USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 28
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The Guards then embarked for home, and after a short parade re- turned to the armory, where they closed the festivities by assessing themselves 622 cents each to pay for the day's sport.
It was about this time that the minds of some of the Guards began to be stirred with pleasant memories of the past. Visions of Nantucket, with hospitable people, their lavish entertainment in 1842, the genuine heartiness of the reception accorded the Guards, all these and more, came before them with such fascination that it required but little argu- ment to convince them that another excursion was indispensable. And so it came about, that on Tuesday, July 31, 1845, under the command of Lieut. Lincoln F. Brigham, they were again on their way to the island.
The visit of the New Bedford Guards had long been anticipated by Nantucket people ; and when the steamer Massachusetts hove in sight, large crowds wended their way to the various localities by which the Guards were to march. The windows and doorways along the route were filled with women and children, and the sidewalks were lined with men and boys. The American flag was flung to the breeze at the Whig reading- room, and salvos of artillery were fired as the steamer rounded up at Commercial wharf. The Guards were received by a cavalcade of seventy citizens, under command of Matthew Starbuck, esq., assisted by William Summerhays, Barker Brownell, John Cook, jr., and Henry H. Jones. The escort was accompanied by the Nantucket band. As the procession marched through the principal streets, the visitors were greeted with shouts of welcome, the waving of handkerchiefs and other
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THE NEW BEDFORD GUARDS.
demonstrations of joy. The encampment of sixteen tents was pitched on a charming location, and the Guards went into camp fully prepared to enjoy themselves to their heart's content. Their own band was sup- plemented with several members of the Boston Brigade Band, and the citizens were daily entertained with music.
The Guards were complimented for their manly and soldier-like ap- pearance and were considered good specimens of New Bedford citizen- ship. On Sunday they attended church and listened to a sermon by Rev. Mr. Knapp The service was an interesting one, the excellent singing by the choir and the fine organ music by Prof. Townley adding much to its impressive character. The festivities were continued on Monday with an excursion in the steamer Telegraph to Tuckernuck, and a ball in the evening in Washington Hall. The Guards returned home from the week's outing on Wednesday, August 6. They were met at the wharf and escorted to the armory by a detachment of the Willis Guards, Henry P. Willis, commander This company was com- posed of former members of the New Bedford Guards.
When, a few days afterwards, the Guards met and assessed themselves $20 apiece to pay the bills, the occasion was marked by its solemnity, quite in contrast to the target shoot when 6214 cents was all that was required from each to settle accounts. The following item in the rec- ords, written with pencil, is significant: "Excursion to Nantucket on camp duty for one week, August 1, 1845," of which there seems to be no record. The fact was that the Guards, having in remembrance the unprecedented generosity of the Nantucket people on their former trip in 1842, made no special provision for the expenses.
The New Bedford Guards paraded on the afternoon of September 1 I, 1845, and visited by invitation the residence of their commander, Capt. H. G. O. Colby, where they were treated to a collation. This enter- tainment seems to have been given to mark the close of Captain Colby's career as commander of the corps, for the annual muster that immedi- ately followed was the last public appearance of the New Bedford Guards in 1845. January 29, 1846, Lincoln F. Brigham was unanimously chosen captain, and on May 27 the list of officers was completed by the election of the following: First lieutenant, Seth Russell ; second lieutenant, Ferdinand Vassault ; third lieutenant (not mentioned), prob- ably A. B. Cory; fourth lieutenant, Barnabas Ewer, jr.
292
HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
It being the regular May training, the company marched to Clark's Point, armed and equipped as the law directed, pitched their tents and proceeded to the duty of target-shooting Stephen A. Tripp distin- guished himself on this occasion by making the best shot, and he was accorded the honors of the day. The Guards then struck their tents and proceeded to New Bedford, where they paraded through the princi- pal streets.
Fourth of July was celebrated in an unusually patriotic manner It would surely interest our readers if we gave a detailed description of the procession, for which the New Bedford Guards acted as escort. Among the many organizations in line were the Masons, Odd Fellows, temperance societies and eleven fire engine companies, including one from Fairhaven. This company bore a beautiful banner, presented by ladies of that town. An oration was delivered by George Lunt, esq., of Newburyport, in the South Congregational Church (Trinitarian). In the evening there was a grand display of fireworks and a torchlight pro- cession of firemen with 400 flashing torches in the line. In the after- noon the Guards partook of a dinner at the Parker House, as guests of Philadelphia Engine Company No. 7. The occasion was enlivened with speeches and toasts, by Judge Colby, J. A. Kasson, and others. After their return to the armory their hearts were made glad by the receipt of a check for $50, the gift of J. H. W. Page, esq. Judging from the liberal expenditures made by the corps at this time, they had good reason to rejoice over the generous donation.
The following list of officers of the New Bedford Guards appears in the city directory for 1845 : Captain, Lincoln F. Brigham ; first lieu- tenant, James H. Crocker; second lieutenant, William Howe; third lieutenant, George A. Bourne; fourth lieutenant, John H. Chapman ; quartermaster, David Baker; paymaster, Seth Russell ; commissary, J. B. King; surgeon, Ebenezer Plant; treasurer, George A. Bourne; clerk, Thomas Bailey; sergeants, H. F. Clark, B. Ewer, jr., F. W. Hatch, J. P. Merrick, Thomas Bailey ; corpopals, E. T. Taber, S. A. Tripp, I. F. Parsons, Benjamin Hill; armorer, Benjamin Hill ; assistant armorer, S A. Tripp. According to the records Captain Brigham was not fully commissioned till January 29, 1846.
The sound of martial music on July 21, 1846, announced to the citi-
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THE NEW BEDFORD GUARDS.
zens that the New Bedford Guards were again on the march, this time to receive the Union Rifle Company of New York, who arrived in the schooner Ellen Rodman, Captain Sherman. Artillery salutes were fired by Captain Dunham, a veteran of 1812, as the vessel rounded up to the wharf. The Guards escorted their guests to the Parker House, after a street parade, where a collation was served ; thence to their encamp- ment on Kempton street. The Riflemen were a fine looking body, in excellent discipline, and in their Highland uniforms made a splendid appearance. An excursion to Woods Hole, in steamers Massachusetts and Naushon, and a grand ball were included in the festivities of the occasion.
At 5 o'clock in the morning of September 29, 1846, the New Bedford Guards took the train for the muster field at Abington. On their re- turn they went to Boston, where they paraded and were entertained with a collation at the Exchange.
The opening months of 1847 found the New Bedford Guards wrest- ling with the financial problem that seemed to constantly harass their existence. By April they had recovered sufficiently to hold a grand ball on the 2d, that was not only attended by prominent mien from out the city, but "the beauty and élite of this city were present, and a mer- rier company probably were never congregated together on any similar occasion in this place." The annual inspection and target-shoot took place on the Nash farm May 26, 1847, when Stephen Wing won the prize. It will interest many readers if we give the list of officers elected at the annual meeting : Captain, Seth Russell, vicc L. F. Brigham, re- signed ; first lieutenant, Ferdinand Vassault ; second lieutenant, Barna- bas Ewer, jr .; third lieutenant, John A. Hawes; fourth lieutenant, Francis W. Hatch. In the evening, by invitation, the Guards attended the theater in Liberty Hall.
April 29, 1847, the town of New Bedford became a city. The Guards recognized the event by calling upon His Honor, Abraham H. How- land, the first mayor, on the evening of June 8. The brass band vol- unteered their services for the occasion, and the evening proved to be highly enjoyable to all concerned. A fine collation was served. From the mayor's residence they proceeded to the home of their former com- mander, Judge H. G. O. Colby, where a jolly hour was passed.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
At 7.30 o'clock on the morning of June 28, the Guards embarked on steamer Naushon for an excursion to Woodville. Some 500 citizens joined them, and a good time was enjoyed by all.
It was the intention of the Guards to spend the Fourth of July, 1847, in Edgartown, but they consented to postpone this excursion so as to perform escort duty at home. The day was observed with unusual enthusiasm, the festivities including a procession, an oration by J. A. Kasson, esq., a dinner in City Hall and fireworks. Among the visitors were two fire companies from Nantucket. The postponed excursion to Edgartown was made July 14, and while it proved to be a very pleasant affair it involved a pecuniary loss of over $300. It was confidently ex- pected that hundreds of people would accompany them on the trip, but only seventy-five went. It was an unfortunate affair, for it involved a heavy assessment to pay the bills. A brave attempt was made to rise above the existing difficulties, and with apparent success. A new uni- form was purchased in August, and the Guards went to muster at Abington, September 21, in fine style and with a goodly number in the ranks.
The financial affairs of the company at the opening of the year 1848 were in a healthy condition, and the treasurer's account showed that all bills were paid and a small balance in the treasury. It was manifest that there was a steady decline of interest in military affairs, and it was with difficulty that the rolls could be kept full.
The annual target-shoot was held at Clark's Cove, May 31, when Amos Chase was the winner of the medal. An invitation to visit Wash- ington to participate in the laying of the corner-stone of the Washing- ton monument July 4, 1848, was declined, and so was the request of the city authorities for escort duty. A desperate attempt was made in the fall to recruit the ranks, and some fifteen men were elected. The Guards were able to make a good appearance when, on October 3, 1848, they marched to the station on their way to the annual muster at Middleborough. On their return they were escorted to their armory by engine companies Philadelphia No. 7 and Hancock No. 9, and the parade was made brilliant with many lighted torches. The discourage- ments that presented themselves at this period, however, called for de- cisive action ; and at a meeting held December 1, 1848, the committee appointed to consider the situation made the following report :
Thomas B. Jiff
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DISMEMBERMENT OF THE GUARDS.
" Whereas, The New Bedford Guards for a series of years, by their discipline, soldier- like deportment, numerical strength and martial bearing have elicited the warmest en- comiums of applause from those whose province it was to review and inspect, and
" Whereas, From cause for the last two years, that military ardor which, for the pre- vious years of the existence of said corps, characterized its rise and progress, has almost imperceptibly vanished, and
" Whereas, In our judgment every tangible argument, every honorable concession, and every patriotic feeling has been appealed to unsuccessfully to restore to its original stand- ing the reputation of the corps; and finally, where every effort compatible with the dig- nity of the citizen soldiery has been exhausted to accomplish a result so much to be desired and coveted, and all these without the most remote prospect of success, there- fore
" Resolved, That, in consideration of all these discouragements, we see no other alter- native than a dissolution of the corps ; and although many of your committee have passed through many or all the vicissitudes before enumerated, they can, nevertheless, but feel that this anticipated dismemberment, though more sudden in its effects, is preferable to a lingering disease, a recovery from which can not for a moment be cherished.
" Which is respectfully submitted by your committee.
" HENRY F. THOMAS, E. T. TABER,
ISRAEL T. BRYANT, LEVI NYE,
F. W. HATCH, GEORGE G. NYE.
A. G. COREY,
JAMES H. TALLMAN, H. F. CLARK."
Committees were appointed to wind up affairs, and a nominal exist- ence was maintained for several months Weekly drill and business meetings were held until the month of June, 1849, when the New Bed- ford Guards, one of the best organized and most thoroughly equipped military organizations the city ever had, closed its career.
The Parker House was opened and dedicated on Thursday, February 10, 1842, by a sumptuous dinner given by the hosts, Messrs. Horton & Son. There were about 200 citizens and strangers who sat down and partook of the good things spread before them. Among those present were Col. John H. Clifford, Messrs. R. R. Crocker, W. T. Hawes, J. H. W. Page, and T. D. Eliot, of this city ; Messrs. Baylies and Holmes, of Taunton ; Weeks, of Boston, and Thomas, of Worcester. Grace was pronounced by Rev. Sylvester Holmes, and at the close of the re- past Rev. Thomas M. Smith returned thanks in a brief and appropriate manner. Many brilliant speeches were made, and toasts suited to the occasion were tendered. Among the latter were, " The Parker House," responded to by John Avery Parker, esq. The building thus opened
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
as a public hotel was built and occupied for many years by this gentle- man as his private residence. It was named in his honor. The toast, " The Homes of New Bedford," was responded to by Colonel Clifford ; " The Health of the Hostess of the Parker House," drunk standing, by W. T. Hawes; "The Nestor of the Ocean, Commodore Crocker," by the president ; " Our Host," by William Eddy.
A public meeting was held in the town hall July 8, 1843, to take steps to raise funds for the relief of the sufferers at Fall River, from a disastrous fire in that town on the afternoon of July 2. Stephen Mer- rihew presided. A committee was appointed and the result of their work was submitted for publication July 2 :
Cash contributions of citizens, $ 1,347 89
Proceeds of Mr. Russell's concert, 222 00
Proceeds of Mr. Harrington's diorama, 12 00
Total, $1,581 89
In addition to this generous sum there were sent six wagon loads of household furniture, provisions and clothing. Collections were taken for this object in the William street Baptist Church, amounting to $36.75, and in the North Christian Church, $70.
On the evening of September 27, 1843, ex-President John Quincy Adams visited New Bedford as the guest of Hon. Joseph Grinnell. He was escorted from the depot by a cavalcade of forty young men bear- ing torches under the command of George A. Brown. The next day a public reception was given to the distinguished visitor in the town hall. An address of welcome was delivered by James B. Congdon, chairman of selectmen. Mr. Adams made a twenty-minute speech to the audience that crowded the hall. At the close of the exercises hun- dreds of citizens availed themselves of the privilege of shaking hands with the honored statesman.
His first visit to New Bedford was on Saturday, September 19, 1835, when with his son and several gentlemen he arrived from Nantucket in the Steamer Telegraph. The party was quartered at the Mansion House, and on Sunday attended religious worship at Rev. Mr. Angier's church.
The first negro minstrel concert ever given in New Bedford was in Mechanics' Hall, February 18 and 19, 1845, by the " Sable Sisters and Ethiopian Minstrels."
297
ACCEPTANCE OF THE CITY CHARTER.
In 1843 Daniel Webster was in New Bedford. His presence here was as counsel in a will case, then being tried in the court-house. His address to the jury was of thrilling interest to an immense audience that crowded the court- room.
The Pacific Congregational Church, located on the corner of Foster and Kempton streets, was dedicated Wednesday afternoon, November 5, 1845.
Almost every year a committee was appointed to suppress the sale of intoxicating liquors. In 1846 the committee was instructed to call on every family in town and ascertain if they were for, or against, the temperance movement, and whether they would adopt the teetotal pledge.
The question of accepting a city charter came up for discussion early in the year of 1847. At a special town meeting held January 23, the matter was referred to a committee of twenty citizens : J. H. W. Page, George Howland, jr., Sampson Perkins, John Baylies, Horatio A. Kemp- ton, Thomas Mandell, George Hussey, Henry H. Crapo, Abraham Barker, John H. Clifford, William H. Taylor, Henry Taber, James H. Collins, Edward W. Green, I. D. Hall, E. M. Robinson, Ward M. Par- ker, Thomas A. Greene, Ephraim Kempton, Seth Russell. At a meet- ing held February 6, the committee reported a form of charter. Sev- eral amendments were made, and after a vigorous discussion the com- mittee was instructed to petition the General Court for the passage of an act granting the town a city charter.
Another town meeting was held March 8 for further consideration of the subject, but it adjourned without action by a vote of 398 to 273. On March 18 the citizens voted upon the acceptance of an " Act to establish the city of New Bedford." It was carried by a vote of 1, 150 to 814 against.
Among the deaths occuring at this period were the following :
1840, May 4, William Howland, aged eighty-four; November 21, Nathaniel Rogers, an influential citizen of the town, aged fifty-six.
1841, July 20, Captain Joseph Dunbar, a successful and retired ship- master, aged fifty-four ; August 6, Weston Howland, a respected mem- ber of the Society of Friends, aged seventy-eight ; October 9, Joseph Ricketson, an eminent citizen, distinguished for his unblemished char-
38
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
acter and usefulness, cashier of the New Bedford Commercial Bank, aged seventy - one.
1842, January 16, John Hathaway, a pensioner of the American Rev- olution, the oldest citizen at date of his death, aged eighty seven.
1844, June 16, Thurston Potter, aged eighty-six ; July 24, Elihu Rus- sell, aged eighty ; August 8, Deacon James Tripp, one of the original members of William Street Baptist Church, aged sixty-five.
1847, March 18, Benjamin Drew, soldier of the Revolution, aged eighty ; June 15, Capt. Stephen Merrihew, a prominent and much re- spected citizen.
List of Selertmen : 1812 and 1813, Roger Haskell, Samuel Perry, Manasseh Kempton ; 1814, Roger Haskell, Samuel Perry, Capt. William Hathaway ; 1815, Samuel Perry, Manasseh Kempton, Joseph Ricketson ; 1816, Joseph Ricketson, Jonathan Swift, James Howland 2d; 1817, James Howland 2d, William Hathaway, Manasseh Kempton ; 1818 and 1819, Manasseh Kempton, William Hathaway, Dudley Davenport; 1820, Roger Haskell, William Hathaway, Eli Haskell; 1821, Eli Haskell, Gideon Howland, Jr., William Hathaway ; 1822, Eli Haskell, Gideon Howland, jr., Killey Eldredge; 1823, William Hathaway, Elkanah Tallman, Ephraim Kempton; 1824, Ephraim Kempton, William Hathaway, Joseph Bourne : 1825 and 1826, William Hathaway, Joseph Bourne, Ephraim Kempton; 1827 and 1828, Joseph Bourne, William Hathaway, Eph- raim Kempton : 1829, Joseph Bourne, William C. Nye, Thomas Mandell ; 1830, Will- iam C. Nye, Thomas Mandell, Joseph R. Shiverick; 1831, Thomas Mandell, William C. Nye, Joseph R. Shiverick; 1832, Alfred Gibbs, Eli Haskell, Ephraim Kempton ; 1833, Charles W. Morgan, James B. Congdon, Samuel Little; 1834, Charles W. Morgan, James B. Congdon, Thomas Nickerson ; 1835, James B. Congdon, Thomas Nickerson, Joseph R. Shiverick; 1836, James B. Congdon, Samuel Tobey, E. N. Chaddock; 1837, James B. Congdon, Thomas B. Bush, Ephraim Kempton; 1838 and 1839, James B. Congdon, Thomas B. Bush, John P. West; 1840, James B. Congdon, Ephraim Kemp- ton, John P. West; 1841, Samson Perkins, Edward W. Greene, Rodney French ; 1842, 1843, 1844, and 1845, Ephraim Kempton, James B. Congdon, George Howland, jr. ; 1846, George Howland, jr., John Baylies, Horatio A. Kempton.
STREET EXTENSION.
1831, March 28, First street extended from Walnut to Bush street, Fifth street from School to Walnut street, Elm street from Purchase to County street.
1832, road accepted from Ricketson house, near Clark's Cove, east- erly and southerly, to road leading to Clark's Point.
1833, Sixth street accepted from Elm to Middle streets, Maxfield street from Purchase to County road, Mill street from Purchase to Ray
299
EXTENSION OF STREETS.
street, Fourth street from Francis Taber's house to Bedford street, Rus- sell street from Sixth to Third street, Bedford street from County street to Third street.
1834, Fifth street accepted from Walnut to Bedford street, Walden street from Maxfield to Hillman street, Water street from Bush to Grif- fin street.
1835, Eighth street accepted from Spring to William street, Kempton street from County to contemplated Foster street, Mill street from Mill street to -, Center street from Water to Orange street, Bush street from County to contemplated Seventh street.
1836, Pleasant street accepted from North to Willis street, Campbell street from Purchase to Pleasant street, Ray street to Pearl street, Pearl street from Ray to Purchase street, Sixth street from Union to William street, Sixth street from Russell to Bedford street.
1837, Foster street accepted from Maxfield to Hillman street, Foster street from North to Middle street, Sixth street from William to Elm street, Cannon street from Second to Third street, Middle street from County street to African church, Summer street from Middle to Kemp- ton street.
1838, Seventh street accepted to Bush street, Grinnell street from Third to Water street, Pleasant street from North to Maxfield street.
1839, Walnut street accepted from Water street to River, First street from Grinnell to South street, First street to School street, South Water street from Griffin to Clark's Neck, North Water street from Middle to North street, Market street from Sixth to Cheapside.
1840, Purchase street widened and laid out anew from Maxfield street to junction of County road, Hill street accepted from Kempton to North street.
1841, Pleasant street accepted from Maxfield to Willis street, Ark lane from North Second to North Water street, Thomas street from Hillman to Maxfield street, Bush street from Sixth to Seventh street, Rodman street from North Water to Orange street.
1842, Sixth street accepted from Wing to Grinnell street, Bedford street from County street to Dartmouth lane, Union street from County to contemplated Orchard street, North Orchard street from contem - plated Union to contemplated Morgan street, Smith street from County to Albro lot, Eighth street from William to Elm street.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
1843, Orchard street accepted from Hawthorn to Bedford street, Foster street from North to Hillman street, Elm street from County to C. W. Morgan's land.
1844, Grinnell street accepted from Third to County street, State street from Campbell to Willis street, Campbell street from Pleasant to State street, Hill street from North to Hillman street.
1845, Russell street accepted from South Second to South Water street, South Second street from Grinnell to South street, Hawthorn street from County to contemplated Cottage street, North street from Ray to Water street, Pleasant street from Willis to Pearl street.
1846, Cedar street accepted from North to Kempton street, Grinnell street from South Water to South Orange street, Grinnell street from County to contemplated Orchard street, Washington street from County to Dartmouth street, North Water street from Hillman street to -, State street from Willis to contemplated Franklin street, South street from Third to contemplated Orange street, Summer street from Elm to Middle street, Bellville Road from McPherson's wharf to Head-of- the-River.
CHAPTER XVIII.
FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE CITY TO THE CIVIL WAR.
Adoption of City Charter - First Officers under the New Government - Inaugu- ration Ceremonies - Events of Interest -- The Dudley Davenport Fire -Summary of Events -Burning of Liberty Hall -Effects of the Fugitive Slave Law -The Howland Street Riot -The Water Street Fire - Opening of New Streets - Necrology.
T THE city charter was adopted March 18, 1847, and the city govern- ment was organized April 28, with the following officers : Mayor-Abraham H. Howland.
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