History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 34

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 34

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In 1720 John Rogers was employed to teach, but at what wages is not known; nor can any historian speak of his qualifications for the important position.

In 1724 Major Bourne was appointed-"to answer for the town at Barnstable court, to the presentment for not having a school-master approbated according to law." Mr. Rogers continued teaching for many years at the annual sum of £20 and " board round; " but as late as 1751 James Otis, Esq., lodged a complaint against the town "for not being provided with a schoolmaster according to law." Agents were chosen by the town to answer this charge at the general sessions at Barnstable, and it is evident that the law in the premises was en- forced, for in 1752 Silas Tupper who was engaged by the town for the sum of £26, 13s., 4d. and board, is recorded as a teacher "according to law." He remained twenty-five years in the service of the town, teaching alternate terms at Sandwich village and Scusset.

In 1778 the excitement and burdens consequent upon the war caused a neglect of the schools and a failure to provide funds for their support. More schools were required at the beginning of the present century, but the teachers' names are not recorded. The amount of money appropriated annually by the town has steadily in- creased, being $500 in 1810, $1,200 in 1829, $2,180 in 1842, and $9,000 in

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1876. The first year after division from Bourne, $5,100 was appropri- ated, and in 1889, $5,600.

Rev. Jonathan Burr, in 1803, while in charge of the church at Sandwich, urged the establishment of an academy for the purpose of promoting education and piety amoung the youth. In response to a large petition Sandwich Academy was incorporated February 21, 1804, and Rev. Mr. Burr became its principal. A board of eighteen trustees was elected, eight of whom were residents of Sandwich and ten were chosen from adjoining towns. A grant of six square miles of land in the district of Maine was made by the legislature for the use of the academy, provided that the sum of $3,000 be actually raised and secured by its friends for its endowment. It was a useful institu- tion, rising to a high standard among similar schools in New England. Mr. Burr was succeeded by Elisha Clapp, A.M., assisted by Miss Bath- sheba Whitman as preceptress. Before the close of the first decade of the academy religious dissensions caused its decline in usefulness and importance. Its incorporation and name have been perpetuated by an election of trustees annually.

Many years ago the school committee of Sandwich hired the prop- erty for a high school which has continued its existence. In 1881 the academy building was sold by the trustees to Susan McFarland, and is now occupied as a boarding house. From the sale of the building here and the lands in Maine, a more suitable building was erected which is now occupied by the high school of the town. This school has attained a high standard and to its excellence the efficiency of the other schools of the town is largely due. In 1882 a class of thirty-six pupils were examined for admission to the high school, twenty-four of whom were admitted after a rigid examination; but in a similar ex- amination a few years before only two out of eighteen could be ad- mitted. The benefit of this high school is also clearly demonstrated in the fact that in recent years a large portion of its graduates have been engaged as teachers of the first grade. The scholars have been held to a high plane of excellence in order to be admitted, which fact has created the habits of application and a more thorough prepara- tion in the lower departments, thus strengthening the interest in and benefits from the entire system.

In 1862 the schools were placed under the town's care, called the Massachusetts system, abolishing that of districts, and from this date their progress was more rapid. The school houses were lessened in number, better teachers were employed, and the schools rapidly ad- vanced in attendance and standing. In his report of 1874-75, Charles Dillingham suggested that the town avail itself of the law providing for the conveyance of pupils to and from public schools, which was done. In 1876 the custom of a rigid examination at the close of every

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term was inaugurated, which proved eminently successful in advanc- ing the grade by inducing greater care and industry on the part of the pupil as well as teacher. In 1877 Sandwich was third in the county in the value of its school property, a commendable liberality that has produced its reward. A list of meritorious scholars was next printed in the reports of the schools of the town, which fact was another in- centive to regular attendance and proper industry. The adoption of by-laws in accordance with the statute regarding truant children, was also a help to the advancement of the schools. The town elected of- ficers for the enforcement of these laws. The superintendent of schools had given a large share of his time to the schools while they were in session for the past few years: apparatus had been purchased and other and better text books placed in the hands of the pupils, and in 1886 the schools were found by comparison, as reported by George H. Martin of the state board, to be on a higher plane of excellence than most of the towns of the county and equal to the best. The printed list of meritorious scholars, given for 1883 by the superintend- ent, forms an army of young soldiers struggling for an education, and strongly supported by parents and school officers. The erection of the town of Bourne in 1884 reduced the number of schools to nine, the village school having three departments and the Jarvisville two. Free text books were supplied by the town the same year, and under the laws of 1885, text books and charts on physiology were added.

SOCIETIES .- De Witt Clinton Lodge, A. F. and A. M., was given a dispensation under which it worked one year with Thomas R. Borden as master. The charter was received March 16, 1856, and the charter members were: William E. Boyden, Rev. Thomas R. Borden, Rev. J. G. Forman, Charles B. Hall, Dr. John Harper, Seth F. Nye, John W. Pope, and Bazillia Sears. The masters have been: Rev. John R. Bor- den, 1856; Dr. John Harper, 1857-59; for the years 1860-62 the record was burned; W. H. F. Burbank, 1863-65; A. F. Sherman, 1866-67; C. B. Hall, 1868-69; I. T. Jones, 1870-71; W. C. Spring, 1872-73; A. F. Sherman, 1874-76; W. A. Nye, 1877-78; D. F. Chessman, 1879-80; F. W. Holway, 1881-83 and 1890; J. F. Knowles, 1886; C. M. Thompson, 1887; C. T. C. Whitcomb, 1888; Dr. G. E. White, 1884-85 and 1889. The Lodge numbered 55 members in 1889. The treasurer for 1890 is Willard E. Boyden, and the secretary Ambrose E. Pratt.

The Cape Cod Mutual Benefit Association was instituted February 7, 1879, for mutual life insurance, and has a large number of benefici- aries. Charles Dillingham was elected its first president and I. K. Chipman vice-president, which offices they were chosen to fill each year after, including 1889. Charles H. Lapham was chosen secretary and treasurer at the meeting of February, 1889.

The Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 1358, was instituted February 3,

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1879, and their tenth anniversary was celebrated on that date of the past year. The charter members were thirteen in number, and the Lodge now embraces a large number of the best citizens of the town. Its dictators have been: A. F. Sherman, 1879; F. S. Pope, 1880; S. R. Bourne, 1881; S. W. Hunt, 1882; P. T. Brown, 1883; F. W. Holway, 1884; E. G. Hamlen, 1885; J. H. Stevens, 1886; F. W. Holway, 1887; and B. F. Chamberlain, 18SS-89.

A flourishing G. A. R. Post. Charles Chipman No. 132, is also found here, organized February 24. 1882, and meeting in Hunt's Hall. It has seventy members. S. W. Hunt has filled the post of commander dur- ing the years 1882-83-85 and 86; Jolin F. Cunningham for 1884; and William C. Gifford for 1SS7-88-89.

The Women's Relief Corps is an organization to assist the G. A. R .. and meets the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The or- ganization was effected June 23, 1887.

The ladies have also the usual W. C. T. U., organized March 18, 1887, of which Mrs. Mercy Littlefield was two years president. The officers elected for 1889 were; Miss Lydia Jenkins, pres .; Mrs. Fletcher Clark, vice-pres .; Della R. Baker, sec .; and Mrs. Vina Blackwell, treas.

The village has three halls for public use, the principal one being the Casino on School street, built in 1884 by ten men. It is a very large and pleasant hall, accommodating an audience of eight hun- dred. The front offices are occupied by the engineer and treasurer of the Cape Cod Canal Company. The others are Carlton Hall on Jarvis street, and Hunt's over Benjamin G. Bartley's store.

The only library of the village is the Circulating Library of Fred- erick S. Pope, in the same building with the post office.

The first station agent of the Old Colony railroad was Captain George Atkins, who in 1859 at his death was succeeded by his son, Thomas Atkins; Alvin P. Wing succeeded him a short term, and March 13, 1876, James D. Lloyd, the present agent, was appointed.

CEMETERIES .- The records of the proprietors designated these places of the dead as burial places. The first mentioned by the rec- ords is July 6, 1663, when it was ordered "that the little neck of land that lies by Wm. Newland's house shall be appropriated as a burial place for the town." This is known as the old burying ground, par- tially surrounded by the ponds in Sandwich village. In 1695 "The town did give to those of their neighbors, called Quakers, half an acre of ground for a burial place, on the hill above the Canoe Swamp between the ways." This is now the Friends' burying ground and near it the present one is located. All grounds are now kept in bet- ter order and with more reverence than by the proprietors themselves, for in 1715 by a vote, Mr. Cotton, the minister, had the privilege of pasturing his horse in the burying place by the pond, if he would

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fence it by joining each end of the fence to the pond. It has now a substantial wall where the fence was.

The Catholics have a small cemetery northeast of the village, and have more recently purchased land for another to the southwest. The Plowed Neck Cemetery in the eastern part of the town and the Wing. Spring Hill or Chipman, are also names given to another old burying ground; at Sand Hill (by some called Plain Hill), Farmersville, formerly Hog Pond; and Greenville or Forestdale, are others. There is also a small one at Wakeby.

As early as 1829 the Freeman Cemetery was used for burial, and was incorporated April 13, 1889. The trustees elected were Watson Freeman, C. I. Gibbs, and George F. Lapham; the clerk elected was William L. Nye.

Bay View Cemetery was incorporated June 23, 1868, and contains over six acres of land situated near the Freeman Cemetery. The origi- nal purchasers were W. H. F. Burbank, H. G. O. Ellis, John C. C. Ellis, Samuel Fessenden, S. W. Hunt, James M. Atherton, Seth O. Ellis, James D. Lloyd, James H. Faunce, Samuel C. Burbank, and Charles E. Pope. W. H. F. Burbank was president until March 12, 1889, when Samuel Fessenden was elected; Charles Dillingham was elected vice-president; and Charles E. Pope, who has served since the incorporation, was elected secretary.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

David Armstrong was born in 1827, in Ireland, of Scotch parentage. He came to the United States in 1849, and four years later to Sand- wich, where he has been a farmer since that time. In 1870 he was married to Mrs. Maria Stiff, daughter of George and Lucy (Smallwood) Parker, and grand-daughter of David Parker, Mr. Armstrong is a member of the West Barnstable Congregational church and a mem- ber of East Sandwich Grange, P. of H.

Robert Armstrong was born in 1830, in Ireland, and is a brother of David Armstrong mentioned above. He came to America in 1851, and two years later to Sandwich, where he has since been a farmer, with the exception of six years spent in the West. In 1861 he was married to Dorcas W., daughter of Solomon and Charity (Allen) Hoxie. They have four children: John A., Robert F., George A. and David L. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the East Sandwich Grange, P. of H., and a member of the Episcopal church.

Thomas F. Atkins, born in 1832, is a son of George6, William', James3, John', James Atkins'. His mother was Paulina, daughter of Thomas Freeman. Mr. Atkins has been employed by the Cape Cod and Old Colony Railroad Company since 1850, and since 1871 has been

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a conductor. He was married to Almeda A. La Baron. They have had four children, two of whom are living-George and William.

Benjamin G. Bartley, youngest son of Robert and Nancy F. Bart- ley, was born in 1857 and was educated in the public schools of Sand- wich. He taught school four years, and since 1880 has been a dry goods merchant in Sandwich. He was married October 3, 18SS, to Miss C. T. Newcomb. He is a member of the Unitarian church of Sandwich.

Joseph S. Bassett, born in 1822 in Cayuga county, New York, is the youngest son of Thomas, and grandson of William Bassett. His mother was Abbie, daughter of Joseph and Annie (Freeman) Swift. When a lad he came from New York to Sandwich, where he has been engaged as glass cutter for many years. He was married in 1848, to Abbie V., daughter of Walter W. and Zebiah G. (Bird) Richards. They have had two daughters-Carrie M. and Josephine Z., of whom the latter died September 25, 1875.

Davis A. Blake, son of Sabin Blake, was born in 1815 in Walpole, Mass, He was engaged in whale fishing about twenty-eight years prior to 1865, residing in Fall River and sailing latterly from New Bedford. He removed to Sandwich in 1875, where he has since lived. He was married in 1867, to Leslie P. Horton, and has one son, Robert D. Blake.

WILLIAM E. BOYDEN .- Mr. Boyden will be well remembered in the affairs of the county, and as one of the present century who greatly assisted in the development of various institutions that have proven benefits to his fellow-beings. He was the son of Spencer Boyden of Walpole, Mass., where he was born April 29, 1807. He was one of four children, and passed his boyhood in the usual routine, on his father's farm, with an occasional respite in burning a pit of charcoal for the Boston market. His ambitious nature sent him out from the home of his childhood, and when he was a mere boy he was a trusted employee in Mr. Drew's line of stages and express, then running be- tween Boston and Providence. In 1822, when a line of stages between Plymouth and Sandwich was established, Mr. Boyden moved to Sand- wich. He was an active, persevering young man, making daily trips from Sandwich to Plymouth and return. This he did as proprietor, for a period of twenty-six consecutive years without a week day that he was not engaged on the route. The present Central Hotel, of Sand- wich, was the Cape terminus of the line, and from there started the Falmouth, Yarmouth and south-side stages, in which Mr. Boyden was more or less interested. He drove four horses, to one of those old- fashioned coaches, and it was a characteristic of his to be on his sched- ule time if human device or energy could prevail. Once on his way to Plymouth he was snow-bound at Cook's hill and could proceed no

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further with his coach, but with his usual zeal he provided for his passengers, tied the mails to his horses' backs, placed the four horses in a single line and forced liis way. This particular coach remained under the snow ten days. Mr. Boyden was necessary to the success of this line, and for the period ending with the advent of the railroad was a strong factor in the welfare and development of the Cape. It is said that on the day preceding a Thanksgiving, he brought in thir- teen coaches filled with passengers.

In the height of his prosperity he married Hannah R. Hatch of Falmouth, December 9, 1832. Their children were: Willard E., the successor of his father's express business; Robert R., deceased; and Rebecca M., now residing with Willard E.

The Plymouth line was discontinued when the railroad was opened to Wareham, and an express line was formed to Wareham by Mr. Boyden and Mr. Witherell, called the "Witherell & Co. Express." After the death of Mr. Witherell, Mr. N. B. Burt was taken as partner, and this line was called the Cape Cod Express Company, doing a suc- cessful and increasing business by stage until the completion of the railroad to Yarmouth. Soon the business was transferred to the rail- road, and Rufus Smith becoming a partner, the express business was continued along the Cape. In 1879, after the death of William E. Boyden, this company was consolidated with the New York & Boston Dispatch Express Company, of which Willard E. Boyden has since been the agent at Sandwich.

William E. Boyden was very liberal in his religious views, and was the treasurer of the Universalist church of Sandwich, during its exist- ence. In all charitable enterprises he was among the first. As re- vealing his sympathetic nature, an incident related by the venerable Paul Wing will be remembered. Mr. Boyden, among others, was called upon to aid a needy woman, to which call he at once responded, but wishing to hear the details, her story was told while he listened with tears running down his cheeks. He was identified with every improvement of his town, and was actively engaged in public affairs. His political views, always democratic, were marked by a firmness which was known and respected. In 1836 the result of the presiden- tial election between whig and democrat was yet undecided, when a crowd of both parties assembled at the tavern to await the news by Mr. Boyden's stage. He soon came swinging around the bend by the Unitarian church, but the peculiar ring of his whip as he menaced his four grays, caused the whigs to turn and say, "No good news for us." A few years prior to his death a colored man approached him for aid, and he told him to go to his republican friends, get all he could, return, and he would give as much as all of them-and he did.

He was the treasurer of DeWitt Clinton Lodge from its organiza-

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tion to his death, and Willard E. has been his only successor. Mr. Boyden was ever upright, and greatly respected for his outspoken manliness. He died May 1, 1879, greatly missed. After his death memoranda were found, showing of many thousand of dollars given and loaned to needy friends. He was just and generous, and has left his goodness engraven on the memories of his fellow-men, where it will be more lasting than on stone.

Peleg T. Brown, born September 24, 1836, in Scituate, Mass .. is a son of John and Clarrisa Brown. He is a tack maker by trade. He came to Sandwich in 1869. He has been tax collector for the town four years. He was in the war of the rebellion, serving in Company B, Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, from 1862 to 1865. In 1858 he was married to Jane H. Sherman, who died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Mary L. In 1880 he was married to Vesta M., daughter of Ansel Tobey. Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the Sandwich Methodist Episcopal church.

William H. F. Burbank was born in 1827, and died at Sandwich, September 18, 1876. He was a son of Samuel Burbank, and his wife Louisa C., daughter of Deacon Ebenezer Crocker. Mr. Burbank was a hardware merchant at Sandwich for many years previous to his death. He was a member of DeWitt Clinton Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In 1848 he was married to Helen M. Winsor, who died in 1868. They had eight children. four of whom are living: Helen M., William H., George E. and Frank C. Mr. Burbank was married in 1869 to Fanny L., daughter of Freeman and Temperance (Hatch) Robinson.

Frank H. Burgess, born in 1843, is the oldest son of Charles H. and grandson of Perez Burgess. His mother was Ann S. Nye. He has been in mercantile business at Sandwich since 1861, has been town clerk and treasurer since March, 1887, and was elected selectman in 1889. He was married in 1866 to Arabella Eldred, and they have two adopted daughters-Ambrosetta B. and May G. Mr. Burgess is a republican.

Rev. Hiram Carleton, D.D., was born in 1811 in Barre, Vermont. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all named Jere- miah. The latter was a son of Joseph, whose father Lieutenant John, was a son of Edward Carleton, Esq. His early education was received in his native town; he was graduated from Middlebury College (Ver- mont) in 1833, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1837, since which time he has preached almost continuously. In 1881 he retired to East Sandwich, where he has held religious services in his resi- dence since that time. He was married in 1838 to Mary J. Fisher. Their only son, John F., was born in 1857, was educated in Noble's private school of Boston, and at Harvard College, graduating in 1881, since which time he has been a farmer at East Sandwich. He was

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married in 1885, to Isabel A. Foxcroft, and has two daughters-Cathe- rine Foxcroft and Mary. Mr. Carleton is a member of East Sandwich Grange, P. of H.

Benjamin F. Chamberlain, son of Colonel Ebenezer and Hannah (Foster) Chamberlain, was born in 1838. He was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1862, to July, 1865, serving in Company I. Fortieth Massachusetts Volunteers. He has been engaged in the gro- cery business at Sandwich since 1866. He was elected selectman in 1889. In 1869 he was married to Laurany H., daughter of Joseph Perry. They have two sons-Charles F. and Walter C. Mr. Cham- berlain is a republican, and a member of Charles Chipman Post, No. 132, G. A. R.

Charles Chipman was born in 1829, and was killed August 8, 1864, in front of Petersburg. He served in the regular army as sergeant, and in April, 1861, enlisted in the war of the rebellion. May 6th of that year he was chosen captain of Company D, Twenty-ninth Massa- chusetts Volunteers, and on the 18th of May started with the first vol- unteers from Cape Cod, for the seat of war. After seven months' serv- ice he was made major of the Twenty-ninth, and at the time of his death was in command of the Fourteenth New York Heavy Artillery. The Grand Army Post of Sandwich very appropriately bears the name of one of Sandwich's bravest heroes. Mr. Chipman was married October 15, 1854, to Elizabeth F., daughter of Captain Isaac and Eliza- beth (Freeman) Gibbs. They had two children-Edward, who died, and Sarah.

Stephen S. Chipman, born in 1834, is a son of Stephen S. and a grandson of Stephen Chipman. His mother was Temperance N., daughter of Jonathan Fish. Mr. Chipman is a farmer, and has been superintendent of highways eleven years in Sandwich. He was mar- ried in 1859 to Emily L. Allen, and has two daughters-Charlotte M. and Estelle D. He is a member of the Unitarian church of Sandwich.

William C. Chipman' was born in 1822. His father was Samuel (John5, Timothy', Samuel3, Samuel', John1), and his mother was Nancy Churchill. His ancestor John Chipman', came from England in 1630 and married Hope, daughter of John Howland, one of the Pilgrims. Mr. Chipman is a carpenter by trade. He was married in 1849 to Love . E. Nye, who died in 1852, leaving one son-James. In 1864 Mr. Chip- man was married to Elizabeth S. Underwood, by whom he has four children: Grace E., Herbert L., Emily F. and William C., jr. Mr. Chipman is a prohibitionist, and a member of the Sandwich Methodist Episcopal church.

Fletcher Clark, born in 1853 in Middleboro, Mass., is a son of Robert C., whose father John was a son of Nathaniel Clark. His mother is Hannah Hooper. Mr. Clark has been engaged in the grocery business

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at Sandwich since 1875. He was married in 1881 to Emma W. Greg- ory, who died in 1885, leaving one daughter, Eva H. He was married in 1887 to Elizabeth Emerson.

James W. Crocker, born in 1827 in West Barnstable. is a son of William and Sarah (Howland) Crocker, and grandson of Ephraim Crocker. He is a carpenter by trade, but for the past thirty-five years has kept a fruit, confectionery and oyster store at Sandwich. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth, daughter of Timothy Swinerton. They have two daughters-Carrie and Sarah.

Rev. Loranus Crowell. D.D., for many years an esteemed elder of the Methodist Episcopal church, was appointed in 1840 principal of the Spring Hill Seminary, Sandwich, and held that position for four years. Doctor Crowell married, in 1843, Elizabeth Ann Fuller, of Sandwich.

Charles Dillingham®, born in 1821, is descended from Simeon', Branch®, John', Simeon', Edward3, Henry?, Edward Dillingham', who came from Leicestershire, England, to Lynn, Mass., and from there in 1637 to Sandwich, being one of the original proprietors. The mother of Mr. Dillingham was Lucy Tobey. The subject of this sketch was senator from this district two terms in 1861 and 1862; mem- ber of the house two terms, 1886 and 1887; has been on the school committee twenty-seven years, and sixteen years school superintend- ent; in March, 1890, was elected selectman for the fifteenth year. He was married in 1845 to Isabella Gibbs who died in 1881, leaving three children: Nannie G., now deceased, Lucy T. and Alfred E., who was married in January, 1890, to Isabella Anne, daughter of the late Rev. Frederick Freeman of Sandwich. Mr. Dillingham is a republi- .can and a member of the First (Unitarian) church of Sandwich.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 34

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