Selected Papers from the Sylvester Judd Manuscript – Excerpts*

Beds and Materials for Beds

Asa Strong son of the late Medad Strong who lived near Easthampton line and was a pigeon catcher most of his days, says his father when he lived in the village and after used to catch pigeons so plenty that he gave them to his neighbors, on condition they would pick them and let him have the feathers.  He sold a vast quantity of pigeon feathers for beds.  Since Asa’s recollection he sold them for nine pence per pound.  Pigeon feathers are better than hens feathers for beds.  He, Asa S., has sold pigeon feathers for beds–also has sold hens feathers at 6 cents per lb.  or half as much as pigeon feathers.  Pedlers still buy them.  March 26, 1855…

(Preserved Bartlett’s Wife)

Preserved’s wife was crazy some years–was confined at times by chains–escaped from the house one day & could not be found.  An alarm was made; the drum beat and the bell was rung–she was found dead in Mill river down below the pastures, July 18, 1767.  Sister of Benj. Alvord. Her husband once took her with him to collect a tax of Bernard Bartlett.  Bernards wife, who was reputed to be a witch, complained about the tax & told him he would be sorry for collecting it.  He believed that his wife’s insanity was caused by Bernard’s wife’s witchery, & his son Benjamin believed the same…

Indian Couple

Joseph Maminash–and his wife Betty came from about Norwich, Con.–there were Mohegans–He lived some years in this vicinity (perhaps in Southampton) and died here in (see grave stone–perhaps 1767) and was buried on Pancake plain and his wife some years after erected a stone to his memory.  She died about a dozen years after him and was buried by his side.  Had 2 children.

Sally Maminash, their daughter, was then a sucking child but may have been two years old or more–she is still living–has lived in many families in N.H.–does not know how old she is–some tell her she is in her 74th year.  Was never married.  I called to see her Sept 9. 1837., and got these details from her. (Living 1846)

Joseph Maminash above died in N. H. May 1767 aged 40–so says the stone at his grave on Pancake Plain…

Sally Maminash died Jan 3. 1853–called 88 years old (born about 1765)  Her mother Elizabeth, was, it is said the oldest sister of Rev. Sampson Oecum.  She died about 1780–after the death of her mother Sally supported herself by spinning and weaving in different families.  In the year 1816 she united with the church and was an exemplary christian during her long life–Mrs. Sophia Clapp, wife of Mr. Warham Clapp provided her a home and treated her with kindness as long as Mrs C. lived and her son Edward Clapp and wife continued the same charity.  On the stone of her father on Pancake Plain is this inscription:– “Joseph Mamanaash died May 1767m aged 40 years.)…

*Punctuation and spelling is quoted as found in manuscript.