History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 79

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 79

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).

Abiel Swift, a farmer of North Falmouth, born in 1816, is a son of Joshua and a grandson of Sylvanus Swift of North Falmouth, and great-grandson of Benjamin Swift, all being in line with this old family of Friends. His brother, David H. Swift, died on a whaling voyage. The grandfather, Sylvanus, built the south-the older-portion of the house where Abiel now lives, and Joshua, in his time, added the northern part. Mrs. Abiel Swift is Isabella, a daughter of Thomas Swift of another family down the Cape. They were married in 1854.

Eugene E. C. Swift® (Thomas L.', Elijah6, William', William' Wil- liam3, William', William') was born in 1836. He carried on a mercan- tile business in Falmouth ten years and at Woods Holl five years. His livery business, and running barges from Falmouth depot to Fal- mouth Heights, in the summer season, requires thirty horses. His efficient service as postmaster at Falmouth was from 1885 to October 12, 1889. He was in business six years in Cincinnati, where he was married. He has two sons and two daughters.

Ezekiel E. Swift, born in 1828, is a son of Ezekiel, who was a brother of Elijah Swift. His father and uncle ran in a line of packets from Falmouth to New Bedford, via Woods Holl, a line which for twenty-five or thirty years was the only established communication with New Bedford. Ezekiel E. learned ship-carpentry and house- joinery, and, after carrying on business five years at Sandwich as con- tractor and builder, has since 1852 been similarly engaged at Woods Holl. He married Lucy T., daughter of Marshall Grew. Their chil-

705

TOWN OF FALMOUTH.

dren are: Helon W., Love F., Hannah B., Eliza A. and Edward E., the last of whom is in business with the father.

George W. Swift7 is a son of Elijah and Hannah (Lawrence) Swift. He was born in 1819. He is a descendant in the line, Williams, Wil- liam', William3, William2, William'. William Swift' came to this coun- try from Essex county, England. He was in Watertown, Mass., in 1634, and in Sandwich in January, 1642-3. He died in Sandwich in January, 1644 (N. S.). The name at that time was spelled Swyft. Mrs. George WV. Swift, married in 1841, is Frances E. Chase from Vermont.

Silas F. Swift5 (Moses4, Paula, Benjamin2, Benjamin1) was born in 1835. Benjamin' was married to Hannah Wing, February 24, 1703. Their son Benjamin married Waitsell Bowman, and lived near where Abiel Swift now lives at North Falmouth, where Paul3 was born.

George N. Tobey' (John6, 1807-1886; John5, 1766-1849; John4, Eleazer3, Johnª, Thomas1) was born in East Falmouth in 1846. This ancestor, Dea. Thomas Tobey', came from England to this country at an early date and located on Long Island, N. Y., subsequently remov- ing to Sandwich, Mass. John' married Mercy Howes, and their son John married Patience Nye. George N. Tobey's wife is Hattie M. Carver, formerly of Vermont. He was in the East Falmouth store four years, as manager for the association, then for twelve years in a milk business in Somerville, and is now engaged in farming in his native town.

John A. Tobey', born in 1839, is the oldest child of John Tobey®. He engaged in carriage building (wood work) in Mansfield prior to 1876. In 1878 he returned to Falmouth, and has since been engaged in farming and cranberry raising. He was married while at Mans- field, to Phebe Webb. They have three children: Willie A., Zama and Hattie Mabel.

Asa Phinney Tobey, born in 1836, is a son of Isaiah and Jane (Phinney) Tobey. His grandfather was John Tobeys. For twenty years prior to 1876 he worked at carriage building in New Bedford. Mrs. Tobey was Eliza J. Heyer, of Dartmouth, Mass. She was born in Providence, R. I., in 1838. Their only child, Minnie, is Mrs. Rob- ert Runyon, of Newark, N. J. Mr. Tobey represented Falmouth, Bourne and Sandwich in the legislature in 1885. He is now serving his eighth year as collector of taxes for this town.

George H. Turner is a son of Zenas L., whose father, Japheth, was one of the fifteen children of Japheth Turner. George H. was a farmer in Hatchville until 1884, and in November of that year he be- gan a grocery business in Falmouth, in 1SSS adding a bakery business. His wife was Mary P. Chadwick. Their children are: Wendell A. and Annie.

John O. Wicks, born in 1831, is a son of Nymphus Wicks, a seaman,

706

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

who died in 1842, and grandson of Elisha and Mary Wicks. He fol- lowed the sea from 1849 until about 1866, after which he was em- ployed at an ochre mill, on Marthas Vineyard, fourteen years. He was married in 1857, to Elvira S., daughter of Hezekialı Hoxie, of West Falmouth. They have three children: Chloe L., Charles L. and James H. Wicks. Chloe L., who married Alonzo W. Tilton in 1876, has one son and two daughters.

Joseph S. Weeks, born in 1840, is a son of S. O. Weeks, born 1815, and grandson of John and Susan (Shiverick) Weeks [Wicks]. Susan was a daughter of Joseph Shiverick, who served seven years in the war of the revolution. His father was David Shiverick, who was born in 1726, and died in 1811. S. O. Weeks married Maria R., daughter of James, son of Rufus Fish. She is a sister of Arza Fish, of Teticket. Mr. and Mrs. S. O. Weeks have five children: Susan (Mrs. Andrew Handy), Sarah H. (widow of Ephraim Edwards), Joseph S., Arza F. and Lucy P. (Mrs. Ebenezer Handy). Joseph S. married Lydia B. Swain, of Nantucket. They have two children: George W. and Chester S. When but sixteen years of age Joseph went to sea and was gone four years. At twenty he began a business as carpenter and builder, which he still follows.

Joseph Wing, son of Sylvanus (1789-1847), grandson of Presbery, who came from Sandwich to North Falmouth, and great-grandson of Joshua Wing, who died in Sandwich in 1790, was born in North Fal- mouth in 1815. Mr. Wing was a blacksmith by trade, but abandoned that business to care for the home place, which he now owns-the house built by Silas Swift in 1783. Mr. Wing's mother, Hannah, was a daughter of Abiel Swift and granddaughter of Sylvanus Swift. Mr. Wing has been twice married, his present wife being a lady from South Boston. He has three children: Mary F. G., who was married in January, 1889, to William F. Garrison, Joseph D. and Susan L.

CHAPTER XXI.

TOWN OF MASHPEE.

Location and Description .- Natural Features .- Early Events .- Incorporation as a Dis- trict .- Civil History .- Town of Mashpee .- Church and Parish .- Schools .- Mashpee Manufacturing Company .- Military Service .- Some Prominent Representatives .- Industries .- Biographical Sketches.

T HIS town, lying on the Vineyard sound twelve miles southwest of the court house in Barnstable, is bounded west by Falmouth, north by Sandwich, and east by Barnstable. It is St miles in length, and four in width. It originally contained about six square miles more of land than is now included; but in the year 1700 a large track on Waquoit bay was annexed to Falmouth. Another tract was later added to Sandwich, and still another at Cotuit was added to Barnstable, reducing the town to its present limits. The name is written Mashpee, but in colonial days names of similar eu- phony were used-Marshpee, Massapee, Mashpoag, and once, at least, Maktepos. It is south of a chain of hills extending along the north side of the Cape, and is generally covered with wood. The soil is a sandy loam, and, although generally as fertile as any on the Cape, is less cultivated. At the beginning of the present century only twelve hundred acres were cleared. More has been since cleared, but it con- tains now relatively much more wood land than neighboring towns.

Popponesset bay on the eastern boundary and Waquoit bay on the western, furnish the town with two harbors in connection with the sound. Cotuit river separates the town from Barnstable and is a tributary of Popponesset bay. Mashpee river, two miles west of and parallel with the Cotuit, rises in Mashpee pond and empties into the same bay. These, with the inconsiderable stream called Quashnet river, or brook, flowing into Waquoit bay, comprise the rivers of the town. Mashpee has many ponds, the largest being Mashpee, a beautiful sheet of water two and a half miles long and divided into two parts by Canaumet neck, the northern portion being known as Wakeby pond. There are a score of other ponds of less importance known as John's, of 240 acres, Ashumet, 226 acres, Santuit, 170 acres, and Pimlico, Moody's, Jehews, Flat, Fresh, Salt, Wells, Deans, Wills and Bottles, each of lesser area. It contains others, but none of geo-

708

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

graphical importance. In Popponesset bay is an island containing forty acres of excellent land, and in Waquoit bay there are two ; between these bays is Great neck, once a favorite resort of the Indians. Some extent of salt marsh is found near the bays, and the best lands are near and around the large ponds.

That this territory was early sought and had long been the home of the natives has been proven in many ways. Mr. Hawley, who labored here as a missionary said : "There is no place I ever saw, so adapted to an Indian town as this." And the state commissioner in a later report said: " It is hardly possible to find a place more favorable for gaining a subsistence without labor, than the territory of Mashpee."

The settlement of a boundary line between the proprietors of Barnstable and the natives was effected in 1658 by the assistance of Richard Bourne, who by his untiring efforts soon after obtained for the Mashpees a patent of these lands from the South Sea Indians, as they were styled in the deeds of that day; he considering it vain to undertake the propogation of Christianity among any people without a home when they might remain on their own soil-a view of the case which has been amply justified. No lands at this time could be sold by the natives without license from the general court, or court of assistants. This early enactment of 1685, and the natural character- istics of the territory, tended to the crystalization of the native ele- ment here, which has since been possessed and occupied by them. The same year there were 141 praying Indians.

In 1693 the state appointed guardians who in turn were subject to commissioners, which manner of rule was endured until 1763, when Mashpee was constituted a plantation. In 1760 a Mashpee, Reuben Cognehew, went to England and in person presented to the King complaints against the colonial government, which resulted in the permission to elect their own officers. By an act, January 25, 1777, permission was given to sell certain lands for the poor fund of the district, and eight thousand dollars was thus realized for that purpose.

The dissatisfaction of the Mashpees with the oppressive condition of affairs, assumed in 1833 a determined and formidable aspect. Peti- tions had been addressed to the governor and council in vain; but Ebenezer Attaquin, Daniel B. Amos, Ezra Attaquin and others resolved once more to seek redress. Accordingly May 21, 1833, a council in Mashpee framed and sent to the legislature a set of resolutions strongly asserting the right of self-government. The leaders in this move were arrested and imprisoned during the summer of 1833 for assuming to practice the rights claimed; but so energetic and per- sistent were the Mashpees that their memorial, signed by 282 males and females of the plantation, was favorably considered, resulting in the act of March 31, 1834, incorporating Mashpee as a district. They

709

TOWN OF MASHPEE.

could now choose their own officers to manage their own affairs, to be assisted only by a commissioner appointed by the state, to which posi- tion Hon. Charles Marston of Barnstable was appointed for many years, much to the satisfaction of the Mashpees.

Under the act of 1834, that restored to them these rights, the first selectmen and school committee were chosen, and from this event the Mashpees date their release from civil bondage. The office of commissioner was abolished by the legislature of 1853, and that of treasurer created. The rights of the people in the meantime gradually enlarged, perhaps as fast as they desired; and by the provisions of chapter 72 of the laws of 1842, their lands, which heretofore had been held in common, were partitioned among the proprietors- sixty acres to each-and the deeds duly recorded. This allotment was made in open meeting, embraced all the residents, and conveyed all rights in fee and of sale and conveyance, except to persons not inhabitants. These proprietors then owned their several parcels of land to enjoy all the civil and political rights of citizens of the Commonwealth except that they were not taxed nor represented in state or county government.

The act of 1834 incorporating the district provided that the first election of officers should be held in the meeting house and that the selectmen chosen then, and annually thereafter, should also be the overseers of the poor, surveyors of the highways, and committee of the schools. Ezra Attaquin. Isaac Coombs and Israel Amos were elected selectmen at this first meeting, and between that time and the date of the town's incorporation, Ebenezer Attaquin, first elected in 1835, was selectman 8 years; his son, Ebenezer, 1 year; Isaac Coombs 3 consecutive years; William Mingo, 2 years; Solomon Attaquin, 15 years; beginning in 1837: Daniel B. Amos, first elected in 1840, served 7 different years; Peter S. Foller, first elected in 1842, served 2 years; Moses Pocknett, 1837, 7 years; Matthias Amos, 1840, 7 years; James Amos, 1841, 2 years; Oakes A. Coombs, 1842, 9 years; Nathan S. Pocknett, 1843, 10 years; David Wilber, 1847, 1 year; Joseph Tobias, 1848, 1 year; William James, 1849, 3 years; Elijah Pocknett, 1851, 3 years; Joshua Pocknett, 1852, 1 year; Isaac Jones, 1853, 2 years; Sampson Alvas, 1854, 4 years; William H. Simon, 1856, 7 years; Nicholas P. Keeter, 1857, 3 years; Timothy Pocknett, 1864, 1 year; Walter R. Mingo, 1866, 4 years; Foster Pells, 1866, 4 years; Watson F. Hammond, 1869, and Silas P. Pells, 1870, each 1 year.

Charles Marston, commissioner and treasurer until 1853, was also treasurer until 1865, when he was succeeded by Solomon C. Howland for six years.

The clerks elected by the district were: Daniel B. Amos, elected 1834; James Amos, 1838; Ebenezer Attaquin, 1839; Solomon Attaquin,

710

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

1843; William Mingo, 1845; Ebenezer Attaquin, 1846; Solomon Attaquin, 1847; Joseph Tobias, 1848; James Amos, 1849; Ebenezer Attaquin, 1850: Nicholas P. Keeter, 1853; James Amos, 1857; Nicholas P. Keeter, 1859: Solomon Attaquin, 1860; James Amos, 1861; Solomon Attaquin, 1862: Elijah W. Pocknett, 1865; and Benjamin J. Attaquin, in 1866-each of whom served until his successor was elected.

Since the town was incorporated its change of officers has been less frequent. The selectmen have wisely administered its local affairs. Solomon Attaquin served as selectman of the town 2 years; Walter R. Mingo, 8 years; Silas P. Pells, 10 years; Darius Coombs, 7 years; Matthias Amos, 3 years; Foster L. Pells, 1 year; Nicholas P. Keeter, from 1878, for 8 years; William F. Mye and William H. Simon, from 1879, each 7 years; Horatio H. Amos, from 1886, 3 years. The selectmen for 1889 were Darius Coombs, Lysander Z. Amos and Silas P. Pells.

The list of town treasurers, each serving until the election of his successor, includes the names of Matthias Amos, elected in 1871; Virgil B Collins, in 1873; George R. Coombs, 1877; William H. Simon, 1879; Solomon Attaquin, 1884; Horatio H. Amos, 1887; and Walter R. Mingo elected in 1889.

The town has had but three clerks: George R. Coombs, the last clerk of the district, was continued in office until 1879, when Oliver F. Jones was elected and served four years; and the present efficient clerk, Charles F. Hammond, was first elected in 1883.

The present boundary line between Mashpee and Falmouth was adjusted June 18, 18S5; and that between Mashpee and Sandwich on the 27th of May, 1887, leaving the Mashpees the present town of con- siderable importance, and the well-deserved privileges its people had enjoyed since the incorporation, May 28, 1870. The valuation of the town for 1889 was $158,190, upon which was raised by taxation $1,800. The number of polls assessed was seventy-five, the town containing sixty-seven dwellings. The sum of $2,729.41 was disbursed during the year for roads, schools, and other town purposes. Notwithstand- ing the long years of surveillance and oppression by the Common- wealth rendering the Mashpees distrustful of their own capacity for self-government, the affairs of the town are now as wisely adminis- tered and its books as well kept and arranged, as in those adjoining.

The allotment of 1842, already mentioned, did not include all the lands of Mashpee. Five thousand acres remained as the common property of the proprietors until after 1871, when these common lands were reduced by division and sale to individual ownership. On the eighth of April, 1871, Chief Justice Lincoln F. Brigham, in superior court at Barnstable, under the authority of the act of May 28, 1870, appointed Wendell H. Cobb, Cyrus Cahoon and Asa E. Lovell to make

711

TOWN OF MASHPEE.

a description and record of the titles and bounds of lands rightfully held by individual owners under the "set-off" to the proprietors of the district in 1842. The Commonwealth had already made extensive and costly surveys of these lands, and the records provided for by Judge Brigham's order are now on file in the office at Barnstable, con- stituting the basis of all subsequent titles to these lands.

The lands of the Mashpees were in common formerly, and not until their rights to civil and religious liberty were bestowed, could much be expected. Not until 1725 were they permitted to employ per- sons to build houses on the reservation, and in 1767 there were twenty- one shingled houses, being about one-third of the residences. In 1800 there were eighty houses and a still larger proportion were of the bet- ter class. Wigwams had almost entirely disappeared. Thus they improved as soon as the shackles of what they considered slavery were removed.

Four years after the incorporation of the town the population was 278, and in 1880 had increased to 346. The census of 1885 showed a population of 311, of whom 79 were voters.

Happily for the good name of Puritan New England, and happily for the fate of the Aborigines, the most conspicuous relations between the two races grew out of and clustered around the Godly efforts of Godly men to bring the white man's religion to the Indians of the South sea, which civilizing influence was early brought. In 1661, when settlers came to Falmouth, they soon learned to bound their lands on the east by the " Christian Indians' " land. The gospel was preached first among them in 1658, by Mr. Richard Bourne of Sand- wich, who earnestly turned his attention to the work of evangelizing the Mashpees, sometimes. then called South Sea Indians. This term of South Sea Indians was applied formerly to those occupying the south part of the Cape; they were in different precincts and under sub-chiefs, with the principal chief living at what is now Hyannis.

On the 17th of August, 1670, Mr. Bourne was ordained pastor of an Indian church gathered from his own disciples and converts. The services were performed by the famous Mr. Elliot, assisted by Rev. Mr. Cotton, who came from Plymouth, and others from neighboring churches. Forty years of pastoral duty was then performed by Simon Popmonet, an Indian. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bourne, or- dained November 26, 1729, who was led to resign in 1742, when Solo- mon Briant, an Indian, officiated as pastor for sixteen years, with much opposition to his settlement, but doing much good. Rev. Gideon Hawley succeeded Mr. Briant, April 10, 1758, as missionary and pastor. In 1792 the only Indian church in the Commonwealth was at Mashpee. In 1811 Rev. Phineas Fish of Sandwich succeeded Hawley, and was ordained September 18, 1812. William Apes, a

712

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

regularly ordained preacher of the Pequot tribe, in 1833 was adopted by the Mashpees and invited occasionally to preach, which he did until after their incorporation as a district. In 1830 Blind Joseph had organized a religious society of the Baptist persuasion, to which there were many adherents, and which has since represented the prevail- ing religious sentiment of the people.

In consideration of the permanent organization of a church soci- ety, and wishing to control the church property, to which the society had no claim only by legal action, the citizens, under the act of March 21, 1840, proceeded to take the required measures to control their own religious affairs.

Prior to 1834 the Mashpees had the minister furnished for them without consulting their wishes. Rev. Phineas Fish had been quart- ered upon them, much to their dissatisfaction. The proper warrant for the organization of a parish was issued to William Mingo by Charles Marston, July 10, 1840, to meet at the church on the 20th, and a parish was then formed. At this meeting very strong resolu- tions were adopted; one was that " Mr. Fish never was settled here as a missionary or minister by any act of the Indians or proprietors;" another, "that Mr. Fish's term ended with the term of the overseers; that we have been trying to get rid of Mr. Fish since we got our lib- erty in 1834." It seems that a suit in equity was then pending against Mr. Fish to obtain possession of the church property of the parish, the inhabitants having discharged him in 1837. Mr. Fish was pres- ent at the meeting. Charles Marston was the moderator and James Amos clerk. Solomon Attaquin, Daniel B. Amos and Matthias Amos were chosen a prudential committee. Among other resolutions there voted was one to " put a new lock upon the meeting house and take possession of the same, and the men who change the lock be safely guarded during the act-". Mr. Fish was forcibly ejected when the meeting adjourned. Rev. David Culver was selected as missionary at the meeting; Rev. Henry Coombs was chosen missionary April, 1841.

In 1842 the parish, in legal assembly, voted again strongly against Mr. Fish, who was yet present in the flesh if not in the spirit. The Mashpees, now managing their own spiritual affairs, were prosperous and united as a parish. Rev. David M. Burdick was chosen as mis- sionary September 3, 1843. It was agreed, in the meeting of 1844, to settle with Mr. Fish " when the next third is allowed them from the Williams fund." Mr. Burdick continued his labors for several years, but some division of interest appeared in a vote in 1847 " to pay Mr. . Burdick $SO on condition that the next meeting allow Joseph Amos SSO." In 1848 Joseph Amos was voted $20 to date, and the parish seemed harmonious.

713

TOWN OF MASHPEE. .

Rev. Thomas Wakefield was chosen in 1850, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Chapman in 1851. Stephen Coombs was chosen mission- ary in 1854 and remained until 1859, to be succeeded by Rev. D. S. Hawley. A subscription for a Sunday school library was circulated in 1859, resulting in a hearty response and great benefit. In 1861 E. A. Edwards was chosen missionary, filling the desk until 1865, then was succeeded by Rev. John E. Wood, who remained several years. In 1878, by vote, the committee was authorized to pay six hundred dollars for a missionary, also to repair the meeting house. Rev. Wil- liam Hurst was chosen in 1886 for one year, and Lemuel G. Waldron. chosen in 1887, was continued through 1889. The chosen faith of the Mashpees is that established by Joseph Amos in 1830, who led the people to the Baptist belief. The Williams fund in charge of Har- vard College had been left in 1711 " for the blessed work of convert- ing the poor Indians," and has since been paid to the parish in need- ful sums for the support of the gospel. The intention of the donor, a clergyman of London, was not to support a Baptist society, but the old orthodox, and upon this Mr. Fish based his claim; but, as we have said, the Baptist faith prevails, and the parish has its yearly meetings, electing officers and voting for preaching, which entitles them to the income from the fund; two-thirds of which they apply to the support of a chosen preacher.

The people met at the house of Joseph Amos, January 4, 1838, and established the present Baptist Society of Mashpee, many of its mem- bers previously belonging to the church at Hyannis and elsewhere. It is a strong and prosperous religious society, to which the best citi- zens are strongly devoted. The parish meetings are regularly held, with Lysander Z. Amos, clerk. The parish has for many years re- tained W. F. Hammond as clerk. A meeting house had been erected in 1684 in the east part of the town, on the road from Cotuit to Sand- wich, and it had been repaired in 1717 by an appropriation of five hundred dollars, and later by other smaller ones; but it still bore the same old style of one door and small windows. In 1854 the house was moved to its present site, near the center of the town, and re- modeled.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 79

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