History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 91

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 91

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).

In 1860 Mr. Atwood represented the district in the legislature, and was appointed by the speaker on the committee on the valuation of the state, which held a session of one hundred days in the fall of that year. In 1861 he was appointed deputy collector and inspector of the customs for the port of Wellfleet, and has held that office continu- ously (except for three months during Johnson's administration, and twenty months during Cleveland's) to the present time. He has also held a commission to qualify civil officers since 1856, and of justice of the peace since 1865. Mr. Atwood has never held town offices, as he has often been solicited to do, his other official relations to the gen- eral government precluding, for most of the time, his so doing. He has, however, acted as moderator of seven successive town meetings.

Mr. Atwood has also been a pioneer and an active participant in the principal business enterprises of the town since he came upon the stage of action. He assisted in procuring the charter for the Well- fleet Savings Bank, was its first treasurer, resigning in 1870, on ac-

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count of the pressure of other business. He was elected a director of the bank in 1871, and in 1887 was chosen its president, which posi- tion he now holds. In 1880 he was chosen a director of the Wellfleet Marine Insurance Company, still retaining the position. He has also been for the last twenty-eight years a director of the Barnstable County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Not only the public, but individuals have for many years been accustomed to seek Mr. Atwood's counsel and assistance in their business concerns. During the last twenty-five years he has settled as many as fifty estates, as adminis- trator, executor or trustee, and has given his advice in many more. From 1860 to 1870 he was the purchasing agent for C. Nickerson & Co., fish dealers, of New York, his transactions averaging seventy-five thousand dollars annually during that time. Originally a member of the whig party, he organized the republican party of the town in 1857, serving for several years as chairman of the town committee. As early as 1833, when but a lad, he joined the choir of the First Congregational society of Wellfleet, and in 1850 was chosen as choris- ter and organist, still filling those positions. He united with the church in 1864, and was chosen one of the deacons in 1872. The pub- lic trusts and positions of honor and responsibility filled by Mr. At- wood, as thus enumerated, indicate his reputation and standing in the community, and render words of mere compliment or eulogy super- fluous. It is but proper to add, that in his social and personal rela- tions he has fitly supplemented his public responsibilities.

Mr. Atwood married, December 5, 1848, Mercy Waterman, daugh- ter of Joseph Higgins, of Wellfleet, and hasone daughter, Mary Steele Atwood, who married William H. Tubman: and they have also one daughter, Mabel Steele Tubman.

George Baker, born in France in 1823, came to Boston in 1834, and to Wellfleet in 1836. He followed the sea from 1836 until 1872. twenty-five years as master of vessels, and now keeps a lumber and general builders' supplies store at Wellfleet. He is having a cran- berry bog made, which will be the largest bog in this town. It will contain twenty acres, and will cost ten thousand dollars complete. He married Mercy H., daughter of Thomas Higgins. Their five liv- ing children are: Thankful H., Mercy H., Margaret S., Clara E. and Ada A. Four died: two in infancy, and Maria T. and George.

Benjamin Brown, born in 1820, in Penobscot, Me., was a son of Stillman Brown. He was a sea captain, fishing and coasting, from 1847 until 1885. He married Martha A., daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Newcomb) Higgins. Mr. Brown died in 18SS, leaving four children: Benjamin, Walter L., Chester E. and Eunice B. (now the widow of M. Ryder).

Theodore Brown, one of ten children of Theodore and Cynthia

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(Atwood) Brown, and grandson of George Brown, was born in 1825. He followed the sea for twenty-one years, and since he was thirty years old he has been a ship carpenter. He married Mercy S., daugh- ter of John Sparrow.

Collins S. Cole was a son of Ebenezer and Sarah (Smithi) Cole. He was a sea captain in early life, and from 1841 to his death in 1868 was a merchant at South Wellfleet. He was a representative in the legis- lature and held various town offices. He was twice married; first to Mary Jinkins, daughter of Joseph and Jerusha Holbrook. By her he had two sons: William H. and Collins S. The latter died in infancy. William H. married Cindrilla, daughter of Deacon John and Sally New- comb, and died in August, 1871, leaving three children: Mary A., Charles F. and William H. Collins S. Cole married for his second wife Ann Gibbs, daughter of Deacon Jonathan and Jerusha Hapgood, of Marlboro, Mass. He left one daughter, Julia A., who married Samuel Atwood. She has twin sons: Everett H. and Collins S. C.

Daniel Cole, born in 1844, is a son of Nehemiah and Sabrey D. (Pierce) Cole, and grandson of Daniel Cole. He followed the sea from 1853 until he retired to become keeper of the life saving station. He has been on the Cahoon Hollow life saving station since January, 1873, except one year, and has been keeper of the station since 1880. He was in the war from November, 1864, to July, 1865, in Company K. Twelfth Illinois Infantry Veteran Volunteers, Fourth division, Fifteenth army corps. He married Harriet E., daughter of William E. Blodgett. They have two sons living: Nehemiah T. and Daniel W., and lost one infant daughter.

Isaiah Cole, son of Isaiah Cole, died in 1872, aged sixty-one years. He was a master mariner until a few years prior to his death. He married Rachel A., daughter of Obediah and Phebe (Young) Doane, and granddaughter of Sylvanus Doane. Alvin L. Drown lived with Mrs. Cole from the death of her husband until her death in 1890.

Edwin P. Cook, born at Cohasset, Mass., in 1843, is a son of Ichabod and Lucinda A. (Stoddard) Cook. He came to Wellfleet in 1859, where he has been engaged in several lines of business, including lumber merchant, fish merchant, wrecker and oil manufacturer. He is now (1889) chairman of the board of selectmen. He married Eliza F., daughter of William H. Hopkins. They have three sons: Arthur R., Herbert H. and Ralph E.

Timothy A. Daniels, born in 1807, is a son of John L. and Hannah (Atwood) Daniels. He was in Boston several years engaged in the oyster business, after which he followed the sea, in the fishing busi- ness, about twenty years, being master of vessels a part of the time. He was a merchant at Wellfleet about ten years, since which time he has lived retired. He married Azubah, daughter of Joshua and Polly

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

(Pierce) Moody. Their three children are: Timothy A., Mary A. and Olivia.

James H. Gorham, born in 1821, in Barnstable, was a son of Charles Gorham. He was a master mariner until 1868, and from that time until his death in 1SSS, he was a grocery merchant at Wellfleet. He married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Oliver. She died leaving two sons: James H., jr., who was lost at sea, and Charles A. He married for his second wife Thankful F., daughter of David and Abigail (Holbrook) Newcomb, and granddaughter of John Y. and Thankful (Freeman) Newcomb.

Charles A. Gorham, born in 1845, is a son of James H. and Sarah (Oliver) Gorham, and grandson of Charles Gorham. He began going to sea at the age of thirteen, and was master of vessels from 1863 until 1886. Since that time he has been a merchant in Wellfleet, where he succeeded his father in the grocery business. He married Dorcas C., daughter of Michael Rich.

Lewis Hamblin, son of Cornelius and Sarah (Baker) Hamblin, and grandson of Cornelius Hamblin, was born in 1832. He went to Boston at the age of fourteen, where he was engaged in a wholesale drug house until 1853, when he went to Australia, where for twenty- two years he was a farmer and merchant. Since 1887 he has resided at the old Hamblin homestead in Wellfleet. He married Aurelia A. M. Owen, in Australia.

Albert H. Harding, son of Solomon and Eliza (Hill) Harding, and grandson of Solomon Harding. was born in 1838. He has followed the sea since boyhood and has been master of vessels for more than twenty-five years in coasting and fishing. He married P. Maria, daughter of Josiah and Nancy (Holbrook, Snow, granddaughter of Ambrose and great-granddaughter of David Snow. Their only child is Walter A.

John R. Hawes, son of John, grandson of Jeremiah, and great- grandson of Jeremiah Hawes, was born in 1823 and died in 1886. He followed the sea from 1831 to 1884, as master of coasting vessels for many years. His first marriage was with Hannah C., daughter of Bethuel and Nancy (Brown) Wiley. She died in 1863. They had three children: George W. and Asa F., who died; and Nancy F., now the widow of Henry B. Eaton. Mr. Hawes' second marriage was with Abbie B., sister of first wife.

Parker E. Hickman, son of John and Sarah (Wilson) Hickman, and grandson of Jonathan Hickman, was born in 1839. He has been master of fishing and coasting vessels since 1866. He married Francis A., daughter of Solomon C. and Betsy G. (Smith) Wiley, and grand- daughter of John, who was a son of Lewis Wiley. They have one daughter, Clara I., who was married to Thomas Young.

R. R. Freeman

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TOWN OF WELLFLEET.

R. R. FREEMAN .- Richard Rich Freeman, so frequently mentioned in the preceding pages as identified with the business of Wellfleet- especially its mercantile and banking history-a son of Edmund and Betsey (Rich Freeman), was born at Wellfleet December 17. 1813, and was in the eighth generation of descent from Edmond Freeman, the English progenitor of those bearing this family name on Cape Ccd.

John Freeman, born 1627 in England, was a son of Edmond and Elizabeth Freeman. He married Mercy Prence, and their son, Ed- mund, born 1657, resided at Tonset, and died December 10, 1717. Edmund's son, Ebenezer, married Abigail Young, and their son, Isaac, born 1737, married Thankful Higgins, and died in 1760. Ed- mund, son of Isaac and Thankful Freeman, was born March 2, 1757, married Ruth Wiley, and gave his own name to the second of their six children, born January 6, 1780. The younger Edmund was mar- ried in 1802 to Priscilla Rich, and again, in 1812, to her sister, Betsey, and died January, 1870, aged ninety years.

Their son, Richard R., the subject of this sketch and portrait, married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Swett) Higgins of Wellfleet in 1836, and reared a family of nine daughters and two sons, of whom four daughters and one son survive.

The business life of Mr. Freeman is largely the history of his native village, where he was always looked up to as a substantial and representative man of affairs. His beginnings were small, but he be- came the builder of his own fortune, and acquired through shipping and kindred industries, a generous estate. His support was broadly given to the Congregational church, and by his life as a christian gentleman he has left indelible marks for good upon the town and the age in which he lived.

Noah S. Higgins, born in 1828, is a son of Noah and Annie (Kemp) Higgins, grandson of Thomas and great-grandson of Thomas Higgins. He has followed the sea since 1836, and has been master since 1850 of fishing and coasting vessels. Since 1SS2 he has run a packet from Wellfleet to Boston. He married Abigail, daughter of Jeremiah New- comb. Their children are: Byron E., Elizabeth D. (Mrs. C. H. Dyer), John H., Alice N. (Mrs. W. W. Cobb), and Fred A.

Payne W. Higgins, son of Samuel and Lucy (Newcomb) Higgins, grandson of Payne and great-grandson of Jonathan Higgins, was born in 1825. He followed the sea until 1850, since which time he has been a merchant at Wellfleet. He married Maria P., daughter of Ebenezer and Hannah (Newcomb) Freeman, and granddaughter of Isaac Freeman.

Martin D. Holbrook, born in 1846, is a son of Henry A. and Susan N. (Atwood) Holbrook, and grandson of Allen; and great-grandson of Anthony Holbrook. Mr. Holbrook has kept a livery stable since 1870,

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

when he succeeded his father in the business. He married Betsey J., daughter of Thomas Young. Their children are: Lizzie M., Grace G., Hattie A. and Henry A. Mr. Holbrook's father, Henry A., kept the Holbrook House from 1852 until his death in 1875. Since that time, with the exception of four years, it has been run by Mr. Holbrook and his mother.

Robert B. Jenkins, son of Payne and Olive (Ryder) Jenkins, and grandson of Lot Jenkins, of Barnstable, was born in 1837. He began going to sea at the age of eight years, and from 1856 until 1883 he was master of vessels. Since that time he has been agent for the Central Wharf Company. He married Lucretia F., daughter of Lewis Higgins. Their children are: Robert B., jr. and Edith M .; one infant daughter having died.

SAMUEL W. KEMP .- The ancestry of this citizen of Wellfleet is traceable to the state of Maryland, where the name early and promi- nently appeared. At the age of twelve years, Robert Kemp came from that state under the guardianship of Captain Paine, a resident of the eastern part of this town. Here the lad grew to manhood, mar- rying Anna. daughter of his guardian, and filling positions of trust among his townsmen during the first of the present century. As late as 1814 he was chosen by the town to be one of a committee of safety, with full powers to meet any flag of truce from any ship of war sent by an enemy of the United States, and adjust any demands or contro- versies for the town of Wellfleet. Here he lived and reared eight children: Thomas, John, Nathan, Barzillai, Robert, William, Wells, and a daughter, all of whom are dead.

William, the sixth son of Robert Kemp, married Nancy A. Ryder. and they had children: William, Wells, Samuel, who died in infancy; then Samuel W., Matilda, Mehitable, Olive and William, named after the first William, who died at the age of twenty. Wells, still living, married Mercy L. Atwood, and had three children: William, Susan, now deceased, and Mattie E. The mother of these three children died, and Wells married Minerva Pervere for his second wife. Ma- tilda, the oldest of the daughters of William Kemp, married David Y. Pierce, and James, their only child, died before her. Mehitable, the next daughter, married Daniel C. Newcomb, and still survives. Olive, the youngest daughter, still alive, married James Wiley. Their children are: Lillian A., Alvin L. and James A. Wiley. The last William died at the age of five.

Samuel W. Kemp, born April 9, 1831, was the fourth son of Wil- liam and Nancy A. Kemp. He received but a limited education at the common schools of his native village, going to sea at eight years of age, and attending school three months of each winter during the ten succeeding years. At twenty he was a master in the oys-

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IN Kemp

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TOWN OF WELLFLEET.

ter and fishing business, which position he ably filled until he was thirty-three years old. He preferred sailing his own vessels, and while in the fishing business had the schooners R. R. Higgins and Eu- nice P. Newcomb successively built. In 1864 he turned his attention to coasting, and had the large schooner Anna Lyons built at Chelsea, and in which he sailed seven years. In 1871 he had the three-masted ves- sel Charles H. Lawrence built, in which he coasted from Maine to New Orleans until 1882, when the vessel, while under the care of his mate, was wrecked at the mouth of Boston harbor. In 1883 he made four voyages to Baltimore, and the next year he assisted J. H. Freeman, agent of the Wellfleet Mercantile wharf. He had been on the sea forty-four years as boy, mate and master, three-fourths of the time in command; and so successful was his mastership, and so marked his integrity, that he had only to select his vessel if he would longer fol- low the sea. In January, 1885, after the resignation of Mr. Freeman, he, by the urgent wish of the stockholders, assumed the agency of the Mercantile wharf, which position he now satisfactorily fills. He is a director of the Wellfleet Savings Bank, a member of Adams Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and is identified with the social and business interests of the town. He endorses the acts of the republican party in his po- litical preferences, and substantially supports the Congregational church. He never assumes to be a leader or dictator in the affairs of the town; but when he places his foot upon the quarter deck, his rela- tion to surroundings seems to change, and he appears to have been born to be master.

In 1854 he married Eunice P., daughter of Lemuel Newcomb, of Wellfleet-an old and influential resident. Of their four children, the only survivor is Nannie A., who married Arthur H. Rogers, of Orleans, and has two children-Herbert K. and Euna W. Rogers. The residence of Captain Kemp is pleasantly situated, on Main street of Wellfleet village, where, in that social enjoyment he so loves, he is surrounded by his loving household.

Major Oliver Libby was born in Wellfleet in 1829, and is a son of Richard and Hannah (Holbrook) Libby. He went to New York city at the age of fourteen, where he has been engaged in business since that time. Since 1852 he has been in the restaurant and oyster busi- ness. He was a member of the Seventy-first New York State Militia from 1857 until 1866, was promoted from corporal of Company C., step by step, until December, 1863, when he was elected major of the regiment, which office he resigned in April, 1866. He was thrice called to active service during the war, acting each time as an officer. He married Sarah J. Dudley, of Boston. Their children are: Jennie N. and Walter F. Since 1876 Major Libby has had a summer residence in Wellfleet.

HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

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Oliver H. Linnell, born in 1849 in Orleans, is a son of Oliver N. and Adaline G. (Rogers) Linnell, and grandson of Josiah, who was a son of Thomas Linnell. Mr. Linnel began to learn the trade of a marble worker in 1869, and in 1873 he opened a shop in Wellfleet, to which he has since added the undertaking business. He married Augusta T. daughter of Ephraim T. Knowles. She died leaving two daughters: Ada A. and Flora I.

Charles W. Newcomb, son of Thomas E. and Lucy J. (Atwood) Newcomb, and grandson of Thomas Newcomb, was born in 1853. He has followed the sea since 1865, as master of coasting vessels since 1877. He has two sisters: Lucy E. (Mrs.George A. Snow), and Almira T.

Alvin F. Paine, son of Isaac and Catharine (Ryder) Paine, and grandson of Thomas Paine, was born in 1837 and died in February, 1890. He followed the sea from 1849 until 1863, and from that time until his death was a merchant. He was a deacon of the Congrega- tional church in South Wellfleet and a prominent and trusted citizen. He married Eliza F., daughter of Scotter Foster. They have had three children: Isaac, Mabel F. and Alvin F., jr.

Edward E. Paine, born in 1849, is a son of Winslow, grandson of Nathan, and great-grandson of Thomas Paine. He has followed the sea since 1860, in the fishing and coasting business. Since 1874 he has been master of vessels. He married Lydia C., daughter of Uriah H. and Huldah (Jerauld) Dyer. They have two children: Winslow A. and Frank A., one son having died in infancy.

William L. Paine, son of Nathan and Dorcas C. (Lombard) Paine, and grandson of Thomas Paine, was born in 1822. He followed the sea from 1832 until 1866, as master ten years. From 1867 until 1880 he was fish inspector, and also connected with the Southern Wharf Company. He was three years a member of the school committee. He married Phebe K., daughter of Solomon Snow. Their children are: William L., jr., and Frederick M.

Nehemiah H. Paine, son of Nehemiah H. and Rebecca L. (Rich) Paine, and grandson of Ephraim and Hannah (Collins) Paine, was born in 1840. He followed the sea from 1854 until 1874. He married Lauretta, daughter of Collins Cobb. They have two children: Ida F. and Frank H.

Franklin H. Pervere, son of Isaac and Phebe (Higgins) Pervere, was born in 1831. He began going to sea at the age of fourteen, attaining to master six years later. Since 1865 he has been on coast- ing and foreign voyages. He married Martha, daughter of James H. Atwood. Their two children are: Arnold J. and Ruth A. (Mrs. A. C. Mott).

Joshua A. Rich, born in 1820, is the only surviving son of Joseph S., and grandson of John Rich. He has followed the sea since 1831.

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TOWN OF WELLFLEET.

He was master of coasting and fishing vessels from 1845 until 1872, since which time he has run a packet between Wellfleet and Boston. He married Olive C., daughter of William and Thankful (Cole) New- comb. They have one son, David C., and lost three children in infancy.

Newel B. Rich, born in 1831, is one of twelve children of Samuel and Polly Rich, and grandson of Isaac . Rich. He has been a sail maker since eighteen years of age, having been in business for him- self since 1852. Since 1881 he has also been engaged in weir fishing. He married Mary A., daughter of Mulford, granddaughter of Mulford, and great-granddaughter of Ephraim Rich. Their two children are: Ada M. (Mrs. W. A. Rich) and Benjamin S. One son died-Charles N.

Winfield S. Rich, born in 1862, is a son of Solomon A. and Jemima (Newcomb) Rich, and grandson of Aaron Rich. He graduated from Wellfleet high school in 1878, and has been employed teaching since 1883. Since September, 1887, he has been principal of Yarmouth high school.

Frederick W. Snow, son of Ambrose and Polly (Swett) Snow, and grandson of Ambrose Snow, was born in 1837. He has followed the sea, in fishing and coasting, since 1847, having been master since 1861. He married Eunice C. Oliver. She died and he married Adaline A. Higgins. Their children are: Addie W., Eunice O., Celia S., Christi- bel, Frederick A., David B. and Roland S.

Freeman A. Snow, son of Ambrose and Polly (Swett) Snow, grand- son of Ambrose, and great-grandson of David Snow, was born in 1838. He followed the sea from 1849 until 1SSS, with the exception of two years. He was master after 1862. He is now (1889) agent for the Commercial Wharf Company, also chairman of the board of directors of the Central Trading Company. He married Achsah L., daughter of Jeremiah N. Freeman. Their only daughter, Nellie M. (Mrs. J. E. Crowell), is deceased.

Jesse S. Snow, son of Ambrose and Polly (Swett) Snow, was born in 1851. He has followed the sea since 1861, as master of vessels since 1870, in the fishing and coasting business. He married Mary E., daughter of Isaac and Polly (Kemp) Freeman. They have two sons: Albert E. and Edgar L.

JAMES SWETT .- This family name was transplanted in 1630 from the Isle of Guernsey, in the English channel, to Newburyport, in the New World; and in 1670 two brothers, descendants of the name, came to the Cape, Benjamin, one of them, settling in Wellfleet, and Noah, the other, in Truro. They were seafaring men, and from them have descended the family name in Barnstable county. Benjamin, grand- son of the first of that name who settled here, married, and from him descended the subject of this sketch.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Noah, the son of the last Benjamin, was born in Wellfleet in 1743, and had five children: John, Benjamin, Joseph, Martha and Su- sanna.

Joseph, the third son of Noah, born in 1778, married Bethia, daugh- ter of Dea. Jonathan Higgins, of Pamet point, and was a prominent sea captain. He was drowned while passing from one vessel to another in a small boat, in Provincetown harbor, his wife surviving him fifty years. They had eleven children: Joseph, Benjamin, Be- thia, Sally, Polly, James, John, Noah and Betsey H., who grew to ma- ture age; and Ezekiel and Noah, who died in infancy. The first nine of these children married, and during their lives filled places of honor in the business, civil and domestic relations of life. Much of their success is due to the teachings of a godly mother, who so indelibly impressed the seal of her faith upon their young minds as to sensibly affect their whole lives for integrity and honesty of purpose. A short sketch of each of these children is given in the nine succeeding para- graphs:

Joseph, who still lives, married Susanna Rich, of Truro, and of their six children, James and Susan survive.

Benjamin married Jane L. Cole, daughter of Isaiah Cole, and died in 1842 of yellow fever, at Havana. Of his five children two survive -Benjamin and Malvina.

Bethia married Israel Pierce, and of their fourteen children eight survive. Their names are: James, William, Alonzo, Sylvanus, Benja- min, Melzar, Warren and Edward.

Sally married Elisha Mayo for her first husband, and after his death married John Chipman. Four children of the second marriage survive: John, William, Joseph and Sarah.

Polly, still living, married Ambrose Snow, and eight children sur- vive: Ambrose, John, Frederick, Freeman, Noah, Jesse, Ellen and George.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 91

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