History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 55

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

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The Bass River Savings Bank, another important business under- taking, still flourishes. It was organized in 1874 under the laws of the state, David Kelley was the first president until March, 1888, when Hiram Loring was appointed. With him, the officers are Obed Baker, 3d, and Russel D. Farris, vice presidents; David D. Kelley, treasurer; and Hiram D. Loring, secretary. It does business in a suitable building at South Varmouth. It has six hundred thousand dollars in deposits, and is a sound and prosperous institution. A new enterprise by a stock company was established here in 1886, called the American Metallic Fabric Company, weaving wire cloth. It is said to have the only power loom for this business in the world.

The first post office here was established December 17, 1821. with Thomas Akin, jr., postmaster, who was succeeded February 25, 1842, by David K. Akin, in his store. May 26, 1853, by a change of admin- istration, John Larkin, democrat, in the same store, was appointed, and he in turn was succeeded by Peleg P. Akin until 1889, when Ber- nard L. Baker was appointed.

West Yarmouth, in the southwest part of the town, assumes the title of a village. There is a beauty to its long Main street of cozy residences, and its avenues extending to the sound. Salt was manu- factured as early as 1829 on the shore of Lewis bay and along the sound, by Gorham Crowell, Ezekiel Crowell and others. Prince Gage erected works about that time or prior. One church, two stores and a post office form the principal centers of to-day. Of the old stores, Elisha Taylor continued one many years after its establishment by his father, near the bridge. Sylvanus Crowell built and opened, in 1845, a store which he, with his son, Freeman H., as partner, contin- ued until 1856, when the son was sole proprietor up to 1875. In 1863 Osborn Chase built and opened a store here; this in 1867 was sold to Isaiah Crowell. In 1866 Jabez Perry opened another store, which he discontinued in 1883. In 1867 Theodore Drew planted oysters in Mill creek, under a grant from the town, and in 1870 he secured a renewal for twenty years. In 1871 he sold his franchises to Frank Thacher, who with others carried on the business at Hyannis until 1883, when the culture proved no longer profitable.

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TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

Not until about 1827-after the stages run from Sandwich to Var- mouth-was a post office established, then Captain Elnathan Lewis kept the office in his house. Sylvanus Crowell succeeded him, with the office in his store, and he was succeeded by Freeman H. Crowell in the same place. In 1870 Captain Higgins Crowell was appointed, and in 1872 Isaiah Crowell. In 1877 Myron Peak was made postmas- ter and erected a small building for an office; but in 1880 Julius Crowell succeeded him and removed it to his store. In the spring of 1889 Edward F. Pierce was appointed, and keeps the office at his resi- dence. From a weekly the first years, the office has now a daily mail from Hyannis. The street leading to Point Gammon is called South Sea avenue.

The social and religious relations of this community are of the most elevating character. During the pastorate of Rev. Daniel H. Babcock, October, 1840, the Women's Benevolent Society was organ- ized in connection with the religious society of the village, and much good has resulted. The Library Association here was formed in April, 1863, by the young people. The first books were purchased in April, 1864, and now the library numbers nearly six hundred vol- umes. The last officers chosen were: Abbie B. Crowell, pres .; Mrs. Isaiah Crowell, vice-pres .; Mrs. William J. Nickerson, sec .; and Mrs. Delia Baker, librarian and treasurer.

The Cemetery here is distinctive from the ordinary grounds of the town, because of an organized effort to beautify and preserve this ancient burial place. After a small donation from the town toward a suitable fence, Captain Sturgis Crowell headed a subscription with one hundred dollars, and soon had the sum of seventeen hundred dol- lars for this and other improvements. The granite fence was fin- ished in July, 1884. Elkanah Crowell, jr., donated the two gates, be- sides his subscription.

Yarmouth Farms is the name given to the community at and around the depot at South Yarmouth. A post office was established there a few years ago under the name of East Yarmouth, and the railroad agents have successively been the postmasters. The name was only recently changed. The postmasters have been: N. B. Bur- gess, W. F. Kenney, Arthur Underwood and W. B. Snow.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Joseph Allen, only son of Joseph and Ruth Allen, was born in 1846. He has been captain of the light ship Pollock Rip since 1881. He was married in 1872, to Mary H. Crowell. They have six child- ren: M. Maude, Joseph E., Albert F., William D., Orra I., and Pey- son E.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Allen B. Baker, born in 1832, is a son of Hersey, and a grandson of Washington Baker. His inother was Mercy, daughter of Daniel Homer. Mr. Baker was a sea captain until 1874, and since that time he has kept a livery and boarding stable at South Yarmouth. He was married February 12, 1855, to Betsey A., daughter of Amos and Nancy (Gorham) Farris. They have one daughter, Fanny A.

Bernard L. Baker, born in 1839, is a son of Hiram and grandson of Jonathan Baker. His mother was Keziah, daughter of Benjamin Parker. Mr. Baker followed the sea for some years, after which he drove an express wagon to the South Yarmouth depot for ten years. Since October, 18S7, he has been postmaster at South Yarmouth. He was three years on the school committee, as a democrat. He was married in 1871, to Tamsen F., daughter of Prince Gifford. They have two children: Katie F. and Henry C. Mr. Baker is a member of Howard Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Elisha T. Baker, born in 1848, is a son of Orlando, grandson of Laban and great-grandson of Abram Baker. He has been a contract- or and builder for twenty years, and since 1881, he has owned a shoe store at South Yarmouth. He was married in 1872 to Phebe G., daughter of Frederick White. They have one daughter, Annie W.

Joseph Bassett is one of six surviving children of Henry and Abigail R. (Crocker) Bassett. He is engaged in the poultry business. He was in the late war eleven months in Company A., Forty- seventh Massachusetts Volunteers, and again two years in the Thir- teenth New York Marine Artillery. He was married first to Huldah E. Pierce. She died, and he married Mrs. Ella P. Matthews, widow of Frederick Matthews, who died in 1885, aged eighty years. Mr. Matthews was engaged during his life in agricultural pursuits and salt making, and was one of the first to introduce forest planting on the Cape. He left one daughter, Mary Matthews.

Albert Berry was born in 1833. He is the eldest and only sur- viving son of Howes and Caroline (Bassett) Berry, and grandson of Isaac Berry. Mr. Berry is a contractor and builder. He was married in 1854 to Lucy A., daughter of Edward Sears. Their children are: Lucy E., Carrie H., Daisy F., and Minnie H. Mr. Berry is a member of Fraternal Lodge and Oriental Chapter, A. F. & A. M. His only brother, Theophilus B., was killed in Oregon, in 1882.

Charles M. Bray, son of Eben and Rebecca (Matthews) Bray, and grandson of Edmund Bray, wasborn in 1832. He followed the sea several years as a master mariner prior to 1868. Since that time he has dealt in lumber and builders' supplies at Yarmouth. He was married to Kate D. Baker, and they have five children: Charles D., Robert, Carrie D., James G., and Sarah E. They lost one child. Mr. Bray has been deputy sheriff thirteen years.

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TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

Alexander B. Chase was born in 1848. He is a son of Rev. Enoch E. Chase, who was ordained as a Baptist preacher in 1832, and died in 1886, aged eighty-two years. He left two children: Rebecca B. and Alexander B., who occupies the homestead where Enoch E.'s father, Anthony Chase, lived. Mr. Chase is a contractor and builder. In early life he followed the sea. Ho was married in 1873 to Lucy H., daughter of David Bearse. They have two children: George H. and Nellie S. Mr. Chase is a member of the First Baptist church of Hy- annis.

Theophilus Chase, born in 1831, is a son of Sylvester and Sarah (Kelley) Chase, grandson of James and Mercy Chase, and great-grand- son of Job Chase. Mr. Chase followed the sea from 1840 to 1887, and was master thirty years. He was married in 1856 to Sarah K., daugh- ter of Freeman Crowell. They have three children: Lafayette K., Hattie C., and Herbert C. Mr. Chase is a member of Howard Lodge.

John T. Cobb was born in 1858, in the state of Vermont. He came to the town of Yarmouth in 1883, where he has had charge of his brother-in-law's farm since that time.

Daniel Cole, son of Daniel and Mercy (Higgins) Cole, and grandson of Elisha Cole, was born in 1835. He is a carpenter and builder, hav- ing followed that business for thirty-five years. He married Eunice M., daughter of Isaac Smalley. They have had two children, both of whom are deceased.

Charles B. Cory bought in 1882 of S. R. Payson, Great island, com- prising about six hundred acres, at the extreme southwest corner of the town of Yarmouth, where he now has a rare game preserve. Among his birds we find the golden, silver, copper and English pheasant, and others. He has a part of the island which is thickly wooded (about 120 acres), enclosed with a suitable fence, and in 1883 he placed in this enclosure about forty deer, which have increased until he has one of the finest deer preserves in this country. The island is well supplied with fresh water lakes, which are stocked with bass, pickerel and perch.

Daniel B. Crocker was born in 1844. He is the youngest son of Daniel and Lucinda D. Crocker, grandson of Joseph and great-grand- son of Daniel Crocker. Mr. Crocker is a merchant at Yarmouth Port, and is largely engaged in cranberry culture. He married Mary R. Knowles, and they have two sons: Fred R. and Ralph D. Mr. Crocker has two sisters: Joanna B. (Mrs. Otis White) and Susan.

Hatsel Crosby, born in 1807, is the only surviving child of Abijah and Desire Crosby, and grandson of Elisha Crosby. He was a shoe- maker in Brewster for fifteen years, prior to 1848, when he came to South Yarmouth, where he was engaged in salt making until 1883. He was married in 1836 to Jerusha S. Homer, who died in 1854, leav-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

ing five children: Susie, Abbie, Hattie E., Herbert F., and Nellie P., who died November 2, 1864. Mr. Crosby was married in 1856 to Elizabeth S. Bangs, who died the same year. He was married in 1858 to Hannah, daughter of Jabez Nye. They have two sons: Benjamin B. and Chester L.

Elbridge Crowell, born in 1822, is the youngest son of Timothy and Polly (Taylor) Crowell, and grandson of Abner and Sarah Cro- well. He is one of eight children, of whom three are living. From 1831 to 1884 he followed the sea, then was appointed port warden at Boston, which office he still holds. He was married in 1849 to Susan, daughter of Hersey Baker. Their two children are: Fred A. and Hattie M. (Mrs. Charles B. Whelden). Mr. Crowell is a member of the Boston Marine Society, and a member of the Masonic order.

Isaiah Crowell, born in 1832, is descended from Elkanah®, Elkanah5, Simeon', Ephraim3, John", Yelverton Crowell'. Yelverton Crowell died in West Yarmouth in 1683. He had five children. The farm on which he settled in 1640 is still in the Crowell family. Mr. Crowell has kept a general store at West Yarmouth since 1867, the store hay- ing been built three years previous by Osborn Chase. Mr. Crowell followed the sea in early life. He was married in 1857 to Mercy, daughter of Zadock Crowell, who was a son of Timothy and grandson of Jeremiah Crowell. They have three children: Joshua F., Thomas S., and Isaiah W. Mr. Crowell was eleven years a member of the school committee, and has been clerk of the West Yarmouth Congre- gational parish for twenty years.

Manton H. Crowell, son of Gideon and Ruth (Taylor) Crowell and grandson of Gideon Crowell, was born in 1852, and is a painter by trade. Since 1872 he has carried on a wagon and paint shop at South Yarmouth. He was married in 1873 to Christina, daughter of Allen B. Crowell. They have two daughters: Grace E. and Ethel W. Mr. Crowell is a member of the South Yarmouth Methodist Episcopal church.

Nelson Crowell, son of Jabez Crowell, was born in 1822 and died in 1876. He was a seafaring man. He was married in 1848 to Mary P., daughter of Judah and Polly (Parker) Crowell and granddaughter of Judah Crowell. They had three children: Mary N., Lester E. and Albert A. Mr. Crowell was a member of Howard Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

REV. SIMEON CROWELL, born in May, 1778, the son of Abner and Ruth (Nickerson) Crowell, departed this life in August, 1848. Abner Crowell, the father, died on board a prison ship in Newport harbor three months before the birth of Simeon, leaving his family destitute. The pressing needs of the family and his tender regard for his mother induced the subject of this sketch to early brave the hardships of a sailor's life. He rose rapidly to the position of master and by the

Simon Cowell

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N. Y.

E. BIERSTADT

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TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

application of his characteristic energy, made success his reward. At the age of thirty-six he left the sea to engage in the manufacture of salt, which he continued until his death.

After leaving the sea he was impressed with a sense of duty in the direction of special Christian work, and yielding to this impression, he entered the ministry, being ordained at his own house. The Bap- tist church received his life-long labors. He married Charlotte Clark of Harwich (now Brewster), an estimable lady, whose efficient assist- ance, especially in his pastoral work, can never be measured. They reared four children: Charlotte, born June, 1803, died March, 1877; Mary, born February. 1806, died December, 1886; Simeon, born Janu- ary, 1808, died September, 1849; and Ruth H., who was born January, 1810, died October, 1851. Of these children, Charlotte and Mary lived and died unmarried. Simeon, in May, 1841, married Desire Crosby of Brewster, and died without issue. Ruth H. married Barnabas Sears, jr., and of their four children three died in infancy; Simeon, the youngest, died at sixteen in the manner mentioned in the biog- raphy of his father.

Rev. Simeon Crowell has left the record of a faithful citizen in all public and private acts. He won the confidence and respect of the entire community, and was many times called to serve his town in responsible positions. As a minister and teacher he was untiring in his devotion to his Master, declaring the counsels of truth whenever occasion presented, and sowing that gospel seed which has brought forth an hundred fold.

Sturgis Crowell, son of Elkanah, was born in 1822, and followed sea from 1832 to 1874, being master thirteen years. He was married in 1858 to Emily, daughter of Elisha and Polly Baker. She died in 1859. He married again in 1874, to Susan J., daughter of Freeman and Patience Baker. They have two daughters: Alice Maude, and Annie S. By his first wife he had one son, Elisha B. S., who died February, 1872, aged thirteen years.

William P. Davis, son of James Davis, was born in 1816, in New Bedford, and came to Yarmouth at the age of four years. He was engaged in salt making until 1858, when he entered the Yarmouth National Bank as assistant cashier. He became cashier in 1875, at the death of Amos Otis. He has filled the office of town clerk since February, 1844. He married Hetty K. Crowell. They have four chil- dren: William J., who has been in the bank with his father since 1866; Abbie A., Hannah H. and Lucy W.

Edward S. Ellis, son of George W. E. and Sarah P. (Story) Ellis, was born in 1856, at Bournedale. He has been station agent for the Old Colony Railroad Company since 1882-two years at Bournedale, and since then at Yarmouth. He spent five years in California prior

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

to 1882. He is married to Louisa P. Blackwell, and has two sons ; George E. S. and Elisha B. P.

James Ellis, born in 1828, is a son of Philip and Dorcas (Robinson) Ellis, and grandson of Philip Ellis. He is a farmer, and since 1889 has kept a livery stable at Hyannis. He was married in 1842, to Mary R., daughter of Job Cash. They have two children living: Helen M. and Judith A. They lost three.

Russell D. Farris, born September 11, 1818, is the oldest son of Reuben K., and a grandson of Samuel Farris. He is a harness maker by trade, but has been a merchant at South Yarmouth for forty-five years. He was married in 1842 to Mercy F. Easton. His second wife was Eliza Kelley. She died leaving one son, William R., who was married in 1885 to Lillian S. Baker. Their only son is Russell D., 2d. Mr. Farris married Mrs. Augusta Copeland, for his third wife, in 1877.

Loring Fuller, born in 1831, is one of nine sons of William and Eliza (Chase) Fuller, and a grandson of William Fuller. He has been a seafaring man since he was ten years old. Since 1866, he has run a packet from South Yarmouth, in connection with the grain and coal store of Loring Fuller & Co. He was married in 1853 to Mary C. Ryder. They have three children: Joseph W., who married Clara E. Hurst in 1876; Lizzie B., Mrs. C. F. Purrington, and Mernie L.

Benjamin T. Gorham, born in 1862, is the only son of Benjamin and Clara (Matthews) Gorham, grandson of Hezekiah, and great- grandson of John Gorham. Mr. Gorham was for six years clerk in the store of A. A. Knowles. In October, 1888. he opened a boot and shoe store at Yarmouth Port, where his father does repairing, having worked at the trade since 1837.

Fred. Hallett is the eldest of four sons of Manchester and a grandson of Nathan Hallett. He learned the printers' trade in the office of the Cape Cod Item, where he was foreman for six years. Since January, 1889, he has run a job printing office of his own at Yarmouth Port. He married Grace E. Ryder.

Barnabas C. Howes, born in 1839, is a son of Cyrus, and grandson of Alexandar, and great-grandson of Jonathan Howes. His mother was Hannah H., daughter of Nathan Crowell. Mr. Howes followed the sea from the age of fifteen years until 1887, as master the last twenty-one years. He was married in 1869 to Rebecca, daughter of Orlando Wood. Their children are: Margaret, Willis and Cyrus P. Mr. Howes is a member of the Boston Marine Society.

Benjamin R. Howes was born in Dennis in 1831, and is a son of Charles and Nancy Howes, both natives of Dennis. Mr. Howes has carried on a coat factory at Yarmouth since 1866. He was married to Louisa, daughter of Joshua Eldridge, of Yarmouth. They have two

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TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

children: Charles R., who is with his father in the coat factory, mar- ried to Mary E. Edwards, of Dennis; and Mary J., now Mrs. John Thacher. Mr. Howes is a member of Fraternal Lodge of Masons.

Millard F. Jones is a son of Luther Jones, M. D., who was a native of Acton, Mass., and practiced medicine in Yarmouth for several years prior to his death, which occurred in California, in 1862, aged forty-five years. Mr. Jones' mother was Susannah, daughter of Jona- than Kelley. She died, leaving three children: Millard F., Elizabeth K., and Robena. Mr. Jones and his two sisters occupy the house which was built in 1832, by Jonathan Kelley.

David Dudley Kelley. son of David and Phebe (Dudley) Kelley, was born in 1846. Since 1867 he has been a dry goods merchant at South Yarmouth. He was one of the first trustees of the Bass River Saving Bank, and has been its treasurer since 1877. He was married in 1869, to Mary E., daughter of Winthrop Sears. He built a nice residence in South Yarmouth in 1874.

Seth Kelley, born in 1838, is the oldest son of David Kelley", who descended from Seth', David', Seth3, Jeremiah', David O. Kily1, who took the oath of fidelity to the colony in 1657. Mr. Kelley's mother was Phebe Dudley. He is a machinist by trade and is now engaged with the American Metallic Fabric Company at South Yarmouth. He carried on an ice business at South Yarmouth about twenty-five years. He was married in 1865 to Harriet, daughter of Orlando Baker. They have two sons: David, and Ralph D. Mr. Kelley is a member of the Society of Friends.

Edward Lewis, born in 1817, is one of nine children of Elnathan, and grandson of Benjamin Lewis. His mother was Lavina, daughter of Zachariah Howes. Mr. Lewis followed the sea from 1833 to 1874, as master after 1838. He was married in 1845 to Lucretia, daughter of Ezekiel Crowell. She died in 1886, leaving three children: Martha (Mrs. Levi Snow), Lavina (Mrs. Julius Crowell), and Joseph. Mr. Lewis has been selectman in Yarmouth for eight years, and he has been two years on the school committee. He is a member of the West Yarmouth Congregational church.

George H. Loring, son of John, grandson of David and great grand- son of David Loring, was born in 1834. He began going to sea at the age of eleven, continuing until he was forty years old. He was mas- ter mariner nineteen years. He was selectman two years (1877 and 1878), and represented his district in the legislature in 1886 and 1887. He was married in 1855 to Alvira, daughter of Laban Baker. Their only surviving child is George E. They lost three children: Elmer E., Lizzie T., and Nellie Y. Mr. Loring is a member of Howard Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a member of South Yarmouth Methodist Episcopal church.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

William D. Loring, son of John and grandson of David Loring, was born in 1823. He was a master mariner twenty-five years, and since 1872 he has kept a grain store at Yarmouth. He married Mary P., daughter of Otis and Sarah (Hallett) Crowell. They had one adopted daughter, Addie W., who died.

Richard Wallace Marston, born in 1861, is a son of Richard and Sophia L. (Grush) Marston, and grandson of John and Temperance (Matthews) Marston. Mr. Marston graduated from Bridgewater Nor- mal school in 1884. Since that time he has been engaged in teach- ing, and is now teaching his third year in the Yarmouth grammar school.

Braddock Matthews was born in 1812, and is the oldest son of Eze- kiel, grandson of Ezekiel, and great-grandson of David and Anna (Crowell) Matthews. His mother was Bethia, daughter of Eleazer Crowell. Mr. Matthews went to sea from 1824 to 1838, at which time he went into a store at South Yarmouth with David Matthews and continued until 1865. He has been selectman in Yarmouth sixteen years. He was married in 1837 to Zipporah, daughter of Timothy Crowell. They have one daughter living and have lost three.

DAVID MATTHEWS, deceased, was the representative of two old families of the Cape, one the family name which he bore, and the other the Hallett name. The Matthews family were often mentioned in the civil and military affairs of Old Yarmouth prior to 1700. Eze- kiel Matthews married Lydia Hallett and in his lifetime was active in the affairs of the town, departing this life July 17, 1849, at South Yar- mouth. His wife died January 25, 1852. They reared eleven children, of whom David, the eighth, was born October 20, 1801. The common schools of that day afforded the only accessible means of an educa- tion, of which he availed himself and started out upon the journey of life. He was married April 12, 1835, to Emeline Hallett, who died August 21, 1849. Their children were: Hebron V., born November 3, 1835; Albert, December 29, 1836; Elnathan, June 2, 1838; Gideon, January 17, 1840; and Mary H., June 17, 1842. Of these, Gideon died in infancy and Albert died August 4, 1877, on board the bark Norway, of which he was master, in Lat. 38° 28', Long. 27° 37'. He had been talking with his wife, and as he turned to go on deck, fell; she heard a long, heavy breath, and he was dead. August 5th his remains were committed to the deep, leaving his stricken wife to continue the voy -. age of life alone. He was twice married: first, November 7, 1870, to Mary H. Lewis of West Yarmouth; and second, on January 18, 1877, to Clara Gilkey of Watertown, Mass., who still survives. He was an active, enterprising master, respected for his integrity and beloved for his thoughtful kindness in contributing to the happiness of others. as a husband, brother and friend.

David Mattheus

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TOWN OF YARMOUTH.

The three surviving children of David Matthews are residing at South Yarmouth. Hebron V. was married January 27, 1861, to Ade- line F. Baker of South Dennis; his life for many years was on the sea, until 1SSS, when he opened a grocery store at Lower Village, South Yarmouth. Elnathan, unmarried, resides at the homestead near his brother; he learned the tailor trade, but never made it a business. Mary H., a milliner, June 26, 1864, married Frederick A. Baker, who keeps a livery at South Yarmouth. They have one daughter, Eme- line G., born January 29, 1865, and resides with her parents. David Matthews, after the death of the mother of these children, was mar- ried November 17, 1850, to Laura A. Hallett, a sister of the first wife, who survived him several years, departing this life January 15, 1888. After a long life of usefulness Mr. Matthews died April 10. 1884.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 55

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