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.
Ezra Blossom was born on May 10, 1761 in Barnstable, Mass., the son of Thomas and Thankful Paddock Blossom. When he was 20 years old, he married Mehetabel Foster. Shortly after their marriage, they moved from Barnstable to Lenox. They adjusted well and were accepted in their new community. They were members in good standing of the Lenox Congregational Church, and Ezra was a voter. Being a voter meant that he was male, at least 21 years of age, a resident of Lenox for one year or longer, owned property valued at no less than $200, and had an annual income of at least $10. That was the criteria for a voter in 18th-century Lenox.
That was also the standard for a gentleman. Blossom’s professional life was respectable. In 1787, when Lenox was designated the Berkshire Shiretown (county seat) and was therefore home to both the courthouse and the county gaol (jail), Blossom was appointed Gaoler.
On June 13, 1803, for the sum of $70, Blossom purchased: “26 acres well-proportioned for mowing and tillage with a good orchard which makes about twenty barrels of cider annually.” It was called Blossom farm (today it is called Cranwell Resort/Miraval). 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 by the County, and, in addition, was reimbursed by the town for his services to the indigent. It was a responsibility assigned by the town and considered an honor to feed and house indigents and settle their estates when they died. Together, Ezra and Mehetabel had 13 children, but fewer than half lived to adulthood. The six that reached majority married well and also settled in Lenox. So, for 30 years, Blossom and his family lived well and prospered in Lenox. That is, until 1814.
Lenox, April 16, 1814: Ezra Blossom was not having a bad day. On that day his gaol burned to the ground.
The Reporter, Pittsfield, April 21, 1814: “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.”
The Pittsfield Sun reported, “It is understood that the gaol 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.”
Actually, Blossom was about to have a disastrous year. In May, a son died; in July, two prisoners escaped from his jail. While Blossom acted well and even heroically, it was insufficient to save his job. Shortly after, Ezra Blossom was dismissed. In December, he sold his Lenox farm. His sojourn in Lenox, that started so promisingly, was over.
Ezra and Mehetabel had buried seven infants and young children; now in May 1814, one of their adult children died. The Blossom memorial marker was one of the earliest inscribed monuments placed by a father in memory of his dead son on public land in Lenox.
The inscription reads: “On this spot was found the lifeless corpse of Mr. David Blossom of Lenox, son of Capitan Ezra & Mrs. Mehetabel Blossom, on May 8, 1814; in the 22 years 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! For thou knowest not the time, the place, or the manner of thy death!” And they knew not the cause of David’s death nor would Ezra ever learn it.
On July 8, 1814, when two prisoners escaped from Blossom’s jail, for Blossom, it was the proverbial last straw. However, when Blossom was dismissed, for the town, the cause was the fire not the jail break. The new jail was very expensive to build and required additional land to be purchased “north of the coffeehouse.” The insane Mr. Cobb was gone and now two more prisoners were roaming free. The search for a new Gaoler was underway. Cephor Clapp from Northampton took office January 1, 1816.
On December 9, 1814, Blossom’s advertised “A Farm for Sale.” The 26 acres included “a small but convenient house, nearly new, and well-furnished with a convenient barn and other out-buildings.” Just 11 years after purchase, Blossom sold the property for $1,200, an $1,130 profit. Perhaps his luck was changing for the better.
Blossom died in 1821, in Brighton, N.Y. His years in Lenox must have been meaningful to him because his obituary read:
“Captain Ezra Blossom, late of Lenox, died at age 59.”
