History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 41

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 41

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).

John B. Phinney® (Heman', Jabez®, John3, Jabez", John3, John2, John',) was born in 1850. His mother was Abigail (Bourne) Phinney. Of her

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

eight children, only Elizabeth V., Abbie F. and John B. are living. John B. is a farmer. He was married in 1877 to Abbie R. Childs. They have two sons: Roswell O. and James W.

Levi L. Phinney, born in 1845, is a son of Levi and grandson of Levi Phinney. His mother was Achsah, daughter of Alvan Wing. Mr. Phinney is a farmer on his father's homestead. He was married in 1871 to Harriet L. Kendrick. They have three children: Ada L., Roland S. and Austin D. Mr. Phinney is a member of the Catauinet Methodist Episcopal church.

Sylvester O. Phinney, son of George O., grandson of Edward and great-grandson of John Phinney, was born in 1841. His mother was Betsey A. (Fisher) Phinney. He was a sailor for about twenty-five years, and for the last ten years has been farming and boating. He was married in 1869 to Abbie F. Phinney, sister of John B. Their children are: H. Chester, I. Herbert and Geraldine.

Asa Raymond, born in 1817, is a son of Asa and grandson of Eb- enezer Raymond. He has been a merchant for forty-five years, and was postmaster at Pocasset twenty-six years prior to April 1, 1888. He was married in 1840 to Eliza A. Lumbert. Their children are: Ellen F., Mercy A., William H., Melissa, Lucy E., Lewis C., Adaline, Albert A. and Cora B.

Edmund B. Robinson, son of Moses Robinson, was born in 1831 in Maine. At the age of thirteen he removed to Wellfleet, Mass., where he was a fisherman and sailor until 1877, when he removed to Catatt- met, and has been engaged in the oyster business there since that time. He was in the war of the rebellion eleven months, in Company C, Forty-third Massachusetts Volunteers. His wife was Mary Dun- ning. Their two sons are: Edmund B., jr., and George W.

Stillman S. Ryder, born in 1830, is a son of Robert and a grandson of Robert Ryder. His mother was Jane, daughter of Thomas Gibbs. He is a farmer and fisherman. He has been a member of the school committee ten years. He was married in 1851 to Cordelia F., daugh- ter of Phineas and Elizabeth (Bourne) Perry. Their children are: Alonzo F., Abbie J., Robert J., Elma E. (died April 1, 1889), Bessie D. (born March 3, 1866, died May 13, 1883), Stillman Frank, Hattie P. and Emma L. Mr. Ryder is a democrat.

Robert J. Ryder, born in 1859, is a son of Stillman S. Ryder, men- tioned above, and is a mason by trade. He was married in 1882 to Lillian G., daughter of Nathan B. Sampson. He is a member of Bourne Methodist Episcopal church.

Levi S. Savery, born in 1823 in Wareham, is a son of Samuel and grandson of Isaac Savery. His mother was Rebecca, daughter of Na- thaniel Swift. He has lived at Sagamore since 1844. He was mar- ried, first, to Mary E. Burgess, who died leaving five children: Betsey

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

E., Mary E., Jacob, Lizzie L. and Louisa L. He was married in June, 1874, to Mrs. Caroline Bumpus, daughter of Ansel Swift of Wareham.

Isaac Small, jr., son of Isaac and grandson of Paddock Small, was born in Harwich in 1849. He was a sailor for a few years, but since 1873 has been a merchant at Buzzards Bay. He was for three years a member of the school board. He was married in 1870 to Emogene Robbins. They have four sons. He is a member of the De Witt Clin- ton Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Charles G. Smalley, born in 1835 in Harwich, is the only child of Francis A. and Asenath (Basset) Smalley. His grandfather was. Thomas Smalley. He came from Harwich to Wareham about 1860, and a few years later to Buzzards Bay. He has been engaged in the oyster business since 1860. He was married in 1863 to Harriet C. Basset. They have four children: Missouri H., Ada F., Silliman B. and Elwood S.

Aaron C. Swift, born in 1829, is the oldest son of Nathan B. and grandson of Moses, whose father, Ward, was a son of Moses Swift. His mother was Pamelia. daughter of Israel Cowen. He is a machin- ist by trade, and was employed by the Cape Cod and Old Colony Rail- road Companies from 1857 to 1885, the last thirteen years as master mechanic for the division. He was messenger in the state house at Boston one year, 1885-86. He was married in 1851 to Lucy H., daugh- ter of Calvin and Hannah (Handy) Howard. They have one son, Nathan F. Mr. Swift is a member of Fraternal Lodge and Orient Chapter of Hyannis.

Abram F. Swift was born February 25, 1840, in the village of Mon- ument, town of Sandwich. He is a son of Ellis M. and grandson of Stephen Swift. His mother was Deborah, daughter of Solomon Perry- He has been engaged in a mercantile business in Bourne for a num- ber of years. He was appointed postmaster at Monument in 1864, and when the name was changed to Bourne in April, 1884, he was re- appointed. His first wife was Sarah M. Perry, who died. In 1869 he married Rosalie Waterhouse. He has two children.

George A. Swift5, born in 1830, is descended from Charles', Ward3, Ward', Moses', who was born in 1699 and died 1791. His mother was Zebiah K. Hewins. He has been a carpenter by trade for forty years. He was married in 1854 to Tamsen C., daughter of John Handy. They have five children: Clara L., Albert H., George E., Alice L. and John H. Mr. Swift is a republican and a member of Cataumet Meth- odist Episcopal church.

Charles E. Swift, born in 1834, is a brother of George A. Swift, mentioned above. He is a farmer, owning and occupying his father's homestead. He was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1862, to July, 1865, in Company I, Fortieth Massachusetts Volunteers. He

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

was married in 1869 to Martha E. Adams, and has one daughter, Edna F. He is a member of Charles Chipman Post, No. 132, G. A. R.

Howard Swift® (Charles D.", Levi3. Thomas', Joseph Swift') was born August 21, 1857. His mother is Bethiah Kelley. He is the old- est of three children: Howard, Henry Russell and Fred. K. He is engaged in the cranberry culture.

John H. Taylor, son of William H. Taylor, was born in New Bed- ford in 1859. He came to Bourne in 1869, and from that time until 1885 lived with the family of Captain Allen Bourne. He has done an ice business and driven an express team at Bourne since 1880. He was married in 1885 to Anna W. Raymond.

Elisha H. Tobey, born in 1844, is a son of Elisha and Henrietta (Dimmock) Tobey and a grandson of Joseph Tobey. He was at sea for more than thirty years, and was captain of a barque in the coffee trade sixteen years. Since 1884 he has been in the oyster business. He was married in 1869 to Amelda Phinney, who died in 1876. They had one daughter, who died. He married Nancy H. Phinney in 1879. They have three children: Levi B., Blanche M. and Roscoe F. Cap- tain Tobey is a member of the Bourne Methodist Episcopal church.

John W. Wedlock, son of Henry Wedlock, was born in 1829 in New York city, and is a carpenter by trade. In 1850 he went to Cali- fornia from Portland, Me., and lived there sixteen years. In 1866 he returned to New England and settled in the town of Sandwich, and since that time he has been employed by the Keith Manufacturing Company, at Sagamore, most of the time. He was married in 1861 to Mary, daughter of Rev. Joseph Marsh. They have one son living- Lewis C .- and lost one-Walter B. Mr. Wedlock is a republican and a member of De Witt Clinton Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Moses C. Waterhouse, born April 29, 1855, is a son of Moses S. and grandson of Enoch Waterhouse. His mother is Emeline S., daughter of John Bourne. He has worked at the carpenter trade since 1874, as contractor and builder since 1876. He was assessor one year, and has been chairman of school committee four years. He was married in 1877 to Sarah, daughter of Joseph Whittemore. Their children are: Lucy C., Moses S., Richard B. and Sarah L. Mr. Waterhouse is a re- publican.

James H. West, born November 4, 1833, in Nantucket, is a son of Richard and Mary B. (Crocker) West and grandson of Abner West. He is a carpenter by trade. He was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1862, to July, 1865, in Company E, Fortieth Massachusetts Volunteers, and in Company C, Sixth United States Veteran Reserves. He was married in 1857 to Elizabeth A., daughter of Braddock and Martha Coleman. They have four children: Gertrude, Mary C., Martha C. and Eugene A. Three children died in infancy.

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TOWN OF BOURNE.

Asaph S. Wicks was born in 1837, in West Falmouth. He is a son of George W. and Betsey (Robinson) Wicks and grandson of Paul Wicks. He was engaged in whale fishing from 1855 to 1886, and the last twenty years was master of a vessel. In 1889 he had charge of the club house at Tobey island. He was married in 1864 to Sarah F., daughter of Jesse Barlow. She died in 1878, leaving one daughter, Lena C. He was married in 1882 to Mrs. Susan A. Wilson. He is a republican.

Alvan Wings, born in 1843, is descended from Nathaniel', Alvan3, Lemuel', Nathaniel Wing1. His mother was Hannah S., daughter of Abram Burgess. She had four children: Mary, Alvan, William H. and Walter H. Mr. Wing is a farmer. He was married in 1870 to Amelia R., daughter of Arnold Small. They have one son, Nathaniel N.

Oliver C. Wing, son of William and grandson of Lemuel Wing, was born in 1826. His mother was Mary, daughter of John and Sarah Witherell. He is a painter by trade, but for some years he has been a farmer. He owns his father's homestead farm. He was married in May, 1850, to Delilah O., daughter of Warren Kendrick. Their chil- dren are: Clara A., Alice F., William B., Mary H., Lucy E., George C., Ann Eliza, Lester W. and one that died. Mr. Wing is a member of Cataumet Methodist Episcopal church, and trustee and steward of the same.

William H. Wing, born in 1846, is a brother of Alvan Wing, men- tioned above. He is a harness maker by trade. He was married in 1867 to Susan F., daughter of Cyrenus and Hannah (Handy) Howard. They have two children: Howard B. and Maud E.

Zadock Wright, born in 1822 in South Carver, Mass., is the young- est son of Zadock, whose father, Moses Wright, was in the war of 1812. His mother was Jane Tillson. He worked in an iron foundry from 1836 until 1882, with the exception of eight years, when he was at sea. He married in March, 1846, Keziah, daughter of John Avery. Their children are: Augustus W., Edgar, Ella, Andrew, Lizzie and Chester.

Augustus W. Wright, born in 1847, is the oldest son of Zadock Wright. He is a moulder by trade, and for the past three years has worked in the electrotype factory at Pocasset. He was married in May, 1869, to Anfinnetta W. Gibbs. Their living children are: Fred- erick A., Edith and Josephine C. Two died in infancy. Mr. Wright is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 119, of Wareham.

Noah H. Wright, born in 1845, is the fifth son of Stillman Wright, who was the oldest son of Zadock, son of Moses Wright. His mother was Zylphia Hammond. He worked in an iron foundry about twenty years. He built a spacious residence at Pocasset in 1887. He was married in 1864 to Sarah, daughter of David Small. They have three children: Nellie, Charles A. and John. Mr. Wright is a member of Hyannis Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

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CHAPTER XVI.

TOWN OF BARNSTABLE.

Natural Features .- Early Industries .- Settlement .- Indian Lands and Names .- Names of Settlers .- Incorporation .- Purchase from Indians .- County Road .- Early Mills. -Common Lands .- The Revolution .- War of 1812 .- Population .- Schools .- Civil History .- Churches .- Cemeteries and Villages .- Societies .- Biographical Sketches.

W HILE Yarmouth on the east has been dismembered and Sand- wich on the west has become the mother of Bourne, Barn- stable, the central town of the original three, and still the central one of the five, remains nearly the same as originally laid out. Its historical prominence as one of the original towns of 1639, and its geographical position, led to its selection as the shire town when the county was organized in 1685. It is trapezoidal in shape, the western bounds, along Sandwich and Mashpee being eleven miles in extent. and the eastern along Yarmouth six. Vineyard sound laves its south- ern shore along ten miles of beautiful beach, while Cape Cod bay spans six miles of Sandy neck for its northern bound. The ancient Cummaquid harbor extends across its northern part and several bays and harbors indent its southern coast. A high ridge extends east and west across the town north of the middle, south of which the surface is a vast undulating plain sloping toward the sound. The northern part contains the great salt marsh extending nearly across the town along the harbor. The streams are small and run both ways from the central ridge.

The area of ponds in this town is greater than that of any other in the county, being over seventeen hundred acres, besides many small ones unworthy of special mention. The largest is Great pond, variously known as Nine-mile or Iyanough's, embracing an area of seven hundred acres, situated about the center of the town, and hav- ing only an artificial outlet which was opened by the Nine-mile Pond Fishing Company. This pond furnishes many kinds of excellent fish.

Of the twenty-seven ponds embraced in the town only three others have visible outlets. Spruce pond, of twelve acres, has Bridge creek, and the pond of eighteen acres south of West Barnstable has Scorton creek for their respective outlets. The other ponds are Long pord of sixty-three acres, in the west part of the town; Steward's, of thirty-

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six; Muddy, of twenty-five acres, at Newtown; Shubael, of fifty; Round pond of thirteen acres, south of Shubael; Cotuit ponds, west of Shubael pond and the plains, the most southerly containing 126 acres, the one north of this 118, and the most northerly one 147 acres; Pondsville pond, eleven acres; Lovell's, forty-eight, in the west part; one north of Osterville has fourteen acres and another fifteen; Mill pond, sixteen, west of Centreville; a pond of twelve acres north of the last; Shallow pond, east of Iyanough, has ninety acres; Hathaway's, fifteen; pond north of the last, twenty-one acres; Israel, twenty-one, in east part; Small, twenty-two; Half-way, twelve; Lewis, ten; Long pond of sixty-nine acres, east of Centreville, this also has an artificial outlet; two ponds west of Hyannis, containing respectively, twelve and ten acres.

The boulders of Barnstable are profusely scattered from the north shore to the summit of the ridge, which extends in an east-westerly direction through the town. Generally these lands are the most fer- tile. South of the water shed no stones of any significance are found, and the soil is generally sandy. Stone fences, which are general on the north side, are not found on the south side, and the foundation stones for buildings in Osterville and other villages on the south side have been carted from a distance.

The soil on the south side of the town. is somewhat sandy on the uplands, and a rich loam in the valleys and around its numerous ponds, while near the north shore the soil is a heavier loam. The varied forms of agriculture, including the great cranberry industry, consti- tute the principal land occupation of the people in the sparsely settled and rural communities. Brick are manufactured at West Barnstable, and boat building on the south shore is still an industry. Maritime enterprises early furnished employment to many, and became an im- portant source of revenue for the people. In 1839 men of this town were filling every branch of maritime pursuits-from the highest po- sitions in the best ships of the Union to the humblest coaster, to the number of 250, and after that the number increased until about 1855.

The superior advantages from its waters, the vast marshes which furnished an abundance of hay, the supposed richness of its soil, and the many acres already cleared and cultivated by the natives, were the arguments that induced the whites to make the first settlement of the town. Permission was granted by the Plymouth court in 1639 " for seating a congregation," whose leaders had intended to settle at Sippecan (now Rochester). But a diversity of opinion arose, and the growing wish to settle at Mattacheese led to a division of the congre- gation into three companies, who should pray for direction in the election of committees "to set down the township." A former grant of Mattacheese to Mr. Callicot and others, of Dorchester, having

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

been rescinded, and other impediments removed, the little band de- termined to seek the lands at Mattacheese. This was the Indian name of lands, now in Barnstable and the northern part of Yarmouth, ad- joining the ancient Cummaquid harbor. The lands of this township contained other Indian tribes at the south and west, each having its sachem, by whom the community was ruled. The names of the small tribes and their tracts were identical. Iyanough's land and tribe was south-midway between the bay and sound; his name was often spelled Janno and Ianno and Hyanno. Chequaket, now Centreville; Coatuit, Santuit, Mistic, Skanton, partially in Sandwich; and Cotocheeset were communities and lands south of and around Iyanough's. With the remembrance that Cummaquid harbor is now Barnstable harbor, the reader will be better able to follow the first settlement and further purchase of the town.

After the determination of the congregation to " set down at Mat- tacheese," on the 26th of June a fast was held at Scituate, where this colony were residing, "that the Lord in his presence" go with them to this new land. Rev. John Lothrop, the beloved pastor of the church there, by his letters, found among Governor Winslow's papers, has furnished many facts concerning the trials of himself and associ- ates as to where the settlement should be. Some historians assert that Joseph Hull, Thomas Dimock and their few associates had settled here during the summer, or in advance of Mr. Lothrop and his associates; and there are circumstances that substantiate that. On June 4, 1639 (June 14, N. S.), the colony court granted permission to Messrs. Hull, Dimock and others " to erect a plantation or town at or about a place called by the Indians Mattacheese;" and Rev. Mr. Lothrop, in his diary, said, that upon their arrival at Mattacheese, "After praise to God in public was ended, we divided into three companies to feast to- gether-some at Mr. Hull's, some at Mr. Mayo's, and some at Br. Lum- bard's Sr." Prior to this-sometime in 1638-Rev. Stephen Bachilor and a few associates made a fruitless attempt to settle in what is now the northeastern portion of Barnstable. The location was for a time considered as a part of Yarmouth; hence some writers make Rev. Bachilor a settler of Yarmouth.

There is no other record of the settlement of Barnstable until the arrival of Rev. John Lothrop and his associates on the 21st of Octo- ber, 1639 (N. S.). The greater part of Mr. Lothrop's church accompa- nied him to Barnstable, leaving the remaining few " in a broken con- dition." Besides Joseph Hull and Thomas Dimock and their associates as mentioned in the grant, we find here in the autumn of 1639, John Lothrop, the pastor, Mr. Mayo, Mr. Lumbard, sr., Isaac Wells, Samuel Hinckley, Samuel Fuller, Robert Shelley, Edward Fitzrandal, Henry Ewell, Henry Rowley, James Cudworth, William Crocker, John.

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Cooper, Henry Cobb, George Lewis, Robert Linnell, William Parker, Edward Caseley, William Caseley, Henry Bourne, Anthony Annable, and Isaac Robinson.

The town was incorporated September 3, 1639, and on the first Tuesday of December, the same year, its deputies took their seats in the general court.

Others came to the town during the fall, winter and spring follow- ing, so that in 1640 we find here these heads of families in addition to those already mentioned: Thomas Allyn, Nathaniel Bacon, Austin Bearse, William Bills, Abraham Blush, John Bursley, John Caseley, Henry Coggen, John Crocker, Dolor Davis, Richard Foxwell, Roger Goodspeed. James Hamblin, Thomas Hatch, Thomas Hinckley, Thomas Huckins, John Hull or Hall, Samuel Jackson, Laurence Lichfield, Thomas Lothrop, John Smith, Thomas Shaw, John Scudder, John and Samuel Mayo, Thomas Lombard, Bernard Lombard, and Robert Lin- net. Before the lands were divided others had arrived, among whom were: Richard Berry, Francis Crocker, John and Nicholas Davis, Wil- liam Tilley, David Linnet, Benjamin and James Lothrop, Nathaniel Mayo, Samuel Lothrop, John Foxwell, Thomas Blossom, John Blower, Thomas Boreman, William Pearse, John Russel, Nicholas Sympkins, Laurence Willis, and Samuel House.

A very few of those mentioned returned or removed elsewhere, whose names do not appear again, but the larger portion of these set- tlers are represented to-day in Barnstable by lineal descendants, and generally by name. Other settlers, and the sons of these already given, are named as freemen and voters in the civil acts of the pro- prietors, so that the reader will be enabled to trace the " new comers " to 1670.

The settlement thus begun in the Mattacheese territory was con- fined to the northern portion of the present town until 1644, when on the 26th of August, a further purchase of lands of the Indians was made by the town, being a portion to the southwest of that already settled by the whites. It was purchased of Serunk, a South Sea chief, and extended from the Sandwich line easterly; the consideration paid was four coats and three axes. The deed signed by Serunk, by mark, was witnessed by Anthony Annable, Henry Cobb, Thomas Allen, John Smith, Laurence Willis, and Thomas Dimock.

The second purchase, in 1647, was of Nepoyetum, Indian, by Thomas Dimock and Isaac Robinson, who were appointed by the town to act for them. The deed was signed by the parties and by Thomas Hinckley and Tanonius, Indian, as witnesses, conveying land for which the town was to build three-score rods of fence, give him two coats and do certain plowing.

The next purchase was in 1648, of Paupmunnuck, a South Sea In-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

dian. In this purchase Miles Standish acted for the settlers, and secured the southern part of the town from the Mashpee line east to the Oyster river, and to Iyanough, or Ianno's lands on the east, and to Nepoyetum's lands on the north. The pay for this was two brass kettles and some fencing done. This completed the purchase of the western part of the town from bay to sound and along the northern part; and the bounds between Sandwich and Barnstable were fixed in 1652, substantially as now. The lands at Cotuit were then part of Mashpee, but have been since added to Barnstable. In 1659 the first bounds between Yarmouth and Barnstable were fixed, nearly one mile west of the present bounds.

In 1664 a purchase of the lands of Iyanough was perfected, which gave to the town more substantially its present area. The deed was taken for the town by Thomas Hinckley, Nathaniel Bacon and Tris- tam Hull, being for land at the South sea extending easterly to Yar- mouth, northerly to that bought of Nepoyetum, and westerly to that purchased of Paupmunnuck, except that given to Nicholas Davis, which soon after was purchased by the town. This deed embraced the southeastern part of the present town, except a tract owned by John Yanno, son of Ianough, in and around Centreville, which was purchased of him in 1680 by Thomas Hinckley in behalf of the town. Some subsequent minor purchases of small reservations brought the lands of the town to the ownership of the proprietors, and over this territory the settlers were fast erecting their rude cabins.

Of course difficulties arose regarding bounds of lands, and in 165S the bounds between Mashpee and Barnstable were set, leaving the lands about Satuit pond to the Mashpees; and later the west bounds of Yarmouth were defined " from the centre of Stoney Cove creek due north to the sea "-substantially the present bounds. The proprietors were yet very careful as to the character of new comers, concerning which rules were made by the general court. In 1661 William Crocker and Thomas Huckins were empowered to take notice of any who should intrude themselves without the town's consent. The under- lying reason, however, for such surveillance was that religions not orthodox should be kept away. There was room in town for more people if they were of the right faith, as the entire territory between the Long pond and Shoal pond had no settlers yet, and it was made " commons for the town's cattle."

The main line of travel from these Cape towns in these early days was toward Plymouth, and the subject of a road-a main, well-defined, wide road-was agitated. The road for the time had been opened from Sandwich, south of Scorton hill, south of Honey bottom, so-called, and so easterly near the old church in the West parish, through the woods on the south side of the pond into the present road, to avoid

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the creek that had no bridge. In 1685 the court ordered a road opened through Barnstable, and sixteen men, whose names appear at the bot- tom of the survey, were empaneled as a jury to lay it out. The road has been since known as the " county road," and is the main street of Barnstable village. By the courtesy of Mr. Gustavus A. Hinckley, of Barnstable, we are enabled to produce a copy of the original survey, verbatim et literatim, that our readers may not only enjoy its quaint- ness, but locate the settlers on its sides.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 41

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