far east as the Connecticut, and to their title New York succeeded.
Massachusetts then denied the fact of settlement. Thus the controversy
was prolonged until, in 1773, a line to be run parallel with the Hudson,
at a distance of twenty miles, was agreed upon. But about the year 1720
it became evident that the western boundary of Connecticut would be
established in favor of that province. This arrangement, as the New York
representatives stated, was a result of the boldness of settlers in
pushing westward and occupying the district in dispute. Accordingly,
Massachusetts was encouraged to pursue a similar course, and the first
settlement on the Housatonic was made at Sheffield in 1725. The occasion
of the next advance appears to have arisen from the attention paid to
free education in Boston. That town, in 1735, because of its large
expenditures for public schools, support of poor, and contribution to
the State treasury, petitioned the General Court for a grant of three or
four townships within the "Hampshire wild lands." Three lots, each six
miles square, were given, subject to certain conditions. Within five
years, sixty Massachusetts families must be settled, each possessing a
house (at least eighteen feet square and seven stud), with five acres of
improved land. A house for public worship must be erected, and a learned
Orthodox minister be honorably supported; lastly, a school must be
maintained.

[Illustration: THE PARK IN 1807.]

[Illustration: THE OLD PARSONAGE.]

One of these townships, Poontoosuck, an Indian word, meaning "winter
deer," was bought at public auction for £1,320, by Colonel Jacob
Wendell, whose descendents have earned lasting honor for the family
name. Philip Livingston, of Albany, and John Stoddard, through older