History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 96

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

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1876, Mr. Eaton was succeeded by Rev. Wil- liam H. Cobb, and the same year the church edi- fice with all its contents, together with the chapel, was totally destroyed by fire. The present house of worship was built in 1877, its total cost, including furnishing, being about ten thousand dollars. The parsonage was built in 1879.

Rev. George H. Pratt became pastor in 1879 ; he

Second (Orthodox) Congregational Church .- The members of the First Church, whose petition for leave to withdraw for the purpose of forming a new church has been already noticed in the sketch of that church, and which had been granted by the council, organized the Second Congregational Church Feb. 6, ' was succeeded in 1883 by Rev. Wilbur Johnson.

452

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL D. CURTIS.

Daniel D. Curtis, son of Bracey and Eliza (Day) | Curtis, was born at Kennebunk, Me., Jan. 19, 1830. His father was a farmer, and descended from an old and honorable English family, but his means being limited, Daniel, like most of the farmers' sons of that time, was obliged to go into the world and seek his fortune. At the age of twenty-one he left the paternal home and State and came to Billerica, Mass., where he went to work on what was called the "Old Winning Farm." Here he remained two years, and then came to Medfield and engaged to work for Walter Janes, who was carrying on a very small business in a prim- itive way, using his dwelling-house as a shop, manu- facturing straw goods. Three years later the enter- prise and business tact which young Curtis displayed induced Mr. Janes to take him into partnership, said partnership continuing until the death of Mr. Janes, twelve years later. Year by year the business had steadily increased, and at the time of Mr. Janes' death they were making about three thousand cases of goods per year,-a small business indeed, but it was the nucleus for what has since, through the skill and management of Mr. Curtis, grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the world. After the death of Mr. Janes Mr. Curtis formed a copartnership with H. A. Searle and G. F. Dailey, of New York City. Messrs. Searle & Dailey took charge of the New York department of the business, selling the goods, buying stock, etc., while to Mr. Curtis was left the supervis- ion and direction of the manufacturing itself. He immediately took measures to increase the product, and from time to time made additions to the works. They made it a rule at the beginning only to do business with their own capital, never to venture beyond their means, but, however, to avail them- selves of everything in the way of improved and labor-saving machinery as fast as it was invented. He also added the manufacturing of chip, lace, velvet, plush, satin, beaver, and felt hats,-in fact, everything in the line of ladies' head-gear, as they make that a specialty. They employ about two hundred men and one thousand women in the different departments of their work. A small part of their manufacturing, particularly in felts and beavers, is done in New York City. They manufacture on an average forty thousand cases per year, averaging four dozen bon- nets or hats to a case. About nine months in the year they are turning out goods daily, the other three months they are occupied in getting up new "shapes," |

etc., and preparing for the coming seasons. The sales amount to at least a million dollars per annum. The firm-name at Medfield is D. D. Curtis & Co .; at New York, Searle, Dailey & Co.

In September, 1876, their factory was destroyed by fire. They immediately set to work erecting a new and much larger establishment, and ninety days after it was commenced it was ready for occupancy. It is a model structure, built on the most modern plan, with all conveniences and improvements. They have new machinery throughout, and nothing is omit- ted that could possibly facilitate their work or advance their interests. In addition to the straw-works Mr. Curtis has a mill, where he cuts up every year a mil- lion feet of lumber, all of which he has made into the boxes in which his goods are encased for the market. He also owns a large steam grist-mill, where is ground an average of two car-loads of corn per day, besides oats, barley, etc. He carries on agriculture on quite an extensive scale, owning a beautiful farm on the outskirts of the village of Medfield.

Mr. Curtis married, in the autumn of 1860, Ellen, daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa Wight, of Medfield. They have four children,-Blanche E., Maude A., Bracey, and Daisy E. Mr. Curtis has proved him- self to have in an eminent degree the characteristics indispensable to a successful business career,-pluck, judgment, and enterprise, and. united with these an- other quality not always possesssed by even successful men, liberality. While he has built up a very large and constantly-increasing business, he has at the same time been the foremost man of his town in all things tending to public improvement.

The impression that is made on the stranger as he drives through the lovely village of Medfield is that of a happy, prosperous, and thoroughly enterprising community. It is not detracting from whatever spirit of enterprise may have been exhibited by any other citizen when we say that to Mr. Curtis more than any other man thanks are due for this impression. Mr. Curtis is noted for his genial disposition and generous charity, and is liberal in his political views. He has never held an office, and asserts that he never will. His life has been one of steady devotion to business. His success has been the natural result of his ability to examine and readily comprehend any subject presented to him, power to decide promptly, and courage to act with vigor and persistency in ac- cordance with his convictions.

Damil D. Curtis

453

MEDFIELD.

ISAAC FISKE.

The Fiskes of Massachusetts descended from an ancient family of that name which for centuries and until recently had its seat and manorial lands in Lax- field, in the county of Suffolk, England.

Investigations by Somerby have traced its exist- ence as early as the reign of Henry VI., when Simon Fiske was lord of a manor and entitled to " coat armor."

Several of his descendants appear to have gained repute for piety and liberal education, and in the days of Queen Anne to have suffered persecution on account of stanch adherence to evangelical principles. It is recorded of one in particular that to escape being burned at the stake he was concealed in a cellar, where he wrought diligently such handicraft by can- dle-light as sufficed for his support. Such was the stock from which sprang at a later period the Puritan Fiskes, of Suffolk and New England. Over one hun- dred bearing the family name have variously attained distinction as divines, authors, scholars, and public men in the States where they have resided.

The first Americans of the Fiske family were David, grandson of Jeffrey, and son of Robert and Sibil, a lineal descendant of Simon mentioned above, who, with his nephews, Nathan and John, settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1642. His brother Nathanael, father of Nathan and John, probably died on the pas- sage from England. Nathan Fiske (1) settled in Watertown in 1642, admitted freeman May 10, 1643, | was selectman in 1673. Lieut. Nathan Fiske (2), born Oct. 17, 1642, died October, 1694, married Elizabeth -; she died May 15, 1696. Deacon Nathan Fiske (3), born Jan. 3, 1672, died in 1741. He represented Watertown for some years,-1727- 29, 1732. He was a man of judgment and “ much confided in by his townsmen." He married, first, Oct. 14, 1696, Sarah Coolidge, she died Nov. 27, 1723; second, May 22, 1729, Hannah Smith, a widow. Nathan Fiske (4), of Weston, born Febru- ary, 1701, married, first, Oct. 9, 1730, Anne War- ren ; second, Mary Fiske, daughter of Deacon Jona- | than and Abigail ( Reed) Fiske. Jonathan Fiske (5), born Dec. 15, 1739, married Abigail Fiske, born Aug. 16, 1739, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Pierce) Fiske, of Waltham. Jonathan Fiske (6), born Jan. 19, 1774, married April 7, 1799, Sally

Flagg. Isaac Fiske (7), son of Jonathan and Sally (Flagg) Fiske, was born Nov. 7, 1813, in Medfield. His education was not confined to common schools. He fitted for college at Concord Academy, but changed his intentions and entered the store of Edwin War- ren, of Framingham, as clerk, where he remained for a few years, afterwards becoming partner in the firm. Two years later he purchased the store of his brother- in-law, Francis Ellis, of Medfield, giving up his in- terest in Framingham, and moved to Medfield, where he continued in active business as a merchant till within a year of his death. Mr. Fiske was very prominent in town affairs, having been town clerk for fifteen years and town treasurer forty years, holding that position at the time of his death ; had also rep- resented his town in the Legislature, and was post- master in Medfield for twenty years. Politically he was Whig and Republican ; orthodox in religious be- lief. Oct. 2, 1836, he married Mary, daughter of Loring and Elizabeth Manson, of Framingham. They had but one child,-Elizabeth L., born June 5, 1846, who matured into a bright, accomplished woman, the pride of her parents. She died suddenly in the prime of her womanhood, of heart disease, May 9, 1877. Mr. Fiske's death occurred Jan. 18, 1883.

As a business man Isaac Fiske performed faithfully and earnestly whatever he undertook, was careful and successful, although liberal in his dealings with all, and men with whom he had business relations in Bos- ton and elsewhere speak of him in the highest terms of praise. As a neighbor and citizen he was kind- hearted, charitable, and benevolent to a fault, a gentle word for all, he always stood ready to condone the faults of the weak and erring, and to encourage them to better acts in the future. He won the admiration of every one he came in contact with by his kindly disposition and cheerful spirit. It has been remarked of him that he was probably more universally loved than any man who ever lived in Medfield. In the family circle he was a devoted husband and kind father, and the sweet tribute of praise from his loved companion of many years should not be omitted here. During the long period of their married life (forty- five years) she says that not an act, a word, or look could she wish changed, or that left behind a bitter memory. In all his life Isaac Fiske kept in mind and practiced the golden rule of Christ,-" Do ye unto others as ye would that they should do unto you."

454

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

SHARON.

BY SOLOMON TALBOT.

SHARON, located seventeen and one-half miles southwest of Boston, is on the line of the Boston and Providence Railroad, and has two stations. It is bounded on the north by Canton, east by Stough- ton, south by Easton, Mansfield, and Foxboro', west by Walpole and Norwood. It occupies the height of land between Boston and Providence, and is the watershed of the Neponset on the north and the stream that runs south into Canoe and Taunton Rivers.

Sharon has an area of about fourteen thousand acres, a little more than one-half of which is under cultivation. In 1880 it contained 1492 inhabitants, and its manufactures at the last State census were: boots and shoes, $93,190; iron and steel goods, $61,700 ; cotton goods, carriages, boxes, $125,820.

The surface of Sharon is diversified and uneven, and increases in height from the level of the Neponset River, on the northwest, until it reaches, at Sharon Village, an elevation of several hundred feet. This village is drained by the Massapoag Brook on the east and Beaver Brook on the west side.

Lake Massapoag is a beautiful body of water, situ- ated one mile south of the village, and was so named by the aborigines of the country, and it signified to them "Great Water." This sheet of water is sur- rounded in many places by beautiful groves, on a hard, dry, pebbly shore, with a carriage-drive of about four miles in extent around it. Of late years much attention has been given to the inland fisheries, and this lake has been stocked with the following vari- eties : the carp, land-locked salmon, black bass, and white perch.

Many beautiful residences have been built upon the bluffs which overlook the lake by people from Boston, who come from the city during the summer to enjoy | and purling streams. its romantic scenery and rural quiet. Upon the south- east side is the Massapoag House, located in a grove about thirty feet above the water,-a summer water- ing-place, large and roomy,-a pleasant resort during the summer for people of business or of leisure, or those in quest of health. Here they can repose in a quiet home, away from the dust and turmoil of a city life. The balsamic odors of the pines, the agreeable surroundings, airy drives, cheerful outlook, all com- bine to relieve and invigorate the weak and the weary,

either in body or mind. Upon the west side of the lake is Burkhardt's Grove, which has a branch rail- road station. Here parties are brought from Boston or Providence, and spend the day in agreeable recrea- tion, sports upon the water, in the woods, or in the buildings erected for their comfort and accommodation.

Southwest of Sharon Heights Station is a large extent of prairie-like land of more than one thousand acres. It was upon this extended plain, after the late war, that the squadrons of the Massachusetts militia were mustered and reviewed by Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, in September, 1866. Here, during three days, they went through the tactics of war, and showed how fields were won. But now the scene is changed, the swords are turned into plowshares, and this extensive plain has become one of the finest and most famous vegetable gardens in the county.

There is a pond of pure, soft, spring water adjoin- ing this plain, named by the Indians " Wolomolapoag," or " deep pleasant water." This is to be utilized for irrigating the gardens. No doubt that it will double their productiveness.

The waters of this pond are discharged in a south- erly direction, and after passing a. mile or more, cross the main road near where once stood the famous Bil- lings Tavern. This was the earliest house known to have been erected in this town, being located upon the Bristol and Boston post-road. There was a house here before 1660, although it is doubtful if Capt. Bil- lings occupied it before 1675. But he died here in 1717, and has a monument to his memory in the cemetery near this place. This stream continues on into Foxboro', where it assumes the name of Canoe River, and finally empties into Mount Hope Bay.

Moose Hill .- This hill, upon the west side of the town, is a high, rocky region, interspersed with some fine farms, but mostly covered with wood. It has a gradual rise from the plain, and its summit is prob- ably six hundred feet above the level of the sea. The name given to this section is probably the name of the wild animals that once ranged its forest, fed upon its nutritious grasses, and drank from its pure springs

It is uncertain at what period these animals disap- peared from this town, but as late as 1765, deer-reeves annually formed a part of the officers of the district, for the protection of moose and deer. A rugged road leads to the top of the hill, where upon the rocks, in olden time, was lighted the signal-torch of liberty. It now has an observatory, twenty feet in height. From this tower can be seen Wachusett Mountain and hills in New Hampshire, Boston on the horizon, Blue Hill, and the valley of the Neponset

455

SHARON.

below, interspersed by a landscape that embraces towns and villages, farms and forests, lakes and church spires, and railroad lines, until the view is bounded by the hills in Rhode Island.

There are many smaller hills, as Bluff Head, Bald, and Bullard's Hill. From the southern part of this last-named hill is seen Sharon village nestled among the trees upon the horizon, while the new town house is a most conspicuous object upon the right. Below, in the foreground, are seen dotted in the woods the Mas-kwonicut meadows, and a little never-failing stream called by the Indians by the same name (now known as Puffer's Brook) passes near the base of this hill.

Rattlesnake Hill is a high, rocky section in the southeast part of the town, mostly covered with wood. There is a mountain road over its hills that passes by the Tisdale mansion, the Bay Street Chapel (evangel- ical), and continues on to North Easton.

The rocks in this town are mostly syenite, but there are some excellent granite quarries in the east part of the town. In former times large quantities of bog iron ore have been here obtained.

Early History .- In order to introduce the local history of this town it is necessary to advert to the circumstances and the condition of affairs when the territory south of the Blue Hills was incorporated as a town, in the year 1726, called Stoughton. This territory at that time extended from Readville, on the north, to Mansfield (or perhaps Norton at that time), on the south. This west line was nearly twenty miles in length, while the east line extended from the Blue Hills to Bridgewater and Easton on the south. This tract of country was probably ten miles in width.

Now, in those times the colonial laws required the support of and the attendance upon public worship on Sunday, and the only Congregational meeting was held in the meeting-house at Canton Corner. Those people who lived adjacent to other towns worshiped where it was more convenient. But the people mainly went to meeting at Canton. Sharon was a component part of this territory, which will account for the following petition :

"To His Excellency, Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over His Majestie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, and the Honorable, His Majestie's Council and House of Representatives of the General Court assembled at Boston, on the eighth day of June, 1739.

"The petition of John Hixson and Benjamin Johnson, com- mittee to prefer a petition to this court in behalf of the sub- scribers, inhabitants of the Southerly part of Stoughton, humbly sheweth :

" Whereas, by the Providence of the all-disposing God, our lots are fallen to us at so great a distance from the Public

worship of God, in the North part of the said town, that your petitioners cannot ever, without great difficulty, attend the public worship of God; Wherefore we have petitioned the town once and again, to be eased of the great difficulties we now labor under, but have been by them rejected, notwith- standing the great length of way which some of your petition- ers live from the public worship in the North Part, about eight or nine miles; and in consideration of our great duty to attend the public worship of God, not only ourselves, but by our fam- ilies and children, which, by the blessing of God, are greatly increased ; Therefore, your petitioners have of late petitioned this Honorable Court to be set off a separate Town or Precinct, but this Honorable Court did not see cause to grant the peti- tion. The reason, as we humbly conceive, was the answers to the petition, which were wrong and erroneous.

" Therefore, your petitioners humbly pray that this Honor- able Court, to see with your own eyes, by sending a committee to view the circumstances, at the charge and cost of the peti- tioners; that this Honorable Court may be rightly informed, and see the unjust proceedings of the Honorable respondents, and their fallacious answers to our former petitions; and as your petitioners are obliged by conscience and law to attend the worship of God, they have, by a free contribution, maintained preaching among themselves for a considerable time. Notwith- standing they have paid their proportional part to the North Part, where they can have but little or none advantage.

" We would beg leave to inform this Honorable Court that since we have had preaching among us, it has encouraged some well minded persons to come and settle within the limits herein petitioned, and, if it should please the Honorable Court to grant our petition, it would be a great encouragement to a great many more, if your petitioners were in a capacity to have the ordinances of God administered among them ; and your peti- tioners having had some experience, by their having main- tained preaching among themselves, they look on themselves as able to maintain the worship of God.

"Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray this Honorable Court that they would please to send a committee to view our circumstances, that so your petitioners may be put into a capac- ity that they may have the ordinances of our Saviour settled among them, in a regular order, by setting them off as district, and separate town or precinct, viz."

[Here are given the bounds of the towns of Sharon and Foxboro'.]

"We humbly beg leave here to say, that what we now offer in respect to our being set off, is in sincerity for the promoting of the worship of God and religion in its purity among us.

" Wherefore, we pray your Excellency and Honors would be pleased to hear our request, and grant our petition, and as we in duty bound, shall ever pray.

" Benjamin Estey. Joshua Johnson.

Timothy Tolman. Josiah Perry.

Isaac Cumings. Eliakim Perry.

John Smith.

John Noyes.

William Colwell.

Eleazer Hawes.

Samuel Cumings.

Job Swift.

William Richards.

Jacob Estey.

Samuel Dwelly.

Joshua Whittemore.

Nathaniel Coney.

Ebenezer Hewins.

Pelatiah Whittemore.

Edward Belcher.

Eleazer Puffer. Jeremiah Belcher.

Joseph Ingraham. Matthew Hobbs.

Samuel Lovel. Clifford Belcher.

Matthias Puffer. Ephraim Payson.

Abraham Chandler.

Samuel Bird.

Samuel Estey.

Daniel Richards.

456

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

Ebenezer Estey.

Thomas Randall.

William Webb.

Thomas Rogers.

Mayhew Tupper.

Ebenezer Capen.

Stephen Holland.

William Wood.

Benjamin Perry.

Nathan Clark."

The respondents to this petition say :

" The petitioners have used a great deal of craft in the course they have pursued, inasmuch as the town now owes the min- ister about eighty pounds, and the town has just laid out nearly one hundred pounds, in building a road for the petitioners to go to meeting, and now, not satisfied, they have built a church near their own doors, and ask to be set off as a Town, or Pre- cinct."

The committee to whom the subject was referred came upon the premises, examined the circumstances, and reported the prayer of the petitioners ought to be granted. The report was accepted, and the Second Precinct was set off and received the signature of the Governor, July 2, 1740.

It must not be supposed that everything had been accomplished when the people had become a precinct. The meeting-house, although boarded and shingled, was not plastered, neither was it finished inside.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of the precinct, held in 1740, Mr. John Hixson, Ephraim Payson, and Daniel Richards were chosen a committee, and Eben- ezer Hewins, treasurer.

After hearing several candidates, among whom were the Rev. John Ballantine, Rev. Noah Clapp, Ebenezer Gay, and Philip Curtis, the people settled the Rev. Philip Curtis, Jan. 5, 1742, as pastor of the Second Precinct.

In 1744 the committee put out the work of build- ing the galleries and their seats, two pair of stairs and banisters, and the plastering of the inside of the | church to the gables. This contract was taken by John Hixson and Ephraim Payson.

The meeting-house was completed during the year. Capt. Benjamin Johnson made the irons for the great . erty came into market Johnson bought it, there being

doors of the meeting-house, and everything appeared so safe and secure that the committee ordered a place in the gable prepared for the ammunition of the pre- cinct. Capt. Johnson procured a ladder and brought the ammunition and placed it in the repository made for it. Many men who had been active in public life now rested from their labors and passed away.

John Hixon, an enterprising mechanic, built a house near the Chestnut Hill Cemetery, known as the " In- crease Hewins' house," where he resided. He prob- ably gave the first land for the cemetery, and made bricks from the clay in the meadow opposite. He died May 13, 1751.

Elder Joseph Hewins occupied land on the oppo- site side of the railroad. He was very early settled | them.

there. He was deacon of the church at Canton Cor- ner in 1717, and when Stoughton was incorporated, in 1726, he was elected assessor and selectman, to which office he was chosen many years. He died Feb. 24, 1755, aged eighty-seven years, and left many descend- ants.

Capt. Benjamin Johnson, a prominent man, carried on the iron-works until his death in 1760, in his sixty-fifth year.

Samuel Bird lived on a farm at the outlet of Masa- poag, which he occupied in 1716, and died in 1742. His son Samuel was afterwards deacon of the church.

William Tolman having bought a tract of land south of Massapoag for the purpose of preparing a new home, was assisted by his brother, Johnson Tolman, in clearing off the forest and erecting a habitation. They stopped at Samuel Bird's, for the Birds and the Tol- mans were formerly neighbors in Dorchester.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 96

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