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Pursuant to letters missive an ecclesiastical coun- cil met at the meeting-house in Westport, May 31, 1858, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Church.
Present, North Congregational Church, New Bed- ford, Rev. H. W. Parker, pastor; Brother T. R. Den- nison, delegate. Trinitarian Church, New Bedford, Rev. Wheelock Craig, pastor ; Brother Robert Gibbs, delegate. Pacific Church, New Bedford, Rev. Tim- othy Stowe, pastor; Brother J. Freeman, delegate. Central Congregational Church, Fall River, Rev. Eli Thurston, D.D., pastor; Brother Nathan Durfee, delegate.
The council was organized by the choice of Rev. H. W. Parker, moderator; and Brother Nathan Durfee, scribe.
Meeting opened by prayer by Rev. Mr. Craig.
Rev. Mr. Dunham was invited to take a seat with the council.
J. L. Anthony was called upon to give an account of the previous prospects of the society ; what means were at command to sustain the ministry provided a Congregational Church was organized.
Mr. C. A. Church gave his views in regard to the control of the house, expressing his opinion that, provided a church was formed, most of the stock- holders would heartily co-operate. Rev. I. Dunham gave his opinion that the time had come for the or- ganization of a church.
The articles of faith and form of covenant were presented and read, whereupon it was voted that the articles of faith and form of covenant, together with the name of the church, and their rules and regula- tions now presented, are satisfactory to the council.
The following-named presented themselves, and were examined upon certificate or by profession of their faith, and the examination proving satisfactory to the council, it was voted to proceed to the organ- ization of the church: J. L. Anthony, Rev. J. B. Parris, Dr. B. R. Abbie, David H. Kay, Miss Caro- line Tallman, Mrs. Mary Howland, Elizabeth G. Howland, Mrs. Mary W. Anthony, Mrs. Mary J. Rowland, Mrs. Eliza A. Macomber, Miss Nancy A. Cornell.
Order of exercise for the organization of the church : Reading of the minutes, by the scribe ; invocation and reading the Scriptures, by the Rev. J. B. Parris ; in- troductory prayer, by Brother Dennison ; sermon, by Rev. Eli Thurston,-text was, " For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up," Psalm Ixix. 9; reading con- fession of faith and covenant, by Rev. Timothy Stowe ; recognition of church and consecration prayer, by
694
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Rev. H. W. Parker; fellowship of church, Rev. Mr. Craig ; concluding prayer, Rev. Mr. Dunham.
The confession of faith, covenant, ete., in pamphlet form, is herein inclosed.
A meeting of the church was held Aug. 21, 1858, at which a elerk and deacon was chosen. It was also voted that this church extend an invitation to the Rev. I. Dunham to serve them as pastor for the year commencing June 1, 1858. The articles of faith, covenant, and standing rules of the church were read for the information of those present desirous of join- ing this church. Voted that those persons present who wish to join the church be examined on their profession of faith.
Mrs. Hannah Crocker, Mrs. Phebe Tripp, and Miss Lucilla Borden presented themselves, and were exam- ined by the committee, and the examination proving satisfactory, it was voted that they be propounded.
Voted that the elerk inform the society that they had coneurred with them in extending an invitation to the Rev. Isaac Dunham to become their pastor. Rev. Mr. Dunham accepted the invitation. Voted to adjourn for two weeks. At the meeting held on Sept. 4, 1858, Brother J. B. Parris was chosen treasurer, which office he has held to this day.
On Sunday, September 5th, to which the last meet- ing was adjourned, the three persons previously pro- pounded were received into full membership.
Nov. 7, 1858. Rev. I. Dunham and wife were re- ceived into the church by letter from Wesleyan Meth- odist Church in Duxbury, Mass.
Jan. 1, 1860. Mrs. Alice T. Peckham was publicly received into membership of this church.
June 5, 1861. Mrs. Lucy Adams was received into this church.
June 30th. Eleven persons were received into the notice received July 3, 1877. Rev. F. L. Bristol gave
church.
Dec. 29, 1861. Matilda Gifford was received into membership of this church.
May 3, 1862. Capt. R. W. Crapo and wife were re- ceived into membership of this church.
July 5, 1863. Four persons were received into mem- bership of this church.
September 6th. Seven persons were received into membership.
July 10, 1864. Mrs. H. Bosworth was received into membership by letter from Middle Street Christian Church, New Bedford.
March, 1866. At the request of Sister Hannah Cobb to join the First Presbyterian Church in Oswego, N. Y., and Sister H. W. Bosworth to join the Middle Street Christian Church, New Bedford, it was voted that their request be granted, and letters given them.
August 9th. The ordinance of baptism was admin- istered to the infant son of John H. and Rebecca A. Gifford, and infant daughter of Thomas and Georgie R. Cornell.
May 13, 1866. Mrs. Nancy Pool was admitted a member by baptism and profession of faith.
November 1st. H. C. Sawin was received by letter from Brookline, N. H., Church of Christ recommend- ing him to P. U. Church in Westport.
Sept. 1, 1867. The ordinance of baptism was ad- ministered to Emma Cowen, and she was admitted to the fellowship of this church. The ordinance of baptism was administered to Thomas Ashly, infant son of John H. and Rebecca A. Gifford.
January, 1868. Rev. Isaae Dunham, who had been the acting pastor of this church nearly ten years, de- clined to serve it longer, as he wished to go and build up a church at Whittenden, near Taunton. His year expiring April 1, 1868, he had provided a pastor for the church, if they should unite in calling him, by the name of Leonard, who came and preached a sermon Feb. 19, 1868, and the eall was given Feb- ruary 22d. For many other items of interest, they will be found in extracts from the society records. A couneil was called June 30, 1868, and Rev. H. P. Leonard was installed as pastor. Brother Leonard continued his pastorate till March 16, 1875, when, at his request, a council was called and dissolved his connection with this church. The pulpit was sup- plied to June 1, 1875, by Rev. H. P. Gilford, N. S. Moore, and Rev. N. S. Moore engaged for six months, or to Dee. 1, 1875, after which the pulpit was again supplied to Oct. 20, 1876, by Mr. Bonnell, Dyre, Gil- ford, D. D. Campbell, Pettee, Smith, Allen, Bacon, Prescott, Atwood, and Bristol.
Oct. 20, 1876. The church and society invited Rev. F. L. Bristol as their acting pastor for one year, which was accepted.
At the request of Brother H. P. Leonard and wife, the usual letters from this church to the Congrega- tional Church at East Taunton was sent him, and
notice that at the elose of his year of labor with this church and society he should leave, and therefore should not be a candidate for acting pastor the next. The church was supplied thereafter till Jan. 1, 1878, by Mr. Bonnell, L. P. Atwood, Mr. Dodge, Mr. Tenney, Mr. Willams, and William P. Aleott. The committee then agreed with Rev. L. P. Atwood to supply the church and society for three months from Jan. 1 to April 1, 1878. He (Mr. Atwood) was en- gaged from year to year till April 1, 1883. He then declined to be a candidate to supply the church and society longer.
Sept. 27, 1880. At the request of Sister Ellen M. Leland to change her connection from this dear church of her childhood to the West Newton Baptist Church, the letter of recommendation 'and dismission was granted by vote of the church, and notice received.
Mrs. Rebeccah A. Smith having signified to Rev. L. P. Atwood her desire for baptism, and being re- ceived into this church, a committee waited upon her at her house, she being sick and in feeble health, and upon examination of her experience and profession of faith, and it proving satisfactory in finding her in
695
WESTPORT.
fellowship with the articles of faith of this church, and of her hope in the blood of Christ which cleanseth from all sin, a vote of the church was taken on the report of the committee, which was unanimous to re- ceive her after the ordinance of baptism had been administered.
Sabbath afternoon, July 2, 1882, Rev. Mr. Atwood and members of the church assembled at her home, and the ordinance of baptism by sprinkling was ad- ministered, and she admitted to this branch of Christ's visible church in usual form, after which the sacra- ment was administered.
On the 31st of December, 1882, a letter was re- ceived from Brother Atwood stating that he respect- fully declined the candidacy to supply the pulpit after expiration of his present year of labor, ending the last Sabbath of March, 1883.
Jan. 18, 1883. The letter of Rev. Mr. Atwood read. On motion of Brother Dr. J. B. Parris, it was voted that a letter of recommendation be given him to sister churches.
The following preamble and resolution and letter were offered and voted, and a copy furnished Mr. Atwood:
" WHEREAS, The Rev. Lewis P. Atwood, who has labored with this church and society for more than five years past, has declined to be a candidate for the pulpit the coming year, it is therefore
" Resolved, That we deeply regret the severing of the Christian and brotherly ties that bound our hearts together, and this church doth cor- dially and cheerfully recommend Brother Atwood to the confidence and Christian fellowship of sister churches who may be in want of a pastor, he being an earnest, faithful, and devout minister in his Lord's vine- yard, and deeply interested in Sabbath-schools and its work, for which he is well adapted.
" In behalf of the church, "J. L. ANTHONY, Clerk."
Representatives .- The following is a list of repre- sentatives to the General Court from 1788 to the present time :
1788. William Davis, Esq.
1823-24. None.
1789. MIr. William Almy.
1790. Voted not to send.
1825 Abner B. Gifford. Tillinghast Almy. Nathan C. Brownell.
1791. Capt. Sylvester Brownell.
1826. None.
1827. Tillinghast Almy. Nathan C. Brownell.
1828. Tillinghast Almy.
1805. Jolin Mosher.
1806-7. William Almy.
1808-9. Sylvester Brownell.
1829. None.
1830. Abner B. Gifford.
Nathan C. Brownell.
Brightman, John H.
Dutcher, George O.
Anselm Bassett.
Bradley, George E.
Dengan, Sinon.
1813. Abner Brownell.
James HI. Handy.
Bosworth, Henry L.
Dollard, Thomas.
Abner B. Gifford. Isaac Cory.
James H. Ilandy.
1814. Abner Brownell.
Jonathan Davis.
Abner B. Gifford.
1835. James II. Handy. Jonathan Davis. Christopher A. Church.
1815-16. Abner Brownell.
Sylvester Brownell. Abner B. Gifford. 1817. Voted not to send.
1818-19. Sylvester Brownell.
1820. Voted not to send.
1821. Abner Brownell.
1839. Nathan C. Brownell.
Gamaliel Church.
1840. Gamaliel Church. John Avery Gifford.
1863-65. Ezra P. Brownell.
1866. Andrew Hicks.
1841. James II. Handy.
1842. John Avery Gifford.
1869. Isaac A. Anthony.
1843. Gamaliel Church. 1870. Ezra P. Brownell.
1845.1 Jonathan Davis.
1871. Stephen A. Brownell.
1872-73. Giles E. Brownell.
1874. Joseph C. Little.
1850.2 George II. Gifford.
1851-52. Frederick Brownell.
1853-54. Isaac A. Anthony.
1855. Benjamin B. Sisson.
1856-57. Abiel Davis.
1858-59. Ezra P. Brownell.
1879. William P. Macomber.
1860. Perry Davis.
1880-81. Henry A. Slocnm, of Dartmouth.
1862. C. A. Church.
1882-83. John W. Gifford.
Town Clerks from 1787 to 1883 .- The following is a list of town clerks from 1787 to the present time :
1787-88. Abner Brownell.
1845-50. Peleg W. Peckham.
1790-91. Robert Earl. 1850-56. George Il. Gifford.
April 2, 1792, to May 14, 1792, Na-
1856-62. Israel Allen.
thaniel Kirby.
1862-64. Isaac Howland.
May 14, 1792, to Nov. 28, 1807, 1864-65. Israel Allen. William Almy. 1865-74. Albert C. Kirby.
Nov. 28, 1807, to April, 1812, Wil- liam White (2d).
1878-80. Robert A. Lawton. .
1812-18. Abner B. Gifford.
: 1880-83. John A. Macomber (2d).
Military Record .- The following is a list of the names of the soldiers and sailors from the town of Westport during the war of the Rebellion :
Averill, William.
Barton, Franklin A.
Abbott, Hiram P. Brightman, Alexander S.
Adams, C. F.
Borden, John S.
Allen, Stepben H.
Bogan, John.
Anthony, Nicholas B.
Chappell, Augustus G.
Andrews, Thomas.
Crowley, Patrick.
Allen, Albert M.
Cary, Michael.
Allen, George E.
Cordingly, Thomas R.
Adison, William.
Curran, James.
Angien, John.
Connick, Henry.
Arthur, Joshua.
Cornell, Stephen B.
Burt, Charles A.
Cutler, Israel.
Borden, Peleg S.
Chappell, John.
Bullock, Isaiah B.
Devoll, George R.
Bowen, Daniel W.
David, Solon.
Bryant, George II.
David, Charles.
Broadhurt, Thomas R.
David, Edward.
Bannan, James.
Dalton, Warren R.
Breck, Elijah F.
Devoll, Henry S.
Broadbent, Samuel S.
Demoranville, Stephen E.
Baker, Abraham M.
Dyer, Stephen K.
Borden, Isaac S.
Dillon, John.
Brown, Samnel.
Dolon, Andrew.
Bradbury, Robert.
Dewire, William.
Baker, Henry C.
Davis, James F.
1810-12. Abner Brownell. Sylvester Brownell. Abner Gifford.
1831. Abner B. Gifford.
Brownell, Jirah F.
Durfee, James D.
1832-34. Abner B. Gifford.
Brown, William.
Dillingham, Edward II.
Burch, Edward.
Davis, Pardon E.
Babbit, Albert.
Dean, John P.
Bean, Elisha B.
Davenport, Charles W.
1 In 1844 William G. Slade had the highest number of votes on each of four ballotings, and the polls closed at sunset, no choice.
2 In 1849, George II. Gifford had the highest number of votes on cach
of two ballotings, but no choice was made.
3 Dartmouth united with Westport and sent but one representative. 4 Charles Fisher's seat contested by William P'. Macomber, who was admitted.
1792-99. William Almy. 1800. Voted not to send. 1801-3. Abner Brownell.
1804. William Almy.
Aber B. Gifford. Nathan C. Brownell.
Abner Brownell.
John Anthony.
1836-37. Nathan C. Brownell. Jonathan Davis. Christopher A. Church.
1838. Nathan C. Brownell. Jonathan Davis.
1822. Voted not to send.
1846-47. Perry Davis. 1848. Benjamin B. Sisson.
1875-76. Benjamin Gifford.
1877.3 George R. Reed, of Dart- mouth.
1878. Charles Fisher 4 and William P. Macomber.
1861. Ezra P. Brownell.
1874-78. John A. Macomber (2d).
1818-45. Frederick Brownell.
1867-68. Ezra P. Brownell.
696
HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
Estes, Daniel B.
Kerse, Patrick.
Sisson, Luscomb F.
Tripp, Theodore J.
Emerson, Joseph A.
Litchfield, James A.
Sanford, Alexander.
Tracey, William. Tracey, John.
Easton, Josiah J. Earl, Andrew R.
Lowden, Edward.
Tripp, Joseph H.
Tabreta, Robert.
Libby, Joshua.
Tripp, James A.
Wright, Sylvanus.
Lewis, Charles.
Tripp, Christopher B.
Weire, Stephen. Waite, Ishmael S.
Forsyth, John.
McCarthy, Jolin.
Tripp, Charles F.
Wright, William H.
Fiske, Joseph.
Mordo, J. A.
Tripp, Daniel II.
Wilson, James.
French, Alfred.
Martin, Peter.
Tripp, Robert L.
Williams, Edward.
Feeney, Patrick.
Manchester, Edward F.
Fegnrade, John L.
Manchester, John.
Tripp, David R.
Wood, Horatio M. Welch, Jolın.
Farr, William N.
Miller, George. McNaughter, Charles.
Tripp, Alden W.
Wood, George P.
Fergneson, Waldermann.
Tripp, William G.
Wolf, Herman.
Fitzgerald, George.
McGowan, John.
Fish, Samuel.
Manchester, Gilbert.
Frazier, Peter.
Mayhew, Allen G.
Tripp, Almenza.
Watson, William.
Gifford, George A.
Mosher, Benjamin F.
Gooding, Charles H.
Morisey, John.
Greenhalgh, Joseph.
Moore, Sidney.
Gammons, John G.
Macomber, Leonard W.
Gifford, Abraham.
Macomber, David W.
Gifford, James B.
Macomber, Richmond.
Gammons, Lemuel T.
Mosher, Andrew J.
Gifford, Eli.
Mosher, Willard B Mead, Charles F. Marshall, Augustus L.
Manley, Henry B.
Miller, Louis.
Gahna, Joseph.
McDonald, James D.
McCullay, William.
Green, Dennis.
Gagin, Edward.
McCarty, Mortimer. McLane, Benjamin L.
Graff, Frederick. Galpin, John L.
Pool, Edwin R.
Gleason, Daniel.
Pettey, Iliram S.
Hedge, Lemuel M.
Hedge, Mortimer.
Pickels, James.
Hasty, Alvin A.
Pierce, George F.
Ifarrington, Daniel.
Potter, Charles F.
IlokJin, Michael.
Pettey, Daniel A.
Harrington, Timothy.
Platree, Henry.
Hekelsey, John.
Holmes, Jolın J.
Howland, Albert F. Hartley, James. Harrison, Edward.
.
Ilart, Philip W.
Harrington, John.
Hazzard, John H.
Howard, William.
Humphreys, Richard.
Riley, Henry. Reed, Charles W.
Howland, Robert S. Ingraham, Frederick W.
Jenks, George A.
Ryan, William. Russell, George W. G. Russell, John W. Sanford, Jolni G.
Jordan, John F. Jones, John.
Jenney, Benjamin K.
Sharon, Edward.
Jackson, William S.
Sanford, A. II., Jr.
Jennings, Asa M. Johnson, William II.
Sherburne, E. G. Stoddart, Sargent L.
Kendall, John.
Short, Charles.
Kearney, Rufus J.
Smith, Robert.
Sowle, Robert F.
Keleyor, William. Kelley, Henry. Kelley, Jolın. King, Stephen'S. Kannse, Samnel T. Kelley, James.
Shaw, Charles. Sanford, Daniel M.
Sanford, Barnabas B.
Sowle, James H. Sutton, Benjamin O. Snider, Asa.
Kimball, James W.
Kelley, Patrick.
Sullivan, James. Scott, Charles E.' Scott, Thomas.
Kelly, Daniel W. Keeler, Andrew J. Keenan, Jobn.
Stephens, John A.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ANDREW HICKS.
Robert Hicks came from England in ship " For- tune" in 1621. His wife, Margaret Hicks, two sons, Samuel and Ephraim, and two daughters came in ship " Ann," August, 1623. He was in 1618 a leather- dresser in London. He died March 24, 1647. Sumuel Hicks, eldest son of Robert, Plymouth, 1643, removed to Eastham; there married Lydia, daughter of John Doane, Esq .; was a representative in 1649; removed later to Barnstable, where he was engaged in pro- moting the settlement of Dartmouth. He was among the thirty-six original purchasers of that town, who met at Plymouth, March 7, 1652, to divide their pur- chase. He owned one-thirty-fourth of the town, where he removed before 1670, as on May 20th of that year we find him recorded as one of the seven freemen of Dartmouth.
His descendant, Jacob Hicks, who married Mary Earle, was a farmer in that part of Dartmouth now Westport. He had three children,-Gabriel, William, and Mary Durfee. Gabriel was a farmer and tanner, and owned about one hundred acres of land. He married Mary Manchester, and had eight children,- William, who married Susannah West; Joseph ; Ben- jamin, married Mary Gibson; John, married Mary Congdon ; Thomas, married Hannah Sowle ; Comfort, married John Potter; Elizabeth, married Constant Sisson ; and Susan, married William Macomber.
Joseph Hicks, born Feb. 22, 1722, was a farmer and tanner, and, like his father, was a valued citizen and of sound judgment. He married Elizabeth Waite, and reared a family of twelve children. They were Benjamin, married Eunice Briggs; Oliver, married Polly Earle; Barney, married Sarah Cook ; Durfee, married Susannah Potter ; Thomas, married Eliza- beth Davis ; Comfort, married Philip Corey ; Mary, married Stephen Earle; Lucy, married Philip Taber ; Priscilla, married Stephen Earle (second wife) ; Deb-
Easther, John. Evenson, Michael. Fay, Edward A. Fuller, John II.
Lewis, Edward H.
Macomber, William R.
Tripp, Charles M. Tripp, Allen Il.
Wise, Whitlock.
Tripp, Ephraim T.
Wilbour, Philander.
Fuller, Prescott H.
Munhall, John.
Tripp, Augustus W.
Tripp, Edwin.
Wier, Frederick.
Tripp, Charles.
Williams, Jesse L.
Grey, Sydney N.
Gifford, AJmenzo.
Green, Dennìs. Gallagher, Edward. Green, John C.
McCord, Were.
. Gree, James.
Pettey, James II.
Pagan, Jeremiah.
Pettey, Charles A. Pettey, Pardon Z. Page, Charles A. Peckham, Israel. Perry, William H. Perry, Orrin G. Palmer, Abner D. Reed, Peleg P. Rowbotham, James.
Leary, James.
Simmons, Abner.
Andrew Hicks
697
WESTPORT.
orah, married John Pearce; Prudence, married An- thony Almy; and Hannah, married Paul Earle.
Mr. Hicks died Oct. 12, 1798. Mrs. Hicks was born Jan. 20, 1727, and died Sept. 25, 1827, having attained the remarkable age of one hundred years, eight months. and five days.
BARNEY HICKS, third son and child of Joseph and Elizabeth (Waite) Hicks, was born in 1754. Be- fore he was of age' he became a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, enlisting as a private soldier under Maj. Manchester, in a Rhode Island regiment of the colonial 'army, and was for some months in service. He then fitted out a sloop at Westport for the West India trade, and started on a voyage. His sloop was captured by a British cruiser, however, before night of the first day out. The weather becoming rough, the sloop could not be carried in to Newport, as the captors desired, and they bore away for New York. The storm continued, and they were cast away near Little Egg Harbor, and all were lost except Mr. Hicks, one other man, and a dog, who reached a small desert island. The cold was intense. Mr. Hicks' companion and the dog were frozen to death. Mr. Hicks was so badly frozen as to lose both feet from this cause after the lapse of twenty years. At last he attracted the attention of the residents of the Jersey shore, and they succeeded in rescuing him from his perilous condition. He remained at the house he first reached twelve months before he re- covered his health so far as to do any business. Then going to Philadelphia, he engaged, with some New Bedford friends, in fitting out a privateer. In three weeks after sailing he returned to Philadelphia in charge of a captured vessel, and after receiving his share of the prize-money he paid for his year's board in New Jersey. He soon sailed as captain of another privateer. On the first voyage the vessel was cap- tured and taken to Plymouth, England, and after a short captivity-in a prison-ship, Capt. Hicks was sent to America. During a fog he incited a mutiny and captured the vessel. The fog lifting, the attempt at escape was discovered, and the vessel retaken by the British. Capt. Hicks again succeeded in capturing the vessel, and this time cut her out from the fleet and brought her safely as his prize into Boston. . He made other privateering cruises, was again captured, and held for nearly two years a prisoner on a prison- ship at New York. When the war closed he entered the merchant service, which he followed until he was about forty years old, when he returned to his farm in Westport, where he spent the rest of his life. He made forty-five voyages to San Domingo, and on his last voyage sailed to Africa and the East Indies.
He married, about 1798, Sarah Cook, born in 1776, and had twelve children,-Betsey, married Nathaniel Tompkins; Andrew; Lydia, married Nathaniel Church, and now lives in Fairhaven ; Isaac, married Huldah Tompkins; John, married Caroline Almy ; Hannah, married Edward G. Sowle (their children
are Sophia, Francis, Andrew, Julia,-Mrs. C. B. Tripp, and Joseph) ; Barney, married Catharine Seabury ; William, married Eliza Seabury ; Reuben, married Sarah Kirby ; Alexander, married Elizabeth How- land; Sarah, married Ephraim Brownell; Joseph, married Betsey Briggs. Three of these children, An- drew, Isaac, and Lydia, are now living, each over eighty years of age. Notwithstanding his privations and vicissitudes, Mr. Hicks attained the age of seventy- eight, dying in 1832, showing that he must have had an unusually strong constitution. He was prompt, decisive, and resolute, and was esteemed by his ac- quaintances. His wife died in 1826, aged fifty.
ANDREW HICKS, son of Barney and Sarah (Cook) Hicks, was born in Westport, Mass., June 17, 1799. His boyhood until his thirteenth year was passed one the farm. He then engaged as clerk in a store in Adamsville, R. I., where after eight years' service he opened a store of his own. After trading three years he returned to the farm of his ancestors. In 1836 he fitted ont a vessel and began an extended whaling business, continuing from that time down to the present. He has owned interests in eleven ves- sels at one time. He has seen the various stages of this great enterprise of other days, from its palmy and prosperous days to its decay and subsidence. He has built eight vessels for whaling, and his ventures have met with very satisfactory results.
Mr. Hicks was in former days a Whig. Since the formation of the Republican party he has been active in support of its principles. He has been justice of the peace for twenty-eight years, and represented Westport in the Legislature of 1866. He is a director of the Merchants' Bank of New Bedford, and is uni- versally considered a sound financier, careful, prudent, and fortunate. He now owns sixty acres of the home- stead farm, dating back over two hundred years in its possession in his family. He has never married, and at the advanced age of eighty-four years has a re- markable memory of events and dates and unusual clearness of intellect.
THE GIFFORD FAMILY.
From the English book of heraldry, otherwise called " The Doomsday Book," we extract the genealogy of the Gifford family down to the emigration of the first American of the name in 1630: "The family of Gif- ford is of high antiquity, and was seated at Honfleur, in Normandy, three hundred years before the conquest of England by William the Norman. At the battle of Hastings (1066), 'Sire Randolph de Gifforde' was one of the Conqueror's standard-bearers, and was rewarded by him with land in Somersetshire and Cheshire, which was created into a barony, from which his descendants had summons to Parliament. In the reign of Henry II., Sir Peter Gifford married Alice, daughter and heiress of Sir Guy de Corbuchin, with whom he had the lordship of Chillington, in
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