminded recently regarding a Mount Sugarloaf suicide that occurred during my free and easy days as a South Deerfield youth. I have over the past decade or so tried unsuccessfully many times to chase down that story in newspaper […]

posted in Columns, Local history, South Deerfield | No Comments

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