History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 218

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 218

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TOWN CLERKS AND TREASURERS .- 1868-72, A. A.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

HON. MARCUS MORTON, LL.D.,1 the son of Na- thaniel and Mary (Carey) Morton, was born in Free- town, in the county of Bristol, Mass., the 19th of February, 1784. At an early age he gave marked in- dications of talent and love of learning, determining his father, a man of great respectability and worth, to give his son a liberal education. He was accord- ingly placed, at the age of fourteen years, under the instruction of Rev. Calvin Chadwick, of Rochester, an accomplished teacher, where he pursued his studies with such industry and success as to enter Brown University in the autumn of 1801, a year in advance. He graduated in 1804 with the second appointment in his class, having the reputation of a talented, bril- liant young man. He at once commenced the study of law with Judge Padelford, of Taunton, but supple- mented his studies with him in the Law School at Litchfield, Conn., then in charge of Judge Reeves, one of the most learned lawyers of his time. Here Mr. Morton was associated in study with John C. Calhoun and other men afterward of eminence, with whom he formed a lasting acquaintance. They ex- pressed an admiration for the abilities of the student from Taunton.

On completing his course of study in Litchfield, Mr. Morton re-entered the office of Judge Padelford, and on being admitted to the bar showed such remarkable ability that Governor Sullivan offered him the ap- pointment of county attorney, which he honorably declined through his high respect and friendship for Judge Padelford, who then held the office.

In 1811, however, he was appointed by Governor Gerry, when he accepted and held the office for six years. Some one who was familiar with his profes- sional career at that period has said of him : " With the skill and vigilance of the faithful prosecutor were always blended the kinder feelings and sympathies of the man. A love of conviction, irrespective of the guilt of the accused, never was his governing motive. He had no less pleasure in the acquittal of the inno- cent than in the conviction of the guilty." Mr. Mor- ton was offered the clerkship of the courts, which he declined on account of his large and lucrative prac- tice. In 1816 he was elected a member of Congress, which was considered complimentary to a Democrat, as the district gave large federal majorities to candi- dates for other offices. He was re-elected in 1818. On the question of the admission of Missouri as a slaveholding State, Mr. Morton took ground against slavery. In 1823 he was chosen a member of the Ex- ecutive Council, and in 1824 was elected Lieutenant- Governor on the same ticket with Governor Eustis, by whose death while in office Mr. Morton became chief-magistrate. In 1825 he was re-elected Lieu- tenant-Governor on the ticket with Governor Lin- coln, and in July, 1825, was appointed by Governor Lincoln a judge of the Supreme Court, and entered

on the duties of the office the 5th of that month. The distinguished ability with which he discharged his judicial duties for fifteen years gave him rank among the ablest judges our State has ever produced, -the associate and peer of Shaw, Story, and Wilde. His judgeship expired when he entered on his office as Governor of the commonwealth, in 1840. He was again Governor in 1843. He acted also as collector of Boston four years. A graduate of Brown Univer- sity, his Alma Mater honored herself and him by the honorary degree of LL.D. in 1826, which Harvard University repeated in 1840.

Three sons of Governor Morton graduated with the highest honors at Brown University in 1838, 1840, 1843. His son, Marcus, is present chief justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts. Other notices of the family may be found in our account of the Bench and Bar of Bristol County in a preceding chapter.

CHARLES HENRY WARREN was born at Plymouth, Mass., Sept. 29, 1798, of the old " Mayflower" stock, his father's ancestor being the Pilgrim Richard Warren, while his mother was a direct descendant of Governor Edward Winslow. Born before the close of the eigh- teenth century, as a youth he had full opportunity of meeting and conversing with many of the prominent men of the Revolution who gathered at the fireside of his grandparents, Gen. James Warren, of Plymouth, and his distinguished wife Mercy Otis Warren, whose lives were prolonged nearly to the time of his enter- ing college. On his mother's side the Winslows were of strong Tory convictions, and this blending of the Whig and Tory curiously reappeared in Charles' character, which developed in after-life a strong ten- dency to radicalism on many points tempered by a cautious conservatism on others.

Graduating at Harvard College in 1817, he began the study of law in the office of Judge Thomas, at Plymouth, Mass., and completed his studies with Governor Levi Lincoln at Worcester. After leaving Governor Lincoln's office he entered into a law part- nership at New Bedford, Mass., with Lemuel Wil- liams, then and for many years afterwards an eminent member of the Bristol bar. Mr. Warren's success at the bar was very early assured, his acknowledged ability and brilliant forensic talent obtained for him a large practice and conspicuous position. In 1832 he was appointed district attorney for the counties of Bristol, Barnstable, Plymouth, Nantucket, and Dukes, and held that position until 1839, widely known for his skill in the trial of causes. He was chosen a member of the Massachusetts Senate for Bristol County, and was an active worker in political life as a member of the Whig party. His quick wit and readiness in debate gave him great popularity, and indicated for him early prominence in political life, but an appointment as judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, in 1839, led him to withdraw from public matters. This latter office he filled with distinction until 1844, when he resigned, and after resuming the

1 By S. Hopkins Emery.

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MISCELLANEOUS.

practice of law for a short time in Boston, accepted, in 1846, the presidency of the Boston and Providence Railroad corporation, which he held until just before his death. In 1851 he again took part in public life as a member of the Massachusetts Senate, and in 1853 was president of that body. Quick- witted, thoroughly versed in Parliamentary law, and courteous in man- ner, his influence was most extensive in public life, but it was not to his taste, and he again withdrew, and devoted the remainder of his life, until 1867, to the interests of the railroad corporation, failing health compelling him then to resign, when he removed to his native town of Plymouth, and died there June 29, 1874.

In social life Mr. Warren, perhaps, achieved his greatest success, for he possessed rare conversational powers, and attracted a most brilliant circle. At his home in New Bedford, and subsequently at Boston, were gathered all the great wits and eminent talkers in social, political, and literary life, and his numberless bon-mots and witty stories are still fondly remembered and quoted by surviving friends. His marked char- acteristics were a retentive memory, great logical skill, keen wit, and a quickness which enabled him to apply legal principles to cases on trial with overwhelming force, to which were added at the bar an intense de- votion to the interests of his client, and an upright and fearless administration of the law upon the bench.

THE PERRY FAMILY .- The following data con- cerning the ancestors of the Perry family was con- tributed by Charles Perry :

Children of Anthony and Elizabeth Perry: Samnel, born Sept. 10, 1648; Elizabeth, born Oct. 25, 1650; Jasiel, born Oct. 18, 1652; Mary, born Dec. 9, 1654; Mehittable, born Sept. 23, 1657; Nathaniel, born Oct. 8, 1660.

Samuel Perry married Mary Miller, Dec. 12, 1678. Children of Sam- uel and Mary Perry ; Mehittable, born April 30, 1680; Jasiel, born May 6, 1682; Mary, born Aug. 17, 1684 ; Elizabeth, born Jan. 7, 1686; Sam- uel, born Feb. 14, 1688; Rebecca, born Jan. 24, 1691 ; Sarah, born July 30, 1693.

Jasiel Perry married Rebecca Wilmarth, Jan. 3, 1706. Children of Jasiel and Rebecca Perry : Mary, born April 19, 1708 ; Daniel, born May 9, 1710; Mehittable, born April 2, 1713 ; Jasiel, born Ang. 15, 1715 ; Re- becca, born May 27, 1717; David, born Aug. 16, 1719; Ichabod, born April 3, 1722; Keziah, born Aug. 7, 17 -.

Daniel Perry married Mary Walker March 9, 1737. Children of Dan- iel and Mary Perry : Daniel, born Jan. 15, 1739 ; Ezra, born May 22, 1741; Noalı, born Oct. 3, 1743; Mary, born Aug. 5, 1745; Daniel, born April 3, 1748 ; Lydia, born April 30, 1750; Elijah, born Nov. 19, 1752; Samuel, born Sept. 18, 1756.

Ezra Perry married Jemmima Titus. Children of Ezra and Jemmima Perry : Mary, born Aug. 22, 1763; Jemmima, born Nov. 29, 1764 ; Ezra, born Jan. 15, 1767 ; Abel, born May 20, 1770; Molly, born April 11, 1772; Esther, born Feb. 21, 1774; Lydia, born June 24, 1776; Olive, born Aug. 13, 1779 ; Elias, born May 18, 1781 ; Tirzah, born July 11, 1783.

Ezra Perry, Jr., married Betsy Bliss, Dec. 10, 1786. Children of Ezra, Jr., and Betsy Perry : Ezra (3d), born April 3, 1788; Betsy, born June 26, 1790; llezekiah, born Jan. 29, 1793; Sarah, born March 16, 1795 ; James, born June 15, 1798; Otis Thompson, born Oct. 22, 1800; Daniel Bliss, born Dec. 17, 1802; Mima, born Jan. 31, 1805 ; Otis, born Feb. 17, 1807; Nancy. Bliss, born Aug. 31, 1809 ; William, born Dec. 22, 1811.

by eighteen inches, edited and published by a coterie of ladies, commenced in August, 1813. The first number contained an "original letter" of the cele- brated Robert Treat Paine, just before his marriage, written in the eloquent, poetic, florid style, of which he had a reputation. The editors, in their solicitation to the public, say, " When we acknowledge ourselves a band of females, we at the same time declare that while it affords us innocent gratification, we sacrifice no domestic duty in thus opening a humble spring whence more capacious minds may at some future period derive a more noble stream." It was pub- lished at fifty cents a quarter. How long it was con- tinued we are not apprised. The next was a regular weekly paper called the Old Colony Reporter, pub- lished by Jacob Chapin, a young man of thirty, and member of the bar, and printed by Allen Danforth. Its size was twenty by twenty-four, and its second number contained the notes on the important amend- ments to the constitution of that year, the first votes in the election of Governor Brook, the re-election of Samuel Crocker as county treasurer almost unani- mously, and John M. Williams to the State Senate from Taunton. In a succeeding paper the population of Bristol County for 1820 is given as forty thousand nine hundred and eight inhabitants, including Taun- ton with four thousand five hundred and twenty, being then the largest town in the county, New Bedford having three thousand nine hundred and forty-seven, and Troy (now Fall River) with only one thousand five hundred and thirty-four, now nearly fifty thousand.

In 1822, the second year, the paper was enlarged and the name changed to Columbian Reporter and Old Colony Journal. The third year, April, 1823, Allen Danforth retired as printer to commence a newspaper in Plymouth, called the Old Colony Memorial, whence he removed. He resided there fifty years, holding many responsible positions, and died May 28, 1872, in his seventy-sixth year. He was son of Asa and Deborah Danforth, a lineal descendant of Rev. Sam- uel Danforth, fourth minister of Taunton, in 1688.

In 1823, Charles G. Greene, from Boston, started a paper called the Free Press, which was edited by Theophilus Parsons and Pliny Merrick, young law- yers, who had made Taunton their residence for a while, advocating the election of William H. Craw- ford for the Presidency, and Dr. William Eustis for Governor, and Marcus Morton for Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, who were elected. This paper continued about a year. The following year Governor Eustis died, and Lieutenant-Governor Morton was Governor, and Levi Lincoln was elected Governor, and appointed Governor Morton to the Supreme bench. He also appointed Pliny Merrick district attorney of Worces- ter County, and he returned to Worcester. Mr. Par- sons returned to Boston, and became a very eminent jurist.

The Newspapers of Taunton .- The first news- paper that we have note of published in Taunton was James Thurber and George Danforth commenced a small weekly called the Saturday Miscellany, twelve | a weekly paper in 1827, called the Commonwealth Ad-

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

vocate, which espoused the cause of Masonry ; it con- tinued about three years, changing its name to the Advocate, and in 1834 was disposed of to Maj. George Leonard, who made it a Democratic paper called the Sun. Mr. Thurber retired and removed to Plymouth, succeeded Mr. Danforth in the Memorial, publishing it some twenty years. The Sun with its patronage a few years later was turned over to Mr. Anthony, and uniting the two became a Democratic paper.

There were in addition to the regular weekly news- papers the Star of Bethlehem, a religious paper, issued from the Reporter office in 1825, edited by Lorenzo T. Johnson ; a small paper called the Aurora, published in 1829 by H. A. Lowell, a young lawyer; the Cabi- net, a little six by eight paper, by W. S. Tisdale, who worked in the Reporter office; the Village Fire-Fly, by Thomas Prince, a little paper issued from the Ad- vocate office in 1832.

We return to the Reporter. George Danforth, brother of Allen, succeeded him as printer until April, 1825, when Samuel W. Mortimer, from Eng- land, became printer until 1827. C. A. Hack and Edward Anthony, who had been apprentices in the office, succeeded as printers from 1828 to 1829, when Mr. Hack retired, and Anthony became joint pub- lisher with Mr. Chapin until January, 1832. Mr. Anthony then retired to commence the publication of the Independent Gazette, with Henry Williams, a young lawyer and member of the bar, as editor. This was in the height of the anti-Masonic excitement, and the Gazette took strong ground on that side of the controversy, while the Reporter was a passive sup- porter of the Masonic cause. There are many who revert to that crusade of 1832-34 as a disturbing dream. There are now hundreds of the order to one at that time. Mr. Hack again became printer of the Reporter until October following, when Mr. Chapin assumed entire charge, with sundry assistants, until December, 1832, when, owing to declining health, he disposed of the Reporter to Franklin Dunbar, book- seller, uniting its subscription and interests with the Old Colony Whig, which he had commenced on the first of the above month, 1832.

Mr. Chapin retired after his editorial career of nearly twelve years, which he had pursued with discretion and ability. His health still declining, he afterwards removed South to Augusta, Ga., to engage in the cot- ton business, but the fatal disease prevented, as he died, in the prime of life, Jan. 25, 1835, at the age of forty. The press spoke in high terms of him as an honored member and worthy citizen.

Mr. Dunbar continued the weekly paper under the name of the Old Colony Whig and Columbian Re- porter until his death, in 1834, when it came into pos- session of his brother, Samuel O. Dumbar, and was published about a year by Hiram Martin. He made the first experiment of a daily paper in 1834, called the Daily Whig, which was continued a few weeks only. In December, 1834, the Whig and Reporter

was disposed of to Israel Amsbury, Jr., and Seth Bradford, who were publishers until December, 1837, when Mr. Bradford retired, and Mr. Amsbury became publisher.

During the great fire of 1838, which swept away so many buildings on Main Street, the offices of the Gazette and Reporter were entirely destroyed, includ- ing the town records of nearly two hundred years ; but the publishers soon obtained new type and presses and resumed their papers. Mr. Amsbury dropping a portion of the name, issued the Taunton Whig, which he continued until September, 1841, when J. W. D. Hall, who had aided him in the edi- torial department a few years, purchased the office, subsequently changing the name to American Whig, and in 1857 to American Republican, sustaining the same Republican cause for twenty years. In 1861 he disposed of his establishment to Messrs. Wilbar and Davol, uniting the paper with the Bristol County Telegram, which they had published a few years from 1858, and changed the name to Bristol County Re- publican, which has been retained over twenty years. Rev. E. Dawes subsequently became an owner and co-editor of the Republican, and continues to the pres- ent time. The paper is now in its sixty-second year. Ezra Davol is publisher and manager. The Republican is one of the leading weekly journals in the State, and justly merits its present prosperity.

The Bristol County Democrat, the name assigned for the Weekly Gazette in 1837, after the anti-Masonic and Democratic parties had coalesced, was continued by Mr. Anthony, the original publisher, seventeen years, until 1849, when he disposed of the paper and office to A. M. Ide, Jr.

Mr. Ide had the year previously (1848) commenced a new Democratic paper called the True Democrat, in advocacy of the election of Gen. Lewis Cass for the Presidency, and the pro-slavery cause as antagonistic to the free-soil movement, espoused by Governor Morton, Mr. Anthony, and a large portion of the Democrats of Massachusetts ; the movement divided the Democratic party, and defeated the election of Gen. Cass. On merging the two papers above men- tioned, Mr. Ide adopted the name of the Taunton Democrat for his weekly, continuing it until 1862. Mr. Ide received the appointment of postmaster under President Pierce in 1853, and held it for eight years.

After disposing of his papers Mr. Anthony removed to New Bedford, in 1849, and commenced a new daily paper, the Standard, which proved a very successful change in his life, and a lucrative business. He con- tinned the daily and weekly Republican Standard, as- sociated with his sons, until his death, Jan. 23, 1877. He was also postmaster of New Bedford four years, member of the City Council and other organizations.

The Taunton Daily Gazette was issued from the office of the Bristol County Democrat June 10, 1848, published by Mr. Anthony and edited by Amos Kil- ton, who had served his time in the above office. It

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was neutral in politics, and continued by Mr. An- thony until its disposal with the office to Mr. Ide, who edited and published it from the office of the Taunton Democrat, becoming a little biased to favor the Democratic cause as it grew in years.

In 1862, J. W. D. Hall became associated with Mr. Ide in the publication of the above-named papers. The name of the weekly was changed to the Union Gazette and Democrat, both papers zealously advo- cating the Republican cause, State and national, hence- fortlı. Mr. Ide, in 1866, again received the appoint- ment of postmaster from President Johnson. In April, 1867, he disposed of the Daily and Weekly Gazette to J. W. D. Hall, and at the termination of his term of office retired to his paternal farm in Attleborough, where he died. He was a man of rare poetic gifts and ability, reflecting, conservative, courteous, and cautious in his intercourse with men. Mr. Hall continned the publication of the Daily and Weekly Gazette until 1872, when Reed Brothers (Wil- liam and Milton Reed, of Fall River) became editors and publishers, and continued until 1882, meanwhile changing the name of the weekly to Household Ga- zette.

In 1882 William Reed, Jr., assumed control of the Gazette, and has continued as its editor and publisher to the present time. The Gazette is ably conducted, has a large circulation, and is one of the leading dailies in the commonwealth outside of the city of Boston.

Besides the earlier mentioned papers there was pub- lished at the office of the Independent Gazette, in 1834, a semi-weekly paper called the Temperance Sentinel, edited by Rev. Samuel Presbrey, an able advocate of the cause, which was closed at the end of the year, soon after his death in 1835. The Working Men's Journal, a campaign paper, was issued at the same office in 1837.

In 1840 the Harrison Eagle was published at the office of the Whig, edited by C. R. Atwood and J. W. D. Hall, which closed with the campaign after six months' service in the Republican cause, when Gen. Harrison carried nearly all the States. Another tem- perance paper, the Dew Drop, was published in 1843 by B. W. Williams, edited by himself and lady friends, which continued four or five years, and was then merged in a Worcester paper. In 1844 a paper called the Beacon of Liberty, in advocacy of the anti- slavery party, was published by Hack & Bradbury, edited by Hodges Reed and other friends of the cause, continuing about two years.

The Old Colony Republican, a weekly Whig paper, was also issued in 1846 from the office of Hack, King & Howard, edited by C. I. Reed, B. F. Presbrey, and others. Mr. Howard retiring, Hack & King con- tinued the paper about two years, closing in 1848, after the election of Gen. Taylor to the Presidency. A small paper called the Temperance Advocate was also published about six months, edited by Rev. S.

A. Collins, Jr., closing in January, 1850. We may have omitted some ephemeral papers in the above list, but unintentionally.

Taunton .- A. FIELD & SONS' NAIL- AND TACK- WORKS are among the largest establishments of the kind in the United States. After the removal of the originators of the Britannia Works from Deacon Bal- lard's fulling-mill, which stood on the site of the pres- ent capacious tack and nail manufactory of the above company off Spring Street, Albert Field in 1827 hired a small room of his friend Ballard. With two machines, prepared by Elijah Caswell, his faithful and ingeni- ous mechanical assistant for fifty years, commenced his humble trade. He had previously, while at work at Hopewell Mills at five shillings a day, gained a little insight to the business of making brads and nails. From that humble beginning Mr. Field went on enlarging from year to year, extending his busi- ness and field of customers until the buildings are over one thousand feet in length, and the works and appurtenances cover an area of two acres. The con- pany manufacture two thousand five hundred kinds of tacks, nails, etc., consume about three thousand tons of nail-plates, some thirty tons of copper and steel plates, one hundred tons of zinc and yellow- metal stock, which are converted into thirty thiou- sand or more kinds, or thirty millions of eyelets, tacks, and nails daily.

WILLIAM R. POTTER, formerly of the firm of Bart- lett & Potter, which was dissolved by the death of Capt. Bartlett in 1864, has a brick mill on Porter Street for the manufacture of cotton yarn, which he has followed successfully about ten years. He has also a machine-shop and foundry ; capital, $10,000.

M. M. RHODES & SONS, manufacturers of shoe- buttons, have a spacious and convenient brick manu- factory on Porter Street, where they make buttons on an extensive scale. They commenced business in 1871, and employ a capital of thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars.

TAUNTON FIRE DEPARTMENT .- The fire depart- ment of Taunton compares favorably with that of any other city in the State, and for promptness and effi- ciency cannot be excelled. The fire district was or- ganized before the city government existed. The chief engineers since its organization are as follows :

The first being Samuel O. Dunbar, now an octoge- marian, serving three years, succeeded by Lovett Morse in 1847, one year; A. E. Swasey, 1848, one year ; William Mason, from 1849 to 1855; Francis Tisdale, from 1855 to 1857; Abram Briggs, from 1857 to 1858; William Mason, from 1858 to 1861 ; Edward Mott, from 1861 to 1881, twenty years ; Abner Coleman, from 1881, at present serving.

The department has four steamers, a hook-and-lad- der company, six hose-reels, two hand engines, and a competent force of men. They have the great aid and facility for extinguishing fires in nearly four hun- dred hydrants of our Taunton Water-Works.

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HISTORY OF BRISTOL COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The fire alarm telegraph has twenty signal boxes to give the alarm. Abner Coleman is superintendent.

THE SOUTHERN MASSACHUSETTS TELEPHONE COMPANY was organized in 1877. There are two hundred and ten subscribers, besides sixty telephones on private lines ; connections with Boston, Providence, New Bedford, Fall River, Brockton, and several other places. Abner Coleman is superintendent.

THE AGASSIZ ASSOCIATION is devoted to the study of the natural sciences, and made up largely of young persons connected with the academy and high school, although Rev. Dr. Blake and some other adults belong. Mrs. C. F. Hanscom is president. Miss Annie Dean, Miss Parthia Crocker, Frank Lothrop, Harrie White, Frank Dickerman, Fred Skinner, and Harry South- worth are prominent members.

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History of Bristol County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 218

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