History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 70

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 70

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).

Daniel W. Nickerson, born in 1834, is a son of Washington and Ann (Turner) Nickerson, and grandson of Edward Nickerson, mariner.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Mr. Nickerson began going to sea when eleven years old, and at the age of twenty-five became master of coasting vessels. In 1882 he built a residence in Chatham, where he now lives. He was married in 1856, to Deborah K. Hamilton, who died some years after. He was married in 1878, to Addie A. Eldridge. By his first wife he had two children: George W. N., died October 1, 1880, aged eighteen years and eight months, and an infant child.

Erastus Nickerson, son of Lumbert and Rhoda (Eldridge) Nicker- son, was born in 1821. Mr. Nickerson followed the sea until 1861. He was several years a member of the school committee, and in 1880 he was representative in the legislature. He was married in 1842, to Rebecca, daughter of Seth Nickerson. She died in 1860, leaving two children: Amanda, who has since died, and Erastus MI. He was mar- ried again in 1862, to Rebecca H., daughter of James Kendrick. They have two children: Gracie W. and Nellie B.

Erastus M. Nickerson, only son of Erastus and Rebecca Nickerson, was born in 1851. He was in the fish business until 1879, and since that time has kept a pool room and tobacco and cigar store at Chatham. He was married in 1880, to Elizabeth. daughter of Joshua Nickerson.

John H. Nickerson, born in 1844, is a son of John H. and Mary T. (Goodspeed) Nickerson, grandson of Joshua, and great-grandson of Salathiel Nickerson. Mr. Nickerson followed the sea in early life, and is now a carpenter by trade. He was married in 1869, to Einma A., daughter of Edward Howard. They have two sons: J. Howard and Frank G.

Moses Nickerson, son of Ezra Nickerson, was born in 1812, and was a master mariner. He died at sea in 1871. He was a member of the Baptist church. He was married in 183S, to Sarah T. Eldridge. They had two children: Moses E. and Alice P.

Orick Nickerson', was born in 1814. He is the eldest son of six children of Ensign®, descended from Ensign5, Absalom', William3, William", William Nickerson', who was the first white man to own what is now Chatham. The six surviving children of Ensign Nicker- son are: Orick, Sparrow M., Sally A. M., Ensign A., Samuel M. of Chicago (who still owns the homestead farm), and Rebecca J. The two daughters now occupy their father's homestead house. Orick Nickerson was married in 1834, to Mary Ryder. She died in 1852, leaving two sons: Cornelius (who married Ellen J. Gulliver), and Osborn (who married Mary L. Dodge.)

Rufus F. Nickerson, born in 1837, is a son of Zenas and Abigail (Higgins) Nickerson, and grandson of Silas and Susan Nickerson. Mr. Nickerson has been engaged in the fishing business since 1851. He was married in 1860, to Sarah, daughter of Joshua Atkins. They have ten children: Minnie L., George F., Abbie C., Sadie L., Rufus A., Mary E., Grace V., Joseph A., Hope R. and Dexter W.

Sam& M Nickerson

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

SAMUEL M. NICKERSON, son of Ensign, jr., and Rebecca Nickerson, was born in Chatham June 14, 1830. His ancestor, eight generations back, was the old Puritan, William Nickerson, whose coming to Var- mouth and to Chatham is mentioned on page 458. From him to Samuel M.ª, the line of descent is through William", William3, William', Absalom5, Ensign®, and Ensign, jr., all of whom are known in the lo- cal history of Chatham, where the family is still in possession of part of the lands which William' purchased of the Indians.

Samuel M. Nickerson received his early education in the public schools of Chatham and Boston. In 1847 he went to Apalachicola, Fla., where he remained in business several years. In 1858 he mar- ried the daughter of the late Isaac Crosby, of Brewster, and having been burned out in Florida he removed the same year to Chicago, where he engaged in the business of distilling alcohol, retiring from it in 1864. From that year until 1871 he was president of the Chicago City Railroad Company, but resigned the position on account of the great pressure of his banking interests. Mr. Nickerson was elected vice-president of the First National Bank at its organization in 1863, continuing such until 1867, when he was elected its president, and still remains in that position. In 1867-1868 he built, at the corner of State and Washington streets, the First National Bank building, then acknowledged to be the best fire proof building west of New York city, and still standing-a relic of the great fire of 1871-the only building in the business district not then destroyed.

In 1881-188? he built, at the corner of Monroe and Dearborn streets, the expensive and commodious building now occupied by the bank, containing the largest banking office in this country, with ample room for its 150 officials and employees. In March, 1868, Mr. Nickerson organized the Union Stock Yard National Bank, located at the stock-yards, remaining its president until 1870, and still retaining a place as one of its directors. He is renowned for his sterling busi- ness qualities and for his great experience, and excellent judgment in financial affairs. He is an officer in the new Art Institute, and always a supporter of every local art movement. His private gallery is a favorite haunt to which artists and lovers of pictures can always obtain entrance.

Zenas Nickerson, born in 1827, is one of five surviving children of Zenas and Priscilla (Eldridge) Nickerson, and grandson of Ezra Nickerson. Mr. Nickerson was a master mariner prior to 1867, and since that time he has been a merchant and farmer. He was married in 1849, to Mary A., daughter of Ephraim and Thankful Taylor, and granddaughter of John Taylor. They have six children: Zenas A., George H., 2d, Mary A. Velma W., Priscilla T. and Geneva T.

Ziba Nickerson, a merchant at Chatham, was born in 1823. He is

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

a son of Lumbert and Rhoda (Eldridge) Nickerson, and grandson of Ensign Nickerson. He has been clerk and treasurer of the Univer- salist society, and led the choir for forty years. He has been super- intendent of the Sunday school twenty years. He was married in 1844, to Sarah, daughter of George and Sally Paine. They have five children living: Ziba, jr., Willie L., Charles S., Sarah P. and Rhoda L. They lost two sons; George W., born in 1845, lost at sea in 1863, and John P., died at the age of about eighteen months.

Owen Oneal, son of John Oneal, was born in 1848. He has been in the employ of the Cape Cod and Old Colony railroad since 1868, as passenger and freight conductor, seventeen years. He was mar- ried in 1877, to Mary McKay. They have four children: Owen A., Charles B., Jennie M. and James B.

Francis B. Rogers, born in 1830, is a son of Francis and Mary (Ryder) Rogers, and grandson of Mulford Rogers. Mr. Rogers is a carpenter by trade. He served nine months in the war of the rebel- lion, in Company E, Forty-third Massachusetts Volunteers, and is a member of Frank D. Hammond Post. G. A. R. He married Azubah A., daughter of Elnathan and Azubah (Atwood) Mayo. Their six children are: Francis H., George T., Edwin A., Lina B., Cornelia M. and Mary J. Two died: Ella E. and Elmer F.

Sullivan Rogers, born in 1822, is a son of Zacheus and grandson of Daniel Rogers. His mother was Margaret, daughter of Joseph Mayo. Mr. Rogers kept a hardware, tin and sheet iron store at Chatham from April, 1846, and is still carrying on the business in connection with his son. Mr. Rogers is a prohibitionist, and a member of the Chat- ham Methodist Episcopal church. He was married in 1847, to Cath- erine, daughter of Josiah Mayo, Esq. They have had five children. three of whom are living: Susan M., Alice and Josiah M., who was married in 1883, to Mary A., daughter of Captain Zenas Nickerson.

Kimble Ryder, born in 1822, is the youngest of seven children of Kimble and Ruth (Eldridge) Ryder and a grandson of Kimble Ryder. Mr. Ryder followed the sea from 1839 to 1870, and was master mariner twenty-six years. He was twelve years in the coal, wood and grain business. He was married in 1846, to Sarah Doane. She died and he was married again in 1857 to Desire B., daughter of Abijah and Pru- dence B. (Nye) Crosby. He had one son by his first wife-Charles K .. born September 26, 1846, died March 20, 1851. Mr. Ryder has been treasurer of the St. Martin's Lodge since its organization.

Sylvester K. Small, son of Samuel and Abigail (Simmons) Small, was born in 1822. He followed the sea from 1834 to 1875, and was master for twenty-eight years. In 1884 he opened "The Travelers' Home " at Chatham. He was married in 1844, to Dorrinda, daughter

Rufus Smith

PAINT. E. BIERSTADT, N. Y.

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

of Collins and Rhoda (Bangs) Howes. They have three children: Emulous F., Willie C. and George K. They lost three children.

Ephraim Smith, born in 1824, is a son of Christopher and Sarah (Eldridge) Smith, and grandson of Richard Smith. He followed the sea prior to 1865, since which time he has been a manufacturer of and wholesale dealer in tinware in Boston. He was married in 1849, to Mercy, daughter of James Hawes. They have three children: Mer- cena, Susan T. and Sarah A. Two sons died: Henry O. and Ephraim, jr.

RUFUS SMITH .- Ralph, one of this family name, came to the New World in 1629, but the Ralph Smyth who came in 1633, whose name appears in the Hingham records in 1637, who was in Eastham in 1657, and there took the oath of fidelity, is the progenitor to whom the an- cestral line of this representative in Chatham is traced. The male line of descent to the subject of this sketch, inclusive, was: Ralph1, Samuel2, John3, Stephen', Georges, Stephen, Stephen' and Rufus. Ralph's children were: Samuel, baptized July 11, 1641; John, July 23, 1644; Daniel, March 2, 1647: and Thomas.

Samuel“ married, January 3, 1667, at Eastham, Mary, daughter of Giles Hopkins, son of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower, and their children were: Samuel, born May 26, 1668. died September 22, 1692; Mary, born June 3, 1669, married Daniel Hamilton, of Chatham; Jo- seph, born April 10, 1671; John, May 26, 1673; Grace, September 5, 1676: and Deborah, born December 10, 1678. This Samuel, son of Ralph, born at Eastham, was a farmer and a large landholder. His house in Eastham is in part still standing. He also owned four hun- dred acres in Orleans, known as the Smith purchase, and two faims in Chatham that he gave to John and Mary in equal parts, also giving them, with his grandsons, Samuel and Joseph, equal parts in the Ca- hoon farm, Chatham.

John3 married Bethia Snow, daughter of Stephen, son of Nicholas, who married Constance, daughter of the Pilgrim Hopkins, and their children were: Samuel, Dean, John, Stephen, David, Seth, Mercy, Mary and Bethiah Smith.

Stephen', the next in the male line, was born in Monomoyick, in 1706, and died in January, 1766, with smallpox, as also did, in the same epidemic, his wife, Bashua, and his two daughters. He was a deacon and a farmer, and an important factor in church and state. His sons were: Stephen and Archelaus, who moved to Nova Scotia; three sons, who built and lived on the home farm-George in the white house that stood near Long cove, Obed on the Doctor Clifford place, and Elijah on the Stephen Ryder place, all side by side. There were also three daughters: Hannah, Bashua and Betty.

Georges, a farmer and sportsman, the next in the line, born Feb-

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

ruary 11, 1732, married Barbara Mayo, Occtober 16, 1755, and died in July, 1823. Their children were: Richard, Theophilus. George, Ste- phen, Benjamin, Obed and Knowles (twins), Bathua and Betty.

Stephen®, born November 18, 1764, married Margery Crowell, daughter of David Crowell. He was a farmer and fisherman, accu- mulated a nice property in Chatham, and lived until September 14, 1832. His children were: Betsey, Lucy, Levi, Thomas, Sally, Ste- phen, Thankful, Margery and David.

Stephen`, the father of Rufus, was born September 2, 1800, and married Clarissa H. Lewis, of Hingham, December 18, 1823. She was born February 22, 1802, and died September 29, 1879. Stephen was an industrious citizen, true to his religious principles, and prominent in the town of Chatham. He inherited his father's estate, to which he added largely by farming and investing in vessels. He died No- vember 26, 1864. Of his ten children, David, born October 23, 1824, was a worthy sea captain, a great reader and a man of uncommon in- telligence. He was a great inventor and mechanic, and invented the method of freezing ice on large iron plates, which he was prosecuting in New Orleans at the time of his death, in December, 1886. The other children of this family were: a daughter, who died in infancy; Rufus, whose history is set forth in the next paragraph; Stephen V., born February 14, 1829, lived near his father, on his grandfather's farm, and died July 13, 1878; Lewis F., born March 13. 1839, followed the sea for a few years, and subsequently engaged in an express and trading business. (He married Georgia, daughter of Doctor Dodge. She died November 9, 1878, leaving three children: Louie F., Mont- gomery F., who died in 1888, and Anna Parker Smith); Benjamin Smith the sixth child, born October 28, 1833, died August 16, 1835; Benjamin F., born December 19, 1836, died January 24, 1844; Mariah Louise, born September 29, 1841, died April 16, 1843; her twin sister, Ann Eliza, died February 13, 1846; and the tenth child, a son, died in infancy without name.

Rufus Smith, born May 2, 1827, now enjoying in Chatham Port the broad acres, fruits of his own industry, worked with his father until after he was twenty-one years old when he purchased a portion of his present farm for sheep husbandry, which not proving profitable, he, at twenty-four, engaged in making brick near where the new hotel is being erected. This enterprise, on account of expensive transpor- tation, did not meet his expectations, and in 1861 he engaged in a mail contract and stage line, between Chatham and Yarmouth. This natu- rally led to an express business which required, before the advent of the railroad, thirty-two horses for its various branches. Since the cars have run to Orleans he retains a share in the consolidated ex- press company and is engaged in delivering its goods in his own

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

town. He has added largely to his original purchase of lands, and being a lover of animals, keeps a large number of poultry and stock, in connection with his extensive farming. He has found time, at the solicitation of his friends, to fill very efficiently various offices in his town and was the republican representative of his district in 1879. He is a life member of the county agricultural society and is credited with the largest and best exhibit of blooded cattle yet shown at its annual fairs. Farming and the social relations of life are his prefer- ence, but to assist his brothers he has engaged in outside enterprises, being a short time in a wholesale mercantile business with his brother Lewis F., and more recently with his brother David in manufacturing ice at Washington, from which Mr. Smith retired two years after his brother's death. For years past he has successfully engaged in cran- berry culture, adding eight more acres the past year. He is an im- portant factor in the Methodist society, in the body politic, in the industrial interests and every good work and enterprise for the ad- vancement and prosperity of his town.

He was married March 20, 1847, to Mehitable S. Ryder, who was born March 17, 1828, and died August 29,1867. Their seven children are: Joseph R., born May 9, 1847, died in September of the same year; Rufus C., born September 5, 1850, died January 31, 1877, after one year's study for the ministry in a theological school, where he over- taxed his energies and from a cold went into a decline; Benjamin F., born July 20, 1852, now engaged in the express business between Provincetown and Boston, (he married Rebecca A. Taylor, of Province- town, August 29, 1878, who died April 25. 1884. leaving three chil- dren-Mary A., Anna F. and Stephen C.); Clara E., born May 12, 1855, died February 2, 1856; Lizzie E., born February 4, 1858: Curtis M., born October 9, 1859, married Betty Mason, of Washington, and has three children-Ralph C., Rufus and an infant son; and Morris W., twin of Curtis, married Anna M. Nickerson. Mr. Smith was mar- ried the second time November 26, 1868, to Betsey T., daughter of Constant Sears, direct in the lineage of Richard the Pilgrim. She was born November 27, 1836, and is one of six living sisters. Their chil- dren are: Bessie M., born April 21, 1875; and Alice C., September 6, 1882, both in school.

After untiring activity in his business, and a long period of use- fulness in religious, social and civil affairs, Mr. Smith is enabled now to spend the evening of his days in the confidence of all who know him, and in the serenity which such a life merits.

David S. Taylor was born in 1817. He is a son of Samuel and Betsey (Smith) Taylor, and grandson of Reuben C. Taylor. Mr. Taylor followed the sea from 1831 until 1870. He was married in 1842, to

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Hannah, daughter of Thomas Taylor. They have five children: Thomas W., Henry W., David S., jr .. Adaliza C. and Betsey S.

Ephraim A. Taylor7 was born in 1826. He is descended from Ephraim®, John', Seth', Seth3, John2, Richard Taylor'. Mr. Taylor is a carpenter by trade. He was selectman several years, and a member of the school committee. He is a democrat, as was also his father. He was married in 1855, to Ann L. Wight. They have four children: Herman, Gertrude, Winthrop and Edward L. One son, Augustus, born in 1856, died in 1878.

Hiram Taylor, born in 1820, is a son of Samuel and Betsey (Smith) Taylor. He followed the sea from 1832 to 1881, and was master mar- iner thirty years. He is a member of the Boston Marine Society. He was married in 1843, to Elizabeth C., daughter of Ezra and Sally H. Nickerson. Of their four children Caroline I., Hiram E. and one infant are deceased. John H., born September 7, 1858. was married in 1883, to Hattie W., daughter of George A Taylor. They have one daughter, Carrie I.

Captain John Taylor, born in 1824, was a son of Captain John, and a grandson of John Taylor. He began going to sea at the age of eleven years. He was a master mariner until three years prior to his death, which occurred in 1886, and had circumnavigated the globe. He was a member of the Boston Marine Society. He was married in 1847, to Elizabeth, daughter of Gorham and Sarah (Hopkins) Mayo. They had nine children: John B., Gorham M., Edgar R., Walter F., Elwyn O., Lizzie C., Catalina L., and two who died in infancy.

Levi Taylor, eldest son of Reuben C. and Nabby C. (Baker) Taylor, was born in 1824, and has followed the sea since 1836. He is a master mariner, and a member of the Boston Marine Society. He was mar- ried in 1846, to Martha B., daughter of Joshua and Bethiah (Eldridge) Howes. They have two children: Collins B. and Mary F.

Reuben C. Taylor' was born in 1832. He is descended from Reu- ben Ce, Reuben C', Samuel', Samuel3, John2, Richard Taylor'. Mr. Taylor has followed the sea for forty-five years, and has been master twenty years. He was married in 1867, to Phebe N., daughter of Sylvanus Gage. They have four children: Clarina S., Sophena C., Phebe H. and Mercy E.

Washington Taylor, born in 1820, is the youngest of fourteen children of George and Sabrina (Ryder) Taylor. He has been a suc- cessful merchant at Chatham since 1848. He was married in 1842, to Mary R. Harding. They have two sons: Sylvanus H. and Washing- ton R.

Washington R. Taylor, son of Washington Taylor, was born in 1851. He keeps a livery stable in Chatham. He was married in 1873, to Abbie E., daughter of Reuben L. Bearse. They have one son, Frank R.

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TOWN OF CHATHAM.

John W. Vanhise, born in 1825 in New Brunswick, N. J., is a son of William and grandson of John Vanhise, both natives of Middlesex county, New Jersey. Mr. Vanhise is a ship builder by trade. In 1866 he began to plant oysters in what is now known as Oyster bay. Since 1878 he has made the oyster culture a regular business. He is a member of St. Martin's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was married in 1861, to Mrs. Susan E. Small, daughter of Elisha Smalley. She had two sons by her former marriage: Levi A. and George E. Small.

Levi C. Wing, born in 1837, is the eldest of five children of Obed and Lurana (Phillips) Wing and grandson of Levi Wing, who was a revolutionary soldier. Mr. Wing has followed the sea since 1846, and has been master mariner since 1870. He was married in 1859, to Abbie A. Gould. They have six children: Curtis A., Clarana M., P. Frankie, Abbie C., Grace L. and Carrie A.

Isaac B. Young was born in Chatham, March 9, 1818, and is the son of Joseph and Bethiah Bea Young. He was married to Maria J. Marston, November 7, 1839. Their children are: Maria Marston, Helen Clarence, Edwin Marcus and Emma F. Young. Mr. Young was representative in the Massachusetts legislature two terms-1863 and 1864-and deputy collector of customs from 1871 to 1877. His father, Joseph Young, son of Joseph and Anna Nickerson Young, was taken by the British and made prisoner in the war of 1812 at the age of sixteen years. Isaac B.'s grandfather, Joseph Young, the son of Hiat and Mercy Hinckley Young, enlisted in the war of the revolu- tion at the age of sixteen years and served five years. His father, Hiat Young, was in the French war and was taken captive by the In- dians; also served six years in the revolutionary war. Hiat and his son Joseph's aggregate time in the service of the revolutionary war was eleven years. The wages per month received for their service was the value of one bushel of corn.

James M. Young, born in 1834, is a son of Reuben and Martha (Eldredge) Young, grandson of Joseph and great-grandson of Hiat Young. Mr. Young is a carpenter by trade, but for the past fifteen years has been a farmer. He is a member of St. Martin's Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was married in 1877, to Clara L. Harding. They have two children: James W. and Reuben S.

CHAPTER XX.

TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

Description .- Indians .- Settlement .- Incorporation .- Growth and Progress .- The Rev- olution .- Early Industries .- War of 1812 .- Civil War,-Subsequent Events and Present Condition .- Civil Lists .- Churches .- Schools .- Cemeteries .- Villages .- Bi- ographical Sketches.

T - HAT portion of Barnstable county occupying the extreme south- western portion of Cape Cod, now the town of Falmouth, was a part of that unexplored country which the English charter of April 10, 1606, presumed to confer upon the Plymouth Company, and which was superseded by the charter of 1620, by which James I. cre- ated the Council of Plymouth. It is bounded north and northeast by the towns of Bourne and Sandwich, the northwest corner being at Cataumet harbor, east by Mashpee, south by the Vineyard sound, west by Buzzards bay, and contains about 28,500 acres of assessed land. A range of hills, partly covered with oak forest, extends, paral- lel with the bay, through its western border, and the remainder is quite level. The soil is gravelly loam except in the eastern part, which is sandy and light. Its extreme width of coast along the sound is 92 miles, and its width from Falmouth wharf to the northeast cor- ner at Ashumet pond is eight miles. It contains over forty ponds that bear names according to the circumstances of position; pecu- liarity, or original owner, and not a few are salt.

Some writers assert that there was no Indian tribe here when the European first landed; but in the fields along the bay from Woods Holl to North Falmouth have been found their bones and imple- ments, and the reader will be regaled with the frequent use of Indian names that applied to different villages in the town, as given by them and used by the proprietors.

Ecclesiastical differences providentially turned the tide of emigra- tion from Sandwich and Barnstable toward Falmouth, then called by the Indian name Succonesset. Isaac Robinson, dismissed from civil employment because of his sympathy with the Sandwich Quakers, was stricken from the list of freemen. Others, prominent in the colony, and since on the Cape, were proscribed. What could remedy this state of feeling better than to remove as far as possible into

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

the wilderness, away from immediate jurisdiction? June 7, 1659, permission was granted to five persons of Barnstable to purchase of the Indians, lands here, but was not carried into effect. Permission was given to others March 5, 1660. but not until June 4, 1661, under another permission from the court. did these earnest settlers prepare to set out in quest of other homes. They, according to tradition, came by water around the Cape. up the sound. The Barnstable church records show that Isaac Robinson received a letter of recom- mendation to the church at Marthas vineyard: which would indicate that as their place of destination: but they landed on the Cape, and, attracted by its beauty and fertility and having permission from the court at Plymouth, here they remained, becoming the first white settlers of Falmouth.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 70

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