History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 76

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 76

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Between Falmouth village and Waquoit, on the post road, are the two small hamlets, Teticket and East Falmouth. The latter is a post village containing a Methodist Episcopal church and one store. The first postmaster was John Robinson, who was succeeded after his death, January 3, 1855, by his son, John H. Robinson, who kept the office in his store. The next was Ephraim Crocker, who removed the office to the Union store, where it has since been kept. His successors have been Joshua W. Davis, Leander Baker and H. L. Davis.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

At East Falmouth a circulating library was established in Feb- ruary, 1877, by Mrs. C. M. Baker, at her residence. Each of these hamlets has a public school, and at Teticket is a hardware and tin- shop.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Lewis Baker, born in 1827, son of Edmund and grandson of Na- thaniel Baker, has been a merchant in Waquoit since 1859. He married Emma B. Holmes of this town. Their family of five child- ren are: Lewis W., Edwin J., Hiram C., Bertha M. and Merton D. Baker. This Nathaniel Baker was originally of Yarmouth.

Newell E. Baker, brother of Lewis, was born in 1845. His place at Waquoit is the homestead of Captain Jarvis Bourne. His wife, Lizzie J. E., is a daughter of Captain Micajah Fisher. Their child- ren are: Florence M., Alice M. and Walter N. Baker.

Mayhew Baker, son of Edmund and grandson of Nathaniel Baker, was born at Davisville in 1822. He was appointed keeper of the Falmouth almshouse in 1869, and has been reappointed annually since. He gave up his position in 1890 on account of ill health. His wife, Temperance Davis, is a daughter of Oliver Davis, grand- daughter of Prince Davis and great-granddaughter of Ichabod Davis. Their three children are: Annie M. (Mrs. Herbert H. Lawrence), Herman E. Baker and Alberta H. Baker.

CAPTAIN NEHEMIAH P. BAKER, of Teticket, a retired whaleman, seems to have inherited a love for the pursuit, as his long years on ship, and the calling of his ancestors would indicate. His father, Braddock Baker, was a successful coasting captain, and his grand- father, Barnabas, was a master in the whaling avocation, all from Fal- mouth, where Captain Nehemiah has chosen to rest from his labors. He was born October 10, 1823, and at the age of thirteen he went be- fore the mast in the ship John Adams. He made two voyages in this capacity, and on his third was advanced to boat-steerer. On his fourth voyage he went as third officer, and as first on the fifth voyage, in 1847. He became master of the Gen. Pike in 1850, and in that posi- tion afterward successfully commanded the Nimrod, the William Gifford and the Rainbow, on long voyages of four years each. Other vessels of which he had command on shorter trips, were the Marengo, Coral and the Mary and Susan. The vessels were all full-rigged, first-class whalers except the William Gifford, which was bark-rigged, and the Marengo, which was a merchantman, and in which he transported a general cargo to San Francisco.

For the thirty-four years he was a whaleman he never lost a man overboard nor had one fall from aloft, and although daring in his na- ture and exposed to all the dangers consequent upon the vocation, he

Nehemiah @ Baker

PRINT. E. BIERSTADT, N Y

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encountered no serious accident. One of his men, in the same boat with himself, lost a limb, the loss of blood causing death before the ship could be reached; the man was at the oar, and the line that was · being run rapidly out by a whale became coiled around the limb, amputating it.

In 1871 the captain retired from active service. but subsequently made four trips to the Pacific to take the command of vessels in the interest of the owners or underwriters, and these missions were satis- factorily conducted. His ships were made in New England, and he owned and retained a share in each of them.

He married Thankful R. Fish, daughter of Francis Fish, and a de- scendant of an old historic family. Their children are: Charles S., who married Josephine Cameron, of Prince Edward's Island; Mary F., wife of Dr. Darius L. Powe, of Falmouth; Nellie B., born in New Zealand, and wife of James A. Darling, of East Greenwich, R. I., and Jessie B., wife of Joseph C. Fish, jr., of Quissett. Mrs. Fish was the first of the children to gladden the hearts of the grandparents with a grandchild.

The captain, although a descendant of one of the most conspicu- ous and important families of the Cape, went to sea too early to gain even the education attainable then, but the forecastle, in after years, found him a diligent student and an accomplished seaman. The greatest trial he has encountered in the voyage of life has been from the use of alcoholic drinks by his friends, and so warm is his heart and humane his principles that he has determined to fight rum in de- fense of his fellow beings. He has espoused the cause of the prohi- bition party as the best way to effect this purpose, and he is the first in its ranks. His motto is " Never give up the ship," and as long as the principles of that party have a tendency to annihilate the evil, or until a better course is laid down on the chart of his manly heart, he will be a master in that line. He is not a follower of any particular religious sect, but his works and life are actuated by the most vital and important principles of the Christian faith. His anchor is " Do as you would be done by," and so deeply is it imbedded in good soil that no gales of life can drag it and cast the stately vessel upon dan- gerous rocks or shoals.

Christopher G. Bearse, born in Teticket in 1822, is a son of Daniel, born in Barnstable in 1781, and grandson of Daniel Bearse. When just eighteen years of age he began work as ship-cooper in Woods Holl, and continued in the business there while ship-building was car- ried on. Since then he has worked in New Bedford. He has been a member of the republican party since its organization. His first wife was a daughter of Captain Joseph Hatch, of Woods Holl. She died, leaving one child, Martha, now Mrs. John Coats, who lives in Texas.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Mr. Bearse's present wife is a daughter of the late Job Taber of Fair- haven. They have one daughter, Charity (Mrs. J. K. P. Purdum).

Crocker H. Bearse, born in 1810, is a son of Moses and grandson of Gershom Bearse, who formerly resided in Hyannis, dying there about . 1838. Crocker H. married Susan Eldridge (deceased). His present wife, Maria T., is a daughter of Ichabod Childs and the widow of David G. Pierce. Mr. Bearse settled in Waquoit in 1832, and worked at shoe- making several years. He was twenty-nine years merchant and post- master, two years deputy sheriff, and a constable of the town for at least thirty years. In 1876 he was an independent candidate for the legislature to represent Sandwich and Falmouth, and was elected by about fifty majority. He has been an officer in Marine Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Benjamin S. Bowerman, born in 1838, is a son of Prince G., whose father, Daniel, was a son of Barnabas and grandson of Daniel Bower- man. This family have been generally farmers for several genera- tions and members of the Society of Friends. Benjamin's wife is Chloe G., a daughter of Prince G. Moore. They have one son, Albert S. Bowerman. Prince G. Bowerman's wife was Sarah, daughter of Charles Swift.

Daniel Bowerman® (Barnabas', Daniel3, Barnabas", Daniel') was born in 1832. He went to California in 1854, and was there engaged in mining seven years, and for eight years did carpentry in San Fran- cisco. His wife (his brother Joshua's widow) was Mary J. Buffum, from Maine. She died January 2, 1887. They have one child, Virtue R., a girl of fourteen. Daniel Bowermana was an only son and owned the farm and house, near West Falmouth, where this grandson, Daniel, now lives.

Samuel Bowerman, one of the eminent lawyers of Massachusetts, was a grandson of Samuel Bowerman (son of Stephen), who lived at West Falmouth.

Charles H. Burdick, born in 1852, is a son of William and grandson of Benjamin Burdick. He followed the sea three years, after which he worked at farming about three years. He then, in 1883, learned the house-carpenter trade, and now carries on an extensive business in contracting and building, employing fifteen or more men.

Josiah S. Burgess' (James®, Bangs®, in revolution 1776; Simeon', Joseph3, who married Thomasina Bangs of Yarmouth; John', who married Mary Worden of Yarmouth; Thomas', the Pilgrim) was born in 1818. His first wife was Susan Collins who left two children: J. Herbert and Helen L., now Mrs. Albert W. Tobey of West Falmouth. His second wife was Julia Waters, whom he married December 8, 1853. He was married in 1880 to the widow of Rev. Benjamin L. Sayer. Mr. Burgess early learned blacksmithing and has made this his business through life.

RESIDENCE OF B. C. CAHOON, Falmouth, Mass.

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TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

BARZILLAI C. CAHOON .- As you ride along the road from Falmouth to East Falmouth, the first residence on the left on entering the latter village will attract your attention on account of its beauty and situa- tion. Thirty years ago this was a small cottage and the bank in front was high and unsightly. In 1859 the subject of this sketch purchased the farm, graded the hill into a fine terraced lawn, and transformed the cottage into the present substantial mansion. The surroundings are complete, and the residence is supplied with hot and cold water. The farm has undergone the same magical change from natural sterility to a high state of fertility, and all by the industry and thoroughness of the owner, Barzillai C. Cahoon. He removed here from Plymouth. the place of his nativity, and his business in life has been as a stock dealer and drover. He purchased and sold stock of all kinds not only on the Cape, at Nautucket and the Vine- yard, but shipped by the carload from the Western states. In 1861, in connection with the other business, he began to supply the people with fresh meat, and was the first to attempt to supply the people in the winter; but his business grew to that extent that he kept four wagons on the road constantly and two as extras.

He was born January 21, 1830, and was the son of Samuel, whose father was Stephen Cahoon -- all of Plymouth. The wife of Barzillai Cahoon was Mary D., daughter of Josiah Jones of Waquoit, and a sister of I. T. Jones of Sandwich. Their children are: Frederick A., who married Hattie Stone of Plymouth; Clara E., the wife of T. P. S. Phinney of Waquoit; George H .. who married Lydia Tripp of West- port; Mary A., the wife of E. E. C. Swift, jr., of Falmouth; Ina T. and Abbie R., who reside at home.

Mr. Cahoon has been engaged in the culture of cranberries for the past twelve years, having given up his former business in 1879. Like other business enterprises that engaged his attention, he makes farm- ing a success. He mostly uses in his bogs the Early Black vine and finds an early and ready market. He recently sold one crop of eight hundred barrels of cranberries at an average price of eight dollars per barrel when other varieties were comparatively of no value.

Although conversant with the affairs of state and being prominent in the ranks of the dominant party, he has ever declined any office of importance that would interfere with the routine of his business. He could not sacrifice too much from his own duties to fill positions that others could as acceptably. He is well and prominently known throughout the county by his extensive dealings and uniform. up- rightness. His choice in sacred affairs is that of the Methodist Epis- copal church, to the material support of which he is a cheerful donor, and the teachings of which have been the fundamental principles of an extensive relation with his fellow being. He is at the head of a

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

class of mercantile men of whom there are but a few in retirement; and the same industry and neatness is as marked in his farming operations. A view of his fine residence, when the passer-by enquires. " Whose is it?" or the accompanying sketch will be an earnest that the entire cultivated farm of Mr. Cahoon is a corresponding monu- ment to his energy and good taste.

William W. Chadwick, born in 1820, is a son of Thacher Chadwick, who died in 1850, and a grandson of Barnabas Chadwick, who was born in 1765 and died in 1838. Thacher Chadwick was a soldier in the war of 1812. and his widow received a pension. In early life Mr. Chadwick engaged in ship and house .building, but is now a farmer. His first wife, Harriet N., was a daughter of Isaiah Hatch. At her death she left one son, Willard N., and one daughter, Mary P. (Mrs. George H. Turner). Mr. Chadwick's second wife, Hannah R., is a daughter of Frederick Davis. Their children are: Hattie F. (Mrs. William B. Dillingham), and Annie W. Chadwick.

Frederick N. Childs, born in 1834, is a son of Ichabod H., grandson of Joseph and great-grandson of Joseph Childs. His mother was Rebecca R. Phinney. From the time he was fifteen years old until 1863 he was engaged in whaling; was mate with Xenophen Rich, of Provincetown. He is now engaged in farming. His wife was Mary A., daughter of Philander Crocker, of Richmond, Indiana. They have- one son, Granville N. P. Childs.

William Childs7 (Thomas6, born 1799; Joseph5, born 1775; Joseph', born 1750; Joseph3, born 1724: Joseph', born 1699; Richard', born 1649;) was born in 1825, and died in 1889. From his eighteenth year until 1874 he followed the sea, being master of whaling vessels the last twenty years. One of his vessels was captured and burned by Captain Semins in 1861, and was paid for through the Geneva Arbitration. Captain Childs' wife is Laura A., daughter of Thomas Hamblin. Their four children are: Annie E., Alice L., a teacher, William A. and Eliza W. The oldest daughter is the wife of Ignatius Sargent, a native of Philadelphia, now living, retired, at Waquoit.

GEORGE E. CLARKE .- Among the agencies that have perceptibly shaped or influenced the history or this town, a decided place must be accorded to the character and services of George Ellery Clarke. Born in 1822 at Needham, now Wellesley, and receiving a liberal edu- cation, he came to Falmouth in 1852, a graduate of Williams College, to take charge of Lawrence Academy as its principal. He brought into this service not only a lively interest in classical and general learning, which was quick to inspire a hearty zest for scholarship in his pupils, but also a moral earnestness based on Christian life, which elevated the motives and aspirations of several young men who are now among the foremost factors of the character and reputation of

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Falmouth. It is in his share of the moral and mental shaping of the present manhood of Falmouth as a teacher, that he stands most clearly as a history-maker for the town. He lives to see the faithful and earnest endeavor of those eleven best years of the prime of life, which were given to the principalship of Lawrence Academy, reproduce many fold in useful lives here and elsewhere.

In 1863 he acted as cashier of Falmouth Bank for six months, and afterwards for nine years honorably filled the position of chief clerk in the lighthouse department in Boston. Returning to Falmouth in 1873, he became cashier of the Falmouth National Bank, and for six- teen years afterwards diligently conducted the growing interests of this institution.

But during his long course of business life. his hold has not been lost on the higher interests of the community. A member of the school committee for three periods comprising nine years of intelligent service, he was assiduous in shaping the school-system of Falmouth into a manifestly improved condition, and placing it under proper superintendency. During most of the periods of his residence in the town since 1859, the religious basis of his interest in the community has been acknowledged in his position as deacon in the Congrega- tional church. And his personal efforts for the enlightenment and help of the public, by numerous lectures and speeches on economical and political questions. have been recognized in various parts of the town as instructive and substantial.

During the period of his principalship in the Academy he was married to a daughter of Samuel Shiverick, a descendant of the first pastor in the church at Falmouth. Their only son is Lewis F. Clarke, the editor and proprietor of the Falmouth Local .. Mr. Clarke was elected to the state legislature as a republican in 1889.

Seth Collins, born in 1821, is a son of Benajah and Rebecca (Bax- ter) Collins. Benajah was a brother of Seth Collins of Chatham, and a son of Samuel Collins. At fourteen years of age Captain Seth went to sea, which he followed until 1868, during which time he became a successful master mariner. His first wife was Diana P. Jones, who died leaving one daughter, Eliza J., now Mrs. Harrison G. Phinney of Cotuit. His present wife, Mary, is a daughter of Allen Crocker. Their children are: Simeon D., Willie A., Ida R. and Benajah B. Col- lins.

John H. Crocker, born in 1857, is a son of Allen Crocker, born in West Barnstable, grandson of Ansel. and great-grandson of John Crocker of Barnstable. He is largely interested in cranberry culture in Falmouth, being manager for a company-in which he is a large stockholder-which owns nearly fifty acres of valuable bog lands here.

..... .

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Albert F. Crowell, son of Joshua, 1802-1884, and grandson of Joshua Crowell, who was lost in Plymouth bay in 1804, was born in North Falmouth in 1836, and married Franklin Nye's daughter, Char- lotte R., who died in 1885. Mr. Crowell's farm contains the site of an early residence of Solomon Nye, whereon was built, probably in 1772, the present residence of Mr. Crowell.

Charles E. Davis was born in this town in 1843. He followed the sea for several years, enlisted in the United States navy in 1862 and served one year. He again went to sea and in 1865 was commander of a vessel. He is now located at Woods Holl, where he deals in wood and coal. He is principally engaged in wrecking. a business of con- siderable importance, formerly carried on under the name of the Woods Holl Wrecking Company.

Frederick Davis, once the postmaster at Falmouth, was, during the first third of this century, one of the principal merchants of the village. He was a native of Barnstable. but was married and settled in Falmouth. He was a tailor by trade and for years was secretary of the Masonic lodge here. Henry H. and Andrew J. Davis of Boston are his sons.

Frederick C. Davis, born August 12, 1865, is a son of Israel B. Davis, who was born in Davisville, where his father Job, son of Thomas, then lived. Frederick C. twelve years since located oyster beds on the neck west of Waquoit bay. Beginning with but seventy-five cents, he has built up the principal oyster business of this section. His oyster beds here and on Buzzards bay amount to about two hundred acres. He has been interested in sheep raising two years. He is married to Susan B. Hammond.

George H. Davis, son of Nymphas, grandson of Joseph and great- grandson of Joseph Davis, was born in 1841. His wife is Emma E. Sanborn, from Exeter, New Hampshire, formerly a teacher here. They have one child, Alma L. Mr. Davis has been variously engaged as cattle dealer, contractor, real estate solicitor and farmer. He is serving his fourth term as overseer of the poor of Falmouth, and has held other minor offices.

Henry T. Davis, born in Woods Holl in 1838, is a son of Thomas G. Davis, whose father, Jabez, born 1766, was a son of Solomon, born 1720, and a grandson of Jabez and Annah (Wicks) Davis, all of whom have been residents of Falmouth. Thomas G. Davis was born May 15, 1808, and died March 14, 1877. He was married in 1835, to Mahala E., daughter of Josiah and Rebecca Eldridge. She was born Septem- ber 17, 1809, and died April 8, 1890. Their children were: Mary B., Henry T., Lydia B., Georgianna, Josiah E., Rebecca E. and Thomas G., jr. Henry T. volunteered as an officer in the navy, October 1, 1863, and served until August 7, 1867. He followed the sea as a whale-

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man until 1874. In the spring of 1875 he began a grocery business in Woods Holl, as a member of the firm of Davis & Hamblin, and was burned out in 1877. In 1879 he opened his present market, the prin- cipal one at Woods Holl. He was married March 1, 1875, in Port- land, Me., to Mary, daughter of Willard and Margery Clapp. They have had four children: Georgianna C., Walter G., G. Willard and Henry T., jr.

James H. Davis of Quissett was born in 1831. His father, John Davis, was a son of John Davis (son of Solomon) who lived in an old house on the place now owned by James H. Mrs. James H. Davis is Hattie, daughter of Sanford Herendeen, who, with the exception of Christopher G. Bearse, is the only survivor of all the men engaged in the building and fitting of whaling ships from Woods Holl. Mr. Davis' family consists of three children: Etta L., Alonzo O. H. and Theodore L. His business is farming.

Samuel F. Davis was born in 1833. His father, Francis Davis, was a soldier and pensioner of the war of 1812, and hisgrandfather, Francis Davis, was a former resident of Quissett. At sixteen yearsof age Mr. Davis went to sea, and in 1865 was master of a vessel. He returned from his last voyage-whaling-in 1885. In 18SS he, with Rowland R. Jones, bought the coal business of George E. Clarke, and in April, 1889, Mr. Davis purchased his partner's interest and is now sole owner of the business. His wife is Salome E., daughter of Stephen Davis. They have six children, three of whom were born on the island of St. Helena.

William C. Davis was born in 1854. His father, Samuel P., born in 1809, died in 1888; was a son of. Solomon Davis, and a grandson of Solomon Davis. Mr. Davis, in 1885, began at Falmouth a furniture business, to which he soon added undertaking, a business which his father and grandfather had carried on before him. In 1889 he erected a substantial block in Falmouth village, where his prosperous business. is now located.

Stephen Dillingham, 1799-1871, was a son of Joseph and Esther (Rogers) Dillingham (married in 1795), and a grandson of Ignatius and Elizabeth Dillingham, each of whom lived to the age of ninety-six. Stephen was a merchant in Falmouth with his brothers, Reuben and Abram, from 1830 to 1835. He subsequently ran coast sloops suc- cessfully for a time, and was also connected with the glass company at Falmouth, as before noticed. His wife, Elizabeth, is a sister of James E. Gifford. Their family were: James T., a manufacturer at She- boygan, Wis., who died April 15, 1889; Hannah G. (Mrs. George Plum- mer) and Henry, who was drowned in Sacramento river in 1859.

One of Stephen Dillingham's sisters, now living at Lynn, Mass., married Jonathan Boyce, now deceased. Their only son, Gilbert R

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Boyce, married Annie R., daughter of Silas and granddaughter of Silas and Phebe (Palmer) Gifford of Falmouth. Their home was at West Falmouth, where Gilbert R. Boyce died May 26, 1882, leaving one son, James A. Boyce, now in business there.

George W. Donaldson, a son of Doctor Donaldson mentioned at page 226, had nine children, one of whom, Hugh G. Donaldson, died here in 1876, leaving Alice, now bookkeeper in the Falmouth National Bank, and John F. Donaldson, who was born here in 1858, and who now carries on an ice business of about 1,000 tons annually, which his father began here about seventeen years ago. George W. Donaldson was a prominent man here in his time. He served as deputy sheriff. justice of the peace, and frequently as executor of wills.

Dea. Lorenzo Eldred. 1815-1888, was a son of Captain William, 1780-1859, grandson of Captain Lemuel, 1751-1842, and great-grandson of Jehosophat Eldred. Lorenzo Eldred was a deacon in the Congre- gational church at Falmouth about twenty-three years, and was also Sunday school superintendent several years. Always a farmer, he .owned at his death two hundred acres of the original Lemuel Eldred tract, which was inherited by his only heir, Charles H. Eldred, who now occupies it with the deacon's widow. She was Mercy F. Grew. They were married in 1845.

Samuel Eldred, of North Falmouth, was, in June, 1889, the oldest man living in this town. He was born February 13, 1796, followed the sea in the southern trade, and from the age of twenty-one was for fifteen years commander of vessels. His father, Samuel, a revolution- ary soldier, was a son of Lemuel, and grandson of Jehosophat Eldred, who, in 1731, having come from England, bought, at North Falmouth, of Isaac Green, "the 14th and 15th Lotts in the allotment." Captain Eldred's house is on this purchase. It was erected about 1790, by Thomas Eldred, the captain's uncle. Captain Eldred's brother, Wil- lian, married Patience F., sister of Dea. Lorenzo Eldred. They have one son, Edwin A., in Minneapolis, and one, William H. Eldred, who was born in 1833, and in 1852 removed to Worcester, Mass., where he has a wife and two children: Arthur W. and Marion F.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 76

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