History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 99

Author: Deyo, Simeon L., ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York : Blake
Number of Pages: 1292

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Samuel N. Small, son of Samuel and Mary B. Small, was born in 1853, and is an architect and designer of furniture in Boston. He was married in 1875, to Mary O. Nickerson. She died, leaving two chil- dren: Leon C. and Susan B.

John F. Small, the other son, was born in 1858. He is an architect and designer of furniture in Boston. He was married in 1885, to Maria L., daughter of George W. and Helena (Nickerson) Eldridge. They have one daughter, Helena.

ZEBINA H. SMALL, whose busy and varied life in the prosperity, of . his native town came to an end September 22, 1882, proved his devo- tion to duty by the faithful discharge of every trust committed to his hands. His father, Benjamin, a son of Benjamin Small, was born and lived in Harwich, rearing five children, of whom Zebina H. was

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

the youngest, born April 2, 1798. At the tender age of eight years he went to sea, which business he followed more or less for forty years, retiring in 1845. At the age of nineteen he was master in a foreign commerce, and after the year 1833 was engaged mostly along the American coast, closing his seafaring life as master of the last vessel he had built for his own use-the Emulous.

He was married February 24, 1820, to Ruth A. Nickerson, daugh- ter of Ebenezer Nickerson, and they reared seven children, of whom sketches are given in the succeeding paragraphs.

Charlotte, born March 27, 1822, grew to womanhood, and in 1843 married Cyrus W. Carver, a son of Phineas and Phœba (Weeks) Carver. Mr. Carver died in 1849, and his wife died April 28, 1853. They had two daughters, Henrietta and Charlotte, of whom the older, Henrietta, survives; and being the only survivor of this branch of the family, owns and occupies the home of her grandfather.

Zebina H. Small, jr., born May 29, 1824, was an efficient ship- master at an early age. He married Anna S. Colesberry, but was not permitted to enjoy a long period of married life, for he was lost in the gulf stream-washed overboard in a gale-January 10, 1849.

Ruth N., born May 29, 1827, married Isaac H. Smith, son of Samuel Smith, in 1850. Mr. Smith has been a successful mariner most of his life. They have had two daughters: Ruthie S., who survives, and another who died in infancy.

Amelia S., born January 22, 1830, married Benjamin F. Bee of Harwich, and of their three children two survive: Benjamin F., jr., and Amelia S.

Benjamin F., born April 6, 1832, grew to manhood, married Augusta C. Post, and died June 1, 1882, leaving, besides his widow, three children: Charlotte A., Benjamin F. and Ruth N.

Harvey C., born October 15, 1840, died when three months old.

Emulous, born December 20, 1834, in Harwich Port, married No- vember 12, 1856, Irene T., daughter of Valentine Doane. He was for twenty years largely interested in mercantile business near his resi- dence; retiring in 1876, he has since turned his attention to cranberry culture. He is also a director of the Cape Cod National Bank.

Zebina H. Small, deceased, father of the above named children, was a representative man, and his pure executive ability was often called into action in the settlement of difficult arbitrations. He was a director in the Cape Cod National Bank from its inception to the . close of his life, and the board of which he was a member, and who perhaps knew him best, speak highly of his upright business qualifi- cations. His enterprise is marked by the fact that in 1845 he sold his vessel and commenced preparing a cranberry bog, placing him among the first at Harwich in this industry. In his life journey of

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Lubina Hochwalk

PRINT. E. BIERSTADT. N. Y.

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TOWN OF HARWICH.

over four score years he left many footprints on the sands of time for the benefit of future generations.

Henry Smalley, born in 1842, is a son of Edward and grandson of Edward Smalley. His mother was Barbara, daughter of Ebenezer Weeks. Mr. Smalley enlisted in the war of the rebellion, in 1861, in Company A., Thirty-ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, serving until the close of the war. He has been cashier of the freight department of the Boston & Lowell railroad since 1866. He was married in 1870, to Ellen A., daughter of Simon Jones. They have one daughter- Nellie E .- two children having died-Henry and Catharine M.

Freeman Smith, born in 1830, in Orleans, is a son of James and Abigail (Robbins) and grandson of Isaac Smith. He is a carpenter by trade, and has lived in Harwich since 1852. He was married in 1853 to Rebecca H., daughter of William Allen.

Alexander F. Snow, born in 1842, is a son of Thomas Snow, who came from Fredericksburgh, Va., to Harwich. Mr. Snow has been a master mariner since he was twenty-three years old. He was mar- ried in 1863 to Mary F., daughter of Judah and granddaughter of Judah Berry.

Augustus C. Snow, 2d, born in 1849. is a son of Hiram, and grand- son of Osborn Snow. His mother was Sally C. Rogers. Mr. Snow entered the Cape Cod National Bank as clerk in 1864, and for the last twenty years he has been assistant cashier. He has been treasurer of the Cape Cod Five Cent Savings Bank since 1882. He was married in 1872 to Dora M. Sears. They have one son, Ralph H.

Rev. Charles A. Snow was born in Providence, R. I., May 12, 1829, and was one of a family of thirteen children. His father was a car- penter by trade and in too poor circumstances to give any of his children a liberal education. They enjoyed, however, the advantages of the common schools. Charles, after graduating from the high school in Providence, entered the commission house of J. C. Peckham & Co., in that city, where he remained nearly a year. But since his conversion, which had occurred a year or two before, he had felt a restless desire for a liberal education, by which he might become fitted for the ministry of the Gospel, to which he believed himself specially called. With this end in view he devoted his evening and early morning hours to earnest study. His employers becoming inter- ested in his purpose, showed their substantial sympathy, by releasing him from his engagement, and by the present of a small sum of money. Aside from this kindly aid, he was thereafter thrown almost wholly upon his own resources. By close economy and the enduring . of many privations, he was able to work his way through Brown University and Newton Theological Seminary, graduating from the latter institution June 30, 1858. A call to become pastor of the

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Temple church in Fall River had been previously received, and he was ordained July 7th. He remained in their service six and one- half years. During this period, by leave of absence from the church, he served as chaplain in the army in 1862-3, in connection with the Third. Massachusetts Volunteers. Leaving Fall River in November, 1864, he became pastor of the Stewart Street Baptist church in Prov- idence, remaining there about six years. Other pastorates have been held in South Abington (now Whitmen) New Bedford (North church) and Fall River (Third church). He came to West Harwich in April, 1886, under circumstances which plainly indicated that the hand of Divine Providence had opened the door for him to enter this important field.

Elisha Snow was born in 1810. He is a son of Elisha and Betsey (Wing) Snow, and grandson of Elisha Snow. His father was born in 1778, and lived to be ninety five years old. Mr. Snow went to sea from 1822 to 1868, and was master mariner thirty-four years. He was married in 1835 to Didama, daughter of Deacon Joseph Kelley. They have two daughters: Louise B., wife of Amos Crowell; and Annette, wife of Captain Thomas L. Snow, son of James Snow of Dresden, Me.

Elijah L. Stokes, born in 1850, is a son of Elijah and Hannah C. (Small) Stokes, the latter a daughter of Jonathan and Mercy (Phillips) Small. Mr. Stokes was married in 1874 to Augusta, daughter of Elisha Doane. Their children are: Arabella H., Elijah L., jr., Wilber E. and Lura A.

Barnabas Taylor, born in 1832, was the only son of Barnabas Taylor, who died in New Orleansin 1832. His mother was Deborah, daughter of Barnabas Ellis. Mr. Taylor was in the stage and express business from 1856 to his death, January 27, 1890, when he was succeeded by his son Barnabas. He was married in 1855 to Jane, daughter of Gamaliel Cahoon. They had eight children: Wallace B., Barnabas, jr., Elmer E., Charles H., Herbert L., Ida B., Ella J. and Winnie B.

John B. Tuttle, born in 1824, in Haverhill, Mass., is a son of Jesse Tuttle, who was born in New Hampshire, and a grandson of Simeon Tuttle. Mr. Tuttle came to South Harwich in 1849, where he was for several years engaged in the fish business with his brother Jesse. In December, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-eighth Massachu- setts Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He kept the lighthouse at Monomoy point ten years, and since that time has been engaged in the manufacture of cranberry barrels. He was married in 1847, to Olive B. Duston, who died leaving one son, William T. He married, second, Mrs. Love C. Jones, who died leaving one daughter, Sarah J. He married, third, in 1882, Eunice, daughter of Samuel Moody.

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TOWN OF HARWICH.

William H. Underwood was born in 1822. He is the eldest son of Nathan, who was the eldest son of Rev. Nathan, who was seven years in the war of the revolution. He came to Harwich in 1792. He was a son of Joseph and Eunice (Smith) Underwood. Mr. Underwood's mother was Rebecca Bray. He was nine years town clerk, and from 1880 to 1886 he was county treasurer. He has been for seventeen years an officer of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank. He was married in 1845 to Almira Baker. Their children arc: Rebecca B., Joseph, Elizabeth, William H., jr., Alice, Almira B., Franklin D. and Susan L.

Jeremiah Walker, son of Marshal and Rebecca (Burgess) Walker, and grandson of Jeremiah Walker, was born in 1824. He followed the sea from 1835 to 1867. He was married in 1848 to Sarepta, daughter of Josiah Nickerson. They have one daughter, Eucelia M .. married to William Bourne.

Darius F. Weekes", born in 1833, is the eldest son of Darius Weekes' (Ebenezer', Aminiels, Rev. George‘, Ammiel3, Ammiel", George Weekes1). His mother was Priscilla, daughter of James Long, Mr. Weekes followed the sea from 1846 to 1868, after which he was nine years in the store and fishing business at South Harwich. He has been deputy sheriff since January, 1887. He was married in 1855, to Rhoda T., daughter of Phillip N. Small. They have two children living: Sarah P. and Charles H. Their daughter Lettie L., died in 1873, aged thirteen years; and Rosetta W. died in 1865, aged eighteen months.

Ebenezer Weekes. 2d, born in 1853, is a son of Benjamin F.7 (Ebe- nezer®, Ammiels, Rev. George Weekes*). His mother was Louisa, daughter of Alexander Nickerson. Mr. Weekes was engaged in the fishing business until 1880, since which time he has carried on a but- ter, lard and cheese business at Harwich Port.

Rev. George Weekes was born in Dorchester in 1689, and in 1714 he came to Harwich. His son Ammiel was the father of Ebenezer, whose youngest son, Benjamin F., was the father of Alphonso, who married Mary C. Burgess. Their only son is Alphonso L. Weekes, who was born October 3, 1860, and married Nellie F. Snow in 1882. They have one son, George Leroy Weekes.

William S. Willson, son of Hubbard Willson, was born in 1850 in Lowell, Mass. He has been in a livery stable at Brockton, Mass., since 1884. He bought a residence in Harwich Port in 1887, where he has lived since that time. He was married in 1878, to Zella B., daugh- ter of James and Marinda (Smith) Berry. Their children are: Minnie S., Hubbard, William S., jr., and Harold.

Mulford Young, born in 1821, is the only surviving child of Mul- ford and Betsey (Young) Young, grandson of John, whose father,

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Prince, was a son of John Young. Mr. Young began keeping a small store at East Harwich in 1851. He has continued to increase the business until he now has a general country store, beside a large stock of furniture and house furnishing goods. He was married in 1858, to Eliza A., daughter of Samuel Holmes. She died two years later. He married again in 1865, to Mrs. Emily Baker, daughter of Henry Kel- ley. Their children are; Harry M., Sparrow M., Eglantine F., Mary H. and Betsey I.

CHAPTER XXVI.

TOWN OF BREWSTER.

BY JOSIAH PAINE, ESQ.

Incorporation .- Natural Features .- Purchase and Division of the Land .- The First Settlers and their Families .- Industries .- Population .- The Militia .- Religious So- cieties .- Villages .- Civil Lists .- Meteorological Condition .- Biographical Sketches.

B REWSTER was set off from Harwich and incorporated as a town February 19, 1803. From 1747, when Harwich was divided into parishes, until the division in 1803, it was known as the north precinct or parish of Harwich. It is situated on the north side of the Cape, and is bounded east by Orleans, south by Harwich, west by Dennis, north by Cape Cod bay, and covers an area of about twenty- four square miles.

The surface is very uneven and the soil is of various kinds. In the western and central part the soil is clayish; in the eastern part light. and sandy. It is productive, especially if fertilizing substances is well applied, of cereals, the usual varieties of vegetables and grass. Much of the town, especially of the southeastern part, is covered with a small growth of oak and pine. Many large and small bowlders are found. In the west part of the town they are profusely scattered. Many of them, peculiar in shape, lie upon the surface and have the appearance of being dropped from the glacial raft which stranded upon the north side during the glacial period.

Numerous fresh ponds are within the limits of the town, among the largest of which are Cliff, Flying Place, Winslow's, Mill, Pine, Cobb's, Rock, Griffith's, Baker's, Raph's and Sheep ponds. The chain of ponds, lying partly in this town and partly in Harwich, embraces Bangs' or Seymour's, Long, Bush Beach and Grass ponds. A notice of this chain of ponds has been given in the preceding chapter.

Cliff pond lies in the eastern part of the town. It derives its name from a remarkable cliff that lifts its head far above its surface. This pond, known by no other name since the days of the red men, is deep and clear, and covers many acres. Formerly wild fowl in great num- bers visited it on their passage across the Cape. It is separated from Flying Place pond, by a narrow sandy neck.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

Flying Place, or Little Cliff pond, is a clear pond of considerable size, lying northeasterly but a short distance. This pond was called by the Indians Quanoycomauk. Some portions of the Sipson's land adjoined it. A short distance northerly is a large bowlder marked plainly B. M., for Benjamin Macor, who lived hard by. Not far north- ward is the Rock pond, often mentioned in the early deeds of land.

Winslow's pond, in the west part of the town, is the largest of the ponds. At the time of the settlement, and for many years after, In- dians occupied land adjoining on the east. Captain Daniel, the fa- mous Indian warrior, who did valiant service under Major Church in 1689, in Maine, resided near it, and owned a large tract adjoining it.

Mill pond, the source of Sauquatuckett river, is connected with Winslow's pond by a narrow stream. Alewives spend the spawning season in it.

Cobb's pond, in the north part of the town, near the shore, has an outlet into the bay. It is mentioned in the old deeds and records of land as the pond that " hath a run into the sea called Auquanest."

Griffith's pond lies south of Cobb's pond, in the central part of the town. Stephen Griffith and many of his descendants lived near it, hence its name.

Baker's pond is in the eastern part, and the line that divides the town from Orleans passes through it. It was called by the Indians Pomponeset. James Maker, an early settler, had a house near the pond. Afterward William Baker lived near it, since which time it has been known by its present name. Not far from it is Raph's, or Rafe's, pond.

Sheep pond, a large, clear body of water, well surrounded by high land, lies not far north of Long pond. Some of the early residents of this section lived near by.

The streams in the town are not large nor numerous. The most important are Quivet creek, Sauquatuckett river and Skaket or Nam- skaket creek.

Quivet creek, or Bound brook, known to the Indians as Shuck- quam, divides the town from Dennis in that section. The stream rises in Brewster, and flows northeasterly through the marsh into the bay.

Sauquatuckett river rises in Mill pond, and flows northerly into the bay. This stream has been known by several names besides Sau- quatuckett river. It has been called "Stoney Brook," "Satucket River," " Mill Brook " and " Winslow's Brook." Sauquatuckett is the Indian name. Upon this brook was built the first water mill in this section of the county.

Namskaket creek, as far as it extends, divides this town from Or- leans. On either side is a body of marsh, which affords an abun-

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TOWN OF BREWSTER.

dance of hay for each town. A small stream rises in the marsh near the upland, and flows into the creek near its mouth. In former times small vessels entered this creek and moored for the winter; and probably small vessels have been built here. Flats here, as they do all along the shore to Quivet, extend into the bay a very great dis- tance. Namskaket is the Indian name of the locality, as well as of the creek. It was early known to the settlers at Plymouth. It was here that Governor Bradford landed on his way to Potonumequut in 1626, to render aid to the crew of the ship-wrecked vessel in the harbor near that place.

The territory now Brewster was a part of the tract granted to the "Purchasers or Old Comers" in 1641, for a plantation. Attempts to extinguish the Indian title began early after the grant. In 1653, Wono, and Sachemas, his son, sachems of Sauquatuckett, and dwell- ing near the river, sold, for eighteen pounds sterling, to Thomas Prence, in behalf of the "Purchasers or Old Comers," a very large tract, extending from central Brewster easterly to Namskaket mead- ows at East Brewster, and from the sea shore southerly as far as their land extended in that direction, which, it is understood, was to the Long pond. This tract, it will be seen, embraced a large portion of what is now Brewster.

The date of the purchase from the Indians of the tract at West Brewster, between Quivet creek and Sauquatuckett river, does not appear; but we find a record of the laying out of the lots, in 1653, by Mr. Thomas Prence, Nicholas Snow, Edward Bangs, Joseph Rogers, Giles Hopkins and Josiah Cooke, to such of the "Purchasers or Old Comers" still retaining their rights, who, at this date, were Governor Bradford, Experience Michel, Nicholas Snow, Stephen Deane, Thomas Clarke, Thomas Prence, Joseph Rogers, Giles Hopkins, John How- land, William Collier and Edward Bangs. Mr. Michel did not long retain an interest in the reservation. After giving his son-in-law, John Washburn, his lot laid out, he sold all his right to other land here, in 1654, to Thomas Clarke, of Plymouth, who yet was holding rights in the reservation as an original purchaser.

The land between the first purchase, in 1653, and Sauquatuckett river, from the sea shore to the line of the South precinct southerly, was subsequently purchased at different times, of Sachemas, the sa- chem, and other noted Indians, who derived from him their rights to sel1.

The tracts purchased were divided, and each proprietor had his proportion assigned him, and a record made in " ye Purchasers Book of records," which is now lost.

The Sipsons' land, which has been mentioned in Chapter XXV, extended within the limits of this town up to Cliff and Rock pond.

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HISTORY OF BARNSTABLE COUNTY.

The line between their land and land belonging to Sachemas. which was sold to Mr. Prence and partners in 1653, commenced on the beach near the boundary stone at Bush Beach pond, and running northeast- erly, terminated near the pond at "Grassy Nook," which lies a short distance southwest of Cliff pond. The tract embraces many acres, and a very great portion of it is now covered with a small growth of oak and pine.

The lots of upland laid out on the easterly side of Quivet creek in 1653, by the committee of the " Purchasers or Old Comers," contained each twenty acres, with meadow adjoining. The lot laid out to Ex- perience Michell was the first that was disposed of. After passing into the hands of John Washburn, son-in-law of Mr. Michell, it was sold to Governor Bradford. This lot was next to Governor Bradford, on the east. Governor Bradford's lot was the first on the east side of Quivet creek. These two lots were sold by Mrs. Alice Bradford, widow of Governor Bradford, November 23, 1664, together with the meadow belonging thereto, to Richard Sears, of Yarmouth. These two lots contained forty acres of upland, and were held by Richard Sears until his death in 1676, when they passed into the possession of his eldest son, Paul Sears. Some of this land is yet owned by his de- scendants. It was upon one of these lots that Samuel Sears, son of Paul, selected his farm and spent his life. The next to sell his lot was Giles Hopkins, of Eastham, who came in the Mayflower. His was the eighth lot. It was purchased by John Wing, November 9, 1666, he giving Mr. Hopkins a "mare colt." Mr. Wing became a purchaser of three more lots of the "Sasuet land," as it was sometimes called by the early settlers, viz .: the ninth lot laid out to John Howland, the tenth lot laid out to William Collier, and the eleventh lot laid ont to Edward Bangs. The sixth lot laid out to Thomas Prence was pur- chased, June 24, 1668, by John Dillingham, who also purchased the seventh laid out to Lieutenant Joseph Rogers, of Eastham, a fellow. passenger with Giles Hopkins and John Howland in the Mayflower.

The third lot, laid out to Nicholas Snow, of Eastham, was purchased in 1669 by Peter Warden, who soon sold it to his son-in-law, Kenelm Winslow, who also purchased the fourth lot of Peter Warden, which had been laid out to Stephen Deane, of Plymouth. Mr. Thomas Clarke, to whom was laid out the fifth lot, retained in his possession the lot, together with all the right he had to the undivided land be- tween the two rivers, until 1693, when, by deed, he conveyed it, with his other land on the east side of the Sauquatuckett river, to his sons and grandsons.

But a short time after the " Purchasers or Old Comers" sold their rights to the land between Bound brook and Sauquatuckett river, the heirs of Napoitan, the Indian sachem of Barnstable, claimed rights

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TOWN OF BREWSTER.

to the land held by the proprietors. The proprietors very wisely agreed to extinguish their title. Whereupon John Wing and John Dillingham, in behalf of themselves, "associates or partners," and "their heirs and assigns," purchased the rights of the heirs of Na- poitan, and, to have no further dispute as to titles, secured from the successors of the "Purchasers or Old Comers." to whom the land had been granted, a quit claim deed of all the territory between the Yar- mouth line on the west and the following described line on the east: " Beginning at ye sea where Stoney Brooks runs out, and so ranging as ye brook runs, by ye middle of ye mill dam yt now is; from thence ranging south until it meets with the Yarmouth line." The Var- mouth line at this time ran from Bound brook where the road crosses in a southeasterly course to the " South Sea." An account of this line is given in the history of Harwich. The point where the lines formed a junction was within the limits of the present town of Harwich. This territory, from the year 1650 to the incorporation of Harwich in 1694, was within the "liberties of Yarmouth," and within its limits the settlement of the present town of Brewster began. The territory on the east side of Sauquatuckett river was, from the same date to the incorporation. within the "constablerick " or "liberties" of Eastham.

SETTLERS .- Among the settlers of the place before 1700 were: John Wing, John Dillingham, Kenelm Winslow, William Griffith, Andrew Clarke, John Freeman, jr., Samuel Sears, Thomas Freeman, Joseph Paine, Thomas Crosby, James Cole, William Parslow, John Gray, Peter Worthen, Stephen Hopkins, William Merrick and Jona- than Bangs.

John Wing, a Quaker, came from Sandwich. He was the son of John Wing, who came from England, and finally settled in Sandwich in 1639. His mother, it is said, was a daughter of Rev. Stephen Bachilor, noticed at page 368. Mr. Wing was a large landholder, re- siding between the two rivers. His death occurred in the summer of 1699. He was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth, died Janu- ary 3, 1692. She is called upon the Yarmouth records "Goody Wing." He married for his second wife Merriam, daughter of Stephen Deane of Plymouth, whose widow married Josiah Cooke of Eastham. Miss Deane was well in years when she married Goodman Wing. She died in 1702. By wife Elizabeth John Wing had seven children: Susannah, Ephraim, Joseph, Ananias, John, Oseah and a son who was drowned in the snow about December 11, 1648.

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History of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, 1620-1890, Part 99

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