USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Celebration of the two-hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of Middleborough, Massachusetts, October 3, 1869 > Part 4
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The same spirit which was manifested by our ancestors in those early days of trial was again exhibited in 1861, when, regardless of all personal considerations, the loyal armies of the union rallied to save the nation's life. On an occasion like this it is needless to recount the victories and disasters of that great contest; its glorious achievements have passed into history, and coming generations will shower benedictions upon the memory of those who participated in that contest, as long as the flag of the United States of America floats upon the breeze.
When the great conflict of arms was ended, and the citizen soldier re- turned again to the civil pursuits of life, the Grand Army of the Republic was called into existence. In its ranks are the survivors of every battle- field of the rebellion. Here comrade greets comrade with a hearty, frater- nal brotherly affection, mutually resolving to perpetuate and cherish the memory of those who gave up their lives as martyrs for their country's
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cause, and also to become the guardian and protector of those families who sacrificed a father, husband, son or brother on the altar of their country. By the memory of our dead comrades we consecrate ourselves to that loy- alty which was their inspiration, and by upholding the flag of our country we shall see to it that they did not die in vain. The influence to be exerted by this organization is powerful; numbering about four hundred thousand members, it extends to every section of the land.
Comrades in a common cause, tried in the school of battle, coming to- gether in a fraternal brotherhood, with charity for the deserving and desti- tute by their example in the past and pledge for the future, proclaiming devoted loyalty to the country, our organization cannot fail to sustain and extend the vital principles of free government; and when the last gray haired veteran comrade shall have passed away from earth, coming genera- tions will not forget the noble virtues of the Grand Army of the Republic.
The Masonic Fraternity - The oldest and most widespread society founded by man; with faith, hope and charity for its corner stones, may it stand forever.
Responded to by I. H. Harlow, of Middleborough.
Enoch Pratt, of Baltimore - By his interest and liberality in the cause of education in his native town, he merits and receives the esteem of all her citizens.
Responded to by Zebulon Pratt, Esq., of Middleborough.
An honor to this town; let not the town forget this day to honor him. He is not here present, but his works are with us, and deeds speak louder than words. IIe early went out from us, and will probably never again be an inhabitant of Middleborough; but he will never be, as many are, un- mindful of the home that gave him birth. He has been a successful model merchant, a notable example of what energy, industry and integrity may accomplish. In the exercise of these virtues, the iron interest of Pennsyl- vania has made him a millionaire. With the most limited advantages in youth, attending school but a few weeks in a year, at fourteen entering upon an apprenticeship with a Boston merchant, and continuing faithful thereln for five years, he began business for himself while yet in his minority, and for forty years has been constructing not only a fortune, but an honorable reputation. We pay him special honor to-day for his liberal benefactions in behalf of his native town, particularly as the liberal patron of education ; for while under small obligations for an education to the fathers of this town, he has laid enlarged foundations for the mental culture and improve- ment of their children in all coming tiine, and generously encourages the hope of still further benefactions. In doing this he has not only benefitted one portion of the town with an excellent English school, but has thereby
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lightened the burdens of all the town, whose prosperity in every part he prizes as the soil of his parentage. It is undoubtedly the desire of this bi- centennial assemblage in the town of Middleborough, October, 1809, that the name of Enoch Pratt have honorable mention, and that he receive from us the assurance of our thankful and respectful appreciation.
The Old Colony - The fairest piece in the wheel of state; how wide an empire acknowledges the sway of her principles.
Responded to by J. Z. T. Thompson, Esq., of Halifax.
Our Country - North, South, East and West; the land of the free, the home of the brave.
Responded to by Rev. W. II. Alden, of Portsmouth, N. H., a native of Middleborough.
Mr. President, - Just as the procession was being formed this morning, an old friend said to me that I should be called upon to respond to a senti- ment that would be given on this occasion. As I have listened with the deepest interest to the sentiments offered and the responses given, I have felt something as I did in my college days, when in the recitation room with imperfect preparation, " I hoped I should not be called upon." But this is an occasion on which personal feeling must yield to a higher sense of duty, and every son who has been invited to the home and the scenes of his child- hood, should hold himself in readiness to contribute his portion whenever called upon, even though it should prove little else than the widow's mite.
Laying aside, then, the cares of business and the anxieties of professional life, and those rivalrles and contentions which embitter so much of the brief period of our fleeting lives, it is good for us on this two hundredth anniversary, to come up to this cherished spot, with sentiments of love and gratitude, to renew the recollections of our earlier days, to cultivate that sympathy for each other which will lead us in the bond of brotherhood, and encourage us in the pursuit of whatsoever things are lovely and of good re- port. It is indeed a delightful privilege to return to the home of my boy- hood at this season of her jubilee, to pay her the homage of filial gratitude, and in our fraternal communion to bring back to the heart something of the freshness and warmth of early affection. It is good for us that we should come up to this great festival, not only for the soul-swelling gratification which it affords, but for a still nobler purpose - to awaken a sense of our obligations and to rekindle at this altar the fire of devotion to our common parent, this dear old town.
Sir, it is with an honest pride that I stand here to-day. I am proud of my old home. I have lived where men talk proudly of the Empire State, and of the old Granite State; but the name of old Massachusetts has a charm stronger for me than the Empire or the Granite State. My own
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native home is dear to me, and I feel to exclaim in reference to the place of my nativity, " If I forget thee let my right hand forget its cunning." And I should be ashamed if there were a drop of blood in my veins that refused to answer such a welcome as yours. It has made ine feel that I was at home again, - a home that I honor, a home that I love, a home that I have never forgotten, and which I now know has never forgotten mne. It is em- phatically " the home of the brave."
We went out from our home one by one, we return to-day an army with banners. We went out with trembling hearts, we return to-day bringing our sheaves with us; but we went out children, and as children we return. True, it may be hard for you to find a trace in the men before you of the boys that left you years ago ; but I trust you will pardon us for not remem- bering the changes you so plainly see. We stand on our native soil again ; old faces meet us in the street, old voices are sounding in our cars, the child's heart beats within the man's, and with the affection that we left you we meet you to-day.
But as we come around your generous board, we remember those who went out with us, and are now gone beyond welcome or return. Nor can we forget that of the hands that last pressed ours, and the hearts that would have beat quickest at our return, many are beneath that sod which we left with the waving grass upon it, and come back to find it hallowed and consecrated ground. For such memories, which it were idle to banish from our lips, and utterly impossible to banish from our hearts, sir, we thank you. For the kindness which we have enjoyed to-day we are more than thankful. We shall remember it to the last day of our lives.
The Educational Institutions of Middleborough - Founded by the wis- dom and liberality of her own honored citizens, they have yielded invalu- able fruit.
Responded to in the following remarks by Prof. J. W. P. Jenks, for twenty-seven years Principal of Peirce Academy.
Mr. President, - I rise simply to allude to two individuals, whose names should of all others be honorably mentioned in connection with the senti- ment that has just been read. Sixty-one years ago, in 1808, when there was no place for public religious service in this village, Dea. Levi Peirce built at his own expense the original building of the Academy that bears his name, and dedicating the hall to the service of religion, and the other rooms to education, thus met by his timely liberality the immediate wants of the community in these particulars. Twenty years later he likewise erected at his own expense, in the same enclosure, a sanctuary for public worship; thus acknowledging and perpetuating the sentiment and practice so dear to our forefathers, and already so eloquently commented upon by the orator of the day, "The church and school side by side, the hope of the state." The snows of nearly a quarter of a century have whitened his
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grave in yonder cemetery, but the recollection of him is fragrant in all our memories, and must so remain while Peirce Academy and the Central Bap- tist church have an existence.
But, Mr. Presiden , as I look from beneath this canopy and see waving in the breeze on the cupola of the Academy the " stars and stripes," so dear to every loyal Amer can citizen, I am reminded of one who was proud to speak of Peirce Academy as his Alma Mater. Brig. Gen. R. A. Peirce, soon after graduating from the Academy, was admitted to the bar, quickly sent to the hall of legislation, and early found in the van of our volunteers in the great rebellion. We next find him in command of our largest state camp at Readville, where his executive ability shone out so conspicuously that our worthy Governor retained him in that position till the close of the war, to the great advantage of our military record, but to the destruction of his own health. Seeking in vain its restoration by a residence in Flor- ida, he returned but a few months ago to be laid in the tomb. In the dark- est days of the rebellion, that beautiful banner was presented by him to the Academy, and first flung to the breeze on the funeral day of our lamented President.
In closing permit me, sir, to repeat the names of Dea. Levi Peirce and Gen. R. A. Peirce as worthy to be mentioned in this presence ; the one ver- ifying the assertion in the first part of the sentiment to which I have the honor to respond, as " founder in wisdom and liberality " of our principal educational institution; the other equally verifying the asssertion in the latter part of the sentiment, as one of its " invaluable fruits " among thou- sands now adorning the pulpit, the bar and the workshop.
The old Thompson Gun - By one single deed it won historic fame for all time.
Ephraim B. Thompson being called upon, exhibited the gun, also a sword and brass pistols, formerly owned by Licut. John Thompson, and responded as follows :
Mr. President, - With a ball cartridge, the response of this gun would be with as deadly effect and at as long a range to-day as when it brought down the Indian from yonder rock. But in the absence of ammunition, permit me to say that I am the sixth generation in lineal descent from John Thomp- son, who was born in the North of England in 1613, and landed at Plymouth in May, 1635. He married Mary Cook, third daughter of Francis Cook. They had twelve children - six sons and six daughters. He located about twenty rods west of the Plymouth line, in what was then Middleborough, (but now Halifax,) where he built a log-house, which was burnt by the Indians at ยท the commencement of Philip's war. The day previous, he was absent from home. When he returned at night he inquired of his wife if she had seen any Indians. She replied that there had been a number of squaws there, and they were uncommonly friendly, and very helpful, - went with her to the garden and assisted in picking beans. He replied, "There is trouble ahead ;
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we must pack up immediately, and go to the garrison." The 'teams were put in readiness and a portion of their furniture and goods were loaded, while a part was secreted in a swamp near the dwelling-house; and before carly dawn they were moving. They had not gone many miles before the column of smoke made sure to them the fate of their dwelling.
At the garrison, those capable of bearing arms, sixteen in number, met and chose Jolin Thompson their commander. He applied to the Governor and Council at Plymonth for a commission, but considering the small num- ber of men, they gave him a lieutenant's commission. Soon after Philip's war closed, he built a frame house a few rods north of where the former was burnt. It was lined with brick, with loop-holes, so as to be proof against musket balls. At that house I first beheld the pleasant light of day, was there cradled and rocked.
The Woods of Middleborough - Fit timber with which to build the insti- tutions of any town.
This was the last toast, and was responded to by Judge Wood ; and after instrumental music the crowd, which numbered about 3000 in and around the tent, dispersed. The speeches were inter- spersed with fine music by the various bands present.
The following letter was received from Thomas D. Robinson, Esq., of New York :
Box 4300, NEW YORK CITY, Oct. 12, 1869.
DEAR SIR : While duties prevent my joining with you in the festivities that worthily do honor to our good old town, so historic and full of memo- ries so dear, still I send you the greeting of a loyal son on this festive day. Glorious old Middleborough! with never a hill-top, river or vale, but rings out merry chimes for my ear, and land and lake worthy of the highest min- strelsy and any song; I confess I love them all with a child's fondness. And well may we be proud of her. She boasts justly a good sized farm, which she has not only well tilled, but dotted here and there in almost every available corner with the academy or school-house, bringing to every door rare opportunities of culture, which have been used by her children not only to spread their fame, but hers. You are marked more than most for thrift, energy and enterprise, and these are all worthy of the highest praise ; but never in these forget, nor let your children, that culture after religious faith is the crowning glory of any land and any people. I add a sentiment.
Old Middleborough - Her children congratulate her on showing so few signs of decay in her old age. They give her their warmest love. May she in turn, like the old Roman matron, be ever able to point to her sons . and daughters as her richest jewels.
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Hastily, but faithfully yours, THOMAS D. ROBINSON.
GEORGE SOULE, ESQ.,
Chairman Executive Committee town of Middleborough, Mass.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
EXTRACT FROM THE OLD COLONY RECORDS, UNDER DATE OF JUNE 1, 1669, PRENCE GOVERNOR.
"At this court the court granted that Namassakett shall be a township, and to be called by the name of Middleberry, and bounded with Plymouth bounds on the easterly side, and with the bound of Taunton on the westerly side, and with the bounds of Bridgewater on the northerly side or end, and on the southerly side or end to extend six miles from the wading-place, and at the end of said six miles to run east to Plymouth line, and from the said line west to Taunton line; and in case the west line runs to the southward ,of Taunton line, then to run until we come up to the southermost part of Taunton bounds, and then square off north to it."
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The wading-place was where the bridge on the Plymouth road now crosses the Nemasket river at the " Star Mills." In 1734 a portion of Mid- dleborough was set off to constitute a part of Halifax, and in 1853 about one third of its territory was set off to form the town of Lakeville. For many years previous to the last date, it was the largest town in the state, containing nearly one hundred square miles.
RESETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN.
At a meeting of the inhabitants and proprietors of Middleborough, held at Plymouth 27th June, 1677, it was
Voted, "That we do unanimously agree, by the permission of God and by his gracious assistance, to make a beginning again in order unto the repos- session of our lands, and reedification of our demolished buildings and habitations which some of us were, before the late and sad war, in actual improvement and possession of; and to make such orders and conclusions as may hopefully have a tendency unto the laying a foundation of a town and pious society in that place."
BEN. SIMONS.
Ben. Simons lived at Betty's Neck, now in Lakeville, to which place the Indians of Middleborough gradually retreated, as they sold their lands and became small in number. In the Plymouth Colony Records we find that
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Tispaquin conveyed a neck of land to Assowetough, alias Betty, in 1673, with the consent of all the chief men of Assowamset. This we suppose to be Betty's Neck, and hence the name. In the cemetery in the westerly part of Lakeville is a small granite obelisk, with the following inscription : " In memory of Ben. Simons, the last male of the native Indians of Middle- borough. He was a revolutionary soldier. Died May, 1831, aged 80 years." This stone was erected by Mr. Levi Reed, of Lakeville.
THE MORTON HOUSE.
This we suppose to be the oldest house in the county. According to the tradition in the family, John Morton, the son of George, (who came over in the Ann in 1623,) early came to Nemasket, and built a house about half a mile south of the present house. This was accidentally burnt while the fam- ily were at meeting on Sunday. John Morton then, some years before Philip's war, built the southeast part of the present house, additions to which were made at different times by his descendants. This tradition is confirmed by the fact, that Mr. Daniel Alden, a man whose veracity and ae- curaey of recollection no one can doubt, a descendant of John Alden, states that he has often heard him say, that the Morton house was built before Philip's war, and was saved on account of some friendly acts done by the Morton family to the Indians. John Alden died in the year 1818, in the one hundred and third year of his age; consequently his recollection must have gone back to a period when the house was comparatively new. If this tra- dition is correct, inasmuch as the town was deserted two or more years, and given up to ravage, it brings to view a remarkable instance of that Indian trait of character which has been often noticed, viz., a disposition to remember and reciprocate acts of kindness long after they were received.
According to another account, John Morton came to Nemasket not until 1670, built the first house near the river, and died in 1673. That house was burned in Philip's war, with all the others here, and after the war, his son John returned and commeneed the present Morton house. The site of the first house can be readily identified. The Morton house is of rectangular shape, about 60 feet in length and 30 wide, two stories, gambrel roof, stand- ing upon an open green without trees or shrubbery, end toward the street, into which it considerably projects, - or rather the street has encroached upon its domains, as the house was here long before the present highway. It is now soon to disappear. The present owner, Albert G. Pickens, who with his aged mother is the last occupant, has just built a beautiful and commodious house on the same estate, a few rods distant, and now vacates the old one, which is to be demolished, the highway having been laid out directly through it. The house has always remained in the Morton family by direct descent.
The Morton family was one of great influence and social consideration. John Morton was the first delegate to represent Middleborough in the gen- eral court at Plymouth in 1670. In 1672 he was again chosen. John Mor-
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ton, the second, held very extensive tracts of land in all directions around his house, and made large additions to the dwelling-house. Madam Mor- ton, who occupied the house about the middle of the last century, was a woman distinguished for her piety and social influence. She was a member of the First Congregational church, to which she presented a communion service of plate, a portion of which is still in the possession of the church. She was noted also for her hospitality, her latch-string being always out. Clergymen were always especially welcome. On one occasion it is related that two clergymen calling about dinner-time, for whom she had not time to make special provision, she spread before them what she had, remarking by way of apology, "Gentlemen, if you are good Christians you will be thankful for this; if you are not, it is too good for you."
Mrs. Phebe Oliver, the widow of Andrew Oliver, who was a son of Judge Oliver, resided here at the close of the last and the beginning of the pres- ent century. She was a woman of great dignity and elegance of manner, and of much cultivation, which she had derived from intercourse with the best society which the country afforded. Judge Oliver had an elegant res- idence at Middleborough at the time of the revolution. Being of tory proclivities, holding office under the crown, he became a refugee, and his estate was confiscated. Ills son's widow was residing with him at that time. She then came with a son and daughter and occupied a portion of the Morton house, she having inherited a right in it, being a descendant of the Morton family. Her daughter afterwards married the distinguished Dr. Waterhouse, of Cambridge. There are many now living who recollect with how much pleasure, when children, they used to call on Lady Oliver, and hear her recount the incidents of her life. She would tell anecdotes of Benjamin Franklin, Gen. Lafayette, the elder and younger Adams, Gov. Bowdoin, Hannah Adams; all of which she gathered from personal inter- course with those celebrated characters. There is a lady now living who remembers seeing the coach and four of Granville Temple, son of Sir John Temple, standing at the Morton house, with colored driver and footman. He was related by marriage to the Morton family. Mrs. Oliver died at an advanced age, in 1831.
JOHN SASSOMAN, ALIAS SAUSSOMAN.
John Sassoman owned land in Middleborough at Assowampset Neck. Old Tispaquin conveyed twenty-seven acres to him for a home lot, in 1673. After Sassoman's death, the court at Plymouth granted all his lands to Felix, his son-in-law. This was in 1678-9.
DEBORAH SAMPSON.
Deborah Sampson, born in Middleborough, enlisted from that town in the revolutionary war, under the assumed name of Robert Shurtleff. After the war she returned to Middleborough. She was a revolutionary pen- sioner for many years.
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CONTENTS.
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Page
INTRODUCTORY, . 5 Officers and Committees, 5 PROCESSION, 8
DECORATIONS, 11
ADDRESS OF Hon. WM. H. WOOD,
. 14
ORATION OF HON. THOMAS H. RUSSELL,
. 17
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Address of Mayor Shurtlet, of Boston,
31
66 John Eddy, Esq., . . 32
66 Rev. C. W. Wood,
34
Gen. E. W. Peirce, 37
Judge Russell, . 39
A. T. Wales, 40
Zebulon Pratt, . 41
60 Rev. W. H. Alden, 42
Prof. J. W. P. Jenks,
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E. B. Thompson, .
. 44
Letter of Thomas D. Robinson, Esq., .
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APPENDIX,
49
Boundaries of Middleborough, . 49
Resettlement of the Town, 49
Ben. Simons, 49
The Morton House, . 50
John Sassoman,
. 51
Deborah Sampson, . 51
THE DINNER,
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