USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 21
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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
The Pope's Island Free Bridge. - The New Bedford & Fair- haven toll bridge, authorized in 1796, partially destroyed by the storms of 1807, 1815 and 1869, becoming thereafter a free bridge, after serving in all for a hundred years, finally gave way to a new structure as we see it today, the entrance to Fairhaven being a short distance north of the former "Bridge" street. This new construction across Pope's Island, and Fish Island, as was the path of the former bridge, was authorized in 1893.
Another Bridge. - The fifth bridge from Fairhaven, the fourth to reach the western bank of the Acushnet, is a wooden structure, not far below the arched one at Acushnet, crossing the river at the foot of Slocum road. It was a private enterprise, to further the sale of land in that vicinity.
Banks. - Capt. Noah Stoddard lived at the southwest corner of Main and Center streets. The Fairhaven Bank was chartered in March, 1831, and in May of that year, Capt. Stoddard sold the parcel of land, with a frontage of 30 feet and a depth of 54 feet, west of his dwelling, to the Bank officials.
The brick building was erected, and the lower floor was used by the Fairhaven Bank for about 45 years. Within one year of the in- corporation of the Fairhaven Bank, the Institution for Savings was incorporated, and this Savings Bank soon after occupied the second floor together with the Insurance Company, incorporated in the previous year.
In the course of time the Fairhaven Bank assumed a new name, viz., The National Bank of Fairhaven as is shown by the following : - "NATIONAL BANK OF FAIRHAVEN. The first annual meeting of the National Bank of Fairhaven will be held at their Banking Room, on Tuesday, January 10, 1865, at 2 o'clock P. M., for the election of Directors, and for the transaction of any other
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business that may legally come before them. (Signed) R. Nye, Cashier. Fairhaven, December 22, 1864."
Previous to this the stockholders of the Fairhaven Bank, at their meeting held on Wednesday, July 6, 1864, voted to convert that institution into a National Bank under the United States bank- ing law. A notice was sent out to all depositors and customers of the Fairhaven Bank that that Bank ceased to exist on August 31, 1864, and was organized as the National Bank of Fairhaven, Massa- chusetts.
Capt. Stoddard died on January 28, 1850, at the age of 95. From his estate Horatio W. Richmond purchased the property. The foundation for the Richmond building, 5012 by 34 feet, was laid about the middle of November 1859. It was planned to have on the first floor a drug store on the southwest corner of Main and Center streets, and to rent the southeast corner of the building as a grocery store.
Mr. Richmond died on May 14, 1876, and four months later the Fairhaven Bank bought the house and lot, opening for business in its new quarters in March 1877.
After the Fairhaven Bank removed to its present place of busi- ness, the Savings Bank moved to the first floor of the brick structure. This brick bank building was demolished in September, 1946.
Mr. George B. Luther, of the National Bank, began his career as a bank official in the capacity of teller, in June 1889; was elected cashier in July 1895; became president in December 1912.
First Savings Bank. - Under the date of April 27, 1831 Gibbs & Jenney advertised as follows: - "Proposals will be received by the subscribers until the 10th day of May next, for doing the carpen- ter work in building a store in the village of Fairhaven, 55 x 28 feet, two stories high, to be completed in a workmanlike manner. For plans and specifications, apply to Gibbs & Jenney."
This building was erected, but note its partial use within a year of its construction, as found under the date of March 12, 1832 : - "FAIRHAVEN INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS. The office of the Fairhaven Institution for Savings will be opened in the Count- ing Rooms of Gibbs & Jenney's Store on Monday, the nineteenth instant, and will continue to be opened on Monday of each succeed- ing week from 1 to 2 o'clock for receiving deposits."
The location of these Counting Rooms, this first Savings Bank, opened one hour each week was an enigma until we found that. a
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public auction was held on April 12, 1862, at 11/2 o'clock in the afternoon, advertised as follows: - "The two-story building on leased land, at the corner of Middle and Union streets, recently oc- cupied by Gibbs & Jenney as a Counting Room and Store House."
This building, a Counting House, a Bank, a Store, became a paint shop in 1864, being moved from the south side of Union street, just east of Middle street, to the southwest corner of Water and Center streets, where it now stands.
"Railroadside" Cemetery. - It was in 1817 that this plot was set apart as a Burying Ground, later to be penetrated by the tracks of the Fairhaven Branch Railroad. Much agitation arose in 1873 concerning the removal of the bodies and the utter abandonment of the spot for burial purposes. Years flew by, another generation witnessed the perfect neglect of the area which was intended to be the final resting place of many Fairhaven folk. Time, necessity, politics, caused a change, a change for the better, and we now have Willow Park.
Riverside Cemetery. - On the Fourth of July, 1850, there ap- peared in The Daily Mercury, of New Bedford, this special notice : - "Should the weather prove favorable the River-side Cemetery, in Fairhaven, will be publicly devoted to its future uses, on Sunday evening next, July 7th. An address will be delivered, hymns sung and other services usual on such occasions will be had. Services will commence at 5:30 o'clock. The ceremonies will be deferred to the succeeding Sunday, July 14, if weather is unsuited to an assembly in the open air."
The weather was auspicious and the River-side Cemetery was duly consecrated. On Sunday evening, July 7th, 1850, an address was delivered at this consecration by Rev. Thomas Dawes, Minister and Pastor of the Washington Street Church. Mr. Dawes was pastor from 1844 to 1853, the former date being the time of the trans- fer of allegiance from the Baptist to the Unitarian tenets after the schism of 1841, resulting in the formation of the Adventists as a separate religious body, and the Washington Street Society as a Uni- tarian sect.
This area was a tract with a gentle slope to the west, with un- dulating surface like many other stretches of country along the river front. This consecrated ground contained 14 acres and was a part of the Jonathan Nye farm, purchased, in 1849, by Warren Delano, Esq.
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In August, 1889, Warren Delano purchased the lower part of Cyrus Peckham's farm, over five acres, for an enlargement of River- side, and at a meeting of the cemetery trustees, Mr. Delano presented the deed of the land.
The Cemetery was again enlarged on the north in 1905. The first sexton was Samuel Jenkins who served for 14 years. During his official connection with the cemetery, the sexton's house was erected, that is, in 1881, Mr. Jenkins serving some time as sexton before its construction. Frederick Pearce was the carpenter and Abner Howard was the mason. The house cost approximately $1,800. Mr. Jenkins was followed by Mr. Powers, Mr. Watterson, Mr. White, Mr. Mowatt, Mr. Chace and the present sexton, Mr. Hay B. Reid.
Naskatucket Cemetery. - At this place of burial, the old, slate headstones bespeak its age. One such stone bears the death date of 1797, although it is asserted by residents of that part of the town that this plot was used as a burying ground long before that date.
The oldest stone in this cemetery is inscribed : "In memory of a son of Capt. Levi & Mrs. Jenne ; he died April ye 20th, 1797, aged 17 days."
Woodside Cemetery. - This place of burial, in the north part of the town, became the sepulchre of individuals born before Wash- ington became President, yet burials take place there today.
Cooke's Memorial. - John Cooke, an adventurer before he reached his teens, under the custodianship of his father, Francis, an inhabitant of Plymouth until 1659, owner of the land at Oxford and a resident here, the first white settler, a Representative to the General Court and a Baptist minister, is depicted as a genuine pioneer in the establishment of this section. He died about 1695, and is purported to be buried at Burial Hill, willed by William Wood in the Revolution- ary period, in a codicil under the date of May 14, 1778, (the will be- ing dated 1773) in these words :
"And whereas the bodies of some persons that were persons of good account in their day, were buried on the little hammock on island in the meadow at the foot of my homestead, commonly called the 'Burying Hill,' and I not being willing that their graves should be any way defaced, do therefore in this my will hereby give the said hammock on island to and for a burying place forever, and for no other use to be made of it, for all persons to bury their dead, that have a mind to, that my two above-named sons, Zeruiah Wood and
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John Wood, they and their heirs after them, shall think suitable to be buried there-to whom I leave the care thereof."
In September, 1895, 200 years after the death of Cooke, the work of grading the John Cooke Burial Hill began. His surmised resting place is marked by a boulder taken from the bed of the Acush- net river, the inscription upon the bronze tablet being worded as follows :
"Sacred to the memory of JOHN COOKE who was buried here in 1695. The last surviving male Pilgrim of those who came over in the Mayflower : The first white settler of this town and the pioneer in its religious, moral and business life : A man of character and in- tegrity and the trusted agent for this part of the Commonwealth of the old colonial civil government of Plymouth."
CHAPTER XIX
Akin - Bradford - Delanos -- Keene Rogers
Ebenezer Akin, Jr. - Fairhaven was, indeed, fortunate in having as a native son, Ebenezer Akin, Jr. Always reliable, a man of the highest principles, devoted to the church, faithful in every trust, Eben Akin, Jr. was an example to his fellow citizens. Born in Fairhaven, in April, 1817, long a resident of Oxford, going there at the age of nine, attending the old stone schoolhouse, in business in both Fairhaven and New Bedford, elected to public office by the people, Mr. Akin met calmly the problems of life as they surged about him.
We can see him at 87 Main street, in his store which had a raised platform in front, with separate entrance rarely used, with stairs leading to the tailor shop above, as if it were yesterday. Mr. Landers was the tailor, with son John and daughter Kate living on the southwest corner of Washington and Water streets, in the old, "White" house.
Mr. Akin was a planemaker by trade, serving in that capacity for five years. He taught school in 1842, and was town clerk, col- lector, and treasurer of the town, serving as such from 1842 to 1855, a period of thirteen years ; and again from 1875 to 1887, a period of twelve additional years.
Mr. Akin closed his business on Main street in 1883. In 1887, he was appointed postmaster, succeeding Charles H. Morton, and followed by Job C. Tripp, in 1891. While postmaster, Mr. Akin made improvements in his department, appreciated by his patrons, by removing the counter on the west side of the outer office, run- ning north and south ; enlarging the vestibule, and placing a door in the west end of the inside entrance, when the post office was in the building at the southwest corner of Center and William streets. Then, he installed letter-boxes at the corner of Bridge and Main streets, and at Wilde's store, as soon as he took office. (Key boxes, formerly in use in New Bedford, were installed for the first time at the Fairhaven post office in April, 1882. These were placed on the west side of the delivery window, running east and west.) On
Wharf scene in Whaling Days - Cargo landed
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Chimney of the Philip Taber House - Oxford Village
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February 12, 1887, Mr. Akin, as postmaster-elect, was tendered a memorable reception.
Ebenezer Akin, Jr. died on January 6, 1905, aged 87. A son, Eben Lloyd Akin, a graduate of the Fairhaven High School, in the class of 1878, died in November, 1879, at the age of 18. Another son, Charles Thompson Akin, born on November 24, 1855, died in October, 1937. He was for thirty-three years (1887 -1920) employed at the post office, retiring in the latter year ; hence knew about every person, directly or indirectly, in town. A third son, Bartholomew Gilbert Akin, who graduated from the local high school in 1885, experienced the same wide acquaintance, having been census enumerator for a number of years. Bart, faith- ful to his brother in sickness to the end, lived until recently, alone in the old homestead, an encyclopedia to meet, and an inspiration to converse with.
William Bradford. - In 1845, we find Mr. Bradford in business, in New Bedford, advertising extensively. He himself ad- mitted that he was not a good business man and stated that his interest was more on painting. In November, 1854, there was on exhibition, in New Bedford, a group of paintings, four in number, painted by Mr. Bradford, then 31 years of age. One was painted from Crow Island, showing the craft and steamers in the harbor. This was greatly admired. It sold for $97.50, and Mr. Bradford was then spoken of as a rising artist. This was quite in contrast to the painting of 1867, entitled, "Sealers Crushed Among the Ice- bergs," which sold for $12,000. Then the Artist was heralded as the leading marine artist in the Country. In 1873, Mr. Bradford went to England, taking with him an Arctic scene painted expressly for the Queen.
The Bradfords were interested in community life as well as painting. In 1870, there was formed, in Fairhaven, an organization called the "Fairhaven Union Association for Christian Work," and at its first meeting, Mr. Bradford gave a stereopticon lecture gratis, and soon became its president. Mrs. Bradford took an active in- terest in this association. Courses of lectures were given, and if anyone wanted to purchase a ticket, he hastened to 58 Center street, mounted the steps, rang the bell, called for Mrs. Bradford, paid her twenty-five cents, and received a ticket which permitted the bearer to hear Edward Everett Hale.
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The house now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Harry L. Pope, 16 Fort street, was built for Frederick Bartlett, a bright young man, apparently with a successful career before him. He was a practicing attorney, in New Bedford, and a selectman here in 1885 with Daniel W. Dean and George W. King. He became ill, and died in 1887, aged 33. The following year, the property passed into the hands of the Bradfords. In the '50's, and still in the '70's, another house stood there in which lived Mr. Thomas H. Bowen and family. The house was moved, and now stands just south of the residence of Mr. Thomas Clark, on the west side of Fort street.
When we think of the Bradfords, we think, in our reading, of Melvin and Hannah Bradford, of Marlbro and Dolly Bradford, of George Bradford, brother of William, of Estelle Hacker and Mary E. Bradford, daughters of William and Mary B. Bradford. We think of some of the family living in New Bedford; on the Kempton Farm which afterwards became the property of Laura Keene, the actress, who called her estate "Riverside Lawn;" at 58 Center street and at 16 Fort street. We clearly see Mr. Bradford. Mary B., his wife, and Mary E., their daughter, going to and coming from the studio on Union wharf, in 1882. Before this, Mr. Bradford's studio was on Church street, near the corner of Main.
William Bradford died fifty-five years ago and more. As we go to the Bradford lot at Riverside Cemetery, we see there the glacial boulder from North Greenland, the four-ton boulder taken from a nearby shore, and on that boulder we read not only the name of the artist, but lines of Whittier, dedicated to W. B. by the poet, as follows: "Something it has - a flavor of the sea and the sea's freedom - which reminds of thee."
All the Bradfords that we have mentioned have passed away but they are not forgotten.
The Warren Delanos and Family. - In the Daily Mercury, of Wednesday, June 22, 1870, we find the following: "FAIRHAVEN BOYS. A New York letter gives the following account of success of two sons of the late Warren Delano, of Fairhaven. 'A pair of brothers named Delano, once were to be found in South street, of much more than ordinary interest. They were remarkably handsome, and were excellent business men. Franklin Delano became clerk for Grinnell, Minturn & Co., and soon rose to a confidential position, and finally became a partner, but his commercial career was stopped by his marrying a fortune. Nearly 30 years ago, he became the son-
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in-law of William B. Astor, and this rendered South street unneces- sary. He is now living uptown in grand style. The other brother, whose name is Warren, went to China to seek his fortune, and there got into such a profitable position that he was soon enabled to return to America with $400,000. This was doing pretty well for a pair of poor, young men.' "
In January, 1855, Mr. Jabez Delano, well-known for his astro- nomical researches, delivered a lecture before the Fairhaven Lyceum, at Phoenix Hall. On February 5, 1857, Mr. Delano gave a lecture on the same subject, at Liberty Hall, New Bedford. His interest in this science was keen years before. In 1835, he wrote to Warren Delano, Jr., a relative, an enthusiastic letter regarding astronomy.
In reply, Mr. Warren Delano wrote: "Your astronomical re- marks and reflections concerning this and other worlds, yet unknown, their inhabitants, and their supposed superiority to us who people this earth, all are read by me with much interest, and were not my time engrossed by the all-important subject of Commerce, I should be happy to devote much of my time to the study of those subjects which engross so much of your attention. But Canton, with the little liberty allowed to us foreigners, is not the place for the pursuance of these studies. We see little of the beauty and sublimity of nature-nothing to encourage one to the investigation of those subjects which do not bear immediately upon that for which we are all here."
"I have now been absent from home about three years-China must be my abode for about ten years more, I fear, but I have no intention of allowing that length of time to elapse without a visit to home of kindred ; my hope is to be able to have this about two years hence, and already have commenced studying upon the route I shall take."
"Your letters are very interesting, and I am sorry that I can- not reply to them in the same spirit, and discuss the same topics with you, but these discussions we must postpone till I get settled down quietly in Bristol County, when I intend to be provided with an observatory telescope, etc., and study the moon and the stars."
From China, Mr. Warren Delano continues: "From my brothers and sisters, I have received agreeable news-they were well in health. Edward writes me from New York, where he seemed pleased with his location. Frederick has returned to France, and I heard from him at Liverpool. Franklin hard at work at his old place, and Louisa had made her long projected visit to New York, and, I hope, enjoyed it."
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Louisa C., eldest daughter of Warren Delano, Esq., of Fairhaven, died in New York City on May 14, 1846. On the 24th of September, 1857, at the residence of his brother, Warren Delano, Jr., near New- burgh, New York, Frederick A. Delano, of New York, died, aged 46. The funeral took place at the residence of his father, Warren Delano, Esq., of Fairhaven, on Sunday afternoon, September 25th, at 2:30 o'clock. In February, 1841, Susan M., youngest daughter of Warren Delano, died in her 16th year.
In order to ascertain the prevailing sentiment concerning the Delanos, search has disclosed the following, written nearly seventy years ago: "Mr. Warren Delano has been in town on a visit, during this week, and has manifested his uniform deep interest in the pros- perity and welfare of his native place. May he long live to witness the improvements that are being made, and to gratify his old friends and relatives by his cheering visits." The Fairhaven Star, November 1, 1879.
More than a half century ago, the Delanos were held in high es- teem as shown by these words from the STAR of February 15, 1896: "The funeral of the late Mrs. Warren Delano, of Newburg, whose re- mains were laid away in Riverside Cemetery the present week, re- minds us that our town has been deprived of one who has always felt an interest in its welfare. The loving wife, the gentle mother, and the kind and sympathizing friend has passed away. Her gracious and noble personality has made its impress upon all who knew her, and none knew her but to admire, honor and love."
If we go back to the time before the first Warren, we find the male member of that household to be Ephraim. Then we have War- ren, the First; Warren, the Second ; Warren, the Third ; and Warren, the Fourth.
Warren I, the great grandfather of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was born in 1779. For nearly a score of years, he followed the sea, a part of that period as Captain and owner of vessels. The histories of the early shipyards verify the statement that ships were built for him. The advertisements, in the New Bedford newspapers, in 1808 and thereafter, perhaps before, are proof that he was a merchant at Fairhaven, then a part of New Bedford.
Mr. Delano was interested in Insurance Companies, Banking Houses, school questions, the Old Academy, the Washington Street Christian Meeting House, and various betterments for the town.
The Delanos bestowed gifts upon The Fairhaven Library Asso- ciation ; they made presentations to The Millicent Library ; they
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held public office; they presented to the Town of Fairhaven the beautiful Riverside Cemetery, and additions thereto.
It has been said that the first Warren Delano was born in a house south of the line of the railroad, on the west side of Main street. Be that as it may, we can enter the domain of certainty when we state that he lived at the southwest corner of Washington and Middle streets. This lot was purchased by Daniel Egery, in 1764, and the house, since enlarged, was soon erected. In 1778, John Alden be- came its owner. Capt. Warren Delano acquired the property in 1828, of Nathan Alden. In 1832, and again in 1839, Mr. Delano ad- vertised the place for sale, but the property remained in the Delano ownership as late as 1855.
In the meantime the mansion on Walnut street was erected, about 1835, by Warren Delano I.
Warren II, was born in 1809. There were five daughters and one son : Laura who died at the age of eighteen; Dora, who became Mrs. Forbes; Annie who became Mrs. Hitch; Sara who was the mother of the late President Roosevelt ; Katherine who became Mrs. Collier, and Frederic A. Delano whose career, in brief, we summarize as follows :
Frederic A. Delano was born at Hong Kong, China, September 10, 1863. In 1885, he was graduated at Harvard with an A. B. de- gree. That same year he became an employee of a Railroad Company. After several changes, each time an advancement, he became a Rail- road President. Mr. Delano was a member of the Federal Reserve Board for a number of years. In 1918, he entered the Army and was awarded honors for his achievements abroad. He became Chair- man of the International Commission of the League of Nations on inquiry into the production of opium in Persia. He was regent of the Smithsonian Institution and Chairman of the National Capital Park and Planning Commission of Washington, D. C. as well as of the National Resources Planning Board. His career, in more detail, may be found in "Who's Who in America." Mr. Delano retired in 1943.
The time came when the old homestead had become less fre- quented, so it was decided to dispose of the property. The unreserved household goods of the Delanos were sold by auction at the mansion, on June 2d and 3d, 1942. The house and land were sold at auction on Thursday, July 16th of that year, for $4,025 and the 1942 taxes.
During the autumn and winter of 1945-46, the Delano mansion was disunited, three separate sections being the result. The middle
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section of three and a half stories, which was completed in 1895, minus the first story, was moved to the southeast corner of Walnut and Washington streets. The rear of the house was moved to a foundation immediately east of the middle section. The united barn and carriage building was separated, the former after being given a quarter turn and remodelled into a duplex dwelling, was moved to face Green street, at the corner of Washington; the latter, after a quarter turn, was moved south a short distance, the original Wash- ington street side facing the west. Thus five dwelling houses, one a duplex, have evolved from the century-old mansion and the stable, the main part of the house remaining on its original foundation, still facing Walnut street.
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