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History of Hampden County MassachusettsSelect a City, Town, Village or Township: Our database does not include an historic photo for Hampden County Massachusetts, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us! 15% - 35% off all Products ยป The Ready Store Local History Notes:The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows: HAMPDEN, a county in the S.W. central part of Massachusetts, has an area of about 670 square miles. It is intersected by the Connecticut river, and is drained chiefly by Westfield and Chickopee rivers and their tributaries, which furnish abundant waterpower. The surface is uneven, and in some parts mountainous. The soil is generally fertile, especially along the banks of its streams. Indian corn, potatoes, and grass are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 252,213 bushels of corn; 305,637 of potatoes; 48,749 tons of hay; 712,186 pounds of butter, and 514,570 of cheese. There were 14 cotton and 12 woollen factories, 5 iron foundries, 9 machine shops, 2 flour, 9 grist, 5 paper, 3 powder, and 46 saw and planing mills, 35 car factories, 1 United States armory, 19 tanneries, and 57 boot and shoe factories. It contained 81 churches, 9 newspapers, 8591 pupils attending public schools, and 560 attending academies and other schools. The Connecticut river is navigable for small steamboats to Springfield. The Canal railroad from Northampton to Granby, and the railroads connecting Boston with Albany, and Hartford with Bellows Falls, traverse this county, which is also partly intersected by the railroad connecting New London and Palmer. Organized in 1812, having previously formed part of Hampshire county, and named in honor of John Hampden, the celebrated English patriot. Capital, Springfield. Population, 51,283. Biographies:The Biography of Richard L. Allen Richard L. Allen, author, was born in Hampden county, Mass., in October, 1803. He entered commercial life in New York city and wrote on agricultural subjects. He afterwards studied law in Baltimore, but his health becoming impaired he settled on a farm in Niagara county, N.Y., in 1832. In 1842 Mr. Allen and his brother began the publication of the American Agriculturist, and in 1856 they opened a store for the sale of improved agricultural implements in New York. Mr. Allen was a clear and practical writer on agricultural topics, and published "History and Description of Domestic Animals" (1848); "The American Farm Book" (1849); "The Diseases of Domestic Animals" "American Farmer's Muck Book "; and "American Agriculture." He died in Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 22, 1869. Local History and Genealogy Links: |
Massachusetts Facts: Hampden County Facts: Seat: SpringfieldEstablished: 1812 Formed from: Hampshire
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