History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

ir&s.] ST. clair's defeat—post office—fire-engine. 551
absorbing topic, aud it is hardly possible that Northampton
escaped the epidemic. New towns sprang up like magic
in this agricultural paradise, and many young men sought
these new and promising fields.
St. Clair's Defeat. But the Indians, pushed backwards by these
movements, claimed that their huntinggrounds
were trespassed upon, and excited by the jealousy
of the English and the Canadians, broke out into open
warfare in 1790 and 1791. While the Creek Indians of
Georgia were pacified by treaty in 1790, hostilities with the
western and northwestern tribes continued several years
longer. They defeated Gen. Harmar in 1790, and in the
following year almost annihilated the army of Gen. St.
Clair. With a force of fourteen hundred men he marched
into the Indian territory, suffered a complete surprise,
which was followed by a horrible massacre, and lost most
of his artillery and baggage. Several men from North-
amj^ton, Westhampton and other Hampshire towns en-
listed in this campaign, and five of them were killed.
Among the latter were Moses Pomeroy, son of Heman
Julius Pomeroy, son of Pliny, of Northampton ; Abiathar
Alvord, son of Jonathan, of Westhampton ; John Brown
of Belchertown, an apprentice of Oliver Pomeroy of this
town ; and Seth Lyman Jr. of Norwich. George Hunt,
son of Joel, Timothy Root, son of Eleazar, and Noadiah
Alvord, son of Zebadiah, escaped. It is said that the most
of the men who enlisted at this time were either very
young men, or veterans of the Revolution who had fallen
into uncertain habits.
Schooling Girls. Tlic subject of the educatiou of female children
at the public expense came under
serious consideration at the March meeting in 1792. Several
years before, the matter had been broached, but nothing
was accomplished. Strong opposition was manifested
to the schooling of girls, and a bitter contest was waged for
many years. Some of the most prominent men in the
place decidedly objected to the measure. Dr. Ebenezer
Hunt and Dr. Levi Shephard were among the most determined
of its antagonists. Yet these two men were con-
;