William Pynchon, a Puritan leader, was searching for a place to establish a trading post and establish a Puritan plantation". In 1636, Pynchon and a group of settlers purchased land from the Agawam Indians and Longmeadow was settled. The land was ideally situated near the Agawam and Connecticut Rivers. There was enough meadow land to support farms and cattle. The meadow lands were known to the Indians as "Masacksic". The settlers used the "long meddowe" as a common pasture land; to be used equally by all residents.

The land in Longmeadow was used as a common pasture until 1645. Then the land was divided into lots and given to families. Some land was used to attract settlers with specific skills or talents needed by a developing community. A road from Springfield into the meadows was completed. The road helped to move supplies and beaver pelts between Springfield and Pychon's warehouse.

The first house was built in the meadows about 1649. Most of the lot owners already had homes in Springfield. A terrible flood in the meadows in 1695 caused the meadow residents to move their settlement . They moved from the meadows near the river, up onto the hill above the river. A road was made (the present-day Longmeadow Street), and house lots were assigned. The closeness of the houses around the common (the present-day Green) suggests the like-mindedness both economic and religious, of these people.

By 1709, people lived in houses built around the Green. In 1714, residents built their own meeting house. Rev. Stephen Williams became the first minister of this new community in 1716.

The Indians were very accurate when they named the land, "Masacksic", or "long meddowe." The "long meddowe" provided a source for food and a safe haven for these Puritan pioneers. Today, the role of the meadows in Longmeadow has changed. Some of the land is still farmed, but it is primarily a meadow or sanctuary for wildlife.

History adapted for Elementary school use by Kay Daugherty