History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 94

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 94

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EH Delano

Eleshur Jacobs

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HISTORY OF SCITUATE AND SOUTH SCITUATE.

there and at Norfolk and Charlestown, where he was subsequently stationed, many of the best vessels the government ever possessed, among which may be mentioned the United States steam frigate " Merri- mac" and the " Hartford," which was sent to Russia and various ports of the world to be exhibited, and which was chosen by Admiral Farragut as his flag- ship. Mr. Delano brought to the discharge of his duties as naval constructor not only a thorough knowledge of his business, but a geniality of disposi- tion and a cordial heartiness of manner which en- deared him to all with whom he associated. Wheu ordered from Pensacola the men were so warm in their manifestation of love for him, and regret at his leaving, that they actually held him in their arms and implored him not to go.

They presented him with a large silver pitcher as a souvenir of their regard. While there and at other stations he led the choir in music, for which he had a passionate love and remarkable talent.

He married Mary R., daughter of William James, of Scituate, by whom he had two children,-William E. (deceased) and Edward Franklin. Upon the de- cease of his first wife he married Avoline S. Frost, of South Berwick, Me., June 16, 1858. He died at Charlestown, Mass., April 9, 1859, while in charge of that station. Remarking on the event of his death, Commodore Stringham said, "He was the greatest loss the navy could have had at that time. Though his life was short, he had a practical genius and inspiration for his calling which led him to ac- complish much, to the satisfaction of the department of the navy and the gratification of friends." He met with many disturbing changes in his official life by being changed from station to station, much to the discomfort and annoyance of himself and family ; but he made a host of friends wherever he went, and the breaking up of old ties was but the signal for the forming of new. He had a love for his profession, and a high ambition to excel, and that he did excel in whatever he undertook is conceded by all who are familiar with his life's work. And his labors bear witness how much of value may be accomplished even during a comparatively short life by an honest, earn- est, active man. In fact, the noble traits of character which he possessed in such an eminent degree secm to be characteristic of the family from which he sprung.

Mr. Delano has three sisters living at the old family homestead, and the reverent love and esteem in which they so sacredly hold the memories of their deceased brothers show them to be possessed of the came gentle, generous, unselfish dispositions which so

distinguished their brothers, and which has ever made the family beloved and respected through the generations.

ELISHA JACOBS.

Elisha Jacobs, Esq., was a descendant in direct line from Nicholas Jacobs, the ancestor of nearly all of that family name in this part of Plymouth County.

Nicholas Jacobs was one of the earliest settlers of Hingham. One of his sons, John Jacobs, shared the tragic fate of so many of the New England pioneers, and was killed by the Indians. His grandson, David, came to Scituate about 1688, and settled near what has since been known as Stockbridge's mill.

Three of David's sons, David, Joshua, and Dr. Jo- seph, settled in that part of the town called Assinippi, and were all leading citizens and large landholders. They all bore the title of " Master," probably owing to their having had slaves.

Among the sons of Dr. Joseph was Elisha, born Aug. 29, 1735. He was the first of three genera- tions of Jacobs who owned and operated "Jacobs' brick-yard." His son, Hon. Edward F., took his father's business. Edward F. was a leading man in this part of the county. He was a man of great natural ability, and was trusted and respected by his neighbors. This is evidenced by the many offices and positions of trust which he filled. For years he was one of the selectmen of his native town, also a representative to the General Court, and in 1836 and 1837 he was one of the Governor's Council. He married Priscilla Clapp, of Scituate, Jan. 5, 1802, and had seven children.

Elisha, the subject of this sketch, was his third child. He was born March 12, 1808, at Scituate, in the house where, March 18, 1879, he died. In early life the common schools gave him such education as their facilities then afforded, and, desirous of a mer- cantile career, he left home at the age of seventeen for a position as clerk in the linen-store of Palmer & Jacobs, in Boston. A few years after he went to New York, but returned to Boston after a lapse of two or three years, and spent there the remainder of his business life. His younger brother, Frederick, and himself for many years were associated as part- ners in a cutlery and fancy goods business. Later he became a commission merchant, and at that he re- mained until in 1860 failing health compelled him to relinquish business cares altogether. He returned to his boyhood's home, and here spent his remaining years in retirement. Not by any means was he idle, however. He carried on the farm his father had left

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

with a good degree of success, performed for a termn or two the duties of the school committee of South Scituate, and for one term held a commission from the Governor as justice of the peace. While in Boston he became a member of the order of Odd-Fellows, being a member of, and holding at one time the highest office in, Suffolk Lodge.

Increasing years brought increasing ill health, and at the age of seventy-onc years and six days he quietly breathed his last, falling a victim to heart-diseasc.

Mr. Jacobs was always a strong Republican in poli- tics, following the Federalist traditions of his family. Like his family, too, he was a Universalist in religion, although during his residence in Boston he attended a Unitarian Church. As a citizen he was eminently public-spirited, and, as far as his circumstances per- mitted, a remarkably liberal man.

In April, 1842, Mr. Jacobs married Delia T., daughter of Luke Fay, of Boston. His children are (1) Elisha Augustus, who married Emma Cushing, and is now in business in Washington, D. C. He was a soldier in the Rebellion. (2) Edward Foster, book-keeper with Farley, Harvey & Co., who married Mary Highritter, of Fulton, N. Y. (3) Evie Whit- ing, wife of Alfred L. Farrar, who lives at West Scituate, and has three children ; and (4) Hattie Fay, now living with her mother at the old homestead, at Assinippi.

JOHN BRYANT TURNER.

John Bryant Turner was born at Scituate, Dec. 8, 1786. He was the son of Job Turner and Abiel Bryant and a descendant of Humphrey Turner, a tanner, who came from Kent, England, arriving at Plymouth in 1628, and in the next year settled in Scituate, on Kent Street, on the easterly side of Coleman's Hills. He was also possessor of a tract of land on North River, both of which pieces of property are, we believe, still in possession of the Turners.

Humphrey Turner erccted a tannery about 1636. He seems to have been a settler of enterprise, as he was often called to fill offices, both in the church and town. He died in 1673, leaving eight children, six sons and two daughters, and, what seems singular, two sons of the same name,-John and "young son John," and from the latter John Bryant Turner was a descendant. He received his early education of Mr. Eleazer Peaks, and fitted for college under the tuition of Mr. Timothy Flint, of Cohasset, a brother of Parson Flint ; but for some reason he never cn- tered college.

His carly life was spent on his father's farin, occu- pying a portion of Farin Neck and embracing the farm and house-lot of Mr. Timothy Hatherly, who might properly be called the father of Scituate.

In 1813 he married Hannah Nichols, of Cohasset, and the constant cruising of the British fleet along the coast at that time, and the frequent foraging expeditions of their crews, rendered the early portion of their married life somewhat uncomfortable. Fre- quent meetings of the coast-guard were held at his house for drill.

When quite a young man he was chosen moderator at the town-meeting, and from that time till his death was in constant public service. He was generally known as "Squire Bry." He represented the dis- trict for many years in the General Court, both in the House and Senate.

As a leader in the Old Colony politics he was an untiring worker, honest and firm in his convictions and unswerving in his determination to do right, characteristics which won him a popular nanic through- out the county. He was also one of the founders of the anti-slavery party, and an earnest believer in and supporter of the cause of temperance, which was then in its infancy.

In 1830 he was greatly surprised by the official notification of his nomination on the Democratic- Republican ticket as representative to the Twenty- second Congress, and notwithstanding many were at variance with his political views, his nomination was unanimous.

But, unwilling to accept, he withdrew in favor of John Quincy Adams, for whom he held a deep respect and friendship.

In county affairs he was engaged for many years as commissioner, in which capacity he, with his asso- ciates, directed the construction of many public works of considerable magnitude, among others the locating of the first railroads. His military life began in the coast-guard in the war of 1812, and ended as colonel of the Second Infantry, from which office he resigned, owing to pressure of other duties. His religious views were of the Unitarian order, he being a member of the First Church. His liberal ideas, as shown by some of his writings, prove that he must have been a diligent student of theology. In all enterprises and progressive movements affecting the good of the town he seems to have been the lead- ing spirit. His sound judgment caused him to be continually sought after by his townspeople in all matters of arbitration, and in the various complica- tions which arose he would cheerfully aid in untang- ling them to the satisfaction of all, rich or poor. His

George M Allew

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HISTORY OF SCITUATE AND SOUTH SCITUATE.

private life seemed to be one of rare enjoyment. Blessed as he was with a genial disposition, the per- plexities of life did not disturb him. Progressive in all his ideas, he always spoke or wrote with a firmness mingled with gentleness, and with profound respect for the opinions and feelings of others. He died Feb. 16, 1849, in the height of his public career.

GEORGE MINOT ALLEN.

George Minot Allen was born in Pembroke, Mass., Feb. 19, 1802. He was the oldest of ten children of Rev. Morrill Allen. During his minority he re- mained at home, and was trained to farm labor, mean- while acquiring such education as was given in the common schools of the time.

In the winter of 1826 he taught school in Scitu- ate, and the following winter in Duxbury.

In May, 1828, he was married to Hannah E., second daughter of Ensign Otis, Jr., of Scituate. Of five children born to them, two daughters and one son survive.

Soon after his marriage, he opened a store of gen- eral merchandise in Scituate, and also engaged with others in shipping business, having a number of mer- chant vessels built and employed in commerce. In Scituate, also, he employed much of his time and strength on his farm, to which he retired from business in 1854.

In politics, Mr. Allen was an ardent supporter of the Whig party, and afterwards of the Union or Re- publican party. In the year 1858 he was elected representative to the General Court. In religious faith he was a Unitarian, and for many years took an active part in the interests of the society at Scituate.

During most of the active years of his life, Mr. Allen served his town as a member in the principal offices of trust. He died July 1, 1878.

HISTORY OF CARVER.

CHAPTER I.

CIVIL HISTORY.

ACT OF INCORPORATION.

" AN ACT for Incorporating the southerly Part of the Town of Plympton, in the County of Plymouth, into a Town by the Name of Carver.

" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same, That the lands hereafter deseribed, to wit : Beginning at the west line of the town of Kingston, thence running west so as to strike the head of Anesnapct Brook so called ; thenee continuing the same course to the line of the town of Middleborough, it being the dividing line between the north and south precincts in the said town of Plympton ; thence on the line of the said town of Mid- dleborough till it comes to the line of the town of Wareham ; thence on the line of the said town of Wareham till it comes to the line of the town of Plymouth ; thence on the line of the said town of Plymouth till it comes to the line of the town of Kingston aforesaid; thenee on the said Kingston line to the first mentioned bound, with all the inhabitants dwelling on the lands above deseribed, be and they are hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Carver; and the said town is hereby invested with all the powers, privileges, and immunities to which towns within this Commonwealth are or may be entitled, agreeable to the Constitution and Laws of this Commonwealth.

" Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the inhabitants of the said town of CARVER shall pay all the arrears of taxes which have been assessed upon them and their pro- portionable part of the tax granted in March last, together with their proportion of all debts that are now due from the said town of Plympton, and shall support any poor person or persons of that part of Plympton which is now Carver, and shall not have obtained a legal settlement elsewhere (when they may become chargeable), and such poor person or persons may be returned to the town of Carver, in the same way and manner that paupers may by law be returned to the town or district to which they belong.

" Be it further enacted, That the inhabitants of the said town of Carver shall be entitled to receive their proportion of all debts and monies due to the said town of Plympton, and also their proportionable part of all laboratory stores and common and undivided lands belonging to the said town of Plympton, agreeably to the last State tax assessed upon the said town.

" And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Ephraim Spooner, Esq., be and he is hereby empowered to issue his warrant directed to some principal inhabitant, requiring him to warn and give notice to the inhabitants of the said town of Carver to assemble and meet at some suitable place in the said town, as soon as convoniently may be, to choose all sueh

officers as towns are required to choose at their annual town- meetings in the months of March or April annually."

This act passed June 9, 1790.

The First Town-Meeting and other Public Acts. -Pursuant to the authority granted by and the direc- tions embraced in the foregoing act of incorporation, the legal voters of the town of Carver were duly no- tified to assemble and meet together on Monday, the 5th day of July, 1790, and being thus met the exer- cises were commenced by a prayer of Rev. John How- land, pastor of what had been the Second Congrega- tional Church in Plympton, but now First Church of Carver. Then proceeded to the choice of town officers, with results as follows : Francis Shurtleff, Esq., mod- erator; Capt. Nehemiah Cobb, town clerk ; Deacon Thomas Savery, Capt. William Atwood, and Samuel Lucas, Jr., selectmen; Benjamin White, Samuel Lucas, Jr., and Barnabas Cobb, assessors ; Francis Shurtleff, Esq., treasurer; Jonathan Tilson and Caleb Atwood, constables and tax collectors; Timothy Cobb, tithing- man. The moderator, town clerk, and selectmen were chosen a committee to settle with the town of Plymp- ton. Voted to allow collectors eight pence per pound for collecting the town taxes. Nathaniel Atwood was made grand-juryman, and James Vaughn agreed with to support a town pauper for 1s. 4d. per week.

In 1791 six surveyors of highways were elected ; Consider Chase and Samuel Lucas, Jr., chosen sur- veyors of leather ; Joseph Vaughan, Isaac Cushman, and Abijah Lucas made a committee to take care of the fish called alewives; Meletiah Cobb and Joseph Ransom elected hog-recves, and a vote passed that swine may run at large, being yoked and ringed ac- cording to law; also voted to pay from the town treasury eight pence for the head of each crow brought to the selectmen before the 1st of June. Voted also to instruct the selectmen to lay out a road from the head of John Atwood's lane to Rochester road, and from the line of Middleboro' to Ebenczer Blossom's, and from Lakenham road by David Ran- som's and Edward Stephens', and so on to Deacon Dunham's, always provided that the owners of land

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HISTORY OF CARVER.

through which these proposed new roads would pass should in each and every instance make a free gift to the town of the land those roads would occupy. Voted, that the support of the poor be set up at auc- tion and disposed of to the lowest bidder.

1792. Voted to pay Robert Waterman two pounds and eleven shillings to build a pound for the impound- ing of cattle, and also voted that for the future one- third of the town-meetings should be held in the South meeting-house. Voted, that the pound shall be built near the centre of the town, and not long after Joseph Vaughan was chosen pound-keeper.

In 1795, voted, that Maj. Nehemiah Cobb dispose of the town's part of the old paper money in the treasury of Plympton as best he can, and raise eight pounds nine shillings for the committee of settlement with Plympton, twenty pounds to pay Plympton, and twelve shillings to Samuel Lucas for services as treasurer.

1798. Chose Isaac Cushman, Lieut. Caleb Atwood, and Lieut. Joseph Shaw inspectors of alewives in Weweantic River, and voted that hogs should not run at large.

1800. Voted to appropriate four hundred dollars for the repairs of the public highways, and to pay each man for a day's work on the road three shillings and sixpence, and also the same for a yoke of oxen, and each cart and plow to be allowed one shilling. Asaph Bisbee chosen inspector of nails. Voted swine may run at large, being ringed and yoked, and voted not to act on the article in the warrant concerning the support of the gospel by a town tax.

1801. The town elected a committee, consisting of seven persons, to act concerning the settlement of a colleague with Rev. John Howland, and voted that both swine and cattle might run at large.

1805. The town chose a committee consisting of Deacon Thomas Savery, Capt. Abijah Lucas, John Maxim, Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, and Capt. William Atwood, to hire a minister to preach six months, one- half at the North and the other half at the South meeting-houses alternately. Also voted to appropriate two hundred dollars for the support of the gospel the present year, and a short time after voted to settle Rev. Lothrop Thompson, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year.

1809. Voted that one-half the town-meetings shall be held in the South meeting-house, and that the town pay a bounty for killing birds, viz. : crows, crow black- birds, red-wings, and blue-jays, and soon after red- birds were added.

1813. Services at town-meeting commenced with prayer.

1816. Chose a committee to hire a minister.

1819. On the question, Shall Halifax be made the shire of the county ? the vote stood one in favor to one hundred and forty-seven against.

1824. Voted to instruct the selectmen to use their influence and exertions to suppress the evil of intem- perance in this town.

1827. Chose a committee to enforce the laws re- specting Tovernors and retailers of spiritous liquors.

1829. Voted to recommend to all persons who may be called upon to officiate at funerals to abstain en- tirely from the use of spiritous liquors on such occa- sions.

1832. Voted that the sclectmen post up the names of all such persons who misspend their time and property by the excessive use of intoxicating liquors.

1833. Voted to hold the town-meeting in the Centre meeting-house.

1837. Voted to receive this town's proportion of surplus revenue moneys, and that the selectmen be authorized to receive the same and give bond accord- ing to law; also that it be put on interest, and the income be appropriated to the support of schools in addition to the present appropriation. This was after- ward reconsidered, and a vote passed to appropriate the income to town expenses.

Also, Resolved, That the inhabitants of the town of Carver reject and disapprove of the action of the members of the last Legislature in passing an act for each member to receive two dollars and fifty cents per day.

Also, Resolved, To instruct the member from Car- ver to use his influence to the end that each member shall receive as a compensation but two dollars per day.

1843. Voted to disapprove of any one selling ardent spirits in or around the meeting-house on town- meeting day.

1844. Voted not to choose tithingmen. .

These several acts of the inhabitants of the town are not cited because deemed to be of the greatest impor- tance of all during these periods found noticed upon the public records, but those best calculated to show the advances of thought, progress of opinions, and con- clusions of the body politic at the several dates when passed, as it is no less proverbial than practically true that the movements of loose straws show which way the wind is blowing, and so do events somewhat trivial not unfrequently reveal the existence of great and important causes.

TOWN CLERKS.

1790-91. Maj. Nehemiah Cobb. | 1793-99. Maj. Nehemiah Cobb. 1791-93. Samuel Lucas, Jr. 1799-1802. Barnabas Cobb.

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HISTORY OF PLYMOUTH COUNTY.

1802-11. Ephraim Pratt.

1811-14. Stephen Shurtleff.

1865-67. Thos. M. Southworth.

1867-70. William Hammond.

1870-72. Nelson Barrows.

1842-46. David Pratt.

1872-79. Peleg McFarlin.

1879. Albert T. Shurtleff.

SELECTMEN.

1790 .- Deacon Thomas Savory, Capt. William Atwood, Samuel Lucas.

1791 .- Deacon Thomas Savory, Capt. William Atwood, Benja- min Shurtleff.

1792 .- Deacon Thomas Savory, Capt. William Atwood, Benja- min Shurtleff.

1793 .- Bartlett Murdoch, Jr., Capt. John Sherman, and Samuel Lucas.

1794 .- Bartlett Murdock, Jr., Capt. John Sherman, Benjamin Shurtleff.

1795 .- Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, Samuel Lucas, Benjamin Shurtleff.

1796 .- Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, Samuel Lucas, Benjamin Shurtleff.

1797 .- Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, Capt. William Atwood, Capt. Benjamin Ward.

1798 .- Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, Samuel Lucas, Capt. Benja- min Ward.

1799 .- Nehemiah Cohh, Esq., Ensign Ahijah Lucas, Benjamin Shurtleff.

1800 .- Nehemiah Cohh, Esq., Ensign Ahijah Lucas, Benjamin Shurtleff.

1801 .- Benjamin White, Ensign Abijah Lucas, Benjamin Shurt- leff.

1802 .- Benjamin White, Lieut. Abijah Lucas, Benjamin Shurt- leff.

1803 .- Capt. William Atwood, Capt. Ahijah Lucas, Edward Stevens.

1804 .- Capt. William Atwood, Capt. Abijah Lucas, Edward Stephens.

1805 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtleff, Capt. Ahijah Lucas, and Capt. Elisha Murdock.

1806 .- Benjamin Ellis, Capt. Abijah Lucas, Thomas Hammond. 1807 .- Ensign Benjamin Ellis, Capt. Abijah Lueas, Thomas Hammond.

1808 .- James Vaughn, Capt. Ahijah Lucas, Peleg Savory.

1809 .- Capt. Nathaniel Sherman, Capt. Ahijah Lucas, Ensign Caleh Atwood.

1810 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtleff, James Vaughn, Ensign Caleh Atwood.

1811 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtleff, James Vaughn, Cornelius Dun- ham.

1812 .- Capt. Gidcon Shurtleff, Maj. Benjamin Ellis, Hezekiah Cole.

1813 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtleff, Josse Murdock, Hezekiah Cole. 1814 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtloff, Jesse Murdock, Hezekiah Cole. 1815 .- Capt. Gideon Shurtleff, Jesse Murdock, Hezekiah Colo. 1816 .- Capt. Bartlett Murdock, James Vaughn, Jonathan At- wood.

1817 .- James Vaughn, Thomas Cobh, Jonathan Atwood. 1818 .- Jesse Murdock, Hezekiah Cole, Asaph Atwood. 1819 .- Jesse Murdock, Thomas Cobh, Asaph Atwood. 1820 .- Hewit MeFarlin, Thomas Cohh, Asaph Atwood. 1821 .- Hewit MeFarlin, Thomas Cobb, Asaph Atwood. 1822 .- Maj. Benjamin Ward, Thomas Cohb, Asaph Atwood. 1823 .- Lieut .- Col. Benjamin Ward, Thomas Cobb, Asaph At- wood.

1824 .- Lieut .- Col. Benjamin Ward, Thomas Cobb, Capt. Joseph Shaw.

1825 .- Licut .- Col. Benjamin Ward, Thomas Cobb, Capt. Joseph Shaw.

1826 .- Col. Benjamin Ward, Thomas Cobb, John Savory, Esq. 1827 .-- Lewis Pratt, Thomas Cohb, John Savory, Esq.

1828 .- Lewis Pratt, Capt. Samuel Shaw, John Savory, Esq. 1829 .- Lewis Pratt, Capt. Samuel Shaw, Joseph Barrows.

1830 .- Capt. Benjamin Ransom, Jonathan Atwood, Joseph Barrows.

1831 .- Capt. Benjamin Ransom, David Pratt, Capt. Joseph Shaw.

1832 .- Levi Sherman, David Pratt, Capt. Joseph Shaw. 1833 .- Levi Sherman, David Pratt, Capt. Joseph Shaw.

1834 .- Levi Sherman, David Pratt, Dr. William Barrows. 1825 .- John Bent (2d), Joseph Barrows, Dr. William Barrows. 1836 .- John Bent (2d), Joseph Barrows, Timothy Cohb. 1837 .- Daniel Shaw, Joseph Barrows, Timothy Cohh. 1838 .- Daniel Shaw, Thomas Hammond, Benjamin Ransom. 1839 .- Capt. Benjamin Ransom, Thomas Hammond, Henry Sherman.

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 94

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