USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of shipbuilding on North river, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with genealogies of the shipbuilders, and accounts of the industries upon its tributaries, 1640 to 1872 > Part 16
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
156
TIIOMAS GENEALOGY.
George Henry, b. in Boston, Sept. 16, 1848, a pattern-maker ; mar. Jennie H. Glass, of New York, in 1872. Their children are : George Page, b. in New York City, Oct. 23, 1872. Florence Amelia, b. in New York City, July 19, 1875. The last child of Charles F. and Abigail Thomas was Amelia Rus- sell, b. in Taunton, Mass., Nov. 26, 1851; d. Feb. 27, 1853. Charles Frederic, Sr., mar. 2ndly, Hannah Sopha Anderson, of Sweden, Oct. 20, 1887, by whom he has one child, Etta Amelia, b. June 25, 1889. 6. Daniel Briggs, b. Oct. 19, 1819 ; d. Jan. 31, 1820. 7. Mary Foster, b. Jan. 10, 1821; mar. Charles Andrew Foster, a portrait-painter, June 3, 1841 ; he d. July 18, 1886, in Kingston. Their children were : Julia Maria, mar. first, William Burns ; second, Frederick Durshee. Charles Byron, mar. first, Hattie Watson ; second, Elizabeth Terrill. Mary Kate, mar. John Clarance. Nora, mar. E. Edward Mar- den. Inez, mar. John Reed. 8. William Knapp, now of Brooklyn, N. Y., b. Jan. 13, 1823, an accomplished mechanical engineer ; mar. Feb. 29, 1844, Mary Frances Brown, of Bos- ton. They have had children : Fannie, b. Nov. 20, 1844, in So. Boston, Mass., and Ida Cowles, b. July 13, 1852, at Mont- gomery, Ala. Fannie mar. Frederick B. Bassett, of Brooklyn, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1865. Their children are : Julius William, b. Oct. 6, 1866, now residing in Brooklyn, N. Y. Frederick Brewster, b. Jan. 4, 1869, now (1889) a naval cadet, U. S. Navy, and at present on U. S. S. " Richmond," at Montevideo, Uruguay. Ida Cowles, mar. Rollin B. Fisher, of Boston, Dec. 13, 1876. They have children : Fannie, b. Dec. 13, 1877. Ida May, b. June 6, 1879. Rollin B., b. Nov. 10, 1883. R. Thomas, b. Dec. 3, 1887, all of whom were b. in Boston. 9. George Henry Augustus Theodore, b. Feb. 7, 1825. Served his time with Isaac and Seth Adams, in Boston. Later he went to Cuba, where he was consulting engineer of sugar estates. He d. on the estate of Los. Dos Herminoson, July 25, 1857, aged thirty-two years, from the effects of an accident, a column of a steam engine falling on his back. 10. Adaline Smith, b. June 7, 1827 ; mar. Henry Brown, of Roxbury, Mass., June 15, 1845. She d. in Roxbury, Nov. 10, 1854. He d. in May, 1889. Their children were : Henry, who d. in infancy. Char- lotte, mar. Charles M. Ford, of Chicago, and they have two boys, Harry and Eddie. 11. Julia Parris, 2nd, b. May 16, 1831 ; mar. George Loring Brown, the Boston artist, April 28, 1861. They had no children. She is now living in Malden, Mass. He d. June 25, 1889, aged seventy-five years. 12.
157
THOMAS GENEALOGY.
Helen Louisa, b. Aug. 26, 1833, was the twelfth and last child of George and Maria West Thomas. She d. Oct. 7, 1835. V.
b. Aug. 4, 1767, is Christopher Thomay described, in a pass- port issued in 1803, when he was thirty- six years of age, as follows : "Color, fair ; height, six feet ; mark, top of right arm ; eyes, gray ; nose, large : mouth, small ; chin, long ; hair, light brown." He mar. July 15, 1784, Huldah Dwelley ; their dau. mar. Thomas Barstow. Children : 1. Mary, mar. J. Park- hurst, of New Bedford. 2. Julia, mar. Phillip Smith, of New Bedford. 3. George Barker, d. young. 4. Rebecca Barstow, d. young. 5. Lydia Shaw, d. aged sixteen. 6. Elizabeth D., d. young. 7. Elizabeth D., 2nd, mar. Capt. Stephen M. Pot- ter, and now lives at 479 County street, New Bedford. VI. RUTH THOMAS, b. April 12, 1769, mar. twice ; first, Dr. Charles Turner. Their children were : Charles, JJr., b. June 8, 1789, educated at Cambridge, and d'. March 12, 1812 ; and John Phil- lips, b. Sept. 12, 1792 : went to Coals Mouth, Kanawha Co., West Virginia. Ruth mar. second, Jabez Morse, of Pembroke, and they had one dan. Ruth, who mar. - - Bacon, and now resides at 4 Weld Avenue, Boston. VII. JJOHN THOMAS, h. 1773 : probably followed the sea. VIII. WILLIAM THOMAS, b. 1775, d. Oct. 12, 1802, aged twenty-seven years.
Ichabod Thomas, Sr., the shipbuilder, was appointed a cap- tain in 1765 by Governor Francis Bernard, of a troop of horse under Col. Thomas Clap, 2nd reg't, 1st brigade, 5th division of Plymouth Militia.
Ichabod, Jr., the shipbuilder, b. Oct. 23, 1761, the oldest child of Ichabod, d. Nov. 11, 1859, aged 98 years, 17 days. He mar. Polly Thomas, a descendant of the Hanson family, Nov. 14, 1784, the ceremony being performed by the same minister who officiated at his father's marriage, Rev. Thomas Smith. Polly Thomas d. April 10, 1840, aged 80 years. They had six children, three died in infancy, one boy lived to be 13, and two dau's. lived to grow up and marry. 1st, MERCY LITTLE mar. Cushing Otis Briggs of Scituate and had children : 1. Charles Cushing, 2. William Thomas, 3. Hannah Barker, 4. James Edwin, 5. Harrison Otis, 6. Mary Thomas, 7. Lloyd, 8. Franklin, (see Briggs and Fox Hill Yards for the descendants
158
CAPT. ICHABOD THOMAS.
of this family). 2nd, MARY, mar. Joshua Perry of Hanson, and died without issue. Capt. Ichabod, Jr., was an intelligent reader ; he had a good knowledge of geography, with locality large, and his brothers who were the sailors said he knew more about foreign ports and places than they did. He was a lover of history and read the newspapers until a short time before his death. He always had a steady hand and shaved himself on his last birthday. He was a master shipbuilder, and at different times was a partner with his uncle, Calvin Turner, with Elisha Briggs and William Cushing. Later he and his wife resided with their dau., Mrs. Perry, in Brooks, Maine, and afterwards at their home in Hanson, his wife for 20 years and he for 40. He was fond of relating anecdotes, especially one about Mr. Cobb of Kingston. When Mr. Cobb was 100 years old he sent to Plymouth for a certain minister to preach the century sermon. Mr. Willis his minister at Kingston did not like it and so expressed himself. Mr. Cobb to pacify him told him that he should preach the next century sermon. Mr. Thomas used always to add that if he should live to be 100 he should like to have his grandson (Rev. William Thomas Briggs, ) who was a minister, settled in Princeton, Mass. at that time, preach his century sermon.
Ichabod Thomas, Jr., was in 1791 appointed Ensign by Gov- ernor John Hancock in a company of the 2nd regiment, 1st brigade, 5th division of the Massachusetts Militia, comprehend- ing the Counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes and Nantucket. In 1795 he was appointed Lieutenant of the said company by Governor Samuel Adams, and appointed by Gov- ernor Caleb Strong, Captain in 1802. The muster roll of Capt.' Thomas's company for the year 1804 contains the names of three commissioned officers, four sergeants and musicians, and fifty six men, including the names of Turner, Taylor, Barstow, Magoun, Keen, Briggs, Bates, Hatch and others. On the first Tuesday in May in each year this company was called together for inspection. Captain Thomas' resignation was accepted and he was honorably discharged at his own request, March 1, 1807.
William Thomas succeeded to the home of his father Nathan Thomas, and mar. Mary Hill, dan. of Abraham Hill of Malden. Their children were : 1. William, b. Sept. 21, 1747 ; 2. Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1749 ; 3. Nathan, b. Jan. 18, 1751, d. Dec. 15, 1751 ; 4. Sarah, b. Jan. 21, (New Style), 1753, mar. Thomas Baker, and
CAPT. ICHABOD THOMAS, JR.
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THOMAS GENEALOGY.
she died Jan. 6, 1822. The mother died 16 March, 1753, (New Style) aged 24 yrs, 10 mos, 15 days. Capt. Wm. mar. 2ndly, Abiah Thomas, March 11, 1754, they had : 1. Deborah, h. May 28th, 1755; 2. Luther, b. Jan. 25, 1757; 3. Jesse, b. Feb. 5, 1760 ; 4. Alice, and 5. Abiah, twins, b. July 6, 1762. Alice d. July 8, 1763, Abiah d. Sept. 18, 1768.
William Thomas, eldest son of Capt. Wm. Thomas, mar. Abigail Sherman April 12,- - -. They had 1. Mary Hill, mar. Abijah Waterman ; 2. Abigail Chapman.
Israel Thomas, 6th and youngest son of the Ancestor John, and Sarah Pitney, mar. Bethiah Sherman, Feb. 23, 1698. He died Jan. 29, 1755, in the 85th year of his age. She died in 1728, aged 50. Children : 1. Gershom, b. April 17, 1699, mar. Mercy Hewit ; 2. Joseph, b. Jan. 4, 1702, d. single ; 3. Amos, b. Oct. 2, 1703, mar. Ruth, dau. of Joseph White and moved to Lebanon, Conn ; 4. Bethiah, b. 1705, mar. Israel Hatch Oct. 27, 1725 ; 5. Keziah, b. Jan. 13, 1708, mar. John Dingley, Nov. 17, 1730; 6. Abigail, b. April 5, 1710, mar. Thomas Waterman, Jan. 25, 1732 ; 7. Nehemiah, b. JJuly, 26, 1712, mar. Abiah, dau. of Nathaniel Winslow ; 8. Sybil, b. Jan. 6, 1714, mar. John Tilden of Hanover, Dee. 2, 1742 ; 9. Jane, b. Dec. 31, 1718, mar. Thomas Ford, Jan., 1739-40 ; 10. Deborah, b. April 28, 1719, mar. Jabez Washburn of Kingston, Oct. 4, 1751.
Nehemiah Thomas, son of Dea. Israel, h. July 26, 1712, mar. Abiah Winslow, dau. of Nathaniel and Deborah Barstow Bryant Winslow, widow of John Bryant, b. Dec. 9, 1741. Dea. Nehemiah d. May 30, 1782, aged 70. Abiah, wid. of Nehemiah, d. Aug. 7, 1809. They had children : 1. Elithia, b. May 1, 1742, mar. Joseph Drew of Duxbury ; 2. Abigail, b. March 12, 1743, mar. Briggs Thomas, son of Col. Anthony Thomas ; 3. Ruth, b. Aug. 3, 1746, died young : 4. Nehemiah, b. Jan. 3, 1748 : 5. Nathaniel, b. Oct. 1, 1750, died unmarried ; 6. Olive, b. Dee. 28, 1752, mar. Joshua Winsor, Duxbury ; 7. Ruth 2nd, h. June 14, 1755, 2nd wife of Joshua Winsor: 8. Lucy, b. Nov. 27, 1757, died unmarried, aged 30; 9. Hannah, b. July 22, 1760, mar. Judah Thomas ; 10. Winslow, b. JJuly 21, 1763, mar. Abigail Delano ; 11. Nehemiah 2nd, b. Feb. 3, 1766, mar. Hannah Otis of Scituate, at which place he settled in the ministry ; 12. Charles, b. Feb. 6, 1768, mar. Saba Ever- son of Kingston.
160
THOMAS GENEALOGY.
James Thomas, 4th son of the ancestor John, and Sarah Pitney, settled in Duxbury, near Marshfield ; mar. Mary -. They had : 1. Mary, b. Sept. 27, 1693; 2. James, b. Feb. 10, 1696 ; 3. Hannah, b. Aug. 30, 1698, mar. Wrestling Brewster of Kingston, 1722; 4. John, b. Nov. 4, 1700, mar. Hannah Spofford and settled in Lebanon, Conn ; 5. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 30, 1703, mar. and settled in Norwich, Conn. ; 6. Ezekiel, b. Sept. 29, 1706, mar. and moved to Lebanon, Conn.
Capt. James mar. Deborah, dan. of John and Jane Hatch Sherman, Feb. 12, 1715, and d. Jan 16, 1758, aged 54. Debo- rah, his widow, d. Feb. 5, 1774, aged 84. They had chil. : 1. Abiah, b. March 25, 1720, mar. Capt. William Thomas of Marshfield : 2. Deborah, b. May, 7, 1722, d. July 19, 1747, aged 25 yrs .. 2 mos. ; 3. James, b. Feb. 1, 1726, mar. Priscilla Winslow. They are ancestors of Hon. B. W. Harris of Bridge- water ; 4. Jesse, b. Sept. 10, 1728, a merchant and surveyor, d. of consumption, while waiting at Meduncook, Me. for a passage home. He was a man of much property.
Ebenezer Thomas, of Norwich, Conn., 5th child of Jas. and Mary, mar. for his first wife Hannah Haskins, March 7, 1735. She died July, 1747. They had chil. : 1. Hannah, b. Sept. 3, 1733 ; 2. Ebenezer, b. Oct. 6, 1734, probably d. early ; 3. Mary, b. March 9, 1735 ; 4. Lucretia, b. Sept. 5, 1738; 6. Abigail, b. Sept. 8, 1740; 7. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 28, 1742-3; 8. Elizabeth, b. July 2, 1747, d. 1799. Ebenezer Thomas mar. 2ndly Deborah Hyde. They had chil. : 1. Deborah, b. Oct. 10, 1749, mar. Captain Frederic Tracy ; 2. Clarissa, h. Dec. 13, 1753, d. Aug. 21, 1758; 3. Simeon, b. Dec. 13, 1753, mar. Miss Deshon of New London, parents of Edward Thomas of Augusta, Ga., b. 1793. Thomas Langrel, the youngest son of Ebenezer and Deborah Hyde Thomas, b. Ang. 1, 1757, left no sons. Henry Thomas, father of Caroline Thomas of Norwich, Conn., was son of Ebenezer, b. 1742-3.
Ezekiel Thomas of Lebanon, Conn., 7th child of Jas. and Mary, mar. Sarah Trumbull, Feb. 25, 1735-36. They had chil. : 1. Ezekiel, b. Dec. 15, 1736, d. May 8, 1737. Sarah, the mother, d. Dec. 18, 1736. Ezekiel mar. 2ndly, Ann Haskins, 1740. They had chil. : 1. Sarah, b. Aug. 4, 1741. 2. Ezekiel, b. Feb. 1743 ; 3. Ann, b. Feb. 20, 1744 ; 4. Sybil, b. March 8, 1747 ; 5. Lord, b. Aug. 29, 1748; 6. Jethaniah, b. July 1, 1750 ; 7. Daniel, b. May 5, 1753; 8. Josiah, b.
161
THE ANCESTORS, JOHN AND SARAH PITNEY THOMAS.
Oct. 17, 1755; 9. John, b. May 29, 1757; 10. Mabel, b. March 4, 1759; 11. Josiah, b. Sept. 17, 1762; 12. Jesse, b. Aug. 21, 1764.
' To return to the ancestor John :- the following is taken from an address delivered by the late Marcia Thomas, on the occasion of the re-union of the Thomas family at the old home- stead in Marshfield, Sat., June 15, 1872, and the presentation of a statue by Stephen M. Allen, Esq. of Boston.
" All of the descendants of John Thomas and Sarah Pitney, who were among the first settlers of Marshfield, and were married Dec. 21, 1648, occupying the farm adjoining the Daniel Webster place, now the residence of the family of Miss Adelaide Phillips, were invited to take an interest and part at the family gathering and memorial services at the old home- stead spot to-day ; complimentary to the members of the Thomas family, as well as a tribute of respect to Miss Phillips, whose kindness and hospitality so many of the descendants of the Thomas family have had occasion to acknowledge during the last twelve years, on visiting the old homestead.
" The memorial presented is a metalic female figure, (a Grecian nymph, ) two-thirds size of life, which is to stand near the street upon the edge of the old cellar, looking down upon the ruin. She holds in her elevated left hand an inverted water-urn, or .vase, and in her right, which also clasps the drapery of her dress, a wreath. The design idealizes the return to earth of the ancestress, to visit the homestead, bringing a wreath of flowers and laurel for the fair songstress, now resident there. The attitude is the chosen moment when the nymph steps upon the mound of rock and earth, and seems lost in wonder at the changed appearance of the ancestral home, and inadvertently raises the hand which contains the urn, pouring out the water upon the ground, still clasping the wreath. The statue is one of rare grace, delicacy, and beauty, and was cast in Germany. Of that woman who stands at the head of our hne in this country we have much to say, and the heart warms in the consciousness that where we now stand, she has often stood before : that on this beautiful landscape, which entrances our own eyes and heart, she has often gazed with all the fervor of romance and all the enthusiasm of love which we can know or feel. Her emotional life must have been deeper than ours, for here, at her bridal home, were entertained, with perhaps the highest domes-
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TIIE ANCESTORS, JOHN AND SARAH PITNEY THOMAS.
tic joys around her fireside, shades of constant fear. Here, in her day, the altar and the hearthstone were never free from the threatenings of savage treachery. Sarah Pitney was a heroic woman, and her life bore out that character to the day of her death. Her infantile years were passed on the banks of the river Orwell, in Old England. Two hundred and thirty-seven years ago (April, 1872,) she left her transatlantic home and embarked with her mother and baby brother at the port of London, m the ship " Planter," Capt. Frazier, for the planta- tions of New England. Her father, James Pitney, had pre- ceded them, and secured for their reception, a humble home in this vicinity amid the honored Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony. He was one of the guard, who watched for the beacon fires to be lighted on yonder western hilltop, in case of an alarm from the Indian enemy. He carried his arms to their thatched-roof place of worship, and retired to rest, un-divested of his daily garments, with his rifle by his bedside, that he might be able to render assistance to the colonists according to need. Their fears of attack from the foe, though constant, were never realized. The people around were never carried into captivity nor their dwellings destroyed. The protecting care of their Heavenly Parent encireled their settlements. The Governor of the colony, Edward Winslow, dwelt near them at Cares- well, whom the red men of the forest esteemed as their friend. This neighborhood was called Green Harbor, and the beautiful river bearing the same name, that ebbed and flowed unimpeded through its verdant marsh lands, diffused health and heal- ing from the flowing of its saline waters. Truly their lines had fallen to them in pleasant places. When she attained the age of twelve years, five of which she had spent in the colony, the sweet name of Green Harbor was changed to Marsh- field-the place at that date being incorporated as a township. At twenty, she was united in marriage to John Thomas, who crossed the Atlantic the same season as herself, in the ship " Hopewell " from London, commanded by Capt. Babb. He was seven years her senior, and had been reared with care by Gov. Edward Winslow, at Careswell. Their marriage was the third entered on the records of the township. They settled on this homestead, which had been given by the Governor to the town for the better accommodation of a neighborhood, and for furnishing such additions to their society as would benefit them in religious affairs-no one to receive the gift without his approval. It was first bestowed on Robert Carver, brother to
.
163
THE ANCESTORS, JOHN AND SARAH PITNEY THOMAS.
the first Governor of the colony, who, after the lapse of five years, with the approbation of Mr. Win slow, transferred it to John Thomas, and the former removed to another grant, where his descendants yet reside. This neighborhood was one of the most favored in the colony. The domains of Mr. Winslow and Mr. Wmn. Thomas, another of its founders, were extensive. On this spot, midway between their fortified mansion-houses, she reared her family, numbering six sons and two daughters. Her eldest daughter, Elizabeth, deceased in early womanhood. Her other daughter, Sarah, married Benj. Phillips of this place ; one of her sons, Ephraim, removed to Providence Plantation ; her other five settled in this section of the old colony, mostly on lands granted from time to time to their father. They all left a fair record on the pages of history, and their descendants can now be counted by thousands, scattered from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast. Her days were passed amid stirring, and to us, historic scenes, too numerous to name. Courts for magistracy and councils of war were holden at Careswell. After the lamented decease at sea of Gov. Edward Winslow, in 1656, his son Josiah presided at the family mansion. He became the first native-born Governor of the colony, and chief commander of its military forces. His useful life was closed in 1680, at the age of fifty two. Philip's war, as it was termed, was far more alarming to the settlers of this reign than previous difficulties with the native tribes ; but Careswell was fortified, and here, with the younger children of her household, she doubtless found a retreat of measurable safety under the protecting arm of the colony and the invulnerable Standish."
Capt. Ichabod Thomas, after his marriage with Ruth Turner, the daughter of his instructor, Capt. Benj., left his native town, and settled on an estate in Pembroke, purchased of James Randall, as the following extracts from a deed prove :
" To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting, &c. : Know ye that James Randall of Pembroke in the County of Plimouth in New Eng. Blacksmith, for and in consideration of the sum of One hundred and Eight pounds in Lawful Money of New Eng. to me in hand paid by Ichabod Thomas of the town, etc. afores'd, Ship- wright, the rec'pt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself satisfied content, etc. Have given, granted, etc. unto him the s'd Ichabod Thomas, his heirs, and assigns forever a certain farm or tract of land with the buildings and fencing thereon, standing and belonging, etc. in ye township of Pembroke afores'd, containing by estimation 213 acres more or less, bounded as follows : - Beginning at a large Rock lying on the South side of the county road near
164
CAPT. ICHABOD THOMAS' YARD.
where the house stood, formerly belonging to old Levt. Barker, now Isaac Taylor's, from thence is bounded by s'd roade to the land of David Magoun, and thence westerly by s'd Magoun's land to the land of Col. James Otis, Esqr .- taken by virtue of an Execution s'd Otis had against s'd Randall, and thence southerly by s'd Otis' land to the land I sold to Capt. Benjamin Turner, and thence east- erly by said Turner's land to said County road, thence northerly by s'd county road unto the s'd great Rock, the bounds first mentioned, except and always reserving the way which formerly belonged to Abraham Booth, from the County road to his land. To have and to hold, etc. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this twenty-ninth day of January, Anno Domini, 1761.
JAMES RANDALL [Seal. ]
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of
Elisha Barker.
Benj". Turner.
This farm is now owned and occupied by Wm. H. H. Colla- more, Esq.
Capt. Ichabod Thomas, Senior, built at the Brick-Kilns from about 1764 to 1787-88. The first vessel that was built at this yard, whose name has been ascertained, was the brig " NOR- FOLK," built by Ichabod Thomas, at North River, in 1765. The next vessel of which any account has been found was built the same year, 1765, the ship " NEPTUNE." commanded by Capt. Nathan Coffin, to London, with a load of sperm oil. Cof- fin was captured upon a like voyage to London, and, when taken, the British Admiral said, "Capt. Coffin, you can join His Majesty's service, or go into irons." "Hang me, if you will, to your ship's yard-arm, but do not ask me to become a traitor to my country."* Capt. Coffin was grandfather of Chas. H. Marshall, who established the famous " Black Ball " line of Packets between New York and Liverpool (so named because each vessel had a large black ball in the centre of the fore-top-sail). His first voyage was in 1804, in the ship " LIMA," built on North River. The "Lima " was condemned at Rio Janeiro, 1842.
The next vessel on record as having been built by Ichabod Thomas, was the " BEAVER," one of the tea-ships of Boston Harbor, from which the tea was thrown by the famous tea- party, Dec. 16, 1773. The following is taken from "Traits of the Boston Tea-party," by a Bostonian (B. B. Thatcher) :
* See Bancroft, 9th vol., page 313.
LIDERTX TREE
THE BOSTONIANS PAYING THE EXCISE MAN, OR "TARRING AND FEATHERING."
165
THE TEA SHIP "BEAVER," BUILT AT THE BRICK-KILN.
"The excitement occasioned by the arrival of the tea-ship ' Dart- mou th' can be better imagined than described. The following no- tice was posted up all over Boston :- ' Friends !- Brethren !- Coun- trymen !- that worst of plagues, the detested Tea, shipped for this Port by the East-India Company, is now arrived in this Harbour ; the Hour of Destruction, or manly opposition to the Machinations of Tyrrany, stares you in the Face ; every Friend to his Country, to himself, and to Posterity, is now called upon to meet at Faneuil Hall, at nine o'clock, This Day, (at which time the Bells will ring,) to make a united and successful resistance to this last, worst and most destructive measure of administration. Boston, Nov. 29th, 1773.' Meetings were held in Faneuil Hall and the Old South Church, and it was resolved that ' the tea should not only be sent back, but no duty should be paid thereon.' Capt. Hall, and Mr. Francis Rotch, the owner of the 'Dartmouth,' were ' convented' and charged not to land the tea, at their peril. A watch of twenty- five persons, under command of Capt. Proctor, was appointed to prevent the landing of the tea in the night."
On Dec. 1, 1773, there arrived the ship " Eleanor," Capt. Jas. Bruce, with a portion of the tea, and about the same time there arrived the brig " Beaver.," Capt. Hezekiah Coffin, with the rest of the tea. He was ordered to proceed to Griffin's Wharf, and discharge all of his cargo excepting the tea. On Dec. 16, there was held, in Faneuil Hall, the greatest meeting ever held in Boston up to that time, two thousand persons coming from the country, besides thousands from the city. Mr. Rotch reported that the Collector would not give him a clearance. He was then ordered upon his peril to get his ships ready for sea, and proceed directly to the Governor, then at Milton, and procure a pass for his ships to go by the Castle. Mr. Rotch returned at 5.45 P.M., and reported that the Gover- nor would not grant the permit. The meeting lasted until well into the evening, which was bright moonlight. The following account is taken from the Massachusetts Gazette :
" Just before the dissolution of the meeting, a number of brave and resolute men, dressed in the Indian manner, approached near the door of the assembly, and gave the war-whoop, which rang through the house, and was answered by some in the galleries; but silence was commanded, and a peaccable deportment again enjoined till the dissolution. The Indians, as they were then called, repaired to the wharf where the ships lay that had the tea on board, and were followed by hundreds of people, to see the event of the transactions of those who made so grotesque an appearance. They, the Indians, immediately repaired on board Capt. Hall's ship, where they hoisted out the chests of tea, and, when on deck, stove the chests, and hove the tea overboard. Having cleared this ship, they proceeded to Capt. Bruce's, and then to Capt. Coffin's brig. They applied themselves so dex- terously to the destruction of this commodity, that in the space of three
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