History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 168

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 168

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Mr. Brownell served faithfully in every station of public trust,-as school committee nineteen years (1845 to 1866), auditing committee, selectman ten years, chairman of the board seven years, member

of the Lower House of the State Legislature nine years (1857 to 1869), State senator in 1861. He was appointed county commissioner in 1865, and served three years. As a member of the Legislature, he won the respect and confidence of all his associates, and by force of his integrity exerted a marked influence. He was modest and unostentatious, rarely addressing the House, never taking the floor except when im- pelled by duty, and then speaking with a simplicity and directness which gained attention. Rarely ab- sent from his seat, he entered into the business of the session with conscientious diligence, advocating those measures he deemed best for the public good, and sometimes carrying them to a successful issue almost wholly by his personal efforts.

His love for his country and its free institutions caused him to take a deep interest in aiding the gov- ernment in its efforts to suppress the Rebellion, and in the capacity of recruiting officer he was one of the most active in the cause of the Union. To this he gave his thought and time night and day. He advo- cated good pay and large bounties for the enlisting soldiers, guaranteed that their families should be taken care of, and the widows and orphans supported, and his promise was by him fulfilled down to the day of his death. His untiring efforts, patriotic labors, and rare discretion attracted the notice and won the hearty commendation of Governor Andrew. He saved the town from draft by placing in service the full quota of men. All this valuable service was done without any compensation.

As a county commissioner, he enjoyed the implicit confidence of his associates, who bear willing testi- mony to his soundness of judgment, his patience in investigation, his wise economy, and his-conscientious fidelity to every trust. He did not escape detraction, and was violently assailed at one time with the charge that he had not accounted for money of the town which had been placed in his hands. His vindica- tion was complete, however, and the assault only served to strengthen him in the regards of his towns- men, who answered the charges by re-electing him the same year to the Legislature, casting for him four hundred and seven votes, the largest number ever given any one in the town. He died Sept. 6, 1870, from shock arising from amputation of his left leg, rendered necessary by a cancer from which he had suffered seventeen years. He was a Universalist in religion, and no stronger proof was needed of the strong hold he had upon all classes than to witness the unanimity with which his townspeople of all parties and creeds attended his funeral services, which, through the kindness of the Society of Friends, was held in their meeting-house, and which a bereaved community filled with mourners, who seemed to con- sider his death not only a personal bereavement but a public calamity.

Ezra PBrownell

Benjamin Ty. Smith

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WESTPORT.

B. F. TRIPP.

Benjamin Franklin Tripp, son of John and Beer- sheba (Potter) Tripp, was born in Westport, Mass., March 23, 1804. He is of English ancestry. The name was early connected with Dartmouth, Joseph and James Tripp being among those who were named as proprietors in the confirmatory deed of William Bradford, Nov. 13, 1694. The descendants of these pioneer settlers are very numerous, and are mostly worthy scions of the sturdy stock from which they sprung. John Tripp, the grandfather of Benjamin F., was born in 1727, in that part of Dartmouth now Westport ; was a farmer on a few acres, a diligent, thoughtful, industrious man, of deep religious princi- ples, which were perhaps too exaggerated. He was a follower of Anna Wilkinson, and, it is said, so in- jured his health by trying to fast forty days as to fall a victim to measles, in consequence thereof, in his sixty-fourth year, dying in 1791. He married Penel- The children of B. F. and Patience Tripp are Re- becca Cook, born Dee. 9, 1835 ; Phebe Dwelly, Sept. 19, 1837 ; Edwin Irving, Nov. 26, 1838; Mary Almy, June 16, 1840; Cook Gifford, Feb. 16, 1844; and John Richard, May 24, 1850. Rebecca married Barney Gifford, lives in Adamsville, R. I., and has four children,-Ella V., Emma C., Frederick B., and Lena G. Mary married Charles H. Brownell, lives in New Bedford, and has two children,-Elma W. and Ulysses G. Cook G. married Ellen M. Snell, ope Brightman, and had five children, -- Phebe, Mary, Thankful, Peace, and John. His farm of about forty acres was located a short distance north of Central village, near the cemetery where he and his wife lie buried. John, his son, born July 8, 1761, was a far- mer, of an exceedingly ingenious mechanical turn of mind. He was a much better educated man than most of his townsmen, was a great reader, particularly of history, and, in connection with farming, used to make the wooden, plows then so much in use. He and has two children,-Anna K. and Benjamin F. married, in April, 1786, Beersheba, youngest daughter Edwin I. married Mary E. Brownell, no children. John R. married Mary E. Mosher, lives on his father's place, and has four children,-Florence D., Clara P., Eddie I., and Lottie E. of Stokes and Phebe (Spooner) Potter. They had eight children attaining maturity,-Amy, Penelope, Cynthia (married Christopher Weston), Carmi, Ma- rina (married Hilliard Gifford), Wilkeson, Anna (married William Potter), and Benjamin F. All of these are dead but Marina and Benjamin F.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Tripp were independent in re- ligious thought ; were members of no church organi- zation, although regular attendants at the Friends' meeting-house. Mr. Tripp had imperfect vision in one eye, and was slightly lame from birth. These freed him from military duty. He brought up a large family well, did not, although a hard-working, indus- trious man, accumulate much property. He was a Whig in politics, but avoided office. His oldest son lived with him in his latter years on his small farm, where he died June 30, 1851, very nearly ninety years old. His wife, born in Westport, Feb. 5, 1765, was youngest daughter of a large family. Her father, Stokes Potter, was a shoemaker, and died about 1809. Mrs. Tripp died in 1854.

ing to mow for a farmer in Little Compton, R. I. The next year he worked eight months for John Ma- comber, near Central village, on the farm and in the nursery. For nine consecutive seasons he was thus employed. He passed the winters at his father's, chopping cord-wood. He married, Dec. 11, 1834, Patience, daughter of Richard and Rebecca (Cook) Gifford, who was born June 2, 1806, in Westport. Her line of ancestors on her father's side is (1) Chris- topher, (2) William, (3) Richard, (+) Rebecca, (5) Pa- tience. William, son of Christopher, was a man of consideration and inn-keeper at Hicks' Bridge, which he owned and maintained as a toll-bridge. He mar- ried Patience Russell, and lived to be old. Of his children, Richard lived just south of Westport Centre, married Rebecca, daughter of Pardon Cook, of Tiver- ton, R. I. He had five children, of whom Mrs. Tripp was youngest.

Mr. Tripp began housekeeping the summer after marriage, moving to the house he now occupies, which he has changed and repaired and completely altered. From a date found on the planking the house was evidently built in 1727, and it was ocen- pied, if not erected, by Capt. Philip Taber, an officer of the Revolution. Mrs. Tripp died Jan. 23, 1878, aged seventy-one. She was an estimable woman, ruled well her household, and is honored by her de- scendants. Mr. Tripp has been highway surveyor many years, and was one of the committee of publie landing for twenty-five years. He has never sought, but rather avoided office of importance, but has merited and enjoyed the confidence of both political parties, so as to receive the full suffrages of the town when he was a candidate. He has been a great reader and thinker, and an inflexibly honest man. He has a very accurate and strong memory, and a wonderful fund of knowledge, which he takes pleas- ure in giving to others. He is an amiable, pleasant, warm-hearted gentleman, with very many friends. He is independent in politics, and thoroughly inde- pendent also in religious thought, with strong ten- dency to Universalism. He has been a hard-working man all his life, but has husbanded his strength and

B. F. Tripp had only the very meagre opportunities of book education afforded by a few weeks' attendance each winter, from the time he was nine until he was fifteen, at the country schools of that period. Robust in health, he was fond of work, and aided his father in his farm-work, the older brothers being away at work for themselves. He remained at home until he was of age, when he engaged one season during hay- health, and never had to call a physician but twic

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

in his life. He has built a great deal of stone wall, household labor. He had a very active brain, which, joined to a not very vigorous body, made his health always delicate. He invented several valuable ma- chines and improvements, among which was a ma- chine for punching copper (for which he received and has stoned about one hundred cellars. He has been prosperous financially, owns seventy-five acres of good land, and has a competency to supply all wants of his declining years. Blest with a cheerful disposition, surrounded by affectionate descendants, five thousand dollars), a self-opening and closing and the regards of all who know him, Mr. Tripp is passing with honor to the close of an active and useful life.

SAMUEL T. SANFORD.

Samuel Tripp Sanford, son of Capt. Thomas San- ford and Charity D. Capron, his wife, was born in Troy, now Fall River, Mass., May 2, 1825. His father was born in Westport, Jan. 15, 1772, and from a com- mon sailor rose to be master before he was twenty- one. Hc commanded vessels many years, mostly on trading voyages to South America. At one time he invested all his property in a large brig and cargo, which was almost entirely owned by himself. She was lost, and Capt. Sanford lost everything, not even saving a suit of clothes. There was no insurance on either vessel or cargo, and the labors of years were swept away. Of strong mind and physique, he went to work with a will, and soon more than made good his. Joss. He married Charity Davis Capron, Oct. 2, 1797. She was born in Freetown, Aug. 18, 1780. They had nineteen children, seventeen of whom lived to maturity. They were Hannah W., married John Bowcock; Ruth Gifford, married John Lindsay ; John C., Thomas, Edwin, Rhoda, Samuel R., David, · Hope, Almanza, Brunette, married George W. Chase; Emmeline, married Lloyd N. Pierce; Caroline, mar- ried David A. Mason ; Hope Ann, Amanda B., Mel- vina F., married John H. Wady ; Newton F., adopted, and Samuel Tripp. Capt. Sanford built, in 1798, the largest house in Troy, now Fall River, and he shrewdly predicted that the water-power here would build up a large city, being one of the very few who were clear-sighted enough to see this. He was a positive man, of much originality of thought. He was skeptical in religion, and his opposition to the creeds of the churches tended to injure him finan- cially. He was a good logician and well read in the Bible. He condensed his religion into this nutshell: "Give sixteen ounces to the pound, keep your pigs and chickens out of your neighbors' yards, help your neighbors when in need without telling everybody you meet about it." He died Jan. 2, 1847, aged seventy-four. His wife died Oct. 24, 1871, aged ninety-one. While in South America he purchased a very valuable recipe for preparing a blood-purifier, and, under the name of "Sanford's Great Spanish Remedy," it won success in this country, and caused him and (after his death) his son Samuel to devote much time to its manufacture.

Samuel T. Sanford, from early boyhood, manifested a great inventive genius. He was always suggesting an easier way of performing work or of lightening

gate, a shingle-cutting machine, an apple-parer, a shoe-fastener, and an oscillating water-meter, which he patented in April, 1879, only about a month before his death. He married, Sept. 10, 1858, Susan, daughter of Rescom and Henrietta (Sanford) Borden. She was born at Westport, Mass., Sept. 10, 1837, and studied medicine two years at the Women's Medical College of Philadelphia. Her family (the Bordens) can trace its ancestry for about one thousand years back through England and the Norman conquest to the village of Bourdonnay, France, where for cen- turies they were landed proprietors. She is descended from Richard Borden, who came to America in 1635. (See biography of Cook Borden, Fall River, on another page of this work.) This union was blessed with four children, - Bordena ; Charitta L., born April 16, 1863; Threlia D., March 13, 1871 ; and Sam- uel N. F., Aug. 2, 1872. Mr. Sanford began house- keeping in the same house where his mother resided in Fall River immediately upon his marriage. The house is still standing, yellow in color, on the corner of Bedford and Quarry Streets, on the same lot as the Stafford Mills. Here their oldest child, Bordena, was - born, Oct. 28, 1859.

Mrs. Sanford having inherited a large landed prop- erty of about one thousand acres from her father (a portion of the purchase made by her ancestors over two hundred years ago), they removed to Westport, both to look after her property and for Mr. Sanford's health, which became very poor. Here they lived about ten years, Mr. Sanford following agriculture in connection with his inventive endeavors. Here also were born the other children. Deeming their chil- dren worthy of better education than Westport could give them, in the fall of 1873 they removed to Nor- ton, and for five years gave their children the advan- tages of the celebrated Wheaton Seminary. They then removed to the present residence of Mrs. San- ford in Fall River, which has since been the family home, and where he died May 8, 1879. Mr. Sanford was a hearty supporter of everything tending to ad- vance, educate, or elevate humanity. He took an active part in agricultural matters, and was a close investigator into the origin and philosophy of the operations of nature, and wanted to demonstrate the truth of every theory, not by the word of some indi- vidual, but by logic, reason, and science. He was of a warm and affectionate nature, fond of society, and with a large fund of vivacity, was the gayest of the gay. He was a devoted husband, and an indulgent and affectionate father. Loyal in his friendships, the closer ties of the family relation were the most firmly attached to his nature, which, sympathetic and loving,

D. S. Sanford

705

WESTPORT.

drew the inspiration for his studies (which were largely at night after his family had retired) from the happy countenances of his wife and children. He was a law-abiding and useful citizen, one who never sought office, but who preferred to look into the mys- teries of nature as a pleasurable employment. He studied geology and chemistry at the university at Philadelphia in 1857-58, and collected quite a geo- logical cabinet. He was a good chemist, and pos- sessed a rare fund of general information, which he delighted to impart. and was a great reader of solid and scientific works. In his latter days he was an earnest investigator of the spiritual philosophy.

NATHAN SLADE.

Nathan Slade, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Chace) Slade, was born Jan. 20, 1803, in Somerset, Mass. His father, Henry Slade, was born also in Somerset, Feb. 5, 1775, and was son of Robert (see history of Slade family in town of Somerset, in this volume). Henry was during his early life a seafaring man, and became a master. He lived in Fall River after retir- ing from the sea. He built Slade's wharf in that city, and was in the grain and commission business there until 1843. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Na- than and Lydia (Anthony) Chace, of Somerset, Sept. 24, 1801. She was born June 3, 1780, and died Jan. 8, 1843. Their children were Nathan, Henry Buffum, and Lydia A. (died young). Henry Slade died Nov. 28, 1853.

Nathan had the usual education given at common schools of that early day, and as a youth went to Westport and learned the trade of blacksmithing, as they called it at that time, but which combined with blacksmithing both that of machinist and the making of edge tools, axes, hoes, etc. After learning his trade he established himself in Fall River as a machinist, and married Oct. 27, 1824, Phebe, daughter of Isaac and Ann (Weeden) Macomber. She was born in . Westport, Mass., Dec. 12, 1803. The young couple began housekeeping in Westport, where they lived six years. Closing his business in Fall River, Mr. Slade purchased a farm near Westport Point and re- sided there, and was a farmer until his death, Nov. 21, 1870. He had two children, Edwin, born March 25, 1826. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Capt. Joseph Swift, of Falmouth, Mass., and is a druggist in Sheboygan County, Wis. Elizabeth A., born Jan. 21, 1828, married April 20, 1882, John C. Taylor, of Belgrave, Me., and resides in Westport.

Nathan Slade was a quiet, retiring man, of quick sensibilities, and great love of home. He was in accord with all the better portion of the community in everything tending to advance or improve the con- dition of his town, but never sought to be conspicu- ous in any matter, and never desired office. He was Whig and Republican in political faith, and both he

and his wife were birthright members of the Friends' Society. He was emphatically an honest man, "the noblest work of God."

ISRAEL MACOMBER.

The name Macomber or Macumber is variously spelled. It is of Gaelic or Highland Scotch, and sig- nifies the son of the counselor or wise man. From records we find that two brothers, John and Wil- liam, came in 1638 from Inverness, Scotland, to America. John settled in Taunton; was subject to military duty in 1643; was a land-owner, and in 1659 was permitted to build a saw-mill. He was taxed seven shillings that year on twenty-four acres and four "heads." His descendants still live in that lo- cality. William, the ancestor of Israel Macomber, settled in Duxbury, Mass., in 1638, and afterwards removed to Marshfield, and about 1750 removed to Dartmouth and resided there, and in Tiverton, until after 1686. He was an energetic man, of great pru- dence and force of character, and was esteemed for his probity. He was a great Biblical student, and a strict Puritan. His descendant, Timothy Macomber, (third generation), resided near the Massachusetts and Rhode Island line, and was connected with both States. He was a farmer and a useful citizen. We can say but little of him further than that he was married, and had children, one of whom was William (fourth generation). This William located in Dart- mouth ; married Sarah Brownell ; was a farmer and shoemaker, tanning and currying his own leather. He was an honest, hard-working man. Both he and his wife lived to be old, she attaining more than ninety years. He had ten children,-William, Gil- bert, Rogers, Thurston, John, Simeon, Margaret (Mrs. John Palmer), Mary (Mrs. Nath Potter), Eliza- beth, and Sarah. William (fifth son) was born in the town of Westport, Nov. 28, 1771, and married Rachel Brightman, who was born March 17, 1778. He started in life poor and was truly a self-made man. In those early days there was a hard struggle with the hard climate and sterile soil of New England, and well did William Macomber do a man's work. He was a quiet, reserved, and unassuming person, never seeking office, but devoting his energies to the maintenance of his family. He was a Whig in politics, and a worthy member of the Methodist Church. He died April 15, 1839. Mrs. Macomber was a more than ordinary woman. She was remarkable for her active and vig- orous constitution and her tenacious and active mem- ory. She took great interest in matters of history and genealogical details of her own and other fami- lies of her acquaintance. She was much consulted as an unerring informant for facts and dates in these and kindred matters in her later years. She died in 1873, aged ninety-four years and five months. She was one of the three constituent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Westport Point, and

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

remained a consistent and earnest member during her life, and was reverenced as a " mother in Israel." She was born in Westport. Her father, Israel Brightman, was a Revolutionary soldier, and received a pension. To him and his wife Bethany were born six children, -- Christian, born Aug. 31, 1777; Rachel, March 17, 1778; Israel, Feb. 15, 1780; John, April 29, 1782; Cornelius, Nov. 29, 1783 ; Lemuel, Feb. 29, 1786 ; and Bethany, Jan. 13, 1792.

ISRAEL MACOMBER (sixth generation), only son and child of William and Rachel (Brightman) Ma- comber, was born in Westport, Mass., March 24, 1810. He had but limited education at schools. The schools of that period were very poor, and a large part of his knowledge from books was acquired at the home fire- side. He made the most of his opportunities, how- ever, and became quite proficient in several branches, particularly so in arithmetic. He was reared a farmer, and a farmer he has remained through life. In 1827 his father removed to the place where Israel now re- sides, and ended his days there, Israel succeeding him on the place. Here he done his work well, shrinking not from labor, and finding his efforts crowned with substantial success. He is an unassum- ing man, has never sought or held office, refusing to leave his own affairs to be neglected while he was at- tending to the business of others. He has been more or less interested in whaling-vessels for the past forty- five years. He married Mary E., daughter of Hercu- les and Abby (Tripp) Manchester, May 7, 1834. She was born Dec. 11, 1814. For nearly half a century has this good couple walked hand in hand, bringing up their children to maturity and an honorable posi- tion in life, and have the satisfaction of knowing that none are recreant to the principles inculcated by their ancestors. Their children are (1) William P., born Aug. 23, 1837. (He married, first, Abby, daughter of Godfrey Cornell. They had two children, Mary C. and Theresa H. After her death he married Nellie, daughter of Edward Tucker, of Dartmouth. They have one child, Edward.) (2) Isaac B., born Nov. 9, 1839, married Sarah, daughter of Godfrey Cornell. They have two children, Bertha and Nason. (3) Adin H. N., born Aug. 12, 1845. (4) Elihue G., born Dec. 20, 1846. The two last reside with their parents. William and Isaac passed several years in California, are now located in beautiful homes not far from the paternal mansion, and are more than ordinarily suc- cessful men.

In 1868, Mr. Macomber erected the residence he now occupies. It is a very substantial and pleasant home. Situated as it is on the highest point of a beautiful promontory, surrounded by bays, inlets, islands, etc., with Buzzard's Bay and the broad At- lantic stretching away to the south, and on either side an extended view of a more than usual romantic coast-line, it presents as fine a view as can be ob- tained for many a mile of distance.

Mr. Macomber has been an active and leading

member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than half a century. He has been class-leader, stew- ward, or trustee for many years, and has been a lib- eral supporter not only of the church but all worthy objects. Bothı he and his worthy wife have been more than mere spectators in the cause of morality and religion, and have given largely, both of personal endeavor and their possessions, to assist the good work. Mrs. Macomber has been a church member since 1845. In politics Mr. Macomber is a Republi- can. Among his townsmen he is regarded as an honest, successful business man, a good and law- abiding citizen, and a valued friend and neighbor.

GEORGE LAWTON.

George Lawton, son of Job and Hannah (Kirby) Lawton, was born in Westport, Mass., Feb. 8, 1804. He is of good English stock, and his American ances- tors were among the first settlers of Portsmouth, R. I., and George seems to have been a favorite name with them ; as far back as 1650 there were two or three of them in the town. In 1701, George Lawton, of Ports- mouth, R. I. (we cannot ascertain of which particular family), purchased one hundred acres of land in Dart- mouth, now Westport, Mass., in the north part of the town, for thirty pounds, and settled upon it. This land is now occupied and owned by one of his de- scendants, Robert Lawton, and has never been out of the ownership of the family. This George married a daughter of Gideon Freeborn, who, for his second wife, married the widow of a George Lawton. She received from her father as her marriage portion one-fourth of one share of land in Westerly, R. I., deeded in 1697. They had one son, John, who mar- ried a Dennis. He built the first grist-mill at the "Head of Westport," a short distance above the present village, about 1750, on the site of a mill now owned by Alden Sisson. He had one son, George, born Nov. 8, 1739, and several daughters. It is said he also owned a small coasting-vessel plying to New- port. He was a man of some consequence, a hard- working, honest man of good reputation, but not very successful financially, as the building of the mill in- volved him much, and after his death his children redeemed it from his obligations. He died May 2, 1753. His son George was brought up as a farmer, and succeeded his father in the possession of his homestead. He married Patience, daughter of Oba- diah Mosher, and had John, David, Job, Adam, Rich- ard, George, Patience, and Hannah, besides three others. He was prosperous, and brought up a large family in good circumstances. He was a man of in- telligence, industrious and prudent, plain and direct in speech, and was a very useful citizen, popular with all classes, and generally known as "Uncle George Lawton." His wife was a member of the Society of Friends, and he was a regular attendant of their

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 168

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