USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Raynham > History of Raynham, Mass. : from the first settlement to the present time > Part 4
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Afterwards, Mr. Dean was in the army on Rhode Island, when the French fleet, under Count de Grasse, had come to our assistance, and taken possession of the Island.
Subsequently, he enlisted on board the privateer ship Haz- ard, of sixteen guns, and was on a cruise four months. The Hazard came into action with a British vessel of the same number of guns and men, on the 16th of March, when, after a severe and bloody struggle, the British vessel struck her colors. The British captain, in coming on board, said : " You have killed half of my men." The captain of the Hazard re- plied, " You should have struck sooner."
In that sea-fight, Mr. Dean said he felt death near him, when, as he was loading a cannon, his companion Gaius King,
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HISTORY OF RAYNHAM, MASS.
brother of Asa King, was shot through the head, and fell dead at his side.
Finishing this voyage, in which he gained but little except a knowledge of the ravages of war, he returned to his home, in the south-easterly part of this town, and was married to a daughter of Joseph Shaw, in 1780.
Mr. Seth Dean had two military commissions offered him,- that of ensign and lieutenant,-and afterwards was chosen cap- tain of militia, but in his modesty, declined them all.
Though, in his early youth, his courage led him to face dan- ger in the field, no one was fonder of home or more calculated to make home pleasant. A man of a milder spirit, and at the same time, more resolute against disorder or indecorum, can- not easily be found.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
In 1742, one Fisher was public schoolmaster ; wages not recorded, but the town paid four shillings a week for his board.
In 1744, the selectmen employed John Lea to teach seven weeks and four days, for £16, 16s.
In 1752, the town voted not to hire a teacher.
In 1753, voted £16, 13s., 4d., and board at four shilling a week, for teaching six months.
The record proceeds in a similar manner up to 1777, when, $333.33 were appropriated for teaching. In 1846, it was $800.
In 1837, the town's portion of the surplus revenue was loaned to Taunton Bank, and the income devoted to schools. Subsequently, the surplus revenue was used to pay the debts of the town.
The appropriations gradually increased, up to 1869, when $1,800 were raised for schools.
THE POOR.
For the first seventy years, the records mention no expendi- ture for paupers. No shiftless or suspicious persons were allowed to dwell here; and if any intruded they were warned to leave.
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SELECTMEN.
In 1820, the support of the poor was contracted for by pub- lic bidding, and the lowest sum accepted. In 1823, the expense was $375, fixed by bidding downwards, till the lowest offer was received. Of late years, the town has provided an alms- house. In 1868, the whole expense for maintaining paupers was $1,658.
SELECTMEN FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN.
1731. John Staples, 1792. George Williams.
Ebenezer Robinson, 1795. Reuben Hall.
Shadrach Wilbur.
1798. Abraham Hathaway.
1733. Joseph Jones, 1802. Seth Dean,
John White, Jacob Hall.
William Byram.
1744. Jonathan Shaw.
1806. Nehemiah Jones,
Thomas Leonard.
Edmund Williams.
1807. Barzillai King, Edward Leonard.
1754. Israel Washburn, Joseph Dean.
1813. Seth Washburn.
1756. Elijah Leonard.
1760. Ebenezer Britton.
1762. Benjamin King.
Sylvester Robinson.
1775. Joshua Leonard, Joseph Dean.
1824. Nathan Williams, Silas King.
1776. Jonathan Hall.
1826. Sylvester Robinson.
1778. Gamaliel Leonard,
1831. Warren Lincoln.
Paul Leonard.
1832. Silas Shaw.
1781. Stephen Dean, Josiah Dean.
1836. Leonidas Dean,
1782. Andrew Gilmore,
Enoch King.
Abiel Williams,
1841. Ziba Wilbur,
Mason Shaw.
John Tracy, Job Robinson.
1785. Col. Jonathan Shaw, Amos Hall,
1842. Abisha Lincoln.
Thomas Dean.
1845. Jahasiah King.
1787. John Gilmore.
1846. Absalom Leonard.
1751. Seth Leonard,
1804. Godfrey Robinson.
1748. Josiah Edson.
1814. Lloyd Shaw.
1820. Capt. Samuel Wilbur.
1826. Amos Hall,
1833. Eli K. Washburn.
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HISTORY OF RAYNHAM, MASS.
1847. Amos R. Hall.
1855. Thomas F. Cushman, Abiathar Leonard.
1848. Charles Robinson, Henry H. Crane,
1856. Richard G. Robinson.
Benjamin F. Dean. 1858. John D. G. Williams, Henry H. Crane, Enoch Robinson.
1850. Nathaniel B. Hall, Philo Leonard.
1853. Alpheus Pratt. 1865. Thomas B. Johnson.
1854. Martin White. 1868. Thomas S. Cushman.
Many members of the Board of Selectmen served a number of years. The date of election only is given.
TOWN CLERKS.
1731. Samuel Leonard. 1806. Horatio Leonard.
1749. Josiah Dean.
1821. Abraham Hathaway.
1764. Zephaniah Leonard. 1832. William Snow.
1777. Mason Shaw. 1846. Soranus Hall.
1781. Robert Britton. 1857. Samuel Jones.
1785. Seth Washburn. 1865. Dennis Rockwell.
1805. Josiah Dean.
1866. Samuel Jones.
1868. Arunah A. Leach.
From 1785 to 1805, a period of twenty years, Seth Wash- burn held the office continuously, and the average of the time of the first twelve town clerks was more than eleven years each.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
"By reason of the smallness of the town," no representa- tive was chosen for the first thirty years of its existence. Then each town paid its own representative. In 1759, Zepha- niah Leonard was chosen, but declined to serve. The next year, the town was fined for not choosing a representative, and Josiah Dean was delegated to petition the General Court to remit the fine. In 1768 and 1769, Zephania Leonard was chosen to represent the town, and received £7, 7s., 6d., for the two years service. This sum he gave to the public for the purpose of purchasing a lot for the proposed new meeting house.
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POPULATION.
Benjamin King was chosen in 1774, and also to act as dele- gate to the Provincial Congress, which met at Salem, in Octo- ber of that year. In 1775, he was again chosen, and in-
1777. Zephaniah Leonard. 1825. Amos Hall.
1780. Israel Washburn.
1828. Samuel Wilbur.
1782. Noah Hall.
1830. Godfrey Robinson.
1792. and the three following 1831. Ellis Hall.
years, Josiah Dean. 1835. William Snow.
To the Convention for ratifying 1837. Amos Hall.
U. S. Constitution, Israel Washburn.
1838. Enos L. Williams.
1795. Seth Washburn.
1838. Absalom Leonard.
1798. George Williams.
1841. Carmi Andrews.
1799. Josiah Dean.
1842. William King.
1803. William A. Leonard.
1850. Cassander Gilmore.
1804. Israel Washburn.
1852. Soranus Hall.
1810. Josiah Dean.
1853. Barzillai King.
1813. John Gilmore.
1857. Rev. Robert Carver.
1820. Delegates to Convention 1858. John D. G. Williams. for revis'g Constitution, 1859. Hiram A. Pratt. Rev. Silas Hall. 1860. Enoch Robinson.
1821. Samuel Wilbur. 1863. Henry H. Crane.
1822. Godfrey Robinson. 1865. Theodore Dean.
1869. Enoch King.
POPULATION.
In 1800, Raynham contained one thousand inhabitants. In 1870, the mumber has doubled. Within the last ten years, manufactures have extended, and it is in this period that the most rapid increase has occurred. On the south side of the town, there is a considerable foreign population. At the north, there are seven or eight families of African descent. Their ancestor was Tobey Gilmore, a servant of John Gilmore, the 5th. He served in the Revolutionary army, was servant to Gen. Washington, his particular duty being the care of the General's tents. He saved his bounty, bought land and
1839. Amos Hall.
1801. Abraham Hathaway.
1843. Abisha Lincoln.
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HISTORY OF RAYNHAM, MASS.
founded a family. He died April 19th, 1812; lies in the North Cemetery, under a blue head stone-and numerous descendants have preserved his name. One Boland, who became a Tory in the Revolution, formerly occupied the land, confiscated and sold to Tobey. It subsequently appeared that Boland held only a life interest in the land, and the State re-paid his heirs $20,000, about the year 1845, to indemnify them for the sale.
Cuff Leonard, a colored citizen of this town, who died in 1825, was eight years in the Revolutionary army,-a part of the time in the ranks, and a part of the time as servant of Gov- ernor Brooks. Cuff was brought up in the family of Capt. Joshua Leonard, from whom he derived his surname. Tradi- tion says, he captured six Hessians one night, when on picket guard, and brought them into camp. He was at the battle of Saratoga, and surrender of Burgoyne. He received a pen- sion, lived comfortably near the house of Mr. Macy Williams, and left a son Charles, famed for his amiability, intelligence and debonair manners.
In 1869, the number of polls was 447 ; houses, 360 ; valu- ation, $1,390,045 ; whole population, about 2000. While purely agricultural towns have diminished in inhabitants, this town, attributable to its manufactures, has increased. The aug- mentation however has not been among the farming section.
ALLIANCES.
There have arisen from this town a considerable number of intelligent women who have married educated men, attaining distinction elsewhere. Some of them are the following :-
Prudence, daughter of Rev. John Wales, married Perez Fobes, LL. D. Polly, daughter of Dr. Fobes, married Rev. Another daughter, Nancy, mar- Elijah Leonard, Marshfield.
ried Rev. Simeon Doggett, first Principal of Bristol Academy.
Delia, daughter of Capt. Barzillai King, became the wife of Ruel Washburn, Esq., Maine.
Polly, daughter of Seth Gushee, married Rev. Jonathan Keith, pastor, Rowe.
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MARRIAGES.
Ardelia, daughter of Silas King, married Rev. Silas Hall, pastor, Taunton and elsewhere.
Hannah, daughter of Hon. Josiah Dean, in 1801, married Rev. Morrill Allen, Pembroke.
Clarissa, daughter of Col. Zephania Leonard, became the wife of Rev. Henry Wight, D. D., of Bristol, R. I., and her daughter married Gov. Byron Diman, of Rhode Island.
Stella, daughter of Hon. Seth Washburn, married Rev. Samuel Dean, of Scituate.
Nancy, daughter of Rev. Stephen Hull, became consort of Rev. John Goldsbury, Principal of Bristol Academy.
Fanny, daughter of Nehemiah Washburn, married Horatio Leonard, for thirty-five years high sheriff of Bristol County.
Melancy, daughter of Capt. George Williams, married Eli- phalet Williams, merchant, of Boston.
Sally, daughter of Macy Williams, became the wife of Capt. Abner Ellis, merchant, of Boston.
Mary, daughter of Nehemiah Jones, Esq., married Rev. John Wilder, of Charleston.
Louisa, daughter of Nehemiah Jones, married Rev. Linus Shaw, of Sudbury.
A third daughter of Mr. Jones, consorted with Alden Hath- away, M. D.
Polly, daughter of Jonathan Williams, Senior, married Rev. Levi French, Petersham.
Deborah, daughter of Hon. Seth Washburn, married Rev. James Thompson, D. D., of Barre.
Amelia, daughter of Hon. Seth Washburn, married Josiah L. James, merchant, Illinois.
Louisa, daughter of Major John Gilmore, married Francis Williams, manufacturer, Taunton.
Harriett, daughter of Major E. B. Dean, married Rev. John Wheeler Sterling, LL. D., Professor and Vice-President, Min- nesota College.
Charlotte, daughter of Dea. Oliver Washburn, married Rev. George Leonard, Marshfield.
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HISTORY OF RAYNHAM, MASS.
Hannah, daughter of John King, 3d, married Nathaniel Davis, merchant, New York.
Elizabeth, daughter of Gen. Cromwell Washburn, married Capt. Charles T. Robinson, manager of Old Colony Iron Works.
Susie Jane, daughter of Alexander Bradford, married Eugene Monroe Conger, Whitewater, Wis.
Julia, daughter of Rev. Stephen Hull, married Stockbridge Gushee, an eminent teacher.
Abigail, daughter of Rev. Simeon Doggett, married Wil- liam R. Dean, merchant and antiquarian, Boston.
FINANCES.
For many years after the organization of the town, few debts were incurred. Money was scant and strenuous efforts were made to avoid liabilities. In 1754, the town voted " that their treasurer receive the bar-iron due to the town on their half-share on the old Iron Works, and that he dispose of a part of it to buy a funeral pall for the use of the town, and keep the remainder till further ordered."
" It was put to vote to determine if the town would add £300 old tenor, to Rev. Mr. Wales's salary, in order to raise it to £400, one-third to be paid in bar-iron at £9 per cwt. the other two-thirds in provisions,-Indian corn at 20 shillings per bushel, rye, 30 shillings, beef, 18 pence per pound, which sum reduced to sterling money is £53, 6s., 8d.," and was voted in the affirmative.
The debt at present existing was incurred on account of the rebellion. In 1867, it had been reduced to about $8,000.
In 1868, the taxes were $2 upon a poll, and $9.25 on every thousand dollars of real and personal property. A quarter of a century ago, three or four dollars on a thousand was thought enormous.
HIGHWAYS.
Unlike Dighton and Philadelphia, the forefathers of the hamlet did not lay out our streets in right angles like a chess- board; but followed the convenience of the surface, the paths of the cows, or the trails of the Aborigines in making roads.
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THE TOWN SYSTEM.
A loamy soil, and the insufficient supply of gravel, pre. vents the many roads of the town from being at all times of the year models for imitation. The heavy transportation over the main avenue of this town, leading from Taunton to Bridgewater, makes the task of keeping it in repair a diffi- cult one. Our fathers laid out no space for a common. Land was in such abundance, that it seemed incredible the time should ever come when there should be less of it than the public convenience required. Space was to them the incon- venient separation from neighboring settlements, a weary dis- tance to be overcome, and they looked upon trees and Indians as their natural enemies. When the meadow lands were all occupied, the early settlers hacked upon the forests till they had cleared new fields.
The trunks and limbs were rubbish, and the stumps ob- stacles to be painfully removed. Such pioneers had little thought for shade trees, and the planting of forests is a modern improvement.
THE TOWN SYSTEM.
The early history of the country demonstrates how important the town organizations were to the prosperity of the State. There was but little centralization. The General Court made direct requisitions upon the town for provisions, clothing and guns in time of war, and at all times towns have had the detailed direction of their own municipal affairs.
In De Tocqueville's famous work upon America, he says, " that the safety and permanency of the Republic rests on the town organizations."
They are the cradle and nurseries of liberty, the school of political economy, as the family is the nursery of religious institutions.
Cities are artificial productions, and fall into a class by them- selves. It has always been the residents of fields and moun- tains, who have had the strongest love of country, and who have contributed most to the common defense.
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HISTORY OF RAYNHAM, MASS.
AGRICULTURAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Within fifty years, intelligent farming has wrought great improvement in the cultivation of the earth. Plows run deeper, fertilizers are diffused in the soil instead of being placed wholly in the hill of corn, and grass fields are invigorated with dressing.
The farm of Mr. Gaius Dean is an example of improve- ment. By ditching, under-draining, deep-plowing, and the judicious use of fertilizers, its product of hay has been increased . from five, to twenty-five tons annually, and other crops pro- portionately. A few years of care has enhanced the value of the farm to four times its original cost.
The river farm of Mr. Barzillai King is another instance of agricultural improvement, evinced by full barns and choice cattle.
The natural habitations of men are in the country. Indi- viduals, who have made fortunes in the cities, uniformly look forward to the rest and repose of a rural life. Towns, like Raynham, within easy reach of all the great centers, are pecu- liarly the places where the best which both city and country afford may readily be found and enjoyed, with least incon- venience ; and where long life and its peaceful flow are most certainly ensured.
There is an inherent longing for broad acres, verdant fields, unobstructed skies and waving forests,-the balmy air " where health is ever-blooming with calm contemplation and poetic ease."
" Out of the dust of the town of the king, Into the lust of the green of the Spring; Forth from the noises of streets and walls, Unto the voices of waterfalls."
In the chronicles of Athens, Thucydides describes the love of men for their native fields in an affecting manner. When the Spartans invaded the country, the people fled into Athens
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HUSBANDRY.
for protection. But they perished there in great numbers, the historian says, not by disease, but from a homesick passion for their rural dwellings,-for the love of-
" Hill and valley grove and field, And all the rugged mountains yield,"
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