History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 40

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 40

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).

Frederick Dimmick, born in 1836, is the oldest son of Frederick and grandson of David Dimmick. His mother was Mary Ann, daugh- ter of David Lawrence. He is a carpenter by trade. He built a large house at Cataumet in 1876, where he keeps summer. boarders and ac- commodates the traveling public. On the same site his grandfather, David Dimmick, kept a tavern for many years. He was married in 1866 to Tirzah, daughter of Vinal N. Hatch. They have two children: Lena F. (Mrs. Thomas A. Fuller) and Henry B. L.

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

Joseph Dimmock, son of David and Esther (Wing) Dimmock, was born in 1821. His grandfather was also named David. His wife, Sa- rah, who died May 10, 1889, was a daughter of Elnathan Wing and a granddaughter of Judah and Rebecca Wing. Judah, son of Nathaniel Wing, had fourteen children, and with his family lived on what was then called Wing's neck-now Wenaumet-where he died at the age of eighty. Captain Dimmock was married in 1849. His children are: George C., Henrietta G., Edward C. and J. Frank. He followed the sea about fifty years, being captain about half that time.

Cyrenius Eldridge, born in 1840, is a son of Cyrenius and grand- son of Samuel Eldridge. His mother was Huldah (Ellis) Eldridge. He was engaged in whale fishing sixteen years prior to 1873. He has been section master on the Old Colony railroad since 1883. He was married in 1864 to Mary L., daughter of George T. Gray. Their four children are: Almeda B., Clarence E., Cyrenius M. and An- drew G.

Horatio Eldridge, son of Cyrenius and Huldah (Ellis) Eldridge, was born in 1843. He was at sea for some years, then a section hand on the Old Colony railroad for about six years. Since 1SS4 he has been in the oyster business. He was married in 1867 to Emily F. Calhoon. She died in December, 1887, leaving six children: Walter L., Horatio W., Wilber C., Allen, Orrin and Helen F.

David W. O. Ellis® (David S.', Nathan', Elnathan3, Gideon", John',) was born in 1850. His mother was Esther Whiting. During the last seven years he has been engaged in the oyster and the cranberry business. He was married November 22. 1877, to Mary Corinna, daughter of James H. West.

James S. Ellis5 (James', Abiel', Gideon', John',) was born June 13, 1822, in Sandwich. His mother was Rebecca, daughter of Ebenezer Nye. He was educated in this county, and after being six years in the mercantile business here, he went to Boston, where he was in a mercantile business twenty eight years, fifteen years as clerk and thirteen as partner in the business. Retiring in 1879, he returned to Bourne, his present home. He was married in 1846 to Lucinda, daugh- ter of Esquire Benjamin Bourne.

Stillman R. Ellis, born in 1842, is a son of William and Martha (Rogers) Ellis and grandson of Nathaniel and Remember (Swift) Ellis. He followed the sea for ten years, but since 186S he has been employed by the Keith Manufacturing Company at Sagamore. He was married in 1864 to Lucy, daughter of George Gibbs. Their three daughters are: Corabelle, Lettie and Grace.

James C. Gibbs, born in 1832, is a son of Barnabas and Sarah (Blackwell) Gibbs and grandson of Ansel Gibbs. For the past twenty- five years he has been a farmer. Prior to that time he was a sailor.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

He was married in 1860 to Phobe A., daughter of Stephen Swift. They have two sons: Frank H. and Elmer L.

Paul C. Gibbs, born in 1832, is a son of Pelham, and he a son of Pelham Gibbs, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years. His mother was Mary, daughter of Paul Crowell. He has been a mariner since 1844, as master since 1855. He was married in 1855 to Maria E., daughter of Jesse Barlow. They have six children: Eleanor M., Albert C., Irving F., George F., Sarah F. and Fostina P.

William R. Gibbs7 (Russel®, Pelham", Barnabas', Barnabas3, John", born 1634. Thomas') was born in 1828. Pelham Gibbs was taken pris- oner in the war of 1812 and his ship and cargo confiscated. William's mother was Catharine, daughter of Levi Swift. Since 1856 he has been a farmer, mostly in the cranberry business. Prior to that time he was at sea about fifteen years. He has been justice for about fourteen years, and is a democrat. He was married in 1852 to Tempe', daughter of Thomas Swift3 (Clark', Thomas Swift'). They have four children: Katie R., Annie A., William R., jr., and G. Evelyn.

Josiah Godfrey, born in 1821, is a son of Josiah, whose father was Solomon Godfrey. His mother was Mary, a daughter of Nathaniel Wing. He has followed the sea since the age of eight years, and took charge of a vessel when sixteen years old. He was married in De- cember, 1843, to Abbie Dimmock, who died July 10, 1877. He was married March 9, 1879, to Phobe, a daughter of Solomon and Ann Kendrick.

Francis D. Handy, born 1826, and Sylvanus E. Handy, born in 1833, are two sons of Captain Luther B. and Lucinda (Witherell) Handy, and grandsons of Sylvanus and Susan (Price) Handy. Syl- vanus was a teacher of navigation and had besides Luther B., who was born in 1802, four other children: Calvin, twin brother of Luther B .; Charles, who inarried Sarah Wing; Thomas, who was drowned at sea in 1837; and Hannah, born 1800, who married Calvin Howard. Francis D. Handy is a blacksmith by trade, having worked at it about twenty years. He ran a meat and provision store in North- boro', Mass., for fifteen years prior to 1884. He has been tax col- lector for Bourne four years. He was married in 1850 to Adaline A., daughter of William Swift. They have two daughters: Cornelia and Genevieve. They lost two. Sylvanus E. Handy learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked sixteen years. He kept a store eight years at Cataumet prior to his retirement in 1882. He was married in 1859 to Cornelia L. Collins, and has one son, Harrie D. Handy. Other children of Captain Luther B. Handy were: Luther, who died young; Sarah W., who married Isaac W. Baker; Luther S., who married Susan Gibbs; John T., who married Elvira Gale; Wil- son B., who was drowned; and Charles H.

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

James T. Handy, born in 1842, is the youngest son of John and grandson of William Handy. His mother was Phoebe, daughter of Heman Nye. He was a whale fisherman from 1857 until 1882, and master of vessels from 1864 until 1SS2, since which time he has lived retired at Cataumet, where he has paid some attention to poultry raising. He was married in 1871 to Emma D., daughter of Captain Hiram Baker, who was lost at sea in 1860.

Henry T. Handy®, born in 1845, is the eldest son of Joshuas, who was the youngest son of William' (John3, John2, Richard Handy1). His mother was Dorothea C. Hathaway. He was twelve years a sailor, but since 1878 has been a farmer. He owns and occupies the old Handy homestead, which has been in the family about two hun- dred years. He was married in 1872 to Lydia P., daughter of Anson B. Ellis. They have six children: Herman P., Arthur H., Robert S., Anson B., Etta H. and Clifton H. They lost two in infancy.

Charles C. Hanley was born in 1851, in Lincoln county, Maine, and came to Barnstable county from Winchester. He ran a blacksmith and wagon shop until 1878, when he began to make boats and has fol- lowed this business since that time. He was married in 1877 to Deb- orah C., daughter of Isaac Stevens. They have one child, Sarah E., born in 1878. Mr. Hanley's father was Roger Hanley.

Benjamin B. Harlow, born in 1817 in Middleboro', is a son of Sam- uel and Hepze (Burgess) Harlow, and a grandson of Ezra Harlow. He came from Middleboro' to Sagamore in 1848, where he has been engaged with the Keith Manufacturing Company since that time. He was married January 14, 1864, to Mrs. Eleanor C. Gage, daughter of Anson Burgess. She had two children by her first marriage: Frank B. and Louise E. Mrs. Harlow died in 1874.

Persia B. Harmon, born in 1831 in Livermore, Maine, is a son of Nathaniel and grandson of Samuel Harmon. He is a farmer. He served about one year in the war of the rebellion in Company C., Eighteenth Massachusetts Volunteers. His wife is Lydia P., daugh- ter of Ellis Blackwell.

Joseph T. Hathaway, born in Plymouth in 1834, is a son of Joseph T. and Lucinda B. (Raymond) Hathaway and grandson of Jacob Hathaway. He enlisted in 1862, in the war of the rebellion, serving until 1866 as acting chief engineer in the naval service. He was mar- ried in 1859 to Emily D. Le Baron. They have two children: Joseph H. and Sarah T. Mr. Hathaway is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter of Hyannis, and Bay State Commandery of Brockton.

Albert Hawkins, son of William B. and Abbie Hawkins, was born in Smithfield, R. I., in 1830, and is a blacksmith by trade. He came from Pawtucket, R. I., to Pocasset, in 1877, where he has run a black- smith shop since that time. He was in the war of the rebellion from

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

June, 1861, to June, 1864, as blacksmith in Company A., First Rhode Island Light Artillery. He was married in May, 1858, to Abbie F. Northup. They had one daughter, Clara, who died in infancy.

Joseph S. Hewins, born in Pocasset, January 12, 1828, is a son of William Hewins. His mother was Love, daughter of William Handy. Mr. Hewins drove a stage from Bourne to Woods Holl for a number of years prior to 1872. From 1872 to 1879 he, with his brother carried on an express business from Boston to Marthas Vine- yard. Since 1879 he has kept a livery and sale stable at Buzzards Bay. He married Philomelia R., daughter of Erastus O. and Lydia (Jenkins) Parker. She died in 1879, leaving one daughter, Bertha L. Mr. Parker was born in 1810. He was a coasting sailor for some years. He was station agent at Bourne nineteen years, with the exception of four years, when his daughter Aurelia was the agent. He built a hotel at Buzzards Bay in 1872, which he and his daughter keep as the Parker House.

Charles F. Howard', born in 1827, is descended from Calvin', Cal- vin3, Jesse? (lieutenant in revolutionary war) and Barney Howard', who came from England and settled in Bridgewater, Mass. His mother was Hannah, daughter of Sylvanus Handy, mentioned above. Mr. Howard is a boot and shoe maker by trade, although his principal pursuit has been farming. He owns and occupies his father's home- stead. He was married in 1857 to Ann Louisa', daughter of Isaiah Fish3 (Isaiah2, John1). Mr. Howard is an Adventist in his religious faith.

Hon. EZRA COLEMAN HOWARD .- This well known and much respect ed, late citizen of Bourne, was the son of Calvin Howard, who married Hannah Handy and at his death left the widow and five children. The mother survived until 1887, alone rearing her family to useful- ness. Ezra C. Howard, the subject of this sketch and whose portrait accompanies it, was born in Pocasset, September 1, 1831. Left father- less before he wastwelve years old, with two of the family who were still younger, he could expect little from home except the wise coun- sels of a wise and devoted mother, to which he ever adhered.

At this tender age he evinced that energy and ambition that marked his after life, by going to the home of his grandfather, where he could attend school in the winter. Not content with the advan- tages given there, he applied himself assiduously to reading such his- tories, travels and biographies as the library of his grandfather af- forded. He thus acquired not only studious habits, but a knowledge beyond his years and beyond that usually obtained in the common schools.

While young he learned the trade of a moulder with his cousin, in Providence. He was subsequently foreman in a shop at Fairhaven,

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

but being ambitious to secure a wider field in which to exercise his business talent and mechanical skill, he came to Bournedale, then North Sandwich, and leased the foundry which he purchased the fol lowing year. He began the business in a small building near the site of the one previously burned, carefully advancing and building up the important works that now bear his name, and a very successful business, by which he secured a liberal estate. In the last years of his life he had associated with him his nephew, William A. Nye, who still continues the business.

In 1856 Mr. Howard married Carrie S. Dimmick, youngest daughter of Frederick Dimmick, and grand-daughter of David Dimmick, a fam- ily of revolutionary fame, who lived at Cataumet on the present site of the Bay View House. At her death in 1874, she left two daughters: Emma C., who married Nathan B. Hartford of Watertown, and Mary H., a student in Boston University. In 1876 Mr. Howard married Rhoda A., oldest daughter of Frederick Dimmick, who survives him. The final illness of Mr. Howard commenced at Bournedale in the au- tumn of 1SS4, terminating April 8, 1SS5, at the home of his daughter in Watertown, Mass.

The modesty, energy, industry and high moral character which marked his whole course through life have passed into history, form- ing a page in life's book that can never be effaced. He was active in local, state and national affairs, and during his life never lost the op- portunity of voting. He was elected by the republican party to repre- sent the First Barnstable district in the legislatures of 1871 and 1872; and as senator to represent the Island district in 1875 and 1876, which important trusts he filled with honor to himself and his constituents.

He was a trustee in the Wareham Savings Bank until nearly the time of his death. In the faith of his father he turned to the Metho- dist Episcopal church, and to this church his principal support was given. In his life work he had only reached the meridian, but he had laid the foundation of an enduring monument.

Alonzo S. Landers, born in 1850, is a son of Ezra B. and grandson of John Landers. He was at sea about ten years, and has been en- gaged in making cranberry bogs by contract for the last fifteen years. He was married in 1879 to Ella H., daughter of Thomas L. Greene. They have one son, Walter M. They lost three children. Mr. Lan- (lers is a member of the Cataumet Methodist Episcopal church.

David Landers, son of Joseph and Mary (Baker) Landers, was born in 1851, and is a carpenter by trade. He came from South Sandwich to Cataumet in 1877, where he has since lived. He was married in 1877 to Achsah Hallett. She died in 1SS1. He married, in Novem- ber, 1SS6, Mrs. Clara A. Hoxie, daughter of Oliver C. Wing. They have one son, Albert E.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Seth S. Maxim, son of Thomas and grandson of Jabez Maxim, was born in South Carver, Mass., in 1822, and is a stone mason by trade. He came from South Carver to Bourne in 1847. He was married in 1846 to Joanna H. Blackwell, who died in January, 1887.

DAVID D. NYE .- Among the prominent representative men of tie town of Bourne, David D. Nye, of Cataumet (formerly South Pocasset), is entitled to a high position. As the descendant of a long line of worthy ancestors, whose virtues have been transmitted, he worthily bears this old family name, which has been revered in church and state for more than two hundred years. He is the youngest son and child of Captain Ebenezer and Syrena (Dimmick) Nye, and was born November 29, 1833, in that part of the town where he now resides. On the 10th of July, 1889, his father, Captain Ebenezer, celebrated his ninetieth birthday, surviving his wife since September 20, 1872, they having reared to manhood and womanhood eight children: Angelina of Fairhaven, who is the widow of Frederick Keith; Ebene- zer F., who, as master of the bark Mt. Wallaston, sailed into the Arc- tic seas, and of whom no tidings have ever been heard; William F., who is a successful oil merchant of New Bedford; Ephraim B., who, while second lieutenant of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Battery, was killed at Petersburg, Va., March 20, 1865; Albert G., Syrena M. and Mercy D., who are residents of California; and David D., the subject of the accompanying portrait.

David D. received his education in the public schools of Sandwich, and early in life accompanied his brother, Ebenezer F., on a whaling voyage. He was then engaged in the fruit business for eight years in New Bedford, with his brothers, William F. and Ephraim B., since which time he has been occupied in farming. He was married July 30, 1862, to Hannah T., daughter of Josiah and Sophia N. Curtis. Their adopted son, David W., was born May 12, 1874. Mrs. Nye died on the 6th of January, 1888, and on the 4th of the following October Mr. Nye married Mrs. Esther F. Dennis of Sandwich.

Before the town of Sandwich was divided, he, in 1875, was elected overseer of the poor, and in 1879 was elected selectman of the town, which offices, with that of assessor, he satisfactorily filled until the spring of 1884, when the town of Bourne was erected. In the new town he was at once elected to the same responsible offices, which he has since filled, and since 1884 he has been chairman of the selectmen of Bourne. He also has been appointed a justice of the peace and a notary public, enjoying the entire confidence of his townsmen in the ability and integrity required for these multiplied duties. His prin- ciples have led him to affiliate with the republican party, and he is at the head of the town government to-day, and one of its standard- bearers.

yours Respectfully David D. Nye

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

For twenty-seven years he has been a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church of his village, assisting in its advancement by his presence and means. His good judgment is often sought in the set- tlement of entangled estates, in the probate court and in the school affairs of his town, for which his thorough knowledge of the business forms and his sense of right peculiarly fit him. The cheerfulness with which he assumes these tasks, and the impartiality of his acts, reveal the underlying principles of his character. In the meridian of his life, within sight of his birth-place, he resides in his beautiful rural home, which commands a view of one of the prettiest landscapes on the east shore of Buzzards bay.

Nathan Nye, born in 1828, is a son of Daniel B. and grandson of Nathan Nye. His mother was Achsah, daughter of Joseph Swift. He was engaged in the Arctic whale fishing eighteen years. He owns and occupies the farm at Sagamore, where his father lived from 1813 until his death. He was collector in Sandwich several years, and col- lector and treasurer two years in the new town of Bourne. He has been selectman three years. He was married in 1855 to Ellen S., daughter of Walter Richards. Their nine children are: Walter E. R., Nathan M., William E., Henry S., Joseph B., Daniel B., Alfred G., Ellen R. and Susie A. R. They lost one in infancy.

WILLIAM E. PACKARD .- The ancestral line of this family has de- scended from Samuel Packard, who came to this continent in 1638, and from him all of that name in America have descended. Some time in the last century Elijah Packard, a descendant of Samuel, came to the Cape, settling in the present town of Bourne, and was a promi- nent farmer by occupation. Benjamin was the oldest of his four chil- dren, and he also was a farmer. He lived and died in Bourne. He married Mary, daughter of Jedediah Young of Orleans, and their chil- dren were: Benjamin, Isaac, Joseph, Alpheus, William E. and four daughters.

William E. Packard is the only survivor of this family. He was born November 6, 1824, and passed his boyhood on the home farm, receiving the advantages of the common schools of that day. On his arrival at the age of twenty-one, he read medicine with Dr. John Harper of Sandwich, for two years, and when twenty-four years old went to Agawam, where for three years he was engaged in the Iron Works, but retaining his residence at Bourne. He married Thankful A., daughter of Dean S. Leinnell, on the 30th of March, 1848; Mr. Lein- nell was then a resident of Wareham. This union was blessed with four children: Flora A., born June 6, 1849; a son, in 1852, who died young; Mary I., born May 26, 1853; and William E., jr., born June 24, 1856. Of these children only one survives. Flora A., in 1869, married Cap- tain William T. Barlow, and died the same year. Mary I., in August,

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

1SS0, married Walton E. Keene of Bourne, and has two daughters- Flora A., born 1882; and Annie C., born 1SSS.

William E. Packard, the last of his father's group of nine children, is now in the meridian of life, and quietly enjoys the fruits of his labor upon the home farm, at the head of the bay, in one of the most roman- tic spots in the county. He was not content with the small farm of his father, but has added thereto until he can look out over two hundred acres of his own. He has a fine cranberry meadow, which he has had under cultivation since 1864 with the most gratifying results. Mr. Packard inherited the principles of the Methodist religion, and to this society his support has been given. He has always kept himself aloof from political intrigues, declining any active part, but is keenly alive to the best interests of the body politic, and in his unassuming man- ner contributes to its conduct. The competence which he is to enjoy in his declining years, is the result of that well directed purpose of his life, of which the underlying principles are industry, economy and a due respect for the rights and welfare of his neighbors.

Andrew F. Perry, born in 1823, is a son of Rev. Heman and grand- son of John Perry. His mother was Mary, daughter of (Miller) John Perry. He was a sea-faring man for about thirty years. Since 1868 he has driven a grocery wagon, and since 1884 has made a specialty of tea and coffee. He was married in 1850 to Martha W., daughter of Rufus Ellis. They have four children: Rufus E., Francis F., Alfred L. and Warren A. They have lost two sons and one daughter. Mr. Perry is a member of the Bourne Methodist Episcopal church.

Davis Perry, born in 1818 in Pawtucket, R. I., is a son of Jabez and Mercy (Phinney) Perry and a grandson of Arthur Perry. He came to Bourne from Rhode Island in 1852. He is a blacksmith by trade, and runs a shop in the village of Bourne. He was married in 1848 to Betsey E., daughter of Robert Ryder. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Sandwich.

George W. Perry was born in 1844. His ancestors were Thomas C. Perry®, Arthur', John6, Silas', John', John3, Ezra"; and John Perry1, who came to this country from England in 1630; and it appears that he had a brother Edward, who came to the town of Sandwich with him in about 1637. It is probable that all the families bearing the name on the Cape are descendants of these two brothers. Mr. Perry's mother was Hannah Ellis. Mr. Perry was a sailor for thirteen years. Since 1878 he has been a carpenter and builder. He was married in 1877 to Maria Mclaughlin. They have one daughter, Fannie M. Mr. Perry is a republican.

Silas Perry, born in 1828, is the youngest son of Silas and Rebecca (Ellis) Perry. His grandfather, John, was a son of John Perry. He was for twenty-five years in a nail factory in Wareham, but for the

William E. Packard

PRINT, E. BIERSTADT, N. Y.

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

last few years he has been engaged in boating and the oyster business at Monument Beach. He was married in 1855 to Olive L. Phinney. Their three children are: John F., Harry E. and Wallace J. Mr. Perry is a prohibitionist.

William E. Perry, born in 1845, is a son of Caleb and Elizabeth (Henley) Perry. His grandfather was Caleb, son of Caleb Perry. He was several years a seafaring man, after which, he was for fif- teen years employed in the Bay State Straw Works, of Middleboro'. In 1884 he returned to Monument Beach, where he built and ran a summer hotel three years. He has been engaged in the oyster business since 1884. He was married in 1872 to Marion L. Smith. They have two daughters: Bertha and Evelyn. Mr. Perry is a mem- ber of Bourne Methodist Episcopal church.

Abram Phinney, born in 1824, is a son of Jabez and grandson of John Phinney. His mother was Hannah, daughter of John Perry. He was a sailor from eleven years of age until 1876. He was married in 1853 to Lucinda E., daughter of Perez Burgess. They have two sons: Perez H. and Roswell B., who are both married. Perez H. has been postmaster at Monument Beach since 1878, and station agent since 1883.

George E. Phinney, born in 1833, is a son of George O., grandson of Edward and great-grandson of John Phinney. His mother was Betsey A., daughter of Jesse Fisher. He has been boating and in the oyster business for the last fifteen years. He was married in May, 1858, to Mary H. Littel. Their four living children are: George A., Amelda M., William W. and Birdella.

Jesse F. Phinney, born in 1840, is a son of Jabez, grandson of Jabez and great-grandson of John Phinney. His mother, Jane F., is a daughter of Jesse and granddaughter of John Fisher. He is one of eight children, of whom Jesse F., Sarah J., Nancy H. and Charles Henry are living; Charles H., an elder brother, was drowned June 10, 1859, aged twenty years, in Long Island sound, from the schooner Hume, of which he was first mate, his father being captain; Amelda A., wife of Cap- tain E. H. Tobey, died from yellow fever, on the homeward passage from Rio to Baltimore, March 28, 1876, aged twenty-nine years; Jabez N. died in New Orleans, November 23, 1876, aged thirty-three years; and Charles H. died in infancy. Jesse F. followed the sea for thirty years prior to 1883; being master of coasting schooners from 1868 to 1883; since then he has been in the oyster business. He was married in 1865 to Augusta E. Baldwin, who died in 1869, leaving two chil- dren: Augustus N. and Sadie E. He was married in 1871 to Mary E. Perry.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 40

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