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

48 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1727-1734.
in his honor, Edwards Street, ^ and extended to the south
line of the estate owned by the heirs of the late J. D.
Whitney. It was purchased of Jonathan Sheldon of Suf-
field, in May, 1727. Originally it embraced a portion of
two home lots, granted when the town was first settled, to
but one half of the
Woodford lot came by will into possession of the Sheldons.
At the time of the sale the property was described as a
"Mansion house, barn and home lot, in Nortliampton,
where s'd Edwards now resides," containing three acres of
land. The price paid for it by Ebenezer Pumroy, Town
Isaac Sheldon and Thomas Woodford ;
Treasurer, was £330.
"Waiting on Mr. Amoiig the courtcsies extended to the new
Edwards." pastor was oiie for which there seems now
to be no adequate explanation, and which
is not known to have prevailed elsewhere. Whenever Mr.
Edwards went on a journey he was accompanied by some
member of his congregation, whose expenses were paid by
the town. This custom prevailed only in the time of Mr.
Edwards, and was confined to the first half dozen years
of his residence here. From 1728 to 1733, there are entries
on the Treasurer's books of sums paid to difi:'erent individuals
for this purpose. The first account of this nature is
that of Joseph Miller, in 1728, who was paid 48s. for
*' waiting on Mr. Edwards to New Haven, Horse & 17
days." The next year Sergt. Samuel Clapp.for "waiting
on Mr. Edwards to Boston " was allowed £3. In 1729, Dea.
John Clark and Phinehas King were each paid 48s. "for
waiting on Mr. Edwards to New Haven. Whether they
both went at the same time is not stated, but as both accounts
appear, without date, in the same warrant, it may
be inferred that he had two waiters on that trip. The last
payments of this nature appear in 1734. when Dea. Allen
was allowed £4. 4 '
' for his son's waiting on Mr. Edwards to
Boston." On this occasion Mr. Edwards was absent two
weeks, and Rev. Mr. Barber supplied the pulpit. At another
time previous to this, Benjamin Sheldon went with
the minister to New Haven, and received £2.10. As these
1. When the railroad grade crossings were abolished, in 1896 and 1897, the street
was changed to its present position.