USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > Cape Cod, the right arm of Massachusetts : an historical narrative > Part 20
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increase of capital, 1853; Provincetown Bank, incorporated 1854; Bank of Cape Cod, Harwich; Equitable Marine Insurance Company of Provincetown, Nantucket and Cape Cod Steamboat Company, Cape Cod Telegraph Company, incorporated 1855; Cape Cod Marine Telegraph Company, incorporated ; further act providing for the construction by Truro and Provincetown of a bridge over East Harbor, 1856; the Monnamoit Insurance Company, of Chatham, incorporated, and capital of Cape Cod Bank, Harwich, increased, 1857. These are only the more general public acts affecting the business interests of the county, while the statutes relating to private interests would require many pages to recount.
During the period under review, a large number of distinguished citizens of the county who had performed eminent public service and filled positions of honor and trust in civil and military life, in the Revolutionary war, just preceding it, or during the war of 1812-15, paid the debt of nature.
Gen. Joseph Dimmick of Revolutionary fame died in Falmouth, Sept. 21, 1822, aged 88 years. He early enlisted in the service of his country, and served as lieu- tenant under Abererombie, at Ticonderoga. His prowess and sagacity in the conflict with Great Britain have been set forth in the story of the Revolutionary days. In peace as well as in war, he was a good citizen, and a man of rectitude and high honor.
Hon. George Thacher, a native of this county, died April 6, 1824, at Biddeford, Me., having been born in Yarmouth, April 12, 1754. He was a descendant in the fourth generation of Anthony Thacher, one of the grantees of the town, and graduated from Harvard College in 1776. Having prepared himself for the practice of law, in the
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GEORGE THACHER.
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FROM WAR OF 1822-15 TO SOUTHERN REBELLION.
office of Shearjashub Bourne, Esq., of Barnstable, in 1782, he established himself in Biddeford, in the district of Maine. Chosen, before the establishment of the constitution, a delegate to Congress, he was also after the adoption chosen a representative, serving in that capacity until 1801. He took an active part in the business of that body, and was one of the keenest debaters and most influential workers in the house. His wit, sarcasm, and power of ridicule, which he had frequent occasion to exercise, brought him in collision with some of the leaders of the opposition. In 1801, he resigned his seat in Congress, to accept the position of judge of the Supreme Judicial court, where he remained until 1824. He was one of the chief ornaments of a tribunal, which numbers among its most conspicnous members, such lawyers as Parsons, Shaw, Parker, Morton, and others whose opinions are quoted and relied upon in all American judicial proceedings. Judge Thacher was also something more than a mere lawyer; he was a man of learning in other departments, and was particularly well versed in theological and polemical controversies, and his knowledge of history and the literature of the period, was surpassed by few of his contemporaries. His wit and humor often enlivened many of the dreary judicial proceedings in which he participated, and he sometimes took a very practical view of what was transpiring before him. On one occasion, Hon. Daniel Davis, as solicitor-general, was prosecuting a horse thief, before Judge Thacher, in the county of Kennebec. The case suggested a precedent to the keen- witted judge. When he was a boy, he and the solicitor- general lived in the adjoining towns of Yarmouth and Barnstable, and the day after the affair at Lexington and Concord, the militia of the two towns started off for Boston. The boys accompanied the soldiers, Davis acting as fifer,
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until an order came for the troops to return home. In their retreat, tired of marching, the boys found an old horse by the way-side, mounted it and rode some miles, after which they abandoned the steed on the highway, to return to its home if it so willed. In the course of the trial the judge leaned over the bench and said, in an undertone, "Davy, that reminds me of the horse we stole in Barnstable." Judge Thacher remained on the bench until 1824, during which time his residence was in Newburyport. After retiring, he lived with his children a short period in Biddeford, until the time of his death .*
September 20, died in Sandwich, Gen. Nathaniel Freeman, who was born in Dennis (then a portion of Yarmouth), in 1741, and occupied a conspicuous position in the county during and after the Revolutionary war. He was a leading spirit among the patriots, and was honored at its close by many marks of public confidence, as has been detailed in appropriate connection.
November 13, 1828, Rev. Timothy Alden, of Yarmouth, departed this life at the ripe age of 92. He was born in Bridgewater, and was a direct descendant of John Alden, one of the Mayflower company. He was called to the pastorate of the First church in Yarmouth, in 1769. An ardent patriot during the Revolution, he suffered many privations during that period, cheerfully sharing the poverty and destitution of his flock. He was a good sermonizer, noted for his felicity in the selection of texts. He retained, to the last, the dress of the olden time. Mr. Freeman, in the History of Cape Cod, says: "We vividly recall the appearance of this venerable gentleman as we saw him last at the ordination of Rev. Mr. Hersey at Barnstable, in 1824. seated among the clergy and distinguished attendants,
*Old Yarmouth.
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on the platform, his antique wig conspicuous, in small clothes and knee and shoe buekles, and three-cornered hat lying nearby-objects of interest to the young." He left four sons and three daughters, his eldest son being known as president of Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pa., and as the author of a collection of Ameriean epitaphs, a work of five volumes.
Hon. Wendell Davis of Sandwich, deceased Dec. 30, 1830. He was a native of Plymouth. He was a lawyer by profession, several times represented Sandwich in the legislature, was two years a member of the senate, and sheriff of the county, 1816-23.
By the decease of Rev. James Freeman, D. D., a native of Truro, Nov. 4, 1835, at the age of 77, historical and genealogical students lost one of their most devoted members, and the clerical profession a distinguished ornament and example. For many years he was the minister of the Stone Chapel, Boston, and ever kept up a deep interest in the history and traditions of the county.
Mr. Ebenezer Sears died in Yarmouth, Sept. 20, 1835, aged 80 years. He was in the Revolutionary army, and, as already stated, was one of the guard over Major Andre the night before his execution at West Point. He after- wards commanded the first American vessel that rounded the Cape of Good Hope, on a voyage to India. He was of the family of Capt. Isaac Sears, the Revolutionary agitator of New York, and father of the distinguished Boston merchant, Joshua Sears.
Abner Davis, Esq., for many years register of probate and clerk of the courts for the county, deceased Sept. 4, 1839, aged 55 years. He was of the legal profession. He was in direct descent from Robert Davis, one of the first settlers of Barnstable.
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Rev. Nathan Underwood, pastor of South Precinct church, in Harwich, departed this life May 1, 1841, aged 88 years. Mr. Underwood was a native of Lexington, Mass., and was early a student, while yet an apprentice to a carpenter. He was prevented by a severe cut in the foot from taking part in the affair of the 19th of April, 1775, but soon after joined the army and was engaged in the battle of Bunker Hill, being one of the last to leave the field. He was also in the battles on Long Island, displaying great fearlessness and bravery. He participated in the sufferings and privations in camp on the succeeding winter, was with Washington in the crossing of the Delaware, and in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He afterwards entered Harvard college, graduating in 1788, and studied for the ministry, settling in Harwich in 1792. He was popular and successful as a citizen, being several times elected to the legislature, and was also a shrewd business man and a scientific farmer. He reared a large family.
Hon. Isaiah L. Green died in New York in 1841, aged 80 years. He graduated at Harvard in 1781. He was elected a member of Congress and served in the sessions of 1805-9, and again in 1811-13, when he was superseded by Hon. John Reed. In 1814, he was appointed by Madison, collector of customs for the district of Barnstable, which office he retained until 1837. After his retirement, Mr. Green lived for a year or two in New York.
Rev. Philander Shaw, a pastor for many years of the Eastham society, died Oct. 10, 1841, aged 73. Ile was a native of Bridgewater, was ordained pastor of the Eastham church in 1795, which relation he sustained for a little over 41 years, or until about two years before his death. He was also two years in the legislature from Eastham.
Hon. Russell Freeman died Jan. 9, 1842. He was a son
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of Gen. Nathaniel Freeman of Revolutionary memory, was some time a member of the executive council, representative from Sandwich, and collector of customs of the port of New Bedford. His genial manners, polished wit, and acknowl- edged abilities rendered him a favorite in social circles and publie assemblages.
Rev. Jonathan Burr of Sandwich died Ang. 2, 1842. He was born in West Bridgewater, graduated at Harvard college, and settled in Sandwich in 1787. He was a fine scholar and a faithful principal of Sandwich academy for the first years of its existence. His dismissal from the pastorate of the First parish church, Sandwich, and the subsequent litigation in connection with that transaction, involved no question of morals or personal integrity. It was brought to establish the legal rights of the parties in controversy.
Rev. John Simpkins, pastor of the First Congregational church and society of Brewster for forty years, died in Boston, Feb. 28, 1843. Mr. Simpkins held a high position as a scholar and theologian, and both in devotion to his duties and his deportment sustained the traditional reputation of a minister of the Old Colony.
David Crocker, Esq., sheriff of the county, deceased Sept. 4, 1843. Mr. Crocker was only fifth in lineal descent from Dea. Wm. Crocker, one of the original settlers of the town, and was prominent in business as well as political circles. He was born Feb. 28, 1789.
Dr. James Thacher, a native of Barnstable, died in Plymouth, May, 1844, aged 90. He studied medicine with the eccentric Dr. Abner Hersey, of his native town, and, in 1775, entered the Revolutionary army as a surgeon, continuing in the service until the close of the war, or seven and one-half years. He wrote and published the Revolu-
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tionary Journal, Medical Biography, History of Plymouth, American Orchardist, Medical Dispensary, works of literary merit and ample information.
Hon. Braddock Dimmick of Falmouth, died April 30, 1845, aged 84. He was the eldest son of Gen. Joseph Dimmick of Revolutionary renown, and had himself been often honored by his fellow-citizens of the town and county.
Sept. 3, of the same year, died, Mr. George Hallet, a native of Yarmouth, and an eminent merchant of Boston, a man whose helpful and benevolent disposition was as prominent a trait of his character as his enterprise and business sagacity.
In 1848, Nov. 21, died, General Elijah Cobb of Brewster, eminent as a shipmaster and in civil life, aged 81 years.
In 1849, Jan. 25, Dr. Jonathan Leonard, a distinguished physician and honored citizen of Sandwich, died, aged 86 years.
Capt. Benj. Hallett of Barnstable, shipmaster and theological controversialist, died December 31, 1849, aged 90.
Obed Brooks, Esq., Harwich, prominent as county official and business man, died Ang. 4, 1856, aged 75.
Rev. Henry Lincoln, more than 50 years pastor of the church in Falmouth, died in Nantucket, May 28, 1857, aged 92 years.
Joshua Sears, Esq., a native of Yarmouth, died in Boston, Feb. 7, 1857. He was an enterprising and sagacious merchant, and left one of the largest estates ever acquired in Massachusetts, some portions of which he bequeathed to his native town for educational purposes, and to other public beneficial objects.
Hon. Elijah Swift died in Falmouth, Jan. 19, 1852, aged 77 years. He was 12 years a representative, and two years a member of the executive council. He made a considerable
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fortune as a government contractor for cutting live oak for the navy, and established and many years carried on the whaling business at Wood's Hole.
Capt. John Collins, who was a native of Truro, and whose name is honorably connected with the establishment of regular lines of steamers between this country and Europe, died at New York, Nov. 21, 1857, aged 63 years.
Hon. Zeno Scudder died in Osterville, June 26, 1857. He was born in Barnstable in 1807, studied law, and settled first in Falmouth, and afterwards in Barnstable. He was in the Massachusetts senate in 1846-7-8, the last year serving as president of that body. He was elected to the 32d Congress, and made an able speech on the American fisheries. He was re-elected, but did not take his seat, owing to an accident which disabled him, dying soon after, at the age of 50 years.
Hon. John Reed, many years a resident in Yarmouth, died at Bridgewater, Nov. 25, 1860. He was born in Bridgewater, in 1781, was graduated at Brown University, 1803, embraced the legal profession, and settled in Yar- mouth. In 1813, he was elected to Congress as an avowed opponent of the war measures of Mr. Madison's adminis- tration. He was re-elected in 1815, and defeated in 1817, by Walter Folger of Nantucket. He was again chosen in 1821, and remained in Congress until 1841, an almost unexampled term of service. In 1844 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Massachusetts and was six times re-elected.
Rev. Enoch Pratt died in Brewster, Feb. 2, 1860, aged 78. He was 27 years pastor of West Barnstable church, receiving during that period 380 persons to church com- munion. He wrote a history of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, published in 1844.
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In 1861, Dea. Allen Hinckley of Truro died, aged 91 years. He was a native of Falmouth and went to Truro in early life, and was a house-builder of prominence in his generation.
CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS, 1815-1860.
1816. Proprietors of Bass River Bridge, between Yarmouth and South Dennis, incorporated .- Jurisdiction ceded to the United States for sites of light-houses on Race Point and Point Gammon .- Dennis divided into North and South parishes .- Hon. James Freeman of Sandwich, sheriff of the county, died July 3 .- A proposal for building a county poor-house was agitated.
1817. The Eastham and Orleans canal proprietors incorporated, for opening a canal from the head of Nauset Cove to Boat Meadow Creek. -Yarmouth Society for Suppression of Intemperance (the second in the country) formed.
1818. The South Congregational society of Barnstable incorporated. -The lands lying in Harwich, Orleans and Brewster belonging to the Potuumaquet Indians (then extinct) were sold for ₴300.
1819. Major George Lewis, a native of Barnstable, one of the early settlers of Gorham, Maine, died there this year. He served in the Revolutionary war and was in the battle of Bunker Hill.
1820. The town of Brewster appointed a committee "to keep the meeting-house clear of dogs and to kill them if their owners will not keep them out," and compensation of 83.00 was voted therefor.
1823. Site for light-house on Monomoy Point granted to the United States .- Lower Bridge Company, of Yarmouth and Dennis, incor- porated.
1825. The Sandwich Glass Factory established in this town com- menced operations by blowing glass July 4. The company was incorporated the next year, with a capital of ₴300,000.
1826. Congress appropriated 83,600 for preservation of Provincetown Harbor .- Sites grauted to the United States for light-houses on Long Point, Provincetown, and on Sandy Neck, Barnstable.
1827. Sandwich offered a reward of #100 for the killing of a wolf, that was destroying sheep in the woods.
1828. Site for light-house ceded to the United States at Nohsque Point, Falmouth.
1829. Several estates in Truro set off to Provincetown.
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1831. In January of this year a heavy fall of snow proved fatal to .deer in Sandwich woods. People with snow shoes barbarously slaughtered or captured about 200; forty of these were taken alive .-
1833. Rev. Ezra S. Goodwin, of First church in Sandwich, died.
1834. Indian Plantation of Mashpee constituted a district.
1835. A portion of Truro annexed to Wellfleet.
1837. Act passed establishing the dividing line between Wellfleet and Truro .- "Millennial Grove," in Eastham, incorporated for camp- meeting purposes.
1838. The North Parish in Harwich authorized to take the name of The First Parish in Brewster.
1840. March, Mashpee created a parish for religious purposes.
1841. Portion of Mashpee annexed to Falmouth .- April 30, Capt. Samuel Taylor, a Revolutionary soldier, died in Yarmouth, aged 85 years. He was near Gen. Warren when he fell at Buuker Hill, was at Princeton, Moumouth, Saratoga and Yorktown, and endured the terrible winter at Valley Forge.
1842. Division of plantation lauds of Mashpee to the proprietors, authorized.
1843. May 11, a monster whale was captured near the end of Cape Cod, by Capt. Ebenezer Cook, David Sparks and others, iu a small pink-steru schooner of about 50 tons, called the Cordelia. The whale was estimated at 200 bbls. of oil and about 2000 lbs. bone. Not having proper facilities for the purpose, ouly 125 bbls. of oil and about 300 lbs. of bone were saved. The real valne of the whale was estimated at $10,000.
1844. Crew of ten men of fishing schooner Commerce, at anchor near Truro harbor, disappeared in the night time. They were supposed to have been lost by the swamping of their boat while coming ashore .- A jail was erected in Provincetown, by order of the couuty commissioners.
1845. Schooner Altorf, of Truro, Capt. Wm. S. Hutchins, with six men, lost on Grand Banks .- Martha Hamilton of Falmouth died, aged 107 years.
1846. Six of the erew of schooner Brenda, of Truro, drowned in that harbor by upsetting of a boat .- British steamship Cambria grounded on Truro beach, about five miles south of the light-house. The mails were seut to Boston by stage coach and railroad, and the steamer was hauled off by tugs in a day or two, uninjured.
1848. Dividing line between Harwich and Brewster changed, by act of the legislature.
1849. The commissioners of Barustable county were authorized to construct a bridge and lay out a highway across East Harbor in Truro, from the end of Beach Point to Provincetown.
1850. Ansel Taylor, Yarmouth, died, aged 101 years, 7 months .- Brig Eagle lost at Provincetown, with 15 lives.
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1851. "The Cape Cod Associatiou in Boston" organized.
1852. 85000 was appropriated by Congress for the preservation of Provincetowu Harbor .- A commission, appointed by authority of the legislature, to examine and report upon the condition of Provincetown harbor, reported the next year .- Samuel Lewis, a native of Falmouth, Superintendent of Common Schools of Ohio for fifteen years, aud known by the title of "Father of the Common Schools of Ohio," died July 28, aged 55 years.
1853. Boston Cape Cod Association celebrated their anniversary at Yarmouth .- Steamer Ajax foundered off Provincetown, and 13 lives lost .- Great December storm on the coast; Central wharf store, Yarmouth, swept away and wharf destroyed. Schooner Leo of Rockland came ashore at Saudy Neck; her crew lost.
1854. The first bridge across East Harbor, Provincetowu, was con- structed by order of the commissioners of Barnstable county.
1855. Land was ceded to the United States for the erection of a custom house in Barnstable, which was commenced, and finished the succeeding year .- Bridge from Beach Point in Truro to Provincetown, constructed by order of the county commissioners, at a cost of $9000, of which Provincetown paid oue-half, Truro and the county the balauce.
1856. "The New York Cape Cod Association" was organized.
1857. Laud on Billingsgate Islaud, Wellfleet, was ceded to the United States for the construction of a dwelling for a light-house keeper .- $2500 appropriated by the legislature to enable Levi Baker of Yar- mouth to test before the U. S. Supreme Court, the constitutionality of the act of the Virginia legislature in relation to deteution and search of vessels .- A hall for use of Barnstable County Agricultural Society was erected.
1858. In October schooner Granite of Quincy was lost on outer bar at Yarmouth, with her crew of five or six men.
1859. Eben S. Ward of South Wellfleet was murdered by his son-in- law, who was of unsound mind.
CHAPTER XVI.
CAPE COD IN THE REBELLION.
Response to Sumter's guns-Action of Cape Towns-Filling of the Quotas-Cape Officers and Soldiers-Destruction of our Marine- Mason & Slidell-Deaths of Chief Justice Shaw, Hon. William Sturgis, Judge Nymphas Marston, Hon. Zenas D. Bassett, Hon. Solomon Davis-Yarmouth Camp Meeting Association.
HE opening guns of Sumter caused a remark- C able uprising of patriotism in all the communities of the Cape. Meetings of citizens were at once held to devise measures for vindicating the honor of the nation and upholding the dignity of the insulted flag. In some cases meetings were unofficial, but were called by authority of the officers of the towns. The earliest of these town meetings were those held May 2, in Yarmouth and Provincetown. At the former, resolutions were passed pledging the town to the support of the government in its endeavors to suppress the Rebellion, and recommending the especial efforts of the citizens to strengthen the naval arm of the service, in view of the avowed design of the South to send forth "piratical crafts for the purpose of spoliation and plunder upon the commerce of the country." The resolves adopted at Provincetown breathed a spirit of the most devoted patriotism, and pledged the government a "hearty support of men and means." Barnstable followed, May 4th, in a series of
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resolutions, offering the sum of $40 to each volunteer; and pledging support to the families of those citizens who enlisted "during the whole time the head of the family is actually employed in the service." Harwich voted, May 10th, to raise 100 men for a coast guard, and authorized the selectmen to set apart $1,000 for war purposes. Brewster, May 24th, raised money and provided for the families of volunteers. Orleans, May 27th, passed a series of spirited resolves, and raised $1,000 for the support of families of the volunteers. Sandwich, May 11th, held a meeting authorizing the selectmen to borrow $4,000 as it might be required, for the benefit of the families of those in the military service. This town had, in April preceding, held public meetings, at which a military company was formed, which subsequently became a part of the 29th regiment, and the sum of $620 was raised by private subscription as a bounty to the volunteers. Those towns which held no public meetings were in no way behind their neighbors, in their efforts through their citizens, unofficially, in promoting the cause which all had equally at heart.
On the 4th of July, 1862, the President issued a call for 300,000 volunteers for three years' service, of which number Massachusetts was to furnish 15,000, and the county of Barnstable, 379. Meetings were immediately held in all the towns, the money appropriated and bounties offered for such as would leave their pursuits at home and join the ranks of their country's defenders. In less than sixty days the call was responded to. On the 4th of August, 300,000 more men were called for, to serve for nine months, and of these, Massachusetts was to furnish 19,080, and Barnstable county 394. Before these calls were made, the Cape had furnished her due proportion of men for the army and a considerable number for the navy, for which no credit was
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given ; and this injustice continued until 1864, when an act passed Congress and was approved by the President, allowing those who had enlisted in the navy since April, 1861, to be counted in the contingent of the state to which they belonged, and in which they had enlisted. A recruiting office was opened in Barnstable custom house, in November, 1863, Lieut .- Col. J. M. Day being superintendent, from which recruits were sent forward as soon as they were mustered into the service. Before the end of 1863, the additional men demanded under these calls had been enlisted and sent forward to the front.
In October, 1863, another call was made for 300,000 more troops for three years. Of this number, this county was required to furnish 380, and recruiting progressed with reasonable activity, but the number of those who were able to leave their employments and associations to enter the service of the country had been greatly reduced. The nine months' men had all returned, and it was necessary, for the efficiency of military operations, that the number of troops in the field should be increased. So, in February, 1864, the President issued a proclamation ordering a draft for 500,000 men, or 200,000 in addition to the number called for in October ; and of this latter quota Barnstable county was to furnish 308 additional.
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