History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 167

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 167

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

698

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Cheshire, which was the seat of the Dukes of Buck- ingham of this family. Sir Stephen Gifford was one of the barons accompanying Richard Cœur de Lion to the Holy Land, and was killed at the siege of Je- rusalem. His son Sir Stephen was wounded there. The family enjoyed great distinction in the English court for several centuries, and no less than five peer- ages existed in it at one time. Baron George Gifford was made Earl of Buckingham by Henry V., but joining the House of York against that of Lancaster, and being one of the prime favorites of Edward V., he was created Duke of Buckingham, and married the Princess Maude Plantagenet, the king's cousin. His son, George Gifford, Duke of Buckingham, was one of the favorites of the Duke of Gloucester, afterwards Richard III. Being detected by that tyrant in the act of corresponding with the Earl of Richmond (Henry VII.), he was attainted of high treason and beheaded by Richard's orders. This Duke of Buck- ingham left several children, but as they had been deprived of their lands and titles, the mercenary king (Henry VII.) found it more convenient not to restore them, and Humphrey Stafford, a very rich and pow- erful nobleman, having married the oldest daughter of Henry, was created by him Duke of Buckingham. The Staffords followed the fate of their maternal an- cestor (Gifford), for the grandson of Humphrey was beheaded and his family deprived of their vast estates. Of the sons of the last George Gifford, Duke of Buck- ingham, George continued the first line, and continu- ally solicited the crown and Parliament for his res- toration, but, from the powerful opposition of his brother-in-law (Stafford), was always defeated. The Giffords, in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Queens Mary and Elizabeth, ineffectually put their claims before the English Parliament, never, however, being able to obtain a judgment. In the reign of James I., Sir Ambrose Gifford claimed before the House of Peers to be Duke of Buckingham, and in the second year of the reign of Charles I. his claims were disal- lowed on account of his poverty. Walter Gifford, the son of Sir Ambrose, emigrated from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1630, and was the originator of the American branch of this family." All those bear- ing the name in New England are traceable to this ancestor, and the descendants in America are found no unworthy bearers of the honorable name, as they have distinguished themselves in art, literature, and science. Honesty, sturdy independence, and industry have been characteristic of the name in Bristol County, where many now bear it.

GEORGE H. GIFFORD.

George Howland Gifford, son of Elihu and Barbara (Howland) Gifford, was born in Westport, Mass., Feb. 9, 1806. His grandfather, Stephen Gifford, married Rhoda Anthony. He lived on the line of Dartmouth, was a farmer, and died advanced in years, leaving five

sons and two daughters. Elihu, one of his sons, was born Jan. 9, 1783, married Barbara, daughter of John and Elizabeth Howland, about 1804. She was born in Westport, Nov. 12, 1782. They had five children, -George H., Keziah H. (married Henry B. Gifford, lives in Providence, R. I., and has three children now living), Elizabeth (Mrs. Isaac Howland, of Westport), John H., of Springfield, and George E., of Westport. Elihu was a blacksmith of that early day, ran a forge, made hoes, axes, and other cutting instruments, in connection with his brothers Job and John, and worked at his trade until his early death, Dec. 26, 1809. He was a nervous, impulsive, and impetuous man, hard-working, social, fond of his family, and a member of the Friends' Society. His widow married John W. Gifford, and died Oct. 6, 1867, in her eighty- fifth year. She was a woman of great strength of character. Very thoughtful of others, she was uni- versally loved, and was called by every one in her old age " Grandmother Barbara." She learned the trade of tailoress at the age of fifteen, and was very ingeni- ous, making dresses, coats, vests, bonnets, etc. She was erect and quick in her movements, retained her activity until her death, and was noted for her superb horsemanship. She was an elder of the Friends' So- ciety and held in high esteem.

George H. Gifford was educated at common school, and attended the select school, which enjoyed high reputation, under the teaching of George W. Baker, fitting himself for an instructor. He began to teach in 1827, and devoted himself to this for several years, part of the time being in charge of a high school. He married, Dec. 3, 1826, Rebeckah, daughter of Jo- seph and Judith (Brightman) Davis. She was born at Westport, Sept. 18, 1806, and died Dec. 21, 1879. Their children were (1) Henry T. (deceased), mar- ried Mary E. Ramsdell, and had one child, George H .; (2) Julia S., married William Davenport, has two children, George W. and James H., and lives in Fall River; (3) Nancy H., married Edwin R. Pool, who died in Salisbury prison while serving as a sol- dier in the Union army during the late civil war; they had two children, Augusta D. (married C. W. Tripp, and has one child, Edwin P.) and Carrie May ; (4) George D., died in infancy. In the family of Mr. Gifford was reared Frank Seymour Davis, a son of Mrs. Gifford's brother John and his wife, Emily Wilbur, and he has ever been considered by all a member of the family, and was made an heir of Mr. Gifford equally with his children.

After the death of her husband Elihu, the mother of Mr. Gifford returned with her children to her father's home, and for seventy years thereafter, and until his death, this was Mr. Gifford's home. He became a farmer, and purchased the place after his grandfather's death, varying this avocation by sail- ing, Aug. 23, 1837, on brig "Elizabeth," from West- port, on a whaling voyage which lasted nine months. With this exception, this farm was Mr. Gifford's resi-

Esco It. Giffon)

William Giffact

an Ht Suford

699

WESTPORT.

dence for seventy years and until his death. On his return from this voyage he engaged in manufacturing shingles in connection with farming, and also became a carriage-maker. He bought the Moose Mill, in Westport, and made carriage woodwork, and owned the mill at his death.

But it was his long and active career in public af- fairs and his prominence in temperance work that most deserves perpetuation. He was much in public life. He was commissioned justice of the peace about 1845, and continued in that office until his death. He held every town office, and represented his town in the Legislature. He settled many estates, and also was chief surveyor of this vicinity for many years. He was often called upon to give advice, and was a wise and sagacious counselor. He was a popular auctioneer, and continued to transact some kinds of business till within a few days of his death, May 19, 1882. He acted at various periods of his life with the Demo- cratic, Republican, and Prohibitory political parties. His temperance history was a marked one. At the formation of the Washingtonian Temperance Society, in 1842, he was somewhat dissipated, but such was the interest in him and desire to secure his aid that when organizing the Westport Society the office of vice- president was left vacant to be given him if he would take the pledge and join them. He did so, became its first vice-president, and held that office, or that of president, so long as the society existed. He took hold of temperance with all the ardor of his positive nature, and fought the rum-demon everywhere and at all times. He was a forcible speaker, and soon received the sobriquet of the " Old Temperance War- horse." He had the satisfaction of knowing that tangible and permanent results came from his efforts. He was chief officer of Sons of Temperance and Good Templars for a number of terms. In religion he was liberal and independent, inclining, however, to the Friends' belief. He was accurate, methodical, and systematic in all things, and correct in all business matters, and successful in the acquisition of property. He was a kind and loving husband and father, covering a warm heart by an appearance of austerity and gruff- ness. He was an agreeable social companion, full of humor and laughable stories. Honored by the com- munity, his death was deeply regretted.

WILLIAM GIFFORD AND WILLIAM H. GIFFORD.

From Eli Wodell's genealogical work-a rare and really ingenious and labored production-we glean something of the North Westport Giffords. Ana- nias (?) Gifford had at least five children,-Benjamin, Recompence, Abigail, Mary, Kezia. Benjamin was a cooper, died in Westport about 1817. (E. W. says he was son or brother of Ananias Gifford.) He had children,-Nathaniel, James, Stephen, John, George, and Ruth. ("George Gifford, son of Benjamin and

Susan Sherman, daughter of Sampson Sherman, his second wife, was married four times, and barely es- caped two other such calamities. He was to marry Miss Andrews, who died bride-expectant. He mar- ried Elizabeth Wodell, Susan Sherman, Ruth Cottle, and Mercy Bullock, and escaped Miss Andrews and Mrs. Randall, to whom at his death he was con- tracted. He was a good and sensible man, and had considerable literary talent."-Eli Wodell.) George, born Feb. 17, 1772, in Freetown, was a farmer, well read, and a good penman. He acted as clerk at auctions, town-meetings, etc. He was also a school- master, and a worthy and deeply-devoted member of the Baptist Church. He moved in later life to Graf -. ton, N. H., and in that new country was very useful, and by his aid in forming churches and religious so- cieties, made a permanent impress on the place. By his first wife he had Elizabeth, married Samuel Thurston ; by his second wife, Susan, he had William, Stephen, and Charles (who died at Fort Mahon, Aug. 2, 1828, while in the United States naval service) ; and by his third wife he had one daughter, Caroline. He died at an old age.

WILLIAM GIFFORD was born in Westport, Mass., Feb. 12, 1794. He was reared on the farm, and be- came a farmer. Married Deborah, daughter of Thomas Freelove, of Troy (now Fall River). She was born Oct. 12, 1791. Their children attaining mature years were Ruth and William H. Ruth married Jacob Hicks, of Fall River, Mass. Her only surviving child, Charles, married Catharine Paine, and had one son, Charles A., now a practicing physician in Fall River. Mr. Gifford was an energetic and an indus- trious man, and possessed good intellect. He taught school in early life successfully, and was a farmer the rest of his days. He was one of those earnest and devoted yeomen who did good service in the progress of the better elements of civilization. Quiet and un- demonstrative in manner, he read much, and had clear and original thoughts and ideas. His judgment was sound, and weighed impartially all things, and rarely was it at fault in its conclusions. He was a Christian, a worthy member of Elder Hicks' (Baptist) Church at North Dartmouth, where he retained his member- ship during life. His religion was not the pompous religion that flaunts itself obtrusively in all unseemly places with a Pharisaical pride. It was a portion of his being, and his heart was the prompter of every thought, word, and deed, which so worthily adorned this modest child of Christ. It modified all his life. In social, family, and business relations it gave gen- tleness and kindness, and a sterling love of right for right's sake, and made him the steadfast foe of every- thing tending to draw men downward. Consequently we find him an active member of the first temperance society (the Washingtonians) organized in this sec- tion, and equally as strong and pronounced was he against the monster evil of slavery. He was uni- versally esteemed for his many good qualities, and

700

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

none were more sincerely mourned at his death, which occurred Dec. 22, 1865.

WILLIAM HENRY GIFFORD, son of William and Deborah (Freelove) Gifford, was born Jan. 19, 1827, in Westport, Mass., not much more than forty rods from his present residence. He had common school education ; became a farmer; inherited his father's real estate of about seventy acres, to which by his industry, economy, and thrift he has added largely, owning now about seven hundred acres of land in this vicinity, beside real estate in Fall River. He has been a worker. From early morn till late at night he has wrought diligently, and has never eaten the bread of idleness. He has invariably sided with the political and moral forces which promised the elevation of the lower classes and the benefit of humanity. Never caring for nor accepting office, he has done good service in the Republican party, and in the old Washingtonian Temperance Society was one of the most efficient laborers, and secretary of the society in his neighborhood for years. To these principles he still tenaciously adheres. Al- though he could realize larger rents for various prop- erties of his in Fall River if he would allow liquor to be sold on the premises, he was true to his princi- ples, refusing to let to such parties, even if they re- mained vacant. He was at one time somewhat inter- ested in whaling, owning three-fourths of a whaler ; but it did not prove profitable, and he sold out in 1881. He has been stockholder and director of the Barnard Manufacturing Company, of Fall River, from its organization. He married Ruth L., daugh- ter of David and Zilpha (Devoll) Brownell, of West- port. . After a short wedded life she died, leaving her infant daughter and namesake, Ruth Louisa, to fol- low her to the grave in three short months. Although these deaths occurred twenty-five years ago, Mr. Gif- ford has remained true to his first love and never again married. He is to-day one of the wealthy and pro- gressive citizens of his town.

CAPT. BENJAMIN GIFFORD.

Capt. Benjamin Gifford, son of Humphrey and Phebe (Davis) Gifford, was born in Westport, Mass., · July 11, 1824. He commenced coasting voyages with his father when but seven years old, so had but little advantages for education except that given by personal application on board of ship, where he was a diligent student. He sailed on his first whaling voyage on his fifteenth birthday in bark " Hope," his uncle, Capt. Gideon Davis, being master. He re- turned in November, 1840. He then made three voyages in brig " Mexico," and two in " Dr. Frank- lin." The last one he commanded the vessel, rising to his position of master by steady promotion. The wages of his first four voyages were taken by his father, for he was under age. He next commanded the bark " Marion," of New Bedford, on a three and

one-half years' cruise. His next vessel was the bark " Mattapoisett," of Westport, and the next, in which he made three voyages, was the bark " President," of New Bedford. He afterwards went three voyages as captain in the vessels "Glacier," "Spartan," and "Sunbeam," of New Bedford. He returned from his last voyage Dec. 2, 1879, having accumulated quite a property by his services. He was very con- scientious in all things, so much so that an acquaint- ance remarked once, when the captain was talking of leaving the sea and engaging in merchandising, " He never would make a living, for he was too hon- est." He married, Aug. 14, 1853, Hannah R., daugh- ter of Stephen and Hannah (Baker) Allen, an esti- mable and generous lady who survives him.

Capt. Gifford was a Republican in politics, and as such represented Westport two terms in the State Legislature. He died April 18, 1881. He was a re- markably genial man, knowing no difference in his intercourse between the high and the low, the rich and the poor, and won the love and confidence of all. He was generous to a fault, and never refused to assist any benevolent object. He was dignified in appearance, but with a cheerful courteousness he was a pleasant companion, with many a repartee and ready joke. He was of nervous temperament, and rarely sat down an hour in his house, but was busy in something he wished to do. He was a devout Christian, belonging to the Friends' Society. When stricken down by paralysis, and forced to leave all active labor by being deprived partially of the use of his right side, he never murmured, but with cheer- ful content accepted the condition with the remark, " It is all right; I have already had my share of good health," and during one long year of invalid and suffering life he retained the same cheerfulness, filling the hearts of all who were near him with sun- shine, and when he died a host of friends mourned, and letters of condolence came to his widow from all quarters of the globe. The New Bedford Mercury, April 19, 1881, contained this short tribute to his memory : "Capt. Benjamin Gifford, of Westport Point, died of paralysis yesterday morning, aged fifty-six. He made quite a number of voyages suc- cessfully in whaling, his last one being in the ' Sun- beam,' of this city. He was not a great man ; he was more than that, he was a good man. Honest and straightforward in his transactions, and of pleasant disposition, he won the respect of all who knew him. He was a strong advocate of temperance and a Friend. He was a member of the House of Repre- sentatives of Massachusetts, 1877-78."

CHRISTOPHER BORDEN.

CHRISTOPHER BORDEN, son of Abraham and Phebe (Barker) Borden, was born Oct. 20, 1815, on the lands possessed by four or five generations of his ancestors in Tiverton, R. I., now Westport, Mass. (For ances-

Benjn Gifford

Christopher Borden

Matriste

cowards . Arcontes

701

WESTPORT.

tral history of Borden family see biography of Cook Borden, Fall River.) The line of descent to Chris- topher from Richard, the emigrant, is Richard1, John2, Richard3, Thomas4, Christopher5, Jonathan6, Abra- ham7, Christopher8. Thomas Borden (fourth genera- tion) gave the Cranberry Neck property with other woodlands to his son Christopher, who became a farmer there, and probably built the first saw-mill on the site where stands the mill of his descendant Christopher. He was a man of respectability and sub- stance, owning much land and many slaves, married Hannah, daughter of Stephen and Penelope Borden, Dec. 24, 1748, and died suddenly, an old man. His son Jonathan, born May 5, 1761, married Elizabeth Bowen, and had Hannah, Abraham, Phebe, Thomas, Rhoda, Isaac, and Elizabeth. He was a farmer and mill-owner, held some offices, and was social, honest, straightforward, and always full of business, which he uniformly conducted to a successful issue. He died May 19, 1848. Abraham was born near the present residence of Christopher, July 20, 1792, and always lived on the farm where he commenced housekeeping. He was a man of quiet and undemonstrative nature, yet strongly fixed in his opinions. He never cared for office, but steadily kept the even tenor of his way, undisturbed by political turmoil. By purchase and by legacy he received from his father two hundred and seventy acres of land. He was engaged in lum- bering in addition to farming. He married Phebe, daughter of Lemuel and Maria (Tripp) Barker, of Dartmouth, and had three children,-Christopher, Rhoda (Mrs. Abiel Davis), and Maria R., who died one year after her marriage to Capt. Weston Jenney. Mrs. Borden was a Friend, and Mr. Borden attended their meetings regularly, although not a member of the society. He died Oct. 28, 1864.

Christopher Borden (eighth generation) was edu- cated at common schools and the Friends' school at Providence, R. I. He remained with his father after returning from school, and became associated with and finally succeeded him in charge of the farm and lumbering interests, which latter has been somewhat extensive in the departments of cedar and shingles. He married Lucy H., daughter of Peter and Sarah S. (Howland) Davis, Feb. 11, 1839. She was a native of Westport, Mass., and born Feb. 11, 1818. They have had six children,-Jonathan, married Mary M. (Snell) Estes, has seven children, and lives on the old homestead ; Alice A., married George H. Hicks, has five children, and lives in Fall River ; Mary E., married Isaac W. Howland, of Little Compton, R. I., and has one child; Othniel T., a youth of bright promise, who was accidentally and fatally shot in his twentieth year, Jan. 22, 1866; Edwin, married Mary E. Young, has five children, and lives near his parents ; Phebe S., married Arthur D. Cornell, has two children, and lives in Fall River.

The home of Mr. Borden has always been on the homestead of his forefathers. By the fluctuation of

boundary lines it has been in two States and three towns,-Tiverton, R. I., Fall River, R. I., and West- port, Mass.

Mr. Borden has been much in public service. He was a member of the Town Council of Tiverton, has been selectman of Westport year after year, has been on auditing committee for several years, and has also held minor offices. He has been called upon to ad- minister on many estates, and in all his range of official duties and trusts he has ever acted with strict integrity, directness of purpose, and rapidity of exe- cution. He is a pleasant, kindly gentleman, whose many good qualities attract numerous friends. Whig and Republican in politics, he has never swerved from support of those principles. He has been pros- perous in business, has been a farmer, and, with his sons, has done much in lumbering. He now leaves the principal part of the labor on younger shoulders, and looks merely after the investments which from time to time he has made. He is a stockholder in Metacomet, Pocasset, and Union Banks, Fall River, and Commercial Bank, New Bedford. He is also a stockholder in the Flint, Barnard, and Weetamoc Mills, Fall River, and is interested in and a director of the Fall River Manufacturing Company. He is held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen and entire circle of acquaintance, and is justly considered one of Westport's leading citizens.

LEONARD MACOMBER.

Leonard Macomber, son of John and Mary (Slade) Macomber, was born in Westport, Mass., Feb. 8, 1818. He comes on both sides from early settlers of this sec- tion, who have given to their descendants not only good estates but honorable records. His grandfather, Nathaniel Macomber, was a native of Westport (then Dartmouth), and was a farmer and nurseryman. He married Susanna Macomber, and had a large family of children, and bequeathed his farm and nursery to his son John, who for many years carried on the same business as his father. John married Mary Slade, of the old Swansea (Somerset) family. (See biographies of William L. and Jonathan Slade, in history of Som- erset, in this volume.) They had eight children, of whom Leonard was the fourth. Leonard had com- mon school education, and attended the Friends' school at Providence, R. I. He married Esther A., daughter of Joshua and Diana (Manchester) Austin, of Little Compton, R. I. They had three children, Elizabeth S., John A., and Hannah D. (married George E. Tripp, and has two children).

Leonard lived on a farm adjoining the homestead of his father, and never changed his residence. Like his father and grandfather, he enjoyed a high degree of public confidence, which has been in each genera- tion justly deserved. He was a pleasant neighbor, plain and straightforward in business, and a good citizen. He was of irreproachable character, kind-

702

HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

hearted and generous, and a friend to the poor. In all his public and private transactions he manifested sound judgment, strict integrity and ability, and his unostentatious demeanor won him many friends.

He was strictly temperate in all things, and gave his influence and support to all measures which tended to promote the intelligence and welfare of his fellow- citizens. Although not aspiring to political promi- nence, yet the people of Westport, in their confidence in his integrity, for quite a number of years intrusted to his care the treasury of the town, to the universal satisfaction of all. He was also tax collector several years, and was often called to administer on estates. In these onerous and complicated duties he was uni- formly successful in harmoniously adjusting whatever seemed in disorder, and his clear judgment and wise counsels were often asked for others. He was a birth- right member of the Society of Friends, and his life was an example of their peaceful creed. He died Jan. 31, 1873.

Mrs. Macomber was born Feb. 23, 1819, and is now residing at Central village, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and passing a kindly and cheerful old age.

John A. Macomber (2d), son of Leonard and Diana Macomber, married Esther A., daughter of Stephen and Ann D. Allen, and has two children. He is at the present writing town clerk of Westport, and is an honored and useful citizen of his native town.

EZRA P. BROWNELL.

Ezra P. Brownell, son of Jireal and Sarah (Kirby) Brownell, was born in Westport, Mass., Ang. 10. 1819. His paternal grandparents were Benjamin and Abigail (Milk) Brownell. His early education was acquired at common schools, which he supplemented by two terms at Pierce Academy, Middleborough, Mass. This he accomplished by teaching in the winter, and using the funds thus acquired in attending the sum- mer sessions of the academy. His early life was in no respect one of ease or wealth, but a constant struggle with adverse circumstances to attain a sat- isfactory position in society. He was imbued with a desire to benefit his fellow-men, and every action of his kind and philanthropic nature had some aim of this nature in view. His desire to aid in relieving the sufferings and misfortunes of others far exceeded his wish for wealth or personal gratification, as many living can testify. His son states that many are the instances where strangers have met him by chance, and, ascertaining that he was the son of Ezra P. Brownell, have with great emotion recalled some act of his which had materially assisted them in some of the difficult places in their pathway.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 167

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