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 28
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Here rests Dea. Jonathan Wheeler, who died Sept. 13, 1869, in his 77th year. He was an officer in the Oak Swamp Baptist Church. Rachel his wife (daughter of Nathan and Betsy Goff) died Nov. 6, 1869, in the 80th year of her age.
One son, Dea. Nathan G. Wheeler, Nov. 20, 1826-Jan. 10, 1897, and his wife Julia M. (Kendrick) Wheeler, died July 4, 1892, and also three daughters are buried here; one of these, Elizabeth S., born March 30, 1829, married Rev. Charles P. Walker, donor of a fund for the perpetual care of the lot. A few other bodies rest in this yard.
THE HUNT GRAVEYARD
The Hunt graveyard is a small, rough enclosure at the corner of Broad and Salisbury Streets. Here seven at least of the Hunt family are buried, three of whom died in 1777,-a son and two daughters of Isaiah and Mary (Blake) Hunt. Isaiah was the son of John and Susanna (Sweeting), and John was the son of Ephraim who gave the "Ministerial" estate to the Church.
THE MEDBURY GRAVEYARD
The Medbury yard is north of Rocky Hill, near the Willis school-house, - a very small yard with few graves. The prin- cipal stone is inscribed thus :-
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"Sacred to the Memory of Ebenezer Medbury, who died Jan. 24, 1825. in the 68th year of his age. Revolutionary Soldier."
A companion stone reads :-
"Widow Elizabeth Medbury, died Sept. 5, 1851, in the 84th year of her age.
"Beloved in life, lamented in death, Calm and resigned she yielded up her breath, Freed from life's care and every pain, Our loss, we trust is her eternal gain."
THE BLISS BURYING GROUND
The Bliss burying-ground in the northwest part of the town is a small unkept lot in which are buried:
Abel Bliss (son of Abiah and grandson of Lieut. Ephraim Bliss), died Nov. 2, 1852, in the 90th year of his age.
Lucy (Carpenter), wife of Abel Bliss, who died Aug. 3, 1835, aged 66 years.
"With poverty of spirit blest, Rest; happy saint, in Jesus rest."
Other names are Lucy and Sally Bliss; Huldah B. Tripp; Huldah, wife of Joseph Pierce; Mary K., wife of Jason P. Lord; and several children.
THE HIX CEMETERY
The Hix Cemetery is located back from the road leading west- ward from the Oak Swamp Schoolhouse, now Brook Street. It is a part of the old Hix homestead, afterwards the Samuel Baker homestead, where Mrs. Samuel Baker ("Aunt Patience") resided for more than eighty years. She and her husband and several other members of the Baker family are buried in this yard. (For dates see Personal Sketches.)
Elder John Hix lived on this farm, and here his two sons were doubtless born, Jacob and Daniel, both of whom became preachers. His grave is in this lot, which he had set apart. He died in March, 1799, aged 87 years.
Also his son Elder Jacob Hix, who died March 30, 1809, in the 70th year of his age. He was for about thirty years pastor of the
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Oak Swamp Church, while he tilled his farm, entailed from his father, and ran his saw-mill on the brook back of his house.
Another stone marks the grave of Elder Childs Luther who followed Elder Hix as pastor of the Church, which he served from 1809 to 1841. The tomb here was erected by Nathan Bowen, Jr., in 1820. He died in 1853 aged 90 years.
Two veterans of the Civil War rest here: Charles Miller and Alexander Williams (colored).
In this lot lies interred the body of William Horton (son of William), died Nov. 16, 1860, aged 89 years.
"11 sons his inheritance, Posterity his reward."
THE GOFF AND WHEELER CEMETERY
This is an old, neglected yard opposite the town-house on the Bay State Road. On the left of the steps as you enter from the road is the grave of Joseph Goff 1st, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of Anthony. He died Jan. 18, 1829, in the 95th year of his age.
"Death is a debt to nature due: I've paid my debt and so must you."
His wife Patience (Thurber) died Sept. 3, 1819, in the 87th year of her age. Joseph and Patience had eleven daughters, one of whom, Mehitable, married (1) Levi Goff, and (2) Elder Childs Luther. She died April 2, 1857, aged 83 years, and is buried here.
Joseph had also a son Richard who was the father of Nelson, who was the father of George Nelson. Richard died Sept. 1, 1836, aged 87 years, and his grave is in this yard. His wife Me- hitable, daughter of Stephen Bullock, died in 1843, aged 76.
Here rests also Joseph Goff 2d, son of Joseph and Patience, who died Sept. 12, 1840, in his 69th year; also his son Joseph Goff 3d, who died Jan. 22, 1874, in the 72d year of his age.
Also Cromwell Wheeler, who died March 14, 1884, aged 95 years. Olive, his wife, died Nov. 21, 1866, aged 73 years.
Cromwell Wheeler, Jr., son of Cromwell and Olive, died in 1905, aged 91. Abby (Goff), his wife, died in 1897, aged 79 years. Several of their descendants also rest here.
Nearly every stone in the yard bears an epitaph. One of these reads:
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"How fondly we loved thee No pencil can tell; Nor the anguish it caused us To bid thee farewell."
THE MILLARD YARD
The Millard Yard is located one-fourth of a mile north of the Oak Swamp Meeting House, containing about a quarter of an acre, enclosed by a very old wall and utterly neglected. Here are some twenty-five graves, a few of them very old: Samuel Millard, died May 24, 1826, in his 77th year; Mary his wife died Dec. 6, 1810. Here also are Henry and Sarah, Samuel and Rachel (Wright).
Among the old slate stones difficult to decipher are Mary, died Aug. 18, 1720, aged 17; another Mary died in 1729, aged 29. A Nancy Millard was buried in 1782.
The Millard family settled in this section very early in the eighteenth century. One Samuel, whose wife inherited Milton Hill Summit, removed from Rehoboth to that place. His son was a graduate of Oxford University, England. His cousin Thomas owned and deeded the State House lot to the State of Massa- chusetts. (See Fifth Report of Commissioners, 1880, p. 79.)
THE OTIS J. MARTIN CEMETERY
Located in the Martin neighborhood in South Rehoboth, - a small yard inclosed by a double wall.
Ambrose Martin, died April 14, 1854, aged 71. Had two wives: Phoebe, died 1810, and Polly, died 1878.
Lydia, daughter of Ambrose and Polly, died Jan. 7, 1853, in her 37th year. Otis J., son, born April 15, 1825, died March 10, 1900. Had two wives: Celia, died July 6, 1851, aged 28 years.
"Eare we'll hope to meet again In brighter worlds: farewell till then."
Sophia M., born Jan. 11, 1829, died Oct. 20, 1905. A fine granite stone marks their resting-place.
Abby, daughter of Otis and Sophia, died March 10, 1865, aged 4 years, 9 mos. and 10 days.
"Little Abby has gone home to Jesus."
John E., son of Otis and Sophia M., died Dec. 9, 1882, aged 19 years.
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"God saw when his footsteps faltered, When his heart grew weak and faint, He marked when his strength was failing, And listened to each complaint; For the pathway had grown too steep, And folded in fair, green pastures, He gave our loved one sleep."
A double stone apart from the rest has the names of Joseph and Harriet Byrne, parents of Mrs. Geo. H. Martin: Joseph, 1849- 1906; Harriet, 1843-1915. Clarence H., a little son of Geo. H. and Lillie M., rests here.
THE LOVEL GOFF YARD
This old yard is located on Elm Avenue and contains about one-eighth of an acre. It is now grown up to bushes. An immense cluster of lilacs adorns it center, - beautiful and fragrant in their season. About one-third of the area is covered with the charming lily of the valley, its tiny white bells sweetly fragrant in May and early June. Here are buried members of the Goff family, includ- ing Lovel Goff, who died Jan. 13, 1832, in his 70th year; also Lydia, his wife. At least five sons of Squier and Grisell, viz .: Israel (Revolutionary soldier), Squier, Constant, Charles and Sylvanus; also Cromwell, Baylies and others. Other family names are Hix, Wheeler, Salisbury, and Horton. Levi Salisbury (1794-1882) was the last burial here. The remains of Isaiah and Lydia (Goff) Bowen, parents of William Henry, have been re- moved to the Village Cemetery.
THE ROUNDS GRAVEYARD
This very old, neglected yard lies off Plain Street in South Re- hoboth. Its location is on a picturesque ridge bordering a ravine running parallel to the highway and would not be noticed in pass- ing. Here are three small stones bearing the name of Rounds: George Rounds, died Oct. 3, 1791, in his 73d year; Chace Rounds, died Jan. 15, 1821, in his 76th year. "In memory of Hannah, wife of Chace Rounds, who died Jan. 14, 1827, aged 78 years."
There are numerous graves along the ridge, marked by rude stones stuck in the ground without inscription. Some of the burials doubtless date back from one hundred and fifty to two hundred years.
CHAPTER XIV BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
BAKER, EMMA M., daughter of John F. and Abby M. (Allen) Baker, is descended from a long line of sturdy ancestors. Be- ginning with the first Rehoboth residents of the family, we have the following record: -
John,1 married June 17, 1714, Susanna Wood, both of Barrington but settled in Rehoboth. He died in 1767.
Nathaniel,2 born July 9, 1725; married Sept. 13, 1750, Experience Hix, both of Rehoboth.
Samuel,3 born in Rehoboth Dec. 13, 1754; married June 6, 1777, Bethany Mason of Swansea. Died Oct. 20, 1838, in his 85th year.
Nathaniel,4 born in Rehoboth Aug. 16, 1781; married about 1806, Nancy Croswell who was born in 1783.
John Fenwick,5 born in Rehoboth, June 11, 1813; married Abby M. Allen, Sept. 15, 1849. Died Feb. 28, 1893, in his 80th year.
Emma M.,6 born at the paternal homestead in Rehoboth.
Her early educational advantages of the district schools were supplemented by further study at East Greenwich Academy, and at Wheaton Seminary, now Wheaton College. Her home life was closely interwoven with that of her beloved and only sister, Sara- phene, who was destined to an early death. Miss Baker speaks of her as "the gentle, warm-hearted girl with a keen love of the beautiful and the good." She gratefully recalls her father's deep interest in having his children thoroughly educated, ever seeking to instill into their minds the importance of careful reading and study. In her mother she realized those noble qualities which were a never failing delight. "My mother," she says, "was my ideal. I thank God for her as for no other gift of his bestowing." For many years this cherished mother was an invalid, and no one ever received more tender and devoted care than she. The two spent a year together at the Vendome in Boston, and no pains were spared in the fruitless effort to recuperate the mother's health.
In various social and religious activities Miss Baker ranks among the first, having filled with acceptance the highest positions in temperance and church affairs, and in many charitable organ- izations. She has traveled extensively both in this country and in Europe with an ever eager and receptive mind. Her benevolence
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may be judged by the fact that she has always given one-tenth at least of her income to charity. The Congregational Church of her native town is indebted to her for various gifts, including its present pulpit. Other churches too are recipients of her bounty. Her private gifts are many and the blessings of the needy are her ample reward. After spending three years at the Beaconsfield in Brookline, she was called in 1909 to look after the household of her brother, whose children were bereft of a mother's care, and she has devoted herself to these domestic duties with unfailing faith- fulness. Her life is rich in service for others. Even when a child she was pleased to teach the ex-slaves, employed by her father, to read and write and to fill their minds with high ideals. In brief, Miss Baker's well-known qualities of efficiency and refine- ment render her worthy of a high place among the excellent wo- men of her native town.
BAKER, GEORGE PEASE, son of Nathaniel and Nancy Cros- well Baker, was born in Rehoboth, Sept. 8, 1817. He received his early education in the public schools of his native town and later entered a private school. He went early into business, and at the age of thirty crossed the continent and settled in California. He purchased a ranch at Red Bluff and became interested in real estate in San Francisco. The last ten years of his life were spent abroad, and after two years of travel through every country in Europe he made his home permanently in Paris. He became familiar with the language and customs of the French people and established pleasant relations with many notable personages. He was presented at the court of Emperor Napoleon III and enter- tained at the Royal Palace. His death occurred March 13, 1869, while on a visit to Pau, Southern France. His funeral was sol- emnized on the 2d day of May in the Rehoboth Congregational Church, and he was buried in the Village Cemetery. His monu- ment bears the following epitaph: -
"He is not dead whose body fills This melancholy house of clay; He lives in brighter glory still Than ever cheered his earthly way, Full beaming round his head."
BAKER, GEORGE PIERCE, eminent physician, son of Samuel Baker, Jr., and Patience. (Pierce) Baker, was born in South Re- hoboth, Jan. 27, 1826. On his mother's side he was descended from Capt. Michael Pierce who was killed in the Indian fight near Pawtucket: Patience,7 Preserved,6 Nathan,5 Miall,4 Ephraim,3 Ephraim,2 Michael.1 He received the rudiments of an education at the district school in Oak Swamp and studied further at the See- konk Classical Seminary. As he grew up he desired to become a
GEORGE PEASE BAKER
JOHN F. BAKER
MRS. ABBY M. (ALLEN) BAKER
ยท
THE ANNAWAN CLUB HOUSE
HILL CREST. Residence of George S. Baker
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doctor. Having heard of Dr. Thompson of Boston, he visited him with the hope that he might be allowed to study medicine according to the Thompsonian School. "Study this book," said Dr. Thompson to him, "and in three weeks you will be a Thomp- sonian doctor ready to practice." The idea appeared so ridiculous to the young man that he decided to go to college and study med- icine in the regular course. He entered Amherst College in the class of 1850 and remained through the Freshman and Sophomore years, when he made a trip to Labrador in a fishing schooner for his health. He graduated at the Harvard Medical College in 1851, and spent a year in the hospital at South Boston. He commenced practice on High Street, Providence, where several doctors had failed from lack of patronage. "How long do you want this office for?" asked the landlord. "For five years at first," said Dr. Baker. He had come to stay. Business came slowly, but there was a gain from year to year, until from 1860 to 1875 he had all he could do and nearly broke down. For fourteen years he was medical and surgical doctor at the State Prison at $500 a year. He was a volunteer surgeon for a short time in hospitals at Hampton, Va., during the war. In 1888 a cancer developed on his lip, which was removed by Dr. J. C. Warren, his former instructor at the Massa- chusetts General Hospital. But a year afterwards the disease re- appeared on his chin, and spreading to his throat caused much suffering and ended his life in August, 1890.
Dr. Baker married, Aug. 9, 1859, Lucy Daily Cady of Provi- dence. Three children died in infancy. One son, Prof. George P. Baker, instructor in Harvard University, survives.
Dr. Baker was a quiet man, gentle in manner, strong in his con- victions, witty in conversation. In his profession he was prompt and methodical. He was too generous to press the poor for pay- ment, and many never paid. On his own part he was scrupulously honest, owing no man anything. Like his father, he was a man of rugged character, and wise in judgment. With him each case had its own treatment and there was little of mere routine in his prac- tice. His brother physicians often turned to him for professional help in their sickness. Although he knew, months before, the in- evitable outcome of his malady, he bore his great trial with Chris- tian faith and courage, and died with a large hope in a future life.
BAKER, IRA STILLMAN, man of affairs, was born on the Baker homestead in South Rehoboth, Mass., July 20, 1812. He was the son of Samuel Baker, Jr., and Patience (Pierce) Baker. Through his father he was descended from Samson Mason of Swansea, Mass., and through his mother from Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate, the famous Indian fighter. He married, (1) Sarah Ann Allen, by whom he had Otis Allen (see sketch) and Andrew; (2) Harriet Wheaton Horton, daughter of James Horton 2d, by whom
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he had Josephine L., Adelaide F. (married Joseph A. Arnold), Seth W. (married Nancy W. Lake), Angeline N. (married David H. Bosworth), Isadore S. (married Hiram W. Kingman), H. Lenora, and John B.
Mr. Baker was prominent in town affairs for many years, and in 1860 was representative to the General Court. He was repeatedly chosen to the office of selectman, and was also Town Clerk and Town Treasurer, a series of honors seldom falling to one man. He at the same time carried on the farm which his father and grandfather had tilled before him, and like them owned and man- aged a saw-mill and grist-mill. He possessed a large fund of vitality and his judgment was excellent. He was very fond of music, and for many years taught singing-school. Hymns of praise were his delight, and his children recall with pleasure the songful hours of the home.
BAKER, JOHN FENWICK, son of Nathaniel and Nancy Cros- well Baker, was born in Rehoboth, June 14, 1843. He was a descendant in the fourth generation from John Baker, one of the early settlers of the town. In his boyhood he attended the dis- trict schools of Rehoboth and later received private instruction. His early advantages were limited, yet he made the most of the broader opportunities afforded by experience. Although he made his home on the Baker farm in Rehoboth, he was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits in Canada. On Sept. 15, 1849, he married Abby M. Allen, daughter of Sylvester and Hannah (Car- penter) Allen, a descendant of William Carpenter, one of the pro- prietors and Town Clerk of Rehoboth from 1643 to 1649. The children were Emma M., Saraphine A., and George S. Mr. Baker removed with his family to Rhode Island in 1882, and died Feb. 28, 1893.
BAKER, OTIS ALLEN, son of Ira Stillman and Sarah Ann (Allen) Baker, was born at the ancestral home on Brook Street, Rehoboth, April 23, 1838. He received his education in the com- mon schools. He was twice married: (1) to Mary E. Bliss, daugh- ter of George and Elizabeth Bliss of Rehoboth, of whom was born a daughter who died in infancy; and (2) to Harriet L. Martin of Rehoboth, daughter of Luther A. and Harriet L. Martin. When quite young he learned the mason's trade and later was a con- tractor in Boston. Love of country and loyalty to the same were his strong characteristics, and when the Civil War broke out he was one of the first to enlist,-April 16, 1861. He distinguished himself as a soldier and officer, and served his country until the close of the war, being mustered out May 12, 1865. He was wounded at Bull Run and carried the bullet in his arm to the day of his death. His military record is given in the chapter on Re-
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hoboth Soldiers in the Civil War. It is worthy of record that he served as captain in two different companies, one of which was the notable Company H of the Third Mass. Infantry. Sergeant Wil- liam H. Luther, who served under him in both companies, thus voices the universal esteem in which he was held by his men: "He was one of the noblest men I ever met with, a character above reproach. He asked no man to go where he would not go. His one idea of life seemed to be to do his duty. While command- ing strict obedience, he rendered the same to his superior officers. Quiet, unassuming, he never pushed himself but let others ad- vance him."
He traveled quite extensively and for several years made his home in 'Colorado. He was a member of the G. A. R., and at one time commander of John A. Rawlins Post in Lake City, Colorado. He was also a member of the I. O. Odd Fellows. He died in Swansea, Mass., June 14, 1910. At his funeral he was honored by the presence of every living man in his company, save one who failed to get word in time. Many were present also from other companies. This noble patriot was buried with the full G. A. R. service at the Village Cemetery in Rehoboth.
BAKER, PATIENCE PIERCE, daughter of the Rev. Preserved Pierce, she was one of the family of ten children and was born March 31, 1792. When a small girl she went to live with her aunt, the wife of Deacon Hezekiah Martin, who was settled on a farm near Rocky Run, where it is crossed by the road running west across the "Plains" to the Hornbine. She was the second wife of Samuel Baker, Jr., and on her marriage, March 11, 1810, went to live in the old red house (Elder Jacob Hix house), where she lived for 88 years, or until her death in 1889. Her children were: Ira Stillman, Nelson Orrin, Nancy (Nichols), Emeline (Horton), Dr. George P. and Electa Ann (Howland). In person she was short and thick-set and had coal-black eyes. Her health was al- ways robust and her last illness was her first serious one. She was very religious and was a member of the Christian Church of the town for 57 years. She had a good voice, sang the treble part, and loved to sing with others in the neighborhood. She was well preserved physically to the last year of her life, and when 98 years old appeared not over 70 years. Her eyesight was good, her hear- ing acute, her cheeks always red, and she resented the assistance of grandchildren in getting in or out of the carriage. To her, as well as other women of her time who lived in the sparsely settled country, fear was unknown, and any show of feeling was care- fully repressed and hidden. For her, death had no terrors, for these old-fashioned people approached the end without a tremor. She was buried in the Hix Yard on the "hill" in plain sight of the house in which she lived so many years.
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BAKER, SAMUEL, Jr., successful farmer, born in Rehoboth, April 12, 1787; died April 16, 1872. The town of Rehoboth in early days had men running farms who at the same time were gifted artisans,-note the mills, furnaces, textile mills. Samuel Baker, Jr., besides being an extra- ordinary farmer, had a genius for mechanics, and built and operated two saw-mills and a gristmill on Rocky Run. The grist-mill was operated as late as 1870. As a farmer, Mr. Baker, when measured by the standards of today, would be called unusual. New England produced a race of farmers which still felt the English influence- men who knew more of husbandry than their descendants who were farming in the early 70's. On the Baker farm were large barns and outbuildings comprising black- smith shop, cooper shop, cider press, dairy for cheese and butter. There was a large collection of spinning wheels, looms for weaving cloth, and several sets of implements for producing flax-fibre. On the farms were the apple orchards and numbers of pear trees and quince bushes. Ship tim- bers were cut, cordwood hauled to Providence and Warren, birch hoops shaved. When Manwhague Swamp froze, cedar to run the shingle-mill was cut and hauled out.
Mr. Baker made farming a financial success and at the same time he knew the art of living. He was very musical and played the bass-viol, clarinet and fife. He was very fond of singing. On his father's side he was descended from the English yeoman class. His mother was a Mason, a descendant of the Sampson Mason who was with Cromwell at the battle of Marston Moor. He mar- ried Patience Pierce, daughter of Rev. Preserved Pierce, a des- cendant of Capt. Michael Pierce of Scituate, Mass.
BENEDICT, REV. DAVID, D.D., son of Thomas and Martha (Scudder) Benedict, was born at Norwich, Conn., Oct. 10, 1779. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a shoemaker in New Canaan, Conn., and was afterward employed a short time as a journeyman. In 1802 he entered the academy at Mt. Pleasant, Sing Sing, N.Y., where he was prepared for college. In 1806 he graduated from Brown University, and soon after was ordained to the Baptist Ministry. In 1804 he became a resident of Old Rehoboth, now Pawtucket, where he later gathered a church, and where he remained until about 1831, and to which place he
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afterwards returned to spend his last years. He devoted much time to historical research relative to the Baptist denomination. He was a Trustee of Brown University from 1818 to the time of his death. He received the title of D.D. from Shurtleff College in 1851. He was a writer of force and originality, and his books had a wide circulation. Among these are: "General History of the Baptist Denominations in America, and all parts of the world" (1813), "Abridgment of Robinson's History of Baptism" (1817), "History of All Religions" (1824), "Fifty years among the Bap- tists" (1860), etc. He was also the author of several poems. He died in Pawtucket, R.I., Dec. 5, 1875.
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