History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 148

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

first local newspaper, the Salmagundi Journal. In ! legal knowledge was demanded, were valuable, and 1852 he opened "country stores" in South Walpole his opinions sought and respected by his brother and East Foxborough ; continuing these but little | lawyers. more than a year, he returned to his father's store, and there continued until 1855, at which time he built the American Hall building and devoted his entire attention to public business.

He was first elected upon the School Committee in 1852, and he served on that board nearly half the time during the remainder of his life. As town clerk he served from 1855 to 1861. He also served In early years he was a pronounced Whig, and so . many years on the auditing and minor committees, remained until the organization of the American | party, in which he was one of the first to be enrolled, and as moderator of town-meetings. He was in the State Senate in 1855 and 1856, serving on the Com- and in behalf of which he was a zealous worker. He | mittees on Claims, on Bills in the third reading, and introduced and advocated its principles in his native town, and exerted himself in obtaining for it numer- ical strength and party power. He tenaciously held to the tenets of this party, and in 1857 assisted in organizing the order of American Phoenix, which, it was hoped, would continue the work in which the " American" was engaged when the more important question of abolition of slavery caused it to suspend its labors. Hle joined the Republican party at its formation, and worked with it until the Greeley cam- paign ; he then became an " Independent," and so remained until a few years prior to his death, when he returned to the Republicans, voting for such of their nominees as were total abstinence men, and " scratching" all who were not. As a nominee for Presidential elector on the Greeley ticket, he received the largest number of votes cast in this State for any candidate on that ticket. as chairman on the Committee on Prisons. In 1870 he was a member of the House of Representatives, serving on the Committee of Probate and Chancery. He held a commission as justice of the peace, and of the quorum, and sat as magistrate on many cases, but ceased to act as trial justice when the prohibitory law was enacted. He was postmaster during the admin- istration of President Lincoln, and assistant post- master several years previous. He was one of the corporators, and for many years treasurer, of the Fox- borough Savings-Bank and of the Foxborough Loan Fund and Building Association. He also represented a number of life and fire insurance companies as agent. In 1858 he purchased a right from the owners of the Morse patent to construct a telegraph line from Mansfield to Franklin, and organized the Massachusetts Central Telegraph Company to build and operate it ; the line was built as far as Foxborough, and an office opened in the American Hall building. In 1862 he was one of the most interested and per- sistent in obtaining a charter for the Foxborough Branch Railroad Company, and was a director and clerk of the corporation until after it had obtained additional powers and become the Mansfield and Framingham Railroad Company.

He was always opposed to the Prohibition party, although for the greater part of his life a strict total abstinence man in theory and practice. Until en- gaging in business in Washington, in 1864, he never used liquor or tobacco in any form, but he then and there contracted habits which afterwards contributed largely towards his adversities. In 1876 he became interested in the Temperance Reform movement, and continued an earnest worker therein until his last sickness. He was president of the Foxborough Good Samaritan (Reform) Club several terms, and to his exertions the club was indebted for its hall, and the town for the improvement of an unoccupied school- house, now the Samaritan Hall building.

While in the Senate, to which he was elected when twenty-five years of age, he decided to study law, and entered the office of Hon. S. C. Maine. He was admitted to the bar of the Superior Court in 1857, and to that of the United States Circuit Court in

About this time he became interested in patent- rights, and in addition to his other business instituted, and for several years managed, the National Inventors' Union and the New England Gallery of Patents. He acted as director and treasurer of no less than thirteen corporations or associations having for their object the manufacturing of patented articles. In 1870 he formed a company to manufacture straw goods in Foxborough, and a charter was issued to the Fox- borough Straw-Works, but actual business was never commenced.

Hle was deeply interested in Freemasonry, and was 1867. From the date of his admission to the be- | one of those who were instrumental in the building ginning of his last sickness he had a large practice, of the Masonic Hall. He was a member of St. Al- bans Lodge, Keystone Chapter, Pawtucket Council, Royal and Select Masters, Lafayette Lodge of Per- and at one time had offices in the cities of Boston, New York, and Washington. His services in suits where accounts were in controversy, and where sound fection, and of Boston Commandery of Knights Tem-

Jesiall Hodge

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FOXBOROUGH.

plar. He was a warden of St. Albans Lodge six terms, and the Master of the lodge three years. In 1859 he was a member of St. John's Encampment of Knights Templar, and accompanied it on its pil- grimage to Richmond, Va. In 1863 he was a mem- ber of the Union League, and assisted in spreading its influence.

To those few who were intimately acquainted with him he was genial and unreserved, entertaining and instructive ; but he was naturally reserved and studious, more inclined to seek the companionship of his library of standard works than that of " society," while the loss of his property added to his retiring and reserved demeanor. He had at one time acquired a moderate fortune, but he lost all through investments in petro- leum stock and advances to the Gilmore Petroleum Company, of which Governor Gilmore, of New Hampshire, was president and he the treasurer. The last few years of his life were spent in an unsuc- cessful attempt to retrieve his financial losses.

He had two brothers-Thomas Williams C., died 1872, aged thirty-six, and Francis Augustus C., died 1867, aged twenty-four-and two sisters-Sarah Isa- bel C., died in 1835, aged one year, and Mary Palmer C., died in 1851, aged thirteen. His youngest brother, after graduating at Harvard College, entered his office and was reading law until removed by death.

Nov. 9, 1851, he was married to Rowena Augusta, daughter of Jeremiah and Anna (Carroll) Boyden, of South Walpole. Her grandmother was the grand- daughter of Nehemiah Carpenter, who was his ances- tor, as above stated. They had four children, all of whom are now living. Robert Winthrop C., born June 4, 1853, studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court on attain- ing his majority, June 4, 1874. He now practices law, is a justice of the peace, and commissioner of insolvency for Norfolk County. Charles Edson C., born Feb. 24, 1857, is a clerk in Attleborough ; Eugene Maine C., born Oct. 14, 1859, is a printer in Foxborough ; Anna Isabel C., born June 6, 1868, is attending Foxborough High School.

His mother died in Providence, R. I., Aug. 10, 1883, aged eighty years and fourteen days. His father and widow still reside in Foxborough.

He was confined to his house by his disease nearly a year prior to his death, and died in Foxborough, Jan. 30, 1880, aged fifty-one years, and was buried with Masonic ceremonies, in Rock Hill Cemetery, Feb. 1, 1880.

THE HODGES FAMILY.

On the enrollment list of Taunton in 1643 appears the name of William Hodges. Tradition says he was one of three brothers, William, John, and Richard, who came to America as early as 1633. John and Richard settled in Salem, and William in Taunton. William is mentioned by Governor Winthrop as com- mander of a ship in voyages to and from England in connection with Capt. John Gallop, whose daughter, Esther, afterwards married Henry, son of William. William died in 1654, leaving two sons, John and Henry. From John and Henry have descended the two great branches of the Hodges family in Southern Massachusetts.

Henry, born in 1652, who married Esther Gallop in 1674, is ancestor of the Hodges family of Norfolk County. According to his will, proven in 1717, he left eleven children,-William, John, Joseph, Henry, Benjamin, Ephraim, Mary, Esther, Charity, Elizabeth, and Abigail. His son Henry married Sarah Leonard, and died in 1735, in his seventieth year, leaving four sons and several daughters,-Josiah, Eliphalet (who came from Taunton and settled in Sharon, now East Foxborough, on the land where Marcus P. Hodges now lives, between 1738 and 1745), James, Henry, Anna (married George Williams), Abigail (married Mr. Harvey), Betsey (married Benjamin Wilbur), Eliphalet, born 1712, married Abigail Fillebrown, of Mansfield ; their daughter, Isabel, married John Ev- erett, of Wrentham, and had children,-George, Eliphalet, Sally, Stephen, John and Abigail. Josiah, son of Henry and Sarah (Leonard) Hodges, was born 1710, married Mary Cooledge, of Watertown, and died in 1798. His wife died in 1808, in her eighty- seventh year. Their children were Benjamin, Lydia, Phoebe, Molly, Sarah, Betsey, and Josiah. (Henry, grandson of the first Henry, well known as Capt. Hodges, lived in Taunton, married Mary, daughter of Joseph Eddy, and died in 1779, aged fifty-five, leav- ing six sons,-Zephaniah, Spencer, Henry, Elkanah, James, and Abiathar. Spencer, son of the third Henry, married Mercy, daughter of Nathan Dean, and had children,-Spencer, Elkanah, Otis, Lydia, and Mary. Spencer, Jr., married Esther, daughter of Swift Pay- son, of Foxborough; Elkanah married Trulove Clark, who now lives in Foxborough, aged ninety-two years; Otis married Virginia Clark; Lydia married Leonard White ; Mary married Melzar Skinner, of Mansfield, and removed to New York. Spencer, Jr., left three children,-Spencer P., Esther C., and Henry. El- kanah left one son, Albert, and one daughter, Elvira, who married Sanford Leonard, of Foxborough. Otis left two sons, George and Henry.) Benjamin, son

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

of Josiah and Mary C. Hodges, born in 1745 and Mr. Hodges has worthily borne the character of his ancestor, the first Henry, who was called " Honest Henry," and, like his immediate predecessor, has been - an honorable, industrious, and valuable citizen. He was kind and indulgent in his family relations, a strong friend, firm in principle, and exemplary in con- duct. He stood in advance in great moral move- ments, signing the first temperance pledge in town. He was ever a friend to the poor and to the slave. He cast the first "Free-Soil" vote in the town of Sharon, willing to be deemed radical in the conscious- ness of being right. He was of a reflective turn of mind, and delighted in studying the creative forces of nature, and tracing all things from cause to effect. died in 1814, was a farmer, and cleared and pre- pared for cultivation a large tract of land near the present Hodges homestead. He married, first, Esther, daughter of Robert and Ruth (Fisher) Allen, of Wal- pole. She was born in 1749 and died in 1780. Their children were Sewall, Daniel, and Esther. He mar- ried, second, Miriam, daughter of Josiah Pratt, of Fox- borough, born 1755, died 1825. Their children were Rachael and Hannah (twins), Joseph, James (who died in infancy), Benjamin, and Annie. Sewall and Daniel located on the ancestral domain, where they always lived as prosperous farmers, and died within twelve days of each other. (Daniel married Nabbe Richards ; Esther married Moses Richards ; Rachael , He was an appreciative reader, and contributed to es_ married Solomon Richards; Hannah married Thomas ' tablish and support a circulating library in Foxborough Billings, of Canton ; Joseph married Nancy Hodges, ' in order to obtain the reading matter he desired. He and moved to Belmont, Me .; and Annie married Amos Barden, of Walpole.)

SEWALL HODGES, son of Benjamin and Esther (Allen) Hodges ( William1, Henry2, Henry3, Josiah4, Benjamin5, Sewall6), was born Feb. 3, 1773. His education was obtained under the difficulties of a hun- dred years ago in the little old school-house at East Foxborough, whose broad, open fireplace, big stones for andirons, and big logs for burning, remained longer in memory than the lessons acquired. He married, first, Sally, daughter of John and Unity (Shepard) Bil- lings, of Canton, Nov. 6, 1805. She was born Feb. 27, 1778, and died May 1, 1816. They had four chil- dren,-Sally, married James Daniels, of Foxborough ; Mary, married Job Sherman (see his biography) ; Alfred married Jerusha Comey, died in 1875, leaving two daughters,-Martha L. and Emma B. ; and Orna, who married Allen C. Doolittle, has one daughter, Sarah B. Mr. Hodges married, second, Judith, daugh- ter of Seth and Mary ( Harkness) Sherman, of Bel- lingham, Nov. 6, 1817. She was born Sept. 17, 1784, and died April 30, 1862. They had six children,- William S. (died aged two years) ; Abigail S., mar- ried Richard Battey, of Smithfield, R. I., died Nov. 21, 1882 ; Ruth A., married, first, Solomon Sherman ; had three children,-Ellery C., Elbridge G., twins, and Louis A., who died in 1878; second, married S. C. Shepard, of Mansfield ; Judith S., married Asa Stone, of Providence; Anne Maria, married Zelotes Buck, of Clinton, and has three children,-Elma M., Abby H., and Edward E. ; David S., died aged four years. In 1834, Mr. Hodges built that part of the Boston and Providence Railroad passing through his farm. After the double track was laid, Oct. 22, 1849, while crossing the track he was struck by a train, and so severely injured that his death occurred in a few hours.

was a member of the first parish church in Sharon, was a cordial friend and supporter of the Rev. Jona- than Whittaker, and when his pastorate terminated by a schism in the church and society, Mr. Hodges following his convictions of right and duty, became a member of the Friends' Society in Mansfield. All of his children, beside the common school, at- tended a Friends' school in Providence. One of his daughters writes concerning him: "He was the teacher of my lifetime. Whatever good there is in me I owe to him. He was truly a religious man, for few more than he reverenced the Bible. Many of his explanations of texts are still fresh in memory. His views were spiritually in advance of the age in which he lived."

BENJAMIN HODGES, son of Benjamin and Miriam (Pratt) Hodges (William1, Henry2, Henry3, Josiah4, Benjamin5, Benjamin6), was born April 11, 1789. He was an agriculturist from childhood on the home- stead of his father, was educated at the common schools of his native town, and during all the long years of his quiet, uneventful life seldom left his native town or his ancestral acres. He married, Nov. 8, 1811, first, Hannah, daughter of Josiah and Susan (Morse) Talbot, of Sharon. They had six children,-Benjamin F. (married Julia Dassance, and resides in Chelmsford ; their children are Julia A., Mary J., Anna M., Jesse, and Francis), Emeline (married Stephen L. Boyden, of Foxborough; their children were Charles L., died in the army of the Rebellion, Hannah E., Benjamin F., of Foxbor- ough, Amos J., resides in Philadelphia), Lucy (married Asahel Dean, of Foxborough; has two children, Marcus P. and Lucy A.), Lewis (died young), Marcus P. (who lives on the old homestead), and Catharine F. (married Nahum Dunbar, resides

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Job Sherman

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in Chelsea, and has three children, Mary F., Charles G., and Anna). Mrs. Hannah Hodges died Jan. 19, 1838, in her fiftieth year. Mr. Hodges married, second, Susannah Sumner, of Foxborough. She died Sept. 1, 1877, in her eightieth year, leaving no children.

Unostentatious and unassuming, Mr. Hodges was ever a good citizen, of sterling honesty and upright- ness, kind in his family relations, and very genial and social in his associations with all coming within his sphere. By persistent industry and steady economy he acquired a competence while health and vigor were vouchsafed him, and did not withhold the en- joyment of the fruit of his labor until old age came on. He joined the Congregational Church in Sharon, and afterwards became a member of the Congrega- tional Church in Foxborough, the meetings of which he attended during the many years of his life. Al- ways temperate, he took care of his health, and was a well-preserved man, retaining his faculties in a re- markable degree to an unusually advanced age. He was much interested in and enjoyed especially the an- nual gatherings of the Hodges family at the old homestead. Here for twenty-two successive years from fifty to eighty descendants of Josiah Hodges met in social reunion, usually accompanied by a picnic on the lawn west of the " old house." Of this merry circle none were happier than Benjamin Hodges. The last gathering occurred the year previous to his death, which took place Dec. 9, 1882, in his ninety- third year.

We are indebted to Mrs. Mary H. Sherman for the ancestral history and material for this sketch.

JOB SHERMAN.

| spring of 1781 came to the south part of Foxbor- ough, where he bought a tract of land, for which he paid in Continental money. He built a log cabin, and, with only a dog for company, made his improve- ments and cultivated the land during the first season. He had no fences, his faithful dog protecting his crops from the foraging herds, then permitted to roam at will through the forests. In the autumn he moved his family of wife and six children into the log cabin, which was their home until he built a frame house in 1784. They experienced all the trials incident to a pioneer life. In the winter of 1789 snows fell so deep that for three weeks they were cut off from all communication with the outside world, and their first visitor was a Mr. Freeman, who came on snowshoes from the house where Francis Carpen- ter lived in 1870. This house of Mr. Sherman's is now occupied by his grandson, Obadiah Sherman. Job Sherman was a member of the Society of Friends, and probably the first meeting of that society in the county was held in his house, April 15, 1795. The children of Job and Elizabeth Sherman were Susanna, Obadiah, Job, John, Stephen, George, Experience H., and Elizabeth. They received only a common- school education, yet three of them, Obadiah, Stephen, and John, were qualified for teachers. Obadiah is still remembered by several as a teacher of consider- able note for many successive winters. Five of the sons located, lived, and died on or near the old home- stead. The two daughters never left the old home, lived to a good old age, and died unmarried. John, the third son of Job and Elizabeth Holmes Sherman, born Dec. 2, 1775, married Polly, daughter of Solo- mon Skinner, of Mansfield. They both died in 1842, leaving eight children,-Mary, John, Laura, Job, Albert G., Eliza, Solomon, and James H .; none are living except Job. Albert G. and James H. died in California ; Albert G. left a son, William Russell. Eliza married Jerry A. Olney, lived in Putnam, Conn., died July 15, 1883, leaving five children,- Louisa B., Albert S., Ellen M., Adelaide E. and Adeline A. (twins). John Sherman, son of Job, was a man of sterling worth ; in proof of which we give the following extract from a town report and letter from the town clerk : "John Sherman was the seventh generation from Philip Sherman. He early exhibited a great love for reading and study, and notwithstand- ing his limited means for obtaining an education, ac- quired extensive information. He thus became a wise counselor and a useful citizen. He served as selectman in Foxborough fourteen years in succession, and was looked upon by all as one of the first advisers

Job Sherman, son of John and Polly (Skinner) Sherman, a lineal descendant of Philip Sherman, the first American ancestor and eighth in line, was born in Foxborough, May 15, 1805. The following an- cestral history was furnished by Mrs. Mary H. Sher- man, of Foxborough : " The earliest records I find of the Sherman family are the names David, Nathan, El- nathan, and Joseph. David had sons,-Jacob, John, Nehemiah, and Elkanah. John had children, Job, John, Lucy, Charity, and Elizabeth. Job, the son of John and Ruth (Allen) Sherman, was born in Rochester, Mass., in 1746, married Elizabeth, daughter of Experience and Hannah (Nichols) Holmes, and died in Foxborough in 1837, aged ninety years and four months, surviving his wife twenty years. He lived several years in Middleborough, and in the ' in town affairs. He was three years representative

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in the General Court, and was frequently chosen school committee- man, and served on other important committees in town. He died July 12, 1842, aged sixty-six years. 'To the family of the late John Sherman, Esq .; Respected Friends; In compliance with a vote of the town of Foxboro, I communicate | to you a copy of resolutions adopted in town-meeting ,stinence from spirituous liquors. He is a Republican in politics. He has been honored with the confidence ) and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, and has served several years as selectman, assessor, school committee- man, and in other positions of trust and responsi- bility.

July 18, 1842, by the inhabitants of Foxboro in town- meeting assembled. Resolved, that we regard as es- pecially impressive that Divine Providence which has recently and suddenly removed an estimable citizen, and, as it were, a father, from our town. Resolved, that the public services and private virtues of John Sherman, Esq., lately deceased, are held by us in re- spectful remembrance, and that we present to his bereaved family the assurance of our affectionate con- dolence.' With like sentiments and regard, I am yours sincerely, Warren Bird, Town Clerk."

JOB SHERMAN obtained his education at the dis- trict schools of Foxborough, where he has always re- sided. He served au apprenticeship of four years with Gen. Shepherd Leach in his iron-foundries at Foxborough, Chelmsford, and Walpole. His remu- neration was one hundred dollars each year and board, also an allowance of one-half pint of rum or molasses each day. He refused both. He was employed in iron-foundries for several years after his apprentice- ship. In 1830 he married Jane W. Ellis, who died in December, 1831, leaving a daughter (Jane E.), who died in her fourteenth year. Mr. Sherman mar- ried again, 1841, Mary, daughter of Sewall and Sally (Billings) Hodges, of Sharon (now East Foxborough). They have had four children,-Herbert E., Frank I., | John H. (deceased), and Albert HI. (deceased). Herbert E. married Adeline A., daughter of Jerry A. and Eliza (Sherman) Olney, of Putnam, Conn., in 1875; they now reside in Providence, R. I., and have two children,-Stella L. and Janet H. Frank I. married Clara M., daughter of W. A. Crowley, of Mansfield, and resides on the "home-place ;" they have two children,-Jessie and Arthur L. Both Herbert and Frank have had good school advantages, and are well-skilled civil engineers.

After his work in foundries Mr. Sherman returned to Foxborough, and has ever since been a busy and successful farmer. Hle and his brother Solomon owned the homestead together. Each built a new house, and until Solomon's death carried on the busi- ness in company. Solomon married Ruth A., daugh- ter of Sewall Hodges, died in 1870, and left three sons,-Ellery C. and Elbridge G. (twins), and Louis A., who died in 1878.

Job Sherman has well sustained the reputation of |

his ancestors. His life has been an uneventful and quiet one. He never has traveled one hundred miles from home. Honest, industrious, and with good judgment, he has served his day and generation well, and is now a cheerful and contented old man. He, as well as his wife, is a strong advocate of total ab-

ALFRED HODGES.

Alfred Hodges was born Feb. 16, 1809. He re- ceived his education at the public schools of his native town and at the Friends' School in Providence, R. I. He chose merchandising as a pursuit, and was a man much respected in his community. He pos- sessed in a high degree the confidence of his fellow- towsmen, and was frequently called upon to fill positions of trust in the town. He represented the town of Foxborough in the Legislature, and held various other offices. He married, Oct. 19, 1838, Jerusha Comey, third daughter of Oliver and Keziah Leonard Comey. They had one son, who died Oct. 7, 1841, aged about two years, and two daughters, who are now living. He died April 3, 1875.

CHAPTER LIX1

WALPOLE.

Pioneer History-The Dedham Covenant-Indian Proprietors -Primitive Condition of the Country-Early Settlements- The Cedar Swamp-Petition for Precinct-Incorporation of Town-The French and Indian War-Capt. Bacon's Com- pany from Walpole-Slavery in Walpole-Deacon Robbins' Slave "Jack"-War of the Revolution-Resolutions of the Town-List of Revolutionary Soldiers-War of 1812-Capt. Samuel Fales' Company of Light Infantry.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 148

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534