USA > Massachusetts > Barnstable County > South Yarmouth > Old Quaker Village, South Yarmouth, Massachusetts > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
THE BREAKWATER.
Quoting again from Mr. Wing:
"The breakwater was built about the year 1837 from material which came mostly from Dinah's pond. A continual hawser of about four and a half inch size was stretched from the mouth of the river to the breakwater site and by its help the scow's were pulled to and fro. This undertaking proved a failure on account of the formation of sand bars on the in-shore side.
"Work was suspended and the structure has never been com- pleted according to the original plans. A wooden building which
45
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
was erected upon the central portion of the breakwater was set on fire and destroyed by sailors some years ago.
"According to tradition both the old pier and the breakwater have received great quantities of smuggled goods in the years of long ago.
"During the war of 1812-15 some of the smaller vessels of the English fleet visited this part of the coast and demanded a thousand dollars as tribute money. A committee endeavored to raise the money by subscription and at last succeeded in securing the whole of the amount required. This they sent to the English in two installments by a citizen known as "Uncle Abner." The object of the business portion of the community was to impress upon the minds of the enemy that none but poor ignorant fishermen dwelt thereabouts, in order that they might escape the requisition of a larger sum. The messenger was well chosen, and an address was sent to the "Commander of the British Squadron on the coast of Boston Bay" etc. On returning to shore the messenger stated that he had been kindly received; was taken to the cabin and that he not only delivered the written address but spoke to some length to the assembled officers, who listened respectfully, evidently much moved by his words of pleading for the poor fishermen. Before leaving, the British agreed not to molest any fishing vessel that could show a license from Uncle Abner. The English kept their word and vessels having the requisite permit from Uncle Abner were not disturbed."
OLD PIER.
The following extract from the "Collection of the Massachusetts Historical society," Vol. VIII, which is headed "A Description of Dennis in the County of Barnstable. September, 1802," has been handed to me by Mr. Freeman C. Goodnow, a former resident of the village and at the present time the owner of a summer cottage here, will be found of interest as it gives a good description of the old pier as it was in 1802, and judging from it we should infer that the pier was built in the vicinity of 1800.
"Half way between the river's mouth and the end of the bar, stands a pier 37 feet long and 3t feet broad, on which is a store. There is good anchorage 2 cables length east of it and 12 feet of water at low tide. Common tides rise here 4 feet. Such is Bass river. The harbor which it affords might be improved by art. Mr. Sylvanus Crowell, who lives in Yarmouth and who built the
46
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
pier, has endeavored to confine the water of the river within the main channel and to prevent it flowing through the marsh on the eastern side, but his laudable attempts have hitherto failed of suc- cess. Persevering labors may perhaps, in time, effect the wished for object."
When the old pier disappeared I do not know, but the irregular piles of rock were a guide to those entering the river, for if the rocks could not be seen then there was sufficient water to enter. During the War of 1812 it must have been a busy place, vessels discharging cargoes, fishermen taking in salt, and purchasing sup- plies.
From this same article quoted above:
"On the Yarmouth side (of Bass river) there are six wharfs, three near the mouth of the river and three north of it. There are here twenty-one vessels, one brig sails immediately for the West Indies, ten coasters from 30 to 40 tons burden sail to Boston, Connecticut or the Southern states and thence to the West Indies. The other ten vessels are fishermen, one of a hundred tons, the rest are smaller. The fishing vessels go to the Straits of Belle Isle, the shoals of Nova Scotia or Nantucket sound. On a medium, a fishing vessel uses 700 bushels of salt in a year. One or two ves- sels are annually built in Bass river, chiefly on the western side." The article closes with these words:
"These facts in addition to those which have been made already, and which will hereafter be mentioned in this volume, show the present flourishing state of the South shore of the county of Barn- stable, a part of Massachusetts not often visited and little known."
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Sept. 3 and 4, 1902.
The exercises began on the evening of Sept. 3 with a social gathering of welcome to the visitors and the friends of the society. The pastor at this time was Rev. A. J. Jolly, who made the opening address of welcome. Addresses were made by several of the former pastors, and letters read from many who were unable to be present. Members of the choir and others furnished enjoyable music.
The celebration was continued on Wednesday afternoon, and in the evening there was a religious service at which the Rev. L. B. Bates, D. D., preached the sermon, music being furnished by mem- bers of the choir in former days.
47
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of the Erection of the Present School Buildings. June 9, 1905.
The celebration took place in Lyceum hall, Yarmouthport, in the afternoon, and all the children of the schools were present and took part in the exercises. The speakers were Mr. George HI. Cary of Boston and Mr. Stephen Sears of South Yarmouth. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Arthur Varley, Mr. E. W. Eldridge presided, Mr. W. A. Schwab gave the address of welcome, and an original poem, of which the following is a part, was read by Mr. E. Lawrence Jenkins:
The Old School Buildings.
Fifty years the staunch old buildings Weathered have the rain and snow; Stood amid the storm and sunshine, Watched the seasons come and go.
Fifty years within those class rooms, Children have been taught to climb Up the grand old path of knowledge, Leading to the heights sublime.
Fifty years of grand, brave service, Teaching thousands ow to live; Storing in their minds the knowledge That to others they might give.
Fifty years have seen the passing From their portals to the world, Thousands of young men and maidens, With their banners bright unfurled.
And they stand today, those buildings, Just as strong and true as then; They were builded upon honor, They were built by honest men.
And a thought it is most pleasant, They were builded thus to last,
- --
$
48
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
E'en as character was builded By those pupils in the past. * . Fifty years have others labored At the tasks now set for you; Many more will follow after, Many more these tasks will do.
May you then strive in the doing Just the very best you can; Study hard, each day improving, Each for each, as man for man. * . * Honor to those staunch old buildings, Honor for the work they've done For our fathers and our mothers, And their children, every one.
The anniversary hymn was written by Mr. E. F. Pierce, principal of the high school.
FIFTY YEARS AGO. Tune: "Fair Harvard."
Far, far through the mists of the hurrying years, Away to those days ever dear, Fond memory guides us and sings to our cars Of that work, sure, far-seeing and clear. And shall we forget in this circle so bright, Those builders of fifty years gone? With steadfastness, foresight, with eyes toward the light, They builded for children unborn.
We breathe the same air of the murmuring seas; We tread paths that their footsteps have worn: These loved scenes, this dear schoolhouse, these whispering trees, Speak to us, as to them, of life's dawn. So, while onward we press, life's full duties to meet, Wheresoever our lot may be cast,
We remember in honor, in gratitude sweet, The brave work of the men of the past.
49
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
ł
The following interesting article has been received from Mr. Daniel Wing which gives valuable information.
THE FRIENDS' BURIAL GROUNDS IN YARMOUTH.
About the year 1714 there stood on the highway a short distance north of Kelley's bay in what is now a part of Dennis, but was then within the boundaries of Yarmouth, a small building owned and occupied by the Society of Friends or Quakers as a meeting house.
For about a century, possibly more, the meetings there were attended by members coming from various directions; some of them from sections quite distant from the place of worship; and there is yet an old roadway in that vicinity known to the older generation as "the Quaker path."
With the opening up of the Indian reservation in South Yar- mouth for settlement by whites, the centres of population were affected somewhat, and the present Friends' meeting house was built in 1809 for the better accommodation of the generation of that time.
In accordance with the custom prevailing in those days, the burial place was located in each case upon the grounds adjacent to the place for worship.
In 1875 the grounds of the old site were surrounded by a neat wooden fence; but in 1901 the writer received a letter saying, "Alas! the fence has fallen; who will restore it?" In 1903 a new wooden fence was built, enclosing, however, only that portion of the grounds which had been used for burial purposes.
And now the question forcibly presents itself: Who will, in the coming years, see that this ancient cemetery is properly cared for and protected?
For many years the grounds of the South Yarmouth meeting house were enclosed by a wooden fence; but this was eventually replaced by a more durable construction of stone and iron.
The earlier Friends nowhere showed their traits of modesty and simplicity more prominently than in their meeting houses and burial grounds. The former were marked examples of architectural sim- plicity and the latter showed a complete abstinence from ostenta- tion and vain glory.
To these early Friends, Death leveled all human distinctions, and in the grave, sinner and saint rested alike so far as outward man- ifestations were concerned. A simple mound of earth marked the
.
50
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE --
one
last resting place, and no tablet was allowed to distinguish burial from another.
Years passed, and a rule was adopted allowing the placing of headstones not exceeding eighteen inches in height, with simple inscription showing name and age. This occurred not far from the middle of the last century. Today although
"No storied urn nor animated bust In grandeur stands above their silent dust, The lowly headstones, standing row on row, Reveal to us all that we need to know."
From the earliest days, this place of burial, although owned and controlled by Friends, has been essentially a village cemetery. Of the first thirty-one adult burials there, less than one-half were members of the Friends' society, and when the number of burials reached two hundred and sixty-six, less than one-third were members by birthright or otherwise.
The privilege thus extended to persons not connected with them by ties of religious belief, shows great neighborliness of feeling and emphasizes the thought so prominent in the minds of the early Friends, that at the grave human judgment should end, and that the merits or demerits of the deceased should be left to God, who judgeth not as man judgeth.
Each succeeding year the membership grows perceptibly less, and to one who remembers events connected with those honored people of the past during a period of nearly seventy years, a review of the former days brings a feeling of deep sadness.
It seems but yesterday those scenes were laid, And yet it needs no prophet's wondrous aid To show us that those goodly scenes of yore Have long since passed and will return no more.
Maywood, Ill., 1915.
Daniel Wing.
51
-OLD QUAKER VILLAGE-
And now we come to the last words.
The editor confesses that there is much more that might be said; there are many names that might claim a place within these pages,-men who were an active part of the building up of the village, and who occupied positions that entitle them to the remembrance of the public, but the plan of these reminiscences is to picture the earlier aspect of Quaker village, rather than to form a series of biographies, although the editor confesses that at times he has been led away from the original idea. He also is well aware that more information could have been procured if he had known where to apply for it, but a public appeal through the Yarmouth Register failed of responses except in one instance. He has done what he could, only regretting that much that is of value and interest must, in the course of years, be hopelessly lost. The errors that may occur in any of the statements are such that could only come from incorrect information; the editor has pre- sented it as given to him by various people, as they have heard it or it has been handed down to them.
1373
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.