AMHERST — As discussion continues about whether the public square is an appropriate place to honor the Confederacy with statues and memorials, a Belchertown resident is asking state and town officials to end the recognition of Lord Jeffery Amherst by renaming the town of Amherst.
In an email sent the morning of Aug. 17 to the town’s Select Board and Town Manager Paul Bockelman, as well as State Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose and State Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, William Bowen, of Pine Brook Drive, is calling for Amherst’s name to be banished.
“It’s something that’s been on my mind for a while, and it’s something that should be addressed,” Bowen said.
Bowen explained that it is inappropriate to honor a person he describes as a ruthless 18th-century general who was the father of germ warfare. He cites the actions of Lord Jeffery Amherst, in command of British army forces in the North American colonies, and an order to use small pox to exterminate American Indians during Pontiac’s Rebellion in 1763.
When he worked in Amherst, Bowen said he met several Native Americans who were bothered by the town using the British general’s name.
“The American Indians, the Native Americans, are totally offended by the name of Amherst, they really are,” Bowen said.
Amherst took its name in 1759, when it separated from Hadley and then-Massachusetts Gov. Thomas Pownall named the new district after his close friend.
There has been periodic controversy over the Amherst name since. Most recently, in early 2016, trustees at Amherst College agreed to drop the unofficial mascot Lord Jeff after students raised concerns about the appropriateness of the honor.
In his email, Bowen writes: “In light of what is happening in the U.S. south, with citizens insulted by and demanding the immediate removal of statutes and memorials to those of the Confederate U.S. states, we the people demand and petition the commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city of Amherst, Massachusetts to immediately change the name of Amherst, Massachusetts.”
“Such a vile person in no way deserves recognition and memoriam in the United States of America,” Bowen added. “The use of Lord Jeffery Amherst’s name is a constant reminder of the atrocities he directed.”
Bowen said he isn’t sure whether the Legislature will act, noting that he also sent the letter to Sen. Eric Lesser and Rep. Thomas Petrolati.
But he’s convinced the matter is under its purview, pointing to discussions on Beacon Hill about prohibiting public schools from using Native American imagery.
“I’m hoping the Legislature will act; it’s in the realm of present legislation right now,” Bowen said.
Pete Wilson, a spokesman for Rosenberg’s office, said a quick review by legal counsel shows that Massachusetts towns have changed their names by special acts of the Legislature, though these likely have followed actions by Town Meetings or city councils in those communities.
Goldstein-Rose said that he wouldn’t act unless Amherst officials and residents made such a push.
That is what happened when current Town Manager Paul Bockelman worked in Manchester, which is was renamed Manchester-by-the-Sea in 1989.
“While many of us may want to change the names of our towns for any variety of reasons – and, in fact, we did change the name of a town I worked in previously – it is really up to the residents of Amherst to make this decision,” Bockelman said.
Select Board member Connie Kruger said she understands the sentiment, but notes changing the town’s name is unlikely to gain traction, based on past history.
“Others have tried to do this in Amherst,” Kruger said. “It’s been a conversation over many years.”
In fact, in 2000 a group of area residents aimed to remove the names of Massachusetts communities that were named in honor of those who fought American Indians, including Amherst and Turners Falls.
The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the change, noting that it would cost millions in disruptions to the change the brand.
Interim Executive Director Jerry Guidera said removing Amherst’s name is less likely than the current president holding a campaign event at one of the town’s most progressive cafes.
“You’re more likely to see Donald Trump organize a multimillion dollar fundraiser at Black Sheep Deli than see this ever get passed,” Guidera said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
