Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 16

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399

USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts > Part 16

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Quite early in the present century the Bristol County Bible Society was formed and for many years performed its beneficent work. The record book has disappeared and no history of its early operation can be given. What was called its "first annual meeting " was held in September, 1839, but this was evidently under a reorganization, as the society was certainly in existence much earlier. The receipts for 1838

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

are given as $570.78. A Bible Society was organized in New Bedford in 1817.

As the country was cleared of forests and the agricultural interests made progress, the farmers of the county felt the need of a union that would bring them into closer contact with each other for mutual con- sultation and improvement. The general feeling led to the organiza- tion in Taunton, on June 21, 1820, of the Bristol County Agricultural Society. At the meeting on that date a constitution was adopted, a committee appointed to further mature the details of the organization and issue an address setting forth its purposes, consisting of Samuel Crocker, of Taunton; Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, and Thomas Kinni- cut, of Seekonk. The first election of officers took place at the annual meeting of 1821, as follows: Samuel Crocker, president; Rev. Otis Thompson, Rev. Pitt Clark, of Norton; Nathaniel Morton, of Free- town; and Thomas Almy, of Dartmouth, vice-presidents; Horatio Leonard, of Raynham, recording secretary; James L. Hodges, of Taunton, corresponding secretary; Peter Thatcher, treasurer. A com- mittee, consisting of Francis Baylies, Samuel Crocker and James L. Hodges, was appointed to visit the various towns and solicit mem. bers and aid; this committee was enlarged the following year to one member from each town. The necessary sum of money to provide for a creditable exhibition was not raised until April, 1823, and the first exhibition was held in October of that year. An act of incorporation was passed the same year, which gave the society authority to hold $20,000 in real estate; this sum was raised to $100,000 of property by an amendment of 1875. Through the succeeding seventy-five years to the present time this society has held its existence and has been a means of great benefit to the farmers and tradesmen of the county. Many of the strongest men of the community have held its offices and contributed to its growth. At the first exhibition in 1823 the amount of premiums was only $161, and the total expenses $200; ten years later the premiums offered reached $260, and the growth continued slow for many years. During the first ten years of its existence the exhibitions were held in Taunton; in 1834 in Attleborough; in 1835 in Mansfield; in 1837 in Taunton again, and so it removed from year to year. For several years after 1840, when the society had greatly de- clined in its annual peregrinations, exhibitions were held in Taunton; in 1854-55 in New Bedford; in 1856-57, in Fall River, the membership constantly increasing, without a corresponding increase of funds. In

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FROM 1815 TO 1860.

1853 the funds were increased to $3,000, bringing the State bounty up to $600, where it has since remained. In 1858 it was voted to take up a permanent location, and in the following year the existing site was purchased in Taunton for $5,000 and spacious buildings erected, which have been added to and improved from year to year, until the grounds are now perfectly adapted to their purposes. On its fiftieth anniver- sary the receipts reached $11,600. There is probably no more prosper- ous agricultural organization in the State.

During the passing years of the first quarter of the present century increasing dissatisfaction was felt in the southern part of the county, and in some of the western towns, with the location of the county seat in Taunton, and various efforts were made for a change. Many petitions were sent to the General Court, particularly by the towns of Dartmouth and New Bedford, praying that some of the terms of court be held in Dighton or Freetown, or some other place more accessible to the people in that region. The situation, however, remained un. changed until 1828, when, on March 13, New Bedford was made a half-shire town and the first term of court was held there on the 9th of June, in the town hall. The court house and jail were subsequently built as described farther on.

The building of the jail in New Bedford created considerable public disturbance. Taunton and New Bedford were then thriving, growing places, while Fall River was still a struggling, though very active vil- lage with less than four thousand inhabitants. New Bedford de- manded the jail, for one reason, her maritime interests brought in a large class of more or less desperate characters, which would supply a majority of the criminals for the institution. Fall River, with com- mendable ingenuity, at least, offset the pretensions of New Bedford by asserting that through the great influx of foreigners attracted thither by the employment offered them in the mills, a high carnival of crime might at any time be inaugurated which a few New Bedford sailors could not hope to emulate. This was a somewhat startling claim, aside from its importance as a factor in procuring the jail for the village, and led to the taking of a census to learn what was the actual prospect of riot and ruin from the foreign element. The census showed that of the working population employed in the mills, seven hundred and three were native Americans and only forty two were foreigners. So New Bedford got the jail.

The scourge of Asiatic cholera which swept over the country in 1832

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

created intense anxiety in this county, particularly in Fall River and New Bedford, where the malady would be most likely to come in and gain a foothold. But prompt action on the part of the authorities in those places, as well as in Taunton, averted the appalling effects of the epidemic that were felt in other places. Vigilance commitees were appointed, stringent quarantine and sanitary regulations adopted, and the county as a whole suffered only slightly from the scourge.

As the population of the county increased and trade and manufac- turing industries multiplied, facilities for travel and transportation were greatly improved. When the old stage line, which, prior to 1808, ran from Boston to Newport via Attleborough, was changed to run through Taunton, Berkley, Dighton and Fall River, Taunton was without public conveyance to Providence; but in 1822 a stage line was established starting from the then stage headquarters at Indian Tav- ern, Boston, running to Taunton, Providence and thence to Bristol. In 1826 mail and passenger stages ran between Taunton and Boston every day in the year, and lines to other points of less importance were soon established.

Soon after the close of the war of 1812 transportation facilities to and from New Bedford were largely increased. In 1818 regular steamboat service was begun between that village and Nantucket, with the steamboat Eagle, a famous craft, which connected with a Boston stage line.

Fall River had little public communication with neighboring towns until 1827, when the steamer Hancock began running daily to Provi- dence. Previous to that year there had been a little intermittent steamboat communication with other points, and sailing craft were employed, subject to wind and tide. The village was still small, hav- ing only fifty dwellings in 1820. A baggage wagon went once or twice a week to Boston, carrying yarn and bringing back merchandise. The steamboat line to Providence continued through later years under auspices of the Fall River Iron Works Company, as described in the history of the town.

All of these comparatively primitive modes of conveyance were soon to give place to travel and freighting by the steam power of the loco- motive. Among the very earliest railroads in this country was one extending from Providence to Boston, passing through Attleborough and Mansfield, which was in operation in June, 1835. The opening of this road was a death-blow to the old and long-prosperous stage line,

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FROM 1815 TO 1860.

and others soon followed. It was now seen that a straight road of fif- teen or eighteen miles in length would give Taunton steam connection with the State capital, and a line of road was promptly built between that place and Mansfield, the first train of cars running over it on July 27, 1836. In that year a survey was made for a railroad to connect Taunton with New Bedford, and the estimated cost was placed at $285,230; a later survey raised this estimate to $400,000. In 1838 the Legislature passed an act incorporating Alfred Gibbs, Joseph Grinnell, James B. Congdon and their associates as the Old Colony Railroad Corporation, for the purpose of building this line. At the first meet- ing the title of the company was changed to the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad Company. A large share of the stock was promptly subscribed and in 1839 the following persons were chosen directors: Joseph Grinnell, Thomas Mandell, William W. Swain, William A. Crocker, Alfred Gibbs, Pardon G. Seabury and David R. Greene. Joseph Grinnell was elected the first president. Construction was at once begun and the road was opened to the public on the 1st day of July, 1840.

Meanwhile a charter was granted for a railroad from Fall River to Providence in 1835, which was renewed in 1845, and on December 30, of that year, a meeting was held at Warren, where arrangements were discussed for the construction of the line. The work was long delayed and the road was not opened for business until in 1863. In June, 1845, Fall River was connected with the New Bedford and Taunton line at Myricks, and at a subsequent date a branch from this road was laid direct to Taunton, passing through Dighton.1

While these evidences of general progress were coming into being, a period of business depression and financial stringency was opening which involved the whole country. A change made in the money policy of the government, over-production and speculation brought their usual consequences. As far as relates to Bristol county, the severest effects of the stringency was felt in Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford.

' In April, 1865, an act was passed under which the Old Colony and Fall River Railroad Com- pany, and the Newport and Fall River Company were given authority to join and form one cor- poration named the Old Colony and Newport Railway Company. What was known as the New- port Branch road was opened for business in November, 1863. The so-called Warren and Bristol branch of the system was opened in 1865. What is known as the Attleborough branch, running from Taunton to Attleborough and there connecting with the Boston and Providence road, was opened in about 1869. The several consolidations of recent years are matters of only general in- terest. All lines passing through Bristol county are now operated by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Company.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

In the latter place, which suffered the most, the period of distress be- gan earlier than in most localities, and a public meeting was held Jan- uary 16, 1834, to consider the deranged condition of the money market, the proceedings of which were reported to the government authorities at Washington by Hon. John Reed.' On February 22, 1834, a memorial was sent to Mr. Reed, which was signed by eight hundred and thirty-two citizens of New Bedford, two hundred and nineteen of Dartmouth, four hundred and seventeen of Fairhaven, two hundred and eighty-seven of Wareham, one hundred and seventy five of Roches- ter, and one hundred and thirty-six of Westport. The memorial set forth the distressing conditions in the county, urged the speedy establishment of a national bank, claiming that such an institution would restore credit and prosperity. This period of "hard times" continued to seriously affect the business interests of the country for several years; but in Bristol county the growing manufactures of Taunton and Fall River, and the whale industry of New Bedford were all resting upon founda- tions of wealth and energy that might be disturbed, but could not be wholly destroyed, and recovery was more rapid than in many places.

One more town was added to the subdivisions of Bristol county dur- ing the period considered in this chapter. This was Acushnet, the territory of which was originally a part of Dartmouth; it was set off as part of New Bedford in 1787 and so remained until the formation of Fairhaven in 1812, when it became a part of that town. The subject of dividing Fairhaven was discussed a long time before it was accom- plished. The inhabitants of the north part were dissatisfied with the then existing conditions, believing that as their section was only sparsely settled, they did not receive a fair share of school moneys, and their tax rates were high. Moreover, the building of the new Presbyterian church on a site just north of the Woodside Cemetery, instead of the former site, was another potent grievance. This building was subse- quently burned, and meetings were then held in Fairhaven village, still more to the inconvenience of the people in the north part of the town.

1 In his presentation of the resolutions of the meeting Mr. Reed said "that while in the full tide of success, suddenly and unexpectedly they [the inhabitants of New Bedford] have been plunged into almost overwhelming distress; that trade and confidence are in a great measure de- stroyed and business stopped; that they cannot fulfill their engagements, because they cannot sell their property for cash, or obtain any loan of money; many worthy and hitherto prosperous men have been ruined, and the future presents prospects awfully alarming and distressing. They believe the present calamity and distress are mainly owing to removing the deposits and the measures resulting from the removal."

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FROM 1815 TO 1860.

Rev. Israel Washburn, who was born in Acushnet territory in 1796, and owned a farm there, was a man of strong and aggressive character and became a zealous advocate of the creation of a new town. His name is found heading a petition presented to the General Court in the winter of 1858-9, for this purpose, which went before a legislative committee. No action was taken other than its reference to the suc- ceeding court. The petitioners then gave their energies to preparations for successfully carrying the matter through the next session. An article in the warrant for a town meeting in Fairhaven on April 4, 1859, asked for action on the above named petition "now referred to the next Legislature," and it was voted that the chairman nominate a committee of five to determine a line of division of the town and re- port. This committee were Isaac Wood, Arthur Cox, Jonathan Cowen, Cyrus E. Clark (postmaster in Acushnet forty years), Charles H. Adams and John Ellis. The report was dated June 2, 1859, and the committee was instructed to appear before the Legislature and pre- sent the facts of the case. This they did, and also presented another largely-signed petition in favor of the division from the inhabitants of the southern part of Fairhaven. The legislative committee to which the matter was referred reported favorably and the act incorporating Acushnet was passed February 13, 1860. The first town meeting was held in the village engine house and Jones Robinson was chosen mod- erator; the following officers were elected: Jabez Wood, town clerk, collector and treasurer; Cyrus E. Clark, Benjamin Wilson and Benja- min White, selectmen, assessors and overseers of the poor ; Jabez Wood, Rev. Philip Crandon and George P. Morse, school committee; Philip A. Bradford, constable.

This town is principally an agricultural district, but in early years the Acushnet River supplied power for a considerable number of mills of different kinds. The first fulling mill in this section was established early on the stream above the village, the building being used later for a saw mill by the Acushnet Saw Mill Company. A saw and a grist mill were in early years situated here, and later a fulling mill and carding factory which were operated by William Rotch and afterwards by Morgan & Lund as a paper mill. A mile farther up the stream was an early saw mill, which passed to possession of Phineas White who built a cotton mill there in 1811; associated with him were Capt. Jo- seph Whelden and Ansel White. The business prospered and Captain Whelden withdrew and built a stone cotton factory a mile up the

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

stream. Another saw mill was built on a stream emptying into the Acushnet near Captain Whelden's mill. Ansel White withdrew from his interest in the first cotton mill and built another in connection with a saw mill on the stream to the westward of Long Plain. The cotton manufacturing business has all passed away. Ebenezer Leonard car- ried on boat building many years, constructing a large number of whale boats for New Bedford, whither they were transported on trucks. Other industries have been the extensive manufacture of can- dle and soap boxes and the cutting of box-boards. There was a saw and grist mill on the Long Plain road, where a box factory was oper- ated in late years, which were followed by a fulling mill. Much of the general history of this town is included in later pages of New Bedford history. In this town is situated one of the oldest burial grounds in the county, where stand six or seven hundred stones bearing names and dates and very many more without. There is the resting place of many of the very earliest settlers of old Dartmouth. The land for this ground was given by John Jenne (or Jenney, as now spelled), a name that has always been familiar in this section. The ground was greatly improved and enlarged some years ago, and Humphrey Swift presented to an association formed for the purpose of caring for it several acres of land in rear of the original tract; this addition was divided into lots, the first ones of which was taken by Mr. Swift, Capt. James R. Allen and Rodolphus Swift. A strip of land was also purchased on the west for an avenue. On one side of this was what was once the Mendell family tomb, which was brought from the Mendell homestead, two miles northeast of the village and is now a public vault. On this acre was erected the first Congregational meeting-house in old Dartmouth. There were many Friends among the early settlers in this region who probably established a Meeting, which was about the first in the southern part of Bristol county; they also doubtless built the old meet- ing-house which stood on the site of Aponagansett meeting-house, be- yond the Head-of-the-River: it was built in 1699. A body of early Presbyterians built the first church on Acushnet territory, but in just what year is not now known. It stood at the old cemetery, just back of the central entrance. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel Hunt, who died in the town when he was forty-eight years old, and was succeeded by Rev. Richard Pierce, A. M., and he by Rev. Israel Cheever, who resigned in 1752. The next pastor was Dr. Samuel West, who was a famous figure in Revolutionary times and died in September, 1807.

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FROM 1815 TO 1860.

From 1803 to 1829 the society was greatly reduced and the Methodists occupied the church until 1811. At that time the Congregationalists made an unsuccessful attempt to revive the society. Rev. Sylvester Holmes began a pastorate about 1829, the membership increased and it was probably during his ministry that the Congregational system was instituted. Mr. Holmes remained only a short time and was succeeded by Rev. Pardon T. Seabury. In 1830 the society built a meeting- house on the west side of the river and the old building was demolished in 1837.

The meeting house of the Friends stood on the site of the present one on land conveyed in trust to the society by deed dated November 11, 1727; the house was built that year. When it fell into decay the new church took its place. The Christian Church at Long Plain was organized as a result of meetings held by Elder Daniel Hix, who was pastor of a flourishing church at Hixville, before described. The first meeting where the building of a meeting house was considered was held October 8, 1795. A lot was selected and the building erected near the present one; it was probably completed in 1796. Elder Hix preached two Sundays in each month for a period, but for a number of years the services were intermittent and various elders occupied the pulpit from time to time. The society was finally compelled to go out of existence.

The Friends' Society at Long Plain was formed about the middle of the last century, and their meeting-house was built on land deeded to them on October 10, 1759; it was much improved in 1855. The Meth- odist church at the village was organized as a class in 1807, but serv- ices had been held from the beginning of the century. As before stated the meetings were held several years in the Presbyterian church, but in 1811 they built a house for themselves. This was occupied until 1853, when the present one was built. On the 16th of October, 1838, the Baptists of this vicinity organized a church and Ira Leland was or- dained pastor, the meetings being held in the old Christian church. In 1847 a new edifice was erected. In 1856 a Union Society was formed to accommodate many believers who did not care to join the Baptists .or other societies, and this Baptist congregation became a part of it, but for only a short time. The list of pastors is a long one. In this Union Society was the Methodist Church of Long Plain, which was formed in 1856, with Rev. Philip Crandon as pastor. A small chapel was built and occupied until 1862, when the present edifice was erected.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

After the division of Fairhaven, Acushnet was separated into school districts and three excellent school houses were erected, while the others were placed in good condition. Several thriving private schools have been taught in the town. Other institutions are noticed in the later Gazetteer.

In describing the development in various directions in most of the towns in the county during the period treated in this chapter, we may begin with Dighton, where in early years, as well as at the present time, there were a number of important industries. The Segreganset River, nearly the whole course of which flows through this town, has supplied power for numerous manufactures, most of which were situated near its junction with Taunton River. Some of the earliest of these have been mentioned. A fulling mill was in operation early in the century just below the site of the Briggs forge. A little below the east and west road leading to the Upper Four Corners a stone building was erected in 1822 by Capt. David Perry for a machine shop, which was subsequently used for a tack factory by various proprietors. A fourth of a mile lower was an early linseed oil mill; it did not prosper and was said to have been bewitched by a woman who was at enmity with the owner. Later a tub and pail factory was operated in the building in the upper part and a blacksmith shop in the lower. It was finally burned and a saw mill built on the site by Joseph Briggs. One-half mile below this privilege was the tack factory of Nathaniel Leonard & Son, built about 1845, and containing twenty-two machines. It .passed to control of the tack combination and the work ceased. Below the Leonard factory and on the road forming the former bounds between Dighton and Wellington was the well known Simmons grist mill which went out of use many years ago.

On what has been called the Sally Richmond Brook were formerly a number of established industries, among which was a shingle mill and a forge on the west road, the first owned by Gen. William Peck, and the forge, which was a little below, by Matthew Briggs. A number of still later manufacturing establishments have had an existence in this town, which are described in the next chapter.

In Mansfield in 1837 the Calvin Baptists organized a church and built a meeting-house in the center of the town. No regular minister was settled until 1853 when Rev. Welcome Lewis was engaged. A Society of Friends was formed in this town in 1809 and built a neat meeting- house which is still in use. In 1830 a Christian Baptist Church was

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FROM 1815 TO 1860.

organized and a small house of worship built at West Mansfield; sub. sequently a new edifice was erected near the railroad station. The Mansfield and Foxborough Society of the New Jerusalem was organized in 1838 and meetings were held in dwellings of members. In 1871 a meeting-house was built on a lot donated by Dr. William F. Perry, on the south side of West street. The Emanuel Methodist Church was organized in 1860 with sixteen members. Meetings were held in a hall until January, 1861, from which date to 1864 no services were held. They were then revived in the old meeting-house for two years, when there was another interruption until 1871. In 1877 a house of worship was built on a lot donated by Charles T. Borden, which is still in use.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 16

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub Publication date: 1899 Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company Number of Pages: 1399

Author: Borden, Alanson, 1823-1900; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 1399