History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 85

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 85

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In company with Charles E. Soule, of Pembroke, Mr. Perry is also engaged in buying and selling real estate, lumber, and wood. They do quite an extensive business. Some time prior to 1861 Mr. Perry became one of the prime movers in the agitation of the ques- tion of a railroad from North Abington to Hanover. The movement was met with the utmost indifference by the people, and but few could be induced to invest a dollar in the enterprise, and to the persistent, untiring, and aggressive efforts of Mr. Perry, more than to any or all other men, belongs the credit of its final achieve- ment.

An old charter had been granted many years pre- viously, but nothing had been done further. This charter was revived, and the matter was gotten on something like a firm footing when the civil war stopped operations. Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Perry renewed his efforts in that direc- tion, and in July, 1868, had the satisfaction of seeing

the road an accomplished fact. At the time of its completion there was a debt of sixty thousand dollars, which is now reduced to twenty thousand. In con- nection with the engineer, Mr. Perry had supervision of the building of the road, and has been its presi- dent and active manager from its inception to the present time. Not only does he superintend in a gen- eral way its business and traffic, but everything per- taining to its financial conduct passes through his hands.

Mr. Perry has been J. P. for more than twenty years ; he has done much probate business. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1867. He was early identified with the anti-slavery movement, and belonged to the Garrisonian organization from its inception till the emancipation of the slaves. He is an earnest advocate of temperance in its strictest sig- nification, and in this, as all other matters, his views are pronounced and outspoken. On the 1st of July, 1880, he stopped taking interest on any of his loans, and on many mortgages which he now holds he col- lects no interest. This he does, not as a matter of philanthropy, but because he believes the principle of cxacting a rate per cent. for the use of money to be usury, unjust, and opposed to the spirit of progress, which has always been the leading element of his character. He is, and has been all his life, an earnest, thoughtful, active man, with clear perceptions, sound judgment, and very marked executive ability. E. Y. Perry is a man who in any walk in life he might have chosen would have been a conspicuous figure, and had his inclinations or fortune led him into a broader field and wider sphere of public life, he has qualities which would have commanded instant recognition, and which would have served to place his name high on the monument of his country's history. He has that dauntless spirit and indomitable will-power which will not succumb to defeat, and this, united with in- telligent endeavor, usually attains success in whatever channel it may be directed.

As an instance of his love of progress and improve- ment for the community as well as himself, the fol- lowing illustration will serve. There was a beautiful property in the centre of the village of South Abing- ton, which for years had been in the hands of parties who refused cither to improve it or sell it to others. This property Mr. Perry finally purchased a few years ago, established there a pleasant and cominodious hotel, and erected on the rest of the estate handsome cot- tages and other improvements, which not only serve to bring him a revenue, but enhance the value of all other property in the village, by adding to its con- veniences and attractions.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

He married, July 8, 1834, a most estimable lady, Miss Mary B., daughter of David and Deborah B. Oldham, of Pembroke, Mass. They had but one child, Mary E., which died in carlicst infancy. The fiftieth anniversary of their wedding occurred July 8th of the present year (1884), and they both bid fair to spend many more years pleasantly and har- moniously together.

JOHN SYLVESTER.

From the best information obtained from the vari- ous works treating of the ancestry of the Sylvester family, it appears that they are undoubtedly of French origin. This finds confirmation in the fact that the original coat of arms was a tree on a shield, " Sylvester," in French, signifying a tree. They prob- ably came to England with William the Conqueror, as the name appears on the English records soon after the Norman conquest. The name is one of high respectability in that country, and many bearing the cognomen have attained a high position in various walks in life.

The first of the family in America was Richard Sylvester, who resided in Weymouth in 1633, and removed to Scituate about 1642. From him are de- scended many, if not all, of those bearing the name in New England. The line of descent from him to John Sylvester, whose portrait appears in this volume, is as follows : Richard1, Capt. Joseph2, Benjamin3, Benjamin4, Joel5, John6. Capt. Joseph was a noted Indian fighter, whose warlike spirit prompted him to enlist as captain under Col. Church in the famous Canada expedition which proved so disastrous. He dicd while in the service.

John Sylvester was born in Hanover, Mass., July 8, 1798, and his education was obtained in the com- mon schools of the town. When but a boy he went to work at anchor-forging, and followed this occupa- tion for some years, when, his health failing, he aban- doned it and entered the machine-shop of the " Old Mill-Dam Iron-Works," at Boston and Watertown, Mass. About 1824 he returned to Hanover, and in company with other parties, engaged in the manufac- ture of tacks. After a short time in this enterprise he was employed at the anchor works of Hobart & Salmon, who at that time had a contract with the United States government, and several anchors were made by them for seventy-four-gun ships, some of which, perhaps, were the largest cver forged.

In 1828, Mr. Salmon having retired, Mr. Sylvester formed a copartnership with Mr. Hobart, which con- tinued till about 1837. Mr. Sylvester managed the

works, which were very successful. He was a pioneer in the manufacture of locomotive cranks, having made, it is claimed, the first one in the country, this branch of the business being established in 1830. When the partnership between himself and Mr. Hobart ter- minated he formed the Hanover Forge Company. He continued to do business in Hanover till 1853, when he sold out all his interests there, and removed to Belmont, near Boston, where he resided till his death. About 1848 or 1850 he became one of the firm of John Taggard & Co., in the iron business, in Boston. This interest was continued until 1858, when he re- tired from the firm and purchased the Danvers Iron- Works, at Danvers Port. In 1864 he purchased the spike-works at Somerville, and this business he re- tained during the rest of his life, though he retired from the active supervision of it for several years prior to his death, which occurred March 18, 1882.

He was married, in Hanover, November, 1824, to Lucy J. Bonney, of Pembroke. They have six chil- dren living,-two sons and four daughters.

In politics he was one of the Free-soil party, and a Republican after the formation of that party. While he took a lively interest in the political questions of the day, nothing could induce him to offer himself as a candidate for an official position. He preferred to devote his whole attention to business, and leave the cares and honors of office to those whose inclinations or tastes led them in that direction.

Mr. Sylvester was of an active, earnest tempera- ment. Whatever he undertook he gave his best energies to, and seldom failed to achieve success in what he attempted. His kindness of hcart was pro- verbial, particularly to those less fortunate in life than himself, and his gentleness of manner and geniality of deportment invariably won the sincere respect and esteem of his associates and friends. In the closer relations of home-life his influence was peculiarly tender; and to his family and intimate friends his unselfish affection, and noble example in striving for everything high and pure, will ever be a precious memory.

He connected himself with the Orthodox Church early in life, and always continued an active member. He was a leading spirit without striving to be in whatever circle he moved, a worthy representative of an ancient and honorable family.

GEORGE CURTIS.

George Curtis was born in Hanover, Mass., Sept. 23, 1808. His parents were Consider and Mary

John Sylvester

Geobutí

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HISTORY OF HANOVER.

(House) Curtis. His father was an anchor-smith and farmer, and owned and operated an old anchor forge, known as Curtis' Anchor Forge, on North River, in Hanover. This forge is quite historic. Among other work for celebrated vessels the anchors for the old ship " Constitution" were made there.

When George Curtis attained his majority he en- gaged in the lumber business in connection with an- chor-forging, and continued in the lumber business several years, being quite successful. Upon his father's death he inherited one-fourth. interest in his works, and in a very few years he purchased the en- tire interest. He then gave his undivided attention to the prosecution of the business, built up a large and lucrative trade, and became a very successful and influential man in his community. His principal business was forging anchors and ship-knees. Hc spent most of his life in the work, continuing in active business till 1870, and the year following he sold the works to Eugene and Frederick Clapp.

During the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Curtis did a great amount of work for the government, and amassed a large fortune.

Mr. Curtis was a typical business man, devoting himself assiduously and energetically to the super- vision of his work in all its details. Refusing all po- sitions of office and trust, he concentrated all his efforts to the building up and carrying on of the work he had chosen as his life's business.

It was largely owing to the financial support he gave the Hanover Branch Railroad project that Mr. E. Y. Perry was enabled to carry the road through to completion. He was a director in this road to the time of his death, and carried more of its stock than any other man.

After Mr. Curtis retired from business he moved to Boston, where the remainder of his life was spent. He married Nancy, daughter of Joel Bowker, of Sa- lem, Mass., Nov. 11, 1834. They had no issue. He was orthodox in religious faith, a Whig and Republi- can in politics, and was a strong temperance and anti- slavery man. He was for many years warden of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Hanover, up to the time of his removal from the town.

He died Feb. 16, 1875, leaving a large estate, mostly devised-after Mrs. Curtis' decease-to various char- itable associations, institutions of learning, etc. Mrs. Curtis is still living in Boston, Mass., and is much be- loved for her kind disposition, and for the generous band with which she bestows in charity all of her large income, save what is necessary for her own support.

LEMUEL CUSHING WATERMAN.

The subject of this brief sketch, the son of Samuel and Sarah Cushing Waterman, was born July 14, 1814, in that part of Scituate now known as South Scituate. set off as a separate town from the mother- town in 1849.

His father, a man remarkable for his great worth and equally great modesty, was much esteemed for his strict integrity and unblemished character. In 1800 he was appointed a coroner by Governor Strong, and held that position for many years. Twice he represented the town in the Legislature.

The son was educated at the Hanover Academy, completing his studies there in the eighteenth year of his age. As might properly be expected, he has always felt and manifested a deep interest in the wel- farc and prosperity of this very useful institution, and for very many years has been a member of its board of directors. He began his business life in a wholesale dry-goods house in Boston, where he re- mained two years. Considerations of health con- strained him to return to the old homestead. Later, he entered upon the profession of teaching, and for several years successfully taught in several districts near to his birthplace. At the age of twenty-five he married Miss Elizabeth B. Gooding, a very interest- ing and most estimable woman, the daughter of Mr. Henry Gooding, of Boston.

After his marriage he was employed in the tack and nail-factory of Mr. Samuel Salmond, who had conducted the works since 1838. These works are on the Third Herring Brook, and are on the site of the Charles Stockbridge Mill, erected as early as 1677.

Subsequently, when he had become fully ac- quainted with all the details of the business, he ac- cepted the offer made to him by his appreciative em- ployer of the united positions of superintendent of the works and selling and collecting agent of the concern. . These responsible positions he retained about seven years, discharging their duties with fidelity and effi- ciency. With the death of Mr. Salmond, which oc- curred in 1859, his connection with these works ceased.

Soon after the death of his former employer he commenced on his own account the manufacture of tacks and nails at the factory in that part of Hanover called " Project Dale."

This business he conducted successfully until 1875, when he retired from active connection with it, leaving it to the care of his three sons,-Rodolph Cushing, Iræneus Lloyd, and Frank Herbert,-all of them up- right in every relation of life, by whom it has been materially enlarged, and is still continued.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

The excellence of the manufactured products of this establishment, and the sterling integrity which has ever characterized the conduct of its business affairs, has brought the usual results of great pros- perity to the concern. In 1875 his friend, Mr. George Curtis, of Boston (formerly engaged exten- sively in the forging of anchors, on the site of Bar- din's iron-works, erected in 1704, on the Indian Head River, in Hanover), died, leaving a very large estate. Mr. Curtis indicated his confidence in the integrity and business capacity of his friend, Mr. Waterman, by providing that he should take the whole estate, in trust, into his hands, and should continue to act as trustee during the life of the widow of Mr. Curtis. The management of this estate confirms the high estimate placed on the character of his friend by Mr. Curtis.

Mr. Waterman in 1855 was appointed justice of the peace, and since that time has been continuously reappointed.

For several years he was a member of the school committec, for five years a member of the board of overseers of the poor, also for the same time on the board of assessors and selectmen, the latter part of the time being chairman of the board.

In 1858, the first year the State was divided into representative districts, he represented the towns of Hanover and South Scituate in the Legislature.

After the close of that session he publicly declined being in the future a candidate for any office.

In his ecclesiastical relations he is a Churchman, and has been since 1860, and is now in the highly- important and honorable office of senior Church war- den of the ancient parish of St. Andrew's, Hanover.

For a number of years he has been a director of the Hanover Branch Railroad.

He continues to live in the old homestead, on the same spot purchased by his grandfather in 1761.

These " short and simple annals" contain nothing to startle and dazzle the reader, but may subscrve the good purpose of showing how industry, integrity, per- severance, and the improvement of talents and op- portunities will, in due season, bear abundant fruit.

Speaking humanly, Mr. Waterman has been the architect and builder of his own fortunes. In the language of one of his own Church prayers, may it be granted to him "in health and prosperity long to live !"

DANIEL BARSTOW.

Among the names prominent in the colonial history of New England, and which, through successive gen- crations, to the present day have designated a useful and enterprising family of people, is that of Barstow. The records indicate that William Barstow was (if not the first) among the first settlers of what is now the town of Hanover, in 1649.

The family is of English origin, and from the West Riding of Yorkshire, where the name still occurs. The William before mentioned came from England in the ship " Truelove," 1635, in company with three of his brothers. He became a noted man in the new colony, and a large landholder. He built the first bridge in Hanover over North River, kept an " ordi- nary," and sold "refreshments."

The Barstows established a ship-yard on North River as early as 1690, and later they established ship-yards also in Rochester. Deacon Samuel Bar- stow, born 1709, was one of the carliest settlers on King Street. He had four sons. The youngest, Capt. Daniel, remained on the farm, and built the house (1798) now occupied by Robert Church. His only son, Daniel, lived with him. This Daniel had two sons, Daniel and Samuel. The latter lived with his father, and the former built his house on the spot where Deacon Samuel's house stood. They married sisters. Neither of them had children, and that branch of the Barstow family is now extinct.

Daniel Barstow (see. portrait) was born Sept. 20, 1808. The line of descent from the original William is as follows: William1, Joseph2, Samuel3, Deacon Samuel4, Capt. Daniel5, Daniel6.

He was educated at the common schools of the town, was a farmer by occupation, and also did much business in connection with his father and brother in carting for the forge and anchor-works near his resi- dence, which was established by Capt. Joseph Bar- stow in 1720, and which for more than a century was owned and operated by the Barstow family. Mr. Barstow took much interest in military matters, and was a major of militia. He was a member of the First Orthodox Congregational Church, and was for many years treasurer of the society, and contributed liberally to the support of the ministry. He was twice married, first to Betsey Estes, December, 1830, and second, to Mrs. Lucinda Packard, October, 1873. He died April 19, 1882.

L. C. Waterman

DANIEL BARSTOW.

HISTORY OF SCITUATE AND SOUTH SCITUATE.

BY DANIEL E. DAMON.

To compile the history of so ancient a town as Scituate and bring it within the limits prescribed for this work is not easy. Much must be omitted that might well form a part, and the labor of deciding what to admit and what to omit is perplexing. The compiler does not dare to hope that his decisions in this matter will be satisfactory, or always what they should be. In his opinion those matters which relate to the more ancient part of the town's history should receive the larger share of attention, as the modern will continue to be accessible. In a brief history like this the effort should be not so much to write an in- teresting essay as to pack together in the smallest possible space, in dry detail. the largest number of facts and descriptions possible.

In selecting the materials for record and preserva- tion here, the object will be to gather together that which will be likely to prove most useful for refer- ence. Abridgment of time and space compels the leaving unrecorded much of this even, and the duty of selection and omission, though embarrassing, is imperative, and the writer asks for the charitable criticism of the reader.

Geographical .- The town of Scituate lies in the northeast corner of the old Plymouth Colony. It com- prised originally the two present towns of Scituate and South Scituate, and nearly the whole of the town of Hanover. In 1727 a portion of the westerly part of the town, with a small part of Abington, was set off and incorporated as a town by the name of Hanover. Scituate, though losing much valuable territory and many valuable citizens by this action, made no oppo- sition.

easterly by the North River, which separated it from Marshfield and that part of Duxbury now constituting the towns of Pembroke and Hanson, and south westerly by that part of Bridgewater afterwards incorporated as the town of Abington. The northwesterly bound or colony line remained for a long time unsettled, and was matter of much controversy. The contention was mainly in consequence of the great value then attached to the salt marshes, the uncleared condition of the upland rendering marsh hay highly prized, and well nigh indispensable for feeding to cattle.

The expanse of meadow, therefore, lying south- easterly of the "Gulph," which Scituate insisted was the true and natural boundary, attracted the attention of the Hingham people, and they claimed an interest therein. To establish their claim, if possible, Win- throp says, " We caused Charles River patent to be surveyed, and found it to come so far southward as to fetch in Scituate and more ; but this was referred to a meeting between us." This last expression shows that the survey based upon the loose and general ex- pressions in the patent proved too much.

To include all Scituate was absurd, and hence the reference. In 1637, Timothy Hatherly and Na- thaniel Tilden, of the Plymouth Colony, and William Aspinwall and Joseph Andrews, of the Massachusetts Colony, were appointed commissioners to determine the line. They do not appear to have fulfilled their commissions.

It is more than probable that the reason of their failure was because these two Scituate commissioners (Hatherly and Tilden) were resolved not to sacrifice the interests of Scituate. In 1640, Governor Wil- In 1849, the southwesterly part of the town was incorporated as a town, and named South Scituate. Thus it will be seen the history of Scituate and South Scituate is one until within a very few years. liam Bradford and Edward Winslow (neither of them Scituate men), for Plymouth Colony, and Governor John Endicott and Israel Stoughton, for Massachu- setts, were appointed, met, and decided that the line The original town before dismemberment in any way was bounded northwesterly by the line between the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies, north- should run "from the mouth of the brooke that runneth into Conihassett marshes in a straight line to the middle of Accord Pond," and that sixty acres of easterly by Massachusetts Bay, southerly and south- marsh on the Scituate side should belong to Hing-

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

well that he was confident no surrender could occur while he was living. And so it proved. The first broadside from the " Mcrrimac" had killed him, and deprived the country of one of its best naval officers.

Capt. Albert Smith, the other son of the admiral, died during the war from the effects of what he suf- fered in passing up the Mississippi and at the battle of New Orleans, the vessel he commanded being in the hottest of the fight. He was the last of this heroic race. This may seem like digression, but it is a bit of history that grows out of ship-building on North River. A war vessel on Lake Erie and the " Monitor" saving the fleet at Fortress Monroe arc closely associated therewith.

Edmund and Samuel Eells afterwards built at this yard, and then John B. and Elijah Barstow, and lastly Elijah Barstow, Jr.

The next yard was that of David Kingman. This was not in use so long as some others. Isaiah Wing built a vessel there, as did also Benjamin and Martin Stockbridge. All the above yards were within a dis- tance of one-half mile from Barstow's Bridge, and are within what is now the territory of Hanover, but as when many of them were first established they were within what was then the town of Scituate, mention of them all seems to belong properly to the history of the old town and of this river.

On the Pembroke side of the river, opposite, were also ship-yards, occupied by George Turner, Thomas Turner, and Nathaniel Cushing.

Down the river, below the Third Herring Brook, is the yard of Elijah Barstow and Capt. Thomas Waterman. After Capt. Waterman died his son, Thomas B. Waterman, continued the business of ship-building at the same place with Mr. Barstow, and these enterprising gentlemen continued long after all others had abandoned the business, and built the last vessel on the river. They are still living, and to be, as they are, the last representatives of that strong race of business men who for so many generations made North River ship-building famous is no slight distinction.

Near their ship-yard, but not probably on the precise site, Nathaniel Church and John Palmer began build- ing vessels before 1690. More than one generation of their families probably continued the business there. Michael Ford, who came into Scituate from Marshfield with his brother-in-law, William Copeland, afterwards did business at this yard. It is certain also that the sons of these two men, Michael Ford and William and Ebenezer Copeland, built ships there with much enterprise for many years. Mr. Michael Ford died about 1880, very aged. He was a soldier in the war of

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 85

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