History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 22

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170

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Among the cases of military discipline that occurred in Bedford vil- lage during the eventful summer of 1814 was that of a soldier belonging to the Raynham company, who was tried by a court-martial and con- victed of desertion. He was sentenced to close confinement and de- prived of his whisky rations during his term of enlistment. In October Benjamin Seaver, who was in command of a guardboat in Clark's Cove, was subjected to a court-martial for abusing his men, and for showing disrespect to his superior officer by making wry faces at the clerk at roll-call. He defended himself from the latter serious charge by saying that he was chewing tobacco at the time his name was called. It is probable that his defence was well taken, for no record was made of his conviction or sentence .:

The following are full rosters of militia companies belonging in Fair- haven, Dartmouth, and Westport, which rendered service in the defence of our seacoast during the summer of 1814.

FAIRHAVEN COMPANY OF INFANTRY.

Captain, William Nye : lieutenant, Jednthan Taber ; ensign, Phineas White ; fifer, Silas Stetson ; drummer, Charles Keen ; sergeants, R. P. Pratt, Thomas Adams, Joseph Keen, Ezra White, Alden D. Stoddard, Isaac S. Church, William Taber, Cornelins Drew ; corporals, Stephen Merrihew, Ebenezer Keen, Jonathan Spooner, William White, Mi- chael Bennett, Richard Delano, Joshua Morse, Lemuel Dillingham, Samuel Jenne, Robert Cook ; privates, Pardon Taber, Luther Pratt, Millburn Omey, W. M. Gammons, Samuel Pierce, Luther Parker, Thomas Omans, Edmund Merrihew, Nathan Parker, Alanson Woodcock, Phineas Jenne, Jno. Parker, Reuben Gifford, Ansel White, Ezekiel Clark, James Shin, Abm. Ashley; Thomas Spooner, Loum Snow, James Taber, -- Pratt, M. Bourne, Elias Terry, James Randall, Thomas Wood, John -- , Nathaniel Hath- away, Lemuel Fish, William Staples, Seth Sampson, Timo. Tripp, Alden Allen, Caleb Proctor, Daniel Hammond, Seth Alden, Jonathan Wilcox, Isaac Cushman, Pardon Nye, Silas Perry, Josh. Bennett, Alfred Vincent, B. Bryant, Edward B. West, Gilbert Tripp, Richard Wood, Noah Kempton, Jacob Kenney, Ebenezer Merrick, Mallboro' Bradford, Jeduthan Jenne, Ebenezer Tinkham, Caleb Hammond, Humphrey Whitefield, Thomas Howland, William Wood, Joseph Jenney, Micah Hathaway, Francis M. Neele, Benja- min Spooner, Edward Jenney, Elihew Hammond, Isaac Vincent, Shubel Gifford, Levi

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PEACE.

Wilbur, William Tripp, Joshua Doane, Zacheus M. Allen, William Ashley, Jno. Weadon. Sanford Terry.

DARTMOUTH COMPANY OF INFANTRY.

Captain, Bradford Howland ; lieutenant, Joseph Seagraves ; sergeant, Joshua Sherman , musicians, Russell Booth, Samuel Hull ; privates, Samuel Barker, William Hull, Aldeu Macomber, John Allen, Freeman Lawrence, John Gidley, John White, Eason Howland, Walter Howland, Parden Howland, Gideon Devall, Joseph Tripp, Robert C. Hall, Lilly Hafford, jr., Thomas Weaver, William B. Marvin, Stephen Butts, Edward Sisson, Jere- miah Brightman, Abner Cornell, Abner Wilcox, Stephen Head, James Tripp, Major Allen, Abm. Butts, Perry Brownell, Henry Wilcox, Samuel Gidley, jr., Pardon Pierce, Charles Shearman, Henry Brightman, Robert Lawrence. Giles Slocum 2d, Joshua How- land, jr., Henry Wilcox, Frederick Slocum, David Devall, jr., David Howland, jr., Noah Kirby, Weston Bud, David Wing, jr., Benijah Tripp, Reuben Mosher, Charles Allen. Elisha Gifford, Benjamin Gidley, jr., Stephen Tallman, William Shearman.

WESTPORT COMPANY.

Captain, Jonathan Davis; lieutenant, George Wood; ensign, William Wing ; privates. Job Gifford, John Snell, Phinehas Perry, Isaac Gifford, Philip Petty. Pe'eg Wardle; George Wardle, Perry Wardle, Thomas Bordon, Warren Dwelly, Lothrop Bessey, IIow- ard Tripp, John Wardle, Job Tripp 2d, Daniel Sisson, George W. Brown, Mason Buff- ington, Elisha Tripp, George Sisson, Benjamin Sisson, Restcomb Tripp, Solomon Comnell, Mons Petty, Philip Peckham, Wesson Tripp 2d, George Potter, James H. Handy, Philip Tripp, Stephen Tripp, Zebedee Danes, Asa Petty, George White, Thomas T. Cor- nell, Pardon Petty, William Evens, Zacheus Gifford, Alfred White, Levi Chace, Epli'm Macomber, Jacob Allen, David Deval, Warren Gifford, William Case, Stephen Kirby, William Tripp. Peter Devoll, William Smith, Stephen Tripp 3d, Benjamin Tripp, James Cornell, William Kirby, George Gifford, Daniel Gifford, Garshum Wordle, Carcon Crocker, Reuben Crapo, Ebenezer Hayden, Durfy Tripp, George Brownell, Pardon Gifford, Reuben Wait, Nathaniel Tripp, Luther White, Stephen Tripp, Restcom Bordon, Elisha Francis, Nathan Petty, Stephen Petty, Benjamin Petty, That's Reynolds, Ben- jamin Devall, Elias Petty, Henry Snell, Philip Potter, Joshua Potter, William How- land, Allen Devall, Samuel Grey, Joseph Strange, James Reed, Nathan Lincoln, Simeon Burt, Adam Gifford, Chris'r Cornell, Thomas Petty, Thomas Sanford, Peleg Dennis, Daniel Brownell, James Snell, Peleg Gifford.

The struggle between the United States and England at last came to an end and the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on the 24th of De- cember, 1814. . This document was greeted with criticism and ridicule, for by its provision absolutely nothing had been gained by the two and a half years' war, that had cost 30,000 lives and a $100,000,000. Even the protest of the United States against the impressment of seamen was waived in the final settlement of the treaty, and but little remained for

226

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

the glory of the country but the memory of the victorious naval con- tests and the closing drama of the war, the battle at New Orleans. But peace came, alike welcome to Republican and Federalist, and the nation rejoiced in the glad tidings when they reached our shores. These were not the days of the telegraph, the swift trans-Atlantic steamer and the lightning express train, and so many weeks went by before the news reached our country. It was greeted with the wildest demonstration of joy all over the land.

It was II o'clock on Monday night, February 21, 1815, when Alex- ander Townsend, of Boston, rode into Bedford village and communi- cated the welcome tidings. In a few moments the clanging of bells was heard from the church towers, and the people rushed from their houses in terror, expecting to see a conflagration in progress. The news spread like wildfire, and the whole town was alive with demonstrations of joy. "The rapture was as instantaneous as the alarm, and the reflex of feeling almost overpowering. Sleep was no longer desirable and the weariness of nature no longer felt."

Mrs. Lydia T. Barnard says that she has vivid recollections of that night ; and though but seven years old at the time, she remembers that the whole household was awakened, and that her father, Francis Taber, took his fire buckets from their place in the front hall and rushed out to do his duty as a good fireman. Proceeding up Water street, he met Allerton Delano, of whom he inquired, "Where is the fire, Aller- ton ?" and received the answer "There is no fire, Friend Taber, it's peace !" Returning quickly to his home (which was in the Benjamin Taber house, now standing on the north side of Union street, next east of the corner of Water), he proceeded to the back stoop and knocked on the window of the adjoining tenement, occupied by his brother Bar- nabas. "Yes, Francis, I'm getting up to the fire," was the response from within. "It isn't fire, it's peace," he shouted in thunder tones. " Tues- day was ironing-day," says Mrs. Barnard, " but the work was done be- fore sunrise, and all employment in our household was then suspended."

George H. Taber remembers the night when peace was declared. The ringing of the bells and the booming of the cannon naturally created great terror. His father, John Taber, went out and soon re- turned with joyful intelligence. There was great rejoicing in the house

227

ENTHUSIASTIC CELEBRATION.

and neighborhood, and his father, though a strict Quaker, joined heartily in the festivities. Master George begged earnestly to be al- lowed to dress and come down stairs, but the favor was denied him.

The villagers at Oxford made merry during the morning hours of Washington's birthday with demonstrations of wild enthusiasm. It was a happy circumstance that the day for celebrating the advent of peace should be Washington's birthday ; and though the weather was stormy, the people gave themselves up to the full enjoyment of the occasion. All day long the bells rang out their peals of thanksgiving, intermingled with the roar of cannon and the shouts of the people-an impressive contrast to the months of gloom and sorrow that had preceded. Says the Mercury :

"So sudden and total was the revolution of feeling that age forgets its gravity and poverty its sorrows. A despondency awoke to joy and resignation kindled into rapture. So powerfully were the animal spirits agitated that a stranger to our sober lives and steady habits and unac- quainted with the cause of mirth, would have supposed that we were celebrating a feast of Bacchus, and could not easily have been persuaded to believe that all this apparent intoxication was merely a spontaneous revel of delightful feelings."

Bedford village was in a sad condition when the second war with England was brought to a close. The wheels of industry had long since ceased to move, and her fleet of vessels that had brought wealth and prosperity had been driven from the ocean. Her shops and shipyards were closed, the wharves were lined with dismasted vessels, the port was shut against every enterprise by the close blockade of the enemy, and the citizens wandered about the streets in enforced idleness.

This state of affairs that had existed for many weary months, brought the natural results of suffering and despair. Provisions were high and difficult to get, and but little money was in circulation. The Mercury of January 15, 1813, gives the following prices current at Boston, Janu- ary 4 : Flour $12.50 per barrel, sugar 18 to 24 cents a pound, butter 15 and 16 cents per pound, corn $1.20 per bushel, pork $17 per barrel, mess beef $9.50 per barrel, molasses 70 cents per gallon, sperm oil $1.40 per gallon, whale oil 70 cents per gallon, sole leather 22 cents per pound, rye $1.50 per bushel, Virginia coal $18 per ton, Hyson tea

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

$1.45 per pound, Jamaica rum $1.45 per gallon, Holland gin $2.50 per gallon.

We cannot wonder at the tumultuous joy of the people when the mid- night bells rang out their tidings of peace. Everywhere throughout the town, and on the other side of the river, were manifestations of wild enthusiasm. The cannon at Fort Phoenix and at the forts on our own shore boomed out their sounds of joy, and these, intermingled with the tones of the changing bells, inspired the people with enthusiasm and gladness. If our readers will listen for a moment to the Phoenix Hall bell, they will hear the same strains of sound that greeted the inhabit- ants of Fairhaven on that night when peace was proclaimed; for this building in 1815 was then the Congregational Church, and the bell did good service in rousing the enthusiasm of the villagers. Bell-ringers were in abundance, and much of the energy of Fairhaven centered on the bell-rope and made matters lively during the early morning hours. " Where is the fire ?" inquired an affrighted neighbor at his open win- dow. Bell and ringers answered his question in emphatic tones, "There is no fire ; but peace."

The celebration of peace and the birthday of Washington were events that made the 22d of February, 1815, a notable day in the history of Bedford village. The flags of the United States, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Sweden were flung to the breeze through- out the town and decorated the vessels lying at the wharves and in the harbor. The bells continued their peals of thanksgiving. Salutes were fired and the "friends of peace and the disciples of Washington min- gled their congratulations " throughout the day. In spite of the stormy weather, the people gave themselves up to the full enjoyment of the festive occasion. The celebration culminated in the evening with a grand display of fireworks, rockets, transparencies, and the illumination of the houses. The first mentioned were executed under the charge of . Messrs. Timothy Delano and Benjamin Hill, jr. A beautiful arch was erected on the corner of Union and Water streets, spanning these thor- oughfares from the northwest to the southeast corner. This was de- signed by S. Kempton, and was decorated with devices and inscriptions representing the union of the States. These were the handiwork of Messrs. John Harrisson and Charles Grinnell. "The illuminated pil-

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A DUAL CELEBRATION !!

lars which supported the arch were emblematical of commerce and ag- riculture. On the keystone of the arch was the figure of the spread eagle, with the motto E Pluribus Unum, and the initials G. W., born 1732. The remainder of the arch was formed by transparencies, on which were represented the arms of the several States, properly arranged. In raising the arch the pillar representing commerce unfortunately took fire and was consumed, but by the exertions of the gentlemen con- cerned its place was soon supplied with a new one." " Thus also," says the account, " we hope the ruined commerce of our country will again be restored by the enterprise of our citizens, and arise Phoenix-like with renovated vigor from the ashes of its former existence." Our venera- ble townsman, Capt. Russell Maxfield, remembers the fireworks that were set off that night. He was most impressed with the shooting- pigeons, so called, which flew to and fro upon long lines of ropes stretched up Union street.

Mrs. Lydia T. Barnard, whose home was close by, says: " We chil- dren wanted very much to go out and see the preparations that were being made for raising the wonderful arch, but the weather was cold, and mother said, 'If you will be good children, I will let you see it when all is fixed.' And so, when evening came on, she went with us to the open doorway, and we gazed with admiration upon the beautiful structure, brilliant with flags and streamers, and studded with lighted lanterns. It was a marvelous sight, such as I had never seen before, and in my timidity I held on to mother's dress, as we stood in the dark- ness witnessing the beautiful scene." "I will tell thee," says Mrs. Bar- nard, "how those lanterns were made. Strips of tin were bent into globular forms, then covered with oiled paper and tallow candles placed within. They looked like shining stars to our wondering eyes."

The houses throughout Bedford village and Fairhaven were brilliant with lighted candles in the windows. 'Mid the roar of cannon and peal of bells and brilliant discharge of fireworks the celebration, such as our. little Quaker town had never witnessed before, came to an end and the people retired to their homes, conscious that an era of prosperity had dawned upon the country. That such a glorious day had come was manifested in the quick recovery of the paralyzed industries of the town. Shops, ropewalks, riggers' lofts and shipyards soon resounded

230

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

with the busy hum of workmen, and the wharves were alive with the fitting of ships that had long lain in idleness. The Mercury, that for many months had been barren of maritime news, soon recorded the de- parture and arrival of a goodly fleet of vessels. Dread war, with its train of evils, was banished from our borders, and prosperity followed in the path of peace.

"CUSTOM HOUSE CORNER.

Richmond

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THE CITY AT THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.

CHAPTER XIV.

AFTER THE WAR OF 1812-15.

A Restrospective View - A Lucid Description of the Buildings and Streets - The Great September Gale - Organization of the Bedford Commercial Bank - Amuse- ments-The Bible Society - Military Matters - Fourth of July, 1823 - Temperance- First Great Fire - Merchants of 1820- Important Occurrences- Necrological Record of First Quarter of the Century.

T will be interesting to take a retrospective glance at New Bedford - as it appeared at the close of the War of 1812. For a moment the reader must forget the solid city of to-day, with its compact streets and its population of 45,000 people, its mammoth cotton-mills and factories, and the multitude of industries that have changed the city from a whal- ing port to a progressive manufacturing center. Where are now thor- oughfares lined with substantial dwellings and business houses, were fields and meadows, and thickly-wooded forests that supplied the tim- ber for many staunch ships built upon our shores.

Seventy-five years have made wonderful changes on the western slope of the Acushnet, as may be seen by the accompanying map made by Miss Lydia T. Russell in 1815.1

Let us take a view of the water front as it appeared from the bridge, which, by the way, was built in 1796, washed away in 1807, rebuilt and again destroyed in the great September gale, 1815, and again rebuilt in 1819. To-day the abutment of Wilcox's wharf, just north, marks the water line, only a few feet from the west channel of the drawbridge. In 1815 the shore where the tide ebbed and flowed was up High street, formerly known as Ark lane, some hundred feet west of North Water street. An imaginary line drawn from this point (which was a sort of cove in which floated the arks destroyed by mobs in 1826 and 1829) to the center of the mill of the New Bedford Manufacturing Company be-

1 The original map was presented to the Public Library in 1889 by Francis Hathaway. Miss Rus- sell was the daughter of Gilbert Russell, and afterwards the wife of William W. Swain.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

low North Second street, will give just the water front of the Acushnet River at that period ; and so it continued its northerly course towards Willis's point. Only three short wharves broke this shore line. To- day, east of this imaginary line is the present North Water street, with its mills, shops, lumber yards, and storehouses ; the Old Colony Rail- road, with its triple tracks, sends its trains in endless succession over the section where large ships once anchored in security. A view south- ward reveals Parker's and J. & J. Howland's wharves very much as they appear to- day ; but beyond this point the shore line took a sharp turn westward, and the tide flowed close up to Water street. On this shore, near the foot of Elm street, was built the good ship Dartmouth, of Bos- ton tea- party fame. From this point to the foot of Commercial street the outline of the wharves of to-day is much the same as in 1815. But here the similarity ends, for the river then took a turn westward and again lapped the shore at Water street. From this point southward, the shore was as unbroken as when the Indians launched their canoes from it during the time of King Philip's war. I said unbroken; not quite so, for close by the river bank, where now is the foot of Griffin street, was the Friend's burial ground, the resting-place of many of the Quakers of early New Bedford.

The bridge toll-house stood where now is Anthony & Swift's meat depot. Just opposite, facing the open square, was a two-story building in which was a store kept by the Russells. On Bridge street (that was what Middle street was called at this time), a small house occupied the land where now is Parker's block ; opposite was J. & J. Howland's office and warehouse, the same building now used as Coffin's paper box man- ufactory. The second building on the north side was the post-office and custom-house. It is still standing, the east end being occupied by Sturtevant & Parker as a paint shop. Here was transacted the busi- ness of the United States government, when Asa Smith was postmaster and John Hawes collector of the port. Many of our elderly people remember the latter, and the bellows-top chaise in which he rode to town. The following story is told of him. One day Jehaziel Jenney, who ran a coasting vessel (the Mary Ann) to New York in the summer season, landed a lot of barrels, each marked in bold letters " Cheese," and which he seemed very anxious the collector should not investigate.

NEW BEDFORD

from a pron Gram at the time by Guilbert Rueoch

MAP OF NEW BEDFORD IN 1815.

234

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

This naturally aroused suspicion, and in answer to the question, "What have you there, Jehaziel ? " he replied, " Nothing but cheese, sir; noth- ing but cheese. Don't you see it plainly marked?" "Yes, I see," says the collector, "but I guess we'll open the packages." After a stout wordy resistance, the barrels were opened and lo! round, fat cheeses were found filling each one. The collector did not enjoy the chaffing he received from Jehaziel, a rollicking joker, whose wit and pleasantries were features in his day. Soon afterward Captain Jenney arrived with another cargo, and he made an official visit to the custom house. "Well, Mr. Collector," said he, "I've got on board a lot of smuggled coffee, and I want you to come down and attend to it." The cheese episode led the official to decline this request, and he told his visitor to go away, which he did with alacrity. He proceeded to land his cargo of coffee and put it in a place of safety. If good Rio wasn't cheaper for a time in the community, it was not because of a government tax.

West of this building was the dwelling of Asa Smith, the postmaster ; and just where North Water street opens stood the house of General Lincoln, who commanded a regiment during the War of 1812. His official records are now in possession of the Free Public Library. This same house now stands on High street. The building now standing on the northwest corner of Middle and Water streets was in those early days the residence of Samuel Rodman, jr. It should be remembered that in that part now embraced by Union, Second, and Middle streets were located the homes of many of the well-to-do citizens. There were 106 dwellings, stores, and shops in the northeasterly section bounded by Purchase and Middle streets. To-day this same territory is filled with cotton- mills, factory villages, railroad buildings ; its spa- cious streets are lined with residences, and the border line of the shore is pushed well out into the Acushnet River. If the reader is surprised by the fact that this region was sparsely settled, what will he think when from the same standpoint we take a northwesterly view ? For only twenty-six buildings stood in all that section, and a majority of these were on the borders of Purchase and Middle streets.

Retracing our steps, we will walk through Water street. The granite building on the southeast corner of Middle was the candle-works of John Howland in 1815, and the dwelling-house opposite was once the

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TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.

residence of Capt. Reuben Swift, a commander of a militia company in 1812. His son, Capt. Rodolphus N. Swift, of Acushnet, says that the magnificent elm tree on Water street, just north of Elm, was planted by Capt. Latham Cross in 1804.

The large building owned by F. A. Sowle on the southwest corner of Elm and Water streets was the substantial residence of Thomas Hazard, a prominent merchant in his day, and his garden extended westward to Second street.

The building on the northwest corner of William and Water streets, now Snell's bakery, was in the early days of the century the residence of Samuel Rodman, sr., and his grounds extended to where now stands the Institution for Savings.

Now that we are on William street, we will journey westward, and note the location of the buildings in this part of the town in 1815. The watch. house, the house of correction of the period, stood near the northwest corner of William and North Second streets ; and on the lat- ter street, half way to Elm street, was located the new Congregational meeting-house. Here worshiped the society gathered by Rev. Sylves- ter Holmes, now the North Congregational Church. A dwelling stood next north, on the corner of Elm street, that was set on fire during the British invasion in 1778; the charred timbers may still be seen in the cellar of the house on Elm street, just west of its former location. Only three other small buildings stood on this section bounded by North Second, Elm, Purchase and William streets.

To the north stood the house of John Avery Parker, now a part of the Parker House. Spacious gardens were on the south and east of this, the house of one of the most successful merchants of his day. There were nine houses in this section bounded by North Second, Mid- did, Purchase and Elm streets.

Where now stands the North Christian Church was the house of Thomas Swain, a brother of William W. Swain. Elm street contained but two houses, and in those early days extended a few hundred feet west of Sixth street. The broad section west of Purchase and between Middle and Union streets was open field and bush pasture, except the land occupied by the houses immediately facing the latter thoroughfare and Purchase street. There are a number of our elderly citizens who

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 22

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Ellis, Leonard Bolles
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., Mason
Number of Pages: 1170