Phenix Gazette

The late Freshet

The Northampton papers furnish us with some particulars relating to the late freshet. In Cummington and Chesterfield many bridges over Westfield river and other streams were carried away, and a sawmill in Chesterfield was undermined and fell into the river. In Norwich a pier and abutment were destroyed, which had been erected for the purpose of rebuilding Pitcher's bridge, so called, over Westfield river. The dam built across Westfield river, above Westfield village, at the head of the feeder of the Hampshire and Hampden canal, was swept away. Some sheep and other animals were seen floating down that stream.—The destruction of bridges and other damage in Ashfield, Windsor, Hinsdale, Pittsfield, &c. is said to be very great. The rise in the Connecticut threatened to inundate the meadows in Northampton, and on Wednesday many hands were engaged in digging potatoes, to secure them from the flood. On Saturday another rain commenced; during the night the Connecticut rose two or three feet higher. In Williamsburg and probably most of the towns in that neighborhood, there must have been a great deal of damage. On Monday, the water covered about two thirds of what is called the South Meadow, in Northampton.—Boston Courier.