Scotland to work in the cotton-mills. A ship called the "North America"
brought a load of 130 young Scotch people who shipped from Broomielaw
Quay, in April, 1854. They were induced to come by the superior
inducements offered here, and some of the best weavers ever employed in
the mills came from Scotland. Later there was a large immigration from
the Canadas, and from Ireland.

The entire population by the census of 1850 was 3,715. March 14th of
that year the town was incorporated, bearing the name of Holyoke,
Governor Briggs approving the bill.

The name selected was historical, from Mt. Holyoke, christened some two
hundred years before, but its origin was from Elizur Holyoke, one of the
early residents of this section.

The town of Holyoke was formerly a portion of Springfield of which
Elizur Holyoke was among the early settlers, coming from England when a
youth; and his name is identified with its early records. In 1640 he
married Mary Pynchon. the tradition of whose grace and loveliness comes
down with the musty records of the past, and lingers like a bright,
sweet touch of romance among the historical pages of the grim colonial
days.

[Illustration: SECTION OF THE DAM.]

A notable man of his time was Elizur Holyoke, and he was of a committee
chosen to explore and ascertain the precise extent of Springfield, which
then extended to Northampton and Hadley. A pretty legend of the valley
is Dr. J.C. Holland's story, told in most musical verse of the Mountain
Christening.