USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 27
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T "HE small-pox again made its appearance in New Bedford in 1839 and 1840. Prompt measures were instituted to control the dis- ease. Each house containing a case was constituted a hospital and its occupants subjected to rigid rules. One of the regulations reads : " Every person, without any exception, who shall leave your premises, shall be thoroughly smoked by you, before so doing." General vac- cination was enforced.
The annual meeting of the New Bedford Athenaum was held Jan-
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
uary 15, 1840. The report of the trustees was presented by Rev. John H. Morrison. It showed the receipts for the year to be $1,264. 10, and expenditures $1,147.14. The trustees made an urgent appeal to the young men to more liberally patronize the Athenæum, and to " take ad- vantage of the books and collections in the natural history cabinets, thereby developing their minds and preparing themselves for a thor- ough knowledge of those things most useful in a business life."
The New Bedford and Taunton Railroad was completed in 1840, and opened to the public July I. An account of the opening ceremonies is given in the chapter on railroads.
The question of granting licenses for theatrical exhibitions, which was a vexed topic for several years, again came up at a special town meeting held September 14, 1840, and by a decisive vote of 566 to twelve the selectmen were instructed to grant such licenses. A license had been granted I. P. Adams for a concert and exhibition of comic songs and narrations at Mechanic's Hall, September I. It would seem that this fact had prompted the action of the town.
The Whaling Insurance Company of New Bedford was organized under the State laws in 1840. Its marine risks were limited to $5,000 on each policy issued. George Howland, jr., president ; J. H. How- land, secretary ; Thamas S. Hathaway, Gideon Richmond, Edward L. Baker, Oliver C Swift, B. S. Rotch, Wilson Barstow, Abraham H. How- land, Joseph C. Delano, Barton Ricketson, Jonathan Bourne, jr., Ed- ward W. Howland, S. W. Rodman, B. B. Howard, Clement P. Covell, directors.
The market and town hall building was finished and occupied early in 1840.
At a special town meeting held April 10, 1841, Joseph Grinnell pre- sided and Henry H. Crapo acted as secretary. Appropriate resolu- tions were presented and adopted, " lamenting the untimely death of William Henry Harrison, president of the United States, only one month from the date of his inauguration." April 27, 1840, was desig- nated for a memorial ceremony, and it was observed with great solemnity. A procession was formed at the town hall, Gen. James D. Thomson acting as marshal. It comprised military and artillery companies, rev- enue officers, congressmen, postmasters and civil officers, judges of the
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AGITATION FOR CITY GOVERNMENT.
court, school committee, town officers, and citizens. The procession, numbering 1,000 persons, marched to solemn music by the bands through the principal streets to the North Baptist (White) Church, where impressive services were held.
In 1841 the town-house on South Second street was fitted up as an armory for the city guards, and for police court rooms.
During the year 1841 the agitation of the question of changing the form of local government was begun. A series of articles appeared in the Mercury, written by a citizen under the nom de plume of "Romulus," earnestly advocating the change. He favored it in point of economy and set forth at length and in detail the plans of a complete municipal government. He described the benefits to be derived by the people therefrom, and endeavored to show that the size and business impor- tance of New Bedford had become too great for town government. The articles, which exhibited much erudition, were responded to and commented upon by other contributors. Among these were "Remus," " North End," and "Interrogation." The substance of these articles plainly indicated that the subject of a city government had taken a firm hold on the public mind. This was revealed at the town meeting February 5, 1842, when the subject came up for general discussion. A test vote was taken upon the following resolution offered by Benja- min T. Congdon :
"Resolved, That in the opinion of the citizens of New Bedford the time has not yet come, when the convenience of the citizens, or the public necessities call for an act incorporating this town into a city ; therefore,
" Resolved, That the future consideration of the application for a city charter for New Bedford be indefinitely postponed."
The vote on these resolutions was 373 in favor af their adoption, and 320 against, showing the wide-spread feeling in favor of a city govern- ment five years before it was actually established.
A volunteer light infantry company under the name of the New Bed- ford Guards was organized January 25, 1841, with the following officers: Captain, Harrison G. O. Colby ; lieutenants, James H. Collins, Samuel Watson, James H. Crocker ; sergeants, Henry P. Willis, James B. Congdon, David Silvester, John H. Chapman, William Howe ; corpo- rals, Cyrus W. Chapman, Josiah B. King, Nathaniel R. Childs, Robert
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
K. Eastman ; surgeons, William R. Wells, R. S. S. Andros; treasurer, James B. Congdon ; armorers, Nicholas T. Brownell, William Brownell. The membership roll comprised about 100 citizens, many of them occu- pying positions of prominence in the community.1
The Guards wore a blue uniform, swallow tail coats and trousers, both trimmed with white, the former with shoulder knots; black leather belts, with priming wire and brush attached (for these were the days of the flint lock gun) ; cartridge boxes, held in position by broad white cross-belts over the shoulders; regulation caps, the form of which was unpopular, so they were called " coal hods." This dress was worn at stated drills and musters prescribed by the State. On festive occasions and public parades the Guards wore white trousers and Polish hats of unique design. The hat was of black leather, closely fitting the crown of the head, and rose in the form of an inverted bell, finished with a square flat top. From this floated a tall plume of white and red feath- ers: a braided loop of white cording from the sides across the front, and over the silver plated visor was a fluted metal plate called the ray, with a gold spread eagle, both brilliantly polished.
The Guards numbered 100 men, and formed one of the largest com- panies in New England. Henry C. Kelley, who happened to be the last one who signed the roll at its organization, was ever after known in the corps as " Old Hundred." The corps had a brass band well trained in martial music under the leadership of Sihon Packard.
The first parade of the New Bedford Guards was on Tuesday, April 27, 1841, on the commemoration of the death of the President of the United States, William H. Harrison. They performed escort duty on this occasion, aided by the Cohannet Rifle Company of Taunton and the Norton Artillery. After the exercises in the Norton Christian Church, the soldiers partook of a collation in the town hall. The chief marshal, Gen. J. D. Thompson, and Maj. J. H. W. Page made speeches in which the military organizations were highly complimented for the prompt and soldier-like manner in which they had performed their du- ties of the day.
The death of one of the members, John Howland Allen, was recog- nized with appropriate resolutions, and the corps attended his funeral,
1 For the full list of members see appendix.
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THE NEW BEDFORD GUARDS.
which was held in the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church May 27, 1841. It was a singular fact that the first two parades of the Bed- ford Guards were to perform escort duty for funeral processions.
The first training day was observed June 8, 1841, and the company was exercised in military tactics under the command of Captain Colby. On the 5th of July, 1841, the Guards opened the festivities of the day by escorting a procession of Sunday-school children to the church where public exercises were held. They then proceeded to Taunton in response to a courteous invitation from the Cohannet Rifle Company, Captain Hall. They received the most cordial welcome and were the lions of the day. They were met by the Rifle Company and a large concourse of people, and escorted to the Green, where they were greeted with appropriate words of welcome by Hon. Francis Baylies in behalf of the citizens of Taunton. In the afternoon a banquet was given, at which speeches and toasts were made, highly complimentary to the New Bedford Guards.
After the banquet, another parade through the town took place, and at 6 o'clock the Guards took their departure for home. The day's pleasure closed with a levee given by the officers. On July 29, 1841, Third Lieutenant James B. Congdon (who had been elected to that office June 7) presented his resignation and a request for discharge from the company. The high esteem in which he was held by his comrades is shown in the following resolutions which were adopted :
" NEW BEDFORD, July 29, 1841.
" Resolved, That the New Bedford Guards have received the resignation of their friend and comrade, Lient. J. B. Congdon, as an officer and member of the corps with profound regret ; but from the character of the reasons set forth in his letter of resigna- tion, they feel obliged reluctantly to yield to his request."
Mr. Congdon was a member of the Society of Friends, and it was in deference to its peace principles that he withdrew from this military or- ganization. On August 4 the Guards were again marching. They spent the day in Fairhaven, where they were greeted with a hearty speech of welcome by E. Sawin, esq., and were provided with a collation. The corps then made a parade about town, and after performing a number of evolutions returned home.
August 25, 1841, was a gala day in New Bedford, the event being the arrival of the Providence Light Infantry, Captain Brown, that was
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
to hold an encampment for several days in our town. The occasion had been looked forward to with great interest in military circles, and liberal preparations were made by the residents to give the visitors a royal welcome. They were met at the station by the New Bedford Guards and a large cavalcade of citizens under the command of Col. John H. Clifford, who, after a parade through the principal streets, es- corted the visitors to their encampment on County street, near the residence of John A. Parker. At 3 o'clock the two military companies proceeded to the town hall, where a sumptuous dinner had been pre- pared for them by Mr Horton of the Mansion House. After dinner speeches by Captain Colby, Colonel Clifford, and Captain Brown were followed by volunteer toasts and sentiments, intermingled with songs by Mr. Warner of Providence. The occasion was one of keen pleasure and it was half-past five when the visitors were escorted to their tented field.
The next day, Thursday, the ladies of New Bedford complimented the soldiers with an entertainment, an account of which is taken from the records of the Guards: "The ladies of New Bedford have been long distinguished for their elegance and taste, but in the beautiful arrange- ments for the picnic at Blackmer's Grove they certainly exceeded them- selves. The tables extended nearly the entire length of the grove, and with the snowy drapery, the festoons and wreaths, the flowers, cakes and luscious fruits, formed the most elegant display ever witnessed. It is not enough to say that the affair was beautifully arranged, it was more; it was beauty's battle-field." Friday, the 27th, had been set by the Prov- idence Infantry for a reception of their friends in camp, but the weather Was stormy, and this feature was abandoned. The disappointment was more than met by a ball given in the evening at the armory, now the Central Police Station. More rain and more disappointment followed on Saturday, and the anticipated drill was given up. The tents were struck in the forenoon, and under the escort of the Guards the Provi- dence Light Infantry marched to the station and departed for home. Notwithstanding the stormy weather the occasion was conceded to have been one of the pleasantest of the season.
A few weeks passed, and again the Guards in full uniform are on their way to the station to receive the Norfolk Guards, Captain Spooner,
Chas & Cohly
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THE NEW BEDFORD GUARDS.
of Roxbury, who had selected the day-October 11, 1841-for a visit to the prosperous whaling city. These two companies are said to have been the largest in New England, and they made a fine appearance as they marched down town. At I o'clock they sat down to a public din- ner provided by the citizens, after which both companies gave an exhi- bition of their proficiency in drill. In the evening the Norfolk Guards were entertained with dancing in the armory hall, and returned on the following day to their homes, well pleased with New Bedford hospi- tality.
In October the ante-rooms of the armory were elegantly furnished with carpets, mirrors and tables, the whole expense being borne by vol- untary contributions of the members. The Guards were now estab- lished in most comfortable quarters, and the close of the first year of their existence found them in a well-organized condition.
June 21, 1842, the New Bedford Guards made an excursion to Nan- tucket in the steamer Telegraph, Captain Phinney. The hospitality of the islanders was unbounded and served to make the visit of the corps an occasion of the highest enjoyment. The event is spoken of with en- thusiasm by the few surviving veterans of to-day. The discipline and military accomplishments of the Guards at this time were in marked contrast to the rude methods of the militia that preceded them. The weekly drills were schools of learning in military tactics, and rapid ad- vancement was made in true soldierly graces that made the corps fa- mous in its day.
The New Bedford Guards had barely recovered from the festivities at Nantucket before a committee was appointed to make arrangements for an excursion to Roxbury to visit their old friends, the Norfolk Guards, and on August 26, 1842, they spent the day in that city, re- ceiving a royal welcome from the citizens and military. On Septem- ber 21 the sad news of the death of their comrade, Alexander B. Dunbar, at Bremen, Germany, was received. Appropriate resolutions were passed, and the company marched to the residence of Mrs. Dun- bar and presented her an engrossed copy. The season of 1842 closed on October 10 with the annual target-shoot. The season of : 843 opened with a parade on Washington's Birthday. On election day in Rhode Island, May 2, the New Bedford Guards went on an excursion to New-
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
port in the steamer Massachusetts, where they were received by the Newport Artillery, Captain Swan, and the Rhode Island Horse Guards. In the afternoon the guards had dress parade in front of the State House and returned home the next morning. May training was observed on the 3Ist by a visit to Fairhaven.
A rest of less than three weeks, and again the Guards are on the march, this time to take part in that great event, the celebration of the completion of Bunker Hill monument, June 17, 1843. They assembled at the armory at 3 o'clock Saturday morning, and marching to the sta- tion took the 4 o'clock train, arriving on Boston Common at 7.15. Here they joined the other military companies (fifty- eight organizations in all), and at 12 o'clock wheeled into the line of procession for Bunker Hill. It was fitting that New Bedford should be represented on this occasion, for the old township of Dartmouth had two militia companies in the army about Boston when the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, June 17, 1775. The Guards were entertained with a bountiful collation by their old friends, the Norfolk Guards. It was their privilege to listen to the famous oration by Daniel Webster.
Our own city had a part in the patriotic enterprise of building Bunker Hill monument. In 1836 $642 were contributed for this ob- ject.I
In speaking of the old militia times the opportunity must not be lost for recording some reminiscences of those days, furnished by Elisha C. Leonard.
The old militia system gradually fell into contempt ; and as wealth increased, those who had military aspirations and could stand the ex- pense went into the uniformed companies. The uniforms, precise evo- lutions, and martial music served to render the parades and half-yearly exercises of the militia ridiculous ; and the continued peace of the na- tion had allowed the active generation to come forward without knowl- edge of the art of war except that obtained from the traditions of the Revolution and the War of 1812. The State laws, however, were in force, and all citizens between twenty and sixty years of age were sub- ject to a warning to perform military duty at May trainings and at yearly musters.
) A list of the subscribers will be found in the appendix.
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CAPTAIN JACK'S LAST PARADE.
The afternoons of the training days were generally devoted to firing exercise. The companies fired by platoons on the march, divided and filed off to the right and left, and loaded muskets while the other pla- toons advanced and performed the same exercise. Sometimes the companies were drawn up in line and the firing was simultaneous; then again a fusillade was discharged down the line from right to left. Re- freshments were deemed absolutely necessary in those days before the advent of temperance societies, and many an officer obtained his com- mission through his liberality in Santa Cruz, lemons and sugar. By the time the afternoon exercises were in operation the refreshments had begun to tell, and in the roar of the discharges one could not always be sure that his musket went off. It was no unusual thing to see a soldier knocked head over heels by the explosion of a double charge in his musket. The effect was all the more terrific if the gun happened to be an old king's arm that was rusty and considerably breech-burned.
The very last parade in this town was notable. There were three companies called the North Enders, Middle Company, and South End- ers. The latter company had elected a fine looking fellow as captain, who entered upon his duties full of enthusiasm. He determined that every man in his district should obey the laws of the State. "Train or pay " was his watchword, and he sent out his warning to every one liable to do military duty. There was a man boarding with this cap- tain's father who was rather feeble, and whom the old man requested his son, Captain Jack, to leave off the list and not to warn him, as he could ill afford to pay the fine. The noble commander said he should be warned, and then ensued a contention that culminated in a fight in which the old man was soundly thrashed. The story soon became known by everybody about the town. On the day of inspection and parade Captain Jack appeared with a full company of one hundred men. His persistent energy, combined with the fear of being fined, had brought satisfactory results. The inspection and drill were as thorough as possible, and the enthusiasm of the commander permeated the whole force. A good dinner and plenty of refreshments followed, and in the afternoon the company was exercised in marching.
At about 3 o'clock they paraded down Union street, Captain Jack at the head of the column, resplendent in a blue coat trimmed with lace,
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
epaulets, white trousers, red belt, sword, a bell-topped enamel hat, sur- mounted by a tall plume of red and white feathers; in fact he was ar- rayed in the full uniform of an infantry officer. There was unusual order and compactness along the line save a little unsteadiness now and then, that betrayed the working of the punch. John Perry, of " Dog Corner " fame, was in his place next to the second sergeant. His mus- ket was properly shouldered, and in his right hand he carried a long switch stick. He was constantly saluting and pointing to persons he knew among the spectators. The company passed down Union street, and Captain Jack wheeled his command into North Water street, which was crowded with people. Merchants, lawyers, traders, bank and in- surance officers and mechanics were there gazing upon the pageant as it marched along. No commander ever carried himself better than did Captain Jack, his form perpendicular and his step as measured and true as the most rigid disciplinarian could have desired. His lofty plume nodded gracefully in the air, and there was a manifest haughtiness and pride in his bearing that showed his appreciation of the dignity of his office. As the second section wheeled around the corner of North Water street, John Perry, with a broad smile on his countenance, and pointing forward with his stick, with stentorian voice that rang out above the music, shouted " That's the boy that whipped his daddy." The effect was electric, the crowd burst into one uproarious shriek of laugh- ter, and poor Captain Jack collapsed. In a meek and despondent spirit he marched his company home and dismissed it, never again to be as- sembled. Captain Jack's military days were ended.
At six o'clock on the morning of August 2, 1843, the New Bedford Guards marched to the Pearl street station, and received the Boston Light Infantry, Captain Andrews, who, accompanied by the famous Boston Brigade Band, were to hold a three days' encampment in the town. After exchanging military courtesies, the two corps paraded through the principal streets. The encampment was held on the County street lot near the John Avery Parker residence, corner of Willis street. Late in the afternoon the soldiers partook of a banquet in the armory ; and in the evening there was a grand parade, the brilliancy of the oc- casion being enhanced by torchlights carried by the Philadelphia En- gine Company No. 7. On Saturday, the last day of the encampment,
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THE NEW BEDFORD GUARDS.
high carnival pervaded the town, and the festivities closed with another parade through the streets.
The annual muster was held in South Bridgewater, September 25, 1843, and the New Bedford Guards were honored by being selected as escort for the governor and his staff. It is apparant from a glance through the financial records that at this time the Guards were feeling the force of the saying that " if you dance, you must pay the fiddler." Never- theless, they held their annual target shoot, May 29, 1844, at Benjamin Rodman's farm. The honors and a gold medal were won by John N. Barrows.
The morning of August 22, 1844, found the Guards in marching order on their way to Providence, where they were to hold a three days' encampment for improvement in military tactics and other con- siderations. They were met by the First Light Infantry, Captain Brown, who provided them with an excellent breakfast at the railroad station. They were then escorted to the City Hotel and made wel- come with a speech from the mayor of the city. Their tents were pitched at the head of the cove, a convenient location, with beautiful surroundings. In the afternoon, a banquet provided by the Light In- fantry Company was enjoyed at the Franklin House.
It is presumed that the next day, August 22, was devoted in part to military exercises, the only event that hindered the whole time being used for that purpose being a clam bake at Medbury's grove. The reader may judge for himself as to the proportion of time given to each.
The 23d had been set down for a grand parade in the city, but the stormy weather made it impossible ; so the day was spent in camp pleas- ures peculiar to such conditions. Dress parade was observed late in the afternoon, during which time guard duty was performed by the Rhode Island Horse Guards. In the evening the corps attended the theater, and on the next day, after visiting the several armories of the city, the New Bedford Guards were escorted to the station and pio- ceeded homeward. A pleasant surprise was in store for them on their arrival, for they were met at the station by a large body of cavalry and infantry under the command of their late sergeant, Henry P. Willis, who escorted them to the armory, where a second surprise greeted them
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
in the shape of a bounteously spread table of refreshments. Thus ended one of the most enjoyable excursions in the history of the New Bedford Guards.
Washington's birthday in 1845 was recognized by the Guards with a street parade and an entertainment in the town hall that was attended by military men from Boston, Providence and elsewhere.
May training was held on May 28, 1845. The Guards pitched their tents at Fort Phœnix, making the voyage across the river in the ferry boat Union, or the Crab, as she was called in our boyhood days. The best shot during the target practice was made by Mr. Tilson Wood, and he was awarded the silver medal.
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