History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 210

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 210

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The publications of Dr. Blake have been, in 1844, a 16mo volume entitled "Gethsemane and Calvary," which has passed through several editions; in 1853 a 12mo, " Centurial History of the Mendon Associa- tion ;" in 1878 an Svo, "History of the Town of Franklin," beside several pamphlet sermons and magazine publications. Dr. Blake has the reputa- tion of being a zealous and accurate historian, has long been a member of the New England Historical

and Genealogical Society, and is one of the vice- presidents of the Old Colony Historical Society.

He married, Feb. 21, 1837, Miss Harriet L., daughter of Joseph and Susan (Fisher) Daniels, of Franklin, Mass., a descendant of Joseph Daniels, of Medfield.

They have four children,-

(1) Evelyn Laura, married to Bradford F. Morse, of Franklin, and now engaged in the straw business in Taunton. They have two daughters, with their parents, church members.

(2) Percy Mortimer, married to Miss Phebe Shef- field, of Lyme, Conn., who resides in Hyde Park, and is actively employed as sanitary and civil engineer in introducing pure water into cities and towns. They have three children.

(3) Lucien Ira, a graduate of Amherst College in 1877, and of the Royal University of Berlin, Ger- many, where he has received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. He is about returning to the United States, and has already overtures from several literary institutions regarding a professorship.

(4) Harriet Daniels, a graduate of the Wheaton Seminary, Norton, in 1878, and a teacher of private classes in natural science and literature.

REV. SAMUEL HOPKINS EMERY.1

Rev. Samuel Hopkins Emery was born in Boxford, Mass., Aug. 22, 1815, and is the fifth son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Welch) Emery, a descendant of John Emery, of Newbury, who came, with his brother An- thony, from Romsey, England, in 1635. His mother was daughter of Col. Joseph Welch, of Plaistow, N. H., a commander of New Hampshire troops in the Revo- lution, and a friend of Washington. He lived to be ninety-seven, and his daughter, Mrs. Emery, ninety- two. Mr. Emery's protonym was given from his mother's high regard for Rev. Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, R. I.

The war of 1812 and a destructive fire in Newbury- port so crippled the Emery family that they removed to Boxford, and afterwards to North Andover. In 1824 the father was elected the steward of the Ando- ver Theological Seminary, an office which he held to universal satisfaction for twenty-five years. Young Emery entered Phillips Academy, and on the grad- uation of his brother Joshua from Amherst College, in 1831, he entered as sophomore in the same institu- tion. He graduated in 1834 with the second honors of his class of forty, and was immediately invited to a professorship in the State Institution for Deaf Mutes in New York City, which offer he declined and en- tered the Theological Seminary at Andover. In his last year he delivered the Master's oration at Am- herst, on taking the degree of A.M. On the Sabbath after his graduation at Andover, in 1837, he preached

1 Prepared by Rev. Mortimer Blake, D.D.

4. Hoptions Every

amos F. Howard

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TAUNTON.

to a newly-formed church in Taunton, and was in- stalled its pastor on the 23d of November, 1837. It was a missionary church of few members, but they were earnest, and, under the zealous young pastor, flourished as the Spring Street Church until, after three years, he was induced to go to the church in Bedford, Mass. But love for his first church soon called him back to it, pastorless and struggling, and he was reinstalled on the 6th of January, 1847. Mr. Emery's persistent energy infused a new life, and the church moved its location, built a new and fine edifice, and changed its name to that of Winslow Church.

In October, 1855, Rev. Mr. Emery received and finally accepted the pastorate of the First Congrega- tional Church in Quincy, Ill. He remained there as pastor for fourteen years, acting meanwhile as regis- trar of the State Association of Churches for ten years, and during the war of the Rebellion serving as hos- pital chaplain in six hospitals in Quincy, but in 1869 his love for the old Bay State drew him back to the East. On his way he preached three months to the New England Church in Chicago, until their pastor- elect was ready to fill his office. After his return he preached two years in Richmond Street Church, Providence, R. I., until the rearrangement of the Congregational Churches in that city was completed. While there he was called to a new church enterprise in North Bridgeport, Conn., which became firmly es- tablished during his three years' pastoral care. In May, 1874, Mr. Emery accepted a call to supply the church in North Middleborough, Mass., where he labored with marked acceptance until, in October, 1876, at the united solicitation of the churches in Taunton, he consented to take the superintendence of their Union City Mission, where he has since been fully occupied, the mission now bearing the name of the Associated Charities of Taunton, of which he is secretary and superintendent. It is a position for which he is eminently fitted by his warm- hearted sympathy, his devoted fidelity, and ever- ready helpfulness, and he has the highest confidence and respect of the community, and the love and bless- ing of the poor and troubled, to whom he is a never- failing helper and adviser.

Rev. Mr. Emery married on the 7th of March, 1838, Miss Julia Reed, of Taunton, a graduate, and after- wards teacher, in the Ipswich Female Seminary. She is the daughter of Deacon William Reed, of this city, a descendant of one of its oldest families. In March last their large circle of friends unexpectedly celebrated with them by suitable rites their forty- fifth marriage anniversary with great delight.

Mr. Emery has had four sons, of whom three still live,-Samuel Hopkins, Jr., married Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. A. W. McClure, first of Malden and af- terwards of Jersey City, N. J., and is now a lawyer in Boston, and a lecturer in the Concord School of Phi- losophy ; Francis Wolcott Reed, married Elizabeth, daughter of Theophilus Sproat, of Taunton. His

health was injured by his long service in the Union army, and especially by his nine months' confinement in Andersonville prison, and he is seeking recovery by farming and wheat-raising in Dakota; Joseph Welch, married Effie Stillwell, of Hannibal, Mo., and still lives in Quincy, Ill., where he is a member of the firm of Channon & Emery, stove manufacturers.

Rev. Mr. Emery has been an industrions explorer of local history, and has published in two thick vol- umes a "History of the Ministry of Taunton," as also a " History of the Congregational Church of North Mid- dleborough," besides shorter articles of local interest too many to mention. He was one of the charter mem- bers of the Old Colony Historical Society, incorpo- rated the 4th of May, 1853, of which he was the first recording and corresponding secretary, a correspond- ing member of the Chicago Historical Society, and a resident member of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society, Boston.

AMOS FREEMAN HOWARD.

Amos Freeman Howard was born in Alfred, Me., Nov. 7, 1810. He was the son of Pomfret and Mehit- able (Scamman) Howard. Pomfret was probably a native of Dover, N. H. He settled in Maine when a young man, and there followed the hatter's trade. He married Feb. 20, 1791. The children were seven in number,-Sarah, Mehitable, Samuel S., Mary, Humphrey, Joseph B., and Amos F. Of these Mehit- able died at twenty-four; Samuel S. married and set- tled at New Orleans, where he died ; Mary married James Shaw, of Augusta, Me .; Humphrey died young ; Joseph B. settled in New Orleans, where he died at the age of twenty-one; Sarah and Humphrey died young. Pomfret died May 27, 1826; the date of his birth is unknown. His wife, who was born Aug. 19, 1770, died Sept. 4, 1844. Her father, Dea- con Samuel Scamman, was a man of prominence, and the owner of large landed property, and from him are descended a large and intelligent family, which are scattered all over the country. He and his wife died at Saco, Me., where they had lived a long and useful life, and where their memory is still reverently cher- ished. Their daughter Mehitable was a most worthy lady, of sound judgment, strong will, and earnest piety. Her strength and purity of character was recognized by all who knew her.

The educational advantages enjoyed by Amos F. in his youth were meagre indeed, but by the exercise of that indomitable courage and enterprise which never. deserted him through life he obtained through read- ing and reflection a fund of useful information and intelligence which in after-years placed him on a plane with the most intelligent men of the various communities in which he lived. When but a boy he learned type-setting, and at the age of fifteen went to Dover, N. H., and obtained employment in a print- ing-office. Here he remained only a short while,

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

however, as he was called home by the death of his father. He immediately entered the office of register of deeds as a copyist. In this office, and those of the clerks of the different courts, he employed himself till his twenty-second year, when, in copartnership with William G. Conant, he began merchandising at Alfred, under the firm-name of Conant & Howard. Here he continued some three years, when he went to Sanford, Me., as clerk for the Franklin Mannfac- turing Company, which was located at Springvale. At this place he remained some ten years, but as the Franklin Manufacturing Company failed, the most of this time was spent in trade. In 1846 he went to Saco, Me., and engaged as overseer in the dyeing and finishing department with the York Manufacturing Company. He remained with this company some twelve years, when he removed to Manchester, N. H., where, however, he only remained a short while, then went to Biddeford, Me., where he became superin- tendent of the Pepperill Mills. One year later he came to Warren, Mass., as agent for the Warren Cotton Mills, in which capacity the next nine years of his life were spent. In the spring of 1869 he came to Taunton, and in partnership with his son, Bion B., he purchased the Oakland Cotton Mills, and here re- mained till the close of his life, May 7, 1881. On Nov. 7, 1833, Mr. Howard married Mercy, daughter of Capt. Joseph and Susan (Varrell) Lowe. She was born Nov. 30, 1808, at York, Me. Their children are Bion B. (deceased) ; Mary B., now Mrs. William W. Stevenson, of Greenville, N. H .; Helen, now Mrs. Joseph S. Tidd, of Taunton, Mass. ; Susan L., Marcia A. (deceased), Charles A. (deceased), Marcia2 (deceased). All of the children were born in Maine. In politics Mr. Howard was a Whig, afterwards Republican. He was selectman, justice of the peace, and held other minor offices, but avoided so far as he might con- sistently with his duty as a citizen all official place or distinction. He was a worthy member of the Union Congregational Church at Taunton, and was a deacon in Congregational Church at Warren, Mass. Mr. Howard was a man of sterling good qualities, but it was in the family circle his virtues shone brightest. His home was the dearest spot on earth to him, and it seemed to be the great object of his life to render all around him happy.

Oakland Mills, of which Mr. Howard died pro- prietor, were first established by Silas Shepard more than half a century ago, and were known throughout the country as "Shepard's Factory," which name is still applied by many. It is situated on Three-Mile 'River, two and a half miles from Taunton Green. The principal business was the manufacture of cotton NATHAN HACK SKINNER. flannels. Upon the death of Mr. Shepard the mills Nathan Hack Skinner was born in Troy, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1828, the fourth of a family of six sons and three daughters. His boyhood was spent at home, and his educational advantages were limited to the common school. He went to Fall River in 1846, and became the property of L. R. Chesbrough, his son-in- law, and from him, in 1869, Mr. Howard and his son purchased the property. When they took charge of the mills they dropped the manufacture of cotton flannels and began making denims and tickings. They ' spent three years in the dry-goods trade. Removing

also began at once remodeling and improving, adding new machinery, substituting the latest improved looms, etc., for the more antiquated affairs then in use ; and by availing themselves of modern advantages were able to successfully compete with other enter- prising concerns. In 1880 they made such additions to their buildings and machinery as to increase their capacities about one-half. Upon the death of Amos T. Howard, his son, Bion B., succeeded to the manage- ment, but lived only a short while, dying in December of the same year (1881). He was possessed of excel- lent business capacity, as was evidenced by his eigh- teen years' successful career as agent for the Cordis Mills, Millbury, Mass. He was a man of high char- acter, and thoroughly upright and honorable in all business relations. A wife and two children, Bessie B. and Bion B., survive him. After his decease, Mr. J. S. Tidd bought out the interest of the heirs of Bion B. Howard, and assumed the management. The prop- erty is now owned by Mr. Tidd and the heirs of A. F. Howard jointly. They now furnish employment to about one hundred and thirty hands, run six thousand spindles, one hundred and forty-four looms, and manu- facture about ten thousand yards of cloth daily. The business under Mr. Tidd's management has been very successful indeed. They have the latest and best machinery, and keep apace with the times in every particular.

Mr. Tidd was born in Warren, Worcester Co., Mass., Jan. 23, 1843. He is the son of Samuel and Maria E. Tidd, and was brought up on the farm, and at nineteen years of age he enlisted for one year in the United States army, Forty-third Massachusetts Infantry, was in a number of minor engagements in North Carolina, and was honorably discharged at expiration of service. He returned home and became an employé in the counting-room of A. F. Howard in Warren Cotton-Mills. He continued in the employ of same concern until 1873, when he accepted a place, again in the employ of Mr. Howard, at Oakland Mills, of which he is now general manager and treasurer. In December, 1867, he married Miss Helen, daughter of A. F. Howard. They have three children living, Joseph Howard, Winthrop L., and Marjorie, and one deceased, Lawrence A., died in infancy. Mr. Tidd has been a member of City Council of Taunton two years, and is now a member of the Board of Alder- men, representing Ward 7. A Republican in politics, and a member of the Union Congregational Church at Taunton.

Pilas D. Prostory

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TAUNTON.

to Taunton in 1849, he engaged in the employ of J. S. Rounds, becoming associated as partner in about three years, and, on the death of Mr. Rounds, in 1860, succeeded to the entire business.

He is now conducting successfully the largest mer- cantile business in Southeastern Massachusetts. Not being an aspirant for political honors, he has never filled any public office, but has given faithful service in places of trust in mercantile, educational, and church affairs. He is a member of the First Congre- gational (Unitarian) Church, and is identified with the Republican party. His wife is Mrs. Lucy P. Skinner, by whom he has one daughter, Addie W.

Josephus Skinner, father of Nathan H., was born in Mansfield, Mass., June 15, 1796. At the age of twenty-five he moved to Troy, N. Y., and remained three years. He spent the same length of time in Attleborough, Mass., and then removed to Norton, Mass., where he has since resided. He married Re- becca, daughter of Nathan and Olive (Crossman) Hack, born in Taunton, Aug. 10, 1802. Thomas Skinner, father of Josephus, was born in Mansfield, Aug. 17, 1751, living there until his decease in 1844, with the exception of the time spent in active service in the army of the Revolution. Occupation, farmer.

THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE PRESBREY FAMILY AND LIFE OF SILAS DEAN PRESBREY.

Among the papers that came officially into the hands of the administrator of the estate of the late Capt. Seth Presbrey, of Taunton, was a document bearing across its back the following inscription : " To the generations of Presbreys in coming time I be- queath this genealogical document." This paper bears date Taunton, April, 1845, and the statements made therein are undoubtedly trustworthy. From it is condensed the history of the first three generations as given in this article. The name is generally spelled Presbrey, but some scholars claim that as there is no such spelling in books of heraldry it is erroneous and should be spelled Presbury, and there are those of the family who adopt the spelling, whether or not with justice it is difficult with our present light to say.

Taunton. He first stopped at the house of Mr. Na- thaniel Crossman, on what is now called Cohannet Street, at a point nearly opposite White's Music Hall, perhaps a little farther down the hill towards the river. Mr. Crossman was a farmer, miller, and shoe- maker, and hired the young stranger for a year or two as man-of-all-work. It is said that Presbrey rigged the first properly-equipped vessel on Taunton River, which was a sloop built at Benjamin King's landing in Raynham. He eventually bought land and built a house near "Spring Brook," where he lived, after taking for his wife one Hannah Smith, till he reached the ripe age of eighty-one years. They had two sons, William and Joseph, and one daughter, Hannah, who died a young woman. The older son, William, was a coaster and shoemaker, and lived in that part of Taunton known as the Weir. He married Mary White, and died at about the age of forty-five, leaving five sons and four daughters, as follows : William, Seth, John, Simeon, Levi, Lydia, Mary, Abigail, Betsey, " who all married and left families."

William, a coaster and trader, married Lydia Pratt, and lived at the Weir, and died at the age of eighty- two, leaving children, grandchildren, and great-grand- children.

Seth, coaster and trader, married Sarah Pratt; lived at the Weir, and died at the age of eighty-one, leaving children and grandchildren.

John, having the same business as his brothers, was living in 1845, and was eighty-five years old. He mar- ried Prudence Pratt, and they became the parents of a large family.

Simeon, a carpenter, lived in Norton ; married Abi- gail Newton, and died at the age of about seventy- five. They too had a large family.

Levi was a land surveyor; married Lina Pratt; went to Canada to survey a tract of land, and was frozen to death, while traveling on horseback, in the winter of 1800. He was thirty years old, and left children.

Lydia married Samuel Haskins; removed to Cayuga, and lived and died there, aged seventy-five, leaving a family.

Mary married Francis Goward, and lived in Easton, and died aged about eighty. She too had a family.

William Presbrey, the great-grandfather of the Betsey married Jail Hathaway, and lived in Free- town, now Troy, and died at about eighty, leaving children and grandchildren. writer of the "genealogical document" described above, was born in the city of London about the year 1690, and when ten years of age was impressed on Abigail married Abijah Leonard, and lived in Mans- field, and died at about eighty, leaving children and grandchildren. board a man-of-war, where he remained until he was about twenty-one years of age. One summer, while the ship was lying in the harbor of Boston, he with The other son of the original William, Joseph, was a carpenter ; lived at the Weir ; married Molly Baker, and died aged about seventy-five years, leaving two sons and four daughters,-Elisha, Joseph, Saralı, Patty, Mary, and Hannah. Elisha passed the earlier years of his life near the Weir; was a carpenter ; others of the crew were permitted to go on shore, when he took occasion to stray away from his com- panions. Passing through what was afterwards called Roxbury, he pushed on through fields and woods, subsisting upon berries, and continued his traveling for four days, when he found himself in | married Wealthea Wilbar, and had several children ;

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

he afterwards removed to Westmoreland, and there- after nothing is known of him.

Joseph, a carpenter, went to Connecticut; married Patty Perkins; removed to Lenox, Mass., and after- wards to Lanesborough, where he died at the age of seventy-eight, leaving one son and one daughter.

Sarah married a Mr. Makepeace, and resided in Taunton ; had several children, and died at an ad- vanced age.

Patty married Solomon Wilbar; lived many years in Taunton, and afterwards removed to Troy, N. Y., where she died, in advanced years, the mother of sev- eral children.

Mary married Timothy Leonard, and like her sister, removed to Troy, N. Y. Her after history is not given.

Hannah lived in Troy with her sisters, and there married a Mr. Andrews. She had a large family, and was living in 1845.

Seth, the second son of William and grandson of the first William, was born in Taunton, Sept. 17, 1752. He married Sarah Pratt, who was born Feb. 7, 1753. Seth died Dec. 15, 1833, aged eighty-one years, three months, and twenty-eight days. His widow died May 21, 1834, aged eighty-one years, three months, and fourteen days. Their children were seven, as follows : Seth, Jr., born Nov. 11, 1780, died April 8, 1862; Sarah, born Oct. 1, 1782, died Feb. 20, 1826 ; Barney, born June 28, 1785, died Feb. 12, 1835; Allen, born Jan. 19, 1788, died March 15, 1788; Allen, born May 27, 1790, died Dec. 6, 1879; Billings, born Jan. 14, 1793, died May 23, 1815; Samuel, born Sept. 8, 1796, died Oct. 6, 1834.

Seth Presbrey, Jr., oldest son of Seth, married Mary Dean, Jan. 19, 1808. Mary, first born of James and Hannah Dean, was born in Taunton, Dec. 17, 1783. James, her father, was born Feb. 15, 1762, and was the fourth in descent from Walter Dean.

To Seth, Jr., and Mary were born four children, as follows : Silas Dean Presbrey, born Dec. 3, 1808, lost at sea Nov. 23, 1837 ; Benjamin Franklin Presbrey, born Oct. 23, 1810, died Nov. 2, 1869; Billings Troop Presbrey, born Aug. 28, 1815, living ; Harriet Ma- lancey Presbrey, born Oct. 23, 1823, married Isaac R. Hadwen Oct. 15, 1845.

Billings Troop Presbrey, on Jan. 18, 1838, married Clarissa Burt Dean, daughter of Col. Israel Dean, of Taunton. Their issue has been but one child, Silas Dean Presbrey, who was born in Taunton, Oct. 19, 1838. He passed his boyhood days in Taunton, living in that part of the town known as the Weir. ,At- tended public school, when he was prepared for the Taunton High School. He was admitted to the high school in the spring of 1852, being then thirteen years of age. The high school was then held in the " Old Spring Street Church," and was in the charge of Ozias Pitkin, as principal, and Miss Mary Read and Miss Emiline Lathrop as assistants. In this school he was prepared for college, under the direction of

the principal mentioned above and his successors, who were Mr. Ruggles, Mr. William L. Gage, and Mr. William E. Fuller, the last of whom was princi- pal only for the last six months of his pupilage, but had the important and not easy task of completing his preparation for college examination. In July, 1856, he was admitted to Harvard College "without conditions." The next four years were those of the ordinary college student, who enjoys his privileges, but feels a duty to help to bear the expense of such a course. In the winter of sophomore year, 1857-58, he taught school on High Street, in Taunton; also during the winters of his junior and senior years he left his studies to teach as principal of the East Weir School, in Taunton. For the last two years of his college course, by his standing in his class, he became entitled to one of the State scholarships, which was granted him. During his college course he had the following honorary " parts" : Junior exhibition, May 3, 1859, a Latin version, from Tennyson, "The Lotos- Eaters" (translation into Latin hexameters) ; Se- nior exhibition, Oct. 18, 1859, a dissertation, "The Poetic and Scientific Love of Nature." His "part" at Commencement, July, 1860, was a disquisition, "Parliamentary Manners." He maintained a good rank in his class, notwithstanding the fact that the overwork required of one who "went out to teach" so depressed his vitality that he was obliged to lose six weeks of his senior year by reason of an attack of pneumonia. At his graduation he was chosen a member of the Phi Beta Kappa of Harvard.

On his return to Taunton he immediately entered his name with the late Dr. Henry B. Hubbard as a student of medicine, and commenced the study of his chosen profession. In October of the same year he joined the class in the Harvard Medical School, and was thus well started in his new work. It so hap- pened that early in the following winter Mr. William E. Fuller, who, it will be remembered, was the teacher who had the completion of Presbrey's college prepara- tion, and who had since that time remained principal of the Taunton High School, resigned this position to study the law, his chosen profession. The position thus made vacant was offered to Presbrey, who, after some consultation with friends and advisers, and much disappointment at the interruption to his studies that it would cause, accepted the office of principal of the Taunton High School. The school was then large and prosperous, but was what might be called a "mixed school," having no regular curriculum of study. During his principalship the school was regularly graded, and a systematic order of study covering a four years' course adopted and put in successful opera- tion. He remained as principal of the school till June, 1863, when he resigned to return again to his studies. During the time of his teaching, while he had devoted his best thought and zeal to that work, he did not neglect to keep his interest in his chosen profession, and to devote to it all his spare time, so

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 210

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