Wilbraham, Massachusetts
Hampden county. The people of this pleasant town are principally employed in agricultural pursuits and are remarkable for equality of property. This town is watered by the Chickopee and several of its small tributaries. The surface is agreeably diversified by hills and valleys, and the soil is well adapted to agricultural and horticultural pursuits. The products of Wilbraham are numerous; among others, the weight of 2,292 fleeces of wool, sheared in this town in 1837, was 6,110 pounds, valued at $3,669. There are some manufactures in the town of boots, shoes, leather, straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, wagons, &c.
The "Wesleyan Academy," in Wilbraham, is an institution of great value, and in high reputation. It has considerable funds, and about 240 scholars attend throughout the year. Scholars are received at this seminary from ten years of age and upwards. The annual cost to a scholar, for board and tuition, is from $80 to $90. This institution was incorporated in 1824 and is governed by a board of trustees.
Great excitement existed in this quiet town and vicinity by the murder of Marcus Lyon, on the 9th of November, 1805. the murder was committed by two foreigners, Halligan and Daley, who were hanged at Northampton on the 5th of June, 1806.
Wilbraham lies 80 miles W.S.W. from Boston and 10 E. from Springfield. It was incorporated in 1653. Population, 1837, 1,802.
