History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 93

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 93

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Mills and Brooks .- The first mill in Scituate was a windmill, erected on the Second Cliff by the enter- prising William Gilson for grinding corn. As nearly aH the mills that have ever been in use in the two towns of Scituate and South Scituate are water-mills, it will economize space to describe the streams and their mills in the same connection.

The First Herring Brook rises in Town Swamp and

436

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Bushy Hill Swamp, in the central part of the town, and falls into North River. On this stream, in 1646, a saw-inill was erected by Isaac Stedman, and is sup- posed to be the first saw-inill in the county. In 1656, Mr. Stedman sold this mill-privilege and saw-mill to John Stockbridge and George Russell, who built a grist-inill on the same dam. Mr. Stockbridge after- wards became the sole owner, and the mills were long known as Stockbridge Mills. A half-mile above, James Torrey built a " clothing mill" in 1653, and subsequently Samuel Clapp had a grist-mill and fulling- mill at the same point.

The Second Herring Brook rises in Black Pond, and drains also Dead Swamp and another swamp be- tween Blaek Pond and Dead Swamp, and empties into North River a short distance above Union bridge and near the old James mansion, and where the block- house stood. About half a mile from the river on this brook John Bryant built a saw-mill in 1690, and afterwards a grist-mill. Long afterwards, some dis- tance up the stream, another grist-mill was built. A saw-mill was also erected there at a still later day. This mill until very recently was owned and operated by the late David Torrey in connection with his steam- mill on River Street.

The Third Herring Brook rises in Valley Swamp near Hingham, and runs about five miles, emptying into North River about three miles above the Second Herring Brook. From Jacobs' mill-pond to the river it forms the boundary line between Hanover and South Scituate. Robert Stetson erected a saw-mill on this brook near where Samuel Tolman, Esq., now resides, in 1656. This mill was burned by the In- dians in 1676, and was not rebuilt. The large tract of land flowed by it is now fresh meadow, and is known as "Old Pond" meadow. Benjamin Curtis built a saw-mill up the same stream above "Old Pond," and afterwards a grist-mill was added. Mills were needed for little else than grinding grain and sawing timber. This mill has been in the Curtis and Clapp families ever since.

The Jacobs family erected mills-saw-mill and grist-mill-in the westerly part of the town, at a place called Assinippi. The highway passes over the dam which forms the road-bed. These are still " Jacobs' mills," and are still owned by the Jacobs family.

Charles Stockbridge erected a grist-mill on the Third Herring Brook, about one-half mile below the " Cornet's old dam," 1674,-in consideration for doing which he was granted thirty acres of land. Jonah Stetson afterwards owned this mill, in consequence of which it acquired the name of " Jonah's mills." This mill had several owners, becoming at length the prop-

erty of Samuel Salmond, who carried on the business of making taeks there extensively. It is now the mill of Edmund Q. Sylvester, who has recently intro- duced steam-power, and is doing a large business. A little farther up the stream was once a saw-mill, but it has been burned, and the place abandoned as a mill- site. Farther up, and but just below the " Cornet's old dam," is the tack-mill and shingle-mill of Samuel Tolman, and where several generations of Tolmans have done business.

Bound Brook is so named because for a part of its course it marked the boundary between the Plymouth and Massachusetts Colonies. Merritt's Brook and Groundsel Brook flow into it. On this brook, or at the "Gulph," which forms a part of it, a mill was probably erected about 1787, and another about 1792.

Mushquashcut Brook flows from the pond of the same name to Bound Brook into the " Gulph," so called.

Satuit Brook, from which the town takes its name, is only about one mile in length, and flows into the harbor, where there is a tide-mill, at which much business is transacted. This mill was built by Jesse Dunbar about 1802.

Marget's Brook rises in the swamp between Otis Hill and Simon's Hill, and runs into Wildcat Brook, and that brook flows into the Third Herring Brook, near where the old Indian trail crosses it. About 1795, Elijah Turner built a grist-mill on Marget's Brook, but since the death of his son, Elijah Bailey Turner, it has fallen into disuse.

On Groundsel Brook, in the north part of the town, and which falls into Bound Brook, there are mills belonging to the Stockbridge family.

A wind-mill was erected near the South Meeting- House, but by whom has not been learned, and was in use for many years in grinding corn.

John Jones and his son, John H. Joncs, for many years carried on the business of trunk-making in the westerly part of the town, on Cushing Hill.

John E. Grose also built a steam-mill in the west part of the town, and carried on the business of trunk- making there for many years, and until his mill was burned.

David Torrey built a steam-mill on what is now called River Street, and there carried on the business of trunk-making with great enterprise until his la- mented death the present year,-1884.

Shoe business is carried on in Scituate by George W. Merritt and others, in South Scituate by Curtis Brothers and by Charles Grose at their several fae- tories.

If the Scituates are not advancing greatly in busi-

437

HISTORY OF SCITUATE AND SOUTH SCITUATE.

ness enterprise. they are far from retrograding. Popu- lation is gradually increasing, and both towns may be called prosperous. The beauty of the shore scenery is attracting that class of people who seek a summer residence away from the haunts of trade, and the land near the ocean is being built upon.

The Centennial House, at Farm Neck, the South Shore House, at the harbor, and the Humarock House, on the beach between Fourth Cliff and the mouth of North River, are hotels having a large and deserved patronage in summer. The Humarock House, with the ocean in front and North River be- hind it, is indeed beautiful for location, and is con- ducted in a way calculated to attract and please those who are seeking rest and comfort.

Burial-Grounds .- On Meeting-House Lane, near where the first meeting-house stood, is the oldest burial- place in Scituate. Here, in unmarked graves, lie buried men who left property enough to have provided for the erection of some monument to their memory. The later generations must always regret that this first generation paid so little respect to the resting- places of the fathers. This neglect was not peculiar to Scituate. Somewhere amid the undistinguishable dust of Duxbury lies the dust of the sainted William Brewster, of the brave military leader Miles Standish, and of the gallant John Alden. What sacred shrines these graves would be if known ! To return to the Burial Hill of Scituate. Here sleep, no doubt, the fathers of the town,-William Gilson, Humphrey Turner, Nathaniel Tilden, Henry Merritt, John Stockbridge, Edward Foster, and others,." Alike without their monumental stone." But later genera- tions have not fared much better. Head-stones were erected in many cases, but they are now weather- beaten, moss-grown, and illegible, and a rank growth of bushes nearly conceals them. And so eventually it will be with the costliest monuments that human affection or human pride can place above the dead. A generation will at length come which will care nothing for them. "Time's effacing fingers" will be relentlessly busy, until inscription and monument are gone or have lost all significance.

Near the first meeting-house of the Second Parish a burying-ground began to be used about 1644, and here the first generation of the Cushings, Hatches, Kings, Robinsons, and Torreys found repose. Here, too, in an unknown grave, rest the ashes of Mr. Witherell, the first pastor of this parish. It is a place of unknown graves. In 1680 this parish buried their dead about their new church in Union Bridge neighborhood. This, too, is a deserted burial- ground, with its graves overgrown with briers and

bushes and its stones with moss. Removal of the church farther west led to the laying out a new burying-ground, in 1725, on Herring Brook Hill, which is now a beautiful, well-kept cemetery.

Near the old burial-ground at the harbor, and west of it, is a fine cemetery, now used. This parish did not seem to remove its burial-place with its meeting- house.

In 1725 ten acres was laid out at what is now called Church Hill, in the south part of the town, as a burial-ground and training-field. This is still used. There is also a cemetery in the north part of the town.

The cemetery used by the people of West Scituate is within the limits of Hanover.

It may be of use to transcribe here the list of landmarks as recorded by Deane.

ANCIENT LANDMARKS.

Asp hill (or Mast hill), in the beach woods near Johnson's swamp.

Belle house neck, near Little's bridge, now Cushing neck.

Bound brook, falls into the gulph at Lincoln's mills.

Bound rock, the landmark of the patent line, near Lincoln's mills.

Bound brook neck, northeast of Lincoln's mills.

Black swamp, on Bound brook, above the mills.

Buck's rock, near the gulph meadows.

Booth's hill, near junction of the roads, one mile south of Lin- coln's mills.

Brushy hill, three-fourths mile southeast from the north Meet- ing-house.

Brigg's harbour, within the glades (or Strawberry cove).

Bumpus's bridge, over north branch of second Herring brook, above Dead swamp.

Burnt Plain, one mile northwest of Hoop-pole hill, and south- west of Mount Blue.

Bryant's hridge, over the second Herring hrook.

Brook hall field, north side of Belle house neck.

Buck's corner, southeast old Parsonage.

Barston's hill, on the Plymouth road, at Snappet. Black pond and hill, one and a half mile west of Town-house. Block-house, on North river, half-mile above Union hridge.

· Barstow's bridge, in 1650 and later, now North river bridge.

Blue bridge and island, between Hoop-pole Hill and hurnt plain. Beaver dams, on Satint brook ; on first Herring brook, at the ancient fulling-mill ; on second Herring brook, at the south of Dead swamp; on third Herring brook, below old pond ; also at Valley swamp, above Jacob's mills ; also a half-mile west of Nathaniel Brooks'.

Cedar point, north of the harbour at the Light-house.

Crow point, on the south of the harhour.

Clay pits, in 1650, half-mile east of the "stepping stones."

Cold Spring swamp, 1650, on Merritt's brook.

Cleft rock, back of John Pierce's, north of Conibassett burying- ground.

Castle rock, the point at the gulph mill.

Cushing hill (rather modern), half-mile east of Jacob's mill.

Country road, in 1646, leading to Cohasset, in 1670 the Plym- outh road.

Cordwood hill, one mile southwest of the south Meeting-house.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

Clay pit cartway, southwest of Cordwood hill, and carlier south- east of old Church hill.

Comet's rocks, in the north river, opposite the Two-mile mills. Comet's mill, 1656, at tho Indian path below old pond (Major Winslow's).

Chamberlain plain, northeast of Beaver dam or Dead Swamp. Candlewood plain, betweeu Hanover Meeting-house and Drink- water.

Cricket hole, in 1640, west of Jonah's mill (now called) or But- tonwood swamp.

Cedar swamp cartway, 1660, from Booth hill to Merritt's brook. Capt. Jacob's cartway, 1720, over Beaver dam, at Valley Swamp. Drinkwater, on the west branch of Indian head river, south of Hanover.

Daman's Island, 1649, in the gulph marshes.

Eagle's nest swamp, the great swamp southeast of Beach woods.

Flat swamp, between Mount Blue and Mount Ararat.

Fox hill, one mile south west of Wild cat hill.

Farm neck, or Great neck, north of the harbour to the glades. Fane Island, 1646, in the marshes at Farm neck!

Great Swamp. (See Eagle's nest.)

Gillman plain, on Plymouth road, south of Valley swamp.

Greenfield, in 1633, etc., south half-mile of second cliff.

Gravelly beach, on North river, east side, two miles above Union bridge.

Gray's hill, half-mile south of Cordwood hill.

Great neck. (See Farm neck.)

George Moore's swamp and bridge, south branch of first Her- ring brook.

Groundsell brook, falls into Bound brook, west of Mount Hope. Groundsell hill, east part of Bell house neck.

Gulph Island, at the mouth of first Herring brook.

Dead swamp, on second Herring brook, one mile from its mouth.

Dry Cedar swamp, on Merritt's brook, near ancient Studley place.

Hammer's brook, west of Hanover Meeting-house.

Hugh's cross and brook, south branch, third Herring brook, at Curtis' mill.

Hicke's swamp, east of Brushy hill.

Hoope-pole hill, one mile west of the south Meeting-house.

Hoop-pole neck, near Great or Farm neck, west of stepping- stones.

Hoop-pole Cedar swamp, west of Hoop-pole hill.

Halifax hill and swamp, one mile southwest mount Blue.

Horse Island, a marsh island near Farm neck.

Hatchet rock, a mile south of the stepping-stones.

Herring brook hill, on which south Meeting-house stands.

Hobart's landing, on North river, a mile above Little's bridge. Dogget's ferry, now Little's bridge.

Iron mine, or Indian head river brook, half-mile southwest Hanover corners.

Indian path, over third Herring brook, foot of Old pond.

Job's landing, east side North river, below the brick-kilns.

Jenkins' meadow, east side of Valley swamp.

Johnson's swamp, west of Beach woods and mount Hope. King's landing, half-mile below Union bridge.

Long marsh, on first Herring brook, above the mills, 1640. Little marsh, east of the harbour, in 1636.

Log bridge, in 1650, over third Herring brook at Elijah Bar- stow's.

Meeting-house lane, old burying-ground southeast of the har- bour, 1633.

Merritt's brook, falls into Bound brook above the mills. Musquashcut pond, at Farm neck, 1637.

Man hill, 1648, east of Musquashcut pond.

Mast hill, or Asp, in the Beach woods.

Mount Hope, on the west of the Town, near Hingham and Cohasset corners.

Mount Blue, ono mile southeast of mount Hope. Mount Ararat, one mile northeast of mount Bluo.

New found marsh, on Spring brook, west of Dead swamp one- half mile.

New harbour marshes, from Little's bridge to tho eliffs.

New saw-mill, in 1678, above Old pond, at Curtis'.

Old brick-yard, in 1647, southeast of Episcopal Church hill.

Old saw-mill, in 1653, at Stockbridge's, on first Herring brook. Old saw-mill, in 1676, on third Herring brook, at Indian path (at Winslow's).

Old bridge, in 1670, at the east foot of Curtis' hill, or button- wood hill.

Prouty's dam, 1686, at the road north of Hoop-pole hill.

Prospect hill, at Hingham line, on the Hersey road.

Pine Island, below Little's bridge, also near Cohasset harbour. Planting Island, Southwest of Great or Farm neck.

Penguin rock, East of Farm neck.

Project dale, west part of Hanover.

Rocky swamp, south of third Herring brook, below Jacob's mill.

Ridge hill, mile southeast the Town-house; also on Plymouth road.

Rotten marsh, between Stockbridge's mill and Little's bridge. Rotten marsh swamp, south of Rotten marsh.

Satint brook, falls into the creek at the harbour.

Savage lot, east of mount Blue, formerly property of Thomas Savage, Esq., Boston.

Spring swamp, south of Plymouth road, in Hanover.

Spring brook, west branch of second Herring brook.

Slab brook, southwest White Oak plain, now Margaret's brook Great Spring swamp, near North river, below Comet's rocks. Stepping-stones, from the Cohasset road to Hoop-pole neck. Strawberry cove, or Briggs' harbour, within the glades.

Sweet Swamp, near Cohasset road, a half-mile north of north meeting-house.

Stony brook, east branch of Merritt's brook.

Stony Cove, on North river, near King's landing.

Schewsan's neck, northeast of Belle house neck.

Stockbridge's old way, from Stockbridge's mill to Town-house, etc.

Sand hill, on Stockbridge's old way, one mile southwest of the Town-house.

Symon's hill, near Burnt plain on southwest.

Pinein hill, half-mile northeast from the Town-house.

Round head swamp, south of Eagle's nest swamp.

Rattlesnake hill and rock, half-mile west from Wildcat hill.

Till's creek, 1640, now Dwelley's creek, opposite Grovelly beach.

Taunton Dean bridge (1680) and brook, southwest of Halifax hill.

Valley swamp, above Jacob's mill, on second Herring brook.

White oak plain, one mile west of the south Meeting-house. White oak plain bridgo, on southeast White oak plain.

Wild Cat hill, 1640, north side of old pond, and south of Cord- wood hill one mile and a half.

Wolf Trap, near Iron mine brook, in Hanover.

Wigwam neck, near the gulph and Hoop-pole neck.

Wouton's brook, east of Hoop-pole hill.

William's reck, northwost of the light-house.

Walnut Tree hill, half-mile south of Stockbridge's mill.

Walnut hill, west of Beaver dam, on seeond Herring brook.

Will's Island, a marsh island near Little's bridge.

Walter Woodworth's hill, northeast part of Walnut Tree hill.

B. 2 Delani

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HISTORY OF SCITUATE AND SOUTH SCITUATE.

Fresh marsh, 1690, near Plymonth road.

Buttonwood swamp, ahove Jonah's mill, southwest of Church hill.

Spruce swamp, south of Cordwood hill and second Herring brook.

Digged hill (1670), where William James' house stood.

Torrey's hridge (1690), near late Walter Jacob's.

Bardin's forge (1704), now Curtis' anchor-shop, in Hanover.

Stony Brook swamp, southwest of Booth hill.

Henchman's dam (1700), near Halifax hill.

Pickell's hole, half-mile southeast of Black pond hill.

Hickes' hole, east side of Great swamp.

Briggs' neck, at Burnt plain swamp.

Jacobs' frame swamp, west of Symon's hill.

Cold west hill, fourth of mile southeast of Buttonwood or Curtis' hill (1680).

Wolf swamp (see Dead swamp), 1673.

Ben's hill, half-mile south of Symon's hill.

Church's hill, on Plymouth road, half-mile west of Hugh's cross brook (Hanover).

Wampee's swamp, southwest of Hanover Meeting-honse.

Nichols' hill, mile south of the harhour.

Turkey plain, near Indian head river, in Hanover.

Beach neck, Curtis Street, in Hanover.

Little Cedar swamp, near Indian head river.

Collamore's ledge, midway hetween Cedar point and the glades. Egypt, a tract of land adjoining Man hill and Mnsquashcut pond.

Queen Anne's corner, on the Plymonth road, at Hingham line, so called from Ann Whiton, who kept a tavern at that place (from 1730) many years.

Lndden's Ford, on North river bridge, on Plymonth road.1

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BENJAMIN F. DELANO.

The name Delano is a corruption of the French De La Noye. The first of the name who came to America was Philip De La Noye, or Delano, who was born of French Protestant parents, 1602; was baptized in the " Walloon" Church, and was one of the Huguenots who fled to Holland, joined the Pil- grims at Leyden, and came to America in the ship " Fortune," landing at Plymouth in 1621. He was ad- mitted a freeman, in 1632; settled in Duxburrow (now Duxbury), and married, 1634, Hester Dewsbury. He was a useful man in the new colony ; was ap- pointed surveyor of lands, and held other offices. He was one of the original proprietors of land in Bridge- water. Later in life he removed to Middleboro', where he died in 1681.

Benjamin F. Delano, whose portrait appears in connection with this sketch, was born in South Scit- uate, Mass., Sept. 17, 1809. He was the son of William and Sarah (Hartt) Delano, and grandson of Benjamin Delano, who was a prominent ship-builder for forty years. Benjamin F. was educated chiefly under the tutelage of Rev. Mr. Deane, a prominent minister and teacher in Scituate for many years. Young Delano early evinced a marked talent and dc- sire for ship-building, and in order that he might be- come thoroughly versed in the mysteries of the craft, he was placed in the draughting-office of the Brooklyn navy-yard, where he remained several years, until he had attained his majority. He then returned home, and, in company with his oldest brother, built a ves- set on the North River, where his father had pre- viously built and launched one of five hundred tons, the largest that had ever sailed down the river. At that time ship-building was the principal business of the town, an industry that is now extinct on account of the sand-bar which formed across the river.

About this time Stephen White and others formed what was known as the Grand Island Company. They purchased Grand Island, on Niagara River, then a dense forest of giant-oaks. They engaged Mr. De- lano to convert this timber into vessels, so, in company with his two brothers and with twenty picked men from his native town, he proceeded by stage and canal-then the only mode of conveyance-to the island, where he got out all the timbers for a vessel and sent them to East Boston, where the vessel was constructed. It proved a success. The next year he received a similar commission, and with his younger brother and almost the same crew of men he built another vessel. May 10, 1836, he launched the " Milwaukie," a beautiful vessel of nearly three hundred tons, which he built at White Haven. It would be beyond the scope of this brief sketch to enumerate the many vessels he constructed ; suffice it to say, he was master of his craft, and one of the most skillful ship-builders of his day. He built the first steam vessel that plied between East Boston and Boston.

Aug. 9, 1847, he received an appointment as naval constructor. In this capacity he was stationed at Portsmouth a few years, and was then ordered to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he remained until his retire- ment from service, June 11, 1873. During the war he was one of the most efficient constructors the gov- ernment had, and built some of their most famous and valuable vessels. His cares and labors during this period were unceasing, and his usefulness and success unquestioned. His energies and powers were

1 Governor Winthrop, in his pedestrian jonrney to Plymouth in 1632 (Winthrop i. 92), named it Lnddam's Ford, "from Mr. Luddam, their guide," who carried over the Governor and Rev. Mr. Wilson on his back. We have no doubt that James Ludden, an early settler in Weymouth, was this guide, who had the honor to carry his Excellency a-pick-back.

4.10

HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

taxed to their utmost, but night or day lic was never found wanting when duty called.

Upon his retirement from service,-in compliance with the law that all naval officers should retire at the age of sixty-two,-Mr. Delano was waited upon at his home by a committee composed of the forcmen of the different shops formerly under his supervision, and presented with one of the most elegant and ap- propriate testimonials of regard that could be dc- signed. It consisted of a scries of exquisitcly en- grossed resolutions in a massive and artistically-carved frame fully eight feet in height ; the design represent- ing a Grecian temple, the architrave of the graceful pendulous columns being a scroll inscribed with the designation of the national government, and sur- mounted by an eagle guarding the national shield, while anchors, depending from the columns, support another scroll on which is emblazoned the name of " Benj. F. Delano, Esq." Vessels in various stages of construction, cannon, and other appropriate em- blems are displayed in various parts of the picture, and the whole is guarded by two heavier columns, around which are wreathed sinuous scrolls bearing appropriate inseriptions. But few men who have had command of others ever enjoyed so fully the esteem, confidence, and love of their subordinates in a like degree with Mr. Delano.

After his duties as naval constructor were termi- nated, he did not spend his remaining years in idle- ness. His temperament was too active, and the habits of a lifetime too strong upon him for him to lapse into a state of inactivity. He gave mnuch at- tention to the cultivation and improvement of the home of childhood, and held many positions of trust. Possessing talents of a very high order, a cultivated mind, a generous, liberal spirit, coupled with a deep moral sense, he was truly a noble specimen of a grand and true manhood. As a public man he was wise and decisive in counsel, and so fertile in suggestion that he was always listened to with reverent hecd. His charities were open-handed wherever there was need of help. His home and family attachments were very strong, and the love he bore his mother runs through his whole life like a silver thread. In a letter written a short time prior to his death he says, " I often think of the good lessons my mother taught me, they are precious to me now." He mar- ried Jane, daughter of Seth Foster, of Scituate. Hc has bnt one child living,-Alfred Otis. Mr. Delano died at his home, in Brooklyn, N. Y., April 30, 1882.

EDWARD HARTT DELANO.

Edward H. Delano, son of William and Sarah (Hartt) Delano, and youngest brother of Benjamin F., was born at the ancestral home in South Scituate, Aug. 12, 1811. He received his early edneation at the same private school his brother attended (Mr. Deane's), and, like him, spent many years in the draughting-office of the Brooklyn Navy-Yard. From his early childhood he manifested a remarkable apti- tude for and love of drawing, and at a very early age he draughted several large maps. When he was only twelve years of age a French gentleman employed him to execute a very difficult piece of drawing, which he did to the entire satisfaction of the parties for which it was intended, and for which he would take no recompense. A long time afterward they sent him a valuable cane with a richly-engraved gold head as a testimonial for the service he had rendered. His was an earnest, active, studious temperament, and when a boy he used to walk two miles from his home to Hanover, return after school hours, do his chores, attend to his mother's wants, and then walk back to Hanover to attend an evening class in astronomy, a study with which he was much fascinated. His rul- ing talent made itself manifest here, for he drew on a plane surface a map from a globe, with all the con- stellations drawn and painted, quite a wonderful pro- dnetion for one of his years. He was an ardent lover of nature, and apparently his happiest hours were spent in communion with her. From his childhood he was always planting trees and flowers about his home, and seeking out curiosities and gathering specimens of minerals, thus " finding sermons in stones." His time spent at the Brooklyn Navy-Yard proved of great service to him, and he became one of the most efficient draughtsmen in the naval service. About 1848 he was sent for to be examined at Washington for the office of naval constructor. There werc ten applicants for the position, and but two to be chosen. Among the applicants were two sons of naval con- structors, whose fathers had posted them as fully as possible as to the probable course of examination, and Mr. Delano's chance for favorable consideration seemed poor indeed, as he had neither influence nor money to operate in his favor, but only his qualifica- tions for the post and an unblemished character on which to rely. The examination was a rigid one, and, to the credit of the committee of examiners, was conducted on the merits of the candidates. He braved the ordeal well, and on June 19, 1848, he was commissioned naval constructor, and ordercd to Pen- sacola, where he superintended the building of the United States floating dock and basin. Hc built

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 93

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