History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 23

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

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 23

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236

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

in olden times picked huckleberries where now stands City Hall. Much of this land was owned by William Rotch, and portions of it were under cultivation. It was a patch of ground where City Hall now stands that Jehaziel Jenney proposed to plant "on halves," and the proposition was accepted by the proprietor. The harvest season came and went, and as winter approached Mr. Rotch concluded that it was time a settlement of accounts was made. Meeting Jehaziel one day, he made inquiries about the matter. "Why, haven't you got your half, Mr. Rotch ? I got mine long ago," was the bland reply he received. On further investigation it was found that Jahaziel had sublet the con- tract to another party on the same terms. He had taken good care to receive his half and left the landed proprietor to look out for his own in- terests. Mr. Rotch accepted the situation good naturedly and quietly remarked as the interview closed, " Thee can have the land on the same terms next year, Jehaziel."

Where now stands Liberty Hall was the First Congregational Church, the parent society of the Unitarian denomination in our city.

We will now go down to Water street and commence our observa- tions south of William. On the corner where now are thestores of Messrs. Wood, Brightman & Co., stood the imposing residence of William Rotch, jr., his gardens extending to North Second street. This build- ing is now the Mariners' Home, and stands on the hill north of the Sea- men's Bethel- a gift to the New Bedford Port Society from Mrs. James Arnold, a daughter of Mr. Rotch. Center street was lined with build- ings on both sides to the river, and many of them are still standing. The district north of this to Middle street was unoccupied, save three small buildings at the foot of Elm. Along the wharves south were scattered the warehouses, shops, and stores connected with the mari- time business of the port. "Four Corners " (the intersection of Water and Union streets) was the stock exchange of the day ; and about this locality the business men congregated for political and social gossip. On the southeast corner was the Bristol County-House, and south of it was the warehouse and office of Isaac Howland. Next to these was the building in which was published the morning Mercury. All these build- ings are in existence to- day. The district north of Union and east of Water is interesting, and we cannot afford to leave it without a glance at

237

TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES.

some of the buildings. Those incorporated in the art establishment of Charles Taber & Co. are all of historic interest. The house on Union street next to the corner was the home of Benjamin Taber, the ancestor of the family which has held this property through successive genera- tions. Rose alley, a narrow lane still in existence, south of S. A. Tripp's tin shop, furnished a well of delicious water to the neighborhood. Deb- orah Doubleday kept a tavern in the building now occupied by the Western Union Telegraph Co. This building has before been mentioned in connection with the American Revolution. During the War of 1812 military officers made it headquarters. East of this section there were a number of warehouses and shops. It is evident that this part of the river front was the busy center for the fitting of ships. Union street was the main thoroughfare of the town, both sides being well occupied with residences of prominent citizens, the principal one being that of William Rotch, now the Mansion House. Poplar trees stood along the front, and his garden occupied well nigh the whole square bounded by Purchase and William streets. Among other residents on Union street (which then terminated at County) were Dr. Frederick Reed, Col. John Coggeshall, Mr. Tobey, Benoni Aldrich, Mr. Mayhew, Isaac How- land, Dr. Spooner, Edward Pope, Caleb Greene, Roger Haskell, Dr. Perry, and J. Ricketson. These lived on the north side ; while on the south lived Capt. Samuel Stall, commander of the artillery company. Mr. Russell, and Golden Howland, whose house was recently removed to make place for the Winslow building on the corner of Sixth street. On the southeast corner of Fourth and Union streets was located the Nelson Hotel, kept by Capt. Nathaniel Nelson, commander of the in- fantry company. This tavern was the scene of many public festivities, and formed the headquarters for Fourth of July parades. East of the hotel was the home of William Russell, and below it was the home- stead of Joseph Ricketson. The gardens of Messrs. Russell and Rick- etson occupied the whole square bounded by Acushnet avenue, Spring- and Fourth streets. The buildings are still standing.

The most thickly settled portion of the town was south of Union, yet Madison street was the actual limit, there being but few houses beyond. Among these were the homes of Job Eddy, James Arnold, Sands Wing, B. Howland, F. Howland, and Cornelius Grinnell -- familiar names to

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

many of our readers. On the west side of Water street, south of Union, we find the residences of Messrs. Hill, Blackmer, Shepherd, J. Howland, Whippy, Fitch, Pardon Howland, Tuckerman, and James Allen ; on First street, those of Parker, Howland, and Card; on Second street, J. Davis, Caleb Congdon, and Mr. Barstow, and on Third street-now known as Acushnet avenue-lived William Meader, Mr. Gardner, Allen Case, Benjamin Taber, J. Barker, Caleb Jenney, and Job Otis.

Fourth and Fifth streets ended at School street, and the area south of Union between Seventh and Third consisted of open fields. The gun-house stood on the square southeast of the Friends' meeting-house on Spring street. On Seventh lived the Thorntons, Congdons, and Nortons; on Walnut, Lemuel Williams and C. Howland.

All the section west of County street was a forest, the only buildings being Gilbert Russell's residence at the head of Walnut street, Abraham Russell's at the head of Union, the Friends' Academy (where now stands the County Street Methodist Episcopal Church), and the Kemp- ton House at the head of North street.

The whole town contained 506 houses in 1815. Walnut street was the southern border of the village-beyond it dense woods, only broken by the county road that led to Clark's Cove.

On Saturday morning, September 29, 1815, New Bedford was visited by a tremendous gale, that for violence and disaster has never been equaled in the history of the town. The gale began early in the day and continued with great violence till midday. The tide rose ten feet above high water mark, and four feet higher than ever was reached be- fore. So rapid was its rise that the occupants of the stores and ware- houses situated along the river front were compelled to leave them hurriedly, abandoning their goods and merchandise. Several merchants lost their account books and papers. The destruction of property was very serious, and was accompanied by the loss of several lives. In New Bedford the salt-works belonging to Caleb Russell, situated in the south part of the town, were carried away, and the ropewalks of Griffin Bar- ney, William Rotch, jr., and Butler & Allen (see map) were partially destroyed. Jonathan Card's turning-mill, William Coffin, jr.'s, boat- builder shop, Mr. Wilcox's blacksmith shop, Cannon's tallow chandlery, a range of stores on Rotch's wharf, and other business houses were

239

THE SEPTEMBER GALE.

wholly or partially destroyed. Several dwelling-houses were blown down, all the wharves injured, and some of them ruined. The Bedford and Fairhaven bridge and the one at Head- of the-River were carried away, and also the salt-works belonging to Dr. S. Perry. Sixteen ves- sels that were moored at the wharves were blown adrift and thrown ashore at different points on the shore and islands. At Fairhaven much damage was done along the river front, several stores, warehouses, a ropewalk, and salt-works being destroyed.

A distressing occurrence during this tornado was the drowning of a woman named Temperance Perry. She was on board a vessel from Sandwich, bound for Newport, that put in for a harbor in the gale. During the gale this woman fell overboard and was drowned in spite of the exertions made to save her. William Macy, in his noble efforts to save a citizen in a dangerous position, fell from a boat and sacrificed his life. Marmaduke Tinkham, his son, and two nephews, were all drowned at Fairhaven.

When the ship Augustus parted her moorings at Rotch's wharf, a young man named Haskins was left on a pile that stood detached from the ruins of the wharf. His perilous position was seen from the shore and every exertion was made to relieve him, but without avail. The wind and waves beat upon him and the floating wreckage endangered his life, while it hindered his rescue ; but he remained till wind and tide abated, and then was brought safely to the shore.

The rapid recovery of the town from its business depression is plainly indicated in the establishment of the Bedford Commercial Bank, suc- cessor of the Bedford Bank, whose charter expired in 1812. The char- ter was renewed, but on account of the war with England, it was not renewed and its affairs closed. There was no bank in operation in New Bedford from 1812 to 1816.

The Bedford Commercial Bank was organized May 31, 1816, with George Howland as president. The directors were Joseph Ricketson, Gideon Howland, jr., Seth Russell, jr., James Arnold, and George Howland.

The inhabitants were not without entertainment, both amusing and instructive, at this period. At Nelson's Hotel, July 1, 1816, Mr. Wood had a museum, in which were exhibited " six wax figures, Narne's new

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

invented patent electrical machine," and a " faithful and elegant repre- sentation of the American Navy."

The Bible Society, John Hawes, president, was organized June 27, 18.17. It continues to this day, a power for good in the community.

The decade following the close of the War of 1812 had but little of interest in military affairs. The experiences of the town during the year 1814, and the presence of a thousand soldiers quartered within our borders for the protection of the seacoast had satisfied the most ardent advocates of war; and the peace principles of the Society of Friends, which dominated in Bedford village, served to confine military affairs to the simplest requirement of law. An artillery and infantry company were maintained. The former, under the command of Lieutenant Dun- ham, rendered patriotic service on the Fourth of July, 1816. In 1818 the Second Regiment, Second Brigade, Fifth Division, to which our local organizations belonged, consisted of fifteen companies and held its annual muster in Dartmouth. In 1819 Benjamin Lincoln of this town was elected Major-General in command of the Fifth Division ; Col. Nathaniel Nelson was also in command of the Second Regiment; Capt. Reuben Swift commanded the infantry company, and Captain Dunham the artillery company. The annual muster was held in Dartmouth, with headquarters at Hallet Gifford's inn. The following is the roll of the Fairhaven company, as returned at this muster :

Field inspection roll of Capt. Harrison G. Church's company of foot, Tuesday, Octo- ber 12, 1819: Captain, Harrison G. Church; lieutenants, William S. West, John Weeden; sergeants, Henry Akin, Wilson Hammond, John A. Hawes, Wilson Pope ; Asa F. Taber, Alfred Blankenship, Isaac Sanford, Ebenezer Tomson, Benjamin Wilson, Jerard Taber, John A. Hawkes, John Tomson, Jethro Taber, Samuel Hathaway, jr., W. M. Hitch, Noble Gelatt, Abraham Shaw, Wilson Pope, Henry Aikins, James Mar- vel, Richard Shaw, John Delano, Rufus Allen. jr., Silas Allen, Isaac Stevens, Henry Delano, Levi Blossom, William Shaw, jr., Thomas Shaw, Joseph Blossom, jr., George Shaw, Ansel Stetson, Silas Pope, Luke Tobey, Elisha Tobey, Holden Jelatt, Ebenezer Delano, Joseph Delano, Antony Allen, Wilson Hammond, Nathan Kempton, Ansel Brigs, Lemuel Tripp, jr. Ebenezer Tripp, Alden Allen, Reuben Delano.

In 1822 a regulation uniforin for the State militia was adopted, and we take the following description of it from the official order. It will be interesting, for we can understand how grandly the citizen soldiery appeared on celebration days. The artillery companies were attired in

Ceo Milson

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FIRST GREAT FIRE.

coatees, with scarlet collars, scarlet vests, dark blue trousers with broad scarlet stripes, edged with gold or yellow worsted lace, and plumes or pompons, black tipped with red. The drivers wore white frocks and trousers, black round hats with a pompon, and a yellow-metal plate in front, and black leather sword belts. The infantry companies wore coatees, with white underclothes, the trousers over the boots. The non-commissioned officers and privates wore metal plates and pompons in front, white tipped with black. It was probably in this uniform that the infantry company, under command of Capt. Reuben Swift, marched to Fairhaven on the Fourth of July, 1823, and did escort duty in the procession on that day.

Among the exercises on this occasion was a sermon in the church, preached by Rev. Mr. Gould. A public dinner was served to nearly 200 people in a tent erected on the green (an open lot immediately south of Union street and between Main and Middle streets). For the convenience of the public, dinner tickets were placed on sale in the bar- room of Mr. Dabney's hotel. It is evident that the committee of arrange- ments provided a programme to suit the diversified tastes of all. The officers of the Fairhaven company, which probably paraded on this occasion, were : Captain, John A. Hawes; lieutenant, W. I. Jenney ; ensign, Jeremiah Taber 2d.

A vigorous temperance movement was inaugurated in the town in 1819, and public action was taken, May 26, to suppress the " sale of cider and other intoxicating liquors to minors, so that their morals may not be corrupted, and their future prospect blasted, by habits they may have acquired in their youth."

The account of the first great fire is thus described in the Mercury of September 8, 1820: "On Wednesday morning, about half-past four, . the inhabitants of this town were alarmed by the cry of fire, which orig- inated in the extensive bakehouse of Mr. Enoch Horton, situated on the street leading from the Commercial Bank to William Rotch's (tor- merly Gilbert Russell's) wharf. In a few minutes the whole building was involved in flames which spread to an adjoining wood-house, con- taining a large quantity of dry pine wood, and in spite of the exertions of the citizens, aided by seven engines [these without doubt included the two across the river], which were constantly playing on the deso-

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

lating element, it spread in almost every direction, consuming in its progress the buildings on the east, west and north of it, until by great exertions it was finally subdued, just as it was communicating to the store of Peter Barney, on the southeast and the dwelling-house owned by Gilbert Russell on the west. Had either of these buildings been permanently on fire, no human exertions could have arrested its prog- ress until a large part of the town had been laid in ashes; and had there not, fortunately, been an entire calm at the time, we should, in all prob- ability, have had to record a calamity scarcely inferior to those of Wil- mington and Savannah. The buildings destroyed were a bakehouse, owned and occupied by Mr. Enoch Horton ; a large three-story build- ing, owned and occupied by Mr. John Perkins, as a store and paper- staining manufactory ; a store, owned and occupied by Mr. John Har- rison as a paint store, etc .; a store, owned by Mr. Gilbert Russell and partly occupied by William Card, block-maker ; a store, owned by Mr. William Tallman, and occupied by Mr. Churchill, grocer; two cooper shops, one owned by Mr. Reuben Russell, and the other by Mr. Aller- ton Delano ; a shoe-shop, occupied by Mr. James Bosworth ; a black- smith shop, occupied by Mr. Nathan Durfee, and a barn owned by Mr. G. Russell. We understand that Mr. Perkins and Mr. Harrison are the greatest sufferers ; the loss of the former is estimated at about $4,000 ; the latter, upwards of $3,000 ; that of Mr. Horton, about $1,500; and the total at about $12,000."

On September 22, 1820, the inhabitants were privileged, for twelve and one-half cents, to see two camels that, it was said, " were imported direct from Africa." They were on exhibition at Ivory H. Bartlett's stable.

A stage route to Newport and Providence, via Stone Bridge, was established November 9, 1820.

Among the merchants doing business in New Bedford in 1820 were Isaac Howland, jr., & Company, flour, iron hoops, etc .; William James, ship stores; H. Taylor, shoes and dry goods ; Oliver Swain, boots and shoes; George Sisson, crockery and glassware ; Jonathan Ellis, plows ; Caleb Green, drugs; T. T. Churchill, W. & G. Alleu, J. R. Shiverick, Perry & Tobey, Joseph Bourne, Henry Tucker & Son, dealers in dry goods; Nye & Grinnell, groceries and provisions; Hussey & Allen,

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VARIOUS EVENTS.

leather, flour, etc .; Seth Russell & Son, iron ; Samuel Rodman, jr., cordage, duck, and oil ; John A. Parker, iron ; Thomas S. & N. Hath- away, hemp, duck, iron ; Gorham & Parker, groceries and provisions ; A. Sherman, books, stationery, bindery, etc .; Harvey Sullings, hard- ware; Samuel W. Heath, crockery ; Isaac Manchester, leather and shoes; Job Baker, groceries ; Green & Tillinghast, dry goods; Randall & Haskell, grocers and ship chandlers; Barney Cory kept a tavern at "Sign of the Swan ;" Benjamin Pitman opened a silver manufactory, June 2, 1821.

Friday, June 19, 1821, was the coldest day for many a year ; the thermometer stood at twelve degrees below zero at sunrise. On Thurs- day following, the bay, except a small rip south of Naushon, was en- tirely frozen over.

Daniel K. Whitaker opened a classical school in New Bedford, April 22, 1821. An exhibition was given at Mr. Cory's coffee-house in April of that year by J. Filley, a fancy glass-blower, from London. In Octo- ber Mr. Nichols, the American ventriloquist, gave a performance at Colonel Nelson's hotel.

Fourth of July, 1821, was celebrated with a procession, fireworks, speeches and toasts.

A Roman Catholic church was announced to be dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Cheverus, of Boston, on Sunday, July 29, 1821, but for some reason this was indefinitely postponed.

A meeting of the Dialectic Society was held in September, 1821. This society was formed in 1811, and its object was "intellectual cul- ture and social intercourse." The exercises were mostly debates upon questions previously agreed upon. Several formal addresses were de- livered before the society, and many papers of great ability were writ - ten by the members and read at its meetings. One by John Mason Williams, then a resident of New Bedford, delivered September 1, 1817, was of singular ability and beauty. William Sawyer Wall, Abraham Shearman, jr., John Howland, jr., Jeremiah Winslow, Samuel Rodman, jr., Thomas Rotch, John Summers Russell, James Arnold, Thomas A. Greene, Lemuel Williams, jr., John Mason Williams, and William Ba- ker were among its early members.

December 14, 1822, the market and town-house was opened to the

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

public. It is the same building now used for the Central Police Sta- tion on South Second street. The New Bedford Reading-Room was in existence in 1823, and James Coggeshall was secretary.

An extraordinary gale and snow-storm began on Sunday, March 30, 1823, and for a week there was no communication with the outer world. On the 23d of December, of the same year, there occurred a remarkable rain-storm. It continued for twenty hours, and four or five inches of rain fell. The record says " the oldest people do not recollect such a rain."

Monday, July 4, 1823, was celebrated with great spirit. The Light Infantry, Captain Washburn, went through evolutions, and the Wash- ington Artillery, Lieutenant Sylvester, “ displayed wonderful skill and discipline." There was an exhibition of fireworks in the evening.

The Mozart Society, an organization for the practice of sacred music, was organized in 1824, and gave a public performance in Rev. William Dewey's meeting-house, December 2, 1824. This society, the first of the kind in the town, will be further mentioned in the chapter on mu- sical societies. The free use of the town-hall for rehearsals was granted the society by the town authorities.

June 6, 1825, Benjamin Lindsey opened a reading and news-room, that for sixty years continued to be the headquarters for the business men of the town.

The ordination of Elder Harvey Sullings, as a preacher of the gospel, among the people " usually denominated Christians," took place in the North Baptist Church, June 26, 1825. The introductory prayer was offered by Elder Charles Morgridge.

Among the deaths that occurred in the town in the first quarter of the century were the following :

In 1802, June 9, Col. Seth Pope, aged eighty-three, a prominent figure in our local history during the American Revolution; 1803, April 3, Hon. Walter Spooner, aged eighty-one; 1804, October 16, Joseph Russell, aged eighty-six; 1805, April 15, Dr. Samuel Perry, aged seventy- five ; 1807, September 24, Rev. Samuel West, aged seventy- eight; 1809, November 7, Maj. Ebenezer Willis, aged eighty-three; 1814, July 22, Gamaliel Bryant, aged -; 1816, November 13, William Sawyer Wall, aged forty- eight ; 1816, December 31, Elisha Thornton, aged seventy ; 1817, July 17, Capt. Nathan- iel Pope. aged seventy ; 1820, October 26, Dr. Samuel Perry, aged fifty-six ; 1820, De- cember 31, Deacon Jabez Hammond, aged fifty-one; 1822, September 11, Hannah An-

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A MYSTERIOUS MURDER.

drews, aged 101 years and six months; 1823, January 20, Capt. Benjamin Hill, aged sixty-eight ; 1823, February 20, Capt. Silas Parker, aged eighty; 1823, April 4, Capt. George Whippey, aged seventy-eight; 1823, May 5, Mrs. Susannah Maxfield, aged seventy ; 1823, September 21, Jeremiah Mayhew, aged seventy-nine; 1824, August 11, Daniel Ricketson, aged seventy-nine; 1824, August 11, Zachariah Hillman, aged sixty- six : 1825, February 25, James Davis, aged eighty-one : 1825, John Hawes, aged --; 1825, January 30, Thomas Taber, aged seventy-nine; 1825, August 31, John Pickens, aged eighty-three ; 1825, August 12, Abraham Ricketson, aged seventy-eight; 1825, September 5, Capt. Thomas Cook, aged eighty-five; 1826, March 18; Abraham Smith, postmaster for twenty years, aged seventy-seven.

CHAPTER XV.

1826-30.

" Hard Dig " -- A Mysterious Murder -- Mob Law -- "The Ark" -- Origin of the Name - Story of the First Ark Riot - A Second Ark -- The Second Riot-The Mer- cury's Account of the Affair -- Action of the People, in Town Meeting Assembled, Regarding the Riots - The " Committee of Vigilance " - The Militia.

N 1826, one August day, our village was greatly agitated by the ru- mor that the dead body of a man had been found in the woods, near a notorious neighborhood called " Hard Dig," on Kempton street, just west of what is now the base ball park. A company of boys, who were picking huckleberries, made the ghastly discovery and hastened into the town with the report. Several citizens went out taking the lads with them for guides. When they reached the spot the body had been removed, though they discovered unmistakable evidence that the story of the boys was true. The fact of the mysterious disappearance of a ship carpenter at this time (from whom no tidings were ever received) gave color to the report of murder. "Hard Dig" was occupied by the dangerous and vicious classes, and was a constant menace to good or- der. It was unsafe to travel in that vicinity after dark.

The report of this murder soon came to the knowledge of the whole town and caused great excitement among the people. While the law-

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

abiding citizens would have had this iniquity crushed out by legal measures, others concluded to take the law in their own hands. A mob was organized that evening at Kempton street corner, and, after matur- ing plans, it proceeded in full force to its work. The first house pulled down was that of Jake Peterson, a leader of the place. Then other buildings were quickly demolished and set on fire. In two hours' time the mob had effectually cleaned out the whole nuisance.

David B. Kempton lived at that time on County street ; and stand- ing in his yard that evening, he distinctly heard the shouts of the mob and the blows of the axes. Wild with their success, the proposition to raid the Ark was received with enthusiasm by the mob. It was agreed, however, to postpone it till the next night. To more clearly under- stand the Ark riots, our readers must understand that the river front at the foot of High street, at this period, was about 200 feet east of North Second street, where there was a sort of cove, the south side of which ran due east to the bridge. The Ark stood upon the shore as far as the high tide would permit, and was blocked under the keel to keep it in a firm position. The exact position was just where Charles S. Paisler's brick building on Water street is now located. The Ark was the hull of the old whaler Camillus, with a house built on and entirely covering the deck. A portico or walk about four feet wide was built outside, running the entire length on both sides of the vessel, and was reached by steps from the shore.

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 23

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