History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 77

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 77

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Eliel T. Fish, born in Sandwich, in 1830, is a son of Elihu, and grandson of James Fish, of Sandwich, who died prior to 1830. Eliel's parents removed to Woods Holl in 1836. When he was seventeen years of age he went to sea, which business he followed until 1876, being captain of whale ships twelve years. Since 1876 he has kept a grocery store at Woods Holl, and at the death of Owen Eldridge, in 1880, he succeeded him as postmaster, a position which he occupied until May, 1889. He married Harriet O. Davis.

JOSEPH CROWELL FISH, of Quissett, is the descendant of a long line · of ancestry, who have materially assisted in the settlement, growth

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and present stability of Falmouth. His grandfather, Samuel Fish, born in 1734, married Sarah Dimmick. He was a patriot of the revo- lution, and nobly did his duty. He died in 1816, honored and beloved. The children of his marriage numbered eight, born in Falmouth.

His son, Thomas Fish, father of the subject of this sketch, was born December 28, 1762. He served in the revolutionary war while a young man. On the tenth of December, 1788, he was married to Su- sannah, daughter of David and Sarah Crowell. He was called Deacon Fish from his service of a quarter of a century in the First Congrega- tional church, in that office, and the distinguished symmetry of his Christian life. The same uprightness marked his public life, and it is said that the most scrutinizing eye could discover no defect. He was many years justice of the peace, twenty-one years in the legisla- ture, and twenty years selectman of the town, besides filling other official trusts. In 1802 a company was formed for ship-building at Quissett, and Deacon Fish was appointed its agent, which business he vigorously prosecuted for ten years. launching many well constructed crafts His children were: Cynthia, born October 29, 1791; Celia, September 5. 1793; Susan E., July S. 1795; Milton, July 31, 1799; Thomas, October 29, 1802; Joseph Crowell, August 11, 1804; David W., April 2, 1807; and Henry L., May 30, 1809. Of these, Thomas and Joseph C., the only surviving sons, reside in Quissett, and their only living sister, Susan E., the widow of Prince Jenkins, resides at Fal- mouth. Thomas has three surviving sons: Levi, Allen and the pop- ular hotel proprietor, George W. Fish. Susan has two sons: Foster H. Jenkins, of Vineyard Haven, and Joseph Jenkins, of Winona, Minn. Cynthia, one of the deceased sisters, was the wife of the late David Lewis, and one of their sons is H. C. Lewis, of Falmouth. Celia Fish, the other sister, deceased, was the wife of Dr. Aaron Cornish, of Falmouth.

Joseph C. Fish, the youngest, married Albinia Daggett, daughter of Peter Daggett, a descendant of an illustrious family of Marthas Vineyard. They were married August 15, 1839. Their children are: Thomas D., a ship broker in New York city, who married Albina Yale, of Vineyard Haven, who died leaving one child, Mary Y., now fifteen years old; Robert L .. a freight broker of New York city; and Joseph C. Fish, jr., now on the home farm, who married Jessie B. Baker, and has one child, named Albinia D.

Mr. Fish has lived where he was born, in sight of the shipyard and under the roof honored by the deeds of his father, and has preferred this quiet home to the excitement and criticisms of a public life; and although urged to act as deacon in the church of his choice, he has always modestly declined. Nevertheless, he has proved himself a . shining light in the First Congregational church, which he has mate-

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rially aided for the past half century. He has ever been an earnest worker in the cause of temperance, and not only believes that his ex- ample and ballot should go to help the cause, but he faithfully follows his convictions. His life has been of the same manly bearing, the same meekness and the same noble sensibilities, day by day, year by year, and under all circumstances. The many characteristics of his worthy ancestry have been repeated in history and tradition, and of these Joseph C. Fish is the true representative. His own life of over four score years, marked with upright living, will transmit to poster- ity and leave on record the same virtues.

Joseph F. Fish3 (Isaac', James3, Rufus2, Roland') was born in 1843. His mother was Rhoda R., a daughter of Francis Fish, whose father was Rufus". Joseph F. learned the tinners' trade in early life and has made that his principal business. He located a shop at Teticket in 1866. where he still resides. His wife was a Miss Pherson, of Maine.

Solomon L. Fish, son of Francis, grandson of Rufus, and great- grandson of Roland Fish, was born here in 1829. He learned the masons trade, and was for about thirteen years in South Braintree, Mass. His wife was Mary Webster Deane, of South Braintree. They have two daughters: Flora R. (Mrs. Harry Childs, of Wareham) and Effie L. Fish, at home.

Ezra F. Geggatt, born in 1852, is the youngest child of John, a son of James Geggatt, whose father came to this country with Lafayette, and settled in Massachusetts. John Geggatt located between Hatch- ville and West Falmouth, where he died in 1879, leaving three sons and several daughters. His wife was a Miss Fish. Ezra F. followed whaling from 1869 to 1871. He is now engaged in farming and has a fine apple orchard, from which in one year he gathered eight hundred bushels of apples.

Rev. Benjamin Rowley Gifford, who died at Woods Holl in August, 1889, was born at Quissett in 1819, and was ordained as an Episcopal clergyman in 1857. Prior to his retirement in 1880, he was rector at . Waterloo, and at Ottumwa, Ia., Kewanie, Ill., and at Ipswich, Eridge- water and Natick, Mass. He was married in England in 1873. His father was Braddock Gifford, of Quissett, and his mother was Mary, daughter of Benjamin Rowley, a descendant of Moses Rowley, who was at Quissett in 1691. Braddock Gifford was the son of Ebenezer, who was one of the thirteen children of Christopher Gifford (1722- 1801) and grandson of Josiah and Mary (Chadwick) Gifford. This Josiah was the grandson of Christopher Gifford, who was in Teticket as early as 1690, and whose father, William Gifford, was a resident of Sandwich prior to 1668, in which year he removed to Falmouth. Wil- liam Gifford was probably a son of Walter Gifford, who in 1630 came

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from England to Massachusetts and is believed to be the ancestor of all who bear the name in New England. Christopher Gifford of Te- ticket had three sons-Isaac, Christopher and Enos-but which of them is Josiah's father is not certain.

David F. Gifford, son of Amasa and grandson of Mordecai Gifford, an early Quaker at West Falmouth, was born in West Falmouth. His wife was from Falmouth. They have two sons: John N., who is in Australia, if living, and Seth A., at home, who is interested in quar- rying and contracting.

Henry F. Gifford, born in 1818, is the oldest son of Asa and Han- nah (Bourne) Gifford. His grandfather. Jesse, was a son of John Gif- ford, who at an early day built a house near the present residence of Celia Weeks, on the West Falmouth road, where the remains of the old cellar may still be seen. This John Gifford died in 1786. Henry F. went whaling when but thirteen years of age, and followed that business until 1856, when he bought his present farm. In 1861 he went to the Pacific coast, but since 1866 has lived here somewhat retired, cultivating small fruits and doing some cabinet work. His wife, Harriet H., is a daughter of John Butler.

James E. Gifford (Theophilus', 1783-1852; Zacheus3, William". William1) was born in 1832. The ancestor of this family, William, lived and died where James E. now lives, but the present house was built by William2. James E., for a quarter of a century in business here, is widely known as a Friend. He has represented this district at general court as a republican, and served the town one year as selectman. His wife, Eliza A., is a daughter of Benjamin Bowerman, of St. Albans, Me. They have had two children, Benjamin H., who died in 1875, eighteen years of age, and Martha J., at home.

Mrs. Sophia E. Gould, of Falmouth, is the only surviving child of Ezra Bourne, who came to Falmouth prior to 1825 from Buzzards bay, where his father, Dea. Bethuel Bourne, lived and died. Ezra married a daughter of Joseph Crocker, and was lost at sea. His widow then married his brother, Warren N. Bourne, who died here in 1881.

CAPTAIN CALEB O. HAMBLIN is a worthy representative of the sea- faring men of the Cape. The line of descent in his ancestry is direct, though far removed, from James Hamblin, who was a member of Mr. Lothrop's church and who settled near Coggin's pond in Barnstable, in 1639. The records of the family, Mr. Otis tells us, are deficient. Benjamin Hamblin, the captain's grandfather, was born in Sandwich during the last century and was, in 1812, captain of a com- pany sent out from Sandwich. Caleb, his eldest son, and the father of the present Caleb O. Hamblin, was born in the village of Snake Pond, now Forestdale, in Sandwich, and became a seafaring man. On his last voyage from the West Indies, he brought as a stow-away,

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the well-known Doctor Harper of Sandwich. Caleb was twice mar- ried and reared eight children. The first wife had two children: Sylvanus F., who married Captain Nathaniel Hamblin's daughter Hannah, and died in California leaving a widow and three daughters; and Chloe F., who married Mr. Tripp of Springfield, Mass., who died in Andersonville prison, leaving two sons, and his death was the direct cause of her subsequent fatal illness. The second wife was Mary A. Kern, sister of Theodore and Francis Kern, who for several years successfully managed the Boston and Sandwich Glass works. Her children were: Mary Ann, wife of Cyrus Bassett, who spent the summer of 1889 in North Carolina for her health; Caleb O., the sub- ject of this sketch; Elias Thacher, glass blower in New Bedford; George H., who died in California; Theodore F., residing in Montana; and A. J. Hamblin of West Falmouth.

Captain Caleb O. Hamblin was born in Forestdale. Sandwich, Mass., January 28, 1835. At the early age of ten years he commenced work at the Sandwich glass factory, receiving but two winters school- ing after he was eight years old, which fact necessitated much studious labor in the forecastle in after years. At fifteen he went to sea in the brig Ocean of Sandwich. The voyage proved a failure and the next year he made a second voyage in the same brig and managed to pay his outfit for the first. His third voyage was in the brig Amelia of Sandwich, in which he was advanced to the position of boat-steerer or harpooner. He next made two voyages in the ship Congress of New Bedford, Captain Reuben Kelley, in the Indian ocean, and on the second voyage he acted as second mate. Captain John C. Hamblin was master of this ship on the second voyage and mate on the first. Captain Kelley, former captain of the Congress, then induced Mr. Hamblin to ship with him as first mate of the ship Governor Troupe, and after twenty-eight days at home, he again went to sea on a voyage of forty-two months, returning with a good cargo. His worth having been made apparent, his employer, Edward C. Jones, of New Bedford, the agent and part owner of the last two ships, offered him the posi- tion of master of the ship Robert Edwards, bound for the Indian and Pacific oceans. On this voyage of forty-eight months he went around the world, returning with a good cargo of oil.

He afterward made two successful voyages as master and part owner of the ship Eliza Adams. He was accompanied by his wife and family on these voyages extending over eight years. He afterward made part of a voyage in the ship Milton, to the Arctic ocean, being compelled to return home on account of sickness. His last voyage was as captain and half owner of the brig Henry Trowbridge of Ston- ington, Conn., on a sealing and whaling voyage off Cape Horn. They encountered many hardships and on the passage home, during a ter-

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rible tornado, the vessel became dismasted and sprung a leak, com- pelling him to make the Azore islands under jurymasts, a distance of 750 miles, where he sold the brig and shipped his cargo to Boston. He arrived home December 29, 1882. and on account of the sickness in his family considered it his duty to remain.

The daring of the captain often led him into danger. One of his narrow escapes from death is of peculiar interest. While second mate of the Congress, he made fast to a sperm whale on the coast of Australia, and as he stood in the bow of the boat, lance in hand for another throw, the monster with open mouth, struck the bow of the boat under his feet with such force as to break it in, and Captain Hamblin was thrown partly into a pair of jaws twenty-two feet long. His right leg was wholly in the whale's mouth and he astride the jaw, was carried down some fifty feet. With wonderful presence of mind he took two turns of the lance line around his hand, the other end being fast to the boat, this being the only way presenting itself as a means of escape, from the jaws of death. At the end of the down- ward ride, the length of the prescribed rope, the jerk came, as he had anticipated, and although the strain to his arm was of course terrible the arm was not torn off as he feared. but with an ugly wound along the leg, from a single tooth, he was drawn from the whale's mouth and to the boat.

In March, 1863, he married Emily B. Robinson, daughter of Irving Robinson, a shipbuilder of Woods Holl, who worked on the Awashonks and other vessels built there. Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin have five boys living: Caleb E., born February 22, 1864; Sylvanus A., born February 23, 1868; Winfield S., August 11, 1873; Percie C., June 14, 1875; and Robert W. Hamblin, born April 14. 1877. Two sons and two daugh- ters died in infancy. The oldest and the youngest of the living chil- dren were born in Falmouth, the second on the Elisa Adams, in mid- ocean, the third in Australia, and the fourth in New Zealand.

In 1870 Captain Hamblin bought the Swift place in West Fal- mouth, and built up his present beautiful residence, where he enjoys the fruits of a well spent active life. He loved his profession and excelled in it. He shrinks from the entanglements of a political life and although he takes a deep interest in national and local civil affairs, and is a member of the republican party, he deelines office. His support is freely given the Methodist Episcopal church, and his life is an exemplification of the golden rule. He is yet in the full tide of life, enjoying rest from dangers and toils which have enrolled his name high among those who have made the Cape conspicuous in the maritime world.

CAPTAIN JOHN C. HAMBLIN .-- The family of which Captain Hamb- lin was a worthy representative is found in the first settlements of

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Barnstable and Falmouth, filling places of trust in the church and in the affairs of the plantations. Among the lines of descent we find Benjamin, a resident of Falmouth during the latter part of last century, who reared a son, Benjamin, the father of the subject of this article.

Captain Hamblin was born in October, 1829. He was educated in the common schools, and at the age of twenty he commenced a sea- faring life, choosing that branch of the service most congenial to his nature-whaling-which he followed in its various subordinate ap- pointments for eight years, when he took command. His first voyage was in the bark Lagoda, and the three succeeding ones were in the Congress, both vessels of New Bedford; then two voyages in the Roman, and in the bark Islander he made his last voyage, which he completed in August, 1873, after twenty-four years of active service, sixteen of which he was master. He died at West Falmouth July 18, 1875. His active life was passed on the main and no opportunity was afforded to exercise his executive qualities in the affairs of the town. During the last two years of his life, which he passed on shore, he purchased a store in Falmouth, which he successfully managed until hisdeath. He was an upright man and a Mason, and his humane and social qualities so softened the sterner and courageous elements of his nature that his decease was greatly mourned by a large circle of friends. He was charitable without ostentation, mild, yet decisive, and a true friend and counselor.

He was married in October, 1856, to Maria F. Tobey, whose parents, deceased, were Captain Elisha and Henrietta Tobey, of Monument Beach. The children of Captain and Mrs. Hamblin were: Henrietta T., born in September, 1858; Alice M., born March 2, 1860; Harry W., March 9, 1862; John A., January 14, 1864; Bertha M., August 31, 1867; Benjamin F., May 18, 1869; Ernest S., August 30, 1872, and Leonella B. Hamblin, born December 18, 1875. Of these the four oldest are married-Henrietta T., married Edward H. Thompson of Worcester, Mass., in February, 1883; Alice M. was married in December, 1879, to Horace E. Swift of West Falmouth; Harry W. married Elizabeth E. Howland of the same place, in September, 1883; and John A. Hamb- lin was married in June, 1888, to Mary E. Greenwood of New Hamp- shire. The captain's residence was at West Falmouth, where his wife and younger children have a pleasant and happy home.

Solomon Lawrence Hamlin was born in Teticket in 1827. His father, Simeon, was a son of Seth Hamlin. His mother, Nancy, was a daughter of Dea. Solomon Lawrence. Solomon L. Hamlin fol- lowed the sea from 1840 until 1870, and was for four years master of the bark Eugenia, a whaler in New Zealand and Australian waters. He has been a merchant in Falmouth since 1874, and was deputy collector here five years. His wife is Chloe H., a daughter of Moses

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Robinson of this town. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters. The oldest son, William B., was lost at sea November 9, 1879. The other sons are in business with their father, and the daugh- ters are living at home.

Vinal N. Hatch, born in 1808, was one of the ten children of Benja- min and Rachel (Mayhew) Hatch. Rachel's father, Joseph Mahew. died in the continental army in the war of 1776. Benjamin Hatch was a son of Jonathan (whose grave was the first in the East End ceme- tery) and a grandson of Ebenezer Hatch. Vinal N. is the oldest of the three brothers now living. His wife, Martha E., is a daughter of Ezekiel E. Swift. Mr. Hatch is a mason by trade. His children are: Mahala S. (Mrs. Willard N. Chadwick), Tirzalı (Mrs. Fred. Dimmick) and Vinal F. Hatch of New Bedford, whose wife is Ellen F. Phinney of Sandwich.

Benjamin H. Hatch, a brother of Vinal N., was born in 1816. He, like his father, has always been a farmer, and at his father's death in 1861 he was appointed his successor as deacon in the Hatchiville church. His wife, Catherine, is a daughter of Gershom Jones. They have five children: Robert H., Etta F. (Mrs. Henry F. Hatch), James J., Ida M. (Mrs. Joseph Phinney), and Wallace-all of whom are mar- ried and have children. Deacon Timothy Hatch, of Waquoit, born in 1810, is the other surviving brother of Vinal N.

Shubael N. Hatch, born June 27, 1830, is a son of James H. Hatch, a deceased brother of Vinal N. James H. married Deborah N., daughter of Amasa and Sylvina (Nye) Gifford, who survives him. Their daughter, Paulenia Freeman, is Mrs. James Winslow, of Fair- haven.

Silas Hatch, born in 1833, is a son of Deacon Silvanus Hatch, 1789- 1855; grandson of Moses, 1762-1855; and great-grandson of Ebenezer Hatch. Silvanus was a captain at the coast in the war of 1812. Silas, a republican always, is now serving as selectman for his twelfth year. He is often appointed as guardian of minors and executor of wills. His business is farming. His wife, Henrietta M. Davis (deceased), left three children: Herbert C., Eugene P. and Cora M. Hatch. His present wife was Mrs. Elizabeth M. Dillingham.

William H. Hewins is a son of William Hewins, whose father, Amasa Hewins, was a son of William Hewins. William H. was born in Sandwich, Mass., and in 1867 began a small store business, at Fal- mouth. His business increased and in 1885 he erected the double building which he now occupies. He has been town clerk and treas- urer since 1883. His wife died in 1889, leaving one daughter. His father, William Hewins, was born in Sharon, Mass., and was one of seven children. He came to Cape Cod when he was a young man.

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Russell Hinckley, born at Marstons Mills, is a son of Chipman and Abagail (Hamblin) Hinckley, and grandson of Nathaniel Hinckley. His wife, Lydia P. Baker, is a daughter of Francis and granddaughter of Obadiah Baker. Mrs. Hinckley's mother was Lucy Berry. Mr. Hinckley's family consists of two sons: Francis C. and Clarence Lin- coln, who was born on the day President Lincoln issued the emanci- pation proclamation. A daughter, Mary G., was drowned, July 3, 1875, aged ten years. She was born on the day Lee surrendered to Grant.

Seba A. Holton, principal of the Falmouth High School, married Grace, daughter of Obed Pierce. In 1SS1 he became principal of Lawrence Academy and Falmouth High School. He received an honorary degree from Dartmouth in 1887.

William H. Howland (William6, Zacheus®, Jabez', Shubael3, John2, John') was born in North Falmouth in 1816. When he was ten years old-his parents having died-he went to Plymouth county, Mass. He subsequently learned carpenter work and has dealt extensively in lumber, doing business in Cambridge and Boston. He retired from business in 1878 and now resides at West Falmouth, where he had passed several preceding summers. He spent in Quincy. Illinois, at different periods, seven years of his life. He was first married in 1845, to Martha, daughter of Joseph Poor of South Danvers (now Peabody), Mass. She died in 1852. Their children were: Walter Channing, born 1846, died 1848; and Mary Lee, born 1849, died 1882. In 1856 Mr. Howland was married to Helena Maria, daughter of Samuel Eells, of Hanover, Mass. They have two children: Alice Tower, born 1857; and Elizabeth Eells, born 1859. Alice T. is married to George E. Kim- ball, of Woburn, Mass., who is doing a successful lumber business in Hingham, Mass. They have six children living, having lost their youngest in 1889. Elizabeth E. married H. W. Hamblin of Falmouth, an electrician. They are now living in Portland, Me., and have three children.

James B. Huckins, who has been for fourteen years in the meat business at Falmouth, is a native of Barnstable, where his father, James, and his grandfather, Captain Joseph, resided. This Captain Joseph Huckins is the one who once ran the packet between Barnsta- ble and Boston.

Henry W. Jenkins, born in 1829, is a son of Wilson R. and grand- son of Benjamin Jenkins, the latter a soldier in the war of 1812. He has done a carpenter business since he was seventeen years of age, and for a long time did a large business in contracting. His wife was a Miss Nickerson from Harwich. Their family consisted of: Angelia (deceased), Wilson R., Bessie M. and Elvie M. Jenkins. Wilson R. has been engaged with his father in building for several years.

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Myron C. Johnson, the merchant at Quissett, is a native of Onon- daga county, N. Y., where he was a farmer prior to 1880. He married Etta E. W., daughter of Azariah, and granddaughter of Abram Wing, of the well known Quaker family of Sandwich, and in 1881 located in Falmouth. He has one son, Asa Edward Johnson.

George W. Jones, born in Falmouth in 1857, is a son of Benjamin F. and Maria C. (Withington) Jones. Benjamin F. followed the sea as commander of whaling ships until 1868, and died in 1879. He was a brother of Silas Jones, president of the Falmouth National Bank. George W. was at sea in early life for about six years. He subse- quently went west and was engaged there in a lumber business for a time. He located in Falmouth in 1887, where he is still in business as proprietor of the "Continental Shoe Store."

Josiah C. Jones, born in 1837, is a son of Roland C. and grandson of John Jones. He followed the sea from 1855 until 1877, always coasting, and has made a few voyages since that time. He is now engaged in contract work, fitting cranberry bogs, teaming, etc. His wife, Athalia L., is a daughter of Ebenezer N. Phinney. They have one daughter, Laura A.

CAPTAIN SILAS JONES .- The family of Captain Jones originated in Nantucket. His grandfather, Thomas, came to Falmouth in the year 1750, and married Bethia, daughter of Rowland Robinson, Esq., a lead- ing citizen of the town. Captain Jones' father, also named Silas, was born in Falmouth in 1772. He married Love, daughter of Samuel Shiverick. He was a shipmaster, making several voyages in the China trade and on the northwest coast. He was a representative in the general council in 1839 and 1840, and died April 20, 1845, aged sev- enty-five years.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 77

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