History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

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 152

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Nathaniel, like his father, was one of the leading men of his town. He was a farmer, and also con- tinued the iron forge established by his father, Larn- ard Stone. His son was brought up on the farm and in the forge. He also did considerable carpentering, and for many years drove a wagon, peddling dry- goods through the adjacent country. He married first Caroline Allen, of Mansfield. She was born Nov. 7, 1806. Their children were Hiram L., born Oct. 23, 1834; Nathaniel Davis, born Dec. 15, 1835; Sarah Caroline, born Feb. 5, 1839 ; Silas Allen, born Feb. 3, 1843; and George Otis, born April 29, 1845. Of these all are dead except Silas A. Mr. Stone married for his second wife Mrs. Roxey Harris, née Carpenter, of Attleborough, Mass. By this marriage there was no issue.

SILAS A. STONE was brought up on the farm until the age of nineteen, when he went to Sharon, Nor- folk Co., Mass., and learned blacksmithing with Dan- iel S. Knapp, with whom he remained over three years. Upon leaving Sharon he went to Providence, at and in the vicinity of which place he remained a year, when he went to Norton, opened a shop, and carried on business about two years. In 1868 he went to Sharon, built a blacksmith-shop, and began business, himself the only operative. His business, however, soon justified him in hiring an assistant, then another and another. He soon added a car- riage-building department, and as fast as his business increased he employed men enough to run it, until he had built up quite a large manufacturing business. After some years his health gave way, and he was compelled to relinquish for a time all active business. So he sold (and rented) his shops to C. S. Harper, and removing to his native town, Norton, he remod- eled and refitted the old homestead of his grand- father, and made that his residence. The ensuing three years were spent farming on a small scale, buy- ing and selling carriages, etc.

In the spring of 1883, having measurably recovered his health, he sold out his possessions in Norton and returned to Sharon, where he took an interest in his

634

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

former business in company with Mr. Harper. The business in the mean time has largely increased, and the various buildings now cover considerable ground, and in their store-rooms are to be found some elegant carriages. They do high grade work only, and every vehicle that leaves their establishment is guaranteed.

April 29, 1867, Mr. Stone married Mary L., daugh- ter of Sanford and Phebe Billings, of Sharon. Her great-grandfather, Capt. William Billings, was one of the pioneers in that section which is now the town of Sharon. He came from Dorchester. He had a son Jesse, who married Abigail Capen, and had children, -Abigail, Ann, Harriet, Elizabeth, and Sanford. The latter married, first, Caroline Waters, by whom he had one child, Sanford W. His second wife was Phebe Lincoln. Their children were Phebe A., Har- riet C., Mary L., and Jesse L.

Mr. and Mrs. Stone have two children,-Mary C., born April 25, 1869, and Allen, born Nov. 10, 1875.

In politics Mr. Stone is an carnest Republican. When he was twenty-four he was appointed consta- ble, which office he held until he left Norton. Upon his return to Norton he was chosen selectman, and was chairman of the board. He was selectman two years until his removal to Sharon. He is a man much respected in whatever community he has lived.

WILLIAM A. STURDY.

William A. Sturdy, son of William and Mercy (Keach) Sturdy, was born in Blackstone, Mass., Jan. 7, 1840. His father was a painter by trade, and Wil- liam remained with him, working to assist him, with limited common school advantages for education, until he was seventeen, when he was indentured to the Union Jewelry Company of Attleborough to learn jewelry manufacturing, and remained with them until 1860. He then, in a small way, with no capital but his trade, began business for himself, but the great civil war in 1861 brought all business to a pause, and Mr. Sturdy, deeming his country stood in need of his services, proved his patriotism by enlist- ing, July 27, 1861, as a private soldier in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer In- fantry, and served until discharged for disability, Aug. 16, 1863. He served throughout Mcclellan's entire Peninsular campaign, engaging in every ac- tion, and was wounded Aug. 31, 1862, at the second battle of Bull Run, and was confined to the hospital from that time until he was discharged. He has never fully recovered from the wound, which produced an injury of the nerves, causing neuralgia or something akin to that, and partial paralysis of the sensory nerves of the whole arm. Returning to Attle- borough, he resumed the business which he dropped on going into service, and formed a partnership with Ebenezer Bacon, who became a silent partner for one year, when Mr. Sturdy purchased the entire busi-

ness. After one year's time he merged his business in the firm of Sturdy & Marcy, with which he was connected two years, when he again resumed busi- ness for himself. Continuing alone two years, he then formed a copartnership with Frank E. Gilbert, of New York City, under firm-title of W. A. Sturdy & Co. They established a branch office in New York, with Mr. Gilbert as resident partner. This firm was continued five years, with most satisfactory results. They leased in 1872 the building near Lane's Station erected by the Norton Steam-Power Company, and removed their works to that place. Previously to this their capacity was limited to about fifty hands, but in the new location they had much greater facili- ties, and their force was soon raised to one hundred employés. Everything was moving along prosper- ously, when, Dec. 26, 1874, the whole establishment was destroyed by fire. The enterprising firm imme- diately resumed work, for a temporary period, at Providence, R. I., and as soon as the manufactory was rebuilt, removed to Norton. Soon after the fire Mr. Gilbert retired from the firm, and, in 1879, Mr. Sturdy became the owner of the building where his manufacturing is carried on. He employs as many as one hundred and fifty persons in his busiest seasons, ranging from that number down to eighty. His specialty is electro-plate jewelry, and he has been successful and prosperous as a whole since first en- gaging in it. He has been more or less affected by panic seasons, but never has discontinued manufac- turing.

Mr. Sturdy married, May 1, 1867, Rachel, daugh- ter of Mandly and Emily (Thomas) Pierce, of West Brookfield, Mass. They began housekeeping in At- tleborough, but in 1873, Mr. Sturdy was induced, by the location of his business and the offer of ten acres of land from C. D. & O. H. Lane and Caleb S. With- erell, to make Norton his home, and as one condition of the gift of the land was that he should build a resi- dence thereon, he erected in that year the pleasant home where he has ever since resided. He has had seven children,-Willie Mandly, born April 5, 1868, died in infancy ; Emily Velona, born July 26, 1869; Alice Winefred, Aug. 16, 1871; William Mandly, Sept. 27, 1873; Arthur Thomas, Nov. 28, 1875; Louis Allen, April 4, 1877 ; Harry Pierce, Dec. 31, 1879.

Mr. Sturdy has been a wide-awake and active man, and has paid considerable attention to agricul- ture. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land, and enjoys himself in its cultivation. Republican in political sentiment, he leaves to others the struggles for political preferment, attending strictly to his legit- imate business.

He is now in the prime of life, a good type of a successful " self-made man," and enjoys a large range of acquaintance, which he holds as friends by his pleasant and agreeable nature. He is considered one of Norton's best citizens, and stands high in public estimation.

Gal lae hat

635

SOMERSET.

GEORGE H. TALBOT.

George H. Talbot was born March 17, 1846, in Dighton, Bristol Co., Mass. He is the son of Joseph and Mary L. (Pratt) Talbot, of that town. His mother was a daughter of Lemuel and Alma Pratt, and was born Oct. 21, 1811. His father, Joseph Tal- bot, was the son of Joseph and Anna Talbot, and was born Oct. 5, 1809. He was a farmer. It is im- possible to trace with certainty the ancestral history of this particular branch of the Talbot family, as there have been no records kept. The name is one that has figured largely, however, in the affairs of both this country and Europe, and some of the early settlers of New England bore that cognomen.

GEORGE H. was one of a family of six. In addi- tion to the common schools of Dighton had the ad- vantage of an attendance of two or three sessions at a kind of select school in Somerset. He had the mis- fortune to lose both his parents early in life. He was only twelve years of age at the time of his father's death, and three years later his mother died. The elder brother, however, hired a housekeeper, took charge of the family, and thus kept them together until the several members were of an age capable of taking care of themselves. When George H. was fif- teen years old he obtained employment in the Dighton Tack-Works, where he remained a few months, when he hired to work on a farm. After a year spent in this occupation he engaged with the Dighton Woolen Company, where he learned wool-sorting. He re- mained with this company (except an interval of about four months) until their works were destroyed by fire some three years later. During the interval above mentioned he went to West Buxton, Me., and took charge of a wool-sorting establishment. After the Dighton works were destroyed he spent a few months in the same line of business in Stillwater and Providence, R. I.

In the autumn of 1867 he came to Norton, and took charge of the sorting for Williams & Co., who at that time were doing a small business in that line at what was known as Willis' Mills. About a year later they leased the property where Mr. Talbot's mill is now located, and which was then known as Centre Mills. In 1869, Williams & Co. sold out to Daniel S. Pratt & Co., of Boston, Mr. Talbot here purchasing his first interest in the concern,-a one-ninth share. He had entire charge of the mills, however, from June, 1868.

being the purchaser, became sole owner and proprie- tor of the entire concern. In 1880 he added another three-story building to his already large works, and by putting in new machinery greatly augmenting their capacity for rapid and effective work. The business is exclusively wool-washing and job-work. Their capacity for cleansing is now one hundred thou- sand pounds per week. Mr. Talbot employs about forty men, and does work chiefly for Boston and New York markets. Considerable work is done, however, for various mills throughout New England. He is one of the live, progessive, enterprising men of the day, and is a specimen of a type of which Massachu- setts is justly proud,-her self-made men. He mar- ried, Nov. 18, 1874, Delia M., daughter of George W. and Delia M. Storer, of Norton. They have three children,-Walter Howard, born August 15, 1875; Francis Story, born March 2, 1878; and Alfred Pratt, born Oct. 15, 1882. Mrs. Talbot was born May 28, 1849.

CHAPTER LII.

SOMERSET.

Geographical-Shawomat Purchase, 1680-The First Meeting of Pur- chasers-List of First Purchasers-Early Schools-Schoolmasters- Incorporation of Somerset-The First Town-Meeting-Officers Elected -The First Representative to the General Court-Valuation and Tax- List for 1833-Present Valuation-Somerset in 1848-Representatives -Ecclesiastical History-Society of Friends-The First Baptist Church -Methodist Episcopal Church-Methodist Episcopal Church, South Somerset-The First Christian Church-The First Congregational Church-Roman Catholic Church-Military History.

SOMERSET is one of the western tier of towns, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Swansea and Dighton, on the east and south by Taunton River, which separates it from Berkley, Freetown, and Fall River, and on the west by Swansea. Mount Hope bay also touches it upon the south.

The territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Somerset was originally known as the " Shawomat lands," and upon the incorporation of Swansea became a portion of that town.

The original record-book of the "Shawomat Lands" is still extant, and upon its first page bears the fol- lowing inscription : " This Book was Begun in ye yeare, 1680, By Increase Robinson, Clark for The Said purchasers."

In January, 1870, Pratt & Co. dissolved partner- ship, Mr. Talbot purchasing one-third interest in the The first meeting of the purchasers of " Shawomat lands," as recorded in the book of records, is under date March 6, 1677, at Plymouth. business, and Mr. Story-Pratt's former partner -- the other two-thirds. In February, 1872, they purchased the grounds on which the mills are located, together At this meeting it was " voted, as their joint agree- ment, that the said lands shall be divided into thirty and one shares, whereof one of the said shares shall be laid out in a convenient place for a minister, and to be perpetually for the use of the ministry." with all improvements thereon. Their business had been continually increasing from the first, and about 1874 they built a large addition to their works and greatly increased their facilities. About seven years later, owing to failing health, Mr. Story disposed of " It is further agreed that the little neck called his two-thirds interest in the business, and Mr. Talbot . Boston Neck shall be laid out in thirty-one shares,

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

every man enjoying according to his proportionate interest in the purchase."

" It is likewise agreed that the great neck be laid out into 31 shares."

" It is likewise agreed that the lands lying in Taun- ton river from the said neck to Taunton bounds be laid out into thirty one shares, each share extending in length from the sd river till it crosses to the high way which is to be left between these lands and the two miles which belong to Swansey." A committee of three men were chosen to call a meeting of the proprietors, viz. : Capt. John Williams, Isaac Little, and Thomas Linkcon.

The First Purchasers of Shawomat Lands .- In the language of Samuel Sprague, "clerk" for the pur- chasers, "Heare foloth ye names of ye purchars of Shawomat Neck," viz .: Richard Dwelby, Isaac Buck, Daniel Damon, Nathaniel Winslow, Samuel Prince, W. Briggs, Jr., C. Briggs, Jonathan Aldin, Capt. John Williams, Isaac Little, Edward Grey, M. Halloway, John Briggs, Richard Winslow, Thomas Linkcom, John Swift, Capt. Fuller, John McNuckley, Jona- than Jackson, Richard Pronby, Ephraim Littelle, Samuel Littelle, John Mendall, William Hatch, Wil- liam Poaks, Joseph Wod, Daniel Wod (Wood ?), Cor- nelius Briggs, Increase Robinson, Thomas Peirce, John James, Governor Winslow, and Capt. Benjamin Church."

The first meeting of the proprietors was held at Plymouth, but after the division of the land and the purchase began to be settled the business was trans- acted here at meetings held at the house of William Slade, who seems to have been a prominent man in the early settlement of the town. Amongother early names at Shawomat at about this period we find Sylvanus Soule, William Chase, Nathaniel Winslow, Samuel Shearman, Joshua Eddy, William Anthony, John Eddy, Thomas Hernes, John Winston, Joseph Chase, William Chase, Jr., Jonathan Slade, and others.

Early Schools .- The attention of the proprietors was early given to the advancement of the educational as well as the religious interests of the purchase, for in March, 1735, we find that "Wm. Hart, school- master, was paid for boards, nails, and workmanship to repair the house on the fourscore acre lots."

Feb. 11, 1743, the following record was made:

"Received of the Purchasers and Proprietors full satisfaction for my Salary for about fifteen years Last past as a Schoolmaster for Shewam- mock purchase only remaining due to me the sum of fifty one pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence old Tenor to Dec. 27 last. " Witness my hand WMI. HART."

In 1746 a " warrant was lawfully called to know the minds of the meeting whether a small addition to the school-house where the master lives is not needful, as many in the Purchase cannot send their great children when the school comes to their turn, and could have an opportunity of having them taught in the evenings if the school-house were convenient, which at present is not." This warrant was signed

by John Peirce and Job Chase. It was subsequently voted "to build an addition with a chimney to the house." It was also voted to have a "small cellar under the same," and Mr. Hart was engaged for an- other year.

In 1751, William Hart was still the " pedagogue" of the " Purchase," for at a meeting held that year it was " put to Vote whether William Hart the School-master Should have one Hundred fifteen pounds old tenor for ye year ensuing. Voted in the niggetire," Job Chase, moderator. In 1769 a new school-house had superseded the pioneer structure with a " small cel- lar," for in that year the purchasers' meeting was held in the "New School-House near to Cap. Robert Gibbs."

Incorporation of Somerset .- The town of Somer- set was set off from Swansea and incorporated as a separate town Feb. 20, 1790. The following is a copy of the act of incorporation :

" AN ACT for incorporating that Part of the Town of Swanzry known by the name of Shewamet, in the County of Bristol, into a Separate Town by the Name of Somerset.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, That the lands here- after described and bounded as follows, viz .: Northerly, partly on Digh- ton and partly on the ancient Swanzey line; Easterly, on Taunton Great River, so-called ; Southerly, on Lee's River, so-called; Westerly, Partly on Lee's River and partly on the ancient line of Swanzey, inclu- ding all the lands formerly known Shewamet Purchase, however other- wise the same may be bounded, with all the inhabitants thereon, be and hereby are incorporated into a Town by the name of Somerset, and the said town is hereby invested with all the powers, privileges, and immu- nities to which towns in this Commonwealth are or may be entitled agreeable to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the in- habitants of the said Town of Somerset shall pay all the arrears of taxes which have been assessed upon them, together with their proportion of all Debts now due from the Said Town of Swanzey, and so in proportion shall receive all dues and town stock whatsoever from the said town of Swanzey, and that all persons who were born on the said Shawamet Purchase who may hereafter become chargeable for support and have not gained a legal settlement in any other town shall be the proper poor and charge of the said town of Somerset, and that in the appor- tionment of all charges between said Towns, together with the poor now at the charge of Swanzey, the same shall be divided according to their proportion in the present valuation ; and be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that the inhabitants of the town of Somerset shall forever hereafter support and keep in good repair their proportionable part of a bridge known by the name of Miles' Bridge in the proportion that the town of Swanzey and the town of Somerset now pay on the present valuation.

"And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, that Samuel Toby, Esq., be and he hereby is Empowered to issue his warrant Directed to some principal inhabitant requiring him to warn and give notice to the inhabitants of the said town of Somerset to assemble and meet at some suitable place in the said town, to choose all such town officers as towns are required to choose at their annual town-meetings in the months of March or April annually."

In accordance with the above act, Samuel Toby, jus- tice of the peace, notified Preserved Peirce and other inhabitants to meet and elect town officers.

The First Town-Meeting was held " at the school- house near Capt. Robert Gibbs," Dec. 15, 1790, when the following officers were chosen : Moderator, Jerath- mel Bowers; Town Clerk, Jonathan Bowers; Select- men, Assessors, and Overseers of the Poor, Daniel Wilbur, David Luther, and Theophilus Shove ; Treas-

637

SOMERSET.

urer, Preserved Peirce; Constables, Jonathan and Aaron Baker; Fence Viewers, Capt. Job Slead and Allen Chase; Field Drivers, Philip Bowers and Dan- iel Chase, Jr. ; Hog Reaves, Peleg and Nathan Chase ; Surveyor of Timber and Plank, Thomas Marbel ; Cutter of Staves, Ezra Chase.

At an election held April 5, 1790, the town gave fifty-one votes for John Hancock for Governor.

At the meeting, Jerathmel Bowers, Preserved Peirce, and Daniel Wilbur were chosen a committee to settle all accounts between the towns of Swansey and Somerset.

The First Representative to the " Great and Gen- eral Court" was Jerathmel Bowers, chosen May 15, 1790.

In 1792 it was voted to " prosecute all Persons that brakes the Law in oystering in the River between Somerset and Freetown."

A humane spirit was early evidenced by the many votes which the early records show providing for the poor. One " Black Kate" was the subject of various votes. In 1796 two shillings were voted for a " Cooler for black cate," "six shillings for two shifts for Black Kate," "two shillings for a Pair of stockings for Black Cate," etc.

In 1798 selectmen were allowed three dollars each for their services.

In 1801 the town voted $6.29 for the expenses at- tending the burial of Edward Brayton's negro man. One of the items was "for oxen to Draw the Corps to the grave, .40."

Valuation and Tax-List, 1833 .- The following is a list of assessment upon the real and personal estates of the persons herein named, each one his proportion of the sum of one thousand and three dollars and twenty-four cents. Eber Chase, Preserved Read, Gideon Chacc, assessors of Somerset. Somerset, July 1, 1833.

Real. Per- sonal.

Real. Per-

sonal.

Anthony, David ... .. $14.42 $2.48

Bumm, William

$0.93

$0.16

Anthony, Edward G ...

1.24

Bowers, Ruth 2.02

Anthony, Jere. W .. ....

2.79

Bowers, Ruth (for

Androus, Gardner L ....

Ruth Robinson 1.71

Androus, Gardner ......

1.6

Buffinton, Hiran 31

1.09

Androus, Gardner (for

1.86

Anthony, Mary B.

Butinton, Rebecca

Brown, John.

1.09

Jansen, William

2.48

1.32

Wilbour, Barnaby .. 24

8.26

Brightman. C. D.

1.24

Cleveland, Benjamin. Winslow, E. (heirs).

241

Bosworth, Nathan 24.57

1.48

1.86

Luther, Barton.

5.58

Wilbour, William.

16.74

9.77

Luther, Barton (for J. Luther.

2.64

Lee, Jolin ...

2.25

Winslow, F.

1.94

bec, John, Jr.

2.79

Wilbour, Jas. (heirs) .. 62

Lewis, Martin

1.40

George Puringion ...

1.40

Bowers, Samnel

4.65

Brown, Daniel

2.61

mother)

4.34

Chase, W. (widow). 2.77

Brown, Joseph 2.79

7.13

Chase, Nathan. 3.18

4.03

Bowers, Philip. 7.13

2.41

Braytou, J. (heirs) ..... 23.10

Brayton, Saralı. 20,23

Anthony, E. G .. 8.45 1.40

2.79

3.41

Blittins, Isaac W

2.17

Chase, Martha ...

Bliffins, Joseph P IG

Butfinton, Benjamin .. 1.55

Blanchard, Sarah .. 1.01 .... Bowen, Jona. (heirs). Buffinton, Hannah .... 55

Real. Per-

Real. Per- sonal.

Chase, Gideon (2d).

$6.36

$2.79

Luthur, W.

$3.10

Chase, Moses.

5.74

Mason, Nathaniel. 2.64

1.40

Chase, Robert ...

1.71

Marble, Joseph 2.02

5.58

Chase, Joseph.

9.61

2.95

Marble, Joseph, Jr.

5.27

Chase, Perry J. (for Weaver)

1.17

Chase, William Chase (2d) ..

3.96

1.01

Marble, John, Jr. (for

Robinson). 93

Chase. Clark

5.20

Marbel, John II.

Chase, Gideon ..

2.56

Marbel, Darling

Gibbs, Sammuel

Marbel, Thomas 39

Marbel, Bradford. 39

Cartwright, D. Johu ..

1.40

1.71

Marbel, Samnel, Jr ...

Chase, Nathan (2d) ... 13.80

Marbel, James

2.02

Cummings, D. (heirs). 3.72

2.36

Marbel, Sabimus. 55

1.86

Chase, Nathaniel.

2.56

Neals, Jane (heirs) 86

Peirce, Eber.

5.89

Chase, Edward (heirs)

2.49

Peirce, Abigail 1.71

Bowson, Abigail

1.09

Peirce, Asa. 16.20

1.40

Chase, Jeremialı.

Peirce, Isaac. 10.85

10,31

Chase, Loyed

Pettis, William B 1.32

Peirce, O.

1.48

Chase, George W.

1,40

Peirce, D.

6,20

Chase, George W. (for

Peirce, James.

1.40

John Peirce)

2,02

Peirce, Percis. 86

Chase, Leonard.

Peirce, Syntha .. 3.88

Purington, Samuel ... 2.79

Chase, Leonard (for S. Gibbs)

4.50

Peirce, David (2d) 5.27

1.71

Chase, Reuben ..

2.48

Chase, Reuben (for O. Peirce)

1.63

Peirce, John, Jr. 62

Chase, Sarah

1.55

Purington, George 3,26

Cartwright, Benj.

Peirce, Mason. 2.02

Read, William 26.97

I.8G

Davis, William

1.09

Read, Preserved 15.50

1.24

Davis, Nathan ..

Slade, William (3d) ... 19.61

1.09

Davis, Arthur

Slade, William (for ferry) 18.14

1.86

Davis, David.

Slade, Edward 13,41

1,79

Davis, David (2d)

Simmons, Brown. 6.51

Kuns, R. (heirs)

Simmons, Brown, Jr ..

1.40

Davis, Sarah

1.94

Simmons, Nathan. 40

Davis, Wilber J.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 152

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