History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 141

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 141

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The braid business had never before been attempted on this side the Atlantic, but now the time seemed most opportune for it. The civil war seriously inter- fered with the importation of these goods, but the de- mand for them was constantly increasing. Mr. Dag- gett saw his golden opportunity and grasped it. He must have more room. He repurchased the mill property at Attleborough Falls, which he had sold to H. M. Richards in 1855, and filling it with the best of American braid machinery he commenced the work which has resulted so advantageously to both the individual and the public.

On moving to Falls village, as it was called, Mr. Daggett's first business was to establish order. Pre- vious to his coming it was no uncommon thing for the rowdy element to take possession of streets, side- walks, stores, or public meetings, to the terror and ex- clusion of better people. Under his energetic treat- ment the roughs either left town or subsided into peaceful citizens. Through his influence a post-office was established, and with his aid a church was built, and other public improvements pushed to comple- tion.

Up to 1868 a stage-coach was the only passenger conveyance between North and East Attleborough, and all freight for the former was hauled over the road in teams. In January of that year Mr. Dag- gett requested a few gentlemen to meet at his resi- dence, the purpose being to secure a railroad between the two villages. This was the origin of the Attle- borough Branch Railroad. Within one year from the time these gentlemen held the meeting the work was completed, and the cars were running over the road.

In the mean time American braids had outgrown the prejudices of the consumer, and the demand for them had so increased as to require the mill to be run both day and night, employing, of course, two sets of hands, and the annual product had reached to up-

wards of sixty thousand miles of braid. At this time Mr. Daggett had an arrangement with J. C. Morse, of Boston, under which the manufactured goods were sold by Mr. Morse on joint account, he supplying the yarn and Mr. Daggett furnishing labor and machinery. In 1869, Mr. Morse became seriously embarrassed, necessitating an abandonment of this arrangement. Mr. Daggett's fortune went down with the wreck, but he had an ample capital in his energy, courage, and determination. He at once formed a partnership with Austin Dunham, of Hartford, and George S. Moulton, of New York. This connection, a very happy and successful one, terminated in 1873, and thereafter until 1879, Mr. Daggett conducted the business alone, when, feeling the need of relief from the engrossing cares of business, he disposed of the stock and machinery to a company, in which he re- tains a large interest, and of which he is president and treasurer.

Mr. Daggett has added largely to the value of his mill property, and improved the appearance of the village by building a number of tasty cottages and three large jewelry-shops, and one fine store.

The shops get their power from the mill, which is equipped with a powerful steam-engine, although its main dependence is upon the water-power, which for ten months in the year is one of the best in the State.

Mr. Daggett's home is one of the most attractive in the town, from without giving evidence of taste and refinement, and from within of healthful home and social influences.

THE RICHARDS FAMILY.

Thomas Richards, the first of his name in New England, was born in Dorchester about 1590, and according to Rev. Abner Morse, who compiled a his- tory of the Richards family in 1861, was a man of standing in the mother-country and one of the prin- cipal men in the new. He was a merchant and dig- nified by the title of " Mr.," a high honor in colonial days. He was a lineal descendant in the seventh generation of James Richards, of either Somerset or Devon County, England, and hence a descendant of Sir Richard Richards, " Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer and often President of the House of Lords," an inheritor of the Richards manor in Wales, and whose ancestors were spoken of, says Mr. Morse, as the " ancient possessors" in 1550. This old man- sion is still standing, and with it is connected an ex- tensive estate.

Thomas Richards' children were John, " Worship- ful and Major," who married a daughter of Governor Winthrop, and who was one of the most eminent men of his time in the colonies (Judge Richards died in 1694) ; Thomas, "Esq.," who died in 1648-50; Mary, who married Thomas Hinckley, Governor of Plym- outh ; Alice, who married Maj. William Bradford, Deputy Governor of Plymouth, and several others.

Lol. Daggett

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ATTLEBOROUGH.

Edward Richards, a nephew of Thomas, Sr., came to Dedham in 1635-36, when that place was colonized by the "principal planters" from Cambridge and Watertown. Mr. Morse says, "He was received as one of the proprietors of Dedham in 1636-37, then embracing the territory of nine present townships, and became the sixty-second signer of her social compact. On ve 17d. of ye 5 mo., 1640, he was re- ceived into ye church, giving good satisfaction," and his wife Susan was received 19 (11), 1644. With this church they walked blameless through life.

In 1641 he took the freeman's oath, and in 1646 was chosen selectman, and by annual elections served nine years. Edward Richards began life with more means than most of the planters of Dedham, and left his descendants good estates. The proprietors having adopted the rule of dividing their lands generally according to estate, he drew an uncommon amount in no less than fourteen lots. In 1648 his county rate was above the average, and in 1651 his house was valued at eighteen pounds, when only twelve in Dedham were valued higher. He died in 1684.

John Richards (2d) son of Edward, was born in 1641 and died in 1688. In 1667 he was received into the church in Dedham, and took the freeman's oath in 1670. In 1672 he married Mary Colburn, of Dedham, a daughter of Nathaniel and Priscilla Colburn.

John Richards (3d), first-born of "the seven chil- dren of John (2d)," the Rev. Mr. Morse says, " mar- ried Judith Fairbanks, had the homestead of his father in Dedham." Of one of their sons, Mr. Morse says, "Joseph, Col., A.M., M.D., settled in Dedham and became her principal citizen. He married, Aug. 10, 1726, Mary Belcher. She was born July 23, 1701, died Jan. 19, 1746-47. She was the daugh- ter of Rev. Joseph and Abigail Belcher, a minister of Dedham. He married second, March 2, 1748-49, Elizabeth Dudley, daughter of William and Eliz- abeth Dudley, of Roxbury. She was born May 16, 1724, died Nov. 1, 1805. Joseph died in 1761. John Richards (4th generation), son of John Richards (3d), was born June 12, 1698, and married Abigail, daugh- ter of Robert and Elizabeth Avery. He had two sons-Edward and Nathan-who were the first of the name to settle in Attleborough. He had other sons and daughters.

Edward Richards5, the first of the name in Attle- borough, was born in Dedham in 1724, and married, in 1756, Mary, daughter of James and Hannah Fisher, of Dedham.

From what we can learn of the family it appears that Edward Richards came from a race of gentle- men, who were so by race, education, and association. His sires in their several generations had been men of wealth and social position, receiving homage not only for their own worth but for their lineage also. He must have been known by reputation by the citi- zens of Attleborough before his advent among them, for he seems to have taken a foremost position among

them immediately upon his arrival. During the Revolution he was especially prominent, and served his adopted town most faithfully in the many im- portant positions of trust he was called to. Sept. 12, 1774, Attleborough chose a committee to join with the committees of the other towns of Bristol County "to consult the safety and peace and prosperity thereof, as well as the whole government and conti- nent upon any emergency." Of the five chosen for this committee, Edward Richards was the first. To the convention held at Concord in October, 1779, Edward Richards, with Col. Stephen Richardson and Mr. Levi Maxcy, were chosen by Attleborough. And upon the committees of correspondence, and among the judges of the Superior and Inferior Court, created by the town during the war, Mr. Richards was either the first or among the first.

His four sons, Edward, Calvin, etc., settled in At- tleborough, and from thence came the bee-hive race of Richards in North Bristol County. Calvin Rich- ards (sixth generation), son of Edward, seems to have been a quiet, peaceful citizen in the place where his race, before and after, made so much stir. But his progeny in the next and succeeding generations fully made up for their sire's lack. His son Manning, who was father of the Hon. H. M. Richards, of At- tleborough, was one of the earliest of the jewelry manufacturers, and in about 1815 employed what was then the great number of twenty operatives.

Another son, Calvin, as well as Spencer, was asso- ciated with his brother Ira in various business en- terprises, notably of the Richards Manufacturing Company, which carried on to a large extent the manufacture of brass door-knobs and catches. Ira Richards7, the father of E. Ira and Josiah D. Rich- ards, was the son of Calvin, grandson of Edward, the first in Attleborough and the seventh generation in lineal descent from Edward Richards, who settled in Dedham in 1636 or 1637.

Ira Richards was born in North Attleborough, and was fifty-three years old at his death. He was very reserved and stern, but so notably a just and honored man that matters of dispute among his neighbors, if unable to be settled peacefully, were invariably left to his decision.

During an active life of many years of business as one of the old firm of Draper, Tifft & Co., Ira Rich- ards & Co., and in other business enterprises, his repu- tation for honor was so bright and shining that the saying " his word is as good as his bond" was univer- sally applied to him, and to this day this saying is brought up in association with his name. He was one of the original directors in the old Attleborough State Bank, and in all of his positions of trust and honor was never found wanting.

JOSIAH D. RICHARDS, whose steel portrait accom- panies this sketch, is the son of Ira and Fanny (Draper) Richards, and was born in Attleborough, Mass., July 7, 1827.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Just previous to his attaining his majority he as- sumed his father's interest in the firm of Ira Rich- ards & Co., in the manufacture of jewelry, and con- tinued until 1876, when he retired, since which time he has not been engaged in any active business. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Mr. Richards takes an active interest in everything that pertains to the welfare of his native town. He is still in the prime of life, and is surrounded with all the comforts of a happy home. He married, Jan. 19, 1848, Harriet E., daughter of John Draper, a jeweler, of Attleborough. She was born in New York, Aug. 26, 1826. Their children were Ira and Clara D., who died Oct. 16, 1857.

Ira Richards, son of J. D., was born in Attleborough, March 5, 1852, and was educated in the public schools of that town and in Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. Immediately on leaving school he made a pleasure trip through California and the West. Jan. 1, 1877, went into partnership with Messrs. Sandland & Ca- pron, for the manufacture of jewelry in North Attle- borough, under the firm-name of Sandland, Capron & Co., which relation still continues. He is a Demo- crat, and member of Bristol Lodge, F. and A. M. He married, Jan. 2, 1879, Lydia R., daughter of William H. Reynard, of New Bedford.

BURRILL PORTER, JR.

Burrill Porter, Jr., was born in Charlestown, N. H., Feb. 22, 1832. His paternal grandfather was Asahel Carpenter Porter, a farmer from Coventry, Conn., and his maternal grandfather was John Garfield, a lineal descendant of the Garfields who early settled in Spencer, Mass. He is a son of Burrill Porter and Susan Garfield Porter, and is the oldest of a family of nine children, all of whom reached the age of manhood, and eight of whom are now living indus- trious and useful lives.

The subject of this sketch received his early educa- tion on his father's farm and in the public schools of Langdon, N. H., and after pursuing preparatory studies in academies at Westminster and Saxton's River, Vt., entered Dartmouth College in March, 1853. From that institution he graduated in the class of 1856. After graduation he entered upon, and for twenty-three years pursued the profession of teaching. During this time he was principal of academics at Canaan, Alstead, and Swansea, N. H., teacher of public schools in Cleveland and Fostoria, Ohio, and principal of high schools in Braintree and Attleborough, Mass. He was the first principal of the North High School in Attleborough, and held that position twelve years and a half, during which time there were graduated from the school one hun- . dred and thirty students.

Resigning in February, 1879, he was elected select- man and assessor, and appointed collector of taxes the same year, and was chosen overseer of the poor

in 1880, which offices he now holds. He was elected representative for the First Bristol District, which includes the towns of Attleborough, Norton, and Mansfield, in the Legislature of Massachusetts, for the year 1881, when the public statutes were adopted.

He served as a member of the first committee of the North Attleborough Library Association, and is now a member of the Prudential Committee of the Union Improvement District, which supports the library thus established as a free public library. He has been a member of the parish committee, and treasurer of the First Universalist Society of Attle- borough, and is now one of the building committee of the parish, which is erecting a new church and parsonage at a cost of nearly thirty-five thousand dollars.

HENRY D. MERRITT.

Henry D. Merritt was born in Hartland, Vt., Jan. 16, 1826, and died at his residence in North Attle- borough, Mass., Jan. 20, 1878. His advantages for an education were confined to the common schools of his native town in Vermont, yet by that same energy which was one of his distinguishing characteristics through life he acquired by reading and reflection a good practical education. At about eighteen years of age lie left home to seek his fortune in Boston, where he learned the tailor's trade. After remaining in Boston some time he came to North Attleborough, Mass., and entered the employ of H. M. Richards as clerk. In this capacity he was industrious and faith- ful, proving to be one of the most successful salesmen in Mr. Richards' employ. About 1858 he commenced the manufacture of jewelry with Mr. Joseph B. Draper, under the firm-name of Merritt & Draper, and con- tinued in business at North Attleborough a few years, when they transferred their business to Mansfield, Mass. Soon after Mr. Merritt retired, being suc- ceeded by John Shepardson, who became a partner of Mr. Merritt's, March, 1870, under the firm-name of H. D. Merritt & Co. In 1872 the business was transferred to North Attleborough. The firm did a successful business manufacturing plated and silver chains. They employed some fifty hands, and their sales amounted to many thousands every year. (See " Manufactures of North Attleborough.") Since Mr. Merritt's death the firm-name continues the same, and it employs from sixty to seventy-five hands. About 1876, Mr. Merritt bought a residence in North Attle- borough, and removed his family here. His exten- sive business often called him to New York, where he spent the larger portion of his time. In politics he was a Republican. Nov. 26, 1860, he married Marietta, daughter of Warren and Harriet Aldrich. Of this union two children have been born, viz., Clara R. and Henry D.

As a business man, Mr. Merritt was very successful. He carried into every department a methodical mind,

Burrill Porter. Los

262 Month.

Gerry 6. Grad

ATTLEBOROUGH.

untiring industry, and sterling honesty. In private life he was a man of quiet, unassuming manners, un- exceptionable habits, and upright in his intercourse with others.

II. C. READ.

The first ancestor of this line was Brianus, a noted man of Lincolnshire, England, who, in 1139, was registered as " Brianus de Reed." He left two sons, who were respectively named Robert of Reed and Thomas of Reed-dale. This new Reed family occu- pied nearly the same locality for several centuries. From it descended William Rede, an eminent math- ematician, who in 1369 was made Bishop of Chiches- ter. William Read, born 1450, was a great-grandson of the bishop, and had this lineal descent : William, born 1490; William, born 1510; William, born 1545; William, born 1572. This last-named William had two sons,-William, born 1596, and John, born 1598. These brothers, with many others of standing and substance, became participants in the great Massa- chusetts Land Patent, of which Governor Winthrop (connected with the Reads by intermarriage) was the leader, and in 1630 came with Winthrop's expe- dition from near Boston, England, to the place which they named Boston also, and which is now the metrop- olis of New England. John resided a short time in Dorchester, Braintree, and Weymouth, and in 1643, with others, emigrated to Rehoboth, in the Plymouth Colony, to found a new settlement. He was third on the list of original proprietors, and was taxed on three hundred pounds, a very large estate for those days. He had been a freeman, and held important positions in the Massachusetts Colony, and was re- garded as a man of substance and responsibility. In Rehoboth he became at once a leading citizen. In 1654 he was appointed sheriff of Rehoboth, a very important position, which he held for several years. He was an active and influential member of the civil and religious society of the times, was much re- spected through life, enjoyed a green old age, and at eighty-seven years was called from earth, Sept. 7, 1685. His estate lay on the east side of what is now Seekonk Common. He has numerous descendants, who, as a body, are thrifty, law-abiding, and indus- trious, doing honor to their noble pioneer ancestor. The line of descent from John to H. C. Read is this : Daniel, born 1655; Daniel, born 1680; Daniel, born 1716; Levi, born 1762; Henry C.

Henry Clifford Read, son of Levi and Nancy (Hunt) Read, was born May 8, 1810, in Attlebor- ough, Mass., on the place where he now (1882) re- sides. His father was a farmer, honest, industrious, and a supporter of all good causes. Unpretentious, he was content with the quiet and useful life of agri- culture, and from nature and its communion, with a heart in deep accord with nature's God, he drew in- spirations of health and happiness, and never cared

to exchange his simple home; the centre of all his earthly affections, for the most gorgeous mansion in the rushing activities of the city. He was for sixty years deacon of the First Congregational Church of Attleborough, very prominent in church matters, and a liberal giver to all religious and other benefactions. He married Nancy, daughter of Joseph Hunt, of At- tleborough, and had eight children,-Rufus C., Clem- ent O., Esther, Charlotte A., Henry C., Cynthia M., Levi A., Nancy W. Henry is the sole survivor. Mr. Read died in 1853, having attained the remark- able age of ninety-one years, and left the record of an untarnished life of Christian activity and good works.

Henry lived at home till he was twenty-three, re- ceived common school advantages, taught two terms of school when about twenty-one, became a farmer, and also a machinist, which trade he pursued for three years in Worcester and Providence. He mar- ried, during these years, Eunice D., daughter of Samuel Tylor, a prominent citizen of Attleborough. Their two children-Samuel T., born 1836 ; and Eunice T., born 1840-are both dead. Samuel was a young man of ability. He held commission as captain on Gen. Butler's staff at the commencement of the great Rebellion. At Gen. Butler's request he returned to Boston, raised a company, and going into the service, attained the rank of colonel. After the war he mar- ried Kate Schofield, of Natchez, Miss., settled in New Orleans, became an insurance collector, afterwards a lawyer, and died in 1880, leaving two children, -- Katie and Mattie. Eunice married George Crawford. Her only surviving child, Lincoln, was adopted by an aunt, whose name (Hayward) he assumes. Two years after this marriage Mr. Read removed to Bond County, Ill., and was a farmer there for ten years, when he returned to the old home, where he has since resided. He married, Jan. 3, 1856, Mrs. Abbie H. Sherman, daughter of Shadrach and Nancy (Sim- mons) Davis, of New Bedford. Her children are one by her first husband, William H., and two by Mr. Read,-Henry C., born April 10, 1864, and Rufus C., born March 23, 1874.

Mr. Read has been Whig and Republican in politi- cal belief; has as such been elected selectman and member of the Legislature (1875-76). He has been an honored and worthy citizen, stands high in the esteem of his townsmen, has discharged all trusts placed in his hands conscientiously and well, and is accounted a very liberal man, who never turns a deaf ear to suffering or to any enterprise for the betterment of humanity, or withholds pecuniary aid from any worthy object. Formerly an orthodox Congrega- tionalist, of later years he has found great solace in its spiritual philosophy, and, supported by this faith and the ministrations of a loving wife and children, he is passing down, with much of the vigor of early man- hood, contentedly towards the evening twilight of earth, in the rectitude of a life well spent, and " with

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

malice towards none," leaving the rich legacy of "a good name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches," to his descendants. He has a pleasant home, which has been in the family from his grandfather's days, comprising in all about two hundred acres of fertile land, and which bears the evidence of refined taste. It is worthy of special mention that neither Henry C. Read nor any of his father's family ever used tobacco in any form or liquor of any kind.

Clement O. Read, formerly of Attleborough, died at Perth Amboy, N. J. Mr. Read was the son of Levi Read, who owned and lived upon the farm now owned by H. C. Read. Mr. C. O. Read was the pi- oneer in the screw business. He started in the busi- ness of manufacturing wood screws in this town, at the mill known as the Attleborough City Mill, with the machinery that he invented. His pecuniary means being limited, he associated Rhode Island capi- talists with him, and removed. his works to Provi- dence, at the corner of Hewes and Charles Streets, where the American Screw Company's mills are now. The difficulty of putting a new article upon the mar- ket at a price within the reach of the consumer was an obstacle that the company could not overcome, and Mr. Read suffered the loss of what money he put into the business. But this enterprise has since grown, and the screws manufactured by the company that grew out of this effort of our worthy and inge- nious townsman have acquired a world-wide reputa- tion. After disposing of his interest in his Provi- dence business, Mr. Read removed to New Jersey, where he died at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a thorough mechanic, and during his long, exem- plary, and useful life was the author of a large num- ber of useful pieces of mechanism. He was a firm friend of temperance, a kind father, a true citizen and friend, and a man whose memory will be revered and loved by all who knew him. He had two brothers and two sisters, all of whom are now dead, except Mr. Henry C. Read, who resides at the old homestead es- tate.

E. G. MAY.

Hon. Elisha May, the first of the name in Attle- borough, was born in 1729, probably in Barrington, and settled in the west part of Attleborough. He was a distinguished citizen of the town, often em- ployed in public office. He was an active and use- ful member of both military and civil departments throughout the Revolution, and after that was chosen legislator or counselor without opposition till he would serve no longer. With the exception of one year, he held a seat in the Legislature for twenty- seven consecutive years, and chiefly in the Senate. For almost forty years he was chosen " moderator," and at one time was chosen Presidential elector. Of quick discernment of men and things, a sound mind, a retentive memory, an affability to win friends, an education considerably above ordinary, he was well

qualified for public employment, and discharged all his duties with signal ability. Courteous in his man- ners, honorable and upright in his principles, in every relation of life, family, social, or public, he was al- ways the same true friend, loving companion, and faithful official. He died Nov. 15, 1811, aged nearly seventy-three. Of his eleven children, Tully, born May 24, 1787, was youngest. He was a quiet farmer, and, unlike his father, had no desire for official tur- moil and preferment. He had strong political pref- erences, being an old-fashioned Whig. He married Hannah Gay (born Oct. 6, 1791, died March 28, 1875), and had four children,-Cynthia (Mrs. Carlos Bar- rows), Elisha G., Henry F., and Catherine (deceased). He died June 19, 1872.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 141

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

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