History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 74

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 74

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Associate Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized March 28, 1887, with twenty-two charter members. The first presiding officer was Seba

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

A. Holton, succeeded by C. S. Newcomb. The chief templars since have successively been: D. R. Jarvis, G. R. Johnson, George E. Clarke, G. R. Johnson and G. A. Merithew.

Among the older industries was a glass works at the foot of Shore street prior to 1850. It was a plant of considerable importance, cost- ing $25,000 or more, with steam engine and proper fixtures. Aaron Cornish, John Jenkins and Stephen Dillingham were interested; the latter removed some of its buildings to West Falmouth for the oil- cloth works. Even shipbuilding was at one time a village industry. In 1812, Elijah Swift built a vessel in front of his house-where Ste- phen Cahoon now resides-and launched it at the foot of Shore street. The vessel was of sixty-five tons burden, and he brought together the same number of yokes of oxen from the surrounding country to haul the vessel to the beach.

The Falmouth Bank was established in 1821. The capital stock of $100,000, represented by a thousand shares, was subscribed by eighty- three persons, of whom the fifty-three who were then residents of Falmouth were: Elijah Swift, Ward M. Parker and Thomas Swift, who took one hundred shares each; Shubael Lawrence, who took forty shares; Nathaniel Shiverick, jr., Weston Jenkins, Oliver C. Swift, Lewis W. Calot, Elisha P. Fearing, Nathaniel Lewis, John Jenkins, Braddock Dimmick, Barney Marchant and William Bodfish, who took from ten to twenty shares each; John Lawrence, Samuel P. Croswell, Peter Price, Knowles Butler, John Hatch, jr., Henry Dimmick, May- hew Hatch, Major Hatch, Abner Hinckley, John Robinson, Robinson Jones, Shadrack Lawrence. Ephraim Sanford, Prince Jenkins, Eph- raim Eldridge, Bariah B. Bourne, Simeon Harding, Charles Swift, Silas Swift, Joseph Swift, John Swift, Davis Hatch, Walla Robinson, Henry Robinson, Joseph Robinson, Rowland Robinson, William Bradley, Silas J. Eldred, Solomon Davis, Parnel Butler, Sarah Lewis, Moses Hatch, Micah Sampson, Thatcher Lewis, Silvanus Hatch, Charles Lawrence, Calvin Robinson, Peter Lawrence and Prince Weeks, who took from one to eight shares each. Ward M. Parker was the last survivor of all the original people connected with this bank. David Crocker & Co., of Barnstable, took five shares, eleven Boston men took one hundred and ninety-five shares, and the re- maining one hundred and fifty-one were taken by nineteen other residents of Massachusetts, three of whom were of Sandwich.

The first meeting of stockholders was held April 7, 1821, when Elijah Swift, Thomas Swift, Shubael Lawrence, Braddock Dimmick, Weston Jenkins, Nathaniel Lewis, Elisha P. Fearing, Nathaniel Shiverick, jr., and Samuel P. Croswell were chosen directors. These chose Elijah Swift president and S. P. Croswell cashier. Mr. Swift resigned before his death, which occurred January 9, 1852. In 1843,

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

October third, the second president, John Jenkins, was elected. He died in 1859, and Oliver C. Swift was the third, until his death in January, 1874: Erasmus Gould was the next president, until his death in 1881, when, on January 12th, Silas Jones, the present head of the bank, was elected. The second cashier was Samuel P. Bourne, from 1843 to 1873. . The third, George E. Clarke, was chosen in July, 1873, and was suc- ceeded in May, 1889, by George E. Dean. The bank assumed the character and charter of a national bank May 25, 1865, numbered 1320, and renewed its charter at the expiration of twenty years, in accordance with the laws. It was the first in point of time, and has always been one of the most conservative banks on the Cape. The present directors are Silas Jones, Charles E. Davis, Lewis H. Lau- rence, Thomas H. Lawrence, William F. Jones, Ward Eldred and Alexander M. Goodspeed.

The influx of travel from the Plymouth colony and the towns of the Cape on the north, as the pioneers sought other settlements in this region and at Marthas Vineyard, early called for places of enter- tainment. These places have consecutively been designated as ordi- nary, inn, tavern and hotel. As early as February 7, 1664, Isaac Rob- inson was " approved and allowed by the Court to keep an Ordinary at Succonesset for the entertainment of strangers-in regard that it doth appear that there is a great recourse to and fro to Marthas Vineyard, Nantucket, etc., and that hee be provided with provisions and Neces- saryes for that purpose, likewise he is to keep good order in his House that no damage or just harme befall him by his negligence." Thus it would seem that the Puritan fathers made the entertainment of the stranger a matter of public concern. In 1746 the proprietors adjourned to the inn of John Bourne in the village. At an early date of the present century Samuel Shiverick kept an inn in the house next west of Jones' Continental shoe store ; also, about 1800, when the wharfs and business was active at the foot of Shore street, Elisha Gifford, a bachelor, kept a tavern in the last house of the street, on the corner near the wharf, now the summer residence of William B. Bacon. His sign was unique, bearing a ship and a seaview on one side, on the reverse a stage arrival. The packets and stages made his a lively place. The old sign swung on Hotel Falmouth for a time as a legend of the past. but has been consigned to the garret by the improvements of the day. H. C. Lewis, of this village, still preserves, among other momentoes of the time, the signboard that his father, David Lewis, swung in front of the present residence in 1812, when, in the then new house, he opened his tavern, which was continued until about 1850. Prior to this the old building that stood on the vacant lot, the corner west of and adjoining the residence of George W. Jones, was a tavern. It was on the first laid-out public road and conspicuous in its

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

day, having been built in the past century. The last landlord was Shubael Hatch, familiarly known as "Little Shube" in 1812.

The only hotel here now open all the year is Hotel Falmouth-a well managed house on the modern American plan-which is also fairly patronized by the summer visitors. The building in its older parts is somewhat historic, having been built by Stephen Dillingham, a Quaker merchant, who kept a store in it several years. His brothers, Reuben and Abram, and Jonathan Boyce, a brother-in-law, were interested in the business with him. This firm was succeeded by a Mr. Rogers as assignee, who was followed by John and Knowles Butler. Reuben E. Swift kept this store later and run, as his father Ezekiel had done, a packet from Falmouth to New Bedford. The next merchant at this corner was Benjamin P. Swift, who was suc- ceeded by Albert Nye, then residing in the house he built where Captain John R. Lawrence now lives. The last merchant at this point was Meltiah Lawrence, who sold the property to James W. Baker, and he in 1872 remodeled the building and opened it as Baker's Hotel. When his white stage coach met the passengers at Falmouth station on the first train from Boston in 1872, the date was marked with red in the landlord's calendar. The Hyannis Bank, as mortgagee, con- trolled it next, with Elihu H. Davis as tenant, and in 1880 Henry C. Lewis became the owner, and changed the name to Hotel Falmouth. The next landlord, Sylvanus F. Dimmick, who purchased it in the spring of 1881, had married Erasmus Gould's daughter, added the east wing and the south annex; but his short career was harrassed by the spectre of six per cent., and whatever title he had was passed to the present proprietor, George W. Fish, in October, 1886.

The old landmark, the Succonesset House, owned by E. E. C. Swift, has recently given place to the new Episcopal church.

The water route along the sound served until the advancement of the town required more direct and immediate connection with the portions of the county north, when a stage route was opened between Sandwich and Falmouth. It was very limited prior to 1828- A tri- weekly stage carried the mail and did the errands between Sandwich and Woods Holl, touching at intermediate points. The old route at that time was down through the woods to Falmouth. In 1832 William Hewins took the line, driving daily by the way of North and West Falmouth, to Falmouth and Woods Holl, along the bay road; then the eastern part of the town was served by a tri-weekly stage and mail from Falmouth. Mr. Hewins' business increased and continued until the advent of the railroad in 1872. Two daily stages from Waquoit via East Falmouth to Falmouth, now supplies that portion of the town with mail and passenger facilities.

The early mails were received from New Bedford, the vessels

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

touching at the foot of Shore street and later at Woods Holl. at which time the mail was carried to the Vineyard by sailboat. Old residents well remember Joseph Ray (colored) who carried it by sail to the island in 1824, 1825. The unfortunate carrier preceding him was drowned. The Falmouth post office was established. with Jonathan O. Freeman as postmaster, January 1, 1795. In the following Sep- tember Joseph Palmer was commissioned and served until April 1, 1809, when James Hinckley took the office to an old building opposite the corner of the square. The building was moved to Oliver Swift's premises and is now doing service as part of Mark Gorey's residence. Charles Stanford was postmaster in the same building nine years, from June 27, 1812, and was succeeded by Richard S. Wood in a building now owned by Sophronia Wood on the Richard Wood estate. May 7, 1832, Samuel P. Croswell had the office in the present bank building. From March 27, 1837, Frederick Davis, for many years a leading merchant here, was this important official in the building now occupied by Solomon L. Hamlin's store. Obed Goodspeed suc- ceeded Mr. Davis in July, 1849, at the same place. Richard S. Wecd was again appointed, June 13, 1851. Joshua Jones succeeded Wood prior to 1861, in the Burgess store building. Under President Lin- coln's administration, in 1862, Thomas Lawrence was appointed, who was followed by Joseph Burgess and H. F. Robinson in succession. In 1885 E. E. C. Swift was appointed and removed the office to the Masonic building, which is the same re-modeled that was offered the lodge by the selectmen long ago. Mr. Swift was succeeded October 12, 1889, by George W. Jones.

The earliest stores were primitive, keeping the needed merchandise which came in vessels. Late in the past century and early in this, Dea. Braddock Dimmick, Nathaniel Shiverick and Major Hatch had stores-places of as much relative importance then as are the fashion- able bazaars of the present. David Lewis opened a store in the wing of his house in 1812, and the snuff jar, with other furniture, is on the shelf as of old, preserved by his son, H. C. Lewis. Silas Jones was a merchant of the time. Charles Bourne built the store on the west corner of Main and Shore streets, prior to 1822. He failed and was succeeded by his kinsman, Silas J. Bourne. Joseph H. Starbuck used it as a tin-shop; a Union Store Company occupied it two years, Meltiah Lawrence, William Lawrence, Frank Bourne, Edward A. Gould and George C. Clark, occupied it. W. C. Davis erected his furniture store here in 1889. E. Packard erected the store where S. L. Hamlin now has a large store and was succeeded, about 1820, by Charles Wilcox and Frederick Davis. Very early also was a store near the square, in the building occupied by S. L. Hamlin; as early as 1815 Weston Jen- kins was there, and was succeeded by Charles and John Jenkins, who

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

were very prosperous. Francis Shiverick and Richard T. Wood suc- ceeded the Jenkins' family in the same place. Joseph Croswell had a store south of the square, which was moved across and below, and was kept, prior to 1848, by Bartlett Holmes, who sold out to open business in the Jenkins store. In 1867 W. H. Hewins commenced in the old Jenkins store, now a branch of S. L. Hamlin's, where Mr. Hewins continued seventeen years when, in 1884, he removed to his present fine double store near the Town Hall. Charles McDermott, the con- tractor, came first to Falmouth in 1871, as foreman on the construction of the Woods Holl railroad. He is largely engaged in grading and road building in and about Falmouth.

Henry F. Gifford has preserved among papers of historical value, a copy of the Nautical Intelligencer, of December 24, 1824, printed here, which contains very interesting references to the business and customs of that time. John Jenkins was a liberal advertiser, deeming it im- portant to notice a fresh supply of "Staple and fancy Dry gooods, Hardware & Groceries, which he is selling at very low prices." His dry goods list included "green bockings, figd & plain Bombazetts, Sea Island Shirtings, bl'k Levantines, Synchaws & sarsnets, Taffeta ribons, Silk buttons, Valencia, Swans down & bl'k. Fancy Silk Vest- ings. Fur trimmings, factory Ginghams & 5/4 bleached sheetings." His hardware list included shaving brushes, iron table and tea spoons, writing paper, quills and ink powder, bed screws and table hinges, door plates and sad irons, iron knitting pins, padlocks and sleigh-bells.

Frederick Davis, one of the leading merchants of the time, adver- tised still more extensively. His " general assortment of seasonable goods of recent importations, offered at reduced prices," included a detailed list of dry goods, hardware, groceries, glass and crockery ware His store was where Captain S. L. Hamlin's principal store is now located.

Friend Stephen Dillingham had "just received from New York an additional supply of fall and winter goods, which he offers for sale on very reasonable terms." His list, one-fourth column in fine print, mentions dry goods, hardware and crockery. His grocery list men- tions merely molasses, sugars, tobacco, etc. Other advertisers included under groceries, West India and New England rum, cognac, brandy, Holland and American gin, Jamaica and St. Croix rum, Maderia, Lis- bon, Mallaga and real Port wines, cordials, coffee and corks, and head- ache snuff.

The editor of the paper offered cash for cotton and linen rags, and notified his subscribers who were to pay in wood to bring it. He wanted a post-rider to deliver the Intelligencer through North Falmouth, Pocasset, Monument and Sandwich on Friday mornings, and another " to go through Cotuitt Village to Hyannis on the same day." Lewis

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

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WV. Calot, as librarian, called a meeting of " The members of the Fal- mouth Library Society for special business, on the 7th of January at 6 o'clock P. M."

The post village of Woods Holl is on the south and southwest boundary of the town, extending between Buzzards bay on the west and the waters of the sound on the east. In early days the name ter- minated with an e, but as the location assumed importance, its friends assisted its good name by adopting the Icelandic "Holl," which is thought to be more in harmony with the characteristics of the village.

It has good harbors, known distinctively as Great and Little, se- curely sheltered, where a haven can be found for vessels of the larger class. Its settlement immediately succeeded that of the northern por- tion of the town.

The lands in the vicinity of Woods Holl being taken up July 23, 1677, were divided into lots of sixty acres upland to a share, with meadows; this had been secured from the natives, and was in extent from Great and Little harbors along the coast to Five-Mile river, and probably north to Quisset. The lots were commenced at the south end of the Little neck, running northwesterly to Great harbor; paral- lel to these, twelve other lots were laid out, each seven rods in width, and assigned to Moses Rowley, sr., Joseph Hull, Thomas Griffin, John Robinson, Samuel Tilley, Nathaniel Skiff, Thomas Johnson, William Gifford, Thomas Lewis, John Jenkins, Jonathan Hatch, sr., William Weeks and Thomas Ewer. Each also took ten acres in Great neck. The records describe these lots as follows: "The first lies in the neck,-being on the foot-path that runs through the neck, and S. E. toward the sound; then three lots lying contiguous; then six lots on the E. side of Little Harbor,-the first runs E. by N., 4 score long and 20 rods broad, and on that range lies six lots, the last joining to the Dutchman's pond; then three lots at Nobsque Point,-26 reds broad, running to the pond, and also to the sea; the 12th lot being 20 rods broad and 4 score long; the 13th lies beyond Ackapasket and butts on the sea."

An Indian deed, bearing date January 15, 1679, signed by Job Notantico, confirms to these early proprietors of Woods Holl the land title. A blacksmith was greatly needed at this time, and the propri- etors " laid out twelve acres of upland with the marsh thereabouts," and appropriated it to encourage a smith to settle among them-an inducement which, no doubt, was the means of bringing the desired result.

The first public road of the town was laid out in this little village from Little harbor to Thomas Johnson's land, to Joseph Hatch's land, and so on through to Five-Mile creek.

The first important impulse toward developing a village here was derived from the salt industry. Salt was made on the east of Little

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

harbor, where the Episcopal church now stands, on the north end of the harbor and in the northwest angle of Main and School streets, ex- tending as far north as the present school house. The store-house for the salt was on the site of Benjamin J. Edwards' present residence. Other evaporating vats are remembered on the west side of Little harbor and on the hill by the Dexter house. The names of Ward M. Parker, John Parker, Ephraim Eldridge and Jabez Davis are associ- ated with this industry.

Woods Holl attained to some prominence as a shipbuilding and whaling station early in the century. Elijah Swift, who had formerly built pine whalers at Wareham, began in 1828 his career at Woods Holl. Solomon Lawrence, father of Captain John R. Lawrence, was the master builder. Of all the men employed in building and equip- ping these vessels, only Christopher G. Bearse and Sanford Heren- deen survive. The last ship built here was the Elijah Swift, a mer- chantman. Among the smaller craft, of more recent date, were two merchant schooners built for Joseph S. Fay, and the fishing vessel Aurelia, built by Thomas Robinson and Jabez Davis for Harwich parties.

The brig Sarah Herrick, sailing June 17, 1820, was the first whale vessel from Falmouth. Her voyage in the Atlantic was for one year. She returned laden with three hundred barreis of sperm.

In December, 1821, the ship Pocahontas, of 350 tons, which was. built that year at Falmouth, began a voyage of thirty-three months. under Captain Frederick Chase, and brought home two thousand bar- rels of sperm oil. The next year, 1821, the schooner Salome sailed, and in 1825 the Pocahontas sailed in May for the Pacific, and in 1827 returned with 2,100 barrels sperm. Her next voyage, until October, 1830, was under Captain Charles Swift, in the Pacific, from which she brought in 1,700 barrels sperm.

The ship Uncas, 400 tons, was built at Woods Holl in 1828, and sailed under Captain Henry C. Bunker, November 17th, for the Pacific, returning July 15, 1831, with 3,468 barrels sperm. Her next voyage under the same captain was four years, yielding 2,900 barrels sperm.

The Awashonks was built at Woods Holl in 1830-a ship of 355 tons -- and sailed for the Pacific, November 6th, under Captain Obed Swain, arriving home three years later, with 2,000 barrels sperm.

The bark Brunette, 200 tons, Captain Cottle, sailed in January, and in May, 1834, reached home with 800 barrels sperm.

Captain Joseph Swift sailed with the Pocahontas to the Pacific in 1831, returning April 23, 1835, with 1,700 barrels sperm.

In 1832 the Bartholomew Gosnold, 360 tons, was built at Woods Holl and sailed November 29th, Captain John C. Daggett, and in August, 1836, brought home 2,200 barrels sperm.

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

The Awashonks sailed again December 28, 1833, under Captain. Prince Coffin to the Pacific, where he with his first and second mate and four men were killed in October, 1835, by the natives of Namarik .. The vessel was brought home by the acting captain, Silas Jones.

In January, 1833, the ship William Penn, 370 tons, built the previous year at Hog Island harbor in West Falmouth, sailed for the Pacific, under Captain John C. Lincoln, and arrived home April 29, 1836, with 1,200 barrels sperm. Her first mate and the crews of two boats were cap -. tured by the natives of one of the Navigator islands.

In November, 1834, the bark Brunette, Captain Fisher, returned from a short voyage of six months with 60 barrels of sperm, and sailed again the following May under Captain Cottle, arriving home Febru -. ary 25, 1837, with 700 barrels sperm.

In 1835 the bark George Washington, 180 tons, was bought from New York, and under Captain Consider Fisher sailed for the South At- lantic on November 24th, returning two years from the following April, with 60 barrels sperm and 400 barrels of whale oil.

October 31, 1835, the ship Pocahontas, under Captain Joseph Swift,. returned to the Pacific, arriving home with 1,200 barrels of sperm in January, 1838, after which she was sold to Holmes Hole.

Under Captain Uriah Clarke, the ship Uncas sailed for the Pacific- ocean August 2, 1835, arriving home with 1,800 barrels sperm and 1,000 barrels whale on April 9, 1839.

In 1836 the bark Popmunnett was built, 200 tons, and sailed for the. Atlantic July sixth, under Captain Stanton Fish, arriving home with her captain sick and 90 barrels of sperm, November 29th.

Captain Rufus Pease, in charge of the ship Awashonks, sailed for the Pacific August 22, 1836. January 24, 1840, she arrived home with. 2,500 barrels sperm.

October S, 1836, the ship William Penn sailed for the Pacific, Cap- tain Russell Bodfish in charge, reaching home May 28, 1841, with 1,300 barrels sperm and 370 barrels of whale oil.

In October, 1836, the ship Hobomok, Captain Henry C. Bunker, sailed for the Pacific, returning home after three years with 2,000 barrels of sperm and 1,000 barrels of whale.

Captain Elihu Fish sailed with the ship Bartholomew Gosnold for the Pacific November 17, 1836, returning home September 19, 1839, with 700 barrels sperm and 1,900 barrels whale oil.

The bark Brunette sailed for the Atlantic in May, 1837, arriving home in one year with 400 barrels of sperm, Captain Poole having her in charge.

In April, 1838, the bark George Washington, under Captain Consider Fisher, arrived home with 80 barrels sperm and 300 barrels whale,. having sailed for the Atlantic the previous year.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Captain Nickerson sailed with the bark Popmunnett for the Atlan- tic January 13, 1837, arriving home the following year with 300 bar- rels sperm oil.

Captain Poole, with the bark Brunette, sailed on July 12, 1838, for the Atlantic ocean, arriving home with 400 barrels of sperm on De- cember 11, 1839.

In June, 1838, the bark George Washington, under Captain White- house, sailed for the Atlantic, returning in March, 1840, with 200 bar- rels of sperm.

In August, 1839, the ship Uncas, Captain Ephraim Eldridge, sailed for the Pacific, returning home at the end of four years with 2,200 barrels sperm, 300 barrels whale, and 2,400 pounds of bone. She was sold to New London in 1843.

In July, 1840, Captain Rufus Pease, in charge of the ship Awa- shonks, sailed for the Pacific, reaching home in 1843 with 1,800 barrels sperm.

Captain Luce, with the bark Brunette, sailed August 11, 1840, for the Atlantic, arriving home in May, 1842, with 300 barrels sperm and 20 barrels whale oil, after which she was sold to Colonel Colt, the re- volver manufacturer, and taken to Washington, where she was blown to atoms with a torpedo of Colonel Colt's invention.

January 1, 1840, the ship Bartholomew Gosnold, Captain Abraham Russell, sailed for the Pacific. arriving home in 1843 with 1,800 barrels of sperm and 600 barrels whale oil. She was then sold to New Bedford.

In 1840 the bark George Washington, under Captain Samuel Eldridge, sailed for the Atlantic. After two months' absence she returned clean and leaking, and was sold to New Bedford.

The ship Hobomok started on her third voyage May 29, 1840, for the Pacific, Captain Silas Jones, arriving home March 14, 1844, with 2,200 barrels sperm oil. In October, 1841, the ship William Penn sailed for the Pacific, with John C. Lincoln as captain, and arrived home four years later, with 1,300 barrels sperm, 100 barrels whale oil and 2.200 pounds bone.

November 30, 1841, Captain Charles Downs, sailed the ship Commo- dore Morris, 350 tons, for the Pacific ocean, and arrived home in May, 1845, with 1,450 barrels sperm oil and 40 barrels whale oil.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 74

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