History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 102

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890 > Part 102

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Elisha Crocker, born in 1814, is the eldest son of Elisha and Sarah (Snow) Crocker, and a grandson of Joseph Crocker. Mr. Crocker was formerly a boot and shoe maker, but for a number of years an under- taker and paper hanger in Brewster. He is a deacon of the Baptist church. He led the singing and was Sunday school superintendent for many years. He was first married to Martha Foster, who died, leaving two children-Martha F. and Thomas C. His second mar- riage was to Mary Elizabeth Morse. Their children are: Elisha W., Mamie, Louis A., Sadie, Winthrop N. and Grace E. Mr. Crocker has been a member of the New England Undertaker's Association since its organization.

THE CROSBY FAMILY .- The reader of this chapter understands that the Crosby name became early a part of the history of Brewster, and so remarkable has been the success of the later generation that it must be regarded here as among the most prominent families of the town.

Among the descendants of Tully Crosby who came from England, was Josiah Crosby, of Brewster, whose son, Nathan, lived and died in the northeastern part of the town. His wife was Anna Pinkham, and of their children, three sons who survived the latest-Nathan, jr., Roland and Isaac-are well remembered by the present residents of the town.

Nathan Crosby, jr., whose portrait appears, was born here Novem- ber 11, 1793, and when a young man he went to Chatham as an apprentice to Mr. Berry, a tanner, and in 1819, with his younger brother, Roland, became proprietor of the establishment in which he had learned his trade. Subsequently they built a larger plant in the same locality, between Old Harbor and the town hall, between the present street and the shore, and carried on a successful business until 1832, when Nathan' bought a farm and was engaged in agricul- ture and salt making. Three years later, selling all his interests in Chatham, he returned to his native town and erected, near the place of his birth on the shore of Cape Cod bay, the house in which the last years of his life were passed. In June, 1819, he married at Chatham, Ensign Nickerson's daughter, Catherine, who died in 1885. Their children were: Ann P., Albert, Emeline, Catherine A. N. and Nathan A .- the youngest, dying when a young man. Mr. Crosby, after his return from Chatham, entered largely into the fishing business, own- ing many vessels at different times, and from 1851 to 1854 was in

Nathan Crosby

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"TAWASENTHA." RESIDENCE OF ALBERT CROSBY, EAST BREWSTER, MASS.

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TOWN OF BREWSTER.

business in Chicago with his son Albert, and brother, returning to Brewster where he died, November 21, 1882.

He lived a quiet life, and except one year in the legislature as a democrat, he held no public office.

His oldest son, Albert, went to Chicago in May, 1848, becoming there the pioneer of that large and ever increasing Cape Cod element which has made indellible marks on the commercial and financial history of that western metropolis which now counts among its solid financiers the Nickersons, of Brewster and Chatham; the Lombards, of Truro; the Swifts, of Bourne; and the Underwoods, of Harwich.

His personal credit in the east as a Crosby and a Cape Codder enabled him with practically no capital to begin a business in Chicago with $10,000 worth of Boston goods, and establish a wholesale tea and liquor business. In 1851 he established there the largest manufactory of alcohol in the west, and into this business came two uncles, Roland and Isaac, and his father, Nathan, as above stated. Albert continued the business until the 1871 fire, at which time he owned the Crosby Opera House, which was built by his cousin, Uranus H. Crosby-another Cape Cod man and son of Roland. His fire losses, including the opera house, were fully one and a half million dollars-the heaviest individual loss sustained-but before the fires were out he was drawing water from the river to cool the bricks, and in thirty days had finished and resumed business in a brick block two stories high and three hundred feet long.

Albert Crosby was prominently connected with corporate enter- prises in Chicago, was president of the Chicago City Railway Company, and was ten years president of a large brewing company there.

Later, after ten years spent in travel, he again, in 1884, took active management of his interests in the brewing company as its vice president and superintendent until 1887, when he retired from all active business in Chicago. Returning then to Brewster he began, in 18SS, the erection of " Tawasentha," which was completed according to his own plans in 1889, as shown in the accompanying plate. He employed Cape people .almost entirely in the construction, having John Hinckley & Son, of Yarmouth, in charge of the carpentry. It is on the site of the boyhood home of Mr. Crosby, who, with filial care, has incorporated into a wing of the structure a portion of his father's house. The building, exceedingly elegant and roomy, is of the Romanesque style of architecture, with elaborate though tasteful ornamentation, surmounted by a tower sixty feet high, commanding a fine view of the bay. Here Mr. and Mrs. Crosby have brought all that taste and wealth can suggest to adorn the mansion which is now their home. Adjacent to the house is a brick, fire-proof art gallery, seventy-five by fifty feet, in which they have deposited a rare. collec-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

tion of valuable pictures, statuary and bronzes-one of the most valu- able collections of art treasures in the state.

ISAAC, youngest child of Nathan and Annie (Pinkham) Crosby, was born May 6, 1809, and married Mrs. Eunice Ryder of Chatham. They had three children, two of whom survive. He received the usual New England district school education, and worked while young on his father's farm. Later he engaged extensively in fishing and salt making, displaying the same faithfulness and energy he ever showed in all his business affairs.

In 1848, his health failing, he decided to go to Chicago -- then a small city in the far West-where he entered into business with his nephew, Albert Crosby. Subsequently his two brothers, Nathan and Roland, joined them, and for many years their interests were inti- mately connected with the growth and prosperity of the city.

In 1855 he returned to Brewster, but, finding its quietness irk- some, he engaged in business in Chicago with his son-in-law, S. M. Nickerson, residing a portion of the time in Brewster, and becoming identified from its commencement with The First National Bank of Hyannis-being director at the time of his death, May 20, 1883.

Perhaps no better tribute can be paid him than to quote a few words from the resolutions passed by the directors of the bank after his death. in the death of Isaac Crosby we have lost a true friend and the bank a faithful and efficient officer-one of its earliest and best friends, one whose life was upright and noble, an energetic and successful business man, who unostentatiously did many kind acts in his daily life."

James E. Crosby, son of Freeman and Rebecca Crosby, was born in 1838. He began to follow the sea at the age of sixteen, and four years later attained to master. Since that time he has been in foreign trade. He married Modena F., daughter of Rev. Manard Parker. They have four children: Freeman M., Edwin H., James Harold and Mabel.

William P. Doane, born in 1842, is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Rogers) Doane, grandson of Joseph, and great-grandson of Hezekiah Doane. Mr. Doane followed the sea from 1853 to 1879, and since that time he has been engaged in cranberry culture aud farming. He married Helen A., daughter of Samuel and Thankful (Sears) Hall, and granddaughter of Edmund Hall. They have two children: Earnest W. and Helen S.

Emanuel Dugan was born in 1833, at St. George, Azore islands. His father, John Dugan, was born in 1809, at the same place. Emanuel came to Cape Cod in 1848, and from that time until 1876 was engaged in fishing. Since the latter year he has been a farmer and cranberry grocer. He married Elizabeth R., daughter of Thaddeus Ellis. She

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died in 1888, leaving two daughters-Elizabeth J. (Mrs. A. F. Brier) and Florence M.

Benjamin F. Fessenden, born in 1847, is a son of Benjamin and Clarissa (Berry) Fessenden, grandson of Isaac and great-grandson of Dr. William Fessenden. Mr. Fessenden followed the sea in early life. Since 1873 he has done a stage and express business in Brews- ter, and also keeps a livery stable. He married Annie Y., daughter of Richard and Emily (Eldridge) Hopkins. Their son is Oliver H.

Josiah Foster, born in 1823, is the youngest son of John and Catharine (Mayo) Foster and grandson of John Foster. Mr. Foster was engaged in fishing for thirty years, and since 1875 has been a farmer. He married Caroline, daughter of Eli Small, and has two children-Josiah F. and Carrie S .- one daughter, Emily C., died.

Nathan Foster, born in 1807, is a son of Nathan and Polly (Dil- lingham) Foster and grandson of John Foster. Mr. Foster was for about forty years a resident of Harwich, during which time he was a merchant there. He now owns and occupies the homestead of his father in Brewster. He married Lydia, daughter of Judah and Sally. (Hale) Sears. She died in 1888, leaving six children: Lydia S., Martha S., Polly D., Nathan, Judah E. and Persis S.

Charles Freeman, born in 1822, is the second son of William, grandson of Solomon and great-grandson of Solomon Freeman. His mother was Martha, daughter of Daniel Simonds of Lexington, who served under Washington as private, was promoted to captain and served at Trenton and Bennington. Mr. Freeman followed the sea from 1832 until 1859, sixteen years in whale fishing and eight years as master of a whaling ship. He was six years in Chicago in the pork packing business, and has since resided in Brewster. He mar- ried Mehitabel C., daughter of Zenas Ryder of Chatham, Mass. They have one adopted daughter- Sadie T. Freeman.

John Freeman, born in 1835, is the oldest and only surviving child of John and Ruth (Sears) Freeman and grandson of John and Beth- iah (Crowell) Freeman. He began going to sea at the age of fifteen years, and from 1859 until he retired in 1888 he was a master mar- iner. He is now engaged in cranberry culture. He married Jane, daughter of Israel Nickerson of South Dennis. They have one daughter, Roberta J., and one adopted son, John H. Freeman.

William Freeman, born in 1820, is the eldest son of William and Martha (Simonds) Freeman. He followed the sea in the merchant service forty-three years, thirty-six years as master. His first wife, Phebe H. Hurd, died leaving two children-William K. and Clara D. His present wife was Hannah R. Gould.

Edward Frank Hall, born in 1837, is the youngest and only sur- viving child of Edmund and Sukey (Snow) Hall, and grandson of Ed-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

mund Hall. Mr. Hall is a carpenter by trade. He is now engaged in cranberry culture and the manufacture of cranberry barrels. He married Julia W., daughter of Timothy Jarvis. They have three children-George F., Arthur S. and Emma J.

Samuel S. Hall, son of Edmund and Sukey (Snow) Hall, was born in 1824 and died in 1878. He followed the sea in early life and later was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Thankful S., daughter of Constant and Deborah C. (Hopkins) Sears, and grand- daughter of Elisha Sears. They have eight children: Helen A., Thomas S., Samuel C., Charles E., Fred, Susie D., Elisha S. and James C.

Godfrey Hopkins, eldest son of Godfrey and Reliance (Mayo) Hop- kins, grandson of Edmund and great-grandson of Jonathan Hopkins, was born in 1832. He followed the sea .from 1846 until 1872, being seventeen years master of vessels in the foreign trade, and he is now chairman of the board of selectmen, and a member of the republican town committee. He is a trustee in the Cape Cod Five Cent Savings Bank. He married Charlotte A., daughter of Bangs and Julia A. Pepper. They have one daughter-Emma J.

Richard F. Hopkins, born in 1852, is a son of Richard H. and Emily (Eldridge) Hopkins, grandson of Freeman, and great-grandson of Nathan Hopkins. He married Celia L., daughter of George E. Thacher. Their children are Eva M. and Emily.

Elijah E. Knowles, born in 1829, is one of six sons of Elijah and Abigail (Freeman) Knowles, and grandson of Henry Knowles, whose father, Elijah, was a son of Edward. Mr. Knowles followed the sea from 1844 until 1882, as master mariner twenty-seven years. He is a director of the Cape Cod National Bank. He married Mary F., daughter of Nathaniel Winslow.

Henry Knowles, brother of Elijah E., was born in 1834, in Brewster. Mr. Knowles began going to sea in 1848, attaining to master four years later, which position he continued to fill until 1870, when he retired from the merchant service and went to Rockford, Ill., where he was a successful business man until 1889. Mr. Knowles married Lizzie D., daughter of Seth and Anna (Knowles) Collins. Their chil- dren are: Grace P., Herbert E., Abbie F., Royal E. and Eddie W. They lost two children-John C. and Effie M.

William W. Knowles, born in 1830, in Eastham, is a son of William F. and Betsey A. (Doane) Knowles, and grandson of William Knowles. He married Temperance P. Matthews, and has two children-William M. and Hannah H.

Edgar Lincoln, youngest son of Isaac and Desire (Foster) Lincoln and grandson of Isaac Lincoln, was born in 1829. He has followed the sea since 1844, and has been master of vessels in the foreign

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trade since 1854. He was first married to Sarah Lizzie Atkins, who died, and he married for his second wife Augusta F. Snow. They have one daughter, Edna A.

Joseph Mayo, born in 1822, is a son of Elnathan and Susan (Paine) Mayo and grandson of Thomas Mayo. He went to New Hampshire in 1840, where he was a carriage maker until 1862, then entered the army in Company D, Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers. In November, 1864, at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he lost his right arm. He was discharged in 1865. He was warden of the New Hampshire state prison from 1865 to 1870. He returned to Brewster in 1886, where he now lives. He was married to Maria L. Huntington, who died, leav- ing two children: Herbert A. and Ann Maria. He was married again to Caroline, daughter of William Freeman. He and his wife became members of the Baptist church in New Hampshire in 1842, and in 1886 he and his present wife joined the Baptist church in Brewster.

CAPTAIN FREDERIC NICKERSON was born at West Brewster, Decem- ber 15, 1808, and, although he died at his city residence in South Bos- ton, January 12, 1879, he claimed his native town as his home, and there he had passed the last eighteen summers of his life. He was left an orphan in early youth, and, with his brother Thomas, had a home with an uncle at Chatham. He was young when he went to sea, and by his diligence attained to the command of a vessel before he was twenty years old. After a term of years as shipmaster he embarked in commercial lines of business in Boston with his brother David, under the firm name of David Nickerson & Co .; later, after his brother's death, it was changed to F. Nickerson & Co.

His integrity and intelligent management of business interests called him to fill many offices of trust and responsibility in monied and social enterprises, and it has been said of him that wherever he touched business it was dignified and made better by his influence. He was, for seven years from its organization, president of the South Boston Savings Bank, but on account of failing health resigned the position three years before his death, although continuing in the re- lation of trustee. He was for forty years a director in the Mechanics Bank, which trust he held until his decease. He was officially con- nected with the Union Pacific Railway Company, the Boston Marine Society, the New England Insurance Company, and the Boston Board of Trade. He was a member of the Commercial Club, and had large interests in several railroad enterprises in the West. In his business relations Captain Nickerson, as a type of the substantial, genial, old merchants of Boston, won the esteem of his associates, who rewarded him with honor, while his life's work was crowned with a broad finan- cial success.

His school days were limited. In the forecastle and the "ship's

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

cabin he received his preparatory course, and the counting room was his Alma Mater, yet we find him making a place for himself among the business men of a great city, and occupying and adorning a high plane in the commercial and social relations of life. He was uni- versally beloved for his excellent traits of character, and the business world lost a master by his decease, the Unitarian church an important factor, and his family an indulgent and devoted husband and father.

Captain Nickerson was a son of David Nickerson of Brewster, and a descendant from William Nickerson, the first settler of Chatham, in his father's line, and from Governor Hinckley in his mother's. David Nickerson was twice married; first to Priscilla Snow, and their children were: David, Joseph, Jonathan S., Frederic, Thomas and Priscilla S. He married Eunice Freeman for his second wife.

Captain Frederic Nickerson was the fourth son, and married Ada- line T. Beck of Portsmouth, N. H., on the 23d of June, 1833. Their children were: Frederick W., Alfred A., Priscilla S., Adaline, and two others who died in infancy. The mother survived the captain several years, departing this life at Brewster in July, 1887. Of the four surviving children three reside in Boston, and one, Alfred A., is now in California. At the death of Captain Nickerson the several societies of which he was an honored member passed memorials of regret, and in his native town he was greatly lamented.

Eben W. Paine, jr., only son of Eben W. and Betsey (Snow) Paine, grandson of Eben and Thankful (White) Paine, and great-grandson of Ebenezer Paine, was born in 1837. He followed the sea in the merchant service from 1855 until 1886, and was master twenty-one years. Since 1886 he has been engaged in cranberry culture. His first wife was Laura A. Clark, who died leaving one daughter, Laura Isabel. His second wife was Mary F. Clark. His present wife is Mary Gorham. They have one son, Allen T.

Hiram D. Rowe, son of Moses and Sarah (Brown) Rowe, and grand- son of Jonathan Rowe, was born in 1828 in New Hampshire. He studied dentistry in Boston, where he practiced for three years, and since 1856 he has practiced in Brewster. He married Emily B., daughter of Barnabas and Sabia Paine, and granddaughter of Sylva- nus and Susan Paine. Their children are: William E., S. Walter, Emily, and Grace, who died in infancy. Sylvanus Walter Rowe mar- ried Clara Elizabeth, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Bird, of Fox- boro, Mass., March 23, 1887.

J. Henry Sears, born June S, 1831, is a son of Joseph H. and Olive (Bangs) Sears and grandson of Joseph, who was a direct descendant of Richard Sears. Mr. Sears was married in 1858 to Emily, daughter of Daniel Nickerson of Boston. Their children are: Alice May, Emily N. and Joseph H. Mr. Sears, ship master and ship owner in early life, is now commission merchant.

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TOWN OF BREWSTER.

Thomas D. Sears, son of Thomas and Elizabeth F. Sears, and grandson of Reuben Sears, was born in 1845. He has been a tinsmith since 1863, and since 1876 he has owned and operated a hardware store at Brewster. He was married to Asenath, daughter of Augustas Paine. They have one daughter. Alice F.

Zoeth Snow, born in 1825, is the only son of Zoeth and Sarah (Crosby) Snow, and grandson of Zoeth Snow. He is a blacksmith and wheelwright. He served nine months in the late war in Company E, Fifth Massachusetts Volunteers. He was two years in the legisla- ture. His first wife was Lucretia Crosby. His present wife was Re- becca A. Mayo. They have two children: Irene P. and Warren F.

Bartlett B. Winslow® (Benjamin', Deacon Josiah6, Nathan, Kenelm', Kenelm3, Kenelm2, Kenelm Winslow',) was born in 1829. He was thirty years engaged in mercantile trade in Brewster, and since 1SS4 has been engaged in cranberry culture. His first wife was Clarissa B. Fessenden, who died leaving to children: George B. (deceased) and Francis B. His second wife was Lydia E. Harwood, who died leaving one daughter, Lucy H. His present wife is Annie M., daughter of Dea. Barnard Freeman.

CHAPTER XXVII.

TOWN OF TRURO.

Exploration by the Pilgrims .- Proprietors of the Pamet Lands .- Incorporation of Truro .- Boundaries .- Natural Features .- King's Highway .- Pounds .- Industries. -The Wreck of the Somerset .- The Revolution .- Gale of 1841 .- Various Town Affairs .- Civil History .- Churches .- Burying Grounds,-Schools .- Villages .- Bio- graphical Sketches.

T HE territory comprised in this town was the home of the Pamets -a tribe of the Nauset nation. Its importance is advanced when the reader realizes that the Mayflower made her first anchorage within sight of its wooded hills, and that upon its diver- sified surface Miles Standish and his followers made their first explora- tions. November 15, 1620, after signing the compact in the cabin of the vessel, the captain, with fifteen men, went on shore, camping that night near Stout's creek, or perhaps nearer the Wading place where the eastern causeway now stands. The next morning they went to East harbor, marching around the Head of the meadow, and as their journal says "through boughs and bushes and under hills and valleys which tore our very armor in pieces." In this place they saw deer and found springs of fresh water, from which they refreshed them- selves. The spring now near the marsh, just north of the head of the meadow, is supposed to be the place where these Pilgrims'slaked their thirst. From East harbor they went to the valley now called North Truro, and at the south of this were the corn lands, embracing fifty acres, on the table land just west of the old burying ground. From here the Pilgrims went to the shore, thence to the mouth of Pamet river, on the north side, and then retraced their steps, halting at the pond in North Truro for the night.

On the morning of the 17th they went easterly to near where the present life saving station is, and here is where William Bradford, one of the company, was so suddenly caught up in the deer trap set by the Indians. A few days after their return to the Mayflower, the shallop containing in all thirty-four men, started for the mouth of Pamet river, up which the shallop went following the men who were on the shore, and spending the night in an improvised camp at or near where Rev. Noble subsequently lived. The next day the expe-

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dition, daunted by the hills and snow, returned to the mouth of the river where, on the north side, eighteen of the men encamped and the remainder returned to the vessel. The next day Longnook was traversed before the return to the Mayflower; and from the many favorable impressions received a council was called as to set- tling there. Reasons for and against the settling of the colony were given, but a decision to look further led the Pilgrims to Plymouth. Thus near did Tom's hill and Truro approach toward being the hal- lowed ground of New England. To one act of these explorers the Truro people can point with pride, because of the plentiful supply of grain, for upon these trips the Pilgrims took from pits or graves in the ground not only nice corn for their present needs, but their first seed corn: and this was done by them, intending to recompense the poor Indians with trinkets when they could make a better acquaintance. The territory thus trodden by the Pilgrim band was not settled as early as that nearer to Plymouth, and was really un- occupied until after the incorporation of Eastham, and then formed the seventh town of the county. The purchase and settlement of Eastham first called the attention of the pioneers to the body of land beyond the north bounds of what was known to the Pilgrims as Nauset, and at the time the northern bounds of the latter were being fixed by the settlers and Indians, the territory of Pamet was formally declared by the whites as belonging to them. The first settlers of Nauset were subsequently the original purchasers of Truro. As early as 1689 these proprietors purchased as much of the territory of Truro as the Indians would sell, and from the first these proprietors of Eastham resolved to control the sale of its lands, as was declared in a meeting of these men, at which Thomas Paine was made an agent to purchase of the Indians from time to time all the lands obtainable. In 1696, "ordered by the proprietors of Pamet lands, that henceforth there be no cordwood or timber cut upon any of the common or undivided land belonging to Pamet, to be carried off from said land " under a penalty of 15s. for every cord or proportionable for other timber-and payable to any proprietor who may sue therefor." The names of the proprietors who subscribed to this were: Jonathan Paine, Stephen Snow, Thomas Paine, Caleb Hopkins, Ephraim Doane, John Savage and Israel Cole. These meet- ings were held at Eastham, where as yet these original proprietors resided.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 102

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York : Blake Number of Pages: 1292

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292