USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Rehoboth > History of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; its history for 275 years, 1643-1918, in which is incorporated the vital parts of the original history of the town > Part 19
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The original Oak Swamp meeting-house (not that of Elder John Hix) stood on the triangular lot at the junction of Chestnut and Pleasant streets, a short distance south of Horton's Signal. As the writer was told by the oldest residents living forty years ago, this house was framed at the old cemetery lot at Burial Place Hill, but it was taken away in the night by the Oak Swamp people, carried a mile and a half eastward and raised on the spot above mentioned.
After the death of Elder Round the church no longer existed under the Six-Principle creed. In 1773 it was reorganized with open communion principles. Some of its members had come out from the church of Elder John Hix, a close communion Baptist, and others had been converted and baptized by Rev. Elhanan Winchester, a traveling preacher; while still others had belonged to the original church founded by Elder John Comer. This new reorganized church ordained Mr. Jacob Hix as their pastor, Jan. 20, 1773, and held their services in the first Oak Swamp meeting- house.
Elder Jacob Hix was born Jan. 1, 1740. He was the son of Elder John Hix, and brother of Elder Daniel Hix of Dartmouth. He owned the farm inherited from his father and part of a mill, which, with some help from the church, enabled him to live com- fortably. He had no children. He died March 30, 1809, aged sixty-nine years.
From the beginning of his ministry the church was designated as "The First Christian Church of Rehoboth," which name it still bears.
Elder Hix with his brother Daniel held services at Dartmouth
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
for several years and gathered a church there, over which Elder Daniel Hix was ordained July 12, 1780, and that church was con- sidered as a branch of the Oak Swamp church.
The Oak Swamp or Christian church was in part the offspring of the older Calvinistic church gathered and shepherded by Elder John Hix.1 He was born in Rehoboth, May 10, 1712, probably at the Hix homestead on Brook Street, where he spent his days, and where he died in March, 1799, aged 87 years. In the same house his son Jacob lived and died, when the farm passed into the hands of Samuel Baker, Jr., and here, in the old red house, Mrs. Baker resided for more than eighty years.
Our record of the church organized by Elder John Hix is very meager. He was ordained its pastor Nov. 10, 1762. In 1771 it experienced a great revival, and he baptized forty persons. In 1780 the church had reached a membership of one hundred and six. After the new and more liberal church was formed in 1772, over which his son Jacob became pastor, the two churches wor- shipped in the same house, but separately owing to their widely divergent creeds.
Finally, Elder John Hix becoming old and feeble and his flock having no house of its own, it became scattered and its identity lost. The communion vessels used in the old church were given to the newer organization in 1804, consisting of one flagon, one tankard, two platters, two cups, one silver spoon, one tablecloth and one napkin, and the hope was expressed that these souvenirs of the older church might be handed down to posterity from gen- eration to generation.
Of the two earliest Baptist churches out of which grew the First Christian Church of 1773, that of Elder John Hix had its constituency in the vicinity of Oak Swamp, while that of Elder Comer was gathered in large part from people living in the neigh- borhood of Burial Place Hill, where Elders Comer and Round are buried. The result was a compromise,-locating the meeting-house between the two places, as we have seen. In an old record book of this church, whose first entry is dated Dec. 7, 1809, the fol- lowing title is given: "A true Copy of the Records of the First Christian Church in Rehoboth under the care of Elder Childs Luther."
1 There is no record of any church building. His followers may have wor- shipped at first in a private house.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
The successor of Elder Jacob Hix was Elder Childs Luther, who, after preaching to the people a year or two, was ordained their pastor, Nov. 26, 1812. In 1820 the church enjoyed a special awakening through the labors of Elders Plumm and Hathaway, who assisted the pastor, and some forty persons professed con- version.
At a meeting on July, 1822, the church "called Brother George Kelton to the great work of preaching the Gospel, and that he should be depended on as a helper in the work of the ministry." He was publicly ordained to that work April 28, 1830, Elders Joseph Blackmar, Benjamin Taylor and Richard Davis assisting in the services.
The present house was built by a joint stock company, Mr. Nathan Hix taking the contract for one thousand dollars. It was dedicated May 28, 1834. Soon after this the old house was torn down and made over into a barn.
Elder Luther continued his labors among this people until the year 1841, having preached to them more than thirty years. In the latter part of his pastorate a division occurred in the church on the matter of temperance. He was inclined to be conservative, while some of his people became vehement supporters of the prin- ciple of total abstinence. The breach was made wider by the Millerite excitement, with which Elder Luther had no sympathy. He was born Feb. 6, 1780, and was married to Miss Lucy Kelton, Dec. 10, 1797. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Mehitabel Goff, Oct. 21, 1827. He died July 3, 1859, in his eightieth year, and was buried in the Hix yard.
For a number of years Elder George Kelton assisted Mr. Luther as colleague. In the year 1829 there was an extensive revival in connection with the labors of Elder Joseph Blackmar of New York, an itinerant preacher. He spent about a year in this town and baptized in all forty-eight converts. On the first day of Jan- uary, 1830, he immersed sixteen persons in Baker's mill-pond, just below the present meeting-house; for this purpose a way was cut through the ice, which was fourteen inches thick. Ira Still- man Baker was one of these, as he told the writer. His decision was made on the spot. He threw off his coat and was baptized. Elder Blackmar spent his last years in Boston, where he died in October, 1878, aged seventy-eight years.
In the year 1842, Elder Matthias E. Gammons came from
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
Westport to this place, and in connection with Rev. W. P. Russell reorganized the church with twelve men and twenty-one women as charter members, on the broad basis of the following state- ment :-
"To whom it may concern: we as a band of brothers and sis- ters believe it to be the will of God that we come together and unite by organizing ourselves into a Christian Union Church for the good of the cause of God and the upbuilding of the same."
The organization was effected Nov. 28, 1842, Elder Russell preaching the sermon. The members of this new body were drawn in part from the old church under Elder Luther, especially those who were inclined to follow Elder Gammons in his Millerite doctrines, which he strongly emphasized. Many of the old, sub- stantial members refused to join in this movement and were left without any church connection. The Second Advent excitement was a great injury to the church. As Elder Gammons' prophecy of the end of the world in 1843 or '44 failed, he was called to ac- count and was dismissed Jan. 31, 1845. After this the church. disappointed and weakened, was supplied by Dea. Hermon Wood, Elder Luther Baker and others.
In November, 1848, Elder James L. Pierce became its pastor and held a protracted meeting in which he was assisted by Elder Albert G. Morton, and as a result thirteen converts were baptized Feb. 25, 1849. Although Elder Pierce was dismissed in 1850, he continued to reside in the neighborhood with intervals of brief pastorates elsewhere, and occasionally supplied the pulpit when vacant, almost up to the time of his death in 1897. If not a gifted preacher, he was a good man and much respected in the com- munity.
After 1850, Elders Otis Bliss and Waterman Pierce preached here for a time.
From 1865 to 1877, Elder J. W. Osborne supplied the pulpit in connection with that of the Christian Church in Swansea, of which he was pastor. A revival in 1871-2 increased the church membership.
He was succeeded by Elder William Miller of Swansea, a ven- erable man of handsome features and long snow-white hair who preached the Word until April 1, 1882.
Rev. Lester Howard, an able minister from the Christian
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Church in Swansea, supplied the pulpit for some years previous to 1890. On the 26th of November, 1889, the meeting-house was re-dedicated after having been remodeled and made attractive. On this occasion a large audience gathered and addresses were made by Rev. J. W. Osborne and Rev. G. H. Tilton.
After this, Rev. T. S. Weeks, also of Swansea, preached ac- ceptably to the people until Oct. 1, 1895. Since that time scarcely any records have been kept of the doings of the church. Its ser- vices have continued most of the time from year to year with dif- ferent preachers, among whom was Rev. C. B. Wathen in 1904, Elder Albert Loucks in 1911, Elder Ernest Caswell in 1913, and Elder Frederick Dark in 1915.
The Oak Swamp church, one of the oldest in the Christian Denomination, has had a hard struggle to live, and has never been able to pay a larger annual salary than two hundred dollars.
It has, however, been a constant power for good in the com- munity. Most of its preachers have been thoughtful and devout men, and many of its members and supporters have been and are men and women of excellent character, while the community at large has ever maintained a reputation for the rugged virtues of integrity and good citizenship.
In studying the history of this church from the beginning, the writer has been pleased to note how fully it has exemplified the principles of a pure democracy, each member voting freely but subject to the will of the majority. At the same time its dis- cipline has been maintained with firmness and without respect of persons, but with due kindness and forbearance, thus affording a worthy example.
A PARTIAL LIST OF DEACONS IN THE OAK SWAMP CHURCH
Name Appointed Name Appointed
Joseph Pierce, previous to 1773. Nathaniel Mason, April 5, 1838.
Frederick Luther, Jan. 14, 1783.
Benjamin Kingsley, May 2,1805.
Samuel Nichols, 1859. Deacon Hix, previous to 1805. Harvey S. Pierce, 1811. Dexter E. Horton, 1884.
David Bosworth, Sept. 18, 1822.
Lloyd Bosworth, Sept. 18, 1822.
Aaron Case, Sept. 18, 1822.
Daniel Pierce, Feb. 28, 1835.
Dexter E. Horton, Jr.
Oren N. Goff, Vice-Dea., 1884.
Henry G. Pierce, 1913.
Edgar Nickerson, 1916.
Jonathan Wheeler, 1842.
Hermon Wood, 1842.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
SOME EARLY MEMBERS OF THE OAK SWAMP CHURCH 1 Males
Squire Goff, died May 13, 1825. Squire Pierce.
Richard Bullock.
Elder Childs Luther.
Nathaniel Pierce 2d.
Richard Bullock, Jr.
Arial Horton, died May 1, 1838.
George Ingals. Levi B. Miller.
Lloyd Bosworth.
Sylvanus Jones. Joined
Otis Nichols, Feb. 18, 1830.
George N. Kelton, April 1, 1830.
Constant Cole, May 6, 1830. Samuel O. Case, May 20, 1830. Samuel Baker 3d, July 7, 1831.
Nathan B. Goff, April 5, 1838.
Gideon Horton, April 8, 1838. Thomas P. Goff, April 8, 1838. Thomas Lewis.
Females Joined
Patience Bowen.
Salla Lee.
Hannah Bullock.
Lyda Kelton, Jan. 7, 1830.
Lydia Horton.
Sarah Bowen.
Chloe Bosworth.
Hannah Nichols, Feb. 18, 1830.
Sarah Hicks.
Huldah Bullock, Feb. 18, 1830.
Susannah Baker.
Elizabeth Miller.
Freelove Nichols.
Mary Buffinton.
Nancy Hicks, March 18, 1830. Eliza Simmons, April 1, 1830. Hannah Bosworth, April1, 1830. Susan Eddy, June 3, 1830.
Ardelia Allen.
Mary Simmons, July 1, 1830.
Mary Martin.
Nancy Mason, Sept. 2, 1830.
Rebecca Bullock.
Sally Baker, Nov. 4, 1830.
Hannah H. Bullock.
Sally Hunter,
Dec. 2, 1830.
Nancy Pierce.
Eliza Pierce.
Rhoda Kelton, died May 3, 1839.
Maryan Buffinton, Dec. 2, 1830.
Precilla Case.
Almanda Baker, June 2, 1831.
Maryan Pierce.
Patience Baker, Oct. 1, 1835.
Patience Buffinton.
Sasannah Pierce 2d, Oct. 1, 1835.
Betsy Pierce.
Abagail Goff.
Lydia Bowen.
Selyan Pierce, Nov. 2, 1837.
Abagail Bowen.
Nancy Allen, Nov. 2, 1837.
Sarah Miller.
Mariah Bullock, Nov. 2, 1837.
Alfred Horton, Aug. 3, 1837. Reuben G. Pierce, Nov. 2, 1837. Plummer Pierce, Nov. 2, 1837. James C. Pierce, Dec. 7, 1837. Childs Pierce, Dec. 7, 1837.
Comfort Horton, Feb. 1, 1838.
Abel F. Pierce, Feb. 1, 1838.
Isaiah Bowen, Feb. 1, 1838.
Amos Lee, Feb. 1, 1838.
Benjamin Perry, Feb. 1, 1838. Henry Simmons, Feb. 28, 1838. Elbridge G. Miller, Feb. 28, 1838. Samuel Nichols, March 4, 1838.
Josiah Simmons, Jan. 5, 1832.
Barnard Pierce 3d, Aug. 25, 1832. Nathaniel Mason, Aug. 6, 1835.
Samuel Baker, Jr., Oct. 1, 1835.
Daniel Pierce, Feb. 4, 1836.
1 From Church Record Book from 1809 to 1837. The revised list made Oct. 5, 1837.
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HORNBINE CHURCH
HORNBINE SCHOOLHOUSE
WILLIAM THATCHER
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
Levina Millard, Nov. 2, 1837.
Abby Ann Pierce, Feb. 1, 1838.
Emeline Baker, Nov. 2, 1837. Huldy Miller, Feb. 28, 1838.
Lorryan Lawton, Dec. 7, 1837.
Nancy Nichols, March 4, 1838.
Mary Bullock, Dec. 7, 1837. Nancy W. Pierce, April 8, 1838. Choice M. Pierce, April 8, 1838.
Nancy Horton, Oct. 5, 1837.
Sarah Ann Horton, Oct. 5, 1837. Lucinda D. Pierce, April 8, 1838.
Nancy G. Pierce, Oct. 5, 1837.
Pheby Short, April 8, 1838.
Jane Croswell, Aug. 3, 1837. Sally Goff, Sept. 6, 1838.
THE HORNBINE CHURCH
This church is in the southeast part of the town, about six miles from Rehoboth Village. It is at the present time (1917) in ex- cellent repair, with neat and attractive surroundings. The church belonged originally to the order of the Six-Principle Baptists. Their creed is found in Hebrews vi: 1, 2. The name "Hornbine" is a corruption of Hornbeam, a species of tree which grows in the vicinity.
About thirty members of the Second Baptist Church in Swan- sea, at that time of the Six-Principle creed, formed themselves into a church in Rehoboth, and ordained Mr. Daniel Martin as their pastor, Feb. 8, 1753. Elder Martin was the eldest son of Dea. Melatiah Martin of Swansea. He was born Sept. 23, 1702, fol- lowed the trade of a house-carpenter, and died Nov. 18, 1781, aged seventy-nine. He had nine children.
Soon after his settlement over this church, Elder Nathan Pierce was ordained as his colleague and continued to preach to this people for forty years. He was born in Warwick, R.I., Feb. 21, 1716. His father was Dea. Mial Pearce.1 His wife was Lydia Martin of Barrington, R.I., to whom he was married Oct. 6, 1736. They had sixteen children, ten sons and six daughters. Two of his sons were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Pierce died April 14, 1793, in his seventy-eighth year. His mortal remains, buried in the family yard in the Horton neighborhood, have since been re- moved with those of his son, Elder Preserved, to the Village Cemetery. "Elder Pierce was an able minister of the New Testa- ment, sound in the faith, deep in the mysteries of godliness, - a plain, powerful, comprehensive and feeling preacher." (Knight's Baptist History, p. 304.) During his ministry the church increased in numbers and influence. Some years before the death of Elder Pierce, Elder Thomas Seamans was ordained as his colleague.
1 Until recent years the name was often written and pronounced Pearce.
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
He was a farmer by occupation and possessed great physical vigor. He preached a sermon in this church after he was one hundred years of age, and died in 1826, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years, five months and fifteen days, probably the oldest person that ever died in Rehoboth. He spent the last few years of his life with his son, Mr. Comfort Seamans, who owned a farm about a mile north of the church. His remains lie buried in a little plot on the farm inclosed by a strong wall, but overgrown with shrubs. The stone which marks the spot is uninscribed, save on the upper edge, where the figures "104," rudely carved, indicate his age. Beside him are buried his son and several mem- bers of his family. Elder Seamans' grandson, deacon Josiah Sin- mons (as the name is now spelled) was an honored deacon in this church for many years.
During Elder Seamans' pastorate he was assisted by several colleagues. Elder Benjamin Mason of Swansea preached with him for a time. In the year 1800, Elder Preserved Pierce and his brother Elder Philip Pierce, were ordained as associate pastors with Elder Seamans. Elder Philip Pierce afterwards went West, but returned to spend his last years with his daughter in Dighton, Mass.
Elder Preserved Pierce was the son of Elder Nathan, and was born in Rehoboth July 23, 1758. He married Sarah Lewis, also of Rehoboth, by whom he had ten children. Richard Knight, in his Baptist History, speaks of him as a "sound, pious and useful minister." During his pastorate no salary was paid by the church, the minister earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. This accounts for the custom in this denomination of having colleagues, thus permitting several elders to share the work of the parish while supporting themselves.
Mr. Pierce used to say that the only money he received for his services was fifty cents a year, which sum a good lady, Miss Molly Miller, slipped into his fingers while shaking hands with him. A large number of members were added to the church during his ministry, which continued till his death, June 29, 1828, in the seventieth year of his age. At this period, according to Knight, the Church had about 126 members.1 After the death of Elder Pierce the church was supplied by Elders William Manchester, Joseph Blackmar and others, until 1834, when Elder Otis Potter
1 Knight's History of the General or Six-Principle Baptists, Providence, 1827.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
of Cranston, R.I., became their minister. On the first Sabbath in May of that year Elder Potter organized the Sunday-school, consisting of thirty or forty young people, which he superintended himself. He resided at Swansea Factory and preached a part of the time to the Swansea church at the home of Dea. Ellery Wood. During the first year of Elder Potter's pastorate, there was a revival, and sixty persons joined the church on profession of faith.
Elder Potter was a strong advocate of temperance, and an un- compromising abolitionist. At the time of the Dorr disturbance in Rhode Island, he took a rigid stand against the Dorr party, much to the displeasure of certain members of his church. On going into his pulpit one Sunday, having the week before ex- pressed himself strongly on this point, he found suspended there a gun, knapsack, bayonet, sword, and various other implements of war.
Finding that he had in various ways aroused considerable op- position to himself, he left Rehoboth in 1841 or '42 and preached at Cranston, R.I., until 1848, when he returned to his former charge in Rehoboth, where he remained four years longer. After that he moved to Providence and went into the book business, still preaching as he had opportunity. He died May 27, 1857, of consumption. One of his sons, Elder Thomas Potter, preached for a time at Fresno, Cal.
The church was next supplied by Elders Warner and Morton, and Elder Samuel Knight of Swansea. Elder Waterman Pierce, grandson of Elder Nathan, also preached to this people for sev- eral years. Most of his ministerial life was spent with the Free Baptist Church at Barneyville, Swansea, a little flock which he had gathered.
Elder Welcome G. Comstock was acting pastor of this church for about fourteen years, beginning in 1862. He was a kind, jovial man, and an entertaining speaker, but a poor financier.
From 1876 to 1880, Rev. James L. Pierce was acting pastor. During this period there was a revival in which Mr. Pierce was assisted by Dr. M. L. Rosvalley, a converted Jew. The church received some additions and was much strengthened. Mr. Pierce having preached for more than thirty years in various places, ended his days in South Rehoboth.
Mr. Pierce's successor was Rev. William Miller of Swansea,
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
who began his labors here April 1, 1880, and supplied the pulpit for a number of years.
In the spring of 1888, Rev. George H. Horton became pastor of this church, which he served faithfully for five years. Up to this time the church had continued under the old Six-Principle creed, although several of its ministers were of other denomina- tions. Mr. Horton secured the substitution of the Free Baptist creed, and the church became affiliated with the Free Baptist Association of Rhode Island. Public services in recognition of the change were held in the church, Nov. 20, 1888. Since that time a number of ministers have supplied the pulpit and changes have been frequent. Among these are Revs. L. B. Rose, 1894, B. A. Sherwood, 1895, R. I. Hudson, 1896, George E. Hathaway, 1897- 1901, S. H. Mckean, 1902-1904, W. A. Leonard, 1906-1908, Walter Bartlett of the Dighton Congregational church, 1908- 1909, and John P. Richardson from the same church, 1910 to 1916. While preaching has been regularly sustained and the property well kept, the church proper has run down until only one member is left, Mrs. Frank Pierce, its clerk. The Christian people of the community, however, forming a congregation of twenty-five to thirty-five at the Sunday service, although of many creeds, afford a fine illustration of Christian union.
About fifty years ago the Hornbine people formed themselves into an organization which they designated as The First Baptist Church and Society, for the purpose of raising money for the par- ish expenses. Under its direction annual clam-bakes have been held at Baker's Grove near the church. These clam-bakes soon became very popular, and in some years nearly three thousand peo- ple have assembled from the surrounding cities and towns. Plates were set for fifteen hundred at fifty cents each, and five hundred more were fed at random, paying for what they ordered. More than a thousand dollars has been taken in a single day. This was before 1886, when the Antiquarian Bake was instituted at the Village, after which the attendance diminished somewhat, and especially after the advent of the electrics in 1898, which favored the Village bake; but since automobiles have become common the old-time crowds have come back and often the patrons of the bake are more than can be cared for. Many of these visitors have relatives in the neighborhood and the day (the first Wednes- day in September) is to them an occasion of a grand reunion.
REV. GEORGE H. HORTON
WELCOME F. HORTON
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
For the last forty years the net proceeds have averaged $400. The nineteen hundred and fourteen bake netted over $450. Some money is also received from the "Columbus Bake," which was begun in 1911 for the enjoyment of the people of the neighbor- hood to whom the larger bake brought much care and labor; but others also like to come, and preparation is made for two hundred and fifty people. The proceeds of these clam-bakes have enabled the Society to meet all expenses and to maintain the Church property in first-class condition.
As there are no early records of this church, a complete list of its deacons cannot be given, but some of them were Mial Pearce, Joseph Seamans, Joseph Lewis, Ichabod Bosworth, Jonathan Lewis, Mason Horton, and George T. Wheeler.
THE ANNAWAN UNION BAPTIST CHURCH
In the year 1839 the Congregational Society left their old meet- ing-house on the Village Cemetery lot and entered their new house of worship in the Village. Several of the older members, however, including some of the trustees, were unwilling to make the change, and withdrew from the Society. At this time there were a few families of the Baptist belief living in Rehoboth who were members of Elder Goff's church, on Long Hill, in Dighton. As the latter church had greatly declined in numbers, making it difficult to sustain regular services, it was thought a favorable time to form a new Baptist church within the limits of Rehoboth. This plan was favored by Elder J. L. Whittemore, of the Dighton church. Accordingly it was proposed that these brethren join with the disaffected members of the Congregational Society in holding a series of meetings with reference to forming a new church.
The first meeting was held on the first Sabbath in January, 1840, at the tavern of Mr. Isaac Lewis, where there was a con- venient hall. A large number were present, and the congregation continued to increase from Sabbath to Sabbath, till the hall over- flowed. After the first few meetings, which were conducted by Messrs. Whittemore and Brently, the people secured the services of Mr. Caleb Blood, a talented young man from the freshman class of Brown University.
Early in the spring of this year The Union Baptist Society was organized. A committee was appointed, consisting of Richard Goff, Otis Peck, and Joseph Bowen, to erect a meeting-house on
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HISTORY OF REHOBOTH
the lot appropriated for that purpose by Darius Horton, near Lewis' tavern, on the Providence and Taunton turnpike.
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