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. "On a beautiful morning in June, they say, Two hundred and twenty years ago." Captain Holyoke and Captain Thomas with a little company of stanch followers started out on a survey of the country. "Holyoke, the gentle and daring, stood On the Eastern bank, with his trusty four, And Rowland Thomas, the gallant and good, Headed the band on the other shore. The women ran weeping to bid them good-bye, And sweet Mary Pynchon was there (I guess) With a sigh in her throat, and a tear in her eye As Holyoke marched into the wilderness." The melodious rhyme goes on to describe the journey up the valley and the night camp, where: "The great falls roared in their ears all night, And the sturgeon splashed, and the wild-cat screamed, And they did not wake till the morning light Red through the willowy branches streamed." The story of the naming of Mt. Holyoke is told as follows: "The morning dawned on the double group, Facing each other on opposite shores, Where years ago with a mighty swoop The waters parted the mountain doors." "Let us christen the mountains!" said Holyoke in glee, "Let us christen the mountains!" said Thomas again, "This mountain for you, and that mountain for me," And their trusty fellows responded "Amen!" Then Holyoke buried his palm in the stream, And tossed the pure spray toward the mountain brow And said, while it shone in the sun's fierce beam, "Fair mountain, thou art Mt. Holyoke now!" How much of this rhythmic legend is true and how much imaginary is uncertain; but it is quite probable that in the course of this survey Holyoke's name was given to the mountain, of which Holyoke city is a namesake. [Illustration: THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.]