A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 3

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528

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Dr. Cone's institutional work has been of a dis- tinctly constructive nature. He was one of the founders of the old Fall River Hospital in 1886, this being the institution which preceded the pres- ent Union Hospital. He is a member of the American Medical Association; of the Massachu- setts State Medical Society; and was the founder and is still a member of the Fall River Medical Society. He is also an honorary member of the Chenango County, New York, Medical Society. For many years Dr. Cone has been one of the most active men in Masonic work in the city of Fall River. He is past master of Naragansett Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Fall River Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; past exalted commander of the Godfrey de Bouillon Command- ery, No. 25, Knights Templar; and he is past grand king of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Ma- sons; also a member of the Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Providence, Rhode Island; of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; past monarch

of Azab Grotto, No. 29; past grand monarch of Supreme Council, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm, 1920-21.

Dr. Cone married (first) in 1875, Mrs. Nancy Adelia Merritt, of Coventry, New York, and they were the parents of three daughters: Jane Louise, now deceased, who was the wife of N. C. Luscomb, of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and left one daughter, Jane Louise; Susan Rosette, wife of Charles A. Hambly, of Newport, Rhode Island; and Frances Adelia, wife of William S. Whitworth, of Auburn, Rhode Island. The first Mrs. Cone died in October, 1913, leaving her husband and the daughters above mentioned, also two sons by a former marriage : Dr. S. V. Merritt, of Fall River; and W. P. Mer- ritt, superintendent of the Brightman Street Bridge, of Fall River. Dr. Cone married (second) in March, 1919, Mrs. M. Abby (Slade) Sias.

JOHN REED WILLIAMS-The man who founds a useful and successful business enterprise not only builds for himself an enduring monument but he also makes to the economic prosperity of the community a contribution which continues to live and grow and extend its helpful influence long after he himself has left the scene of his active labors. Many of those still unborn at the time of his passing later share in the material profits of the organization, and hundreds of others may find in its well-managed activities the opportunity not only for the earning of a livelihood but the means for economic, intellectual and civic advancement. One of the citizens of Bristol county, Massachu- setts, who has thus contributed to the welfare of his native city is the late John Reed Williams, founder of the Williams Stove Lining Company, of Taunton, Massachusetts, whose death in 1890 re- moved from the stove lining industry a pioneer whose activities had paved the way for the develop- ment and growth of this branch of industrial enter- prise. Mr. Williams spent his entire life in the city of Taunton, where his life was an open book to his many friends and where he won the highest esteem not only of his many personal friends but of all with whom he was associated in business, social and civic connections.

John Reed Williams was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, in June, 1817, and died in the city of his birth in January, 1890. He received his education in Taunton, and upon the completion of his edu- cational training, and before his marriage, he went to Savannah, Georgia, and was superintendent of a brick yard. He then returned to Taunton and began the manufacture of red brick. In 1846 he estab- lished the concern now known as the Williams Stove Lining Company and to the time of his death continued at the head of the enterprise. A man of large ability and resourceful nature, he carried the enterprise through the early years of its existence, when adverse conditions created dis- couraging periods and many other concerns fell by the way. The concern, which was one of the first of its kind in the city of Taunton, engaged in the manufacture of fire-brick and stove-linings, and

BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

throughout the seventy-seven years of its existence its growth has been steady. At the present time (1923) it is rated as one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the United States. Mr. Williams took his sons, John Gilmore and Joseph S., into the organization as soon as each had completed his education, and through practical experience and his wide advice and counsel they were prepared to meet the responsibilities which came to them with the death of the father in 1890. John Reed Williams gave to his day and generation the constructive efforts of the man of large administrative ability and he is still remembered among the older circles in Taunton as one of the outstanding pioneers of earlier days. Through the business which he founded, as well as through the personal contacts of his active career, his influence continues to live and grow.

Mr. Williams married, at Taunton, Sarah Pitts, who was born in Taunton (now Berkley), Massa- chusetts, in 1819, and died in Taunton in February, 1911, daughter of Abner and Eleanor (Sanford) Pitts. John Reed and Sarah (Pitts) Williams were the parents of two sons: Joseph S., and John Gilmore, sketches of whom will be found on the same page; and three daughters: Sarah E., who is single; E. Louisa, deceased, who was the wife of Edward L. Bass, of Vermont; and Sophia P., who is single.

JOSEPH S. WILLIAMS-A venerable figure in the industrial life of Bristol county, Massachusetts, is Joseph S. Williams, who has for many years been at the head of the Williams Stove Lining Company, Inc., one of the oldest and largest con- cerns of its kind in the United States. Affiliated thus with the stove industry of Taunton through- out his entire career, Mr. Williams holds an honored and distinguished position in executive circles in the industrial world of Massachusetts.

Joseph S. Williams was born in Taunton, Massa- chusetts, February 5, 1847, son of John Reed and Sarah (Pitts) Williams (see preceding sketch). His early education was acquired in the public schools of the city and he completed his studies at Bristol Academy. As a young man he became identified with his father in the manufacture of fire-brick and stove-linings and has continued until the present time as a member of the organization. Trained under his father's efficient leadership and placed in a responsible executive position early in life, he has proved a worthy son of an honored father, and his activities in his present position, as the head of this business, have contributed in a marked de- gree to the advance of the stove industry in Bristol county. The plant which is on Taunton river, at the end of West Water street, has increased in size until it occupies a space of about four acres and gives employment to about fifty people. Its product goes to all parts of the United States. As the head of this significant and ever growing interest, Mr. Williams is a member of the National Manu- facturers' Association, the Taunton Manufacturers'

Association, and the Associated Industries, also the Taunton Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Williams is a member of Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. John's Command- ery, Knights Templar; Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Bos- ton, Massachusetts; and Massachusetts Consistory, in which he holds the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Winthrop and Bristol clubs of Taunton, Massachusetts. His choice of recreative interests follows the line of water sports, and he has long been identified with the Taunton Yacht Club, of which for five years he was commo- dore. He is also a member of the Rhode Island Yacht Club, and is widely known in yachting cir- cles. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

JOHN GILMORE WILLIAMS-As the execu- tive head of the Williams Stove Lining Company, Inc., of Taunton, Massachusetts, John Gilmore Williams is taking a leading part in the progress of the industrial world of Taunton, and his useful- ness is widely recognized. Trained in this industry under the instruction of his father, the founder of the concern, Mr. Williams has borne executive re- sponsibility in this connection for many years and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

The branch of the Williams family to which Mr. Williams belongs traces its descent from Richard and Frances (Dighton) Williams, the line being traced through their son, Joseph; his son, Richard; his son, Colonel George; his son, Captain George; his son, Francis; his son, John Reed, father of John G. Williams, who is therefore of the eighth generation. Mr. Williams is also a descendant of the Sandford, King, Hodges, Dean, Leonard, and Gilmore families, and of Thomas Rogers of the "Mayflower."

Born in Taunton, Massachusetts, November 25, 1859, son of John Reed Williams, founder of the enterprise now known as the Williams Stove Lining Company, and of Sarah (Pitts) Williams, John Gil- more Williams acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, and upon the completion of his high school course became associated with his father and elder brother in the manufacture of fire-brick and stove linings. The business, which has continued to grow throughout the seventy-seven years of its existence, is located at the end of West Water street, on the Taunton river. When the founder and head of the business was removed by death, the name was changed to that of the Williams Stove Lining Company, and in 1906 the concern was incorporated under the same title. The plant now covers about four acres of ground, largely improved, requires the services of many em- ployees, and sends its products to all parts of the United States. Besides being on of the oldest con- cerns in this section of the United States, it is also one of the largest. Mr. Williams is identified with the local and national manufacturers' associa-

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BIOGRAPHICAL

tions and the Associated Industries, and his frater- nal affiliations include membership in Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's . Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. John's Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Providence; Boston Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of the thirty-second degree; and Aleppo Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Winthrop Club and of the Segregansett Country Club, and a life-member of the Old Colony Historical Society. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian church.

Mr. Williams married, in 1892, Bertha . Frances Walker, of Taunton, Massachusetts, daughter of Samuel H. and Mary Frances (Newell) Walker (see following sketch). Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of Gladys Gilmore Williams.

SAMUEL HORACE WALKER-A man of high character and exemplary life, Samuel Horace Walker was to acquaintances, neighbors and friends the same kindly, generous-hearted man that his family knew and loved so well. His long and successful business life was marked by energy, enterprise and thoroughly honorable dealing, his love of justice and fairness being a passion. His life was one of usefulness, and when he fell suddenly into the sleep which knows no awakening, the city of Taun- ton lost a good citizen.

Captain Walker, as he was more commonly known, was of ancient New England family, a de- scendant of "Widow Walker," he being of the ninth American generation, his line of descent being: (I) "Widow Walker;" (II) James; (III) James; (IV) Nathan; (V) William; (VI) William; (VII) Abathar; (VIII) Abathar; (IX) Samuel H. Walker; (X) Bertha Frances (Mrs. John Gilmore Williams). His ancestry touches the Richmond, Read, Tobey, Dean, Leonard and Brooke families of New Eng- land, and one of his lines of descent leads to Thomas Rogers, of the "Mayflower."

Samuel H. Walker was born in Dighton, Massa- chusetts, May 14, 1838, and died in Taunton, De- cember 3, 1907, and there obtained his education. His first entrance into business life was made in association with his brother, they founding a tack manufacturing business in a small way, which, under the careful management of the brothers, grew into a very profitable enterprise. After being in that business for several years, Mr. Walker left Dighton and located in Taunton, where he entered the office employ of Staples & Phillips, later be- coming extensively engaged in shipping, being man- ager, agent and one of the largest owners of a fleet of thirteen vessels. Later, he retired from that business, and until his retirement a few years prior to his death, he successfully conducted a florist business in Taunton. He was a good business man, and all of his business undertakings were profitably conducted.

Mr. Walker was a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with Charles H. Titus Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar,

of Providence; and Boston Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, in which he held the thirty- second degree. He was also a noble of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine; and a life-member of the Old Colony Historical Society.

Samuel H. Walker married, September 8, 1859, Mary Frances Newell, daughter of John P. and Mary Tinkham (Babbitt) Newell. Mrs. Walker survived her husband, as did their only daughter, Bertha Frances, who married John Gilmore Wil- liams (see preceding sketch).

EDGAR W. STURGIS-Many longer records have been written than that which enumerates the activities of Edgar W. Sturgis, for his life could be summed up in a very few words. He became identified with the H. L. Davis Company immedi- ately following the completion of his education and is still with the same concern. A period of more than forty years of unchanging effort, unswerving fidelity to a single interest-this may be summed up as above stated, in a very few words, but its significance, not only to the man and the enterprise with which he is connected, but as an example of energy, perseverance and sustained endeavor, makes it of unquestioned value to the present generation and also to those who in later years shall read these pages.

The Sturgis family is an old one of Barnstable county, Massachusetts, and Dennis C. Sturgis, his father, lived to be one of the oldest residents of that section. He was a sea captain and mariner and had the distinction of being the holder of the Post Cane. He lived to the great age of ninety- seven years, and died in 1922. The mother, Mary (Williams) Sturgis, also a native of Barnstable county, Massachusetts, died at the age of eighty- nine years.

Edgar W. Sturgis was born in Barnstable coun- ty, Massachusetts, April 19, 1858. His education was acquired in the local public schools, and as a young man he came to Taunton, where he entered the employ of H. L. Davis, then, as now, one of the leading firms in interior and exterior decora- tions. This concern was established in the year 1875 by H. L. Davis, and continued under his name until 1893, when its title became the H. L. Davis Company. On January 19, 1901, the concern was incorporated without further change. of name, the executive officers becoming, as at present, E. W. Sturgis, president; I. H. Bosworth, treasurer; and A. C. Lewis, secretary. During the passing of the years they extended their operations to include the sale of supplies of various kinds, also toys, and with recent years the interest has become a very important one, the scope of its operations extending throughout Bristol county. They still make a specialty of interior decorating, and distribute sup- plies for work of this nature at wholesale and re- tail, and their toy department has become one of the most attractive and complete to be found any- where in this State. They employ about twenty- five hands, and besides being the oldest firm in this

BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS

general field, they are considered by many to be the largest in Southeastern Massachusetts. On June 1, 1923, this company removed to a new modern building which they erected at Nos. 16-18 Trescott street. Mr. Sturgis is also interested in various branches of commercial, industrial and financial progress, acting as a director of the Morris Plan Bank, also of the Bristol County Savings Bank, and trustee of the City Investment Trust Company. Fraternally he is a member of King David Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Mark's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Taunton Council, Royal and Select Masters; Bristol Commandery, Knights Tem- plar; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; also Sabbatia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His clubs are the Winthrop and the Taunton Rotary, and he is a member of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, of which he is vice-president and a director. He is a member of the Universalist church.

Mr. Sturgis married, on February 28, 1882, Mary A. Bosworth, of South Carver, Massachusetts, a daughter of James H. and Susan A. Bosworth. Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis are the parents of two chil- dren: 1. Ethel May, the wife of Walter Gorham. 2. Henry W., born in 1898; he enlisted in the World War, was sent to Camp Dix, where he died, giving his life for the cause as truly as if he had fallen in battle.

HEZEKIAH A. BRAYTON-Among the very oldest of American families is that which bears the name of Brayton, which was established in the Colony of Rhode Island some time before the middle of the seventeenth century, probably in the year 1643, when its founder was received as an inhabitant of Ports- mouth. The members of the Brayton house have been extremely prominent in connection with the develop- ment of Southeastern Massachusetts, particularly with that region centering about the city of Fall River, and the early territory which went to form that city. The great industries which have grown up thereabout are not a little indebted to the enterprise and intelligence of the early Braytons, various members of the family having been numbered among the most prominent busi- ness leaders, financiers, and promoters of the colossal milling industries of the region.

Brayton Arms-Azure, two chevrons between as many mul- lets or.

Crest-A mullet or.

Motto-Catus semper viret.

(I) Francis Brayton, immigrant ancestor and founder of the family in America, was born in England in 1611- 12. He came to this country as a young man, and was admitted as an inhabitant of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, as early as the year 1643. Twelve years later, in 1655, he was made a freeman, and in 1662-63 was chosen to represent Portsmouth in the General Court. He served as deputy to the General Court in 1669-70, 1678, and 1684. In 1667 he enlisted in the troop of horse which was maintained for the common defense, and generally played an important part in the life of the community.

Francis Brayton married Mary who died

about the year 1692. He died in the same year. Chil- dren: 1. Francis, died in 1718. 2. Mary, married Jos- seph Davol. 3. Stephen, mentioned below. 4. Martha, married John Pearce. 5. Elizabeth, married Jared Bourne. 6. Sarah, married Thomas Gatchell.

(II) Stephen Brayton, son of Francis and Mary Brayton, was a resident of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, probably all his life, although the date of his birth is not known, and it is possible that he may have been a native of England. He was a freeman in the year 1678, and a member of the grand jury in 1687.

Stephen Brayton married, March 8, 1679, Ann Tall- man, daughter of Peter and Ann Tallman, of Ports- mouth, and died in 1692. Children: 1. Mary, born February 12, 1680. 2. Elizabeth, born December 8, 1681. 3. Ann, born July 6, 1683. 4. Preserved, men- tioned below. 5. Stephen, born August 2, 1686. 6. Israel, died about 1756.

(III) Preserved Brayton, son of Stephen and Ann (Tallman) Brayton, was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, March 8, 1685. He became a freeman at Portsmouth in 1706, the year in which he attained his majority, and lived there until 1714, when he pur- chased one hundred and thirty acres of land in the settlement of Swansea, Massachusetts. He made that place his home during the remainder of his life. This farm came to be known as the Brayton homestead, by which name it is called to the present day. It is situ- ated on the west bank of the Taunton river, in what is now the town of Somerset, which was set off from Swansea in the year 1790. The first definite agreement in regard to his purchase of this farm from William Little was embodied in articles drawn up and signed July 21, 1714. The terms of agreement between the two proved satisfactory, and the deed was signed and transferred on March 2, 1714-15. Evidence is uncer- tain as to when the Brayton homestead was built. Elizabeth Hitchcock Brayton, in her interesting sketch of the "Brayton Homestead," published in 1914, says :

· we find evidence of its foundation upon which site has been placed a stone, presumably the old stepping stone of the original dwelling. "The Great Room," "in the Southeast corner," "the chamber over said rooms," "the great door," "through the entry and up the stairs to the chamber overhead," "to cook in the Kitchen," "and store meat and sauce in the cellar," form for us only a fragmentary description of that first house upon the hill to which Preserved Brayton brought his wife and two older children, and which was the birthplace of his younger children. In 1724 Preserved Brayton enlarged his farm by purchasing of William Slade the south half of the original lot 13 of the Shawomet purchase, and half the roadway between the 13th and 14th lots, thus making the whole of the Homestead Farm about one hundred and sixty- eight acres.

The original lot was No. 12. Miss Brayton continues :

The total purchase price of the farm, as paid by Preserved Brayton, was, therefore, thirteen hundred and twenty pounds. Assuming that the colonial pound (whose value today would be ahout three and one-third dollars) was used in these trans- actions, the amount paid for the Homtstead Farm would be about forty-four hundred dollars of our money. Preserved Brayton was a true lover of the soil, and for forty-seven years after his removal to Swansea, as we shall call it now, was spared to enjoy the fruits of his labors upon the place he termed the Homestead Farm, all unconscious of adopting a name that would be perpetuated for many generations. At the time of his death in Swansea, May 21, 1761, Preserved Bray- ton was an extensive landholder. "

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Branton

BIOGRAPHICAL

He owned in addition to the Homestead Farm an- other farm in Swansea, besides property in Freetown, Rehoboth and Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Preserved Brayton married, in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Content Coggeshall, daughter of John (2) Coggeshall, and granddaughter of John (1) Cogge- shall, one of the first settlers of Rhode Island, and one of the foremost figures in the early history of the colony. (See Coggeshall III). Preserved Brayton and his wife died in Swansea, the former on May 21, 1761, and the latter in 1759.

(IV) Israel Brayton, son of Preserved and Content (Coggeshall) Brayton, was born on the Homestead Farm, October 13, 1727. He inherited the Homestead Farm on his father's death, and like his father was an extensive landowner and prosperous farmer. In addi- tion to the farm, he acquired property in Swansea, in- cluding a shipyard, and land he purchased in 1766 from Samuel Lee. In 1559 he bought of Richard and Susanna Gifford a large farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Tiverton, which at the time of his death he gave to his son, Baulton Brayton. Israel Brayton spent his entire life in Swansea, and was a well-known figure in its affairs for several decades.

Israel Brayton married (first), April 19, 1752, Mary Perry, who, tradition claims, was a relative of Oliver Hazard Perry. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, among them John, mentioned below. Israel Brayton married (second) Mrs. Mary Read Bowers. He died in Swansea in 1791.

Perry Arms --- Quarterly, gules and or, on a bend argent, three lions passant, proper.

Crest -- A lion's bead proper, ducally crowned or.

(V) John Brayton, son of Israel and Mary (Perry) Brayton, was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, April 12, 1762. Too young to serve during the Revolution, he nevertheless was old enough to see and remember the hardships of the times. The Brayton homestead was on the route of travel. Many of the troops on their way to Tiverton crossed the Taunton river at Slade's Ferry and thus came very near to the home of his father. One night a company camped not far distant, and the next morning, in filling their canteens, drew the well dry at the Homestead Farm. One can- teen, accidentally left, is now in existence, and is in the possession of one of the present owners of the Home- stead Farm, the great-great-grandson of Israel Bray- ton. The war brought great deprivation to the inhabi- tants of the towns round about, and in 1779 there was a great scarcity of provisions, and these sold at very high prices. The following winter the intense cold caused much suffering, and for two months the ice completely locked the rivers and bay. The price of wood advanced to twenty dollars per cord and corn sold at four silver dollars a bushel. It was during this winter that John Brayton, not yet eighteen years of age, "Loaded wood upon sleds at his farm and with oxen drew the same in a direct line upon the ice to Newport." On August 2, 1780, when eighteen years of age, John Brayton enlisted in Captain Peleg Peck's company of Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment.

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A History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, vol 3, Part 3

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor Publication date: 1924 Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 528

Author: Hutt, Frank Walcott, 1869- editor
Publication date: 1924
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 528