USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 5
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ing service to the city and satisfaction to the department. He is a mem- ber of the Wamsutta, Dartmouth, Merchants and Yacht clubs of New Bedford; is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and in politics a Democrat, influential in the party and popular with all.
Mr. Olivier married, October 23, 1890, at Whitney Point, New York, Mattie Virginia Perry, born there, November 21, 1865, died in New Bed- ford, Massachusetts, August 20, 1912, daughter of Dr. Frederick H. and Anna (Northrup) Perry. Children: 1. Frederick Perry, born August 21, 1891, formerly engaged in the oil business, and in 1917 enlisted in Battery B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Field Artillery, "California Grizzlies." 2. Katherine, born February 1, 1893, married, May 1, 1916, Stuart L. Rich, educated in Friends' Academy, Germany and England. 3. Kenneth Seymour, born March 20, 1894, educated at the Powder Point School, Exeter Academy and Harvard University, now (1917) a first lieutenant of infantry in the United States Army, a regular. 4. George Louis (2), born November 14, 1896, educated in the New Bedford public schools, Powder Point School, and training ship "Ranger ;" in the spring of 1917 he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Engineers, and on June 5, was ordered to report for duty, the regiment destined for service against the Germans in either France or Russia, now in France, been there since August 1, 1917; the Fourth is expected to be mainly used in keeping and constructing railroads. 5. James Mulford, born June 10, 1899, now a student at Lawrenceville Preparatory School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. 6. Margaret Hamlin, born February 15, 1901, now a student at the Royal School, Lansdowne, Bath, England.
RUFUS BABCOCK TOBEY.
On any summer day anyone entering or leaving Boston harbor may see somewhere inside the Light a vessel riding quietly at her anchor in some protected spot. There is little to distinguish this "White Ship of Mercy" from other passenger craft save the large green cross on each side of her funnel, yet this boat never carried a paying passenger and never voyages outside Boston harbor.
This vessel is the Boston Floating Hospital, not a pleasure craft for pleasure outings, but a completely equipped children's hospital, devoted each summer to a great and serious work. When the Boston Floating Hospital goes out of commission for the season of 1918 she will have completed a full quarter of a century of history. The original floating hospital was a barge much smaller than the present vessel, and was towed back and forth from its daily and nightly anchorage. Ten years later the many applications for admission resulted in the building, equipping and commissioning of the present splendid vessel, now driven by twin screws, her engines a gift from the owner of the yacht "Pilgrim."
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Hanging on the walls of the hospital is a bronze tablet bearing this inscription :
In Grateful Recognition Of the Services of Rufus B. Tobey Founder of This Hospital
An institution, it is said, is the lengthened shadow of a man. Mr. Tobey has lived to see this lengthened shadow of his reach out and in many ways become one of the most remarkable institutions in the world, a true hospital ship for the sick babies of Boston, which has been aptly christened "God's Battleship of Peace." It is the only institution of its kind, and is famous all over the civilized world, for its graduate nurses have gone to the furthermost corners to use their knowledge in fighting infantile diseases.
Mr. Tobey is a frail looking man, having poured his vitality into the veins of the sick babies of Boston. Thousands of them are alive and strong instead of sickly because of the devotion which has aged him. "Has it been worth it?" he has been asked ; "a thousand times worth it," he said.
Mr. Tobey comes from a seafaring family of New Bedford, Massa- chusetts, his father and one brother having been whalers from that famous port, both of his mother's brothers being whalers, and his young- est paternal uncle was a merchant sailor who died at sea. There were others in the family who went down to the sea in ships, but the spirit of adventure seems to have missed Rufus B., although his ship sailing only in Boston harbor is known all around the world and her fame will live forever and perpetuate his name among those "who loved their fellow men."
Rufus Babcock Tobey, son of Charles Richmond, son of Lemuel, son of Thomas, son of Jonathan (2), son of Jonathan (1), son of Thomas Tobey, traces descent from John Alden of the "Mayflower," and to Colonel Sylvester Richmond, a high sheriff of Bristol county, Massa- chusetts, many years representative to the General Court, 1741-1747, a colonel in the British army, active in the Spanish and French wars, par- ticularly distinguishing himself at the capture of Cape Breton. He com- manded the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment in the campaign against Louisburg, and received the French flag after the capture of the fortress. His connection with the royal troops did not prevent his deeply sympa- thizing with the colonies in their struggle for independence, and was greatly grieved that one of his sons refused to join the Revolutionary army. The old soldier, then seventy-seven, said that if he were but ten years younger he should not be found at home. Colonel Richmond was a man of exemplary character, very generous in promoting religious institutions. He almost wholly supported the Congregational minister of Dighton, and his house was the home of all ministers. He gave
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seventy acres to the Dighton church, a gift from which it yet benefits. Colonel Sylvester Richmond was the son of Silvester, son of Edward, son of John Richmond, the American ancestor. He married Elizabeth Talbut, daughter of Jared and Rebecca Talbut, of Dighton. He died January 14, 1783, in his eighty-fifth year. She died June 23, 1772, in her seventy-third year He moved from Little Compton, Rhode Island, his birthplace, to Dighton, Bristol county, Massachusetts, about 1723. The full line of descent from John and Priscilla Alden of the "Mayflower" follows:
John Alden of the "Mayflower." His daughter, Elizabeth Alden, married William Peabodie. Their daughter, Elizabeth Peabodie, born in Duxbury, April 24, 1647, married, in November, 1666, John Rogers, born about 1640, died at Barrington, Rhode Island, June 28, 1732. Their daughter, Elizabeth Rogers, born at Duxbury, April 16, 1673, died Octo- ber 23, 1724, married, 1693 or 1694, Silvester Richmond, born about 1673, died at Little Compton, Rhode Island, November 22, 1754. Their son, Colonel Sylvester Richmond, born at Little Compton, June 30, 1698, died at Dighton, Massachusetts, January 14, 1783, married Elizabeth Talbut, born June 14, 1699, died at Dighton, June 23, 1772. Their eldest son, Ezra Richmond, born at Little Compton, January 20 or 26, 1721, died at Dighton, September 15, 1800, married, February 18, 1751, Mary Bay- lies, born about 1723, died September 10, 1795. Their son, Thomas Bay- lies Richmond, born at Dighton, November 18, 1751, died at Dighton, June 14, 1843, married, September 20, 1777, Elizabeth Fales, born about 1755, died at Dighton, October 20, 1783. Their daughter, Elizabeth Fales Richmond, born at Dighton, October 14, 1783, died at Lakeville, Massachusetts, March 28, 1855, married at Dighton, December 2, 1805, Lemuel Tobey, born at Rochester, Massachusetts, July 20, 1781, died at New Bedford, June 25, 1850. Their son, Charles Richmond Tobey, born at Dighton, April 21, 1806, died at San Francisco, California, Octo- ber 30, 1850, married at New Bedford, January 1, 1838, Maria Patey Rob- bins, born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, January 28, 1819, died at New Bedford, April 6, 1895. Their son, Rufus Babcock Tobey, of further mention.
The paternal ancestor of Rufus B. Tobey was Thomas Tobey, the name also being found spelled Toby and Tobie. Nathaniel, son of Thomas, signed his name Tobie, his brother, Gershom Toby, while the eldest grandchild found still another form of spelling without altering the pronunciation-Tobye. Thomas Tobey came at an early date to Sandwich, in Plymouth Colony, the earliest mention of him being May 7, 1644, when he subscribed seven shillings for the meeting house. He was a man of good sense, energetic, and bore his part in town and church affairs. He married (first) November 18, 1650, Martha Knott, daughter of George Knott, one of the ten founders of Sandwich. He married (second) after 1689, Hannah, widow of Ambrose Fish, who survived him.
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Thomas Tobey, the founder, had seven sons: Thomas (2), John, Nathan, Ephraim, Jonathan, of further mention, Samuel and Gershom.
Jonathan Tobey was born in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and there died in 1741, his will being proved August 4 of that year. His wife Remembrance died November 3, 1732, they the parents of ten children, Jonathan being the ninth. Jonathan (2) Tobey, born in Sandwich, August 6, 1718, died before January 15, 1755. He married at Plymouth, February 19, 1740, Deborah Swift, of Plymouth. The line follows through their youngest son, Deacon Thomas Tobey, born March 26, 1753, died in May or June, 1831. Deacon Thomas Tobey was a shoe- maker and dealt considerably in real estate in Rochester. He was a deacon of the Mattapoisett Church, elected June 21, 1791, an active man in town and church affairs, highly respected. He was a private in Cap- tain Clap's company of Colonel Colton's regiment, and is recorded under several enlistments as a soldier of the Revolution between 1775-1780. He married (first) Elizabeth Norton, married (second) Abigail Smith, mar- ried (third) Keziah Lincoln, married (fourth) Mercy Pope, married (fifth) Hetty Willis, who survived him.
Lemuel Tobey, son of Deacon Thomas Tobey and his second wife, was born at Rochester, Massachusetts, July 20, 1781, died at New Bed- ford, June 25, 1850. He was a prominent citizen of Mattapoisett and New Bedford for many years, a man of ability and integrity. He mar- ried Elizabeth Fales Richmond (see "Mayflower" descent). The line con- tinues through their first born, Charles Richmond Tobey. Charles Richmond Tobey, while still a youth, left home and went to sea, con- tinuing a mariner for many years, and being one of the men who brought wealth and fame to New Bedford through the whaling business. Two of his wife's brothers were also whalers, and others of the family. In 1849 he joined the gold seekers, a quest from which he never returned. He was a man of even disposition and high character, friends of that long ago leaving testimony that he was "never impatient," "never railing at fortune," "one of the best men they ever knew." He married at New Bedford, June 1, 1838, Maria Patey, daughter of Lemuel and Rachel (Bailey) Robbins, born at Plymouth, January 28, 1819, died at New Bedford, April 6, 1895. Children: Thomas Richmond, born September, 1844, died April 10, 1845; Harriet Newell, born April 5, 1846; Susan Maria, born April 5, 1846, died October 30, 1879; Charles Robbins, born September 8, 1847, died suddenly December 12, 1898, married Abbie Delia Huddy. Rufus Babcock, of whom further.
Rev. Rufus Babcock Tobey, of the seventh Tobey generation in New England, and tenth in the line beginning with John and Priscilla Alden, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, May 6, 1849, his father a mariner and whaler. After leaving school he obtained business experi- ence at New Bedford, and at Kingston, later going to Boston, where he was in the store of R. H. White & Company. He attended Phillips
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Andover Academy, entered Amherst College, whence he was graduated class of "77," entered Andover Theological Seminary, was graduated therefrom class of "80." The following year he received the degree of A. M. On November 30, 1880, he was ordained pastor of the Congre- gational church at Harwich, Massachusetts, serving that church three years. In 1883, imbued with the sacrificing missionary spirit, he resigned his charge, went to Helena, Montana, there organizing a church, which he served as pastor until 1885. He also was pastor of the Carrington, Dakota, church for a short time, then returned to Massachusetts, and was settled over the Ashburnham Church.
While at Ashburnham he was called as associate pastor of Berkeley Temple, Boston, Rev. Charles A. Dickinson being pastor. At that insti- tutional church his unusual abilities as an organizer and worker found fuller, freer expression and his work there was very successful. Practical and deeply sympathetic, he attracted the young people, the poor and the unfortunate, to whom Berkeley made its strongest appeal, and much of the success of this new departure in religious work was due to his direction of the department coming under his special care. In 1895 Mr. Tobey resigned his associate pastorate, realizing the wider field outside the church in which he might extend his usefulness. He organized the Memorial Trust, a philanthropy and charity whose range of helpfulness was the varied needs of the poor, the perplexed and the unfortunate of a cosmopolitan city. Its motto Nihil humani alienum, "Nothing that pertains to humanity is foreign to me," expressed its scope, and its assistance was sought not only by individuals but by kindred societies. Mr. Tobey also founded The Ingleside, a successful work for homeless and untrained girls (now under other direction), and that most helpful of Boston's philanthropies-the Boston Floating Hos- pital, a beneficial work with which his name will always be associated. He was associated with Dr. Everett Hale, as senior vice-president of the Lend a Hand Society ; is vice-president of the private charity-the Howard Benevolent Society ; president of the Palmer Company, pub- lishers of an educational magazine.
The ancestral lines herein traced have gained him membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants, Society of Colonial Wars, Mas- sachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a member of the Bostonian Society, New England Historic-Genealogical Society, his club the Boston City. In Free Masonry he is a member of lodge, chapter and commandery. His college fraternity is Alpha Delta Phi. His business offices are at No. 201 Devonshire street, Boston, room 313.
Mr. Tobey married (first) June 21, 1882, Caroline Mary Gifford, born October 3, 1852, died April 3, 1890, daughter of Henry Oscar and Avis J. (Eaton ) Gifford. He married (second ) at Quincy, Massachusetts, May 12, 1892, Genevieve Rebecca Gifford, born at Monkton, Vermont,
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October 11, 1854, sister of his first wife. Mr. Tobey by his second mar- riage has a daughter, Avis Caroline, born May 3, 1893, who married Herbert L. Johnson, and has a daughter, Genevieve Gifford. On the wall of his business office hang two pictures. One is the daughter of the daughter who helped make her father's heart tender to all babies. The other is a picture of a beautiful white ship, "God's battleship of peace." "I call them my two babies," he said.
Such has been the life of Rev. Rufus Babcock Tobey, son, brother and nephew of whaling and merchant sailors. He has rendered a good account of his stewardship and is yet in the harness, losing no oppor- tunity to lend a hand.
BENJAMIN BUTLER BARNEY.
Nothing bequeathed him by his honored father, Edwin Luther Bar- ney, was so valued by his son, Benjamin Butler Barney, as the remem- brance of that father's life and career at the bar. Association no doubt led the son to adopt the father's profession, and the nine years associa- tion guided the young man during his initial years of practice, and when the veteran lawyer of nearly half a century was called to appear before the Supreme Tribunal, the son went forward to greater successes, better and stronger for the life with which, as boy and man, he had been asso- ciated for thirty years. Since 1850 a Barney has been a member of the Bristol county bar, Edwin L. being admitted in that year, his son, Ben- jamin B., following in 1889, and another son, Edwin L., Jr., coming in a little later. In 1897, when Edwin L. Barney retired, he had been in successful practice for nearly half a century, aided by his sons. He tried more cases than any attorney of the Bristol county bar, and was the old- est lawyer practicing at that bar. In his practice, Benjamin B. Barney has been very successful, and at his offices, Rooms 11 and 12, Masonic Building, cares for the interests of a large and influential clientele. Evenness and poise are among his characteristics, and he is a dependable man in any relation or emergency. He meets all life's obligations with the confidence and courage that comes from self-reliance, personal abil- ity, a true conception of values and a habitual regard for that which is best in human activity.
Edwin Luther Barney, father of Benjamin Butler Barney, was born in Swansea, Massachusetts, April 1, 1827, son of Edwin and Abby (Lu- ther ) Barney, of Swansea, the former named a substantial farmer, and the latter a member of the ancient Luther family of Swansea. Edwin L. Barney obtained a good common school education in Swansea, and spent one year at Brown University, class of 1850. Choosing the profession of law, he prepared at Yale Law School and in the offices of Timothy G. Coffin, of New Bedford, and in October, 1850, he was admitted to the Bristol county bar at Taunton, being then twenty-three years of age. He
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at once began practice at New Bedford and continued without interrup- tion until his death, in New Bedford, in 1897. He was a perfect type of the determined, upright lawyer, never declining a case because it did not seem profitable or using one bit less effort to do justice to a client's cause even though the fees promised to be small or delayed in payment. He was strong in trial and during his years of practice was credited with trying more cases than any other lawyer in Bristol county. In 1851 he was appointed master in chancery, which position he held for more than forty years. He commanded a large practice, and from 1889 until his death, eight years later, the heavier duties were shifted to the younger shoulders of his capable son, who was admitted to practice in that year. Necessarily in trying so many cases he met with many defeats, but he was uniformly successful, and where he did not win he often secured a more favorable verdict for his client than the defeated party could hope for. He knew the law and worked hard to win, yet was strictly honor- able and highly esteemed. Many men studied law under his preceptor- ship, one of his students becoming attorney-general of the State of Mas- sachusetts. A Democrat in politics, he was a staunch supporter of the Union with his leader, Stephen A. Douglas, and in 1865 and 1866 repre- sented the New Bedford district in the State. From 1869 until 1875 he served as judge advocate on General Benjamin F. Butler's staff, and for several terms was elected city solicitor of New Bedford. For nearly half a century he was a member of the Masonic order, holding the thirty- second degree, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. A man of strong char- acter, his natural qualifications for the profession he chose were strong factors in the success he attained. Mr. Barney married, April 15, 1856, Mary Hillman, who survives him, residing at No. 96 State street, New Bedford. She is a daughter of Zachariah and Sylvia Hillman. Mr. and Mrs. Barney were the parents of four sons: Benjamin Butler, of further mention ; Edwin Luther, Jr., assistant clerk of Bristol county courts ; Laurence H. and Charles W.
Benjamin Butler Barney was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, January 25, 1868, and is yet a resident of his native city. He obtained his English education in the grade and high schools of New Bedford, and prepared for the practice of his profession under the instruction of his father and at Boston University Law School, whence he was gradu- ated Bachelor of Laws, class of 1889. He was at once admitted to the Bristol county bar and began practice with his father, the two continu- ing in intimate association until the death of the father in 1897. Since that time, Benjamin B. Barney has been alone, his practice extending to all State and Federal courts of the district. He is a sound lawyer, wise in council, effective as a pleader and strong in presentation. He served as city solicitor in 1898, and in every year following except 1906, 1915 and 1916, and is now (1918) filling the office. He is a Democrat in poli- tics, and in 1892 represented New Bedford in the Lower House of the
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Legislature. His clubs are the New Bedford Country, Wamsutta and Dartmouth.
Mr. Barney married, in New Bedford, September 24, 1891, Emma L. Brownell, born in New Bedford, June 19, 1868. The family home is at No. 3 North Orchard street.
ABRAHAM H. HOWLAND.
Although little more than in the prime of his splendid manhood when his final summons came, Abraham H. Howland had long been a conspicuous figure in the business life of New Bedford, his native city. He belonged to the whaling era of New Bedford's history, saw it all in its greatness, and witnessed its decline and fall. He was nearly all his life engaged in merchandising as clerk and proprietor, but, dealing with the whalers as their outfitters, finally became a ship owner, and made two voyages as master of the ships he owned. He was a keen, sagacious business man, quick to act and most persevering. While he was essen- tially the merchant, there was no department of New Bedford's life in which he was not interested. As first chief executive of the city under the charter, his wisdom, public spirit and disinterested patriotism was a rock of strength to the young municipality, and his four successive re- elections to the mayoralty shows beyond controversy the high value his fellow-citizens placed upon his patriotism, wisdom and executive ability. His life was a valuable one, and although a generation has since arisen to whom he is personally unknown he will always live as one of that body of men who were the responsible heads and controlling spirits during a period of prosperity in New Bedford, largely brought about by their own enterprise, energy and public spirit. The conditions which created such men and the business they developed to such a high state of prosperity are now things of the past, but the years in which Abraham H. How- land flourished were wonderful years, and their close marked one of the great tragedies of history, the collapse of a great industry and the de- struction of a great fleet of vessels connected with the whaling industry and hailing from New Bedford as their home port.
The town of Dartmouth, the village, borough and city of New Bed- ford, Massachusetts, have been the home localities of the Howlands from the time Henry Howland bought a tract of land in Dartmouth in 1652. Henry Howland is of record in Plymouth as early as 1624, was constable of Duxbury in 1635, became a member of the Society of Friends in 1657, and both he and his wife, Mary (Newland) Howland, died at their Dux- bury home. He was a good man, honorable, upright and intelligent, transmitting these qualities to his posterity. The line of descent to Abraham H. Howland is through Zoeth Howland, second son of Henry and Mary (Newland) Howland. Zoeth Howland was born in Duxbury, Massachusetts, but settled in the town of Dartmouth as early as 1662.
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He was killed by the Indians, January 21, 1676, at Pocasset, a part of Rhode Island, since known as Little Compton and Tiverton. The pres- ent stone bridge at Tiverton was known as Howland's Ferry, and was later operated by Daniel Howland, son of Zoeth. Zoeth Howland, like his father, was a convert to the Society of Friends, and all his five sons were members of the Apponegansett Monthly Meeting except Samuel. He left a widow who married again.
Benjamin Howland, second son of Zoeth Howland, was born March 8, 1657, in Duxbury, Massachusetts, died at his farm at Round Hills, in the town of Dartmouth, February 12, 1727. He was a substantial farmer, a leading member and treasurer of the Apponegansett Monthly Meeting of Friends, was selectman, assessor, surveyor of highways, and constable, holding these offices at different times and for many years. The Round Hills farm, which he owned and cultivated, has never been owned by any other than a descendant of Benjamin Howland. He married Judith Sampson, and they were the parents of a large family.
Isaac Howland, son of Benjamin and Judith (Sampson) Howland, was born at the Round Hills farm in the town of Dartmouth, January 30, 1694, died at the farm ne owned and cultivated in the southern part of the town, September 22, 1778. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, selectman, surveyor of highways, constable, and juryman. He married Hannah Allen, and they were the parents of eight sons and daughters.
Abraham Howland, son of Isaac and Hannah (Allen ) Howland, was born in the town of Dartmouth, in 1726, and died at the Round Hills homestead farm. He married Ruth Hicks, of Dartmouth, who died June 30, 1856, the mother of five sons and four daughters.
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