History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 162

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

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19, 1861, and they continue the business of the farm and mills.

Mr. Wood is one of Swansea's most prominent and prosperous men, and, aside from his farming and mill- ing business, is largely interested in a manufacturng business in Fall River.

MARCUS A. BROWN.

Marcus Aurelius Brown, son of William and Free- love (Wood) Brown, was born in Swansea, Mass., Dec. 19, 1819, near what is now Cole's Station. He comes from an old New England family of conse- quence in the days of the first settlements. From .old records and historical documents we ascertain that John Brown, the first of this line of Browns, had acquaintance with the Pilgrims in Leyden, Hol- land, before the sailing of the " Mayflower" in 1620, in which vessel he probably was financially interested. He was originally from England, where he was born in 1574, but we cannot definitely trace the family in that country. The exact year of his coming to America is unknown, but in 1636 he was living in Duxbury, and in 1643 in Taunton. He was a man of importance in public affairs, and one of the leading men of Plymouth Colony. He was assistant for seventeen years from 1636, served as commissioner of the United Colonies for twelve years from 1644, and died in Swansea, near Rehoboth, where he had large estates. Savage gives the date of his death as April 10, 1662, and says that his will, made three days be- fore his death, provides for the children left to his care by his son John, and names his wife Dorothy and son James executors. This is doubtless the cor- rect date of his death, as his wife Dorothy died Jan. 27, 1673 or 1674, aged ninety. John Brown2, born 1636, died in Rehoboth in 1660. He married a daugh- ter of William Buckland, and had five children,- John3, Joseph, Nathaniel, Lydia, and Hannah,-whom he left, as above mentioned, to the care of his father. He was a strict Puritan and a devout man, standing high in community and colony affairs. John Brown3 was born about 1657 in Rehoboth, married Ann Den- nis, of Norwich, Conn., and had two children,-John4 and Samuel. He died in 1724. He was a man of positive nature, unflinching in the discharge of every- thing he deemed a duty. It is said of him that he was so enraged at his son (John) when he joined the Baptist Church that, supposing the latter's residence to be partially on his land, he was going to pull the part to which he laid claim away from the other, thus aiming to destroy the house, but a survey made to ascertain the fact showed that no portion of the house touched his land. Whether the tradition be true or false, it tells the character of the men of that perilous pioneer period. Athletic, strong-minded, and posi- tive in character, they were well fitted to develop civilization from the unpromising and savage sur- roundings, and to contend ably with its foes. Among

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these settlers the Browns were leaders, and their dif- ferent generations were prominent in church and local matters. From 1672 to 1692 the deputy for several years was a Brown. John Brown+ was born April 23, 1675, in Swansea, married Abigail, daughter of James Cole, July 2, 1696, and died April 23, 1752, leaving at least one son, John5. The lands bequeathed to Mrs. Brown by her father were transmitted from their purchase from the Indians to generation after genera- tion for more than two centuries, and never were con- veyed by deed until their purchase by H. A. Gardner. John5 was also prominent, held a captain's commis- sion, and was an earnest and consistent man. We extract from church records in Swansea: "The Church of Christ in Swansea, soon after December, 1719, built a new meeting-house on land given said church by Capt. John Brown and William Wood for that purpose." Lieut. John Brown5 was born in Swansea in 1700, married, in 1722, Lydia, daughter of Joseph Mason. She was born in Swansea in 1704. They had five children, one of whom was William.

John Brown5 was a large farmer, owning slaves. He was well to do, and was honored with various offices. He is recorded as Lieut. John Brown. We extract again from the church records : "June 14, 1753, James Brown was on a committee to receive in be- half of the church a deed of some land which our beloved brother, John Brown, proposes to give to said church for its use and benefit forever." He died May 18, 1754. His wife died Feb. 17, 1747.

William Brown (sixth generation) was born April 14, 1729, in Swansea, was a farmer, and much em- ployed in publie matters ; he surveyed land for years, settled many estates, was a man of distinction and ability, and much esteemed by his townsmen. He owned a handsome property in land and slaves. He married in 1753, Lettice, daughter of Hezekiah Kings- ley, who was born in 1732. They had eight children, -Elizabeth, married Edward Gardiner (they were grandparents of Mrs. Marcus A. Brown); Joseph (died aged twenty, a British prisoner on one of the terrible prison-ships) ; Luranella, married Reuben Lewis ; Amy ; Betty, married Aaron Cole; Mary, married Benjamin Butterworth ; Sarah, William2. Mr. Brown died in 1805. His wife survived him two years. William Brown, Jr. (seventh generation), was born on the old home in Swansea, a short distance south of Cole's Station, Sept. 13, 1776. He was reared a farmer, and inherited the entire landed estate of his father (about one hundred and forty acres). He was an unassuming, hard-working man, very social, with a remarkable memory (a faculty possessed by many of the family in a large degree). He could repeat whole chapters from the Bible, and had no need to refresh his memory of any event by memoranda. He devoted himself to agriculture ; married Freelove, daughter of Aaron and Freelove (Mason) Wood, of Swansea, in 1799. She was born Sept. 28, 1780. They had nine children attaining

mature years, -Marcia W., Gardner, Nathan W., Mary A., Samuel, Aaron, Mason, Betsey (Mrs. Charles B. Winslow), and Marcus A. All are now dead but Betsey and Marcus. Nathan, Gardner, and Samuel were seafaring men. Gardner became cap- tain, and died in Swansea, May, 1848. The others were young men of promise, but died young. Mason was a farmer, and was a great reader. Of strong memory, he was well versed in historie and gene- alogie lore, and was held in high repnte by the com- munity. He died Dec. 9, 1882. Mr. William Brown held a high place in the esteem of the community, although a plain, unostentatious man of strongly marked honesty and fixed principles. He was a Whig, but never sought office. In religion he was independent, rather skeptical, but never argued with others, and considered every other person entitled to freedom of belief and action. He died April 8, 1840. Mrs. Brown died Nov. 14, 1855. They, like their American ancestors of each generation, are buried in the cemetery in North Swansea.

Marcus A. Brown (eighth generation) stayed on the farm until he was twenty-four, managing the farm after his father's death, having limited educational advantages at the common schools in summer until nine years old and in winter until fifteen, the last term being at Warren Academy. He then learned the mason's trade and worked at that several years. He then purchased a farm of forty acres in Somerset and lived there eight years, selling it after six years, however. His whole residence in Somerset was sev- enteen years, following his trade after giving up farm- ing. He passed two years in Maine, working as a mason. He married, Dec. 7, 1847, Maria Frances, daughter of David and Sarah Wilbur. She was born in Warwick, R. I., July 10, 1828. Like her hns- band, Mrs. Brown was the youngest of ten children. Her paternal grandparents were residents of that part of Swansea now Somerset, and resided about one mile west of the village. Their children were James, Ruth, Phebe, Peleg, Chloe, Patience, Polly, Thomas, and David. David Wilbur was a machinist, married Sarah, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Gardner, and had ten children,-Sarah G. (Mrs. Charles F. Brown), Harriet G., David G., Thomas B., Peleg N., Caroline A., and Maria F. Mr. Wilbur lived in Pawtuxet, R. I., and died in 1837, aged fifty-three. His wife died in 1856, aged seventy-two. The children of this marriage are Marion F. (born Sept. 14, 1848, married Daniel Wilbur, Jr., and has one child, Ber- tha F.) and Clarence A., born June 3, 1850. He mar- ried Emma L. Frost, and has one child, Marcus R.

Mr. Brown removed to Fall River in 1866, and has since resided in the house he then purchased. He worked steadily and faithfully at his trade until com- pelled by failing health to relinquish it in 1873. He is an honest, modest man ; has held the even tenor of an industrious, hard-working life, and is a law-abiding citizen, caring not for nor meddling with official hon-

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ors, supporting, however, the Whig and Republican tickets. He has been successful in business and en- joys the esteem of his acquaintance, and has ever been a useful member of society.

STEPHEN WEAVER.

STEPHEN WEAVER was born Dec. 9, 1826, in Mid- dletown, R. I. He was son of Parker and Lydia (Manchester) Weaver. Matthew Weaver, father of Parker Weaver, was a farmer in his native town, Middletown, where he lived to be quite old, dying about 1830. Parker was a farmer also, and quite a successful and active man. He was an industrious, earnest, honest man, strictly temperate in all things, and noted for purity and strength of character. He was prompt and reliable in business, of active, per- severing nature, calm and deliberate in matters of judgment. He attended closely to his own personal matters, never aspiring to office, but avoiding every- thing savoring of publicity. He was a member of the Christian Baptist Church, which he worthily honored until his death, March, 1870, at eighty-three years.

Stephen attended common and select schools in Middletown, studied much at home, and when but nineteen was competent to teach, which he did for thirteen years with marked success. He studied hard while teaching, improving himself greatly while advancing others. The relation of a fact to illustrate the filial love and justice of Mr. Weaver may not be deemed out of place here. When he was young his father owned a large farm, but became financially embarrassed. Stephen, in order to assist his father, worked on the farm during summer, and gave his labor without charge towards the clearance of the in- debtedness, clothing himself by his wages as teacher in the winter, continuing to do this until his twenty- fourth year. He married Ruth A., daughter of Bar- zillia and Ruth (Chase) Buffinton, of Swansea, Nov. 3, 1850. She was born April 8, 1830. Their children are Anna A., born March 1, 1854, married Rowland G. Buffinton, had one child, Wallace W., and died May 7, 1877; Emma B., born Jan. 8, 1856, married Thomas H. Buffinton, has one child, Mabel L .; Ar- thur IV., born June 9, 1859, married Laura R. Peck ; Lillian F., born Sept. 29, 1869.

Immediately upon his marriage Mr. Weaver rented a cottage near his father's residence, and for three years worked on the farm, teaching school during the winter seasons. He then rented a farm for himself and worked that two years, and discontinued it for one year on account of the failing health of his wife, he working out by the month. He then removed to Somerset, where he rented a farm and remained thir- teen years. By industry and economy he accumu- lated some money, and, in partnership with his wife's father, purchased a farm and mill in Swansea, con- tinuing there only eighteen months. By reason of ill health he was compelled to relinquish labor, and sell-

ing out his share of the mill, he went and resided with Mr. Buffinton. Mr. Weaver suffered from severe nervous prostration for two years, and was much broken in health, but finally fully regained his health, when he succeeded to the management and possession of the farm of Mr. Buffinton. On this he has made valuable improvements, erected a splendid barn, and made it one of the best-arranged farms in the town. He is a pushing, energetic man of enterprise and thought. While agriculture has been his avocation, he has kept apace with the thinking minds of the day, and grapples with the most advanced ideas. He is well read and thoroughly informed, not only in the events of the day, but in the practical and useful im- provements in his life-work, agriculture. He culti- vates about eighty acres of land, and in addition has thirty acres of woodland, and is one of the substan- tial citizens of Swansea.

Barzillai Buffinton was born in Swansea in 1798, and was son of Job and Phebe (Chase) Buffinton. He was a farmer and peddler of earthenware. He was a hard-working and self-denying man, and accu- mulated a fine property. He married Ruth, daugh- ter of James and Rebecca (Mott) Pierce, of Somerset. They had five children,-Amanda M. (deceased), married William Richardson, of Newport, R. I., had one child ; Job (deceased) ; Rachel P., married Ben- jamin A. Chace, has two children ; Philip, has two .children, and lives in Warren, R. I. ; and Ruth (Mrs. Stephen Weaver). Mr. Buffinton and wife began housekeeping at Somerset village, but finally pur- chased the place now occupied by Mr. Weaver, and removing thither, passed his life there, dying May 7, 1879, aged eighty-three. He was a birthright Friend, and Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the same society. He was a selectman for many years, and held other positions of public trust. He was a calm, deliberate, reserved man of few words, but good judg- ment and great decision of character. Possessing a robust constitution, he enjoyed labor and worked hard. He was a man of great exactness in money matters, paying for all things on the spot and never running a bill. He made deposits in the Fall River Savings-Bank for and in the name of each of his children, and although precise and accurate in finan- cial transactions, desiring every dollar due him, such was his justice in his dealings with others as to give him the reputation of possessing strict honesty and integrity.

CHAPTER LVI. WESTPORT.1

WESTPORT lies in the south western part of Bristol County, and is bounded as follows : Northerly by the city of Fall River, easterly by the ancient and time-

1 For the Revolutionary and ancient history of this town the reader is referred to the history of Dartmouth and New Bedford, elsewhere in this history.

Stephen Weaver

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WESTPORT.

honored town of Dartmouth, southerly by Buzzard's Bay, and westerly by the towns of Tiverton and Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island.

The territory embraced within the bounds of the present town of Westport formed a portion of the old town of Dartmouth until 1787, when it was incor- porated as a separate town under its present name.

The Indian name of the town was Acoaxet, and it was early settled by a hardy, industrious, and intelli- gent class, who have left the impress of the sterling New England character upon their descendants.

The original bounds of Westport have been enlarged by the addition of a portion from Dartmouth Feb. 25, 1793, and still another addition from the same town March 4, 1805, and a part of Portsmouth, R. I., was also annexed in 1861.

Documentary History .- The following is a record of the first town-meeting, with names of officers elected, together with other interesting votes, among which appear the votes concerning the location and building of the first town-house, which seemed to have given the good people of the town considerable vexation :

" In compliance with a Warrant issued from Benja- min Russel, Esq., Directing William Almy to Notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Westport to meet Together at some suitable place in said Town to choose all such Town Officers as Towns are required to choose at their annual Town-meetings in the month of March or April annually, and a Committee to settle with the Towns of Dartmouth and New Bed- ford agreeable to a late act of the General Court, for incorporating said Town of Westport.

" The inhabitants of said Town of Westport who were qualified by law to vote, being legally Notified and Warned by the said William Almy, assembled at the Dwelling house of William Gifford, in said Westport, on Monday the Twentieth day of August, 1787, at ten of the clock, A.M.

" And proceeded agreeable to the directions of said warrant.

" 1. William Almy was chosen Moderator of said meeting.

" 2. Abner Brownell was chosen Town Clerk for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn by William Davis, Justice Pacis, to authorize him to officiate in said office.

" 3. William Almy, Richard Kirby, and Edward Borden were chosen Select Men for the year ensuing, and took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance to authorize them to officiate in said office. Before me Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

" 4. Richard Kirby was chosen an Assessor for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn, to authorize him to officiate in said office. Before me, Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

"5. Thomas Tripp, Stephen Cornell, and Pardon Brownell were chosen fence-viewers for the year en- suing, and were duly engaged to authorize them to

officiate in said office. Before me, Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

" Abner Brownell was chosen Town Treasurer for the year ensuing, and was duly sworn to authorize him to officiate in said office. By William Davis, Justice Pacis.

" 7. Stephen Davis Carpenter and Barjonas Devol were chosen Surveyors of lumber for the year ensuing, and were duly engaged to authorize them to officiate in said office. Before me, Abner Brownell, Town Clerk.

"8. Thomas Tripp and Stephen Cornell were chosen Field Drivers for the year ensuing.

"9. Nathaniel Kirby was chosen Pound-keeper for the year ensuing.

"10. Benjamin Brownell, Sen., was chosen Sealer of Weights and measures for the year ensuing.

" 11. Benjamin Cory was chosen sealer of Leather for the year ensuing.

" 12. Abner Brownell was chosen warden for the year ensuing.

"13. Caleb Earl and Edward Boomer were chosen Tithingmen for the year ensuing.

"14. Stephen Davis, Carpenter, and Barjonas De- voll were chosen measurers of wood for the year en- suing.

"15. George Tripp (2d) and William Almy were chosen Hog Reeves for the year ensuing.

"16. Benjamin Davis, Innkeeper, Israel Bright- man, Jonathan Davis, Wanton Case, Jonathan Taber, Capt. Sylvanus White, George Lawton, Job Almy, Pardon Brownell, Samuel Willcox, Peleg Cornell, Junr., and Lemuel Milk were chosen Surveyors of Highways for the year ensuing.

" 17. It was voted to have three men chosen for a committee to settle with Dartmouth and New Bedford agreeable to the Act of Incorporation of said Town of Westport.

"18. Stephen Peckham, Wesson Kirby, and Wil- liam Davis, Esq., were chosen said Committee.

" 19. Lastly it was voted for this meeting to be ad- journed to Thursday Sept. 20, 1787, at one of the Clock P.M. to be holden at the dwelling house of Joseph Gifford, Inn-keeper."

"In compliance with a Warrant Issued from the Selectmen of the Town of Westport, Requiring any or either of the Constables of said Town to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof to meet at the dwelling house of William Gifford in said Town on Thursday, Noybr 22, 1787, at ten of the clock A.M. for the pur- pose of choosing a Delegate, Agreeable to a late Re- solve of the General Court, to Represent this town in the Convention to be holden at the State House in Boston, the second Wednesday of January next, 1788, for the purpose of Assenting to, and Ratifying the Constitution of the United States, as proposed by the Federal Convention lately assembled at Philadelphia.

"The inhabitants of said town of Westport who are qualified by law to vote for Representative, being

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

legally Notified and Warned by Benjamin Cory one of the Constables of this Town Assembled on Thurs- day Novbr 22, 1787, at the Dwelling House of Wil- liam Gifford at ten of the clock A.M. And proceeded agreeable to the directions of said warrant,-

"1. Job Almy was chosen Moderator for said meet- ing.

" 2. William Almy was chosen a Delegate to Repre- sent this Town in Convention at the State House in Boston on the second Wednesday of January next, 1788, for the purpose aforesaid."

" At a Town meeting held on Monday the 7th day of April, 1788.

"14. The Article was taken up Respecting the building of a Town House or not, and it passed in the Affirmative. Nextly it was Motioned to choose a Committee to look and enquire for the best accommo- dations for a place to set it and to make report thereof to the next Town Meeting. Also a vote was called how many the Committee should consist of, and it was voted to have three upon the committee. And William Almy, Wesson Kirby, & Edward Borden were Nominated to be of the Committee, and they were Chosen and were to make report of their doings to the next town meeting.

"15. The Article was taken up Respecting the Regulating of the Fishery and a vote was called whether the Town would Tolerate the inhabitants thereof to proceed in the method of Seining fish, or not, & it passed in the Affirmative.

" Lastly the meeting was adjourned to the second Monday of May next following to meet at the same house at ten of the Clock A.M .??

" Agreeable to an adjournment of the meeting of the 7th of April last past that was adjourned to this day & house (viz. : ) to the 2nd Monday of May, 1788, at 10 O'Clock A.M. at the House of Joseph Gifford.

"Voted to allow those accounts brought against this Town, viz .: To Mr. Stokes Potter, for keeping Job Potter from the 2d of July, 1787, to May 16, 1788, forty-five weeks and four days, at 5/ 6d. pr. week, twelve pounds, ten shillings, and 7d. To Susa Dick, for keeping Hannah Simon (a Black Woman) from July 2, 1787, to November 1, 1787, Seventeen Weeks and an half, at 3/ pr Week, and from Novem- ber 1, 1787, to January 14, 1788, ten weeks and two days, at 6/ pr week, Total five pounds fourteen shil- lings and sixpence. To Abiel Macomber, for keep- ing Ann Worgin when Sick, from Jan. 28, 1788, four weeks, viz., one week at 12/, next at 9/ Do., at 5/, and Do. at 2/, Total £1 8/. To Edward Borden, for some provisions for the use of Ann Worgin, 6/.

" To William Almy, for Funeral Cloths for Han- nah Simon, Jan., 1788, viz .: to 1 sheet, 7/ 6d .; one shift, 6/; one cap, 1/; one handkerchief, 1/ 6d .; to Cash paid Saml. Fales, Esq., for a Warrant, &c., 1/; Total, 17/.

"To Levy Sherman, for a Coffin for Hannah Simon, 8/.

"The Sum total of the above Said Acets. is £21 4/ 1d.

" Voted that the Town Clerk Certify upon the Accts. allowed by the town when the allowance thereof is, and Record the same; and that the Town Treasurer be directed to issue to such possessors of accts. allowed, as shall apply for the same, a certifi- cate or certificates, in Lieu of such accts., which cer- tificates shall be received in payment by the Town Treasurer for any Town Tax not all payed in at the time of the date of the Certificate, equal to the same sum in Gold and Silver.

"A further proceeding upon the article respecting the building of a Town House, and it was motioned that the committee, which was chosen for the pur- pose of enquiring for the best accommodations for a place to erect the Town House should be called upon to make a report. The Committee being called upon, reported that at Stephen Kirby's, Northwest corner of his Land adjoining the Road, was the best place ; and the town to receive of the said Stephen Kirby four rods of land each way,-that is, Sixteen Square Rods, upon the condition of his being exempted. from paying his proportion of the expense of build- ing said Town house.

"Voted that the Town house be erected at the place above mentioned on the said condition with Stephen Kirby.

" Motioned that a Committee be chosen for the purpose of building said house, and George Lawton, Wesson Kirby, and William Hicks were chosen.

" Voted that the Committee be impowered to con- duct as they think proper, in preparing Materials for said house, and in the method and order of erecting it, having regard to the manner of doing of it, so that the inhabitants of said town, in things they re- ceive of them, may be as justly proportioned, according to the circumstances of the Town, and apprized by the said committee in as near an equality as they can come at it; also voted that the committee be impow- ered, if in case the aforesaid quantity of land should not be enough for the use of said town for the pur- pose of a Town house Lot (in their opinion), that they purchase as much more as will be sufficient.

"At a town-meeting held Aug. 2, 1788, acting on the following article of the warrant, viz .: Ist. To take into consideration the expediency of reconsider- ing the former vote of said Town respecting the place of building a Town House, and if thought proper by said town, to agree on a more suitable place for the above said purpose, or otherwise, for the town to act and do what shall be thought most proper respecting said building.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 162

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