USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Hanover > Historical sketch of the town of Hanover, Mass., with family genealogies, 1853 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
The North River, in Plymouth County, which forms the bound- ary between Hanover and Scituate, on the one side, and Pembroke and Marshfield, on the other, is a comparatively small stream, not over twenty miles in length, never with a great depth of water, but a few rods in breadth, and very tortuous in its course, with shoals at the bends, and sand bars at its mouth. Standing on the bridge, beyond the Four Corners, and looking first above, and then below, as far as the eye can reach, and noting the quietness which seems usually to reign over the spot ; or walking along the banks of the stream, across the fairy-like bridge of plank, worn by the tread of human feet for many years, and spanning the Third Herring Brook, which, from its shape, is expressively called the RAINBOW BRIDGE ;- and thence over Fox Hill, and past where Seabury's point stretches off to the right, until the old Brick-kilns appear in sight ; one, who did not know what busy scenes had been enacted here in past times, would hardly imagine that, from 1660 to 1835, or for more than a century and a half, the business of ship-building was carried on, probably to a greater extent, than on any other river, of the same size, anywhere in the State! Not only on the Hanover side, were the yards compacted together, in close prox- imity one to another, but on the Pembroke side, below Rocky Reach, and at Seabury's point, yards were established by George and Thomas Turner, and Nathaniel Cushing ; and, on the banks of the stream, near the "reach," by the bridge, the indentation, or hollow, where the saw pit stood, is distinctly visible, and the old wharf yet projects its rocky piers into the stream below.
On the Hanover side, before the present bridge was built, ship- yards existed, above and below the old bridge. The banks of the
160
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
stream here, for some distance, present peculiar facilities for this business, being sloping, and somewhat abrupt, though not precipi- tous ; so that, whilst the bows of the vessels were near the water, the sterns were on the hill sides, and easy of access by the aid of a few plank, without the necessity for those lofty stagings which are indispensable in many yards.
From the top of these banks, stretches back a large tract of rough, rocky, pasture land, also easy of access from the travelled ways, where timber was landed, brought from the surrounding country, in such quantity, that the whole surface of the tract was covered at times.
Above the old bridge, on the Hanover side, is a small ravine, or gorge, on the land of Seth Barker, Esq., just wide enough to admit the hulk of one of the small craft built in those days, and sloping towards the river, at such an angle as to afford a fine op- portunity for launching, were it not for the bridge. The site is visible from the present bridge, being but a few rods above ; and the scenery around has that wildness of aspect, which renders it quite romantic. Here, James Barstow built one vessel, previous to the Revolution, which, it is said, was launched directly across the road. But the existence of the bridge presented too formida- ble an obstacle, to encourage the building of many vessels at this spot ; and the yard, accordingly, was soon abandoned.
Just below the old bridge, and in the space intervening between its piers, and the piers of the present bridge, was another ship yard, first improved by William Barstow, and his descendants for two generations. It was, probably, established near the year 1660. The vessels built at this yard, by the Barstows, were mostly small ones, and their sides rose higher than the piers of the present bridge, their bows reaching up the bank, into the door yard of the present residence of Mr. Barker. It is said that the Barstows abandoned this yard, because of the difficulty experi- enced in launching their vessels, in consequence of their impinging frequently against the rocky ledge, on the opposite shore.
After they left the yard, about 1745, it was improved for a period of from twenty to thirty years, by Nathaniel Silvester, fa- miliarly known as " builder Silvester," who was born in 1718,
163
SAMPSON'S AND CLARK'S YARDS.
and died in 1781, at the age of sixty-three. He built the house, occupied by Rufus Farnum, on Washington street, just above Mr. Barker's, and nearly opposite Mr. Sylvanus Percival's.
His son, Nathaniel, afterwards occupied the house, and improv- ed the ship yard, until his removal to Winchendon. The vessels built, both by father and son, were small, seldom exceeding two hundred tons burthen, and were mostly schooners.
After the Silvesters, the yard was improved by Jonathan Sampson, from 1795 to 1820, he residing in Pembroke, just over the bridge, on the hill, in the house now occupied by Sumner Stetson, which has been a tavern stand.
Mr. Sampson built many vessels for the Cod Fishery at the Grand Banks ; and some ships, of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred tons burthen, for residents of Duxbury and Cape Cod, for citizens of Boston, and for Nathaniel Cushing, of Hanson. These ships were for the Southern trade, for the West Indies, and for different ports in Europe; and their stern-posts, it is said, stood quite up to the old road, and some of the staging, for build- ing the projecting part of the stern, was actually over the road, which, at this place, was but about two and one-half rods wide.
The yard next below, and close by the present bridge, was im- proved by the Clarks,-Nathaniel and Belcher,-sons of John Clark, of Scituate. The former, Nathaniel, lived on Washington street, in the low and ancient building now occupied by Mr. Henry Bates, and died in 1814, aged seventy-three. The latter, Belcher, lived in a house which stood where stands that of Mr. Samuel Sal- mond, and died in 1826, aged eighty-four. The yard improved by these brothers, is said to have been occupied by their father before them. It was probably established as early as 1736, but no vessels were built there after the year 1800. Zebulon, the son of Belcher, born in 1780, recollects when his father built, while he was a lad.
The next yard, a small one, was improved for a time by Dea. Isaac Perry ; but seems not to have been occupied by him long, as we subsequently find him building at a yard farther down the stream.
Mr. Perry is spoken of as a man of unblemished integrity, and of
162
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
*high moral excellence. He was born in 1736, and died in 1825, at the age of eighty-nine. He lived on Washington street, and his house stood where stands that of Mr. Josiah Winslow, near the corner of Hanover street.
The next yard was at a little distance farther down, and its site is marked by a work-house, yet standing, and by two gigantic oaks, of venerable appearance, at least three centuries old, which were, of course, of goodly size when the Pilgrims landed ! Against these trees, still lean the logs, forming the frame work of the old saw pit, and around the spot is a vast deposite of decaying vege- table matter, accumulated in the yard, black, spongy, and appa- rently valuable for the compost-heap, which might be profitably carried off to add its enriching materials to the stercorary of the owner of the land.
This yard was improved by Thomas Barstow, the father of Col. John B. Barstow, of this town ; and by Capt. Robert Lenthal Eells, who was an extensive landholder ; one of the wealthiest citizens of his day ; a man whose chief greatness consisted in the greatness of his soul ; of unbounded hospitality ; charitable; kind to the poor and the suffering ; devoted to every thing public spir- ited ; eminently patriotic ; an able officer in the war of the Revo- lution ; who opened his doors cheerfully and widely to all who were engaged in that struggle; and whose daughters, evinced their zeal for Liberty, in ministering to the wants of the soldiers, and in manufacturing cartridges for the use of the companies enrolled in the town.
This yard, which was established about the year 1755, was im- proved by Messrs. Barstow and Eells, for about thirty years ; the former having the superintendence of the wood work, and the latter furnishing the iron work,-his blacksmith shop standing near the hay scales, by the Four Corners.
No very large vessels were built by this firm, as previous to the Revolution, the burthen seldom exceeded two hundred tons; but after that period, and especially after the opening of the present century, by their descendants, and by others, vessels of from three hundred to four hundred tons burthen were built, from 1810 to 1834.
163
YARDS OF DEA. PERRY, AND THE SMITHS.
Mr. Barstow died in 1797, aged sixty-five ; and Mr. Eells in 1800, aged sixty-eight ;- both being born in the same year, 1732; and in the same month, Februray ;- the former on the 27th, and the latter the 17th ! Companions in life, and cousins, they dwelt in harmony, and their business was conducted successfully and prosperously.
A few years previous to the death of Mr. Barstow, his son, John B., was concerned in ship-building at this yard, with his father ; in which business he was afterwards joined by his brother Elijah, and they, together, improved the yard, until 1817, when they went to a site still farther below, which presented greater facilities for launching. This firm built many ships for Nantucket and New Bedford, for the whaling business, of from 300 to 350 tons burthen ; also many merchant ships, among which were five, built for the sons of John B. Barstow, who were at that time in business in the city of New York.
Next to the yard of the Barstow's, was one called Paige's yard, which was afterwards occupied by Dea. Isaac Perry, and occa- sionally by Albert and Josiah Smith, when they had a small vessel to build, and when their other yard was occupied.
Next below, was the yard of Col. John Bailey, whose master workman was Joseph House. This yard was not long improved by Mr. B., he being personally engaged in other business ; and it was afterwards occupied by Albert and Josiah Smith, sons of Jo_ siah Smith, of Pembroke, who married sisters, - daughters of Capt. Robert L. Eells, himself a blacksmith by trade, but a ship- builder in connection with Thomas Barstow.
Capt. Albert Smith, in early life, followed the seas, as a ship- master, being in the Baltimore trade for some time, and making several voyages to Russia, during the reign of the Emperor Paul.
About the year 1790, he settled in Hanover, residing on Broad- way, in the house now occupied by Martin Stetson, which he bought of Joseph Josselynn ; and, forming a partnership with his brother Josiah, he carried on the business of ship-building for about ten years, from 1798 to 1808, fitting for sea, on an aver- age, three vessels a year, of from 300 to 400 tons burthen, for himself and others, for Liverpool and other European ports. The
164
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
descendants of Capt. Smith are now in the service of the United States ; his oldest son, Joseph, being a Commodore in the United States Navy, and Chief of the Bureau of Docks and Yards ; and Albert, Esq., being an eminent lawyer in Washington city.
After the Smiths, Edward and Samuel Eells built a few vessels at this yard ; and subsequently, it was improved by John B. and Elijah Barstow, from 1817 to 1835 ; and then by Elijah Barstow, Jr. ; the latter of whom, in connection with Capt. Thomas Water- man, is still engaged in the business, at their yard in Scituate, below Fox hill.
The last yard, on the Hanover side, was that of David King- man, who built the tavern stand at the Four Corners, now occu- pied by Mr. Joseph Pocorny. Isaiah Wing built one vessel, very near this yard, about the time of the last war ; and also Benjamin and Martin Stockbridge. Dea. Perry built one vessel at this yard, about 55 years ago ; - a ship of some 300 tons burthen.
Nearly all the above yards were on the land of Mr. Benjamin Stockbridge, and were comprised within the space of one third of a mile from the bridge ; from which their compactness and juxta- position, may be easily judged.
Previous to the year 1795, the business demand was principally for vessels of a small size, such as could be easily launched on the river, and taken down the stream without much difficulty, from the bars. During the Revolution, Mr. Thomas Barstow built several small privateers,-some for Mr. Derby, of Salem. Towards the close of the last century, vessels of a larger size were in de- mand, besides the small fishing and coasting vessels; and this call continued, until business was suspended by the war with Great Britain, in 1812.
The occurrence of that war, just as the business was in its most prosperous state, was a serious shock to those who were engaged in it ; but they re-commenced in 1815, after peace was declared ; though the growing scarcity of timber, and the obstruction of the channel of the river with rocks and sand bars, which rendered it tedious and expensive to get large ships down'the stream, and over the bar at the mouth, caused the business to decline, until now, in Hanover, it has entirely ceased. The process of moving large
.
165
PALMY DAYS OF SHIP-BUILDING.
ships, was by attaching the scows called gundaloes, (a corruption of gondolas ?) two to the stern, and two to the stem ; which were lashed down at low water, so as to lift the ship as the tide flowed. .
Several attempts have been made to obtain aid from the Na- tional Government, for the improvement of the navigation of the North River ; but hitherto, with but little success. In 1839, Col. J. B. Barstow, Joseph S. Bates, and Elijah Barstow, jr., were chosen a committee to petition for the appropriation of a small sum " for the purpose of removing sand-bars, and cutting a channel for the North River into Massachusetts Bay ; " but their prayer was not favorably answered.
During the great storm of April 16th and 17th, 1851, the sea broke completely over the narrow strip of beach between the third and fourth cliffs, near Scituate harbor, at the very point where the cutting of a canal has been thought feasible.
A new petition for aid has been circulated within the past year ; but we fear its fate will be like that of its predecessors.
The palmy days of ship-building, in Hanover, were from 1800, to 1808. Then, five or six yards were in active operation, and at least ten vessels were annually fitted for sea. The scene on the North River, was one of animation and industry. Every morn- ing, the carpenters might be seen, crossing the pastures, or walk- ing along the river bank, or over the tiny " Rainbow Bridge," to the place of their daily toil; and the stroke of the axe, the thump of the maul, the cheerful calls, and the various other sounds always heard in the ship-yard, constantly saluted the ears of the passers by.
The pasture, too, was strewed with timber ; and teams of " fat oxen," daily brought in, from the forests around, their loads of round, or rough-hewn, white oak, beech, maple, and other timber; and oak and pine plank, for sheathing, and for the decks, &c .. Then, business was stirring. All were active. And never since, has the village, at the corners, presented so cheering a spectacle of thrift and prosperity. That village is beginning to rise again ; and though the character of its business has changed, yet the pro- mise is fair, that ere long, if a liberal policy prevails, it will be -. come, once more, a place of activity, and the number of its .. buildings, and the advantages of its citizens, be greatly increased.
CHAPTER XII.
PROVISIONS FOR THE POOR - TEMPERANCE CAUSE - SLAVERY
RESTING PLACES FOR THE DEAD - LONGEVITY.
" Epitomise the life ; pronounce, you can, Authentic epitaphs on some of these, Who, from their lowly mansions hither brought, Beneath this turf lie mouldering at our feet. So by your records, may our doubts be solved ; And so, not searching higher, we may learn To prize the breath we share with human kind, And look upon the dust of man with awe."
WORDSWORTH.
Provisions for the Poor-Poor kept by Friends - Selectmen to provide for them - Put out at Auction - Establishment of an Alms-House -Temperance Cause - Excise Bill of 1754-Rum Trade at that Date-Extracts from the Church Records Relative to the Excise Bill - Temperance Society formed in 1816-Later History of the Cause-Slavery in New England - Owners of Slaves, from the Church and Town Records -Touching Incident - Burial Ground near the Centre of the Town-Gifts of Land by David Stockbridge, Esq., and by John Barstow, Esq. - Burial Ground at Snappet - Table of Lon- gevity.
WE group together, in this chapter, a few subjects, cach of which merits some notice in a work like the present.
PROVISIONS FOR THE POOR.
For many years after the incorporation of the town, the poor were kept in the families of their friends, an annual appropriation being made for their maintenance. The number thus aided was small, so that no further provisions in their behalf were necessary, and no other arrangement could have been more generally accept- able to those whom misfortune had reduced to a state of depend- ence.
167
SELECTMEN TO PROVIDE FOR THE POOR.
Oct. 29, 1736, " Voted to the widow Frances Josselynn £5 old tenor, to keep Jean Barron from Nov. 18, 1746, to Nov. 18, 1747, but if she should have any extraordinary sickness in that time, to be further allowed what is reasonable."
Mar. 5, 1750, " Voted to give Thomas Curtis 31s., old tenor, per week, for boarding Margaret Young one year in sickness and health, the town finding clothes, and paying Doctor's bills, if any there be; and he agreed to keep her at that price."
At the same date, " Voted £15 to Benjamin Woodworth, for bringing up John Loud's (or Ladd's) daughter to the age of 18 years ; and £24 for bringing up the said Loud's youngest son to the age of 21 years."
This course continued to be followed even after the Revolution, and so late as the beginning of the present century ; and to the selectmen was entrusted the general oversight of those thus aided, to see that they were properly cared for.
Thus, in 1782, the selectmen were instructed to provide for the poor, and to supply Job Long's family with the necessaries of life. March 13, 1786 :- The selectmen and Dea. Timothy Rob- bins were chosen a committee "to agree with Mr. Samuel Witherell, to maintain his father during his natural life, by the lump or by the week, as they shall agree, and pay him out of the town's money."
Oct. 17, 1796. The selectmen were instructed "to provide for the poor under their care, and call on the Treasurer for money as they shall want it."
About the year 1803, we find the first notice of a change in this mode of proceedure. The selectmen were then chosen a committee, to meet a committee of the town of Pembroke, "to consult on the expediency of building a work-house."
In 1809, a donation of $278, having been made to the town by Maj. John B. Barstow for the poor, he, with the selectmen, were chosen to distribute the same.
In 1814, it was " voted to raise $110, to purchase Mary Peterson's house and land for a poor house ;" and the purchase was made,-but the town being dissatisfied, in 1816 the building was sold, and for the first time on the records, it was voted to put
168
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
out the poor at auction to the lowest bidder ; the auction to be at the Central Meeting House, on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at 4 P. M .; and the person bidding off the same was "to give good and suffi- cient security to the overseers of the poor that he will support them well, in sickness and in health, and furnish them with good and comfortable clothing, and pay all expenses for physicians, and to receive pay for the same at the end of the year."
But this policy, though adopted by many towns in Massachu- setts, and quite common twenty-five years ago, was soon found to be exceedingly defective, and liable to serious evils. Enough allowance was not made for that principle or maxim, which prompts men, in business affairs, to trade sharply, and to make the most of their bargains, of whatever character they may be. We do not deem it necessary to revive the controversies which grew out of this system, which, notwithstanding its exceptionable features, continued to be followed for twenty years. We need only say that in 1836, it was voted to establish a Poor House, and a Committee of five, consisting of Ebenezer Simmons, Turner Stetson, Benja- min Mann, Levi Curtis, and William Morse, were chosen to look up a suitable farm ; and in a very short time, the present estab- lishment, located on Washington street, in the North-easterly part of the town, was purchased, which was formerly Nathaniel Jacobs' place,-and here the poor have since been kept in a manner creditable to the liberality and humanity of the Town. The expense of maintaining the poor is about $600 per annum, and the number supported for some years past, has been from eight to ten.
TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
It is well known to all conversant with the history of our country, that, until within a comparatively recent period, spirituous liquors were a common beverage of all classes in the community, and were freely sold and freely used in every town in this State. True, the evils attendant upon intemperance have been always felt, and always acknowledged ; and efforts have been made, from time to time, to check the tide which threatened to overwhelm. But it is only within the past twenty or thirty years, that these efforts
169
TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
have been attended with any signal success. And even now, such is the selfishness of avarice on the one hand, and such are the cravings of appetite, on the other, that the temperance cause has attained but a measurable triumph, and much remains to be done, before every mind will be actuated by right motives, and brought under the influence of the laws of moral rectitude.
That great good has been accomplished, however, only those interested to perpetuate evil can deny. The evidences of im- provement are too palpable to be mistaken. The thriftiness of our villages ; the decrease of native pauperism; the general sobriety of the people ; the absence of loungers at the bar-room of the tavern, or at the grocery on rainy days ; and the rareness of the sight, especially in the country, and in the open highway, of men lying under the walls, sleeping away the effects of their deep potations ; - all these are tangible proofs that something has been done ; - proofs which none can gainsay ; - and we trust the time is not far distant, when it will be deemed, throughout our land, beneath the dignity of any one claiming the attributes of humanity, to taste of the intoxicating cup ; and when reason shall sit firmly on its throne, and all who are made in the image of God, shall stand erect in their manhood, not victims of passion, or slaves of appetite ; but walking the earth in the exercise of those nobler qualities, which distinguish us from the brutes, and which ally us to angels.
Were we writing a treatise on temperance, much that is valua- ble in the history of the cause might be gathered from the Laws of Plymouth Colony, and from those of the Massachusetts Colony. But however interesting these extracts might be, we shall be obliged to omit them, inasmuch as we have enough from the re- cords of our own town, and contemporary annals, to fill the spa ce we propose to devote to this subject.
Although the law passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts, and called " the Maine Law," is regarded by some as a novel eature in human legislation, and an encroachment upon the rights and liberties of the people, yet laws embodying similar principles, or partaking of a similar character, were passed long ago, in this country.
11
170
HISTORY OF HANOVER.
In 1754, a bill called the " Excise bill," for " granting to his Majesty an excise upon wines and spirits distilled, &c.," was intro- duced, and taken into consideration by the people ; and the town of Hanover, after debating it for some time, " Voted, that the said bill is disagreeable to the minds of the town, and Voted, that Da- vid Stockbridge, Esq., representative of said town, be desired to use his endeavors to prevent the said Bills passing into an Act."
The extent and character of the traffic in spirits at this time, and the course of argument by which the business was sustained, may be gathered from the following luminous and curious state- ment from Minot's History of Massachusetts, vol. 1, pp. 155-161.
" A great part of the inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay live chiefly by the sea, and are employed in
1. Fisheries. 2. Navigation. 3. Building and providing materials for ships.
By these employments, they depend upon Great Britain for 1. Clothes. 2. Materials for furnishing their houses of many kinds. 3. Cordage and sail cloth for equipment of their vessels. 4. Lines, hooks and cables, &c., for the fishery.
They are dependent on the northern Colonies for bread corn.
RUM is their chief manufacture ; there being upwards of 15,000 hogsheads of rum manufactured in the Province annually.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.