USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford and its vicinity, 1620-1892 > Part 35
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Many other similar incidents might appropriately find a place in these pages, could space be spared, but these will suffice to show that New Bed- ford, true to her record in the past, was honorably represented in the naval operations of the civil war.'
Among the officers in the U. S. Navy belonging in New Bedford who did service during the civil war were :
Lieut. - Commander William P. Randall.
Paymaster Gilbert E. Thornton.
Acting Assistant Paymaster James H. Hathaway.
Assistant Surgeon George F. Winslow.
Acting Volunteer Lientenants William H. Woods, Henry Arey, I. H. Eldredge.
Gunner Felix Cassidy.
Acting Masters Charles M. Anthony, Ezra S. Goodwin, Prince S. Borden, George P. Lee, Joseph A. Bullard, Henry R. Baker, Henry K.
1 For " Roll of Honor," comprising a list of soldiers of New Bedford who lost their lives through the war, see appendix.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
Lapham, Charles A. Crooker, Frederick Reed, James B. Wood, jr., W. K. Tallman, jr., Ira B. Studley, I. H. Ferney, Henry Arey, Henry D. Edwards.
Acting Master's Mates, George P. Gifford, Henry Few, C. P. Purring- ton.
Acting Ensigns Henry Hathaway, John J. P. Zettick, James H. Barry, William Jenney, Jere. H. Bennett, Charles W. Cleveland, Samuel H. Damon, Edward N. Rider, William H. Jennings, Stephen E. Merri- hew, Timothy Delano, Samuel G. Swain, James D. Babcock, James E. Carr, Ansel S. Hitch, Oscar F. Wixon, James B. Russell, George H. Drew, Calvin S. Wilcox, William C. Borden, John H. Chapman, Will- iam Ottawell.
CHAPTER XX.
FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO THE PRESENT.
The Two-Hundredth Anniversary and its Celebration -- Address Sent to Dart- mouth, England - Establishment of Water Works - Development of Manufactures -Minor Incidents - Fourth of July Celebration in 1876 - Establishment of Various Manufacturing Institutions - Necrology - Statistics of Growth - City Officers from 1847 to 1891.
W HILE the great Rebellion was drawing to a close, an event oc- curred in New Bedford, the details of which it is a pleasure to record. This was the celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Dartmouth, on Wednesday, September 14, 1864. The exercises were under the direction of a committee of arrangements representing the towns of Dartmouth, Westport, Fair- haven, and Acushnet, and the city of New Bedford. Invitations had been extended to the sons and daughters of Old Dartmouth abroad and a cordial greeting to all who by birth, descent, marriage, or former residence, were interested in the celebration.
A procession was formed on City Hall square at ten o'clock, under the marshalship of Henry J. Taylor, assisted by Andrew G. Pierce,
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
Lemuel M. Kollock, Cornelius Davenport, John W. Macomber, William C. Taber, jr., and Charles H. Gifford. It was arranged in the following order :
New Bedford Brass Band; Marshal ; Common Council of New Bed- ford; Clerk of the Common Council ; Board of Aldermen ; City Clerk ; Selectmen of Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Acushnet ; Town clerks; Rhode Island and Massachusetts Christian Conference; Invited guests ; Mayor of New Bedford ; Orator, poet, and officiating clergymen. The pro- cession marched through several streets and then proceeded to the North Christian Church, where the following exercises took place : Music by the New Bedford Brass Band; Singing by the choir of an original hymn, by James B. Congdon ; Prayer by the Rev. William J. Potter ; Address by His Honor, George Howland, jr., Mayor of New Bedford; Singing by the choir-The Battle Hymn of the Republic, by Julia Ward Howe ; Historical address by Hon. William W. Crapo ; Music by the band ; Reading of an original poem by its author, James B. Congdon ; Music by the band ; Benediction by Rev. Tyler C. Moulton.
The exercises were of a highly interesting character and engaged the close attention of an audience that completely filled the church. The eloquent address of Hon. William Wallace Crapo was replete with valu- able information relating to the early history of the township. At the conclusion of the exercises, which for two hours afforded much pleasure and profit to all who attended, the procession was again formed and marched to City Hall. At 2 o'clock P. M. a banquet was served to a large company of citizens and invited guests. Mayor Howland presided at the post-prandial exercises, and Col. C. B. H. Fessenden officiated as toast-master. The following toasts were offered :
" The President of the United States-honest and faithful Abraham Lincoln." Hon. Thomas Dawes Eliot.
" The Governor of Massachusetts-sound in head and heart; true to the State, careful of its interests, jealous of its honor, tender of its citi- zens, and true to the nation, the sovereign and safeguard of the State." Hon. Robert C. Pitman.
"The Army and Navy-more than sympathy, all honor to the brave and gallant soldiers and sailors, the true peacemakers, who, by their
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
heroism in suffering and exploit, have added to the nation's glory, and through whose noble deeds we have the assurance of the nation's safety." Rev. William J. Potter, late chaplain U. S. army. Mr. Potter closed his address with the following sentiment: "The free church, the free school and the free ballot, we would defend and spread throughout the land, and open to all the inhabitants thereof."
An interesting letter was read from Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, presi- dent of the Massachusetts Historical Society, stating his inability to be present, and requesting ex-Governor Clifford to respond for him and for the society. Governor Clifford made an eloquent speech and closed amid great applause with the sentiment : " The old town of Dartmouth -its founders were among the first to form a union to secure religious liberty for the individual : May their descendants be as steadfast and uncompromising in maintaining the 'Liberty and Union, now and for- ever,' of their common country."
The toast to the clergy was as follows : "They owe much to those sturdy men of Old Dartmouth, who, though they refused to pay church rates, never failed to support honest and God-fearing ministers; and who, in a tolerant and catholic spirit, chose in 1730 as their religious teachers, Nicholas Howland, a Friend, and Philip Taber, a Baptist."
Rev. Dr. Babcock, of Poughkeepsie, a former pastor of the William Street Baptist Church, responded in a pleasant speech, and offered the following : "The absent sons of Dartmouth-wherever they are, they remember their mother with undying affection."
The toast-master read several letters from the following named gen- tlemen who had been invited but could not be present: His Excellency Gov. John A. Andrew, Hon. Henry H. Crapo, Rev. Orville Dewey, Hon. Alexander H. Bullock, Hon. J. H. W. Page, Martin L. Eldridge, Thomas Almy, Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Rev. Charles Ray Palmer, Hon. Lemuel Williams, Rev. William S. Studley, Daniel Ricketson, and Hon. Stephen Salisbury, president of the American Antiquarian So- ciety.
The following lines were read by Colonel Fessenden in response to the question : " What is there of interesting incident connected with the history of Dartmouth ?"
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TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY.
" A Dartmouth' ship to Dartmouthª shore, The bold adventurous Gosnold bore ; 'Twas Dartmonth's' wide, historic strand, Sheltered the storm-tossed Pilgrim Band ; Against the wrong of British greed,
Hear Dartmouth's peer for justice plead ; A Dartmoth ship" with Dartmouth? crew, With Dartmouth's name" and owner3 too, Had lading of th' historic tea. Which found its steeping in the sea- Wave-offering to Liberty."
James B. Congdon then read an address that he had prepared to be sent to the mayor and aldermen of the city of Dartmouth, county of Devon, England, as follows :
" To the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen of the city of Dartmouth, connty of Devon, England :
" GENTLEMEN :- On this day of our solemn festivities, while we are assembled to com- memorate the incorporation, two hundred years ago, of the town called by a name which your historic city has borne for nearly a thousand, we, the people of the city of New Bed- ford, and of the towns of Dartmouth, Westport, Fairhaven and Acushnet, municipalities into which the territory of the mother town has been separated, would to you and through you to the inhabitants you represent, send a greeting of remembrance and re- gard.
" Forcibly and pleasantly have we at this time been reminded of the many interest- ing circumstances which connect your ancient borough with the town whose corp- orate birthday we now commemorate. We call to mind the fact, that it was from Dartmouth and in a Dartmouth ship, bearing a name significant of that feeling of Con- cord which will, we trust, forever characterize the intercourse between the nations to which we respectfully belong, that Bartholomew Gosnold, in 1602, put forth upon his voyage to America, landed upon our shores, and upon an island often called by his name, in sight from the spot where we are now assembled, erected the first white man's dwelling upon the soil of New England.
" Deeper still have been our recollective associations as we have remembered, that it was in your noble harbor, and in the nobler hearts and homes of the then inhabitants of your city, that our Pilgrim Fathers found a shelter, when the perils of the storm drove them from their course across the ocean to found an empire in the New World. It was the memory of that providential preservation, and of the hospitality extended to them in that hour of despondency and weakness, that prompted them, when they went forth from Plymouth Rock, to subdue the forest and extend the borders of their common- wealth, to bestow upon this portion of their goodly heritage the name of that city by
1 Dartmouth in England. ? Dartmouth in New England. $ The owner was Francis Rotch, of Bedford, in Dartmouth.
47
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
the mouth of the Dart, from which they had taken their last departure for the new home amid the wilds of America.
" The occasion demanded of those who had been selected to address us a brief recital of that conflict which led to that separation of the United States of America from the land our people have ever loved to call the Mother Country. And while we have been moved and saddened by the recital, we have with deep and grateful feelings remem- bered that it was William Legge, Earl of Dartmouth, Secretary of the colonies under George III, and who derived his title from your ancient city, who gave the force of his character and his commanding talents in opposition to the Grenville administration, for conciliation and peace. For the memory of this friend of Franklin, the friend of justice, the friend of peace, this high-minded Christian gentleman and peer of England, we shall ever cherish the sentiments of profound respect.
"Such are some of the links of the golden chain of associations which at this moment stretches across the ocean, and binds together the city whose harbor sheltered the cru- sadiny fleet of the Lion Hearted Richard, with the family of communities which are rest- ing near the waters of Gosnold's Hope. We would add, as a circumstance calculated to strengthen the force of the historic reminiscences to which we have alluded, that we too, are to a great extent a family of fishermen. At a period not remote, a whaling fleet of nearly four hundred ships belonging to the communities we represent, manned by more than ten thousand seamen, was afloat upon the ocean.
" We would assure you, gentlemen, that in sending you this greeting, which finds its justification in, and depends for its interest upon, the incidents and circumstances we have recited, we have a purpose deeper than the extension of a compliment, or the indulgence of pleasant and interesting associations.
" We wish not to withhold the expression of the fact, that in the civil strife which is now raging in our land, its loyal people would fain have extended to them that moral encouragement and support that attends upon the favorable testimony of enlightened Englishmen. They feel that they are doing battle for principles which they have de- rived from their Saxon ancestry, and dear to the heart of every Briton.
" Allow us, therefore, to express the hope that the reception of our earnest and af- fectionate greeting will give such a direction to your feelings and lead to such an ex- amination of the questions at issue between us and our infatuated southern fellow- countrymen, as shall result in your giving the weight of your enlightened minds and the testimony of your Christian character to the cause of universal freedom. We address you amid the smoke and the roar of conflict : but we hope and believe that the end is near-and when peace shall be restored and the flag of our country shall again wave over an undivided soil and a united people, we feel assured that such will be then our condition, that closer than it has ever been before will be the union between us and our Mother Country.
"New Bedford, September 14, 1864."
This address was beautifully engrossed by George B. Hathaway, and after being signed by the mayor, aldermen, common councilmen, and clerk of the city, and by the selectmen and town clerks of the towns uniting in the celebration, it was forwarded to its destination.
37 1
THE WATER WORKS.
The exercises closed with the singing of an original hymn written for the occasion by William G. Baker. The celebration was highly suc- cessful in every particular and gave great pleasure to the citizens and their invited guests. The addresses at the City Hall were of high char- acter and supplied important additions to the history of the early days of the township of Dartmouth.1
The civil war not only checked business enterprise in the community, but it also stayed public improvement ; and during its continuance little was accomplished in this direction. It was during this period, however, that one of the most important improvements in the history of the city had its birth-the introduction of water into New Bedford. The proj- ect first demanded the attention of the government on March 8, 1860, when Frederick S. Allen introduced into the Common Council an order for the appointment of a committee to " consider the practicability and expediency of introducing a permanent supply of fresh water into the city, and to report some plan, with the probable cost of doing so." Messrs. Hunt, Lewis, and Reynard, on the part of the mayor and al- dermen, and Messrs. Allen, E. Perry, Anthony, and Hammett, of the Common Council, were selected as the committee. By a vote on July 26, 1860, an expenditure of $300 was authorized to be made by the committee, and with their succeeding investigations began the work on this great undertaking.
The subject came before the city government many times for discus- sion ; and it met with vigorous opposition from the very beginning, not only from a portion of the city government, but from many of the citi- zens. The advocates of the measure, however, were enthusiastic and persistent in their cause ; and as the benefits and advantages that would follow the introduction of water began to be understood and appre- ciated, the proposed measure grew rapidly in public favor.
The services of Capt. Charles H. Biglow, an experienced engineer in the service of the United States, and who had charge of the construc- tion of the fort upon Clark's Point, were engaged in making the first surveys and measurements. He was assisted in the work by George A. Briggs, then city surveyor, and by William F. Durfee. The first report of the committee was made December 21, 1861. It clearly set
1 For description and text of reply to the greeting sent to England, see Appendix.
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
forth the practicability of the enterprise, its importance to the future welfare and prosperity of the city, and the necessity of prompt legisla- tion in the matter. It showed that the Acushnet River was the only reliable source of supply, and that this source was abundant for all de- mands. It urged that, as a mechanical auxiliary, the introduction of water was an imperative necessity, and that "it was a part of wise statesmanship to look at the future, to anticipate its wants and guard against its casualties. Cities, like men, flourish and prosper only by their own exertions, and it becomes those whom the people have placed in power and trust, to be equal to the present emergency. We know its wants and necessities, and can comprehend the present crisis in our affairs. Shall we grasp and control that crisis, turn it with a steady hand to our interests and prosperity, or allow it silently and timidly to pass by and float beyond our reach ? Shall we legislate only for to- day, and shrink from looking the great future in the face ? or, shall we, knowing the necessity and perceiving the remedy, fearlessly perform our duty ?"
Constant agitation of the subject in the city government and by the public press awakened a thoughtful and progressive sentiment in the community. It was seen that there was great force in the arguments presented from time to time in the various official reports ; that pure drinking water, an improved sanitary condition, an unfailing supply of water for the fire department, the opening of hydrants and fountains, all would conduce to the health, safety, and happiness of the people. Public sentiment in favor of the enterprise grew fast ; and an act for supplying the city of New Bedford with pure water was passed by the General Court, April 18, 1863. It provided for the appointment of commissioners ; gave power to take land, water, and water-rights for the purposes of the works ; authorized the issue of water bonds to an amount not exceeding $500,000, and also the passage of such ordinances and by-laws as might be deemed necessary to govern and control the enterprise. The act, in short, provided for all contingencies that seemed important to its prosecution. On the 14th of April, 1864, the act was accepted by the city. The whole number of votes cast was 1,375, of which 782 were in favor and 594 against the acceptance.
The serious and uncertain condition of national affairs at this time delayed the progress of the work, and little was done until the follow-
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THE WATER WORKS.
ing year, when the great rebellion had received its doom and peace was established. The first board of commissioners was organized Decem- ber 13, 1865 ; William W. Crapo, chairman ; Warren Ladd, and David B. Kempton ; James B. Congdon, clerk. With the appropriation of $100,000 made December 14, the great undertaking was fairly begun.
The reader who is sufficiently interested to follow in detail the con- struction of this great improvement to its final completion, can do so by consulting the minute reports that have found their proper place in the city documents, and for which space cannot be spared here. They enable one to fully appreciate the difficulties that beset the work and which followed it to the close. The great undertaking was finished during the closing weeks of 1869; and the water flowed through the miles of pipes in the main streets of the city. Since that time great extensions have been made, until now there are nearly sixty miles of pipes in the streets. In addition to the first supply obtained by a dam across the valley of the Acushnet, seven miles north of the city, a con - duit has been opened to Little Quittacas Pond, two miles farther distant. The whole cost of the works has been over $1,300,000. The great ex- pense of the undertaking was somewhat lightened by the generous be - quest of $100,000 for this object, from Sylvia Ann Howland.
The marvelous growth of the mechanical and industrial interests of the city since the completion of the water-works forcibly illustrates the wisdom of the men who inaugurated and encouraged the undertaking. The subsequent history of the city shows that its prosperity is largely due to its abundant and cheap water supply. The multitude of cotton mills and various other factories that border our river front and lower streets have sought this city largely because of the water supply.
The superintendents of the works have been as follows: To 1871, George A. Briggs; 1871-72, Israel C. Cornish ; 1872-77, George B. Wheeler; 1877-81, William B. Sherman ; 1882, to the present time, Robert C. P. Coggeshall. The Board of Commissioners of 1891, are Mayor C. S. Ashley and Joseph Dawson, both ex officio ; Henry How- ard, David B. Kempton, and William N. Church.
The history of New Bedford since the close of the civil war, so far as it relates to this part of the volume, can only be a brief record of the principal features of its steady growth and development, and of con-
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HISTORY OF NEW BEDFORD.
spicuous incidents that have taken place in that period. During this quarter of a century, the city has been changing from a port in which the whaling business was the chief source of wealth. This industry had given the city a world-wide reputation through the numberless vessels that for nearly two centuries had visited every ocean and clime. The transition was fraught with anxiety and forlorn hope. For a time it seemed as if the city was to experience the fate of Nantucket and be- come an abandoned seaport. Its capitalists sought investment for their accumulated wealth in the West and in enterprises that had no direct influence in maintaining local business. Our idle wharves were fringed with dismantled ships. Cargoes of oil covered with seaweed were stowed in the sheds and along the river front, waiting for a satisfactory market that never came. Every returning whaler increased the de- pression. Voyages that in former times would have netted handsome returns to owner and crews resulted only in loss to the one and meager returns to the hardy mariners. Such was the condition of affairs in New Bedford when peace came in 1865. Not long, however, did this feeling of apathy and discouragement exist. The forces of energy and shrewdness that for a time were latent and inactive, were roused, and it was clearly seen that something must be done to save the city from a per- manent decline. The natural advantages of climate and situation for the development of cotton manufacture, and of kindred industrial oper- ations, were seen ; and capital, of which the city had an abundance, was soon finding rapid and profitable investment in home industries. The following brief notes of many of these industries and of other feat- ures of the city's rapid growth during the period in question, will give the reader an outline, which he can fill up from the later chapters of this volume devoted to such topics.
On the 17th of January, 1867, occurred the heaviest snow-storm since 1857. Travel was generally suspended, and no railroad trains arrived or departed during the day. The business of the city was extended this year by the establishment of the New Bedford Glass Works in the winter. The first stone-crusher was put in operation by the city on the Ioth of April.
In March, 1868, Charles Dickens visited the city and gave a public reading of the " Trial of Bardell vs. Pickwick." The hall was crowded,
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IMPORTANT EVENTS.
and the reading of the distinguished author gave great delight to the large audience.
The Fourth of July, 1868, was celebrated with unusual demonstra- tions, the sum of $2,000 having been appropriated by the city for that object. The day was ushered in by the customary clanging of bells, and artillery salutes. Public and private buildings and the vessels in the harbor were profusely decorated with flags and bunting, and the entire city presented a holiday appearance. A procession composed chiefly of the Grand Army men and city officials paraded the streets in the morning. A patriotic service was held at the Soldier's Monument on the Common. Eloquent addresses were made by Rev. Alonzo H. Quint and Rev. William J. Potter. Music was supplied by the New Bedford and Taunton brass bands. The pleasures of the day were marred by an unfortunate occurrence. A balloon ascension took place in the afternoon from the eastern part of the Common, and an immense crowd of people filled the space near the inflated balloon. As the bal- loon, in charge of George Collard, began its ascent, the anchor fell from the aeronaut's basket, when about thirty feet from the ground, and struck upon the head of William Mottram, of Taunton, and then caught in the clothing of two boys, Charles Jones and J. C. Borneau. They were quickly carried upward in the air. Mr. Collard promptly cut the line and the boys fell into a tree from a height of about seventy-five feet. Strange as it may appear, neither of the lads was seriously in- jured. The festivities of the day were closed by a brilliant display of fireworks on the Common.
At an election held July 18, 1868, the acceptance of a revised city charter was decided unfavorably by the large majority of 381 against 61 votes. The objectionable features seemed to be the increased salary and power that would be given the mayor.
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