About Connections: Love it or hate it, history is a map. Those who hate history think it irrelevant; many who love history think it escapism. In truth, history is the clearest road map to how we got here: America in the 21st century.
Through a series of events, I was stranded at Cranwell during the Nor’easter of 2017. The staff — Vic, Nick, Dan, Jim, Billy – could not have been nicer. They kept me safe and warm. By way of thanks, here is story about a former resident of their hill.
Ezra Blossom was born on May 10, 1761, in Barnstable, Massachusetts, the son of Thomas and Thankful Paddock Blossom. When he was 20 years old, Blossom married Mehitabel Foster.
In 1782, the couple moved from Barnstable to Lenox. They joined the Congregational church, and Ezra became a voter in Lenox. To be a voter meant that Blossom was male, at least 21 years of age, a resident of Lenox for at least one year, owned property valued at no less than $200, and had an annual income of at least $10. That was the criteria for a voter and the standard for a gentleman in 18th-century Lenox.
Together Ezra and Mehitabel had 13 children, but fewer than half lived to adulthood. The Blossoms – parents and children – were members in good standing of Lenox.
Blossom’s professional life was as respectable as his personal life. In 1787 Lenox was designated the Berkshire shire town (county seat), so both the county courthouse and the county gaol (jail) were located in Lenox. Blossom was appointed gaoler (jailer and sheriff).
On June 13, 1803, for the sum of 70 dollars, Blossom purchased: “26 acres well proportioned for mowing and tillage with a good orchard which makes about twenty barrels of cider annually.” Then it was called the farm on Blossom Hill; today it is the Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort. On the property Blossom had “a house, nearly new and well-furnished, a convenient barn, and other out-buildings.”
Blossom had income from his land; was paid as gaoler, and reimbursed by the town for his services to the indigent. Blossom took the needy into his home, fed and clothed them. If they died he was appointed to settle their estates. These were responsibilities assigned by the town and considered to be honors. For more than 30 years, Blossom and his family lived well and prospered in Lenox — until 1814.
1814 was a disastrous year for Blossom. He was 53 years old and his life was about to unravel.
On April 16, 1814, the Berkshire gaol burned to the ground. On May 8, Blossom’s 21-year-old son died. In July, two prisoners escaped. Shortly after, Blossom was dismissed from his position. In December, Blossom sold his farm.
April 21, 1814, The Pittsfield Reporter: “The gaol of the County of Berkshire was lost Saturday night the 16th. The building was of wood except for the lower story. The stonework of the gaol is still standing and we learn that the prisoners are confined in those lower rooms.
“It is understood that the goal was intentionally set on fire by Mr. Elijah W. Cobb who was in close confinement for debt in the upper room. After having kindled the fire, he made his escape. The prisoners awakened the gaoler, Captain Ezra Blossom, from sleep. He immediately opened the doors to rescue the prisoners. The dwelling house attached to the gaol was saved by the great exertion of Captain Blossom and the neighboring people. It is said that Cobb was insane before his confinement.”
It would seem Blossom acted well and even heroically; nonetheless, some blame attached to the gaoler.
One month later there was another blow. Ezra and Mehitabel, who buried seven infants and toddlers, now buried their 21-year-old son David. They marked the spot where David died. It was one of the earliest, if not the earliest, inscribed monuments placed by a father in memory of his dead son on public land in Lenox.
The inscription read: “On this spot the lifeless corpse of Mr. David Blossom of Lenox, son of Captain Ezra & Mrs. Mehitabel Blossom, was found on May 8, 1814; in the 22 year of his age. Walking here alone, he was suddenly called into eternity without any earthly friend to console him in his last moments or to close his dying eyes. Reader, pause and consider the vast importance of being always prepared to meet thy God! Thou knowest not the time, the place, or the manner of thy death!”
It was a tragic loss for the parents made worse because it was a sudden and unexplained death.
On July 8, 1814, two prisoners escaped from the lower rooms of Blossom’s jail. It was the proverbial last straw. Blossom was fired. The cause stated for the dismissal was not the jail break but the fire.
The new jail was very expensive to build and required additional land to be purchased “north of the coffeehouse.” The powers that be were not pleased about the expense, and their anger fell on Blossom. The search for a new gaoler was underway immediately, but the new man, Cephor Clapp from Northampton, did not take office until January 1, 1816.
On December 9, 1814, Blossom advertised “A Farm for Sale.” Just 11 years after purchase, the 26 acres – including the small but convenient house with barn and other out-buildings – sold for $1,200. It was an $1,130 profit. Perhaps the money helped, but his sojourn in Lenox that started so promisingly was over.
Blossom died just seven years later in New York. Born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, died in Brighton, New York, his obituary read: “Captain Ezra Blossom, late of Lenox, died at age 59.”
