USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 10
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In conjunction with the above, let us read the following: At a town meeting held on Saturday, July 5, 1851, at 2 p. m. Article Ten was "To see what action the town will take respecting the petition of Lemuel Tripp and others, to the County Commissioners, to discon- tinue a certain road or street leading from a point in Center street, near the dwelling house of Joseph Taber, easterly until it intersects Washington street."
Main Street Extended .- It is interesting to know when the continuation of Main street, south of the railroad, to Church street, was considered. An article in the warrant for the town meeting held on Monday, November 8, 1841, read as follows: "To see if the town will accept as a public street the byway commencing at the ter- mination of Main street, in the south part of the town of the village of Fairhaven and passing the house of Noah Stoddard, Gamaliel Church, heirs of Joseph Church, and Isaac Wood's to the south line of the house of Jonathan Buttrick, it being a continuation of said Main street, agreeable to the petition of George Hitch and others."
Morse Street .- The map of 1855 shows distinctly that the southern terminus of Walnut street was a dead end ; that Fort street was reached via William street. The map of 1870 shows that Wal- nut street connected William at the southern extremities. This was accomplished in 1867. At a town meeting, held in 1868, Article 14
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read :- To see if the town will accept a road as laid out by the select- men, agreeable to the petition of Thomas N. Morse and others, and appropriate money for the same." Voted : "to accept the lay-out of a new road leading easterly from the south end of William street."
Neither map gives any clue to the name of this road connecting Walnut and William streets. These streets, joined after Mr. Morse acquired the property at the head of Fort street, brought into exist- ence a new street. We now discover the old name of this street, a name probably applied three quarters of a century ago, in the fol- lowing notice :- "Will be sold by public auction, on Saturday, April 8, 1876, at No. 3 William street, corner MORSE street, furniture, Unitarian pews, etc." The square is bounded by Walnut, Union, William and MORSE streets.
Oxford Street .- Pursuant to inquiries as to whether various streets formerly extended to the Acushnet River, we begin this time with the north part of the town, stating our findings which we do not necessarily regard as conclusive. Further investigation should be made that the whole truth may be ascertained.
We find that the six-acre purchase, afterwards called Oxford, comprised thirty building lots west of Cherry street, including one for a Common, south side of Oxford street, next to the river. We note that, by deed, there changed hands the lot of land known as the "Commonage," situated at the foot of Oxford street, being the width of said street, and extending from the high water mark westerly into the river, so far as private rights extend with remains of wharf which was formerly there. The question arises as to the location of high water mark. We extricate from the old records not only something about the Common, but also about the "Old Store Lot," "the Old Wharf Lot," etc. Here are given the successive owners (in reverse) as well as quotations of parts of deeds, interspersing ad- ditional information about properties and residents.
Once upon a time, the residents of Oxford village and elsewhere enjoyed to saunter down to the water's edge at the westerly terminus of Oxford street. In our boyhood days we had this privilege. We worked many days at "Edgewater," and saw others quietly enjoy- . ing this road open to the river and open to the public. We take down our dusty map of 1855, and thereon discover that the street leads unmistakably to the Acushnet. Then we glance at the map of 1870, finding the street still distinctly leading to the salt water. To- day it appears to be closed; even the residents of Oxford seem to have no longer access to the spot from which once a wharf extended.
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Here we are at the Bristol County Registry, so let us run through the deeds of several parcels of property on that street, noting what we encounter, beginning with the house now numbered 34 Oxford street, far from the water. The records of this property, with its many successive tenants and owners, show sales of undivided land, sales of undivided house, sheriff sales, mortgages, double ownership, single ownership, marriages, deaths and funerals. Then only part has been brought to light, for we go back to the owner- ship of Bradford Howland in 1829, not delving in much of its ex- istence before 1825.
We find residing here Mr. Louis W. Tilden. The Tilden house was the Alvah K. Bowen homestead for many years, in fact until the Centennial year. Under that date (April, 1876) we find: "In Fairhaven, 27th inst., suddenly, Alvah K. Bowen, aged 65. Funeral service at his late residence, Oxford street." Mrs. Bowen, who survived Mr. Bowen by several years, was a Randall. Now we read : "In Fairhaven, September 2, 1876, Thomas Randall, aged 55. Funeral at 38 Oxford street." After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Bowen the property came into possession of their daughters, four in number, namely: Elvira, who married Hiram Babbitt; Abbie who married Henry Gifford; Laura who married Stephen Westgate, and Louisa, who married Clarence H. Terry. In 1886, Mrs. Babbitt bought of Clara L. Chace and Lizzie C. Ritchie, minors, through guardians, their combined one-fourth part of the property, which with her inherited share gave her a claim to one-half of the estate. The minors were heirs of Louisa Terry.
At this point let us clarify some relationships. "In Fairhaven, 13th, inst. (December, 1866) Hiram Babbitt to Miss Elvira E. Bowen, both of Fairhaven." Albert K. Babbitt, whom we knew as a fellow-pupil at the Center Methodist Sunday School, was a son of Hiram and Elvira Babbitt, and married Clara A. Benson, in Jan- uary, 1897, purchasing of Abbie A. Gifford her one-fourth part of the property.
Returning to the various transfers, we find that Mr. Tilden purchased this property of Gertrude E. Bishop, of Fairhaven, in October, 1922; Gertrude E. Bishop purchased of Ida M. Goddard of Fairhaven in April, 1916; Ida M. Goddard purchased of Jennie M. Wilde in February 1913; Jennie M. Wilde purchased of Elvira E. Babbitt et al. on July 21, 1903. The "et al." were Albert K. Babbitt and Laura E. Westgate.
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The question then arises concerning the ownership of the property by Mr. Alvah Bowen, which is answered as follows: In 1838, James Randall was residing at this house, presumably owning part of it. In December, 1840, Mr. Bowen purchased of Albert F. Norton his right in the estate. Owning one-half, he wished the other. It worked out in this way: Mr. Bowen, who after the demise of Mr. Randall was appointed administrator of the latter's estate, sold it to Alfred Nye on June 9, 1856-one undivided half of the house and lot; Mr. Nye then sold this part to Mr. Bowen on the same date. This gave Mr. Bowen full possession. The deed word- ing, in part, follows: "I, Albert F. Norton, of Fairhaven, cabinet maker, paid by Alvah K. Bowen, a certain lot of land and dwelling house thereon then standing situated in said Fairhaven, on the north side of a street running from the principal street (Main) in Oxford village, so-called, TO THE RIVER, being the same premises on which James Randall and the said Bowen now live."
Thus in 1840, 1855 and in 1870 the street, it seems, extended TO THE RIVER. The question now seems to be as to the mean- ing of "to the river." We are waiting for an interpretation. In the meantime, let us read an advertisement of the above-mentioned Albert F. Norton, which runs as follows: "Albert F. Norton, Cab- inet Maker, has established himself in the Village of Fairhaven, Mass., where he intends carrying on Cabinet Making in all its branches. He intends keeping constantly on hand furniture and chairs of all descriptions, which he will sell as low as can be bought in this vicinity. 'All orders in his line will be gratefully received and punctually executed."
The rooms and the furniture of Mr. Louis Tilden's home were described and illustrated in the New Bedford Sunday Standard of May 13, 1923.
Post Offices and Postmasters .- Immediately before the Leg- islature enacted the law to incorporate Acushnet as a separate town, (the bill had passed the Senate) it was perceived by some that the wording designated that section of Fairhaven as "North Fairhaven." This was speedily remedied and "Acushnet" became the legal name of the slice of territory carved from the Fairhaven township.
The post office, however, serving the new town, was still "North Fairhaven" and remained so for several years. Finally in April 1864, the Postmaster General gave orders to have the name of "North Fairhaven" post office changed to "Acushnet" with Cyrus
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E. Clark as postmaster. Mr. Clark became postmaster in 1828 and served for many years.
The first post office in Fairhaven Village was established in 1820. In order, they were located as follows: 1. In the ell of the house of Joshua Drew, southeast corner of Main and Center streets. 2. In the easternmost store of Phoenix Block. 3. In the building at the southwest conner of Center and William streets. 4. On the first floor, under the tower, at Town Hall. 5. In the Masonic building. 6. At the Government building at the northeast corner of William and Union streets.
The postmasters in order have been :-
Joshua Drew, 1820-1842; Charles Drew, 1842-1853; Joseph Cutler, 1853-1861 ; J. T. Buttrick, 1861-1870; Elbridge G. Morton, 1870-1873; Charles H. Morton, 1873-1887 ; Eben Akin, Jr., 1887- 1891; Job C. Tripp, 1891-1895; John I. Bryant, 1895-1899; William C. Stoddard, 1899-1904; E. G. Spooner, 1904-1916; William M. Allen, 1916-1924; David L. Kelley, 1924-1936; James W. Evans, 1936 -.
"The Medley."-Five years after this vicinity (New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet) was set off from Dartmouth, the first news- paper appeared. This was "The Medley or New Bedford Marine Journal." printed and published by John Spooner in New Bedford. It was a weekly publication and the subscription price was nine shillings per annum. Volume One, Number One, printed on Tues- day, November 27, 1792, is on file at the Millicent Library.
"The Bristol Gazette."-The first newspaper published in Fairhaven was the Bristol Gazette, copies of which are on file at the Millicent Library. Its Fairhaven life was a span of only about one year, although, under different names it covered the time from 1808 when it was published in New Bedford, until the date of its demise, about the middle of the year 1813.
"The Star."-The first issue of THE STAR was published on Tuesday Feb. 18, 1879, with its office at 13 Oxford street. Thereafter for years, the day of publication was Saturday. The first fourteen issues, size 81/2 x 12 inches, four pages, were circu- lated free. The 15th issue of Volume One appeared in an enlarged form on June 7th, 10 2/3 x 15 inches, and the price became one cent per copy or fifty cents per year. In this enlarged form the title was changed from THE STAR to FAIRHAVEN STAR. On August 9th, 1879 the name reverted to THE STAR and so
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continued throughout the year. The paper was again enlarged on Dec. 20, 1879 to 13 x 15 inches, the price remaining the same.
In dealing with this subject let us leap ahead of the year under consideration in order to make a continuous story. On Feb. 7, 1880 the paper was for the third time enlarged, this time to 13 x 191/2 inches and the title changed to THE FAIRHAVEN STAR, and here we have the price increased to two cents. On Feb. 26, 1881 another enlargement occurred. The office, in Aug. 1880, was transferred from 13 Oxford street to 43 Center street, over the grocery store of Leavitt & Taber. In June 1883 the building used as a millinery shop on Middle street was moved to the west side of Main street, opposite Fountain Hall, and became the headquarters for the journal. In fact this building served as the home of the Star from 1883 to 1902. On September 8, 1883 the paper was again enlarged. Another story to the building was added by Aaron Savery, and in May, 1884, Mr. Louis N. Baudoin rented a room in the building and opened therein a hair dressing establishment. Here Mr. Baudoin remained until May 1886 when he moved into his new quarters, next north of Fountain Hall. This building was erected by Mr. Levi M. Snow on his own land. All this time the STAR had been printed in Fairhaven by hand power, but in January, 1887, the issues came from a steam driven press by means of an "Acme" engine and boiler in which petroleum was used as fuel. Well do we all remember Ben Jenney as the motive power of the STAR up to this time. This building was later moved in July 1900, to So. Main street, north of R. R. tracks, where it now remains.
Master Rufus A. Rogers .- The first grave at Riverside on the left as one enters the grounds from Main street is that of Rufus A. Rogers who was born in 1843 and died at the age of 66. At the age of thirteen, he was delivering Standards in Fairhaven. Con- cerning him The Daily Evening Standard wrote, under the date of Monday, August 4, 1856, the following: "FAIRHAVEN. We feel impelled by a sense of justice to express our thanks to Master Rufus A. Rogers, the carrier of the Standard in Fairhaven, for the faithfulness with which he serves our patrons in that place. We are satisfied that the large circulation of the Standard in that lo- cality, is owing in a great measure to his efficiency and honesty." I frequently stop at that grave, thinking of the boy of thirteen who with all other carriers, perhaps, assisted in making the Standard what it is today, besides making for himself a host of friends. Ninety years ago and more an advertisement ran as follows :- "AN
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AGENT WANTED IN FAIRHAVEN. We should like to engage a faithful person in the village of Fairhaven to act as an Agent for the Standard in delivering the papers to subscribers, receiving sub- scriptions, etc. A young man who will be prompt in the discharge of his duty, will meet with encouragement. Saturday, February 22, 1851". Perhaps Rufus saw that advertisement, at least he ful- filled the requirements of the Standard management and received the above expressed public appreciation for his faithfulness.
Barter .- Let us go back a century and a quarter. At the end of each calendar year creditors attempted to close their accounts. At that time purchase by barter, which was the usual method of ex- change among primitive people was decidedly not uncommon in our midst. In the town across the river, the Mercury was flourishing. Here follow two notices, among many, which that journal printed :- "WOOD WANTED. Our subscribers who are in arrears for the Mercury, and intend paying in Wood, are requested to bring it immediately. December 30, 1814." Under the date of November 19, 1819, we find :- "WOOD WANTED. Those of our customers who are in arrears for the Mercury are reminded that WOOD will be received in payment. A few loads are wanted immediately. From those who have no wood to dispose of, most articles of Pro- duce will be received ; and even MONEY will not be refused."
To our knowledge the Mercury advertised for Wood, by way of exchange, from 1810 to 1819, and under the date of Friday, October 12, 1810, it printed the following :- "MORE RAGS WANTED. Cash paid for clean Cotton and Linen Rags, at this office ; also received in payment for newspapers and advertisements."
An item of interest we quote from the Bristol Gazette :- "WOOD will be received of subscribers in arrears, if delivered at this office immediately. October 16, 1812." "Most articles of country produce will be received of those who cannot conveniently pay cash. December 18, 1812."
The newspapers of the day carried notices akin to the following that their subscribers would not be embarassed by the lack of cold cash :- "To accommodate those in this vicinity who find it incon- venient to pay money, and have Wood, Butter, Cheese, Grain, Vege- tables, etc., to dispose of, they are informed that such articles will be received in payment, if offered soon. Friday, November 8, 1811."
CHAPTER VIII
The Fairhaven Branch Railroad
Mattapoisett Celebrated. - The promoters of the Fairhaven Branch Railroad rapidly pushed forward the work of construction. On Saturday, April 9th, and on Sunday, April 10, 1853, about one hundred Irish laborers arrived in Fairhaven, armed and equipped with barrows, picks, shovels, and other implements of railroad con- struction. Shanties were erected along the line of the contemplated route, and work began on Monday, April 11, 1853. Cars ran through from Fairhaven to Mattapoisett on the morning of Thursday, April 20, 1854 for the first time. The great event was celebrated by a Ball at Mattapoisett. The last rail on the road was laid on Monday', August 14, 1854.
The construction of the Fairhaven Branch, Tremont Line, was not accomplished without accidents. On Monday, August 21, 1854, about 6 P. M., Mr. Briggs, one of the overseers, boarded a dirt- car, not knowing that the pin which prevented tipping and dump- ing had not been properly fastened. He was precipitated upon the track. One leg was cut off and the other frightfully mangled, from which he did not recover.
Regular trains began running on Monday morning, October 2, 1854. A train, with the president of the Company and other officials, passed over the Road on the afternoon of the preceding Saturday. This Road, with a trackage of a little more than fifteen miles, beginning at the wharf and terminating at the Tremont Works, East Wareham, had way stations at Mattapoisett and Sip- pican. Nearly two hundred passengers passed over it, forty-five of whom were brought from the Vineyard by Steamer Metacomet and bound for Boston. The conductors on the Branch were Stoddard, Judd and Manter. The travel during the first twelve days, averaged 260 passengers per day, making a total of 3,120 passengers for two weeks.
The tooting of the locomotives, the ringing of the bells, and the sight of the moving engines were novelties to many equines. On Saturday, April 21, 1855, Capt. Arthur Cox was severely injured by the upsetting of his carriage at the Fairhaven railroad station, when the horses became frightened.
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An old, three-story, wooden building, the flooring between the first and second stories of which was removed that the train might enter and exit, was used as a depot. Part of this wooden structure, used for the first depot, was used previously as a sail-maker's loft, that of Hitch, Taber & Company. The loft was afterwards located in the stone factory once a ship chandlery.
The locomotives, on the Fairhaven Branch, had both names and numbers, at least until all the town fathers were adequately honored. The locomotive "Gibbs," named in honor of William L. B. Gibbs, brand-new in 1854, was used until the last part of the year 1879. It went to Tremont, with the train, on the afternoon of Wed- nesday, April 4, 1855, in twenty-eight minutes, and the locomotive "Fairhaven" returned in twenty-five minutes. The "Fairhaven" was put on the Branch on Friday, October 13, 1854 when fresh from the factory. Other locomotives were the "Kingston," the "T. B. Wales," the "Charles L. Wood," the "Bay State" and the "Cohasset."
Eighteen years after the incorporation of the Branch, the Stand- ard described one of the iron horses as follows: "NEW LOCO- MOTIVE. Locomotive No. 385, from the Rhode Island Loco- motive Works, arrived in Fairhaven last evening (Wednesday, Jan- uary 31, 1872), in charge of Mr. Drake, for use on the Fairhaven railroad. The engine weighs twenty-seven tons. His name, "Charles L. Wood," is neatly painted in black letters on the cab, and at the rear of the tender is "C. L. Wood," in a monogram which requires some study before the letters "ood" are found."
Under the 29th of June, 1872, we find: "Steam power has been availed of, for discharging coal from vessels at the Fairhaven rail- road wharf. The apparatus is driven by the engine in the repair shop through a line of shafting which extends along the south side of the depot. Additional side tracks for coal cars have been laid and the road now has excellent wharf facilities."
Wood for Fuel. - Let it be remembered that the locomotives which were used on the Fairhaven Branch, established in 1854, were fitted to burn wood as fuel, and were not altered for the consumption of coal until 1860. At that time it was considered remarkable for the engine "Richard Borden," which drew the express train to Boston, to make the trip in one hour and fifty-five minutes. The coal-burn- ing locomotive was featured in the newspapers of December 1856.
In February, 1881, we waited in vain for the incoming train. Because an insufficient supply of coal had been loaded on the tender, the iron steed refused to budge beyond Hammond's Crossing. The
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entire train crew were forced to forage rails and fences, managing thus to tease the obdurate "horse" to move toward Fairhaven, arriv- ing one hour late.
Two Stations Destroyed by Fire. - The destruction by fire of this Fairhaven railroad station occurred on January 21, 1858. By May of that year a new station was completed. About a year and a half later a heading appeared in The Daily Mercury as follows :- "Another Great Fire! Burning of the Fairhaven Depot. Loss about $10,000." At 2:30 o'clock on the morning of August 30, 1859, flames were discovered belching forth from the station of the Fairhaven Branch Railroad, which reduced to ruins the building and its contents. This fire, like the depot fire of 1858, was of in- cendiary origin.
On August 31, 1859, they purchased of Seth S. Swift a small building which was removed from Main street, near Bridge street, to the depot site, to be a ladies' waiting room and ticket office until the new depot was ready. This building was built for A. T. West and occupied as a grocery store for a short time.
At a meeting of the directors of the Fairhaven Branch Railroad held on October 1, 1859, the proposals for building a new depot were examined, and the plan advertised was considered too expen- sive. However, within four days of the above announcement the new depot was awarded to Henry Pierce, architect, of New Bed- ford. The dimensions were reduced to be 125 feet long and 50 feet wide. It was to be near the landing with projecting roof, ex- tending to the landing, to afford complete shelter to passengers to and from the ferryboats and cars. This substantial, brick depot, the foundation of which was laid on Wednesday, October 12, 1859, was completed on December 19th of that year. Thirty men were em- ployed to expedite the construction.
This description tallies with the memories of many of the citizens. With a proposal accepted by the officials of the railroad, up went the brick station, the only one known by anyone now living, which stood for three score and ten years; then down it came in 1929, as we all remember, the passenger service being discontinued.
Fatal Accident. - "FATAL ACCIDENT, on the Fairhaven Railroad. On Saturday evening, shortly after the express train from Boston left Tremont, the fireman, Mr. Wilson Barstow, went for- ward upon the engine to oil the cylinder, and while engaged in that duty missed his hold and fell. After the train proceeded some dis- tance, he was missed by the engineer, and the train was stopped and
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backed. He was discovered lying near the track, insensible. He was taken on board the train and conveyed to Fairhaven, the place of his residence, where medical aid was called. His skull was broken, and three fingers of his right hand completely cut off. He continued in an unconscious state until four o'clock Sunday morning, when he expired. He was twenty-three years of age, unmarried, and by his industry and the faithful discharge of his duties had won the re- gard of all who knew him." Monday, January 23, 1860.
Other Accidents. - One gruesome accident marred the rail- road record for 1865, and this was as follows: - "FATAL AC- CIDENT. In the Fairhaven Railroad depot, on the afternoon of August 14th, just before the Boston train left, and while some cars were being moved to a side track, Mrs. Esther Sanborn, a widow belonging in Lynn, aged 35 years, attempted to get on board while the cars were in motion, supposing the train was leaving, and was thrown upon the track. The wheels passed over part of her face and neck cutting off one cheek and her chin, and causing almost in- stant death. Coroner Terry was called but an inquest was deemed unnecessary."
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