politics of the day. The only recorded item of interest in its proceedings, is the award of a silver medal, made by the society, September 15th, 1812, to Samuel C. Buel of Tyringham, for his exertions in saving several persons from drowning on Six Mile Pond, on the 23d of July, 1812. The medal was duly struck and presented, and the pond, in later years, has received the name of "Lake Buel," appropriately commemorative of the heroic act of Mr. Buel.

The most remarkable political event of the time was the Harrison and Tyler-"Tippecanoe and Tyler too"-Convention of the 26th of August, 1840, when the largest assemblage of people ever witnessed in the village was gathered. The inhabitants came from all the towns within a radius of fifteen or twenty miles. Log cabins on wheels, with cider barrels and coon skins, and banners of all forms and devices, graced the procession. The gathering place was in the lot, then vacant, next south of the Congregational church, where a stand for the speakers was erected. The multitude,

estimated at from fifteen to twenty thousand, was addressed by Joshua A. Spencer and Mark H. Sibley-natives of the town--and by George N. Briggs, then member of congress, while Joseph Hoxie from New York-a notable singer-entertained the people with political songs.

In the Mexican war Great Barrington had one representative worthy of particular notice, to wit:

Lieutenant George Wainwright.

George Wainwright, a son of General Timothy Wainwright, and grandson of David Wainwright, Esq., was born in this town August 6th, 1820, and passed the days of his boyhood here. His youthful proclivities, decidedly martial-heightened, perhaps, by a few months' tuition at the Academy in Canaan, N. Y., under Captain Richard H. Ashley, a graduate of West Point-led him to seek and obtain the appointment of Cadet from the Berkshire district. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in August, 1840, graduated four years later, was commissioned Brevet Second Lieutenant of Company K., U.

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S. Infantry, and joined his regiment at Tampa Bay, Forida, just at the close of the Seminole war. At the beginning of disturbances with Mexico, Lieutenant Wainwright was ordered to Corpus Christi, Texas, and was attached to the Eighth Infantry, General Worth's Brigade. This Brigade, 3,300 strong, began its march of 130 miles, for Matamoras, Mexico-over a desert prairie nearly destitute of wood and water—on the 9th of March, 1846, and was engaged in the battles of PaloAlto, May 8th, and Resaca-de-la-Palma, May 9th. In these battles, Lieutenant Wainwright distinguished himself by his bravery, was wounded in the neck, and received a complimentary notice in General Orders. The Eighth Infantry formed part of the advance corps of the Army of Occupation, moving in August, 1846, under General Taylor upon Monterey.

On the morning of September 22d, General Worth's Division stormed the Bishop's Palace at Monterey. In this attack, while ascending the hill, waving his sword and cheering on his men, Lieutenant Wainwright was struck by a ball in the right arm, which also pierced his side, followed a rib and passing along the back lodged under the left shoulder blade. While leaving the field, he refused the proffered assistance of one of his men, and slowly descended the hill. When near the foot, General Worth rode up and hastily demanded Why an officer had left the field," to which Lieutenant Wainwright, raising the shattered arm with his left hand, replied: "This is my answer." General Worth

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dismounted, examined his condition, directed a staff officer to assist him to the hospital, and, remounting, laid his hand on Wainwright's shoulder, and exclaimed: "Wainwright, I would give ten thousand dollars for that wound."

Lieutenant Wainwright remained at Monterey, after its capitulation, until his wounds were healed, and was ordered to Saltilio; but for three months he was unable to do duty with his company. He continued at that place until his division was ordered to join General Scott at Vera Cruz. Leaving Saltillo, January 10th, 1847, he was able to walk with his company only five days; but he was determined to go with it, and

resorted to all sorts of expedients-wagon, horse, jack, or mule, to do so. Writing to a friend, he remarked: "Come what may, I intend to go with my regiment through this entire war, unless death interferes." He took part in the seige of Vera Cruz, in March, and was at Cerro Gordo, though not in the battle, as his regiment was with the reserve. On the 20th of August General Worth's division carried San Antonio, and on the 8th of September stormed Molino-del-Rey and Casa-de-Mata, the western defences of Chapultepec. In these battles Lieutenant Wainwright was severely wounded in the leg, and was carried to a small village, where he remained until after the troops entered the city of Mexico, when he, with other wounded, was transferred to that place. His wounds, in consequence of neglect, assumed a very dangerous condition, and kept him confined most of the following winter.

He returned to Great Barrington in the spring of 1848, shattered in health and broken down by the effects of climate, hardships, and wounds. For a time his health apparently improved, and in July he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., where his commission as Lieutenant reached him; but he failed rapidly, and died there, at the house of George R. Ives, August 3d, 1848, at the age of 28 years. His remains were brought to this place, and his funeral was attended at the Episcopal church. He was buried in Egremont.

One native of Great Barrington fell a victim to the rage and barbarity of the Missouri Border Ruffians in the attempt to force a Pro-slavery government upon Kansas;

William Phillips,

Who was a son of Samuel Phillips-an early inhabitant of the Beartown District-became a lawyer and settled at Leavenworth, Kansas. When, at the election of the first Territorial Legislature-March 30th, 1855-Kansas was invaded by ruffians, and every election district, but one, carried by force in the interest of the Pro-slavery party, William Phillips saw fit to sign a protest against the frauds practiced. A few days after, he was seized by a mob, taken to Weston, Mis

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:souri-eight miles distant-tarred and feathered, ridden upon a rail, and sold at auction to a negro who was compelled to purchase him. Again, at the municipal election-September 1st, 1856-Leavenworth was invaded by a large body of ruffians, who, under pretense of searching for arms, plundered the dwellings of the inhabitants. Mr. Phillips refused to submit to their search, and bravely defended his house against the assailants, killing two of them, but was himself shot down and killed, in his house, which was afterwards burned. His brother, Jared Phillips, who assisted in the defense, had his arm shattered by a bullet, rendering amputation necessary. Jared Phillips afterwards returned to this place, and a few years later, while accompanying a band of adventurers, overland, to California, is supposed to have been slain by Indians.

CHAPTER XXVII.

CHURCHES, RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS, AND

CEMETERIES.

The Congregational Church.

In the pages devoted to Parish history we have,, quite fully, presented the early history of the Congregational Church. This we now briefly recapitulate.

The parish-then the North Parish of Sheffield— was formed by legislative enactments of 1742 and 1743. The first meeting-house was erected in 1742; and thefirst minister known to have officiated here was the Rev. Thomas Strong afterwards settled in New Marlboro-who preached here for a time, probably as a. candidate, in 1742-3.

The parish committee, for providing preaching, secured the services of Rev.-afterwards Doctor—. Samuel Hopkins, who came early in July, 1743. Mr. Hopkins, after preaching through the summer, to the acceptance of the people, was invited, by the unanimous vote of the parish proprietors-September 9, 1743-to settle here in the work of the ministry, and was accordingly ordained December 28th of that year. On the same day with the ordination of Mr. Hopkins, the church was organized with five members besides its pastor. To these, twelve were added on the 5th of February following, and seven others during the year 1744.

Jonah Pixley was the first deacon of the church, having been chosen, probably, at its formation; he died August 18, 1759. Other deacons earlier than 1840, were:

Timothy Hopkins, chosen in 1753, died about 1773; Israel Root, chosen May 10, 1773, died October 7, 1809; Daniel Nash, chosen May 10, 1773, died May 6, 1794; Elijah Kingsley, chosen