USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Old-time Fairhaven; erstwhile Eastern New Bedford, Volume I > Part 29
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S. Judd, Jr., who was with the Astor Library, of New York, for 40 years, having been appointed, in 1884, and who died in March, 1928, was a nephew of the Tripps, as was also Walter Hooper Judd who was married in December, 1904, to Miss Grace Phebe Burgess, and died in 1922, in his 59th year. Mrs. Judd died on August 10, 1941, aged 69.
This recital of caulkers, riggers, and ship builders causes us to linger on the subject of the sea by recalling two of the old whalers, both preserved for the public gaze. In the Bourne Memorial Building, New Bedford, stands the half-size model of the "Lagoda." The original Lagoda was a bark of 341 tons, hailing from New Bed- ford. On June 1, 1873, she arrived in port. According to custom, after getting north of the gulf stream, the crew would celebrate their anticipation of the joyous home-coming by throwing over- board the try-works, thus proclaiming the end of the whaling voyage. This custom was followed, and brick after brick was hurled into the sea. Before the last brick had reached the bottom of the ocean, sperm whales were sighted. The boats were lowered, and four whales were taken. Since the try-works were beyond recall, the only thing to do was to cut and put the blubber into casks to be tried out on shore. This catch yielded 75 barrels of oil. There- after, the motto became, "It is never too late to try."
This incident recalls the Charles W. Morgan, in 1923, tied at a Fairhaven wharf. Here we interweave the Craig family. The Craigs lived in a small house at the extreme west end of Center street, on the south side, beyond Water street, practically on Handy's wharf. Excellent photographs are in existence of the house. The Craig house, so called, was moved to Handy's wharf from the north- west corner of Main and Union streets. It belonged to the estate of Luke Tobey. Robert Craig died in March, 1875, aged 43. Here lived Annie, widow of Robert Craig, with sons, Robert, Arlington and Frank; and daughters Lizzie and Lillie. Son Robert, about 16 years of age, sailed from New Bedford in the whaling bark Lydia, a vessel of 351 tons, hailing from Fairhaven, returning in December, 1879, after a voyage of 19 months. Robert, who was born in Scot- land, on August 22, 1861, again sailed from New Bedford, this time on the Charles W. Morgan which was built in New Bedford in 1841, and purchased by Colonel Green in October, 1924. He was taken ill and died at sea on April 12, 1885, in his 24th year. He was highly esteemed by his shipmates.
In April, 1900, Lillian Steward Craig and Seth Howland Hall were married. Lillian died in September, 1901, in her 28th year.
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Lizzie (Annie E.) died in September, 1908, in her 44th year. Mother Craig died in July, 1914, aged 82.
The shore just south of the house was the mecca of many who, in early winter, donned long rubber boots, and, with lantern in one hand and spear in the other, prepared to carry home a string of frost fish for family and cat. This was previous to the selection of this spot for the new marine railway, purchased in October, 1889, and operated by Abram Chase in the early part of 1890.
The next house south of Mr. James F. Tripp's, on the east side of William street, was the Willcox house. In the '50's this house was owned by Lemuel Tripp, father of Mrs. A. P. Willcox. In 1830, Mr. A. P. Willcox opened a store on Middle street south of E. R. Cole's house. Later he removed to the building-the old post office building-on the southwest corner of William and Center streets, then newly built. In the New Bedford Daily Gazette, under the date of Tuesday morning, April 8, 1831, we find the following : -"DRY GOODS AT COST. A. P. Willcox, intending to take a new store in April, and make other arrangements, offers his entire stock of Staple and Fancy Dry Goods, at cost, for cash." The map of Fairhaven, printed in 1855, gives his name at this corner. Mr. Willcox believed in the efficacy of advertising, for in the same paper on December 9, of the preceding year he inserted :- "NEW YORK HATS. AT FAIRHAVEN. A. P. Willcox has just re- ceived a full supply of Beaver and Satin Beaver Hats, of the latest style, and of the most approved New York manufacture. Hats of any pattern or price, which may not be on hand, will at all times be procured at the shortest possible notice." In 1856, Charles Brigham sold to Mr. Willcox the dry goods store at 36 Center street, Phoenix Block. Mr. Willcox died on April 9, 1871, aged 69, his widow con- tinuing the business until 1880, selling out to C. D. Milliken, who placed the store in charge of S. P. and S. H. Willcox, as a branch store. Mrs. Susan H. Willcox, widow of A. P. Willcox, died in November, 1881. In February, 1885, the Misses Willcox, twins, secured the business for themselves, at 36 Center street, continuing in Phoenix Block until June, 1901, when they moved into the Masonic Block. Mr. James Ede opened a store of Gent's Furnish- ings in the quarters vacated by the Willcox sisters, who remained in the Masonic Block until April, 1910, when Mr. Ede moved again, into the store which they had just vacated. Well do we remember when James Ede and Madison Edwards opened their shoe store just north of the Fountain Hall building on Saturday, October 8, 1881. This building was taken down and removed to Woods Hole
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in June, 1883. On this spot up went Mr. Louis N. Baudoin's barber shop in 1886. Mr. Baudoin died in January, 1928, aged 69. After being used for a half century, it was recently razed. In 1883, Mr. Ede was a teacher in the Methodist Sunday School. He resigned in 1904 from the superintendency of this school after a service of ten years, being succeeded by John H. Blackburn. Mr. Ede, before opening the store at 36 Center street, on Tuesday, July 2, had been in the employ of Sanders and Barrows, New Bedford, for 17 years. In 1886, he married Luella T. Snow. Mr. Ede died in October, 1924, and Mr. Edwards died in August, 1926, at the age of 74. Mrs. Ede died in July, 1947, aged 86. Two sons survive, Hubert R. and Raymond W. Susan P. Wilcox died on May 2, 1916, in her 79th year and her twin sister, Sarah H., died on August 6th of the same year. In June, 1890, Miss Myra Shurtleff, who married Jeremiah R. Kelley, in January, 1894, was clerk at the dry goods store of the Misses Willcox, at 36 Center street. Mrs. Kelley died on Wednesday, March 11, 1942, in her 70th year. Other clerks at different times were Annie Morse, Lizzie Williams, and Anna Robinson.
A century ago or thereabouts, individuals were chosen as agents for the sale of books. In the Fairhaven school report of 1846, we read :- "Mr. A. P. Willcox, who was not one of the Prudential committee, but whose public spirit and whose interest in education induced him to labor, through the year, as the assistant of the com- mittee in the discharge of their arduous duties, a servant without money and without price, at his store, in District Nos. 12 and 13, the fourth deposit was made." The subsequent history of the Fair- haven school book agency is as follows :
In the STAR of March 18, 1882, we find this notice to scholars : -"All text-books used in the public schools can be found at intro- duction prices at the School Board Agency, number 36 Center street," signed by George E. Fuller, Chairman School Committee. And in January, 1885, we find a notice in the STAR, signed by A. B. Collins, as follows :- "The Fairhaven school book agency has been moved to the store of Mrs. John Damon, No. 40 Center street. Teachers and scholars will be governed accordingly." And in Jan- uary, 1886, we find that the school book agency has been transferred to a room in the Rogers School and will be under the immediate supervision of the school committee. Charles Drew was on the school board years ago. His shop was attached to the house, and he sold schoolbooks, supplies, etc.
Lemuel T. Willcox, brother of S. P. and S. H. Willcox, was born in Fairhaven, graduated at the local high school in 1852, and
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at Yale in 1860. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1862. His office as lawyer was at 29 North Water street, New Bedford. In November, 1872, it was at the corner of Water and Center streets, New Bedford.
The next house was that of Mrs. Lemuel C. Tripp, on the northeast corner of Washington and William streets. In the '50's this house was owned by M. O. Bradford who died in January, 1860, aged 69. Mr. Marlbro Bradford, aged 76, died on August 24, 1865, the funeral taking place on the 26th, at his residence, 45 William street. Capt. Tripp was in the merchant service, in the China trade, and Mrs. Tripp often sailed with him, in fact, is said to have been the first American lady to sail around the world. In the early '50's Capt. Tripp built the mansion at the head of Spring street. Under the date of June, 1851, Capt. Tripp advertised as follows :- "Pas- senger. In steamship Baltic, from New York to Liverpool." In 1864, he died, and in March, 1867, the estate was advertised for sale. George F. Tripp was executor of Mr. Tripp's estate in 1868. Mrs. Tripp subsequently removed to the house where she lived un- til her death, under the watchful care of Miss Annie J. Payne who died in November 1932, in her 82d year.
The mansion then passed in succession into the hands of Bart- lett, Marston, Rogers, Lewis, Thomas and then was acquired by the present owners in December, 1904. In March, 1879, two sons of James L. Marston, Edgar W. and James W. made plans to go into the stock raising business in Colorado, and on Wednesday, April 23d, they left for their destination. A large party met at the residence to wish them good luck. In 1880, the residence of Mr. Marston was sold to Mr. Rogers of New Orleans, Mr. Marston going to Colorado. Albert G. Marston, a schoolmate at the Spring Street School when Miss Sarah R. Allen, daughter of Elishub S. and Rhoda K. Allen was the teacher, married Alice M. Packard of Brockton in June, 1899. Miss Allen died in November, 1879, aged 31. Her father died in May, 1882, in his 78th year, and her mother died in September, 1903, aged 95. Josephine C., youngest daughter of Elishub and Rhoda Allen, died on October 16, 1870, in her 20th year. A copartnership, existing under the firm of Gifford and Allen, was dissolved in July 1828. The partners were S. H. Gifford and Elishub S. Allen. Mrs. James L. Marston died in March 1927, aged 92. James W. Marston died in October, 1929, aged 73.
Mrs. Mary Ann Tripp, widow of Capt. Lemuel C. Tripp, died in December 1906, aged 96. Capt. Lemuel Tripp, Hiram Tripp,
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Alexander Tripp, Hervey Tripp, and George F. Tripp were brothers. They had one sister, Mrs. Susan H. (A. P.) Willcox.
Mr. Philemon Fuller lived in the house that stood at the southeast corner of William and Washington streets, facing William. In 1919, this house was turned, so that the length ran parallel with William street instead of Washington, and thoroughly re- modelled. Philemon Fuller was born in 1794, and died on Decem- ber 5, 1875, in his 82d year. The house south, in which Samuel H. Eldredge formerly lived, was removed.
S. E. Corner of William and Washington Streets. - Thomas Fuller, son of Philemon Fuller, who lived at the corner of William and Washington streets, was bookkeeper at the American Tack Works for 11 years, later becoming cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, New Bedford. He died in October, 1886, at the age of 37. The following year the house of 16 rooms was for sale. On July, 1915, Sarah F., widow of Thomas Fuller, died, aged 64. She was the daughter of Capt. Alexander Winsor, and was married to Thomas B. Fuller in December 1874. They had two children, Anna and Arthur. Rodolphus A. Swan, husband of Mrs. Anna Fuller Swan, died on April 1, 1942. There are two sons, Bradford F., and Rodolphus, Jr.
Retracing our steps a bit, we find that was it on Tuesday morning, September 18, 1838 that Capt. Alexander Winsor, of Duxbury, and Miss Sarah P., daughter of Capt. Silas Allen, were married in Fairhaven. Capt. Winsor's wife died on November 23, 1865, in her 50th year. It was at this time that Sarah F. Winsor, about 14 years of age, went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Nye, Mrs. Nye being the sister of Mrs. Winsor, both being daughters of Capt. Silas Allen.
Mrs. Sarah P. Winsor. - More than four score years ago, sadness hovered over the Winsor family. In New Bedford papers of that period, we read : "In Fairhaven on the 23d inst. (November, 1865), Mrs. Sarah P. Winsor, wife of Capt. Alexander Winsor, aged 49."
"The loss to a community of an individual possessing such marked characteristics as Mrs. Winsor seems to demand something more than the usual record. Endowed by nature with more than ordinary natural gifts, Mrs. Winsor, by education and observation, had secured for herself a claim to the title of a noble woman. In her character, dignity with affability were harmoniously combined. A sense of justice guided her acts, and, though firm in adhesion to
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her principles, she was tolerant to those of opposite views. In her charities she exercised a judicious discrimination, and works of benevolence and philanthropy found in her a ready support. As a friend she was always true, and one having been so fortunate as to have secured her friendship, no ordinary external influence could impair the relation. In her domestic relations, she was all that the endearing names of wife and mother imply. She had a well- balanced mind, and one on seeing her might recognize the fact as the reflex influence of a fine physical organization. In her loss, a husband and first born son who are now pressing homeward through the waters of a Southern sea, unsuspecting any domestic calamity, are destined to step on the threshold of a cheerless home.
Mrs. Winsor had been a sufferer from chronic disease during the past year, though not until recently, after long continuous watch- ing over a sick son, did her condition seem to manifest reasons for alarm. During the few past weeks she has been a constant sufferer, yet in the time no complaint inconsistent with Christian resignation escaped her lips. On Thursday morning, in the full possession of her mental faculties, she bade farewell to her son and young daughter, leaving messages of affection for each-then calling in turn for other relatives and friends, she dropped words of adieu. Soon after, her spirit escaped from its earthly tenement and was doubtless welcomed to its celestial abode. This tribute to the memory of a departed friend is of slight moment. But the kindly recollections of her many virtues shall endure so long as friends remain to drop a tear of affection on the spot where the inanimate form may finally repose. Fairhaven, November 27, 1865."
Mr. Reuben Nye, born in No. Falmouth, and Miss Anna Maria Allen were married on Monday, June 30, 1834. Mr. Nye became cashier of the Fairhaven National Bank in 1845. He was formerly treasurer of the New Bedford Institution for Savings, and had held other responsible bank positions. Mr. and Mrs. Nye cele- brated their golden wedding on July 5, 1884. Mrs. Nye died in December, 1896, aged 83. All this brings to light other bank facts.
Mr. William F. Caswell, who was Fairhaven born, was teller in the National Bank for a period of ten years, resigning in December, 1880. Mr. Caswell and Emma D. Allen, of New Bedford, were married on the 16th of April, 1871. Mr. Caswell was a Veteran of the Civil War, and died on January 14, 1929, at the age of 84. George E. Dean, who became president of the Falmouth National Bank, and who was at that time in the employ of E. Borden, Jr. of New Bedford, was appointed to the position made vacant by the resig-
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nation of Mr. Caswell. Mr. Dean held this position, under the cashier- ship of Reuben Nye, until June 1, 1889, when he was appointed cashier at Falmouth.
It was on June 3d of that year that George B. Luther, born on October 5, 1870, began his career as a bank official in the capacity of teller. Deacon Nye died on June 24, 1895, in his 90th year, and on July 1st of that year, Mr. Luther was elected cashier. He con- tinued in this position until December 23, 1912 when he was elected president of the Fairhaven National Bank. As a bank official for nearly half a century and as treasurer of local organizations, to- gether with his other affiliations, his career, when told in detail, will demonstrate what an energetic and honest individual can do and be- come.
We now come in our journey around this square, to the house on the southwest corner of William and Washington streets, built for Ezekiel Sawin who, in 1831, became the first president of the Fairhaven bank.
Ezekiel Sawin, in May 1862, resigned as Bank president, a position which he had held since the institution was chartered. George F. Tripp was elected in his stead. Ezekiel Sawin died in December, 1870, aged 78.
In July, 1866, the elegant residence, with large gardens and conservatory, also a lot and building near, suitable for a stable, was for sale, the notice being signed by James S. Robinson and F. R. Whitwell, Jr.
The Sawin house was purchased by Weston Howland in 1867, and has been the homestead of the Howland family or a portion thereof for nearly three fourths of a century. Mr. Howland was born in New Bedford in June, 1815, and was married, on Thursday, May 14, 1846, to Miss Rebecca Kirby of Dartmouth.
Let us wander in an out-of-order way to the old Unitarian church where we find temporarily occupying the pulpit a preacher of note whose career we wish to interject at this point.
N. E. Corner of Main and Washington Streets. - Augustus Phineas Reccord became a minister of the Unitarian faith, having parishes as follows : - Chelsea, 1895-1897; Cambridge, 1897-1902 ; Newport, 1902-1905; Springfield, 1905-1919; Detroit, 1919-1939. In July, 1885, Master A. P. Reccord, at the age of 15, took the place of William F. Church in J. W. L. Hillman's store. How "Gus" could jump at the time he was a pupil in the local high school,
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located in the Rogers School, under the charge of Z. Willis Kemp in 1887 !
Augustus Phineas Reccord was born in Acushnet, graduating from the. Fairhaven high school in 1887, and at Brown University in 1892. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater in 1922. From 1892 to 1895, he pursued a course at the Har- vard Divinity School. While at this school, he was invited to address the congregation at the Fairhaven Unitarian Church, especially direct- ed to the children of the Sunday School. This he accepted and gave the address at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of April 2, 1893. This is very vivid to the writer. Mr. Reccord and Mae A. Tripp were married in November, 1895, and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on October 30, 1945, Dr. Reccord died October 4, 1946.
We have reached the corner of Main and Washington streets. On the northeast corner was a low lot which Charles Stevens used for a garden. In 1880, Eben Delano's fish market, which stood here, was taken down, and Mr. Alfred Nye erected upon this lot, which he bought of Mary Wadsworth in 1880, the building which now stands here. The erection of such a building, in a town then of only 2874 inhabitants, required much foresight, and was quite a contrast to the humble beginning of this grocery store in the basement of the house diagonally across the street, which Mr. Nye opened on March 4, 1857, and continued until March 12, 1881 when the new store was opened.
In July, 1881, the 13 x 17 storage building for petroleum, coal, etc. was erected just east of the new store, by Frederick Pearce, carpenter, and the painting was done by Alexander Tripp, the latter living on Walnut street, opposite the house of Isaac Terry. Alexan- der Tripp was born in Fairhaven in 1816, and died in April, 1896, in his 80th year. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Pearce celebrated the 60th anniversary of their marriage on Friday, November 17, 1899, at their home on Walnut street, next north of the Town Hall property.
In the STAR of June 14, 1879, Eben Delano advertised thus : - "Live Fish! Right out of the Water! Induced to come on shore by hook and line. Main Street, Corner Washington."
Mr. Alfred Nye was treasurer of the Methodist Church for 49 years. He was a '49er on two other occasions, making two trips to the gold field. He taught school in District No. 8 during the win- ter term 1846-1847.
Mr. Alfred Nye died in July, 1910, in his 84th year. Annie May Nye, who graduated from the local high school in 1894, married
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Franklyn E. Smith of Newton in June, 1901. Mrs. Smith is the only surviving member of her class as the only other member of the graduating class, Clifford Delano, son of Joshua H. and Eliz- abeth A. Delano, died in September, 1899, in his 23d year. Joshua H. Delano died in May, 1923, aged 72.
S. E. and N. W. Corners of Main and Washington. - We have arrived at the southeast corner of Main and Washington streets. This house was in the Stevens family for nearly 150 years, since its erec- tion by William Stevens in 1798. The late Miss Cora Stevens resided here for 85 years, and is the great granddaughter of William. Job Stevens and Mary Stetson, grandparents of Miss Stevens, were married in October, 1795. By glancing at the old map of Fairhaven, of the issue of 1855, it may be observed that this property was listed as that of Mrs. Job Stevens. It was she who sold to Ezekiel Sawin the land on the southwest corner of William and Washington streets for the erection of the mansion which dignifies that corner. She gave to the town the land extending from Main street to William street, for Washington street which was laid out, from Main to Green, in June, 1832. Because of this generosity the selectmen of that period honored her with the privilege of selecting the name of the street. Mary Stevens, widow of Job Stevens, died on March 23, 1856, aged 80.
Mr. George H. Stevens, who died in July, 1889, in his 72d year, was the father of Miss Stevens, and Charles F., who died in Febru- ary, 1887, aged 73, was her uncle.
Miss Cora Stevens was a music teacher, and her pupils in 1892 were Sarah Morton, Lucy Ellis, Grace Perry, Anna Winsor, Elsie Clark, and Alice Cook. Miss Grace Perry entered the Friends School in Providence in September, 1894.
On Saturday, January 25, 1890, in the early hours of the morn- ing Miss Stevens smelled smoke, and upon arising saw the light of flames in the store across the street. She hastened to the house of Alfred Nye at the southeast corner of Middle and Washington streets and notified him, completing her errand by notifying his son Horace. The culprit had saturated with kerosene the bags of grain and set them afire. He was eventually apprehended, and convicted of arson with a sentence of five years imposed.
The two small houses south of the Stevens homestead were built in the Revolutionary period.
And right at the Stevens corner stood the old-fashioned lamp- post, many of them appearing in various parts of the town, in pic-
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tures taken years ago, when John A. Gifford, succeeded by George E. Reeves in December, 1889, made the monotonous rounds with ladder and oil can, then toward evening with ladder and matches, to illuminate the village.
Sad to relate, one post became a mistaken Blarney stone. At any rate, a galaxy of youth, inspired by a state of inebriation, or just the lack of common sense, persuaded one of their companions, by way of wager, to implant his tongue squarely upon this particular post, in the dead of winter. The wager was accepted; on went the tongue and there it stuck. Amid groans, the application of water, and extra wrappings of clothing, blankets, etc. the victim of this sinister trick, in his delirium, pulled away, leaving the skin of the lingual member on the iron post. This was plainly discerned by all the lads of the village on the next morning together with the coagulated blood that issued from the operation. And this was about 65 years ago.
On the northwest corner of Main and Washington streets lived Mr. and Mrs. William Newcomb Alden and family, consisting of John, Ellen, Clinton and William K. Alden. Ellen Frances Alden died in June, 1892, in her 27th year. John attended medical school in New York in 1888, and died in May, 1896, at the age of 29.
Mr. Alden's building at the northeast corner of Washington and Middle streets, occupied by E. M. Dean, as a shoe shop, burned in May, 1876. Nearly upon this site a barn was built, later re- modelled into a dwelling house which stands at this corner. Fol- lowing the fire, Mr. Dean went to the southwest corner of Union and Water streets, where he remained until he removed to 40 Center street, selling out his interest there to Thomas Dahl, followed by John H. Stetson. In May, 1881, William N. Alden opened a fish market on Mill Bridge. In 1888, Mr. Alden visited the silver mines of North Carolina on a prospecting tour. He owned a farm on Sconticut Neck where the boys, on Clin's invitation, spent the holi- days, preparing their own rations by day, and sleeping in the hay mow at night. In 1895, Mr. Alden started a wood yard on Spring street. He died in April 1897, aged 66. Clinton W. Alden and Minnie Freeman were married in November, 1894. Clin- ton Whitfield Alden died on Friday, June 22, 1945, aged 74. His widow, Minnie F., died in September, 1946, in her 78th year. William K. married Lucy A. Freeman in May, 1899. In September, 1892, William, at the age of 17, had the great misfortune of having a Boston electric car pass over his left leg so that amputation below the knee was necessary.
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