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Northampton
Incorporated Oct. 18, 1654. Population in 1860, 6,788; in 1865, 7,927. Valuation in 1860, $3,689,965; in 1865, $4,789,965. The selectmen in 1861 were John B. Graves, Sylvester S. Wright, Haynes K. Starkweather, Jr., John F. Warner, Nathaniel Day; in 1862, 1863, 1864, and 1865, John B. Graves, John F. Warner, Nathaniel Day, Haynes K. Starkweather, Jr., Emery B. Wells. The town-clerk during all the years of the war was A. Perry Peck. The town-treasurer during the same period was Ansel Wright. 1861. The first legal town-meeting, to act upon matters relating to the war, was held on the 26th of April, at which the Hon. Erastus Hopkins offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were adopted:—Whereas the President of the United States has made a recent call upon various States for quotas of militia; and whereas the militia of this town are liable under said call to be mustered by His Excellency the Governor of this Commonwealth into the service of the United States; therefore,— Resolved, That a special tax be, and hereby is, laid upon the inhabitants of this town to the amount of ten thousand dollars, for the benefit of the residents of this town who offer themselves, or who may be mustered into the service of the United States.June 17th, The selectmen were authorized to pay any demand, arising ‘from the equipment and support of the volunteers sent from this town, which in their judgment constitutes an equitable charge against the town.’1 1862. March 17th, The selectmen were authorized to borrow whatever amount of money they should deem necessary to pay State aid to the families of volunteers. December 18th, Voted, to assume the sums advanced by individuals for bounties to volunteers. 1863. March 16th, The selectmen were authorized to borrow
