History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 109

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1818


USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 109


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Mr. Shaw, after withdrawing from the firm hereto- fore mentioned, formed a copartnership with Willard O. Coferem and Harrison A. Williams, and this firm commenced making fine jewelry at Mr. Cabot's factory in Sodem, being what was formerly known as the lower factory. Early in the present century Mr. Simeon White commenced the manufacture of shoe-nails and tacks in that part of Mansfield now called Whiteville. It was a very small trade at the beginning, but during his life it was greatly en- larged. At his death Mr. F. A. White, a son, con- tinued the business, which then gave work to a large number of hands. Mr. F. A. White and his brothers, Charles P., Hiram, Adoniram J., and Henry, were engaged in the business, which had become large and lucrative, and continued to improve up to the time of the formation of a combination a few years since, and Mr. White was shut out, and being unable to obtain stock, was obliged to stop the manufacturing. So what was twenty years ago the most prosperous village in Mansfield is now without business. Mr. Charles P. White represented the town once in the Legislature. Simeon, the father, died July, 1845.


In 1842, Robert McMoran and Robert Fulton com- menced the manufacture of shoe-knives and awls in the factory on the west side of Water Street. They made good articles and soon built up a large business. The firm was dissolved in 1862. Mr. Fulton con- tinued the business at the old placc. Mr. McMoran formed a copartnership with his son-in-law, George A. Robinson, and his grandson, William N. McMoran, and commenced the same business at the old Wil- liams privilege at West Mansfield. Mr. McMoran soon after died, and the grandson withdrew from the


454


HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.


firm, and the business has since been conducted under the name of George A. Robinson & Co.


Mr. Fulton died March 3, 1865, and his business was continued for three years by his executor, at which time Mr. Matthew George, who married Mrs. Fulton, succeeded to the business, and has continued it ever since.


The basket business has always been a leading in- dustry in town, and it now gives employment to nearly one hundred persons. As long as the oldest inhabi- tants can remember, this branch of business has been followed. Mr. James L. Hodges is probably the largest manufacturer in town ; his shop is near the Perryman & Hodges claim, though he gives employ- ment to many outside of his shop. His baskets are all sold in the New York market.


Mr. Henry Shepard is a large dealer in baskets; he buys of the small manufacturers and supplies the Boston market. Mr. Isaac G. Hodges manufactures in his shop west from Main Street. Mr. James E. Paine does a large business at his shop on West Street. Mr. V. B. Hodges manufactures in the shop west of Card & Co.'s machine-shop, and there are a number of others in town who devote a part of their houses or barns or sheds to the making of baskets.


Fifty years ago Capt. Schuyler Shepard, a man of influence in town affairs, began the manufacture of soap, and his son Albert S. has continued the business. Mr. James W. Cobb commenced the making of soap at his residence some years ago. Its virtues are said to be manifold; certain it is that he sells it in very large quantities, and carries it with his teams great distances. In the summer of 1882 he canvassed suc- cessfully the Canadas. Mr. R. H. Belcher and Mr. Rufus Paine are also severally engaged largely in the manufacture of this valuable household article.


A corporation formed under the laws of Rhode Is- land called the " Manton Steam Windlass Company," signified their willingness to settle in this town if the citizens would furnish them with a building. Mr. S. A. Green, a son of the late James Green, offered the land to put a suitable building on. His offer was ac- cepted, and a sufficient amount was raised from indi- viduals to erect the building. It is located near the foundry building of the Ryder Brothers, and the new company commenced business in it April 1, 1883.


Mr. S. W. Card commenced some ten years ago in the basement of the Murphy shop in the making of taps and dies. The reputation of his goods became so good he was obliged to increase his facilities, and hired additional room in the same building, where he continued until three years ago, when the shop burned. A new shop was built, and Mr. Card asso- ciated with him Mr. David E. Harding, and the firm purchased the building and the water privilege, and they are now doing a very large and prosperous busi- ness.


Near where the depot now stands there stood in very early times an old saw-mill, owned by Williams,


and what is now the road on the south side of the depot was used as the saw-mill yard.


Mr. John Birkenhead ten years ago removed from Canton to this place, and began the making of spin- dles. He is very ingenious, and conceived of several improvements which he got patented, and which very much aided him in the sale of his goods. His busi- ness rapidly increased, and he gave employment to a large number. He went to Europe and disposed of his patents in several foreign countries. He has now united lathe-making with his other business. His shop is in the rear of the Chilson's Furnaces. He built and now lives in a house on the north side of Pratt Street, near Spaulding's jewelry-shop.


Mr. F. M. Cabot some ten years ago purchased the Lower Factory on Rumford River, and removed here from 'Attleborough, and brought with him his business of coffin trimmings, which has ever since been continued by him. Thirty-five years ago Mr. George E. Bayley commenced in a small way the baking business at his father's residence, about one mile west from the centre. He had the usual ups and downs which attend a new enterprise, but finally became firmly established, and the business assumed great proportions ; now he gives employment to a large number of hands, has salesmen in New York City, Boston, Newport, Fall River, and Taunton, and with him are now associated his two sons.


Several years ago Mr. William Bird built a foundry building on the west side of the Boston and Provi- dence Railroad, and during his life the business in- creased, and at his death, which occurred soon after the building was completed, his widow and grand- children (Ryders) have continued the business with very fair returns.


Mr. - Wilbur, from Foxborough, has just pur- chased what was formerly a repair-shop on the east side of the Boston and Providence Railroad, which he is fixing up as a furnace.


Mansfield is watered by three rivers. Canoe River, which rises in Sharon, flows through the easterly part of Mansfield and empties into Winneconnet Pond in Norton. Upon this stream are located the north factory, formerly a woolen-mill, then a shoddy- mill, now used to manufacture saleratus in.


The American Awl Blade Company, manufac- turing taps and dies, awls, and other small tools.


Flint's saw-mill, where formerly stood Hartwell's thread-factory, in which a large and successful busi- ness was carried on up to the death of Mr. Hartwell, nearly twenty-five years ago. This factory was burned.


There is a small stream in the northeasterly part of the town, which supplies the power used by the tack- shop in Whiteville, then flows into Canoe River.


Rumford River, sometimes called Ten-Mile River, rises in Sharon, flows through the centre of Mansfield and Norton, uniting with Wading River. Upon this river are located S. W. Card & Co.'s tap and die


455


MANSFIELD.


manufactory, formerly a woolen-mill, which was burned ; then Schenk's shop for making planes, also burned ; then a jewelry- and machine-shop, also burned.


George's knife- and awl-shop, formerly a woolen- mill, which was burned.


Kingman & Hodge's jewelry-shop, formerly by a woolen-mill, which was burned; then a mill used as a woolen-mill at one time, afterwards as shoddy-mill ; then a jewelry-shop, also burned.


Cabot's coffin-trimming shop, which was formerly occupied as woolen-mill, then a tack-shop.


Fisher's grist-mill, which for generations has been owned by the same family.


Lower down upon the stream ean now be seen the remnants of an old dam, and it was the site of a mill which was burned some thirty years ago.


Wading River flows through the westerly part of the town. It rises in Shepard's Pond, near Wren- tham. Upon this stream is located the knife-works of George A. Robinson & Co., and a leather-board manufactory, a grist- and saw-mill of the Briggs Brothers. Where now stands the Robinson mill formerly stood the woolen-mill of Friend Marcus Williams, a prominent man in business and town affairs, a large land-owner, who died, leaving four children,-Richard, who was a physician in Maine, now dead; Adeline, who is practicing medicine in Worcester ; Naney, who is practicing the same pro- fession in Augusta, Me .; and Mareey, who read law with the Hon. John Daggett, of Attleborough, but who died before she was admitted to practice. Mar- cus Williams died March 7, 1847. Upon this stream formerly stood the Sweet's flour- and grain-mill, owned and run by Elbridge Sweet. Upon his de- eease parties from Attleborough commenced the manufacture of jewelry, but the mill burned soon after, and it has not been rebuilt.


Mansfield is located in the north part of Bristol County ; its north line is the northerly line of the county. It is bounded north by Foxborough, in Nor- folk County, east by Easton, south by Norton, and west by Attleborough. It is the junction of the Bos- ton and Providence Railroad and the Northern Divi- sion of the Old Colony Railroad, and close on to fifty trains pass through daily. It has the following vil- lages : the Centre, containing seven stores, five churches, town hall, school-house, barber-shop, billiard-saloon, ete., and is by far the largest village; the west part contains fifty houses, store, three churches, post-office, and the coal-mines, which, if operated successfully, will cause a speedy growth in business and building there ; the east part contains about the same number of houses as the west part, and here is located the monumental works and Flint's saw- and grist-mill.


Whiteville, a small village in the northeasterly part of the town. Much business was formerly done there in the manufacture of taeks and shoe-nails, but now little is done there.


The number of acres in Mansfield is twelve thou- sand nine hundred and thirteen, from which about three hundred acres may be deducted for roads and ponds.


The population in 1800 was.


1016


=


1810 1820


1030


46


1830


1172


=


= 1875


2656


1880


2765


The number of polls in 1880, 671, and the valua- tion was $1,187,158. Mansfield belongs to the first Bristol senatorial and representative districts, and is within the jurisdiction of the first Bristol District Court. Its present board of officers (1883) is Alfred V. Rogerson, town clerk and treasurer ; Howard Per- kins, James L. Hodges, William B. Rogerson, select- men and assessors and overseers of the poor ; William A. Copeland, Mr. Lucas, W. L. Robinson, school committee ; Rufus H. Davis, tax collector; Howard Perkins, George M. Austin, Alonzo Reed, highway surveyors ; A. W. Cobb is deputy sheriff; Samuel C. Lovell, postmaster at Centre; Albert Perry, post- master at West Mansfield; J. A. Blake, A. W. Cobb, and R. Jinks Paine, auctioneers.


Carpenters and Builders .- L. M. and H. G. Hodges, Wm. H. Angell.


Business Men .- Rogerson Bros., general store ; S. C. Lovell, groceries, boots, shoes, ete .; W. and W. L. Robinson, dry-goods ; Charles T. Borden, drug-store ; J. B. Wilson, M.D., drug-store; T. M. George, Jr., grocery ; H. B. Lillebridge, groceries; C. M. Tibbitts, groceries ; Wm. C. Bessom, market; S. H. Sherman, market; C. H. Pratt, market; F. M. Washburn, watches and jewelry ; N. and N. G. Whittemore, gun- makers; Mrs. Louisa Hodges, millinery; Mrs. Charles H. Morey, millinery; Andrew Wilson, harnesses; Lewis R. Prentiss, bootmaker ; Harvey Lincoln, bootmaker ; Pratt & White, printers and publishers. They issue the Mansfield News and three other papers from their steam-printing office. John Fox, tailor and ready-made clothing ; A. C. Hardon, bonnet block manufacturer ; Frederick Paine, station agent; Edward P. Paine, tieket agent ; William H. Skinner, restaurant; A. D. King, coal dealer; Le Roy King, livery and sale stable; Elbridge G. Miller, stone- mason and contractor ; Prince A. Drew, stone-mason and contractor ; Mrs. Wilson, hotel-keeper at depot ; Mr. Clapp, hotel-keeper at Centre; S. W. Card & Co., tap and die manufacturers ; John Moorhouse, tap and die manufacturer; M. George, knife and awl manufacturer ; George A. Robinson & Co., knife and awl manufacturers; D. S. Spaulding, jewelry manufacturer ; F. W. Barnard, jewelry manufae- turer ; H. A. Williams & Co., jewelry manufae- turers ; J. B. Draper, jewelry manufacturer; Rogers Comey & Co., straw-goods manufacturers; F. W. Cabbot, coffin trimmings ; Fisher Brothers, grist- mill; W. W. Taylor, screw-drivers and small tools ; George E. Bailey & Sons, bakers; Charles Wilbur, furnace; J. E. Ryder & Brother, furnace ; Manton


1225


456


1


HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.


Steam Windlass Company ; John Murphey, small tools ; G. F. & C. M. Austin, poultry.


The following is a list of the volunteers during the Rebellion of 1861 upon the quota of Mansfield:


Charles W. Belcher.


Joseph Milness. William McCauseland.


John Blanchard.


William Henry Patten.


William C. Belcher.


James Prime.


W. T. Britton.


H. W. Packard.


George C. Hunt.


Charles Brown.


Calvin Briggs.


J. P. Parker.


Alvin W. P. Holmes.


IIenry Harvey.


James Bislick.


James C. J. Phillips.


Elkanah Ingalls.


James H. Pennery.


Otis Baily.


M. C. Pierce.


George H. Ide.


J. Curtis.


Manrice Pendergrass.


Richard II. King.


M. Brown.


Reuben Pnrdey.


William Kerr.


Alson W. Cobb.


John W. Rogers.


Charles W. Knowles.


William Il. Kenney.


George S. Cook.


Evon H. Rounds.


Hiram L. Martin.


L. A. Chadwick,


William A. M. Cobb.


Charles D. Robinson.


William Martin.


Edwin llodges.


Wilhanı S. Clapp.


Charles A. Robinson.


Owen O'Malley.


Henry Hodges.


Charles E. Cady.


Hiram B. Reed.


Stillman F. Morse.


Robert E. Harris.


J. S. Colby.


William W. Robinson.


James S. Palmer.


Daniel Whitmore.


William Coleman.


Daniel B. Reynolds.


Chandler J. Pike.


Andrew D. King.


John S. Chadwick.


William H. Richardson.


Francis Rose.


H. W. Gammons.


E. R. Chadwick.


Nathan M. Shaw.


Charles H. Seagraves.


Archibald Sinclair.


C. A. Carter.


Alonzo M. Shaw.


George II. Shepard.


Charles Proser.


R. S. Cook.


O. S. Stearns.


Adolphus P. Smith.


William R. Cooper.


Jesse W. Smith.


Philip Smith.


Benjamin Lofitte.


Ethan E. Cobb.


I. E. Shepardson.


Frederick Wink.


David Roache.


Thomas W. D. Dean.


Joseph Stephenson.


Frank Wink.


William Daniels.


Edmund Davis.


Il. A. Snow.


John F. Morrison.


James How.


Samnel W. Day.


George E. Snow.


George Albert Brown.


Alfred Burrows.


William Daunt.


E. O. Shepardson.


Samuel Johnson.


R. J. Kennedy.


E. S. Deane.


R. E. Sherman.


Patrick McKennes.


William B. Buckwood.


Joseph Estes.


George L. Sweet.


Ralph Gibbs.


Jacob Blank.


David Flahaven.


Timothy Shields.


George R. Keyes.


William F. Frazer.


Henry W. Stearns.


Thomas Leonard.


John McGivens.


Henry II. Fairbanks.


Albert S. Shepard.


Panl Waters.


Charles Morgan.


J. W. Fisher.


Herbert L. Shepard.


Henry Downs.


Byron Rice.


John Fox.


D. P. Sherman.


Peter Snider.


George E. Thomas.


William B. Foster.


H. B. Tftus.


Eli Merrill.


Henry M. White.


E. O. Farrington.


R. II. L. Talcott.


Willard L. White.


Vernon E Grover.


J. W. Talcott.


George Middleton.


Herbert A. White.


Samuel HI. Gooch.


William J. Thompson.


William A. Cromwell.


Sanford A. Morse.


John Gorman.


Jolın S. Treen.


George Fisber.


George B. Brown.


E. A. Goodwin.


John L. Tobitt.


Charles Demounde.


Harrison L. Phillips.


Thomas M. George, Jr.


Albert A. Tillson.


Lewis Miller.


Elijah W. Stearns.


Edward George.


John D. Tucker.


James Davis.


F. Cobb.


H. W. Gorman.


Elisha Tillison.


Charles M. Packard.


Laban P. Smith.


Joseph B. Goff.


William E. Thomas.


John Smith.


G. E. Sanborn.


E. Luther Gay.


James Thompson.


Charles J. Clapp.


Lyman C. Smith.


Thomas High.


Archibald Thompson.


Edward S. Champney.


Charles M. Hodges.


T. H. Hunnewell.


John R. Whitcomb.


Robert H. Belcher.


R. I. Briggs.


E. F. Hall.


William F. White.


Obed Cobbett.


E. B. Fisher.


George D. Hodges.


Sumner H. Wetherell.


Frank W. Kravitt.


E. Dunbar.


James W. R. Holland.


Roland Thomas White.


Josiah A. Whitman.


Alfred D. White.


William HI. Holmes. John G. Hall.


Albert W. Williams.


Harrison Doty.


H. L. Grover.


Charles E. Miller.


A. R. White.


H. W. Hodges.


N. C. Wood.


Preston Holbrook.


Roland White.


William II. Harriss.


Benjamin F. Wood.


Alanson C. Keenan.


Ebenezer Willard.


A. S. Kittrell.


James F. Wiggins.


James P. Kitrell.


Ilenry B. Wright.


Benjamin Knight, Jr.


C. B. Wood.


Oliver M. White,


William W. Wilson.


Henry Lamb. Frost Lord.


William H. Smith.


D. F. Leonard.


Josialı Williams.


John W. Martin.


F. M. Cabot.


Charles H. Morse.


S. B. Austin.


Edward McDonald.


William II. Atwood.


Henry D. Melville.


J. If. McGavett. James W. Morrison.


William II. Adams. Isaac R. Burchard. John Briggs.


Levi Brown.


Andrew Drake.


Barney McCort.


Ilenry B. Pratt.


John Downing.


Jerald Brennan.


Francis Drake.


Michael Egan.


John Flahaven. William Moorhouse.


William Gray. Andrew McGee.


William II. Hunnewell.


S. B. Gammons.


Edward Gallegan.


M. A. Hill.


Franklin E. Paull. Frank Buckley. John Smith. Charles F. Daley.


James Blanchard.


The following persons served in the navy :


Frederick D. Walker, Lloyd E. Richardson, George A. Fisher, David Fisher, Charles W. Pond, John G. Smith.


Horatio M. Lawton. Samuel C. Lovell.


Simeon S. Wood.


The time allowed me for the preparation of this article was very scanty and altogether too short, and of its manifold imperfections I am fully aware. I do not view it as approaching completion. In its prepa- ration I have been greatly aided by Mr. Emery's "Ministry of Taunton," and Mr. Clark's "History of Norton."1


I (In consequence of an unfortunate delay in transmitting proof be- tween author and publishers, corrections will be found in errata .- EDITOR.)


Terrance Reane.


D. Crompton.


H. W. Smith.


Alexander F. Vallett.


Isaac Briggs. F. A. Brown.


William Il. Bentley.


John O. McCormick.


John Collins.


George Fox.


Otis Willams.


Rufns P. Hardon.


John Rogers


457


MANSFIELD.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


HON. JOHN ROGERS.


Probably no one better deserves a permanent place in the history of Mansfield than the Hon. John Rogers. He was the oldest son of Benjamin and Mary (Blan- chard) Rogers, a descendant of John, of Scituate, 1644, and was born in Mansfield, Nov. 2, 1806. He married, Oct. 15, 1833, Miss Eliza A. Williams (born March 21, 1810), daughter of Joseph C. and Sally Williams, of Easton. Their children were Ellen M., wife of Rev. Jacob Ide, present pastor of the orthodox church ; Frances E., wife of David E. Harding, Esq .; John W., successor in his father's business; and Charlotte G., who died in her twenty-first year. After the lamented death of his wife, Sept. 16, 1866, Mr. Rogers married Miss Mary E. Gage, daughter of Joshua and Anstress Gage, of Waterville, Me. His own death occurred suddenly March 31, 1873, in his sixty seventh year, to the deep sorrow of the whole community, as attested by the crowded assembly at his funeral.


In his youth Mr. Rogers enjoyed only a public school education. But his natural quickness of per- ception, his acute observation, and retentive memory compensated his lack of early opportunities by giving him a large practical culture in all things necessary to a successful life and a wide influence. He was an extensive reader, especially of modern histories, and was familiar with the connection of events in Europe as well as in his own country. His acquaintance with all political questions was thorough and intelligent. The intervals in his business were much occupied in familiarizing himself with public topics. When, therefore, his increasing wealth allowed him to remit the closeness of his personal application and surren- der the details of his large affairs to others, and to give himself more to his congenial tastes, his general qualifications and his genial interest had already secured the confidence of the community in his sound judgment and integrity, and they bestowed upon him the highest civic honors in the gift of the town.


Mr. Rogers was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1853, of the House of Representatives of 1855, and of the State Senate of 1856. In all these positions he was on the side of every wise and valu- able reform, and was emphatically both in office and in private a strenuous advocate of prohibition. After his refusal of further public service the public had such confidence in his judgment that his advice was widely sought and regarded, and his aid was as widely rendered to every measure he believed to be for the public good. He became a member of the Sons of Temperance, a vigilant watchman against violations of law, and a generous helper to lift up the victims of strong drink. His influence with young men was decided and often decisive in favor of their total ab- stinence. His contribution could always be counted i nity. As was truly and aptly said of him in a public


upon generously to every good word and work. He was also one of the first members of the Masonic lodge, and made it the medium of many an untold gift and deed of helpfulness. No worthy cause ever went away begging from his always generous hand.


Mr. Rogers accumulated his abundant wealth en- tirely by his close and skillful devotion to his busi- ness at a time when honest work and personal integ- rity commanded a premium in the market. He was among the first manufacturers of straw goods in this region. He began upon a small and safe basis. He secured reliable hand-sewers in families, and per- sonally collected and sold his bonnets in New York, as the custom then was. By fair dealing in honest articles he rapidly enlarged the demand for his man- ufactures, and soon secured such a profitable trade that he was early able to transfer his large business to his son and son-in-law and retire with a well- earned income, ample for his simple tastes and for the deeds of benevolence he so much enjoyed. Though not uniting with the church, he became a member of the orthodox Congregational Society soon after its organization, and was one of its most liberal subscribers in its early weakness, when help- ers were few. Being an ardent lover of singing and a most excellent singer, he was the leader of its choir, and served it gratuitously so long as he felt able to fulfill its duties. He gave largely to the first organ in the church, and on the rebuilding of the house of worship, of which he bore the chief expense, he re- placed the old organ by a large and fine instrument, superior to any in the vicinity, and at his own ex- pense. The fine-toned bell of the church was also his gift. As was truly said of him in the sermon at his funeral, "He was a prompt and generous helper in every movement which he approved." Families in need, sickness, or trouble received always prompt aid from him, of which the public never knew, until his heart and hand were alike stopped by his sudden death.


Mr. Rogers, like all men, had his peculiarities and his imperfections, which as a public man were per- haps sometimes magnified for effect, but they were balanced by some decided excellences of character. He was positive in his convictions, but he did not offensively push them. He rather withdrew entirely his co-operation where he could not approve. His resentments against whatever he thought to be im- proper were quick and strong, but he indulged them in silence, and signified them by his absence. He could not endure or palliate any ever so plausible meanness, but he was among the first to counteract its results. He could not calmly encounter opposi- tion, but he did not drop his interest in measures which he could not carry. He showed sometimes contrary surface currents, but the under-tide of his feeling and labor always steadily flowed toward his ideal of the best good of his church and his commu-


458


HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.


printed notice of his death, "He was a good man for the town, so anxious to advance all its interests; a good man for society, so frank and honest, so free from hypocrisy and duplicity ; a good man for a neighbor, so kind and obliging and sympathizing; a good man for a friend, so true and faithful and willing. His place cannot be filled. He is missed by everybody, for he had a hearty greeting, a kind word, a pleasant smile for us all."


DR. WILLIAM F. PERRY.


The Perry family were of English origin, and re- lated to the ancestral line of Commodore Perry. The great-great-grandfather, Josiah Perry1, was born July 13, 1712. We find it recorded that he was father of Capt. Nathaniel Perry2, of whom it was said that he received a captain's commission, signed by Gov- ernor Shirley, June 6, 1754, as captain of Company 10, in Col. John Winslow's regiment, and had a war- rant to enlist soldiers. In 1754 raised ninety men ; served in Nova Scotia ; was at the taking of Cumber- land; died in Nova Scotia, 1756. His son, James Perry3, grandfather of William F. Perry, was born in 1745, in Easton, Mass. Was a man of wealth and influence ; owner of the iron foundry in Easton, which was afterwards owned by Gen. Shepard Leach. He was active in the Revolutionary war. He equipped a company of men at his own expense, and volun- teered as their commander in the emergency at Con- cord and Lexington. He was afterwards made cap- tain in the army of Washington ; was in service three years ; was in the battles of Princeton and Trenton ; but as the army was in want of ordnance, it was thought he could serve his country more efficiently by manufacturing cannon and balls. He came home to Easton and superintended the castings, furnished the needed supplies, and was paid in Continental money, which caused his failure. One of his work- men (Benjamin Buck, of Easton) said he saw a bushel- basket full at one time in Capt. Perry's possession of Continental money. He never received any remu- neration for his loss by pension or otherwise. He was a stalwart man of commanding appearance. He died suddenly of lockjaw July 3, 1808, aged sixty-three. He left four sons,-Abner, Leonard, Simeon, and James (afterwards Dr. James).




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