USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 15
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The time of meeting of the Lyceum was 6:30 P. M. The pro- grams were made up of debates, lectures, compositions read, and selections rendered, by the members. A committee, to select some subject for discussion, or to devise some other way for the mutual improvement of the members, was appointed on October 3, 1842, and consisted of the following: Oliver S. Irish, John M. Howland, Ebenezer Akin, Jr., Charity P. Allen and Elizabeth B. Akin.
Spectators, unless they came with the design of joining, or as lecturers, were not usually permitted to be present. In selecting sub- jects for discussion, politics and religion were to be avoided. On October 17, 1842, Mr. William H. Taylor, of New Bedford, lectured on Geology. A few other topics were, "What are the causes of earthquakes and volcanos?" "Which is the greater evil, slavery or intemperance?" ,"Which exert the greater influence, males or fe-
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males?" (After the discussion, it was decided by the majority present that Gentlemen exerted the greater influence.) "Which is the happier state, civilized or uncivilized life?" "Is capital punishment right ?"
At a meeting held on January 2, 1843, since members left before the close of the scheduled program, it was voted to take a roll-call at the close of each meeting.
At the annual meeting held on Friday evening, January 6th, the following officers were elected : - President, Oliver S. Irish; Vice- president, John M. Howland; Secretary and Treasurer, Joseph N. Peck; Dr. Samuel Sawyer was invited to lecture.
On January 30, 1843, a committee consisting of Amelia W. Allen, and Ebenezer Akin, Jr., was appointed to visit those persons who had been absent for three or more nights. As a consequence the names of four persons were erased from the register at their own request.
According to the records, the last meeting, the Lyceum which was formed more than 100 years ago, seems to have been held on the evening of March 6, 1843.
Fairhaven Lyceum. - We revert to the year 1854, the time of the peak of the whaling industry. It was the period, also, when the New Bedford Lyceum and the Fairhaven Lyceum were flourishing, with lively topics discussed by able speakers. In January of that year, we find that the committee advertising the Fairhaven Lyceum was composed of Alexander Tripp, John A. Hawes, and Samuel L. Ward. Mr. Ward was chairman of the local school board at that time. John M. Howland was later in the year placed on the lecture committee. The Lyceum was held in Phoenix Hall.
"FAIRHAVEN LYCEUM. The first lecture of the season, before this Institution, will be delivered by the Honorable John C. Parks, of Boston, on Wednesday evening, November 14, 1855, at Phoenix Hall."
In January 1857, the members of the Fairhaven Lyceum were enjoying lectures by the Hon. Josiah Quincy, Wendell Phillips, Rev. A. L. Stowe and others. The committee on arrangements was com- posed of Job C. Tripp, John M. Howland and William M. Irish. The executive committee of the Fairhaven Lyceum in 1856, was composed of Alexander Tripp, John M. Howland and Ebenezer Akin, Jr.
The Fairhaven Library Association. - We are all aware that the Fairhaven Library Association was organized in 1860, with Dr.
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George Atwood as its president. Let us, however, read a bit prior to the organization of this institution. Under the date of May 15, 1860, this item appeared : - "LIBRARY IN FAIRHAVEN. A number of the public-spirited citizens of Fairhaven, feeling the need of a public library in that village, have enlisted themselves in the matter, and, we are happy to state, have raised over $300 in shares of $5 for that purpose. A number of gentlemen subscribed for several shares. A meeting is to be held in a few days to perfect an organization." The Library Association had its rooms in the rear of the post office, south- west corner of Central and William streets. Mr. Horace Scott, who was the first superintendent of the Fairhaven Branch Rairoad, render- ed invaluable service. Deacon Reuben Nye and Capt. James V. Cox made valuable donations. Mr. Frederick M. Fuller purchased the books for the library and kept the accounts. Following Mr. Fuller, we find that Jonathan T. Buttrick, the postmaster, took charge of the library. Then obliging young ladies of high school age volun- teered their services. Next Miss Georgia E. Fairfield, who graduated from the local high school in 1868, took charge regularly. The major part of the library income was derived from the sale of 75 shares at $5.00 per share with an annual payment of $1.00.
The Library Association held a Festival at Phoenix Hall be- ginning on Wednesday, March 26, 1862, and continuing three eve- nings for the purpose of raising funds for the purchase of books. Omnibuses were furnished free to patrons from New Bedford.
In June, 1881, Miss Georgia Fairfield resigned as treasurer and librarian, and George Dean, followed by Courtland Fairchild, was elected librarian at $2.00 per month. Charles H. Morton was appoint- ed treasurer. The library, with all debts paid, with $25.00 in the treasury and 1,500 books on the shelves, got a fresh start. In this year the house of Charles Drew, southeast corner of Main and Center streets, was suggested for a library. In August, 1882, Courtland Fairchild resigned, and John T. Hanna became librarian.
Those in charge became ambitious. In May, 1884, an entertain- ment was given in Phoenix Hall, the receipts of which were to be a nucleus for the erection of a library building. In November of this year, a committee was appointed to see what could be done towards purchasing a building to be used as a library and reading-room.
Donations. - Over the door of the Library appeared a new sign made by Joel D. Stetson, and painted by Thomas B. Taber, and pre- sented by them to the Library Association in 1882.
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Leases New Quarters. - In the year 1885, rooms over the old Savings Bank were leased by the Fairhaven Library Association. These library rooms were open every afternoon from 2 to 5; every evening from 6 to 8; Saturday evenings from 6 to 9. This was a great step forward. Miss Nancy H. Buffington was librarian.
The Thalia Society, ever alert for the interest of the town, invest- ed their funds in books for the library. The busts of Dickens and Shakespeare were the gifts of Walter P. Winsor. In 1886, the Thalia Club presented the Library with a portrait of Dr. George At- wood, who had been president of the Library Association since its organization in 1860. This presentation was unconsciously well- timed, for Dr. Atwood died on January 16, 1888. Those who re- member can see this portrait hanging between the two front windows of the library room on Center street. Both the portrait and the busts may be seen in the librarian's room at the Millicent Library.
Spelling Match. - The Fairhaven Library Association struggled for its very existence, but not in vain. As vividly as yesterday we can see the book lovers directing their steps toward the library, then in the south room of the building on the southwest corner of Center and William streets, entering by means of the stone step in front of the double door where we now see the extra large window on William street.
The following advertisement we find in the Evening Standard. "SPELLING MATCH at Phoenix Block, Fairhaven. Tuesday Evening, April 20, 1875. In aid of the Fairhaven Library Asso- ciation. Appropriate prizes will be given to the most successful spellers. An invitation is extended to all to participate in the con- test. Names of contestants must be registered at Jas. I. Church's Drug Store, Fairhaven, or at the Standard office, New Bedford. Admission, 15 cents. Tickets for sale at Church's Drug Store or at the door. School begins at 71/2 o'clock."
Then we read :- "SPELLING MATCH in Fairhaven. There was a large attendance at the spelling match in Phoenix Hall, Fair- haven, last evening (Tuesday, April 20, 1875) for the benefit of the Library Association. All the seats were filled and the standing room occupied.
Sixty orthographists contested for the prizes, and among them . was a sprinkling of middle-aged people, and some gray heads. The words were given out by Prof. D. A. Caldwell, and consisted mostly of those in ordinary use, yet many hard to spell. The referees were
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Dr. Isaac Fairchild and Rev. W. S. Hawkes. The prizes were Worcester's Dictionary, Bryant's Household Poetry and a bouquet.
The contest commenced at 71/2 o'clock, and was continued for two hours. During the first hour the number gradually dwindled to twenty, when a recess was taken, and the occasion was enlivened with music by the Fairhaven Quadrille Band.
After the recess, more difficult words were used, and the contest gradually narrowed to four youths, two belonging in Fairhaven, one in Acushnet and one in New Bedford. An old lady, 70 years of age, stood well, but gave in when the Professor let loose his 'me- nagerie.' Round after round the last four stood but Master Judd failed to reach the 'millennium' by an 'n'. The enunciator, having exhausted the harder words of the old English, began to put some of the more recently imported ones. Master Alden White of Acushnet who took first prize at the match in New Bedford, crooked himself with an extra 's' in 'desuetude.' Master H. D. Goding of New Bed- ford was 'blase' beyond redemption. It was too Frenchy for him. Master Thomas Robinson of Fairhaven was the last to stand, and the audience, expressing a desire to see him drop, the Professor flunked him the first time by letting fly an 'ousel.'
Early in' the contest a young lady became mixed up in a 'siege,' a part of the audience claiming that she spelled it correctly. She was excluded by a vote of the contestants, and after the exhibition a sum of money sufficient to purchase either of the prizes was pre- sented to her by the audience.
The Library Association, pleased with their success, propose soon to repeat the exhibition."
The Millicent Library. - Henry H. Rogers, who gave his first gift to the community in 1880, followed by others, again appeared above the horizon. The Millicent Library was begun in June, 1891, the corner stone being laid on September 21, of that year. In the month of September, Master Harry Rogers, with his donkey cart, was seen carting dirt to fill in around the Memorial Library building.
Mr. W. L. R. Gifford, assistant librarian of the New Bedford public library, was engaged to supervise the work pertaining to the books. As early as November, 1891, the room in the rear of the post office was used by Mr. Gifford, with two assistants, to catalog and cover the books, ready for circulation upon the opening of the new library. Mr. William Evarts Benjamin selected the books. The
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library was to start with 10,000 volumes. Mr. Benjamin died in February, 1940.
In December, 1891, Mr. Don C. Stevens, born in 1862, was called to the pastorate of the Unitarian Church, northwest corner of Wash- ington and Walnut streets, and accepted. He was installed on Wed- nesday, February 17, 1892. In January, 1893, Rev. Don Carlos Stevens was tendered the librarianship of The Millicent Library at a salary of $1,200, to be increased the second year to $1,500. Miss Abbie H. Nye and Miss Annie J. Thompson were appointed assist- ants in December 1891. Miss Nye died in October, 1914, aged 83. She served as assistant for eleven years.
The last officers of the Fairhaven Library Association were chosen on Friday evening, January 22, 1892, as follows : - President, Walter P. Winsor ; Treasurer, Charles H. Morton ; Secretary, George H. Tripp. It was voted to close the business of the corporation on the opening of The Millicent Library. In January, 1893, the Fair- haven Library Association was closed in anticipation of the opening of the new library. On Saturday afternoon, November 5, 1892, The Millicent Library trustees organized with Mr. Henry H. Rogers as president. The Library was finished on July 30, 1893, at which time dedication took place. The population at that time was about 3,500.
The room on the northeast corner of the basement was at first opened as a room for newspapers. In August, 1894, the newspapers were taken from the basement and placed in the reading-room. The basement room was closed. In September, 1894, three large pieces of statuary and an oil painting were given by Franklin H. Delano.
In honor of one who would be, if living, approaching 75 years of age, The Millicent Library was named. Millicent Gifford Rogers, daughter of Henry H. and Abbie Palmer Rogers, died on August 31, 1890, in the 18th year of her age. Her picture, the frame of which is heart-shaped, was a gift from Mrs. Rogers, and was placed at first in the librarian's room, but now hangs in view of all who enter. Mrs. Abbie Palmer Rogers, daughter of Capt. Peleg W. Gifford, died on May 20, 1894.
Sixty-six Years Ago. - Those who remember the southeast corner of Center and William streets in 1881, where the Millicent Library now stands, can visualize the stone wall on the south side of the street, the flower garden and pear trees within the enclosure, and the unique weather vane, elevated on a tall spar, consisting of eight full-rigged schooners upon arms, four of which revolved in one di-
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rection while the other four turned in the opposite direction. Above these eight was a solitary schooner which served as a vane.
The Millicent Library, ever under the care of wise leadership, selecting librarians of experience and training, has endeavored to extend its influence throughout the town. In this, it has been mark- edly successful. The citizens feel indebted to its staff, past and present, as well as to the donor of the building which has already served the town for more than half a century.
The librarians, since the opening of the library in 1893, have been :
Don C. Stevens 1893-1901
Drew B. Hall
1901-1911
Galen W. Hill
1911-1926
Louis F. Ranlett
1926-1928
Avis M. Pillsbury 1928-
The Annual Report of The Millicent Library is always illumi- nating and inspiring. The history of the Library really belongs to "Modern Fairhaven."
HANGINGS
Mill Pond or Herring River
Old Candle House - Head of Middle Street
CHAPTER XIII
Inns -- Hotels -- Houses
Inns, Boarding Houses. - In the very year of its incorporation, and for some time thereafter, Fairhaven was favored with hostelries, as shown by the advertisements of the day. Capt. Gamaliel Church established an Inn at the head of the old South Wharf, in 1764, on the east side of Water street. From the "Bristol Gazette" we quote the following: "Boarding House. Jonathan Tripp respectfully in- forms his friends and the public that he has opened a Boarding House in the Village of Fairhaven, near the Mill Bridge, for the accommo- dation of travelling gentlemen and steady boarders. Good stabling for horses may be had as above. December 18, 1812." Under the date of January 1, 1817, we read : "House for Entertainment. The subscriber, having opened his house in the village of Fairhaven for the entertainment and accommodation of the public, solicits their patronage. (Signed) H. G. Church." Under the date of March, 1837, Asa Hill advertises as follows: "For Sale in Fairhaven. A valuable house and lot pleasantly situated in the village, formerly and successfully occupied by the subscriber as a boarding house."
Fairhaven Hotel. - James Wing purchased land of Lydia Church in 1831. Within a year after the purchase, the following appeared as an advertisement: "Fairhaven Hotel. The subscriber informs his former customers and the public that the new house erected by him for a Hotel was opened in July last, and is now prepared for the re- ception of company. Stables and sheds attached. (Signed) James Wing, August 21, 1832." This was not a successful venture and it was closed. On the southwest corner of Willam and Union streets, stood the headquarters for the sale of ice, right from the Mill Pond, sold by Wing, the hotel proprietor.
In 1851, a syndicate got possession of the Hotel, and opened it. This corporation, with a mortgage on the property, caused the Bank to foreclose in 1854.
The next landlord of the Fairhaven hotel was Mr. J. C. Bennett who advertised, under the date of October 30, 1854, that the "Union Hotel" would be opened for transient and permanent boarders on and after November 1st. Gala occasions were current during this management, as is evidenced by the following : "THE LADIES OF
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FAIRHAVEN. A private supper. A few weeks since, the old men of Fairhaven had a supper and a fine time at the Union Hotel, which was followed by another supper which Mr. Bennett, the popular landlord of that establishment, furnished for the young men. The ladies then began to think it was their turn, and accordingly made the necessary arrangements with Mr. Bennett to prepare a supper for them, to which no gentlemen should be admitted. The number of ladies present was seventy-five. After appropriate ceremonies at the table, the company indulged in the merry dance until the bell in the church tower began to announce the advent of the new day. The party was one of the merriest, happiest of the season, and although no gallants were present to render those delicate little attentions which the rules of convention demand, the company all declared that there 'never was a better time either in Fairhaven or anywhere else.' January 1855."
In the following year, Mr. George F. Averill, of Salem, under- took to operate the hotel which he opened on May 6, 1856. In 1860, Fairhaven was temporarily without a hotel until the "Union Hotel" was reopened under a new management, Mr. J. B. Carter, of Boston, in June of that year. On May 3, 1865, the hotel with furniture, was sold at auction as a result of foreclosure by the bank, which had held the property for nearly two decades. Charles Allen and James Davis were, at different times, managers, the latter opening the hostelry in January, 1868. Then followed the announcement, in March, 1878, that the hotel would change landlords, this time Mr. and Mrs. Eben- ezer Bryden taking charge.
James Wing Again. - Mr. James Wing, who purchased the land and erected the original hotel building, entered a larger sphere, advertising under the date of February 2, 1856, as follows: "Co- partnership Notice. The subscribers have this day formed a co- partnership under the name of J. Wing & Son, and having leased the Parker House, will be happy to receive their friends and the travelling public. (Signed) James Wing, George F. Wing."
Eight years later the death of Mr. Wing was announced as fol- lows: "Death of a Landlord. James Wing, Esq., the well-known landlord of the Parker House, in New Bedford, died yesterday morn- ing (April 4, 1864), after a sickness of several weeks. Mr. Wing was for many years landlord of a hotel in Fairhaven, and for the last. six years or more has kept the Parker House."
Houses that Wander. - Buildings, in Fairhaven, have moved about as if they had the power of locomotion. Jonathan Buttrick's
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old bakery which was located on Church street was moved to the Old South wharf. The former residence of William Washburn, once at the southeast corner of Main and South streets, we discern across the street. The old Green street schoolhouse, which was once on the east side of the street, is now on the west side near the corner of Green and West Allen streets.
The Hamlin, later the Sawin building, which stood for decades on the west side of Water street, between Union and Center streets, we espy, minus the cupola, on Union wharf. The residence of Charles H. Morton, at the southeast corner of Washington and Chest- nut streets; once stood just south of the National Bank building, on Main street. The dwelling house at the southeast corner of Water and Center streets, formerly the tin-shop of C. A. Johnson, afterwards that of I. N. Babbitt, Jr., before he moved to Main street, stood be- tween the homestead of Phineas Terry, on Main street, and the Union Hotel. Eben Delano's fish market once located on Mill-Bridge is now a double garage and stock room on the north side of Spring street, near Green.
At the southeast corner of Union and William streets we descry the former residence of Dr. George Atwood who lived at the north- east corner of Center and William streets. The store which was occupied by Mrs. John Damon as a millinery shop and prior to that by James Church as a shoe store, formerly stood just north of Fountain Hall, and, in 1855, was an apothecary shop. The old Spring street schoolhouse is now in the rear of Mr. Valentine's residence on Spring street, while the old Center street Grammar and Primary school build- ing can be sighted on the property of the late Walter Howland on Alden Road, near Boston Hill Road.
The two-tenement house, north of the dwelling on the northeast corner of Center and Chestnut streets, was originally a barn situated on the Young estate, northeast corner of William and Union streets, where the post office now stands. Bisbee's store and billiard room moved from the west side of Main street opposite Fountain Hall, to the east side, a little to the north, and then, across the street again. The Proctor house, where Capt. C. C. Harris had for years his boat bazaar, was the first house in the village, being moved from the Cope- land farm on the New Boston road. Although this house is demolish- ed, the old-fashioned, many-paned windows are destined to do duty for many years in a summer cottage on the late Harry Delano estate on the Weeden road. The old academy building, erected about 1798, jumped across the street and started toward the north. Deacon Hiram
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Tripp's house, 23 William street, purchased by Levi M. Snow in 1879, has made several trips about the town. The boat shop of William T. Swift, after journeying from Higgins wharf to the southeast corner of Middle and Pease streets, was converted into a dwelling house. In 1946, it was moved to Main street, facing Pease street. The Con- test engine house had an uneasy career, being pushed from its location on the west side of Walnut street, between Union and Center streets, by the far more pretentious structure, The Millicent Library, to the lot north of the shoe factory on Main street; thence, in November, 1894, to the lot west of Bauldry's stable on Spring street.
The boot and shoe store of Edwards and Ede was more of a travelling nature, and took up abode at Wood's Hole. The shoe shop of E. M. Dean, formerly at the southwest corner of Water and Union streets, was a wanderer, too, landing in New Boston on the farm of John Howard, being placed on wheels and hauled there by six yokes of oxen. The studio at the corner of Main and Church streets, formerly occupied by L. D. Eldred, the artist, and before that by William Bradford, skied to the yard of the latter to be con- verted into a barn, where now stands the Town Hall. The house, which stands at the northwest corner of William and Washington streets, once faced Washington street. The old drug store of Dr. Miller, that stood near the northeast corner of Union and Middle streets hied to Union wharf in August, 1880, where it was used by Porterfield Hutchins as a workshop and storage quarters.
The old STAR building, now at the northwest corner of Main and Ferry streets, has been a merry traveller, also, first located on Middle street, between Center and Union, then on Main street op- posite the Fountain Hall building, and finally to its present location. Even the cumbersome Phoenix Block has sidestepped a bit, for as a church building it stood some distance back from the corner with beautiful elm trees on three sides.
The Sawin Mansion. - In 1830, Ezekiel Sawin, merchant, built the house on the northwest corner of Center and Middle streets. The dwelling house which stands on the southwest corner of William and Washington streets was erected before any persons now living in Fairhaven were born. The land for the erection of the mansion which dignifies that corner was sold by the Stevens family, George H. Stevens, Charles F. Stevens and others, to Ezekiel Sawin. George H. Stevens was the late Miss Cora Stevens' father, and Charles F. Stevens was her uncle. For the land originally consisting of 29 rods,
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Mr. Sawin paid $1,028, on April 17, 1840. Thus the house is more than a century old.
On May 30, 1866, this residence was advertised for sale, and on March 2, 1867, Hon. Weston Howland, of New Bedford, purchased the property. Mr. Howland had been alderman from the sixth ward and was regarded as a public-spirited and valuable citizen. What was New Bedford's loss became Fairhaven's gain.
S. E. Corner of Center and Green Streets. - Nearly a century ago, a house, still standing and known by the majority of the citizens, was for sale. This was occasioned by the sudden death, at his residence, on Saturday morning, October 13, 1849, of Atkins Adams, in the 68th year of his age.
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