History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 195

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Capt. Joseph Tisdale, Jr., married Ruth Reed, March 13, 1706. Their children were Joseph, born 1706; Loved. born 1708; Seth, born 1716; Job, born 1719; Ebenezer, born 1723; Simeon, Bath- sheba, Mary, Hannah.

Ebenezer Tisdale married Priseilla Drake. Their children were Ebenezer, Jr., born 1747; Abijah ; Edward, born 1755 ; Hannah ; Ruth ; Priseilla ; Asa and Maee (twins), 1765.

Capt. Edward Tisdale married Ruth Harlow. Their children were Betsey; Israel, born Feb. 24, 1780; Edward.

Col. Israel Tisdale married Susannah Talbot, Dee. 1, 1881. Their children were Israel, Jr., born 1802; Susannah, born 1806; Abijah, born 1809; Ebenezer, born 1811; Ann, born 1813. His wife died in 1813, and in 1814 he married her sister Betsey. Their children were Elizabeth, born 1815; Josiah, born 1817; Susan, born 1819; Edward and twin brother 1822; Maee, born 1824; Hannah, born 1828; Ruth, born 1831.

Edward Tisdale married Amanda Ripley, Nov. 19, 1848. Their children are Charles Edward, born Feb. 6, 1853 ; Aliee Augusta, born Nov. 7, 1854; Frank Shepherd, born Jan. 7, 1857; Lizzie Jane, born Oet. 2, 1858; Mary Amanda, born Sept. 9, 1861; Dora Maria, born Jan. 6, 1864.

For over two centuries the Tisdale families have been residents upon the Pilgrim soil, and a greater part of this time in the vieinity of Taunton. Indus- try, sobriety, and just regard of eharaeter appear to have been among their characteristies. Rural life and the pursuit of agriculture early lent their quiet repose to most of the name. Viee, intemperance and their concomitants are in no manner allied to sully their names, and it is among the proudest re-

Odward Visdale

Eng. by AH Ruchu

Joseph Kingman

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

flections of their descendants that this inheritance is worthy of regard. This trait is so deeply engrafted that they spurn all contact with everything which can deface it. Poverty may crush and intimidate, wealth may establish and enervate. but neither can subdue nor subvert that vitality which is of inherent integ- rity. This innate principle is the basis upon which character is best constructed.

EDWARD TISDALE. seventh in generation from John Tisdale, son of Col. Israel and Betsey (Talbot) Tisdale. was born in Sharon, Mass., Jan. 20, 1822. His father was a successful New England farmer, a man of sound judgment. and much respected ; pos- sessed of those noble qualities of the heart which endeared him to kindred and friends.

He had thirteen children. of whom Edward was the ninth. From childhood he was accustomed to labor. and formed habits of diligence and industry. System and method in all his pursuits were early de- veloped, enabling him to gain a good practical, philo- sophical, and mathematical education. from the limited sources of the common schools of those days. He remained at the homestead in Sharon until 1847, when he went to Cochesett, West Bridgewater, and worked at shoemaking until 1848. He then com- menced manufacturing boots and shoes with his brother, Josiah, under the firm-name of J. & E. Tisdale.

Jan. 1. 1852, this copartnership was dissolved, and Edward engaged in business for himself. From that time until the present he has followed manufacturing for the local New England trade.

During 1863 he greatly enlarged his facilities for business. The present manufactory is thirty by one hundred feet, two stories and basement, with an ad- ditional packing-room fifteen by fifty-five feet, two itories high.

In 1853 he purchased the first stock on the market of the celebrated " Westcott Calf." This stock has entered largely into his manufacturing, gaining him a popular reputation for the reliable, substantial quality of his goods.

Mr. Tisdale has always been a successful business man, passing safely over the years of financial depres- sion in business and shrinkage in values, when many of the manufacturers were compelled to compromise.

He is a very earnest man, possessed of a keen sense of honor that has directed him ever to feel a deep interest in the welfare of all that he employs, and to deal justly in all his business transactions. If there were more guided by this principle we should hear little of the antagonism between labor and capital. In 1866 we find him among the representa-

tives sent to the Legislature, but with his unassum- ing nature and close attention to business, he does not desire or strive for official position. He holds strong opinions, however, and is not easily changed in his views. He is interested in all matters of publie improvements and education, and is one of the trus- tees of the Howard Collegiate Institute. He is broad and charitable in his views, and generous, whenever his assistance is needed. He is one of the most re- spected citizens of his town, a good counselor, a strong friend, and an honest man. He is a Repub- lican in politics.

Mr. Tisdale married, Nov. 19, 1848, Amanda, daughter of Molbry and Datic (Bray) Ripley, born April 23, 1828, in West Bridgewater. This estimable lady passed away Nov. 16, 1869. Dec. 6, 1871, he married, second, Mrs. Abby H. Palmer, of Foxboro', daughter of Deacon George and Abby Field (Henshaw) Howard, of Sharon. This lady, in assuming the uncn- viable responsibilities of the care of these six mother- less children, at that age when they most needed care, patience, kindness, and tact, brought all those quali- ties into action in a most intelligent and successful manner, as can be testified by all who have mingled in the society of this happy family.

In his pleasant, hospitable home, with the com- panionship of his wife, children, and friends, Mr. Tisdale enjoys a quiet happiness, which is of more value than high position or great wealth.

CAPT. JOSEPH KINGMAN.

Joseph Kingman, son of Deacon Joseph and Eunice (Josselyn) Kingman, was born in West Bridgewater, Mass., March 14, 1799, on the ances- tral acres, in the east part of the town (now the home of his widow). He was a descendant, in the seventh generation, from Henry Kingman, the emi- grant, the line being Henry1, John2, Henry3, Jona- than4, Jonathan5, Joseph6, Joseph7. Henry1 was made freeman in 1636, and lived in Weymouth from about 1630. He held important offices and appears to have been a man of solid worth. His son, John, purchased a large estate in West Bridgewater, and from him are descended those of the name residing in this part of the county. (Sec Mitchell's “ His- tory of Bridgewater.")

Joseph Kingman attended common schools of West Bridgewater and academy at Hadley, and became a farmer, succeeding his father in the occupancy of the homestead. Hc diligently improved his educational advantages, and when but a young man acquired

934

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

quite a reputation as a teacher. For many years he taught winter terms of schools. He loved children, could strongly influenee them and win their love, and was very successful in this work. He married first, Huldah, daughter of Perez Williams (the children of this marriage are not living), second, Elizabeth H., daughter of Capt. Nathaniel and Betsey (Howard) Edson, Nov. 18, 1829. They had four children,- Martha (married Alphena Crosby, for a long time professor of Greek at Dartmouth College), Elizabeth, Luey (deceased), and Horace Mann (deceased). Mrs. Crosby and Elizabeth reside with their mother on the more than ordinarily beautiful homestead.

Mr. Kingman served as member of the Constitu- tional Convention of 1851, representative, selectman, school committeeman, was a member of Plymouth County Agricultural Society, and warmly interested in agriculture. But it was not official position that causes us to record a tribute to his memory. No, it was just the opposite, the unselfish, self-sacrifieing nature of the generous man, who poured his means, his time, and his most strenuous exertions as freely as water, for the relief of any and every form of suffering, and for the firm, unyielding advocacy of whatever seemed to his sensitive nature worthy of support. And he stood in the van of progress. Of deeply religious nature, he affiliated with the broad liberality of the Unitarian Church. He stood side by side with Garrison in the first anti-slavery move- ments, which, at that time, meant almost social ostra- cism. Anti-rum, when temperance was sneered at by the people, and denouneed as unprofitable agitation from many a pulpit. In favor of the broadest and highest educational culture, he demanded the same ad- vantages alike for male and female, and with all the zeal of his individuality he labored for the extension of the right of suffrage to woman. The strong point of his character was his unvarying and universal kind- ness to all. He never seemed to consider his own advantage, and continually sacrifieed his own interests for the benefit of others. He was the earnest aud efficient advocate and helper of the weak and op- pressed, lived a life of active benevolenee, and throughout his long and useful career, never dared malice or suspicion to whisper aught against his in- tegrity or the purity of his motives. He had a kind greeting and pleasant word for every one he met, and in all the relations in which he was placed in life, and in the deeper and holier relations of the home-circle, as husband and father, he exemplified the highest ele- ments of a loving and Christian nature, and left an impress, by his life and teachings, on his native town that shall not speedily be effaced.

" And wisest he in this whole wide land Of hoarding till bent and gray ;

For all you can hold in your cold, dead hand Is what you have given away."

The following sketch, written after his death by one who knew him well, fittingly concludes this memorial :

" Something more than a passing notice of this worthy citizen and native of West Bridgewater seems needed. He died Oet. 13, 1876, aged seventy-seven years and seven months. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1851, and also of the memorable Legislature which first elected Charles Sumner to the United States Senate. On every bal- lot his vote was for Mr. Sumner. He was also one of the first in the anti-slavery reform, and throughout his life the oppressed and the needy were especial ob- jects of his attention. Nothing awoke his indigna- tion so quickly as meanness, oppression, and injustice, and to the last his better nature was alive and active in seeking the good of his kind. His was a gener- osity that earried thoughtfulness with it. Unselfish to a rare degree in his business transactions, his chief care seemed to be for the other party. His cheerful- ness was a stream of even flow. With him there was no doubt that God's ways were good ways, hence his faith was bright and unshaken amid all the varied seenes of life. His was the submissive, prayerful spirit of a profound believer in an overruling Provi- denee. Ardent in many reforms, some may have thought him visionary at times, but all admitted, that, from first to last, his face was fixed and immovable to- wards the right. His devotion to the anti-slavery eause eame near making a martyr of him, for his extra exertions to secure Mr. Lineoln's election, in 1860, brought on a paralytic shock, from which he never fully recovered. A ready speaker on the platform, an untiring worker in the church, and a Christian of undoubted purity, he left this glorious testimony,- that he lived, and the world was the better for it.

NOAH WHITMAN, M.D.

John Whitman, of Weymouth, was a man of marked ability,-the first deacon of the church, the first military offieer commissioned in the town, and also one of three appointed to settle small controver- sies. He died in 1692, aged ninety-two years. Thomas, his eldest son, settled in East Bridgewater, and his son, Ebenezer, and grandson of the same name, in South Bridgewater. Noah, son of the latter Ebenezer, was the father of Dr. Noah Whitman, of West Bridgewater.

Noah Whitman.

Chast.Williamk

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

Dr. Noah Whitman, son of Noah and Zilpha Whitman. was born in Bridgewater, Mass., March 3, 1785. He married, July 9, 1812, Mary, daughter of Dr. Daniel and Bathsheba Perkins. They had two children,-Henry and Mary,-now residing in West Bridgewater. with their mother, who has attained the age of ninety-four years. (The old clock, made in 1700, which is an object of marked interest to visitors of Pilgrim Hall, Plymouth, formerly be- longed to Madam Hancock, who, for her second hus- band, married Rev. Daniel Perkins. She bequeathed it to her husband's oldest son's wife, who was the mother of Mrs. Mary Whitman. This was loaned to the Pilgrim Society about forty years ago by Mrs. Whitman, to be placed on exhibition in Pilgrim Hall, with other relics of Governor Hancock.)

Dr. Whitman was graduated from Brown Univer- sity in 1806. His medical studies were commenced in West Bridgewater, under the direction of Dr. Simeon Dunbar, and completed at the medical school at Dartmouth College, while Professor Nathan Smith was at its head. His medical degree was received in 1809, and in 1810 he settled as a physician in West Bridgewater. Here he continued in the assiduous performance of the duties of his profession for over forty years, nntil compelled to relinquish them by the disease which terminated his life, at West Bridge- water, April 24, 1854, at the age of sixty-nine years.

Dr. Whitman was a practical man. He won and retained the confidence of his patients by his quick perception of the character of their maladies, and by his prompt application of appropriate remedies. He sympathized with the sick as a friend, and on their re- covery they cherished for him a warm personal attach- mont. Quackery, in all its forms, he most heartily contemned.

In his intercourse with his medical brethren he Jan. 23, 1859, aged seventy-six. Greenfield Williams Was uniformly courteous. While on proper occa- sions he maintained his own opinions with firmness, he conceded to others the right of private judgment, avoiding, on the one hand, the weakness which suc- cumbs to mere authority, and, on the other, that self- sufficient obstinacy which never gives up an opinion it has once advocated. He was an accomplished physician, a pleasant companion, and an upright citizen. His loss was felt as a public calamity in the community, where for so many years he had pursued his professional duties.

CHARLES THOMPSON WILLIAMS.

Charles Thompson Williams, now a resident of West Bridgewater, is a lineal descendant of Richard

Williams, the emigrant, who settled at Taunton, in 1637, and was a man of no mean abilities. He was a large land-owner, and so important a man as to be called the father of Taunton. He was a Welshman, probably a relative of Roger Williams, and a family tradition states that he was a blood relation of Oliver Cromwell, whose family name was Williams, and changed to Cromwell for an estate. It is positively known that one of Oliver's ancestors was a Richard Williams.

Greenfield Williams, born in Raynham, 1783, a respected farmer, moved from Raynham, Mass., to Easton, and passed his life in that part of the town called Pequantekut. He was employed for many years by Gen. Shepherd Leach and afterwards by Capt. Lincoln Drake. He had charge of the men occupied in digging ore at one time. He was also largely engaged in the charcoal trade. The charcoal found a ready market in Boston, and the teams on their return brought West India goods for Isaac Kimball's and Gen. Lcach's stores. He married Be- thiah Record. They had nine children : Greenfield, born June 8, 1807, died Oct. 3, 1843 ; Maria Britton, born June 16, 1810 ; Thomas, born Feb. 26, 1812; Nancy Drake, born May 26, 1814, died Nov. 1, 1845 ; Sally Smith, born Sept. 26, 1816; Charles D., born May 15, 1819; William F., born March 26, 1821 ; Dwelley B., born June 17, 1823 ; Otis, born Dec. 10, 1827. His wife died April 18, 1856. Mr. Williams accumulated means in his business to purchase a farm, and his sons assisted him in carrying it on. He and his family were devoted Christians, members of the Methodist Church, and in early life rode horseback to church, a distance of nine miles. "They brought their children up as Christians should." Mr. Wil- liams was a pensioner of the war of 1812, and died

had three brothers,-Thomas, who settled in Berry, N. Y. ; Joel, about forty miles from him ; Charles D., sixth child of Greenfield Williams, remained with his father until of age, when he went to Chelmsford, learned the trade of iron founder under Capt. Lincoln Drake, and returning to Easton continued in his em- ploy the greater part of the time, until the captain's death, and for several years was superintendent of Easton Furnace. He purchased the teaming interest of the furnace, and carried that on for some years. He worked at one time in New Bedford and in Cam- bridge. He married Susan, daughter of Nathaniel and Joanna Thompson, of Middleboro'.

Her paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Thompson (for whom Thompson's Hill, Middleboro', Mass., is named), who married Phebe Godfrey. Mrs. Susan

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Williams descends from two of the oldest families in Plymouth County,-the Thompsons and Tink hams,- being a granddaughter of John Tinkham, Esq., who married Mary Wood. Mr. Charles D. Williams is a quiet man, fond of home, and although receiving ad- vantageous offers from prominent firms in various localities, preferred to remain at Easton, where he still resides. He is a member of Paul Dean Lodge, F. A. M., and of the Congregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Williams had six children, of whom three are now living, -Louisa F., a teacher at Easton Furnace for twelve years; Carrie E., married Shepherd L. Pratt, of Newton Centre; and Charles T., born at Easton, Mass., April 4, 1844, in the house of the Hon. Lincoln S. Drakc. The educational advantages of Charles were those common to the district and high schools, and during his boyhood he was em- ployed, more or less of the time, by the firm of Thomas F. Davidson, who kept a general store.

Mr. Davidson had kind regards for the boy, and allowed him room in his store free of expense for a periodical business, and it is said that Charles was in- strumental in cultivating a taste for reading, the in- fluence in many of which is still felt.

The fall of Fort Sumter-the introduction of the War-awakened the spirit of patriotism in this boy of seventeen, and he was ready to go forward to help save the United States of America from being blotted out from the map of the globe, and to stand by " the best government on which the sun of heaven ever shed its rays.". His father protested and tried to picture to him the hardships and trials of a soldier's life. His mother couldn't think of her only boy giving himself to die, if need be, for his country. Her brother, Deacon Amasa Thompson, of New Bedford, was visit- ing them, and said, how proud he should feel of such a son ; that his two boys had gone, and he wished he had more to send. The result was that Charles en- listed in Company H, Seventh Massachusetts Volun- teers. This regiment was mustered into service June 15, 1861, and immediately went to Washington. It took active part in the battles of the Peninsula, Wil- derness, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. The adjutant-general reports concerning this regiment thus :

" Fredericksburg, Dec. 11, 1862. Started at day- break and marched to the Rappahannock, about one mile below Fredericksburg; halted until five P.M., then crossed the Rappahannock under a severe fire. The Seventh Massachusetts was the second to cross the river, and acted as support to the skirmish-line, and advanced half a mile from the river during the

night on the picket, the brigade being the only troops across the river at this point.

" Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Abont eleven A.M. the order was given to make the assault on Mary's Hill, the men stripping themselves of their knap- sacks, blankets, and all encumbrances, advanced along the telegraph road leading up the heights. The Seventh Massachusetts led the column, making a suc- cessful assault on the famous stone wall, where the loss was heavy, then advancing up the heights, occu- pied the crests of Mary's Hill, captured two sections of rebel artillery, and planted their colors on a part of the works from which the enemy had been driven ; advancing then on the plank road leading toward Salem Church, the enemy was again successfully cn- countered in a severe contest, which lasted until dark of that day, with severe loss. With a force of a little more than five hundred men engaged, the loss of the Seventh Massachusetts on this bloody field was killed, two officers, twenty-one men ; wounded, nine officers, one hundred and five men." In this engagement, Mr. Williams was stunned by a cannon-ball, and was un- conscious for over twenty-four hours.

" Gettysburg, July 1. Marched all night and until four P.M. on the next day, thirty-five miles at one stretch, when they arrived at the battle-field of Gettys- burg, about six P.M. went into action, and took posi- tion on the extreme left, and until July 4th acted as support, and were continually moving from right to left exposed to a severe fire from the enemy.

" Wilderness, May 5, 1864. Marched to the left and took position on left of Third Corps. We formed in line of battle, and about four P.M. the advance to attack was sounded, and the enemy was successfully engaged until dark, when we occupied the field and slept on our arms for the night. Casualties in this engagement, eighty-five." On the early morning of the 6th of May, while his company was advancing, following the enemy who were firing and falling back, Mr. Williams was wounded below the knee of the left leg by a gunshot, which caused a longitudinal fracture of the tibia. He was conveyed to the field hospital, then to Fredericksburg, then to Amory Square Hos- pital at Washington, from there to Portsmouth Grove, R. I., where he remained until his term of enlistment expired, when, by the aid of crutches and other assistance, he was enabled to reach home. After re- maining at his father's, in Easton, for several months he was prostrated by typhoid fever, and was brought to death's door, having three successive attacks of the fever. In May, 1865, he went to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he underwent the operation of having the entire tibia removed, which was done

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HISTORY OF WEST BRIDGEWATER.

successfully. After three or four months in the hos- pital he was carried on a bed to Easton, and in Oc- tober he was able to commence moving about on erutehes. To relieve the monotony of convalescent life he went to the Soldiers' Home, Springfield Street, Boston. and was soon placed in a position to assist to discharge the duties of the superintendent, Allen Riee. receiving and discharging occupants; was also book-keeper and librarian. While there he received, in 1866. the appointment of messenger to the Massa- chusetts State Senate, taking the place of a Mr. Brown. Mr. Williams is one of the six soldiers who sat for the picture. afterwards copyrighted by Jennie Collins. of " Boffin's Bower." and extensively sold as a typical picture of the war under the name of the " Boys who saved us." On gaining health Mr. Wil- liams opened a store on Washington Street, Boston. and continued in the dry-goods trade until 1874. Since then he has been engaged (a member of the firm of A. J. Tuttle & Co.) in large labor contracts in the city.

He married, July 20, 1879, Charlotte A., daughter of Salmon and Charlotte (Pease) Howard, of West Bridgewater. Her maternal grandfather was Rev.

Bartlett Pease, a Baptist elergyman of prominence and ability. They have one child, Charlotte Louise. Mr. Williams purchased the Ames place near Coche- sett, has made extensive alteration and improvements, and removed here, in 1883, from Cambridge, the birth- place of his little girl. He is a member of the General Stevenson Post 26, G. A. R. He has served as fore- man of juries in Bristol and Suffolk Counties.

Mr. Williams has pleasant and winning social manners, makes friends easily and retains them long. He is a sagacious and successful business man, origi- nating new and profitable methods. As one instance we would notice his publication of a newspaper, Williams' Advertiser, which had a eirculation of five thousand copies. He is a member of the Baptist Church, Republican in politics, and stands on the best planes of thought. A keen observer of affairs and an extensive reader, he keeps himself fully abreast. of the times in knowledge, and intelligently discharges his duties as a citizen, to preserve the freedom for which he was a gallant soldier. All in all Mr. Williams is a good citizen, an able business man, a warm-hearted and genial friend and companion, and worthily enjoys a wide circle of friends.

HISTORY OF MIDDLEBORO'.

BY GEN. EBENEZER W. PEIRCE.

CHAPTER I.

ABORIGINAL HISTORY.

FROM the date of the great and very important discovery made by Christopher Columbus, Friday, Oct. 12, 1492, to the landing of the Pilgrims at Patuxet (now Plymouth), Dec. 21, 1620, was a period of little more than one hundred and twenty- eight years, and during that more than a century and a quarter of time the American coast was at numer- ous points and upon many occasions visited by the sea-voyagers of several civilized nations from the con- tinent of Europe, the chief and most properly noticc- able of which were as follows :

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706