USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > History of the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts > Part 32
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In 1774 he was sent to the Continental Congress in Phila- delphia, and it is said, travelled on horseback there and back. There he urged that greater religious liberty and privileges of worship be granted to christian people. Upon his return, there were rumors that his mission was to interfere in some way with the union of the colonies, which gave rise to a
1 For further account, see chapter on Ecclesiastical History.
403
TITICUT
1789]
memorial to the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, which was so patriotic in its sentiment and so able in its argument that he was at once relieved of all suspicion. He was one of the members of the convention to adopt the Constitution of the United States, and was probably the leading spirit in most vigorously and earnestly insisting that there should be no connection between church and state. It was during this critical period following the Revolution, when the country was debating that most important question, the ratification of the Constitution, that this convention was called to meet in Boston on January 9, 1788. There were three hundred and fifty-five delegates present, a much larger number than took part in any other state convention, and among these were twenty- four clergymen. In the discussion over various clauses in the Constitution, a complaint was made that it did not recognize the existence of God, in that it had no religious tests for candi- dates for federal offices. This objection was not raised by the ministers present, but by members from the country.
" The Rev. Isaac Backus of Middleboro said, ' In reason and in the Holy Scripture, religion is ever a matter between God and the individual ; the imposing of religious tests hath been the engine of tyranny in the world.' With this liberal stand firmly taken by the ministers, the religious objection was speedily overruled." 1
In 1789, at the earnest request of his denomination, he took a journey into Virginia and North Carolina, and was absent from his people some six months, preaching one hundred and seventeen sermons during that time.
In those days, every one in the commonwealth was taxed to maintain the preaching of the Congregational Church. As he was a Baptist, he refused to pay the assessment, which he considered unjust, and was taken by the authorities as far as Bridgewater. Here a woman saw him and paid the tax herself ; the officers then took him from their horse and left him in the road to walk back to his home.
In 1797, in appreciation of his intellectual vigor and patri- 1 Fiske, Critical Period of American History, P. 322.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1806
otic service, Brown University conferred upon him the honor- ary degree of Master of Arts. He died November 20, 1806, in the eighty-third year of his age.
The Hon. Zachariah Eddy, in a letter 1 concerning him, says:
" All New England is indebted to Mr. Backus more, I think, than to any other man, for his researches in relation to our early ecclesiastical history. Mr. Bancroft bears the most hon- ourable testimony to his fidelity, and considers his History, , as to its facts, more to be depended on than any other of the early Histories of New England. And there is good reason why it should be so; for he sought the truth, like the old phi- losophers, who said 'it was in a well, and long and persevering labour only could bring it up.' He went to the fountain head. All our early Records at Plymouth, Taunton, Boston, Essex, Providence, Newport, Hartford, New Haven, - the Records of Courts, Towns, Churches, Ecclesiastical Councils, were thor- oughly searched, and he has fully and accurately presented the results of these researches, and brought to light and remembrance many important facts and events, which, proba- bly, would never have gone into our history but for him. His diligence, patience, and perseverance, in this department of labour, are above all praise.
" And what renders this the more remarkable is that it was done in the midst of domestic cares, pastoral duties, and, I might almost say, ' the care of all the churches.' He was often called upon to preach at ordinations, and on other special occa- sions, and he wrote numerous tracts on the Order of the Churches, and in defence of True Liberty of Conscience. He was also an efficient representative of those who were seek- ing to enjoy this liberty, before Legislative Bodies and Civil Tribunals, Councils, and Associations. Let any man open his History, and observe the numerous extracts from documents contained in the depositories of towns and churches, in public offices, and printed books of authority, and bear in mind the extent and variety of his other engagements, and he will not doubt that he was one of the most industrious and useful men of his time. In his own day, his labours were certainly appre- ciated. It is truly wonderful that, amidst the poverty and pri- vations incident to the War of the Revolution, there could have been awakened interest enough to defray the expense of publishing large volumes of History, at the high price which
1 Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. vi, p. 57.
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1806]
was then demanded for such works. The effect was a rapid increase of light and knowledge, and a rapid increase of churches and communicants."
The Rev. S. H. Emery, the pastor of the Congregational Church, and the author of the history of that church, says of Mr. Backus : -
" He was a man of remarkable 1 vigor of mind, true to his convictions of truth and duty. There is hardly another of the whole range of the denomination of Baptists who has in his day and generation wrought a greater work in their service as well as of the common Master." 2
His grave is in the old burying-ground near the Congrega- tional Church. In 1872 the Old Colony Baptist Association held its jubilee anniversary in this village, and a movement was set on foot to erect a monument worthy of this distin- guished man. It was not, however, completed until 1893, when it was dedicated by a large memorial gathering.
1 The following is a list of Mr. Backus's Publications : A Discourse on the Internal Call to preach the Gospel, 1754. A Sermon on Galatians iv, 31, 1756. A Sermon on Acts xiii, 27, 1763. A Letter to Mr. Lord, 1764. A Sermon on Prayer, 1766. A Discourse on Faith, 1767. An Answer to Mr. Fish, 1768. A Ser- mon on his Mother's Death, 1769. A Second Edition of his Sermon on Galatians iv, 31, with an Answer to Mr. Frothingham, 1770. A Plea for Liberty of Con- science, 1770. Sovereign Grace Vindicated, 1771. A Letter concerning Taxes to support Religious Worship, 1771. A Sermon at the Ordination of Mr. Hunt, 1772. A Reply to Mr. Holly, 1777. A Reply to Mr. Fish, 1773. An Appeal to the Public, in Defence of Religious Liberty, 1773. A Letter on the Decrees, 1773. A History of the Baptists, vol. i, 1777. Government and Liberty described, 1778. A Discourse on Baptism, 1779. True Policy requires Equal Religious Lib- erty, 1779. An Appeal to the People of Massachusetts against Arbitrary Power, 1780. Truth is Great and will Prevail, 1781. The Doctrine of Universal Salvation examined and refuted, 1782. A Door opened for Christian Liberty, 1783. A History of the Baptists, vol. ii, 1784. Godliness excludes Slavery, in Answer to John Cleaveland, 1785. The Testimony of the Two Witnesses, 1786. An Address to New England, 1787. An Answer to Remmele on the Atonement, 1787. An Essay on Discipline, 1787. An Answer to Wesley on Election and Perseverance, 1789. On the Support of Gospel Ministers, 1790. An Essay on the Kingdom of God, 1792. A History of the Baptists, vol. iii, 1796. A Second Edition of his Ser- mon on the Death of his Mother ; to which was added a short account of his Wife, who died in 1800. Published in 1803.
2 S. H. Emery, History of North Middleboro Church, p. 23.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1805
The house in which Dr. Backus lived still stands. It is a low, old-fashioned building, full of relics of the past, and was occupied for many years by his grandson, Joseph A. Backus. Many valuable records and im- portant documents were given by J. A. Backus to his nephew, Isaac E. Perkins, the present HOUSE OF REV. ISAAC BACKUS owner of the house, who has loaned them to the Backus Historical Society of Newton, on certain conditions.
Rev. David Gurney, one of the early ministers, was much respected and loved throughout this community ; he was a man of unusual intelligence, fond of children and youth. This love for young men caused him to open a school in his own house, which was well patronized, students coming from many parts of the town to enjoy his influence. Many prominent men were fitted for college under his instruction, and others for the ministry. He pub- lished an English Grammar, which was HOUSE OF REV. MR. GURNEY (Now occupied by Augustus Pratt) used extensively at the time. His salary was not far from two hundred dollars per annum, the parish by sale of ministerial land and other sources having a fund which yielded an income for this purpose.
Mr. Gurney was on intimate terms with Mr. Backus, the pastor of the neighboring Baptist Church. He died on the 30th of July, 1815.1
1 See chapter on Ecclesiastical History.
407
TITICUT
1780]
In the early history of the country, there was a foundry perhaps fifty rods west of Titicut bridge on the Bridgewater side, where during the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars cannon-balls and cannon 1 were made. There is a tradi- tion that the first cannon cast solid in the United States were here made, and taken elsewhere to be bored. The owners of this foundry endeavored to cast four cannon which were six or seven feet long, to be used in the Revolutionary War; an undertaking attended with great expense. The cannon were made, but upon being tested, exploded, and the owners lost all of their property in this venture. The Rev. Philip Colby tried to obtain a pension for the widow of one of these men, but it was not granted because he was not in active service, although the department acknowledged the work. During the early part of the last century, fire-frames were manufactured here by Albert Pratt.
At Pratt's bridge, David Charles, Isaac Wanno, and other Indians, in 1707, owned the land with the old mill privilege. It was used for some years until, in 1725, iron works were there established, and a company was then formed for the manufacture of hollow-ware. In the early part of the last century there were here a grist-mill, a sawmill, a fulling mill and a gun shop. In 1730 Ebenezer Robinson had a sawmill and a furnace on the south side of the river. The dam for these mills was placed below Pratt's bridge, not far from the house of Mr. Hunt ; the water was taken from canals on each side
1 The following letter refers to this industry : -
WAR OFFICE
roth. Feb., 1779.
SIR, - You are required to proceed to Titicut to prepare the metal from the common ore for casting twenty twelve pounders for the ship Protector, which are to be bored completed and finished by the first of May next. You are also to direct the boring of the twenty-four pound cannon that they may be finished without loss of time. Col. Orr will give you every assistance that you may want and should anything further be necessary, the board will furnish it.
Wishing you a pleasant jour. and are with much regard your friend and very humble servant,
COL. MARIRQUELLE.
JOHN BROWN PPS.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1755
of the river, both of which can be seen at low water. Some years later, when the large iron works were built at Squaw- betty, it was found necessary to construct another dam across the river at East Taunton. The company had the right of flowage, but their dam so interfered with the privilege above it that they were obliged to buy out the owners, and there has been no manufacturing at this place since.
The Titicut bridge, at first a rude structure, stood a little further up the stream than the present one. There was much discussion in reference to its reconstruction, and as a result the General Court of the province, on the Ioth of June, 1755, authorized the money for building this bridge to be raised by lottery, as appears by the following statute enacted by the General Court at that time : -
Chap. 3. " June 3d 1755. A Petition of Ephraim Keith, Agent for the Pre- cinct of Tetticut in the Town of Middleboro, setting forth the Necessity of erecting a Bridge over the River there, and the Difficulty of getting the Charge thereof defrayed, & praying that the same may be done by a Lottery, to be allowed by the Authority of this Court. In the House of Representatives; Whereas it appears to this House to this House that a Bridge over the River in Tetticut is necessary not only for the great Advantage of the Towns of Bridg- water & Middleboro, but also for several other Towns in the Counties of Bris- tol & Plymouth, as also for the great Advantage of the Southern Inhabitants travelling Westward ; Therefore, Ordered that the Prayer of the Petition be so far granted as that the Petitioner have Liberty to bring in a Bill for the Pur- poses in the Petition mentioned ; - In Council, Read & Concur'd." 1
" April 14, 1756. A Petition of Ephraim Keith for himself, and the other Man- agers of the Lottery for raising a Sum for Building a Bridge at Tetticut, shewing that they have proceeded therein in preparing for drawing the said Lottery so far as to dispose of near half the Tickets, but have been hindered by Sickness ; and whereas the time for Drawing is at hand, Praying that this Court would consider & determine upon some proper way for their Relief -
" In Council ; Read & Ordered that George Leonard Esq. with such as the Honble House shall join be a Committee to consider of this Petition & report what they judge proper for this Court to do thereon.
" In the House of Representatives ; Read & Concur'd; And Mr. Moorey & Capt. Howard are joined in the Affair." 2
"April 15, 1756. Report upon the Petition of Ephraim Keith, Entered yester- day - vizt -
"The Committee appointed to take under Consideration the Petition Of
1 Council Records, vol. xx, p. 460. 2 Ibid. vol. xxi, p. 162.
1756]
TITICUT 409
Ephraim Keith in behalf of the Managers of a Lottery for the Building of a Bridge over Tetticut River, so called, having met the said Managers & Con- sidered of the Difficulties they labour under respecting the Disposal of the Tickets for said Lottery, report that the Scheme of said Lottery be altered in the following Manner in Order to finish & Compleat the same - vizt.
" That there be,
" One Prize of £125 - £125. - Three ditto of £40 each £120.
" Three ditto of £25 each 75. - Seven ditto of £20 each £140.
" Eleven ditto of £10 each 110. - Twenty ditto of £5 - each £100.
" Fifty ditto of £3 each 150. - Six Hundred & Thirty of £1 each £630. - In all £1450. - And that the Number of Blanks be proportioned to the said Prizes as in the Scheme, published by said Managers, and the Deduction of Ten per Cent only be made from the above Prizes for the Charge of Building said Bridge : which is humbly Submitted - By Order of the Committee --
GEORGE LEONARD -
" In Council ; Read & Accepted, and Ordered that the said Scheme be and hereby is altered accordingly - In the House of Representatives ; Read & Con- cur'd- Consented to by the Governour." 1
The act authorizing the building of this bridge was passed on the Ioth of June, 1755 :2-
" Whereas the precinct of Teticut have represented to this court the necessity of building a bridge over Teticut River, and prayed this court would enable them to raise a sum, by way of lottery, for that purpose, -
" Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council and House of Representatives, "That Samuel White, Esq., of Taunton, Israel Washburn of Raynham, Ephraim Keith and James Keith, both of Bridgewater, and David Alden of Mid- dleborough, or any three of them, be and hereby are impowered to set up and carry on a lottery, amounting to such a sum, as by drawing ten percent out of each prize, may raise a sum of two hundred and ninety pounds lawful money, and no more; and that the said sum be by them, or any three of them, applied to the building a good, sufficient bridge over the said river, and paying the charges of said lottery; and that the said Samuel White, Israel Washburn, Ephraim Keith, James Keith and David Alden, or any three of them, be the managers of said lottery, and impowered to make all necessary rules for man- aging thereof, and shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of their said trust ; and as well the said managers as the said precinct shall be and are hereby de- clared answerable to the owners of the tickets, in case of any deficiency or mis- conduct ; and if the sum raised thereby shall be more than sufficient, after paying the charges of the lottery, to build the said bridge, the surplusage shall be lodged in the hands of the treasurer of the said precinct, to be put at interest, and the interest applied towards the repairs of said bridge.
" Passed and published June 10." 2
1 Province Laws, vol. iii, pp. 939, 940; Council Records, vol. xxi, p. 163.
2 Province Laws, vol. iii, p. 861.
410
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1861
About the middle of the last century this bridge was rebuilt by Mr. George W. Wood.
A store was kept by Jared Pratt and his uncle Isaac near the Congregational Church ; they were afterwards succeeded by Seth Fuller.
Another store on the turnpike near the Baptist Church was kept by Mrs. Goodwin. In 1812 Mr. Charles Goodwin was drafted into the service and went to Plymouth with the Middle- boro companies. His mother was so distressed that she trav- elled all the way to Plymouth to obtain his discharge. When this was granted, there was general rejoicing among his comrades.
The first store on the hill was kept by Amos and Robert Clark. Afterwards, Mr. Hooper was ad- mitted as a copartner, and in 1861 the store was moved near the present post-office.
The shoe business of this portion of the town since the middle of the last century has been an important ELIJAH E. PERKINS industry. Mr. Amos Clark was the first to put out shoes to be made, from 1838 to 1848, the year of his death. About this time Mr. Hosea Kingman commenced this business, which he carried on successfully, selling his product generally in New Bedford. In 1848 Nahum Keith and Elijah E. Perkins also commenced manufacturing shoes. The former was in the business until 1849, and again from 1856 to 1860. The latter admitted his son, D. Sumner Perkins, as partner in 1865. They continued until 1881, when Sumner died and
.
4II
TITICUT
1886]
his father retired, and was succeeded by the firm of Stetson, Hammond & Holmes.
Nahum Keith will always be known among shoe manufac- turers as the inventor of a jack for holding shoes.
Mr. Jared Keith commenced business on the turnpike just north of the Baptist Church about 1847, and continued until about 1854.
Stetson, Hammond & Holmes, who succeeded E. E. Per- kins & Son, were in business a few years, and were succeeded by Alden, Leonard & Hammond, who moved to the Four Corners.
N. Williams Keith started manufacturing shoes in 1869. Herbert A. Pratt was admitted as partner in 1879, under the firm name of Keith & Pratt. Mr. Keith retired in 1905, and was succeeded by Mr. Pratt's son, Alton G. Pratt, the firm name continuing as before.
C. H. Alden and Enoch Pratt started in business about 1886. After a few years Mr. Pratt withdrew from the firm, and soon after Mr. Alden moved the business to Abington.
One of the most ingenious men who lived in this part of the town was Mr. Heffords, who was famous for clocks of superior quality, which he in- vented and manufac- tured, as well as for many other delicate pieces of machinery. His place of business was on the corner opposite the Baptist Church.
About a quarter of a mile below Pratt's Bridge was formerly SITE OF SHIPYARD a shipyard, and one ship was built there by Deacon Holmes of Kingston in the early part of 1800, called the Two Brothers. A little later, Captain Benjamin Pratt built several ships of forty or fifty
412
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1804
tons burden, which were used in the coast trade which he and his sons carried on with the South.
There was formerly a furnace on land of Mr. Stafford on the southeast portion of Center and Pleasant streets, where kitchen ware was cast, which was carted to Taun- ton and there sold. This business was carried on by a Mr. Shaw, who at one time left with a load of goods to sell and was never heard from afterwards.
The first iron ploughs . made in Massachusetts were brought into this neighborhood in 1835 and put together by Mr. Nahum Keith, who endeavored to introduce them among the farmers. There was, how- ever, a great prejudice SOLOMON EATON against them, and in order to do away with this feeling, he would allow neighboring farmers to use them, who tried in every possible way to break them, to convince people of the folly of " new-fangled ploughs." It is said that one man broke three.
About forty rods east of the Congregational Church stood a two-story shop, where Williams Eaton and Otis Pratt manu- factured hubs, the only industry of the kind in eastern Mas- sachusetts.
The turnpike, of which we have spoken in the account of Lakeville, was laid out in 1804, and was three years in con- struction. This corporation, with little stock held in town, was not a pecuniary success, and was assumed by the town after the Fall River railroad was built. There was a toll-gate in the Haskins neighborhood and another near S. Eaton's Inn.
413
TITICUT
1777]
The rates of toll were very high for those days, twelve cents for every ten miles. There used to be two stages a day, one from Boston and one from New Bedford, and about seven baggage wagons every week.
There were three taverns well known between 1810 and 1812, when the turnpike was in full operation. One of the houses, known as the old Solomon Eaton house, is now stand- ing. It was a hostelry of the olden time, and over its door swung the customary sign of the proprietor, which in this case bore the name S. Eaton's Inn. It is related that two Irishmen passing by desired accommodation, but when they read the sign over the door, one said, "It's Satan's Inn, begorra! We don't want to be afther stoppin' here."
Mrs. Goodwin kept another hotel on the turnpike not far from the Baptist Church.
The Jonathan Leon- ard house is probably the oldest in this part of the town, and is now owned by E. G. Shaw. In 1777, during the prevalence of the smallpox, it was used as a pest-house.
There are many pro- minent business men of past generations who have lived in Titicut ; among whom may be named COLONEL OLI- VER EATON, an archi- tect and master-builder. A great many of the OLIVER EATON churches in the old colony were planned and built by him. His first work is said to have been the Raynham meeting- house. His brother, Solomon K. Eaton, was also well known. He drew plans for the town house, but died before it was com- pleted. Captain William Pratt was an extensive land-owner,
414
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO
[1872
holding at one time a large portion of the real estate in this neighborhood.
Among the Revolutionary soldiers who lived here, we have the name of Captain Zadock Leonard, in whose honor his grandson has erected a stone, which now stands near the Green.
IN MEMORY OF THE REVOLUTIONARY CAPTAIN ZADOCK LEONARD DIED DEC. 27-1795 AGED 57 YEARS
Erected by his Grandson Geo. W. Hayward of Providence, R. I.
A Mr. Redding, who married a daughter of Daniel Leonard, lived just over the line in the Dunbar place. He went to the war, but never returned. Captain William Pratt, son of Captain Benjamin Pratt, noted for his bravery and sagacity, rendered most efficient service in the Revolutionary War.
HARRISON GRAY OTIS COLBY, the son of Rev. Philip Colby, the pastor of the First Congregational Church, was graduated with honor at Brown University, and commenced the practice of law some time after 1847; he was appointed one of the justices of the court of common pleas, which office he held until the time of his death.
Among the prominent clergymen may be mentioned Rev. W. H. H. Alden, who filled many pastorates with success.
REV. DAVID WESTON, D. D., after fitting for college at Peirce Academy, graduating at Brown University, and com- pleting his theological course in Newton Seminary, served as a pastor in several churches. He afterwards filled the chair of theology in the Seminary, where he acquired unusual repu- tation not only as a profound thinker, but as one of the most eminent theologians of his denomination. He was the author of a number of volumes, among them being the life of the Rev. Isaac Backus. He died in 1872.
DR. MORRILL ROBINSON was born in South Raynham (now known as Judson), August 15, 1803. In 1827 he was gradu- ated from the Medical Department of Brown University, and
1873]
TITICUT
415
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
in the same year he settled in North Middleboro, where he spent more than forty-five years in the practice of his profes- sion. He was a member of the state legislature in 1842-43, where he served on important committees. He was post- master at North Middleboro from 1836 to 1865, retaining his office through many changes of administration. On February 12, 1828, Dr. Robinson was married to Mary Shaw, daughter of Calvin Shaw of Abington. He died March 16, 1873, aged sixty-nine years and seven months.
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