History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 163

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 163

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" The matter respecting a place for building a Town-house was taken up and a vote was called whether the Town would reconsider a former vote (which was for erecting said house at the Northwest corner of Stephen Kirby's land) or not, and it passed in the affirmative.

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WESTPORT.

" A vote was called whether said house should be erected at Stephen Kirby's, Southwest corner of his land, or at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's land, and it passed to have it erected at William Gifford's.

" Voted that the Committee first chosen for build- ing said house, viz., Capt. William Hicks, Wesson Kirby, and George Lawton, be further impowered to proceed therein agreeable to the last vote for said house, and according to the former instruction.

" At a town-meeting held at the house of Wesson Kirby, Sept. 6, 1788,

" A vote was called whether the Town would re- consider the former vote passed for building a Town House at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's land or not, and it passed in the negative not to re- consider it, 53 voting for and 63 against reconsider- ing of it.

" Voted that the Committee for building said Town House, viz., Capt. William Hicks, Wesson Kirby, and George Lawton, be further instructed to proceed in building said house, so far as to inclose it Conve- nient & Sufficient for holding the next Annual Town Meeting in March or April, 1789, if possible.

" At a town-meeting held at the house of Wesson Kirby on Monday, Oct. 13, 1788,

"Voted for the town to purchase two Rods each way of land of Ichabod Potter in the Southeast corner of his home farm, and give him Six Dollars for the same.

" Voted to reconsider the former vote of said Town for building a Town House at the Northwest corner of William Gifford's, and to build it at said Southeast corner of Ichabod Potter's land.

"Voted that the Committee chosen for building said house be directed to build it at this place, agree- able to the former instructions.

" The town-house was accordingly built at the last- named place, and was so far completed that a town- meeting was held therein for the first time on the sixth day of April, 1789. This house is the one now in use by the town. The committee were paid for their service and attendance in building the house at the rate of 3/ per day each. The workmen were paid 4/ per day each. The timber and plank, which was mostly of oak, was purchased of twenty-five different persons, and ten other persons furnished shingles in quantities of from 250 to 519 shingles ; and the nails, which were made by hand, were furnished by seven different persons. The total expense of the house for materials and labor, so far as finished to May 13, till it comes to the place where said pond runs into 1789, was £30 1/ 5d."

Deed of Stephen Neck .- The following is a copy of the Indian deed to Stephen Neck, contributed by dred acres of land, be it more or less, with all the G. Frederic Davis :

"To all people to whom these presents shall come, Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomoch, sister to said Jonotus, Indians of the town of Little Compton, in the county of Bristol, in New England, sendetlı greeting :

" Know Ye, that we the said Jonotus, Sam Para- chus, and Sue Codomoch, for and in consideration of the full and just sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds of current lawful money in New England aforesaid, to us in hand paid before the sealing and delivering of these presents by Capt. William South- worth, of Little Compton aforesaid, and John Rogers, some time an inhabitant of Boston, in New England, and now in said Little Compton, of which said sum of One Hundred and Twenty Pounds we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachns, and Sue Codomoch do own the receipt of, and thereof and every part and parcel thereof acquit, exonerate, and discharge the said Wm. Southworth, John Rogers, them, and their, and either of their heirs, Executors, and Administrators forever, by these presents have given, granted, bar- gained, and sold, alienated and enfeoffed, confirmed, and by these presents do freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff, and confirm from us, the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codo- moch, our heirs, and each of our heirs, unto Wm. Southworth and John Rogers, their heirs and each of their heirs and assigns forever, a certain Neck of Land. Said Neck lyeing and being in the township of Little Compton aforesaid, and in that part of the town called Coxit, commonly called and known by the name of Stephen's Neck. Bounded as followeth, viz. :

"On the North side or end partly by the lands of Isaac, an Indian preacher, now deceased, and partly by a straight line drawn from the South East corner bounds of said Isaac's land. Eastly by a snag wood tree, and from said snag wood tree bounded on the East side by a strait line running southerly to the South West corner of a great rock that lieth about two rods Eastward of a little brook, the bounds of a parcel of medow land formerly sold by Mamanuah unto Capt. Wm. Southworth and Wm. Soale, as may appear by a deed under the hand and seal of the said Mamanual, bearing date April 2, 1694, and then bounded by said brook on the East side of the brook until said brook falls into the pond called Coceast, and then bounded on the East side of said pond to the place where said pond runs into the sea. Bounded on the West side from the said Isaae's South West corner, bound Southerly by the bounds that were formerly the land of Peter Quashim, until it comes to a pond called by the Indians Nonoqueshago, and then said pond to be the Bound on the West side un- the sea. The sea being the bound on the South side or end of said Neck, containing about Three Hun-

singular, the privileges, and appuranenses thereunto belonging in Little Compton aforesaid, called Ste- phen's Neck, with all and singular the privileges and appurtanenses thereunto belonging, as it is herein before butted and bounded unto the said Wm. South- worth and John Rogers, they and either of them,

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

their and either of their executors, assigns forever, to the only proper nse and behoof of them their heirs and assigns forever, free and clear, clearly acquitted of and from all other and former grants, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages, dowers, intangles, aliena- tions whatsoever made, committed, or done by us the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, Sue Codomock, or any of us or our heirs, or any of our heirs or assigns whatsoever, and that it shall and may be lawful, by virtue of these presents, to and for the said Wm. Southworth and John Rogers, and either of their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns, and every of them from time to time, and at all times forever hereafter freely, peacably, and quietly to take and possess, occupy, use, and enjoy before bargained premises without any lawful suit, trouble or denial, interruption, eviction, or disturbance of us or any of us, the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Cod- omock, or any of our heirs or executors or assigns whatsoever, and that we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomock do own and affirm to be the true proprietors and lawful possessors of the above Neck of land, and for the confirmation of the sale thereof, in manner and form above expressed, we the said Jonotus, Sam Parachus, and Sue Codomock have to these presents set our hands and seals this 6th day of April, Anno Domini One Thousand seven Hundred, in the twelfth year of the reign of William the Third of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King.

" Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of us witnesses,

" John Coe, " William Pabodie, Jr.

" BRISTOL, 88., April 9, 1700. The above-men- tioned Jonotus, Sam Parachus, Sue Codomock ap- peared before me, the subscriber, one of his majesty's Justice of Peace for said county, and acknowledged the above written instrument to be their own free act and deed.

" Thomas Leonard.

" The mark of Jonotus and a [SEAL]

" The mark of Sam Parachus and a

[SEAL]

" The mark of Sue Codomock and a

[SEAL]

" Entered April the 11th by John Cory, Recorder.

" BRISTOL, 88., 11th. May 12, 1703, then taken out of the record for said county and is a true copy thereof.

" Attest, John Cory, Recorder."

At the south end of the town of Westport lies a small harbor, at the mouth of Westport River, " for- tunate in the natural position of its boundaries," and favorable for a good harbor, so situated that one of the boundaries of the harbor laps by the other so as to completely mislead one as to the entrance thereto. So complete is the deception that during the Revo- lutionary war it gained the name of the "Devil's Pocket-Hole," as vessels acquainted could enter, sail up the river a short distance, and drop their sails at

the wharves of Westport Point, where only the masts could be seen, but no manner of admittance thereto ; and such was the anger of the Britishers at being thus foiled of their prey that they, after cruising back and forth, in wrath would open fire upon the hamlets lying along the shore, and during one of these flurries the south side of the present dwelling of G. Frederic Davis was carried away by a shell from a vessel lying about half a mile off the shore, marks of which the ancient building carried till thoroughly renovated a few years since.

Militia .- From 1664 until 1787, a period of one hundred and twenty-three years, the local militia of that section of country now Westport formed a part of the military forces of Dartmouth, which forces were, in 1667, by the Colonial Court ordered to sub- mit to the orders of Sergt. James Shaw and Arthur Hatherway, who by the authority of the said court were appointed to exercise the men in arms in the town of Dartmouth. About six years later, viz., March 4, 1673, John Smith was appointed and com- missioned lieutenant commandant of all the local militia of Dartmouth, and consequently of those re- siding within the limits of what subsequently became Westport. Lieut. Smith's subordinate officer was Jacob Mitchell, who was commissioned ensign-bearer.

It is extremely difficult, and in some cases impos- sible, to learn who were the military leaders, the " Train Band Captains" of the local militia of the different towns, as very meagre records of these ap- pear in the public archives in the office of the Secre- tary of State in Boston, and these are particularly deficient for the century commencing at the date when the colonies of Massachusetts Bay in New Eng- land and that of New Plymouth, now called Old Colony, were united. Indeed it was not until the adoption of a State Constitution, near the close of the war of the American Revolution, that order came out of confusion, system and care succeeded irregularity and neglect, and the military history of each town can be definitely and easily traced in the offices of the Secretary of State and Adjutant-General in Bos- ton.

While the French and Indian war was progressing, Zacheus Tobey and Ebenezer Willis were captains of Dartmouth militia. Capt. Tobey was promoted to major of the Second Regiment in 1762, and Capt. Willis was promoted to major of the same regiment in or about 1771, and discharged Sept. 19, 1775.

As early as 1762, the militia of old or original Dart- month had become so numerous as to be divided into five companies, one of which doubtless embraced the train band and alarm list of what is now Westport. The commissioned officers of these companies at that date were as follows :

Captains .- Ebenezer Aiken, Job Almey, Ezekiel Cornell, Benjamin Sherman, and Elkanah Winslow. Lieutenants .- Jonathan Winslow, James Wilkey, William Hix, Thomas Dennis, and Benjamin Terry.

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WESTPORT.

Ensigns .- Elkanah Tobey, James Richmond, Sam- uel Brownell, John Babcock, and Jarius Clark.

Nineteen years later the militia of ancient Dart- mouth had been increased to nine companies, and that part of these forces in what subsequently be- came Westport appeared under these officers, viz. : Robert Earl, captain; Sylvester Brownell, lieutenant; and John Hix, ensign.

In July, 1788, Capt. Robert Earl was promoted to major of the Second Regiment of the Bristol County brigade, and Lieut. Sylvester Brownell advanced to captain of the Westport company.

May 20, 1794, Capt. Sylvester Brownell was pro- moted to major.

Barber, in his " Historical Collections," published in 1848, in speaking of Westport, says, "This town, previous to its incorporation in 1787, was a part of Dartmouth. There are two small villages in the town, one at the head of East River, the other at Westport Point. The people are much divided in religious sentiments. There are five meeting-houses : two for Friends, two for Baptists, and one for Meth- odists. There is also a small society of Congrega- tionalists. The village at the head of East or Nocha- cuck River is about eight miles from New Bedford, eight from Franklin, and twenty-one from Newport. Formerly considerable quantities of timber were ob- tained in this town. The whale fishery is now an important branch of business; eight whaling vessels now go out from Westport Point. There is a cotton- mill in this town having 3072 spindles, which in 1837 consumed 300,000 pounds of cotton ; 270,000 pounds of cotton yarn were manufactured, the value of which was $67,500."

Westport in 1883 .- The town of Westport has five post-offices, viz. : North Westport, Westport, South Westport, Central village, and Westport Point. The principal villages are Westport Point, Head of Westport, and Westport Factory.

Westport Point is situated at the southerly part of the town, between the east and west branches of Westport River. It contains about one hundred and fifty inhabitants, many of whom are engaged in fish- ing. Whaling vessels were formerly fitted from this port, but there is no large shipping there at this time.

Head of Westport, or Westport village, is situated at the head of the east branch of Westport River, and contains from one hundred and fifty to two hun- dred inhabitants.

Westport Factory village is situated one and a half miles northerly from Westport village and partly in the town of Dartmouth. It contains upwards of two hundred inhabitants, most of whom are employed by the Westport Manufacturing Company, who carry on an extensive business in the manufacture of carpet warp, twine, wicking, cotton batting, etc.

Westport Harbor is situated on the west side of the West River, nearly opposite Westport Point. It has a large boarding-house and several cottages, which

are occupied by visitors from abroad during the sum- mer season. The New Bedford and Fall River Rail- road passes across the northerly part of the town, but is of little advantage to the majority of the inhabit- ants of the town.

The Fall River correspondent of the Providence Journal, in speaking of Westport Factory village, says,-

"One of the most quiet, pleasing, and successful business villages in the vicinity of Fall River is Westport Factory, some six miles out from this city, on Westport River, in the town of Westport. A long time ago capital was invested there and a cotton-mill of medium size was erected, the power being fur- nished by a dam across Westport River. Some twenty or more years ago this property was -pur- chased by Mr. William B. Trafford, who for some years previously had been associated with Mr. Au- gustus Chace, of this city, in manufacturing enter- prises. Mr. Trafford reorganized the mill and in- fused a new life into every department, and it soon became a standing success. Mr. Trafford secured the best of help, discouraged the use of alcohol, encour- aged the operatives to build themselves permanent homes, and in the history of the concern there has been no clashing between employer and employé on the questions of labor or wages. No strikes are said to afflict this concern, because the work-people are contented and satisfied. Many of them own their neat little homes, and on riding through the village a no- ticeable feature is the cleanliness of everything and the quietness surrounding the place. A neat little chapel has been erected, which is occupied half of each Sunday by a Protestant and the other half by a Roman Catholic preacher, if they choose to preach, and as there is no liquor-shop allowed, there is no drunkenness unless the victim buys his liquor abroad. In fact, it is a strict rule that the work-people must keep sober, and the rule is obeyed. Mr. William B. Trafford was a man of great publie spirit, and paid out of his own pocket half the expenses of a new road from the Narrows to the Factory, three miles or more, some ten years ago. He died about 1880, but fortunately had reared his sons to the business. Within a year after his death the oldest son was thrown from his buggy and killed. Mr. Chapin Traf- ford, another son, now manages the concern. The business now carried on is buying the waste of the cotton-mills in Fall River and cheap cotton, and manufacturing cotton batting and yarn for cheap goods. All their supplies, are hanled from this city, and the finished goods returned the same, and their heavy teams are quite a feature on our streets. The business has been highly profitable. Mr. Trafford, the manager, completed an elegant mansion in the Factory village last year, and lives neighbor to his operatives, but in elegant style. It is rare to find an established business that has done better than this in the same number of years."

684

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The First Christian Church in Westport.1 -- Near the close of the last century this vicinity, so long under the influence of religious tenets of the Friends, was inspired with a desire for more comprehensive religious opinions, and as the Baptist Church at North Dartmouth (Hixville), under the pastorship of Elder Daniel Hix, had adopted the Bible as their only rule of faith, and Christian experience their only test of religious fellowship (so considering all creeds unnecessary), this doctrine of gospel liberty naturally extended itself into this town, where Elder Hix was well known and much respected.

In 1819 religious meetings were held at the Head of the River, when Peleg Sisson, Jonathan Mosher, George Mosher, Thaddeus Reynolds, Catharine Sowle, Sophia Tripp, Rachel Tripp, Susannah Lawton, Eliz- abeth Tripp, and Phebe Mosher, being in " fellow- ship, requested Elder Daniel Hix, of Dartmouth, to meet with them, and, agreeable to their request, ac- knowledged them the First Christian Church in Westport, Mass." They continued to worship in pri- vate dwellings until the completion of their house of worship, which was erected under the following call :

" Whereas, It is essential in all civilized societies that some suitable place be provided for public worship, and as there is none near the vil- lage at the head of the east branch of Acoaxet River, in Westport, the subscribers hereby agree to pay what we here subscribe, in order to build a house for public worship, said house to be free for all denominations of Christians to assemble in and worship in their own way, when unoc- cupied by the church and society established at that place by the name of the Christian Church and Society.

" WESTPORT, September, 1823."

There were no officers chosen until November, 1825, " when they made choice of Peleg Sisson for minis- ter, and Brethren George M. Brownell and Jonathan Mosher for deacons, agreeable to the directions given in the Holy Scripture, by fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands. Elder Sisson lived about eleven months from that time. His days were filled up with a good degree of usefulness, agreeable in life and lamented in death." He was succeeded by Elder Howard Tripp, a young man whose praise is in all the church, under whose labors the membership increased to one hundred and eighty-four. Deacon Mosher moved to New Bedford soon after his appointment, and Deacon Brownell died Sept. 20, 1830. They were succeeded in office by Benjamin Tripp, whose labors continued until his death, Jan. 17, 1874, and Howland Tripp, who united with another church in 1843. Since then other members have served as occasion demanded. Deacon Howland Tripp was chosen first clerk Oct. 16, 1830; Robert Lawton, Ang. 20, 1841, and John A. Smith, the present clerk, March 9, 1878.

About 1833 they were troubled with Mormon mis- sionaries, who persisted in occupying their house of worship, and in 1844 they were greatly annoyed by those who headed the cry, " Come ye out of Babylon," but the timely counsel of Rev. I. H. Coe, and the

adoption of the following resolution presented by him, made them more passive :

" Whereas, Some of us have followed false doctrines, and doctrines which have proved to be false ; therefore

" Resolred, That we hereby confess our mistake, and acknowledge our regret that such should have been the case, and thereby the feelings of some have been injured."

The first mention of a Sabbath-school is July 16, 1842, but it is known to have existed before this. Jan. 9, 1844, the society was incorporated, and in' 1854 pews were put in the house of worship. Pres- ent value of property is about eight hundred dollars. In 1842, Abner G. Devol was "licensed to improve his gift." Since then James L. Pierce, John G. Gam- mons, Gideon W. Tripp, as ordained ministers, and Robert A. Lawton, a licentiate from this church, have joined the Rhode Island and Massachusetts Christian Conference, the church joining September, 1862.

This church has enjoyed a number of revivals, and as the nucleus of religious effort here has the pleasure of recognizing the following societies as her offspring : The Second Christian Church at South Westport, or- ganized Sept. 18, 1838 ; the Third, at Central Village, June 10, 1839; the Fourth, at Brownell's Corner, July 4, 1843; and the Pacific Union Congregational, May, 1858. Services were held at Westport Factory for many years, and they continued with us until 1871. Since then a respectable congregation of Chris- tians assemble regularly, but are as yet unorganized.

No article of faith has ever been received by this body, but rules for business have been adopted when necessary, all of which passed a complete revision March 9, 1878.

Mrs. Elizabeth Tripp, wife of Deacon Benjamin, the last of the original members, died in the year 1883 at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Three hundred and twelve persons have joined this church, its present membership being eighty-one.

The following have been pastors and supplies: Peleg Sisson, Howard Tripp, John Phillips, Isaac Smith, William W. Smith, Wesley Burnham, I. W. Graffam, R. B. Eldridge, Samnel White, James L. Pierce, John B. Parris, George W. Dyer, John G. Gammons, Gideon W. Tripp, A. D. Blanchard, F. P. Snow, Gardner Dean, Curtis I. Pierce, H. P. Guilford, and Curtis I. Pierce.

The Second Christian Church at South West- port was organized Sept. 18, 1838, with the follow- ing members : Sanford Brightman, David Brownell, Sarah W. Brownell, Betty Brightman, Mary Bright- man, Myra E. Brightman, and Ann Macomber, Elders Moses How, Charles Morgaridge, and Gardner Dean David participating in the inaugural services. Brownell was chosen clerk, and was the only officer until Aug. 28, 1841, when Brethren Jacob Chase and John Allen were chosen deacons and ordained soon after. With the decease of Deacon Chase the office remained vacant until Aug. 28, 1880, when Charles

1 By Curtis I. Pierce.

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WESTPORT.

R. Allen was chosen junior deacon. Deacon Allen was chosen clerk Nov. 2, 1849, and continued thirty- one years; Abraham Allen, present clerk, Ang. 28, 1880. The Sabbath-school was organized June 5, 1849. Feb. 1, 1876, they dedicated their new house of worship, valued at sixteen hundred dollars. Ang. 28, 1880, they revised their articles of church government.

This church has enjoyed a good degree of prosper- ity, even without much pastoral labor, one hundred and forty-two having joined since its organization, and numbering fifty-five at present.

The following have been pastors and supplies : Elder Matthias E. Gammons, Cephas Chamberlain, Gideon W. Tripp, Philip Sanford, Benjamin Masher, Nathaniel Lovering, Charles P. Snow, N. S. Chad- wick.

The Third Christian Church, at Brownell's Corner, was organized July 4, 1843, with the fol- lowing membership : Howland Tripp, Gideon Tripp, Philip Devol, Holder Earl, Thomas Sanford, Eliza- beth Tripp, Sarah Lawton, Basheba Earl, Mary Sanford, Maria Devol, Naomi Briggs, Betsy Petty. The house of worship was opened and dedicated the same day. Elder Howard Tripp delivered the dedi- catory sermon, and continued as pastor until the summer of 1847. Since then the following have served as pastors : Elders Frederick Tripp, John W. Hunter, Matthias E. Gammons, Philip Sanford, Ephraim Burroughs, Benjamin F. Masher, Gould Anthony, O. F. Woltze. Howland Tripp and Gideon Lawton were the first deacons. Isaac D. Earl and Edwin Lawton are the present deacons; Isaac D. Earl, present clerk. Seven years from its organiza- tion it numbered seventy-five members ; whole num- ber who have joined is one hundred and nineteen ; present membership, fifty-one ; value of property, eight hundred dollars. There are six of the first members still living. The oldest is Mary Sanford, aged ninety-one.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 163

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