History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 24

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 24

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It may be interesting to mention how the name "The Ark " came to be given to this infamous vessel. A whaler named The Ark was owned in and sailed from Nantucket in 1819. She made several voy- ages and was finally brought to this port to be broken up. Joseph Wilcox, jr., remembers when she arrived here, and that she was taken to Rotch's wharf, where she lay for some before being demolished. The stern board with this name The Ark was secured and mounted on the upper deck of the Camillus in a conspicuous place, and so this bark was called "The Ark." The craft was at first occupied by respectable fami- lies in moderate circumstances, but soon came to a baser use, and finally was a brothel of the worst character. Its existence was a moral offence to the community, and its removal was earnestly desired by good citi- zens. It must not be understood that they encouraged riotous proceed-

THE ARK. - FROM A WATER COLOR PAINTING BY WM J. SWIFT.

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

ings, however much satisfaction they may have felt at the results. And now for the story of the first Ark riot.

The inmates had learned during the day of the proposed raid and, with their sympathizers, had gathered before night a plentiful supply of stones and other missiles, including bottles of scalding hot water. After dark the crowds began to gather and matters looked ominous. Soon Timothy G. Coffin appeared and attempted to read the riot act, and probably did so, though it is said he was marched off the ground. Men appeared with hooks and ladders, and the attack commenced in good earnest. Stones flew in all directions, and so did bottles of hot water ; but the besieged still held the fort till a ship's gun had been brought into position, loaded-all made ready to fire. Then they succumbed and offered to march out. They were allowed to do so. Then the Ark was torn to pieces with axe and crowbar, and was then burned. Now this formidable gun was in fact a "Quaker." When found on an adjoin- ing wharf, it was actually filled with mud. Its use never was seriously contemplated. After being drawn in position before the Ark, an imag- inary cartridge was rammed home with a stick and the match was about to be applied, when the surrender was made. The fire of course called out the engines, but their work principally was to protect the surround- ing buildings.

The above facts have been given me by Capt. Joseph Wilcox, jr., who was present, but not a rioter, and who remembers very clearly the whole proceedings. Possibly a deeper impression was made on him, because he was hit on the shin with a large stone thrown from the Ark. Some fifty citizens were afterward subpoenaed before the court at Taun- ton, to give testimony of the riot, but they all proved genuine Know Nothings, and so the matter was dropped.

A second Ark soon appeared that became a terror indeed. The hull of this craft was the ship Indian Chief ; and it was located farther west than the first, and about fifty feet southwest of the red house on the south side of Ark lane. It was occupied by the worst classes and was the abode of debauchery and evil doing. Citizens were in daily fear, not only of their property but of their lives. Any attempt to banish the scourge failed, and it soon became apparant that law was held in effectual defiance.

249

THE SECOND ARK RIOT.

In the spring of 1829 the Elm Street Methodist Episcopal Church was set on fire, on a Saturday evening. The lower story of the build- ing was stored full of casks of oil. The fire was discovered about II o'clock, just in time to prevent a serious conflagration ; for it was thought that had the great quantity of oil taken fire, it would have de- stroyed all the buildings east to the river, as the running oil must have spread quickly down the steep hill, carrying destruction in its path. The audience room was uninjured ; and the pastor, Rev. Timothy Mer- ritt, preached a sermon on Sunday morning from the text, "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchmen waketh in vain." The general feel- ing in the community was that some of the desperate characters from the Ark set the church on fire. For this incident I am indebted to Mrs. Josiah Richmond.

The reign of terror continued till August 29, when the second Ark riot occurred. I am indebted to James Durfee, Henry R. Wilcox, Ro- dolphus Beetle, David B. Kempton, Joseph Wilcox, jr., and others, for valuable material concerning this incident.

The Ark was kept by a notoriously bad character named Titus Peck, a bully and desperado. He and his associates were a menace to the whole town. So strong was their power it was said the selectmen were afraid to interfere with their riotings. For days before the outbreak in the streets and work-shops were heard the mysterious words " Jerry," " Jerry, keep dark north end," "Keep dark south end," " Jerry is in town." What did all this mean ? was the inquiry on every lip. Ru- mor followed rumor in quick succession; then it became vaguely un- .derstood that there was to be a meeting of citizens in the town hall (now Central Police Station) on the following Saturday evening. To the surprise of everybody, everybody else was there. The hall was packed full, more than 200 men being in and about the building. While there seemed to be no organization, it was evident that well developed plans were laid. The respectable and influential citizens, among whom were Gideon Howland, Samuel Rodman, Thomas Mandell, J. A. Par- ker, Jethro Hillman, Zachariah Hillman, Francis Taber, and Barney Taber, used their utmost influence to prevent an outbreak. The riot act was read by Timothy G. Coffin, but when the 9 o'clock bell on Dr. Dewey's church rang out, a shout from many throats went up " Jerry

250

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

is in town. Hurrah for the Ark !" and pell-mell went everybody to the vicinity of Ark lane. Here was found the hook and ladder truck, brought there by unknown hands. Then suddenly appeared a company of masked men, dressed in coats turned inside out, trousers covered with white canvass at the knees, and slouch hats. There were twenty- five of these uniformed rioters. The truck was rapidly stripped of its lad- ders and hooks, and the destruction of the Ark commenced. Mr. Cof- fin, with a lighted lantern in his hand, appeared in the dense crowd gathered near the corner of Middle and Second streets. Somebody paid his respects to the lantern, and darkness came suddenly on. He was good-naturedly hustled about, and it is said to be a fact that he was passed over the heads of the crowd and safely landed where he had more room. The work of destruction completed, most of the people went home at midnight, but soon were called out by flames streaming from the ill-fated craft, for the torch was not applied till 12 o'clock. The Ark was burned to the water's edge, and when morning broke naught was left of it but smoking timbers. Several small houses were burned in the conflagration. The fire department was on hand, but ac- complished little. The Mechanic, No. 6, took water at the foot of Middle street, but the leading hose did not reach the fire by fifty feet. After long delay, the position of the engine was changed to Beetle's spar- yard. I give now the account published in the New Bedford Mercury, August 28, 1829: "What happened three years ago has within the last week been re-enacted, with little variation of mode or circumstance. From the ashes of the old Ark, demolished and burned in August, 1826, has arisen Phoenix-like, it would seem, Ark the second, transcending as a den of abominations anything that tradition has to relate of Ark the first. On Saturday night last, it met the doom of its ill-omened progenitor, was razed to the ground, and consumed by fire. We would not be understood as favoring or advocating in the slightest degree the adoption of forcible measures by lawless assemblages. It is altogether a thing to be deprecated and discountenanced ; but there certainly is a difference between the riotous outbreakings of a turbulent spirit, impell- ing to promiscuous outrage, and violence, and operations, although un- sanctioned by law, which tend to a specific purpose at least imagined good, and are characterized in the process by as much order and regard

C. L. Ellis

Jerar P.Ellis.

25E

TOWN ACTION AGAINST RIOTERS.

for decorum as marked those of Saturday evening. We think that in justice to the character of our town this destruction in the case before us ought to be made. The wanton recklessness and profligacy which gives to a riotous mob its most hideous features was not discernible on this occasion. Still it does not do to say in such an affair that the end can justify the means, as who can predict of lawless measures what the end may be? And in this very instance, whether the fire was applied to the materials of which the Ark was composed by the hand that de- molished it or not, it was a direct and immediate consequence of the act of demolition, and came near spreading the calamity to an extent truly appalling. Nothing but the favorable state of the wind and the admirable management of the firemen prevented a conflagration which might very speedily have extended itself over a good part of the vil- lage. As it was, houses owned and occupied by quiet, peaceful citi- zens, who could ill afford to sustain the loss, were most unfortunately included in its ravages. Here, then, is a solemn warning against all attempts at correcting abuses by violent and lawless means; and as such it ought to be seriously regarded. The truth undoubtedly is that the early and efficacious application of the civil authority to abate the nuisance would have obviated all the evils of which it has been so fruit- ful a source. We are glad to learn that energetic measures are now in train for the suppression of other establishments of a like odious and demoralizing description. As with other maritime places, there is a degraded class of population brought within our borders, which can only be kept within the bounds of decency by vigorous police regula- tions. As the navigation of the port increases, the necessity for such regulations becomes the more apparent, and we have not the least doubt but that, perceiving the need, there will be found both the disposition and ability in those unto whom it legally appertains to second the gen- eral wish by adopting adequate measures of prevention in a matter of such growing importance to the community."

The Howard House, on North Second street, was soon marked as a victim by the riotous elements. It bore a reputation similar to that of the Arks. Benjamin Rodman, one of the selectmen, hearing of the pro- posed raid, notified the people, and when the mob came to do their work they were informed in a speech made by Mr. Rodman that the

252

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

house was vacated. They saluted him with three hearty cheers. " There are eleven of us," they said as they vanished in the darkness. What the significance of this saying was is unknown. I am indebted to Thomas R. Rodman for this incident.

On June 30, 1830, a town meeting was held to " see if the town will take into consideration the expediency of adopting measures to prevent the further destruction of property by riotous assemblages, and also to see if the town will think it proper to take any further measures to se- cure the safety of the town, in consequence of the recent burnings of dwelling-houses in the vicinity, agreeable to petition of J. A. Parker and ten others." Samuel Rodman, Jos. Ricketson, D. Davenport, John Howland, jr., Nathan Hathaway, James B. Congdon, Timothy I. Dyer, Benjamin Rodman, and Seth Russell, were appointed a committee to take into consideration the subject proposed. The committee made report : "Your committee are of the opinion that it is highly necessary that measures should be taken by the town in its cor- porate capacity to indicate its deep reprobation and abhorrence of the riotous proceedings and their attendant crimes, which have recently taken place in this vicinity. Your committee believe that a direct par- ticipation in said unlawful acts was confined to a comparatively small number of persons, but that these were countenanced and encouraged by a much greater number of the young, ignorant, and the thoughtless who were present, and who perhaps supposed they had an apology for their unwarrantable forbearance in omitting to suppress the disturb- ance in the degraded character of its victims, which cut them off from general sympathy. These and all others ought to know that the insti- tution of civil government is designed to protect every individual in his rights, and especially to guard the weak and defenceless against the aggressions of the unprincipled and the strong. To the culprit even it guarantees by scrupulous formalities an impartial investigation of the charges alleged against him before it visits upon him the penalty affixed to his crime. Subversive then of all order, of all safety of property and life, not only to the class which have now been the sufferers, but to all, in the spirit of aggression and crime, which marks the late proceedings; and while they stamp the perpetrators as criminals of a flagrant charac- ter, on whom if convicted the law would visit its heaviest penalties, all

253

VIGILANCE COMMITTEE CHOSEN.

who encourage them by their presence or otherwise are guilty of a mis- demeanor against the peace and good order of society, which admits of but slight extenuation from the plea of ignorance or levity. To guard the future against a repetition of such atrocious scenes as have on this and other occasions disgraced our town and vicinity, the resolution ap- pended to this report is herewith respectfully submitted to the con- sideration of the town."

" Voted, To accept said report with the resolution appended: to wit :

" Toted, That a large committee be appointed, to consist of persons resident in the different sections of the town, which committee shall be called ' The Committee of Vigi- lance ; ' and it shall be the duty of the committee to communicate to the selectmen any information which may come to their knowledge of any design on the part of any evil- disposed persons to injure or destroy the property of any citizen, and be in readiness promptly to act, under the direction of the municipal authorities, to prevent any threat- ened outrage ; and it shall be the further duty of the committee to communicate to the selectmen any information of which they may become possessed, which may render in- creased vigilance necessary in order to secure the safety of the town."

The following were chosen a committee of vigilance :

William H. Allen, James Arnold, Ivory H. Bartlett, Joseph Brownell, Paul Barney, Joshua Barker, Thomas B. Bush, John Coggeshall, E. N. Chaddock, Oliver Crocker. T. G. Coffin, Peleg Clarke, Ichabod Clapp, Zacheus Cushman, Thomas Cook, James B. Congdon, Latham Cross, Charles Grinnell, Edmund Gardner, Benj. Gage, Cornelius Grinnell, jr., Moses Gibbs, Hallett Gifford, William Gordon, jr., Ephraim Kempton, Manasseh Kempton, Robt. Luscomb, E. S. Kempton, Warren Maxfield, Stephen Merri- hew, Chas. W. Morgan, Howard Nichols, Thos. Pope, J. A. Parker, Nat. Perry, C. M. Pierce, David Pierce, Joseph Ricketson, Thomas Riddle, Jireh Perry, Anthony B. Rich- mond, Mark B. Palmer, George Randall, Samuel Rodman, W. T. Russell, William Reed, Wing Russell, Billings Corey. Robt. Hillman, Zach. Hillman, Isaac Hathaway, Nathan- iel Hathaway, Jas. H. Howland 2d, Eli Haskell, Cornelius S. Howland, George How- land, Ichabod Handy, T. I. Dyer, Elisha Dunbar, D. Davenport, Paul Ewer, Alfred Gibbs, Allerton Delano, Abraham Gifford, Alfred Woddell, Robert S. Smith, Pardon Tillinghast, James D. Thompson, Charles H. Warren, George Tyson, Phineas Burgess, Gamaliel Taber, Richard Williams, John P. West, Lemuel Williams, Jonathan R. Ward. Leonard Macomber, Bezaleel Washburn, Comfort Whiting, Bethuel Penniman, John Woddell, Dennis Wood, David R. Greene, Seth Russell, Marshall Waldron, James Wheaton, James Moores, Martin Pierce, Allen Potter, William P Grinnell, Frederick Reed, Andrew Robeson, William Phillips, Frederick Parker, Richard Luscomb, Gideon T. Sawyer, Warren Mosher, William W. Swain, William R. West. Alex. H. Campbell. Benjamin Rodman, 110 men.

" Voted, That it shall be considered by said committee as a special part of their duty to detect any individuals who have been connected, directly or indirectly, with the late

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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

outrages, and if such disgraceful scenes shall be repeated, that the committee shall leave no means untried to enforce upon the criminals the penalty of the law.

" A reward of $500 was offered for conviction.

" KILLEY ELDREDGE, Town Clerk."

This vigilance committee, organized for the specific object of protect- ing the town from mob violence, was the parent organization of our present efficient Protecting Society, which has had an uninterrupted career of sixty-three years, and is the oldest part of the Fire Depart- ment.

The prevailing sentiment in New Bedford regarding military affairs was such as to discourage the maintenance of military companies, and only so far as the law compelled their existence were they tolerated. Nevertheless, the light infantry and artillery companies were fre- quently called upon on public occasions ; and national holidays de- pended upon these organizations for public parades. It was the annual musters of the State militia that kept them in existence, and much that is interesting may be recorded of their experiences on the tented field. Rosters of either of the local companies at this period are not to be found ; but our venerable townsmen, Gideon T. Sawyer, has given the following list of persons who were members of the Light Infantry Com- pany :

Lysander Washburn, William H. Topham, John; Chapman, Isaac Hathaway, James Durfee, James Drew, James B. Coggeshall, Henry P. Willis, Joseph Webb, Pardon Potter, Luther G. Hewins, Uriah Allen, Paul Ewer, Merrit Bates.

In 1823 the annual muster was held at Assonet. In 1824 the com- panies attended muster at Smith Mills. Capt. Lysander Washburn was elected lieutenant-colonel of the regiment.

In 1825 the Fourth of July celebration was distinguished by its mil- itary character. "The Light Infantry Company, under the command of Zachariah Hillman, and the Artillery Company, Lieut. Comfort Whiting, had an imposing parade, and passed through a variety of evo- lutions and manœuvres creditable to the soldiers and gratifying to the spectators." The festivities closed in the evening with a grand ball, and the band that had rendered service during the day serenaded the citizens until early dawn. It was about this time that the first boys' military company of Bedford village was formed. Rodolphus N. Swift, now of Acushnet, was captain, and among its members who shouldered

255

THE ARTILLERY AT NANTUCKET.

the musket or pike were James H. Howland, Alexander Allen, Gideon Randall, John Stall, Rufus Howland and Fred. Stall. Master George Randall tuned the fife as they marched with flying colors through the town.

In October, 1826, the New Bedford Washington Artillery, Capt. John Harrisson, made an excursion to Nantucket. The event was one of great enjoyment to the soldiers, who evidently had a most delightful trip, judging from the account. A most important fact regarding the affair was, that this company was the first uniformed military organiza- tion that ever marched through the streets of Nantucket. The follow- ing courteous note was addressed to Captain Harrisson previous to his departure from the island :

" NANTUCKET Oct. 5th, 1826.

" Capt. J. Harrisson :

" The committee of arrangements on behalf of the citizens of Nantucket can not on this occasion permit you to depart without offering some testimonial of their great grat- ification at this voluntary visit of the New Bedford Washington Artillery, the first reg- ularly uniformed military corps ever seen in this place, now containing a population of nearly 8,000. The committee can not but regret that untoward circumstances have con- tributed to prevent a reception more adequate to this occasion. But the very soldier- like appearance of your company, the superior skill of your band, and the gentlemanly deportment of your officers, all evincing a high state of discipline, and reflecting honor on yourself and them, have laid the people of this place under obligations never to be forgotten.

" May you return in safety to your homes and families, and may this tour prove a source of pleasure to all parties engaged in it. We have the honor to subscribe our- selves, dear sir, your obedient servants, on behalf of the citizens,

"S. H. JENKS, ROBERT W. JENKS, GEORGE W. EWER, A. MELLEN, ROBERT F. PARKER, HENRY M. PINKHAM, Committee of Arrangements."

To the above letter Captain Harrisson made the following reply :

" in acknowledging the receipt of the polite note with which I have been honored, permit me in behalf of the New Bedford Washington Artillery to express the lively sense that is entertained of the hospitable urbanity which on the part of the committee of arrangements and the citizens of' Nantucket generally conduced to render the recent visit of the military company to your island peculiarly pleasant and gratifying. In communicating to yon their grateful acknowledgments, I can not forbear to remark that

256

HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.

the obliging terms in which the committee have thought proper to refer to the occasion which inspires them, adds additional weight to an already awakened sentiment of obli- gation ; and I beg to be permitted at the same time to tender you the assurance of my personal consideration and respect.

" To the Committee of Arrangements."

" JOHN HARRISSON.

The military companies played an important part in the Fourth of July celebration in 1827. The Light Infantry Company, Capt. Zacha- riah Hillman, and the Washington Artillery Company, Capt. David Sylvester, escorted the procession, which is spoken of as making a splendid appearance. The oration was delivered by J. H. W. Paige, esq On September 7, 1827, the artillery company " left town " on an excursion to Clark's Cove, and spent the day in target shooting and camp duty. The reader may judge from the above item what a wilder- ness the south part of the town was at this time. The military events of this period are closely associated with the names of several citizens well known to the present generation. Among the living representa- tives is our venerable townsman, James D. Thompson, who still walks our streets with vigorous step, although eighty-five years of age. Gen- eral Thompson came to New Bedford in 1827 at the age of nineteen, and at once became interested in the military affairs of the town. He rose rapidly to a high rank, and when but twenty-seven years of age was elected major-general of the Fifth Division of Massachusetts militia.

July 4, 1828, the Light Infantry Company, Capt. Luther T. Wilson, marched to Fairhaven and performed escort duty for the procession, and their services were spoken of as giving brilliancy and effect to the occasion.

The muster this year was held at Berkley, and on their way the in- fantry company encamped a day or two in Fall River, pitching their tents on the hill in the south part of the town. On Sunday morning they accepted an invitation to attend services in the Baptist Church, appearing, by request of the pastor, without music or arms. At noon Rev. Mr. Taylor, afterward the famous Father Taylor of Boston, well known as the " sailor preacher," visited the camp and invited the com- pany to an afternoon service in the Methodist Church. " How shall we come ? " inquired Lieutenant Thompson, who happened to receive the invitation. " Come ?" said the clergyman, " why, come like soldiers

257

ANOTHER EXCURSION TO NANTUCKET.

with music playing, and don't forget your muskets." And so they marched in true military form to the church and listened to a character- istic sermon from the text : " Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God."

Nantucket seemed to have wonderful attractions for the soldiers in those days of peace. In July, 1829, the Light Infantry, under the com- mand of Capt. James D. Thompson, made an excursion to that place. The following men participated :

Captain, James D. Thompson ; lieutenant, Phineas Burgess; ensign, James B. Cogge- shall; privates, Isaac Kempton, Pardon Potter, Rowland Rogers, Thomas Avery. Jona. Hart, Edmund V. French, Horatio Bly, Davis Sherman, Robert H. Gifford, Benjamin S. Burgess, William G. White, William E. Brown, Adonijah Chase, Merrit Bates, Silas Richards, Charles Tanner, Benjamin Chase, Charles F. Wilcox, David Weaver. Leonard Ellis, Abner W. Brownell, James A. Wilbor, James R. Lawrence, John Sanford.

The above names are copied from the original morning report, made by James B. Coggeshall, officer of the day, to James D. Thompson, commanding the New Bedford Light Infantry Company, on camp duty at Nantucket, Saturday morning, July 4, 1829. It was countersigned " All quiet." The company attended by the Middleborough Band, left the harbor at 7 o'clock in the morning in the staunch (if not fast) steamer Hamilton, arriving in Nantucket at 4 P. M., "where," says Captain Thompson, "we received a hearty welcome. As we entered the harbor, the vessels at the wharves and the shore were crowded with people, and it seemed as if the whole town had turned out to greet us. As we passed up the wharf our band played vigorously, and a right royal wel- come was extended to us from the crowds that lined the streets. Our tents were erected on the hill, and our encampment was, for a day, an objective point of interest. A furious gale on the second night of our visit blew our tents flat to the ground, and there was fun in the camp till daylight broke. Early in the morning a committee of citizens offered the use of Lyceum Hall for our headquarters, which we gratefully ac- cepted. Our company received marked attention during our stay, and had the honor of leading the procession. The company were on their best behavior, for they not only formally accepted an invitation but actually attended church on Sunday morning. A rule of the company forbade the use of intoxicating liquors on all public occasions, and though the unbounded hospitality of the Nantucket people put them to

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History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892, Part 24

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