Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 26

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 26

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This was about twenty years after the settlement and doubtless the church had been in existence a number of years at that time. The building was repaired in 1689-90 and a bell hung in the modest tower. After much discussion and many meetings the second church was built early in the ministry of Mr. Clapp, on the former site. In 1789 the third church edifice was erected on the historic spot, and that was dis- placed by the present stone building in 1829-30.

Other pastors of the old church, prior to its division in 1792, were Rev. Josiah Crocker, who served from 1742 to 1765; he resided in Taunton until his death, August 28, 1774. Rev. Caleb Barnum, a graduate of Princeton college in 1757, and settled as minister in Taun- ton in 1768, was chaplain in the army in 1776, and died from bilious disorder in August of that year. Rev. Elias Jones served the church from 1777 for a brief period and was succeeded by Rev. Ephraim Jud- son, who was installed in 1780; he was dismissed in December, 1790.

Meanwhile a " Sandemanian Meeting" was established in 1785 under the auspices of one Mr. Brewer, from Connecticut; and a Protestant Episcopal Church about 1740-41, which was the direct predecessor of St. Thomas Church. In a writing making a donation of books to that church in 1742, he speaks of "the church lately built;" it was in the western part of the town, not far from Oakland, on " the Glebe," which was conveyed by deed to the wardens of the church, March 19, 1743. The glebe was purchased by subscriptions "for the sole benefit and profit of the Rector, for the time being of the Church of St. Thomas, standing near Three mile river in Taunton." Rev. John Lyon was the first pastor, who began his services in 1765. Long prior to this, in 1739, efforts had been made to secure a missionary for Taunton, where "thirty families " awaited his coming; the first record of public preach- ing was in January, 1742, when Rev. Ebenezer Miller "engaged to preach next Sunday," by request of "a committee from those of the Church of England in Taunton." The only resident ministers of the

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

ancient parish were Revs. Lyon and Wheeler, and their labors closed with the end of the last century.1

At about the time of the formation of the Protestant Episcopal parish thus described (1769), the Baptists organized in the north part of the town. There Jeremiah Bassett, son of Joseph, son of William Bas- sett, who came over soon after the Pilgrims, held services in his own house, the result of which was the building of a meeting-house in 1767; this edifice was removed to the Weir and gave place to a new house in 1837. The Baptists of Norton joined with those of North Taunton in organizing a church in 1769 and called Rev. William Nelson as pastor, who continued with the church thirteen years, and was succeeded by his brother; he continued until 1795.2

Church organizations in addition to those described in this chapter were formed in Taunton after the beginning of the present century and are noticed in chronological order a little farther on. Let us now

1 It was not until 1820 that effective efforts were made to revive church work in this denom- ination. In February of that year a parish was incorporated by Ichabod Leonard, Levi Leonard, David Burt, James Burt 2d, Oliver Danforth and Galen Hicks. Even after this the parish lan- guished and four years passed before action was taken for the building of a house of worship by the appointment of a large committee to have charge of general church work. As late as May 6, 1828, it was voted on the recommendation of the committee "That it is expedient to engage the services of a clergyman to assist in reviving the church and parish of St. Thomas." For this pur- pose Rev. John West was chosen, who began with enthusiasm and efficiency. A wooden edifice was completed in June, 1829, and stood on the corner of Cohannet and High streets. Twelve years later the building was enlarged, and in 1859 the present handsome stone edifice was com- pleted. Pastors succeeding Mr. West were Revs. Samuel Hassard, Edmund Neville, Nathaniel Tucker Bent, Theodore William Snow, Edward Anthon, Thomas H. Vail, Robert C. Rogers, Charles Henry Learoyd and Morton Stone.

During the rectorship of Mr. Rogers, 1864-71, church services begun at Hopewell in 1863 re- sulted in the formation of the parish of St. John in December, 1866, and in the erection of a church edifice at a cost of $25,000, most of which was contributed in Taunton. The church was conse- crated June 19, 1873.

2 After the pastorate of Mr. Nelson this church fell into decline, there was no settled min- istry, and division and separate meeting took place in 1822, the Calvinist portion remaining and holding meetings on alternate Sabbaths and ultimately removing to Norton. The Free Will Baptists remained in Taunton, where they have continued an active society. In 1819 seven members of the old church in North Taunton presented a request for letters to be dismissed to form a new organization at the Center ; these, with nine others, constituted the original sixteen members of what has since been known as the Second Baptist Church of Taunton, or, as at pres- ent, the Winthrop Street Baptist Church. The first deacons of this society, elected in 1823, were Thomas C. Brown and Elias Parry. In 1824 a small wooden church was erected on High street, and in the following year Caleb Benson, a licensed preacher, was engaged to preach three- fourths of the time for one year. The society languished without a regular pastor until 1826, when a revival doubled its membership and Rev. Silas Hall became the first pastor. He was succeeded in 1831 by Rev Benjamin C. Grafton ; William G. Trask, in 1834 ; Rev. Henry Clark in 1836 ; Rev. John F. Burbank in 1841 for nine months ; Rev. James F. Wilcox in 1842 ; Rev. Andrew Pollard in 1849 ; continuing twenty-two years to 1871 ; Rev. Joseph Colver Wightman, 1873 ; Rev. Joseph Kennard Wilson, 1882; Rev. Obed J. White, 1894. During the pastorate of Mr. Pollard the present church edifice was built and dedicated October 10, 1865 ; it cost about $50,000.

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THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

turn our attention to the efforts made by the pioneers for educating their children.

The first school teacher in Taunton was John Bishop, who came as early as 1641, in which year it is recorded that " Master Hooke received ordination from the hands of one Master Bishop, a schoolmaster." Mr. Baylies, in his writings, calls Bishop "one of the earliest proprietors and settlers." He was undoubtedly a very early settler, but his name is not in the recorded list of first proprietors. He was still a young man, bright with promise, a student of theology, and completed in this country the education well begun in England. Mr. Emery has estab- lished quite clearly that Bishop was also a preacher and the first one to officiate in that capacity in Taunton. In those times the duties of teacher and preacher were frequently performed by one and the same person. There was another teacher in the town in that century, but little is known of him other than that his name was James Green. Teachers and preachers were alike paid at public expense; the town was one great school district and for a great many years educational facilities were of the most primitive character; schools were few and far between.

Who succeeded Bishop as teacher in Taunton is not known. It may have been William Pole, who afterwards taught in Dorchester. An article written in 1815, and found in the Collections of the Massachu- setts Historical Society, on free schools in Plymouth colony, states that Josiah Cotton, a teacher in Plymouth in 1698, " fitted for college with Mr. Adams, of Taunton." In 1685, according to Mr. Shove, there were eighty scholars on the list of Taunton school, some of whom were studying Latin. Mr. Shove, it will be remembered, was the minister. An old account book covering years from 1683 to 1687, shows how school expenses were met. James Green, already mentioned, was a teacher and his salary was arranged for by an assessment of £21 7s. and 7d. upon one hundred and fifty-six persons. An entry relating to this is as follows:

This rate made the 22d day of December, 1685, by us, whose names are under- written for the paiment of the schoolmaster, and is to be paid according to town order. (Signed) William Harvey, Thomas Leonard, Shadrach Wilbore.

In another old document of 1688 is found an item of town expense as "the hier of school hous, nine shillings." In 1687, ten years after Rev. Samuel Danforth was installed pastor of the church, the town took the following action :

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

At a town meeting, warned by the constable, the town met together November the 19th day, 1697, and then did make choice of Mr. Samuel Danforth to keep a Gramer Scole here in Taunton for the present yeare, vis, untill this time twelve month.

Attest by Shadrach Wilbore, Town Clarke.

The Selectman had been complained of " for not keeping a school as the law directs," by Philip King, and they appeared before the Court of Sessions and explained that they had engaged Mr. Danforth. Under date of January 6, 1697-8, Mr. Danforth addressed a letter to the jus- tices of the Quarter Sessions, certifying that he had kept a school in his. own house "for above one whole year for the instruction of children to read, write and cypher, to which many children came, and any might and others would have come, only the poverty of their parents these hard times prevented," etc.

The establishment of the very early schools in the Commonwealth was ordered by the General Court as early as 1647, as noted in the errlier pages of general history. In 1670 the fishing excise from the Cape was offered to any town which would keep a free colonial school, classical as well as elementary. In March, 1682, £3 from this source was awarded "to Taunton scoole," and £5 to the Rehoboth school. Town action in favor of a free school is reported in 1674, and the Pro- prietary Records indicated the interest taken in education at that time as follows :

On the sixteenth day of February 17012, the Proprietors ordered that one hundred acres of land shall be laid out on both sides of Rehoboth Road at the head of the Meadow called Crossmans Meadow & said land to be laid out as soon as may be and to be improved and the benefits thereof to be used perpetually for and toward the maintaining of a free school in Taunton and never to be alienated to any other use. To be laid out by Captain Hodges, Lieutenant Leonard, Thomas Hervey and En- sign Gilbert, Selectmen.

This was very liberal action for the beginning of that century, and without doubt was sufficient to insure the continuance of the "free school." Passing on to later years, the following extract, copied by J. E. Seaver from memoranda of John Godfrey, is of deep interest:

These are to give notice to all ye inhabitants belongin to ye center part of school ground in Taunton that they meet at ye school house in sd Taunton on Monday next, ye 19th day of June instant at four of ye clock in ye afternoon then and there to consider on and agree where ye school shall be kept for ye next three months and where the Schoolmaster shall be boarded. This notification is by order of the Selectmen of sd Taunton, dated June 13, 1758.

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THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

The record of the meeting is as follows:

June 19th 1738. Relating to the school, Senter part of the Town of Taunton, mett as with Inn set forth and made choyce of John Godfrey for moderator of Sd meeting. The question was put, where the school shall be kept. It was voted, that the school shoold be kept In the public meeting house, or, the nearist place or house next to sd meeting house, whare they can git a place to have the sd school kept in for the next 3 months, after sd school shall be opened.

The large advancement made in educational affairs in all directions during the last twenty-five years may be made clear in brief statistics. In 1872-3 there were in the city sixty schools of all kinds, as against eighty-nine at the present time. The number of teachers in 1872 was seventy-two; in 1897, it was one hundred and twenty. The valuation of school property in 1872 was $145,260; now it is $400,000, a gain of one hundred and seventy-five per cent., while the gain in city valu- ation is only. twenty-one per cent. The average attendance in 1872 was 2,303; in 1897 it was 3,717. In 1872 the ratio of attendance to the whole school population was 68.98; at the present time it is 87.19. The average number attending the High School in 1872 was 105; now it is 288. These figures and others that are accessible to the interested person, show that the gain in school attendance during the period con- sidered is greater than in population, and that the gain in average attendance has been remarkable. The gain in the value of the school property is more than eight times that of the city's valuation; this shows the liberality of the community in supporting the schools. The gain in membership and attendance in the High School was more than fourfold that of the population, while the gain in the number of gradu- ates is 342 per cent. In 1872 the Whittenton, Weir, and Westville schools were nearly new; the others being old. Since that date there have been erected the High School, the Barnum Street, County Street, East Weir, Leonard, North School Street, School Street, Shores Street, Winthrop, Scadding's Pond and Richmond schools. During the same period the North, Pleasant Street, North School Street, and South School Street structures have been enlarged to about double their former capacity. Evening schools are now maintained in six different parts of the town-at East Taunton, Niagara, Oakland, Weir, Westville and Whittenton. The total number of pupils in 1897 in day schools, both public and private, was 5,033; the number in all public schools, 4,780. The aggregate expense of the schools for the year was $95,813 35. During the year 1897 the school accommodations were

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considerably increased, through liberal appropriations. An additional room was opened in both the East Taunton and the Whittenton school buildings, and a new building was commenced on Vernon street, to accommodate the increasing attendance in that part of the city.

All school affairs were settled by the town until 1789, when the town was divided into districts, and even then the town authorities exercised a controlling power over the districts; but the district authorities grad- ually gained broader powers until 1817, when they could own their own school houses and other property, and, through a prudential committee- man, could select and hire teachers. There was still a town school committee to examine and endorse the teachers and exercise general supervision over the schools. This system was unsatisfactory, and in order to centralize power and authority, the graded school system was introduced in 1862, and in 1864, when Taunton became a city, the dis- trict system was dropped and a general school committee was appointed, who, in 1869, chose a superintendent of schools.'

To complete an account of the educational institutions of Taunton, a brief sketch must be added of the old Bristol Academy, and a few of the later local schools. The academy was founded by a subscrip- tion made by fourteen persons and amounting to $710. This not being sufficient the Taunton School Society, which inaugurated the undertak- ing, petitioned the General Court for incorporation and aid. A grant of land six miles square in the district of Maine was made as an endow- ment to the institution, and an act of incorporation was signed by the governor June 30, 1792. The first meeting of the trustees was held September 21, 1792, and James Williams chosen secretary; Walter Spooner, president; David Cobb, vice-president, and Seth Padelford, treasurer. Subscriptions were solicited, but came in slowly; nothing was realized from the wild Maine lands, and nothing practical was ac- complished until October, 1794, when it was voted, "That the academy be built on land now owned by Mrs. Crocker, near the meeting-house in said Taunton, if a suitable piece of land can there be obtained."2

1 The school superintendents of Taunton have been William W. Waterman, 1869 to 1885; Jo- siah C. Bartlett, 1885 to 1887; George C. Capron, 1887 to 1890; Clarence F. Boyden, 1890 to present time. In the graded school system there are three grades, primary, grammar and high. The present high school building was not erected until 1885, but a high school had for many years been maintained, as required by law. To satisfy outlying districts this school was for some years in a migratory state from one place to another. It became a fixture in 1849 in a central location, under the very competent administration of Ozias C. Pitkin.

2 A small school house stood nearly opposite on the site of the present chapel of the First Con- gregational Church, and the difficulty in securing its removal is thus related by Mr. Emery, as

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THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

This site was secured for $75 paid to Mrs. Crocker, and in July, 1796, the modest structure was completed at a cost of $5,000. The Maine lands were sold, subscriptions were paid in and the trustees had a sur- plus of about $9,000. Simeon Doggett, jr., was engaged as preceptor, and Miss Sally Cady as preceptress. The academy was opened on the 18th of July, 1796, with appropriate ceremony, which included the singing of the famous " Ode to Science " by Deacon Jeremiah Sumner, which with its music was composed for this occasion. From that for- ward to the present time the old academy, founded thus early by the liberality and perseverance of Taunton's pioneers, has had a career of uninterrupted usefulness; it is now one of the few academic institutions left in New England. The principals of the institution, succeeding Mr. Doggett, have been as follows: Luther Bailey, Otis Pierce, John Brewer, John Hubbard Wilkins, Otis Pierce (second term), John Goldsbury, John Lee Watson, Frederick Crafts, John N. Bellows, Nicholas A. Clarke, John D. Sweet, John N. Bellows (second term), Samuel R. Townsend, Henry B. Wheelwright, John E. Sanford, Henry S. Nourse, Joseph A. Hale, William G. Gordon, Robert E. Babson, James L. Perry, Henry Leonard, William H. French, Josiah C. Bartlett, J. Russell Reed, Arthur Driver, Josiah C. Bartlett (second term), Frederick Farnsworth, William F. Palmer and William A. Lackey. The present brick structure was erected in 1852, to supply the demand for larger accommodations, and the old wooden building was converted into a dwelling and located on Washington street. On the 30th of June, 1892, a hundred years from the date of incorporation of the academy, the centennial anniversary was appropriately celebrated with interesting ceremonies.

given by Judge Fuller: "After purchasing the share of Gershom Gulliver, paying him double the price of the Crocker lot, it was voted to offer Ruth Cushman, owner of 11-24 part, one hundred dollars for her share, 'and if she shall decline to sell for that sum, to propose to give her 13-24 of the same, which belongs to the trustees, on condition that she shall remove the house from the common where it now stands within a reasonable time, and quit her right to the land under and about the same house.'" The old private school house disappeared; in what manner the record does not show.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

CHAPTER XII.

THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

Early Public Proceedings and Private Industries.

For nearly forty years after settlement was first made in Taunton peace reigned in the colony. Although the inhabitants were frequently called upon to prepare for possible sanguinary contests and obeyed the law regarding military training, no actual bloodshed occurred for a long period. We have already learned how, in 1638, it was ordered that "Captaine Poole shall exercise the Inhabitants of Cohannet in their armes." Similar orders were issued to other towns in the colony at later dates. This was the beginning of military authority in Taun- ton. A company was thus formed which included most of the mature inhabitants of the town. The first roster that is accessible is for the year 1643, when it was sent to Plymouth as a record of "all the males able to beare arms from XVI years old to 60 yeares." The list was as follows:

Mr. John Browne,

Mr. William Poole,

John Browne,

James Brown,

James Walker,

Oliver Purchase,

Thomas Gilbert,

Richard Stacye,

Will'm Holloway,

Timothy Holloway,

Will'm Parker,

Peter Pitts,

John Parker,

Will'm Hailstone,

Wm. Hodges,

Will'm Phillips,

John Maycomber,

Thomas Coggin,

James Wyatt,

Edward Rew,

Thom Harvey,

James Chichester,

Will'm Seward,

Aron Knapp,

John Barrett,

Nicholas Hart,

Will'm Powell,

Edward Bobbett,

Richard Paull,

Anthony Slocome,

Edward Case,

Thomas Farewell,

Tobias Saunders,

Henry Andrews,

John Gallop,

John Strong,

John Gilbert, jr.,

Thom Cassell,

John Deane,

Edward Abbott,

Walter Deane,

Wm. Wetherell,

Hezekiah Hore,

George Macie,

George Hall,

John Perry,

Benjamin Wilson,

Mr. Street,

Richard Williams,

Will'm Evans,

Thomas Cooke,

Christopher Thrasher,

Thom Cooke, jr.,

John Gingell.

The officers of this First Military Company of Taunton were William

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THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

Pole, captain; James Wyatt, lieutenant; Oliver Purchase, ensign bearer. These officers were succeeded by others during the next twenty years, James Wyatt taking the post of captain in 1661. A record of the next roster is found in 1682, at which time the company was divided into four squadrons, "in order to their bringing their armes to meeting on every Sabbath day until the last of October according to Court orders." These squadrons took turns in taking their arms to meeting. The First Company was divided into two before the close of that century, and other companies were organized in both the North and the South Purchases. As the years passed a larger military force was required in all parts of the Commonwealth, and Taunton had its foot companies from First to Sixth inclusive, and its troop of horse.

Between 1642 and the opening of King Philip's war in 1675 prepara- tions for war were a number of times made in which the inhabitants of Taunton shared. The insurrection of Indians against the Dutch and English in 1643; anticipated difficulty with the Dutch in 1653; expedi- tion against the Awashunckes in 1671; the expected expedition against the Dutch at New York in 1673-all these movements received their share of attention and co-operation in Taunton. For example, in the expedition of 1671, the records give "the proportions of the men pressed out of the several townes of this jurisdiction to go forth on the above mentioned expedition," of which number Taunton was to furnish twelve. In the preparations for an expedition against the Dutch in 1673, the records give the names of the sergeants of a company as William Witherell, Thomas Harvey, John Witherell and Philip Leon- ard, all of whom were from Taunton, and adds :

The Govr bestows a drum towards the expedition, and the other to be had att Taunton, one paire of cullers to be had att Swansey.

A sufficient description of the King Philip war, in which the county at large took part, has been given in earlier chapters of this work, as well as of other wars in which Taunton men shared; for the present purpose, therefore, those conflicts will be passed by with merely such notes as pertain to Taunton alone. Philip began his warfare on the 24th of June, 1675, and in that same month Edward Babbitt, of Taun- ton, was killed by one of the chieftain's band. On the 28th of June, in that year, the military quotas of the several towns were ordered to re- port at Taunton. About that time, when the Indians were pursuing and shooting all settlers who came in their range, the houses of John

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Tisdale and James Walker were burned and John Tisdale was killed; but the people of Taunton were reasonably protected from sudden attack by eight garrison houses which had been erected for defense. One of these stood on the south side of Washington street about oppo- site the northwest corner of Washington and Tremont streets. Another was on the northwest corner of Cohannet and High streets; a third was at the works of the first Iron Works Company, the site of which is in the present town of Raynham. None of the other garrison house sites is known.

In the Narragansett Swamp fight many Taunton soldiers and officers were engaged; of the killed none is known. William Witherell, ser- geant, James Bell and - White were wounded. Captain John Gal- lup commanded a Connecticut company and was killed. Henry An- drews, son of the first Henry, was killed at East Taunton, as also were James Bell and his two sons, and James Phillips, son of William. June 26, 1676, the inhabitants received news that Philip intended to attack Taunton, and preparations for defense were promptly made. The In- dians approached the place on the 11th of July, but appreciating the situation, retired after burning two houses. On the 6th of August, 1676, twenty men of Taunton ventured out and captured a band of twenty-six Indians, of whose proximity they had been informed; the point where this deed was done is believed to be Lockety Neck, in what is now Norton. Increase Mather states that there were ." fifteen persons slain by the Indians in Taunton, eleven men, two maids, and two youths, besides a man slain in the fight with Captain Beers, some in the year 1675, and some in 1676." The expenses incurred by Taun- ton in this war amounted to £739 10s.1

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 26

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