“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~Frank Outlaw This practice (importing slaves) has gone on a million years - and we might be shocked to find out who was enslaved: William Pynchon (1635) pursued several far-sighted strategies to build Springfield's population. He purchased the indenture contracts of skilled Scotsmen , who had been taken prisoner in Cromwell's war and brought them to Springfield . He welcomed poor men whom other towns had "warned out" for fear they would become a burden on the community. And he took in and tolerated those with "ungodly" habits, such as drinking and gambling, violent tempers, and little respect for religion. July 15 On this day in 1636, William Pynchon received the deed giving him title to most of what is now Springfield, Longmeadow, and A...