Lenox Library in Beautiful Berkshire County, Massachussetts

The Lenox Library

18 Main Street

Lenox, Massachusetts 01240

413-637-0197

Building was built about 1815 as the Second County Courthouse. "In 1871, the Greek Revival former courthouse building was purchased for use as a 'public library and reading room free to all visitors and inhabitants of Lenox.'" (From Our History, library webpage.)

First floor, Reference Desk.

First floor, above and five photos below.

The second floor houses the many collections, including a special room for their Special Collections pertaining to history and some genealogy.

"Added to the National Historic Register in 1973, the building was most recently renovated to its original grandeur in 2002-2004. The original court room, with its exquisite domed ceiling, was reconstructed after a century in which the second story had been reconfigured beyond recognition."

Special Collections Room, three photos.

I would have loved to have looked around more than I did, but we didn't have time.

I was lucky to meet the Reference librarian, who kindly opened the Special Collections Room for me, to see where the genealogy and local history books are kept, and allowed me to take photos. In addition, she printed out the below paragraph from History of Lenox by George H. Tucker, printed in 1992 by the Lenox Library Association. I believe they are in the process of updating this book. I did a quick search to see where I could locate it near the Boston area, and www.WorldCat.org had no listings, so, it is a rare book, and I was lucky to get the paragraph about my ancestors. Both father and son were buried in Lenox at the Church on the Hill Cemetery. NOTE: See listing of all those buried at the Church on the Hill Cemetery, aka Little Church on a Hill Cemetery.

"Capt. Oliver Belden, father of Levi Belden, was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, November 17, 1732, and died in Lenox, September 16, 1811. He was a prominent man in Lenox in the early years of the town. He was selectman and assessor many times and represented Lenox in the Legislature in the years 1805-06 and 1809. He was a member of the congregational church. He lived in the northwest part of the town on the road which leads to the Pleasant Valley Bird and Wild Flower Sanctuary, near the junction of the road which goes west from the Pittsfield Road, from about where Burke's in the Berkshires Inn is, and the road which comes from the north passing the entrance to the Metz place. This house, occupied for many years by his grandson, was destroyed by fire over thirty years ago.

Signed Non-Consumption and Non-Importation Agreement, 1774."

The extensive and varied Special Collections held by the Library range from Colonial Era manuscripts, legal documents and publications through original photographic prints and glass plate negatives to illustrated and annotated early 18th and 19th century volumes, including literary first editions and art and children’s books.

For more information concerning these collections, please contact Information Librarian Christy Cordova at ccordova@lenoxlib.org

Fanny Kemble Collection

The Judge Julius Rockwell Collection

Elizabeth MacKinstry Collection

The Thomas Egleston Collection

Tanglewood Papers

Music Inn Archival Material

The Edwin Hale Lincoln Photography Collection

Photo of an early Lenox map.

Love old card catalogues.

Wikipedia article about the Library.

First view of the Library as we walked to it, on a perfect October 2017 day.

If you are in this area, I highly suggest seeing Ventfort. I wrote a blog about it, and you'll see why I'm recommending a visit.

 Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, With Several Surprises.

I have decided not to use the Comment feature for my blog. If you would like to leave a comment for me or ask a question, please write me at my email: BarbaraPoole@Gmail.com. Thank you.

My reason is because since November 2017 to May 2018, I received no comments, but upon investigating I found that I had indeed received 167 legitimate ones and 1,000 were in the spam folder. Google Blogger had made some changes that I was unaware of. Please be aware that I do not know who reads my blog, I may know who subscribes, but that is all.

Tombstone Tuesday -- Belden of Wethersfield, CT d. 1734, has two headstones

The two cemetery stone have a different spelling of the surname (Belden and Belding) and different age at death (73 and 74). Clearly, they are for the same person, and are side-by-side.

Here lyeth the Body

of Deacon Jonathan 

Belding who Deceased 

July y 6th 1734

In the 74th Year

of his Age

Queen Anne's War - 

Lt.

Jonathan Belden

Capt Robbin's Co.

Died July 6, 1734

AE. 73

The two stones are side-by-side.

Jonathan Belden was my 7th great-grandfather.

Ancient Burying Ground, 1637

Wethersfield, Connecticut

I purchased a booklet, The Stone and The Spirit  (A Walking Tour Guide to the Ancient Burying Ground in the Wethersfield Village Cemetery) from the Wethersfield Historical Society. Fortunately, for me, Jonathan's headstone was listed, with a partial photo and location.

OLIVER AND ANNA BELDEN Buried in Lenox, Massachusetts

My 5th great-grandparents, Oliver Belden and Anna Woodruff are buried in this Cemetery. I often visit the town of Lenox and walk around in this lovely cemetery. Photos were taken in 2011 and October 2017. I decided to update my original July 2011 post because it was apparent to me, that nobody would have a clue where to look for my ancestors if they wanted to find their stones. I'm showing my original 3 photos and new ones which show the correct way to take pictures.

Church on the Hill Cemetery

Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts

Oliver Belden

Born:  November 19, 1732, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Died: September 16, 1811, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Connecticut

His wife, Anna Woodruff

Born:  January 15, 1736, Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut

Died:  February 19, 1828, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts

Use the link above to see all the names of individuals buried at this cemetery. I've shown 25 Beldens with death dates above.

 

BELDEN of Connecticut

The Belden line is continued from last Saturday.

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Generation No. 4

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37.	OLIVER BELDEN (SILAS BELDEN4, JONATHAN BELDEN3, JOHN BELDEN2, RICHARD BELDEN1) was born 19 NOV 1732 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 16 SEP 1811 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He was buried in Church On the Hill Cemetery, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He married ANN WOODRUFF 16 JUN 1768 in Hartford, Hartford Co., Connecticut, daughter of EZEKIEL WOODRUFF and ANN COWLES. She was born 15 JAN 1736 in Farmington, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 19 FEB 1828 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. She was buried in Church On the Hill Cemetery, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Abigail 8 AUG 1755. She was born 1733 in Brewster, Barnstable Co., Massachusetts, and died 6 NOV 1767.
	Children of OLIVER BELDEN and ANN WOODRUFF were: 39   i. Anna BELDEN was born 15 MAY 1765 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts. 40   ii. Chauncey BELDEN was born 27 MAR 1769 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, and died 13 OCT 1817. He married Ruth MARTINDALE 28 FEB 1796. + 41   iii. Levi BELDEN was born 22 AUG 1770 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, and died 22 SEP 1854 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts. 42   iv. Samuel BELDEN was born 10 SEP 1772 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, and died 23 OCT 1865 in Charlton, New York. He married Betsy CURTIS. 43   v. Ezekiel BELDEN was born 6 JAN 1775 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, and died 21 JUN 1862. He married Susan CHOATE. + 44   vi. ALMA BELDEN was born 7 JAN 1777 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 4 JAN 1828 in Whitney Point, New York or Chenango Forks, New York. Children of OLIVER BELDEN and Abigail were: 45   i. Abigail BELDEN was born 14 FEB 1756 in Canaan, Connecticut, and died 11 OCT 1839 in Chenango Falls, New York. She married Simon WILLARD. 46   ii. Lydia BELDEN was born 30 JUN 1757, and died JUL 1789. She married Josiah POND. He was born in of Shoreham, Addison Co., Vermont. 47   iii. Theodosia BELDEN was born 9 MAY 1759, and died 14 FEB 1818. She married Eliakim CULVER. He was born in of Shoreham, VT. 48   iv. Oliver BELDEN was born 13 MAR 1762, and died 1821 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Anna STEELE. She was born in of Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. 49   v. Anna BELDEN was born 16 MAY 1765, and died MAY 1808. She married Isaac FLAGG. He was born in of Shoreham, Addison Co., Vermont.

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Generation No. 5

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41.	Levi BELDEN (OLIVER BELDEN5, SILAS BELDEN4, JONATHAN BELDEN3, JOHN BELDEN2, RICHARD BELDEN1) was born 22 AUG 1770 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts, and died 22 SEP 1854 in Lenox, Berkshire, Massachusetts. He was buried in Church On the Hill Cemetery, Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. He married Esther COLLINS.
	Child of Levi BELDEN and Esther COLLINS was: 50   i. Oliver C. BELDEN was born 25 MAR 1802, and died 4 MAR 1804 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts.

44.	ALMA BELDEN (OLIVER BELDEN5, SILAS BELDEN4, JONATHAN BELDEN3, JOHN BELDEN2, RICHARD BELDEN1) was born 7 JAN 1777 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 4 JAN 1828 in Whitney Point, New York or Chenango Forks, New York. She married NATHAN HUBBARD 4 JAN 1801 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, son of ZADOC HUBBARD and LOIS POMEROY. He was born 17 FEB 1775 in Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 8 MAR 1813 in Middlebury, Addison Co., Vermont. She married David SEYMOUR. He was born 7 SEP 1774 in Norwalk, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, and died 6 DEC 1856 in Lisle, New York.
	Children of ALMA BELDEN and NATHAN HUBBARD were: + 51   i. Franklin Belden HUBBARD was born 31 OCT 1801 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 1 MAR 1865 in Mercer, Pennsylvania. + 52   ii. Chauncey Pomeroy HUBBARD was born 17 NOV 1803 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 10 APR 1894 in Fredonia, New York. + 53   iii. FANNY BELDEN HUBBARD was born DEC 1805 in Middlebury, Addison Co., Vermont, and died 29 MAY 1857 in Rochester, Monroe Co., New York. 54   iv. Nathan Pomeroy HUBBARD was born MAR 1813 in Pittsfield, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts, and died 9 MAY 1882 in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan. Child of ALMA BELDEN and David SEYMOUR was: 55   i. Sarah B. SEYMOUR was born 21 DEC 1818, and died 2 JUL 1821.

BELDEN of Connecticut

The BELDEN surname is another old New England family (Connecticut and Massachusetts). Below are the first three generations of my line (in green) and will be continued next week. If you would like sources or want further information, please contact me.

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Generation No. 1

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1.	JOHN BELDEN (RICHARD BELDEN) was born BEF 8 FEB 1634 in Aryingden, Heptonstall, Yorkshire, England, and died 27 JUN 1677 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married LYDIA STANDISH 24 APR 1657 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, daughter of THOMAS STANDISH and LYDIA. She was born about 1635.
	Children of JOHN BELDEN and LYDIA STANDISH were: 2   i. John BELDEN was born 12 JUN 1658 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 10 JAN 1714 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Dorothy WILLARD 15 JUN 1682 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 3   ii. JONATHAN BELDEN was born 21 JAN 1660 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 6 JUL 1734 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 4   iii. Joseph BELDEN was born 23 APR 1663 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 7 DEC 1724 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 5   iv. Samuel BELDEN was born 3 JAN 1664 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 27 DEC 1733 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 6   v. Sarah BELDEN was born 31 MAR 1668 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 7   vi. Daniel BELDEN was born 12 OCT 1670 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died ABT 1696 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 8   vii. Ebenezer BELDEN was born 8 JAN 1672 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 2 NOV 1739 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 9   viii. Lydia BELDEN was born MAR 1675 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She married Stephen KELLOGG 8 MAY 1696 in Hadley, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. 10   ix. Margaret BELDEN was born 29 MAR 1677 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 13 DEC 1747 in Colchester, New Haven Co., Connecticut. She married Nathaniel KELLOGG 1696 in Hatfield, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts.

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Generation No. 2

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3.	JONATHAN BELDEN (JOHN BELDEN, RICHARD BELDEN) was born 21 JAN 1660 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 6 JUL 1734 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He was buried in Ancient Burying Ground, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married MARY WRIGHT 10 DEC 1685 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, daughter of THOMAS WRIGHT and ELIZABETH CHITTENDEN. She was born 4 MAR 1664 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 8 SEP 1741 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She was buried in Ancient Burying Ground, Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut.
	Children of JONATHAN BELDEN and MARY WRIGHT were: 11   i. Jonathan BELDEN was born 11 NOV 1686 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 12   ii. Mary BELDEN was born 11 SEP 1687 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died AFT 10 MAR 1736. She married David WRIGHT 8 JUN 1710 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 13   iii. SILAS BELDEN was born 29 JUL 1691 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died SEP 1742 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 14   iv. Jonathan BELDEN was born 30 MAR 1695 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 20 AUG 1768. He married Martha JAMES 29 DEC 1715. 15   v. Elizabeth BELDEN was born 1 OCT 1698 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died AFT 10 MAR 1736. She married Ezra BELDEN15 FEB 1721 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut.

4.	Joseph BELDEN (JOHN BELDEN, RICHARD BELDEN) was born 23 APR 1663 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 7 DEC 1724 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Mary MEAKINS 27 OCT 1693 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She died 17 MAR 1740.
	Children of Joseph BELDEN and Mary MEAKINS were: 16   i. Sarah BELDEN was born 1 JUN 1695. 17   ii. Joseph BELDEN was born 28 DEC 1697. 18   iii. Thomas BELDEN was born 9 SEP 1700. 19   iv. Mary BELDEN was born 23 APR 1704. 20   v. Amos BELDEN was born 15 AUG 1707. 21   vi. Easter BELDEN was born 26 JUN 1710. 22   vii. Eunice BELDEN was born 16 JUN 1714.

5.	Samuel BELDEN (JOHN BELDEN, RICHARD BELDEN) was born 3 JAN 1664 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 27 DEC 1733 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Hannah Elderkin or HANDY 14 JAN 1686 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She died 20 JAN 1742.
	Children of Samuel BELDEN and Hannah Elderkin or HANDY were: 23   i. Samuel BELDEN was born 25 JUL 1689. 24   ii. Daniel BELDEN was born 14 FEB 1691. 25   iii. Gideon BELDEN was born 24 MAR 1693. 26   iv. Prudence BELDEN was born 12 FEB 1694. 27   v. Richard BELDEN was born 18 APR 1699. 28   vi. Mathew BELDEN was born 13 JUN 1701. 29   vii. Hannah BELDEN was born 25 SEP 1704.

8.	Ebenezer BELDEN (JOHN BELDEN, RICHARD BELDEN) was born 8 JAN 1672 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 2 NOV 1739 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He was buried in Ancient Burying Ground. He married Abigail GRAVES ABT 1696 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut.
	Children of Ebenezer BELDEN and Abigail GRAVES were: 30   i. Ebenezer BELDEN was born 7 SEP 1697. 31   ii. Thankful BELDEN was born 16 NOV 1702.

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Generation No. 3

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13.	SILAS BELDEN (JONATHAN BELDEN, JOHN BELDEN, RICHARD BELDEN) was born 29 JUL 1691 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died SEP 1742 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married ABIGAIL ROBBINS 30 NOV 1716 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, daughter of JOSHUA ROBBINS and ELIZABETH ROSE. She was born 12 JUN 1697 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 16 FEB 1783 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She was buried in Newington, Connecticut (Congregational Church).
	Children of SILAS BELDEN and ABIGAIL ROBBINS were: 32   i. Silas BELDEN was born 13 NOV 1717 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 33   ii. Abigail BELDEN was born 4 NOV 1720 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. She married Thomas HURLBURT 12 DEC 1744 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 34   iii. Joshua BELDEN was born 19 JUL 1724 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. He married Anna BELDEN 30 NOV 1749 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 35   iv. Charles BELDEN was born 4 MAY 1728 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. 36   v. Lydia BELDEN was born 3 MAY 1730 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut. + 37   vi. OLIVER BELDEN was born 19 NOV 1732 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 16 SEP 1811 in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Massachusetts. 38   vii. Jonathan BELDEN was born 16 NOV 1737 in Wethersfield, Hartford Co., Connecticut, and died 9 JAN 1778 in Canaan, Litchfield Co., Connecticut. He married Sarah BELDING 22 MAR 1759.