A Look Back: Dec. 7, 2024

200 Years Ago

■Whereas my wife Rhoda and I cannot agree to live together, this is to forbid all persons harboring or trusting her, or any of her kindred, on my account, for I shall pay no debts of their contracting. Brewer Ball, Chesterfield.

■John and Christopher Clarke, opposite the courthouse on Merchants’ Row, have received a full supply of choice liquors, consisting of Old London, Old Holland and Philadelphia gin, Old Cognac brandy, cider brandy, St. Croix, Jamaica, Boston & Cherry rum, Old Irish Whiskey, Dennie’s Old Madeira, Sicily Madeira, claret, Lisbon, Colmenar and Malaga wines, and genuine London porter.

100 Years Ago

■From the inspiring playing of the American Legion Band in the frosty night outside the Academy to the final outpouring of the crowd that saw the first performance of “Civilian Clothes,” in which Arling Alcine presents The Northampton Players for the annual American Legion show, all this week, last evening was Legion Nin Northampton.

■The work of moving the houses on Kensington Avenue, owned by Smith College, to the new lots on Washington Avenue and Maynard Avenue, has begun. It is understood that the houses on Kensington Avenue will be taken down and moved in sections to their new location.

50 Years Ago

■The University of Massachusetts announced yesterday that it will lay off nearly 350 janitorial and cafeteria workers during the January academic recess. The layoffs will range from one to three weeks. UMass Chancellor Randolph Bromery explained in a press conference yesterday that the layoffs are expected to save $30,000 in salaries.

■The influx of some 190 new school-age children into the Northampton School System this fall is partly responsible for lower reading levels, the Northampton School Committee’s teachers committee learned last night. The board has been asked to recommend hiring a full-time remedial reading teacher at Vernon Street School.