USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Mattapoisett > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plympton > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Wareham > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanson > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Lakeville > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Pembroke > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rochester > Historic sketches of Hanson, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Middleboro', Pembroke, Plympton, Rochester, Wareham, and West Bridgewater > Part 5
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Names of Middleborough gentlemen, who held the com- mission of a Brigadier General : Abial Washburn, from Sept. 4, 1816 to Dec. 1824, Ephraim Ward, from Jan. 27, 1825
* Before being Colonel of the new Fourth Regiment, Ebenezer Sprout had held the commission of Major in the First Regiment.
The first field officers of Fourth Regiment, were Ebenezer Sprout of Middleborough, Colonel ; Ebenezer White of Rochester, Lient. Colonel ; Israel Fearing of Wareham, First Major ; John Nelson, of Middlebor- ough, now Lakeville, Second Major.
45
MIDDLEBOROUGH.
to 1828, Darius Miller, from 1831 to 1833, Eliab Ward, from April 1850 to Oct. 1855.
The following named gentleman of this town held the com- mission of Field Officers, of the Third Regiment of Light Infantry.
Colonels, Eliab Ward, from July 10, 1844 to April, 1850 ; Elnathan W. Wilbur, from May 1850, to Jan. 1853 ; Stephen Thomas, from March, 1853 to 1858.
Lieutenant Colonel. Lothrop S. Thomas, from 1834 to 1836 ; Eliab Ward, from 1843 to July 10, 1844; Daniel Atwood, 1845 to 1850 ; Ebenezer W Peirce, April 3, 1852, to Nov. 7, 1855 ; Thomas Weston, 1856 to 1858.
Majors. Daniel Atwood, from July 10, 1844, to 1845 ; Joseph Sampson, jr., from 1845 to 1849 ; Elnathan W. Wil- bur, from 1849 to May, 1850; George Ward, from May 1850, to 1851; Ebenezer W. Peirce, from Aug. 2, 1851, to April 3, 1852 ; Stephen Thomas, April 3, 1852, to March, 1853.
Squadron of Cavalry. Wmn. Bourne, Major.
Battallion of Artillery. William Thomas, Major from 1834 to 1836.
Two companies of the Third Regiment, Light Infantry be- longed in Middleborough. The other companies were from Halifax, Plymouth, Hanson, Abington, Plympton. William Thomas, of Middleborough, as Major of the Plymouth County Battallion of Artillery, was promoted from the office of Captain of Hanover Artillery Company.
July 1st 1781, John Nelson was promoted to Colonel, Wil- liam Tupper, Lieut. Colonel, and Edward Sparrow, Major. They were all of Middleborough.
Colonel John Nelson lived in that part of Middleborough, now Lakeville. His former residence is now the home of Lieut. James Sampson, his great grand son, who did good service in the Union Army in late war of Rebellion. He re- signed the offices of town clerk and town treasurer of Lake- ville, to take a place in that army.
Colonel Edward Sparrow resided in that part of Middle- borough called Fall Brook. General Abial Washburn was a son of Edward Washburn, of that part of the town now Lakeville. Abial Washburn received the appointment of Adjutant, when the Regiment was commanded by Colonel. (afterward General), Isreal Fearing of Wareham, and dated Oct. 2d, 1788 ; promoted to Major, May 1, 1794, Lieut. Col. Jan. 4, 1797, Colonel July 22, 1800, Brigadier General, Sept. 4, 1816. Honorably discharged in 1824.
46
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
Colonel (afterward Gen.) Ephraim Ward was a native of Carver.
Colonel Benjamin P. Wood came from the State of Ver- mont.
Ebenezer W. Peirce Encampment, Grand Army of the Republic, Post 8, of Mass. has its Head Quarters at the Four Corners Village, in Middleborough, Job Morton Staples, of Lakeville, Commander. Charles L. Starkey, Senior Vice Commander. Lyman Mason, jr., Junior Vice Commander. H. E. W. Petiy, Adjutant. Frederick Wood, Quarter- master. Simeon Harlow, Surgeon. Luther Crane, Chaplain. Benjamin W. Bump, Officer of the Day. Cyrus M. Vaughn, Quarter Master's Sergeant.
Job Morton Staples, commander of Ebenezer W. Peirce Encampment was a soldier in the Second Regiment Mass. Cav- alry, in the late war of Rebellion, and a great grand son of Captain Henry Peirce, soldier in the French and Indian wars, and a captain in the patriot army of the Revolution.
Justices of the Peace, with dates of appointment.
Peter Oliver, 1748; John Fearing, 1755; Ebenezer Sprout, August 28th, 1775 ; Joshua White, August 28th, 1775 ; Samuel Clark, April 7th, 1787; Isaac Thompson, April 26th, 1787 ; James Sprout, July 5th, 1789 ; John Nelson, July 18th, 1791 ; Nehemiah Bennett, February 20, 1795 ; Wilks Wood, March 2d, 1800; David Richmond, May 24th, 1800 ; James Washburn, February 20th, 1804 ; Samuel Pickens, January 23d, 1808; John Tinkham, Feb- ruary 20th, 1808 ; William Thompson, March 5th, 1808; Zachariah Eddy, February 17th, 1810; Martin Keith, Sep- tember 3d, 1810 ; Peter Hoar, February 5th, 1811 ; Thomas Weston, February 22d, 1811 ; Seth Miller Jr., November 14th, 1811 ; Hercules Cushman, October 29, 1811; Calvin Pratt, January 25th, 1812; William Canedy, August 3d, 1812 ; Jacob Bennett, June 9th, 1813; Cyrus Keith, June 9th, 1813 ; Thomas Sturtevant, June 9th, 1813; Abial Washburn, October 29th, 1814 ; William Bourne, February 16th, 1816 ; Charles Hooper, June 10th, 1817 ; Noah Clark, February 3d, 1818 ; Joshua Eddy Jr., January 23th, 1819 : Levi Peirce, June 19th, 1819 ; Amos Washburn, September 7th, 1821 : Thomas Bennett, November 21st, 1821; Eben- ezer Pickens, January 16th, 1822; Isaac Stevens, January 23d, 1822 ; Abner Clark, January 10th, 1823 ; Abial P. Boothe, August 26th, 1823 ; William Nelson, February 17, 1824 ; Oliver Peirce, February 17th, 1824; Peter H. Peircc, July 1st, 1825 ; Samuel Thompson February 15th, 1826;
.
1
EBENEZER W. PEIRCE.
48
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
Seth Eeton, January 2d, 1828 ; Paul Hathaway, June 11th, 1829 ; Arad Thompson, June 9th, 1830 ; Reeland Tinkham, June 16th, 1831 ; Joshua Hoskins Jr., April 24th, 1832 ; Benjamin P. Wood, March 26th, 1833 ; Bradford Harlow. March 26th, 1833; Luther Washburn, August 25th, 1835 ; Jonathan Cobb, March 18th, 1836 ; Abizer T. Harvey, Jan- urry 27th, 1837 ; Silas Pickens, March 15th, 1837 ; Eliab Ward, March 6th, 1838 ; Abisha T. Clark, August 24th, 1841 ; Corneilus B. Wood, March 31st, 1842 ; Bela King- man, December 17th, 1842; Nathan King, January 5th, 1843 ; Gamaliel Rounsevill, March 14th, 1843; George Sturtevant, March 14th, 1843 ; Stillman Benson, March 14th, 1843 ; Tisdale Leonard, September 20th, 1843 ; An- drew Weston, October 31st, 1843 ; William H. Wood, Feb- ruary 3d, 1844; James G. Thompson, July 1st, 1845; Apollos Hoskins, March 31st, 1846 ; Everett Robinson, July 7th, 1848 ; Philander Washburn, June 5th, 1849 ; Ichabod F. Atwood, October 2d, 1849 ; Zebulon Pratt, April 25th, 1850 ; Joshua Wood, March 12th, 1851 ; Asa T. Winslow, March 19th, 1851 ; George W. Wood, May 7th, 1851; Alfred Wood Jr., February 8th, 1854; Josiah Richards, March 15th, 1854.
Coroners .- Nathaniel Foster Jr., March 4th 1782 ; Mark Haskell, February 22d, 1799; Dean Briggs, Jannary 23d, 1808 ; Joseph . Clark Jr., June 16th, 1809 ; Levi Briggs, . February 16th, 1811 ; Peter H Peirce, February 16th, 1811 ; Asa Barrows, January 25th, 1812; Abiatha Briggs, May 15th, 1812 ; Joseph Jackson, May 4th, 1819; Ebene- zer Strobridge, February 11th, 1820.
TOWN OFFICERS, 1873-4.
Selectmen, and Assessors. - Joseph T. Wood, Lewis Leon- ard, Stillman Benson.
Town Clerk, Treasurer and Collector. - C. B. Wood.
School Committee. - Henry L. Edwards, Augustus H. Soule, Hannah Crossman.
CHURCHES.
First Congregational Church. - Rev. E. N. Hidden, Pastor. Central Congregational Church. - Rev. E. R. Drake, Pas- tor.
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PEMBROKE.
Baptist Church. - Rev. G. F. Fairbanks, Pastor.
Baptist Church. - Rev. Joseph J. Hutchinson, Pastor.
Methodist Church. - Rev. S. J. Carroll, Pastor.
Methodist Church. - South Middleborough, Rev. Mr. Sayre, Pastor.
Baptist Church. - Rock Middleborough, Rev. I. J. Bur- gess, Pastor.
SOCIETIES.
Assawampsett Division, S. of T. No. 34.
A. B. Bosworth, W. P. ; Mary Miner, W. A ; J. E. Beals, R. S; J. P. McCulley, F. S; Hattie Barden, Treasurer ; Henry C. Richardson, Con. Meets Monday Evenings, at Soule's Hall.
Masonic. May Flower Lodge, Middleborough.
Officers. Charles N. Carpenter, Master. Roland F. Bar- rows, Sen, Warden. Frank R. Eaton, Jun. Warden. Chas. E. Leonard, Treasurer. James M. Coombs, Secretary. B. F. Tripp, Sen. Deacon. F. A. Sherman, Jun. Deacon. Charles L. Starky, Sen. Steward. James F. Roberts, Jun. Steward. S. Loring, Tyler. Meetings first Tuesday eve- ning each month.
PEMBROKE.
A part of Duxbury was set off in 1711, incorporated as a new and distinct town and called Pembroke. First and foremost in those early times in old Colony history, on in- corporating a new town. was the act of providing for the set- tlement of a gospel minister, and Pembroke did not form an exception to that Puritanic rule, as Rev. Daniel Lewis, was in 1712, ordained for that work, and there continued in the pastoral office for about thirty-nine years. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Thomas Smith, who ministered to the people for thirty-four years. Thus we see that two ministers sup- plied the pulpit of Pembroke for seventy-three years.
Next came Rev. Mr. Whitman, who continued in the min- istry about nine years, and then a young man who had been a Missionary to the Indians at Marshpee, and died after preaching here a little more than one year. Rev. Morrill Allen, a graduate of Brown University, was settled here in 1801.
50
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
.
The first saw mill erected in Plymouth Colony is said to have been within the limits of what is now Pembroke.
The first entry of any kind made upon the town records of Pembroke, was that of a vote to pay John Peirce for sweeping the meeting house.
Company of " Minute Men" from the West Parish of Pembroke, that part now Hanson, that reponded to the coun- try's first call, April 19th, 1775.
Commissioned Officers. Elijah Cushing, Captain ; Edward Thomas, Lieutenant ; Lemuel Barney, 2d Lieutenant : Non- Commissioned Officers. Joshua Barker, Simeon Jones, Noah Bonney, Snow Baker, Sergeants. Isaae Hobart, Drummer. Jacob Hatch, Fifer. Henry Perry, William Phillips jr., Richard Phillips, Gideon Ramsdell jr., Jacob Leavett, Abel Bourne, Mathew Fillage, Samuel Hill, Alexander Soper jr., Benjamin Ramsdell jr., Elisha Records, Samuel Bonney, Edward Heyford, Joseph Hollis, Adam Perry, Gamaliel" Bosby, Noah Perry, Howland Beals, Joseph Bonney, Na- thaniel Cushing, Elijah Cushing jr., Henry Munro jr., Thomas Osborn, John Bonney, George Osborn jr., Levi Wade, Abraham Jocelyn, Nehemiah Ramsdell, Isiah Bearce. Isaac Thomas, Jacob Bearse, Ichabod Howland, Mathew Whitten jr., John Whitten, Joseph Howland, James Torrey, Thomas Record, Ebenezer Bonney, Samuel Ramsdell jr., Josiah Cush- ing jr., Lot Dwelly, Richard Baker, Richard Lowden, Reu- ben Harden, George Osborn, James Tilson, Seth Bearce, Francis Josselyn, Joshua Pratt, Gain Robertson, Gain Rob- ertson jr., John Jeffery, Theodore Cushing, Private Soldiers.
PEMBROKE TOWN OFFICERS, 1873-4.
Town Clerk - George H. Ryder.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Surveyors of Highways, and Overseers of the Poor - W. H. H. Bryant, Julius Cushman, Hervey Dyer.
Treasurer - Seth Whitman.
Collector - Francis Collamore.
School Committee - Nathan T. Shephard, Edward G. Barnard, Elias C. Scott.
· Constables - Theodore S. Chandler, Francis Collamore, Benjamin T. Gardner. 3
51
PLYMPTON.
CHURCHFS.
Unitarian Church - Rev. Theophilus P. Daggett, Pastor.
Methodist Episcopal Church - Rev. J. W. Malcolm, Pas- tor.
Friends' Society - Church at North Pembroke.
G. A. R. - Post George A. Simmons, Meet, at Mechanics' Hall.
Indian Head Division, No. 48, S. of T. - Meets at Mat- takeesett Hall.
Pembroke Total Abstinence Society.
President, Francis Collamore. Secretary, George H. Ryder. Treasurer, Seth Whitman.
PLYMPTON.
Plympton occupies the most central position of any town- ship in the county, and its limits were formerly those of a re- ligious parish in Plymouth, set off and incorporated as a town, in 1707, or about one hundred and sixty-six years ago. The early congregational ministers were Rev. Isaac Cushman, Rev. Jonathan Parker, Rev. Ezra Sampson, Rev. Eben Withington, Rev. John Briggs, and Rev. Elijah Dexter, the last named of whom was ordained in 1809, or one hundred and two years after the incorporation of the town, and thus it appears that five ministers supplied the pulpit for an entire century, or on an average twenty years each,
But of this time, Rev. Jonathan Parker appears to have performed a ministry of about fiorty-five years, as he was or- dained to that work in 1731, and died in 1776, no other per- son appearing . to have been employed in that office by this town during that period, nor until ten years afterward (un- less temporarily) when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Samp- son in 1786. Plympton was for several years the home of Peacon Lewis Bradford, quite distinguished as an antiquar- ian, and for his historical researches pertaining to this and other old Colony towns. Deacon Bradford was town clerk of Plympton and Representative to the General Court at Bos- ton. A company of riflemen were raised in this town about 38 years since, and Abial Washburn commissioned Captian. The uniform consisted of green frock coats, and white panta-
.
-.
52
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
:
« loons, and military caps, and plumes. Captain Washburn remained in command about eight years, and was succeeded by Erastus Leach as Captain, and the uniform was then changed to green dress coats, with red trimmings, black pan- taloons with red stripe, and black bell topped caps. Captain James Ellis was the next Captain.
This company was changed to Infantry and made a part of the Third Regiment in Second Brigade of First Division Mass. Volunteer Militia, and as such responded to the first call for soldiers in the late war of the great rebellion, and performed a tour of three months' service at and near For- tress Munroe, in Virginia, as a part of Colonel David W. Wardrop's regiment and in the Brigade commanded by Brig- dier General Ebenezer W. Peirce of Freetown.
When made an Infantry company, the uniform was changed to blue frock coats and blue pantaloons with white trimmings.
Under the former order that existed in the militia, viz., when the " train bands," and " alarm lists" of Plymouth County, constituted a Brigade of four or five regiments of infantry with a squadron of Cavalry, and a Battalion of Ar- tillery. Plympton was not unfrequently the scene of mili- tary operations, such as company trainings, regimental mus- ters, military elections, and courts martial.
These in that quiet town have now so completely gone out of sight, been so thoroughly discontinued, as to the view of a casnal observer to leave no trace of their former prominence, or even existence, and yet the postive proof is still extant that such was the fact.
47
As our authorities, we will now give copies of orders from Major General Nathaniel Goodwin, of Plymouth, then commanding the Fifth Division of the militia of Mass., which division comprised the " train bands" and "alarm lists" of the counties of Barnstable, Bristol and Plymouth.
General Goodwin was a veteran officer of the patriot army in the war of the revolution, and is thought to have been the person referred to in that familiar stanza of Yankee Doodle.
" Father and I went down to camp, Along with Captain Goodwin ; ¿ And there we see the boys and gals As thick as hasty pudding."
" Head Quarters, Plymouth, January 23d, 1807. " Division Orders"
The Division Court Martial, whereof Brigadier General Bates of the Second Brigade is President,
*
PLYMPTON. 53
is hereby ordered to convene at Mr. Caleb Loring's, in Plymp- ton, on Thursday the 19th of February next, punctually at eleven o'clock A. M.
By order of Major General, 5th Division, " N. Hayward, A. D. Camp."
" Head Quarters, Wareham, February 6th 1807. " Brigade Orders"
All persons of the Frst Brigade, inter- ested in the foregoing Division Orders are directed to attend to and obey accordingly."
By order of the Brigadier General, William Hammett, " Brigade Major."
" Head Quarters, Bridgewater April 10th 1811. " Brigadé Orders"
All the commissioned officers of the Battalion of Artillery attached to the First Brigade, are or- dered to convene at Mr. Caleb Loring's house in Plympton, on Monday, the 27th day of May next, at eleven of the clock A. M., to make choice of a Major Commandant of said Bat- talion, vice Joseph Thomas resigned. Colonel Thomas of the First Regiment, will preside and make return of the 'election accordingly."
By order of the Brigadier General, 1st Brigade,
William Hammett, Brigade Major.
" Head Quarters April 23d 1811. " Battalion Orders."
The Commissioned officers of the Bat- talion of Artillery in the First Brigade, and Fifth Division, will pay strict attention to the foregoing order. Commissioned officers will appear on said day in uniform complete, with side arms." Thomas Turner, Adjutant of Artillery.
" First Brigade 5th Division. " Brigade Orders"
Captain Noyes Commanding officer of the Battalion of Artillery in said Brigade, is directed to give legal notice to the officers of said Battalion, who by law may vote in the election of Field officers, that they. assemble at the house of Thomas B Harrub, innholder, in Plympton, on Thursday the 22 instant, at one o'clock, P. M., for the pur- pose of filling the vacancy of Major in said Battalion. Given at Middleborough, the Head Quarters of the Brigadier Gen- eral, and by his order, July 2d, 1824.
" Nathaniel Wilder Jr., Brigade Major."
*
1
54
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
" Head Quarters, North Bridgewater, July 4th 1824."
" Battalion Orders."
The Commanding officers of the com- panies of Artillery in the First Brigade, 5th Division, are or- dered to appear at Thomas B. Harrubs in Plympton, with their subalterns on Thursday the 22d instant, at one o'clock P. M., for the purpose of choosing a Major.
By order of Captain Moses Noyes, Senior Officer, Samuel N. Dyer, Adjutant.
This Battalion of Artillery was composed of three com- panies, viz : the Plymouth Artillery company first organized July 8th 1777. The Abington Artillery company organized December 24th 1787, and the Hanover Artillery company organized May 3d.1802.
In 1843 these Artillery companies together with an Ar- tillery company in the town of Norton (organized October 31st 1776), were made a regiment of Artillery and at the first election of field officers, Wendall Hall of Plymouth, was chosen Colonel ; Daniel Barstow of Hanover, Lieutenant Colonel ; and Earl Hodges of Norton, Major. Francis J. Noyes of Boston, was appointed Adjutant. Ebenezer W. Peirce of Freetown, Quarter Master. John P. Wade of Dighton, Pay Master. Levi Hubbard of Plymouth, Sur- geon, and Robert: B. Hall of Plymouth, Chaplain. August 31st 1844, Ebenezer W. Peirce was promoted to Major of this Regiment, and on the 5th of September 1846, to Lieut. Colonel. Honorably discharged, July 27th 1848. The Norton and Abington Artillery companies performed military service in three wars, viz : the Revoultion, the last war with England, began 1812 and that of Great Rebellion of 1861.
The Plymonth Artillery served the country in the Revolu- tion and war of 1812, and the Hanover in 1812 alone, as it was not formed until after the Revolution, and disbanded be- fore the great Rebellion. Each of those time honored insti- tutions, had interesting histories, but this is neither the time nor place to set forth in their proper order the facts that go to make up the same in detail, and we will therefore dismiss that subject by adding briefly, concerning the Battalion. The Plymouth and Abington Artillery companies, were first made a Battalion in August 1794, and Captain Luke Nash of the Abington Artillery company made Major, aud the Battalion organization continued about 37 years, when broken up and the three companies of which it then consisted, were annexed to the 1st 2d and 3d Regiments of the local militia of Ply- mouth County.
PLYMPTON. 55
During that 37 years that it retained the Battalion or- ganization the following named gentlemen held the office of Major Commandant. Luke Nash of Abington, Joseph Thomas of Plymouth, Micah White of Abington, Moses Noyes of North Bridgewater, Marcus Reed of Abington, and Elias W. Pratt of Scituate.
Three years later these three companies were again made a Battalion and thus remained nine years, when by the addition of the Norton Artillery company it became a Regiment. Majors of the Battalion from 1834 to 1843. William Thomas of Middleborough, from Augu,t 23, to 1834 to 1836; William Pearson of Plymouth, from February 18, 1837 to December 31, 1838 ; Ephraim Holmes of Plymouth, from February 9, 1839 to 1841 ; Daniel Barstow of Hano- ver, from 1841 to 1843.
Company of Infantry at Plympton, that responded to the " first call" of the country in the late war of the " great Re- bellion", and served three months at and near Fortress Mun- roe, in Virginia, it being company H. in the Third Regiment Mass. Militia, under Colonel David W. Wadrop, and in the Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Ebenezer W. Peirce. Commissioned Officers. Lucian L. Perkins, Cap- tain ; Oscar E. Washburn, Lieutenant ; both of Plympton, Southworth Loring, of Middleborough, Second Lientenant. Non Commissioned Officers. Sergeants ; Ira S. Holmes, Jonathan C. Blanchard, and John B. Wright, of Plympton, and Oliver H. Bryant, of Kingston.
Corporals ; Edwin A. Wright, John Jordan, Henry K. Ellis, and Alexander L. Churchill, al! of Plympton. Pri- vates : Josialı E. Atwood, Benjamin S. Atwood, William C. Alden, George B. Bryant, Daniel Blackman, Calvin Benson, Lorenzo L. Brown, Henry F. Benton, George W. Baldwin, Ezra S. Churchill, Frederick S. Churchill, Marshall M. Chandler, Daniel Dwyer, Albert A. Darling, William P. Eldridge, William Fay, Daniel Foley, Francis M. French, Josiah P. Hammond, Frederick Haynes, Seth E. Hartwell, Philander Herrin, Charles H. Jones, Briggs O. Keen, Mel- vin G. Leach, Lemuel J. Loud, Thomas Morton Jr., Solo- mon Meserve, Robert Parris, Israel B. Phinney, Edward F. Phinney, Lucian M. Raymond, Seth D. Reed, Warren Rick- ard, Frank H. Shephard, Michael Shcan, Major Tirrell, John A. Fowle, Francis S. Thomas, Alonzo Turner, Samuel G. Thompson, Alva P. Vaughn, Lewis T. Wade, James F. Wil- lis, Rufus F. Wright.
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.
56
HISTORY OF TOWNS IN PLYMOUTH COUNTY.
PLYMPTON TOWN OFFICERS .- 1873-4.
Town Clerk .- L. B. Parker.
Selectmen, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor .- John Sherman, Ira S. Holmes Lemuel Bryant.
Treasurer .- Zacheus Parker.
Collector .- A. S. Sherman,
School Committee .- Mrs. R. W. Parker, Miss Nancy S. Loring, Miss Eudora H., Perkins.
Constable .- A. S. Sherman.
Congregational Church .- Rev. Philip Titcomb, Pastor.
ROCHESTER.
This town is said to have derived its name from the an- cient city of Rochester, in Kent, England, a shire from whence came many of the first planters of Scituate, Mass.
A committee of the church at Scituate, in 1638, obtained from the Colonial Court at Plymouth a grant of land at " Scipican," for the seating of a township and a congregation.
The territory however remained unoccupied until 1651.
The first white settlers arrived in or about 1680, and were principally from the towns of Marshfield, Sandwich, and Scituate.
It was originally a very large township, but considerably diminished by the setting off of the towns of Marion and Mat- tapoisett.
Rev. Samuel Arnold, is said to have been the first or ear- liest minister. He was succeeded by Rev. Timothy Ruggles, who was settled in 1710.
A Baptist church was formed here in or about 1793.
Before the division of this town, and the setting off of Marion and Mattapoisett, Rochester had eight churches, viz., four Congregational, two Baptist, and one Quaker.
Lieut. Colonel Ebenezer White, of this town, performed good service for the cause of his country, in the " days that tried men's souls."
He was commissioned as Lieut. Colonel of the Fourth Regiment Plymouth County Militia, in the first year of the Revolutionary War, and while participating in one of the engagements that took place in Rhode Island, had a part of the hilt of his sword shot off.
57
ROCHESTER.
In the cemetery at Rochester Centre, or that part called " Rochester Town," stands an old brown stone, bearing the following inscription,
" Memento Mori, Sacred to the memory of Col. Ebenezer White, who died March 1804, aged 80.
He was 19 times chosen to represent the town of Roches- ter in the General Court ; in 14 of which elections he was unanimously chosen. As a tribute of respect for his faithful services, the Town erected this monument to his memory."
Elnathan Haskell, of Rochester, was Major of Artillery in Continental Army. His likeness appears in one of the his- toric paintings that adorn the dome of the Capital at Wash- ington City, D. C.
Major Elnathan Haskell, was chief of the division staff when the fifth division (embracing the local militia of Barn- stable, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties), was commanded by Major General David Cobb, of Taunton.
Nathan Willis, formerly a merchant at " Rochester Town," and a very enterprising man, was promoted to the office of Major General of Militia. Hon. Marcus Morton held the office of Judge Advocate on General Willis' Staff.
Rochester gentlemen who have held commissions as Field Officers,in the local militia :
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