Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 29

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 29

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Manufacturing industries multiplied in Taunton before 1800, as de- tailed in a later chapter. One of them that attained considerable prom- inence was the manufacture of stoneware, which was started by Major William Sever in 1772, opposite his residence, on the historic No. 2 Landing Place and on the easterly side of Crooked Lane, now Ingell street, where it intersects High street. There the first stoneware in Bristol county was made, and probably the first American crucible.

In 1784 a disastrous freshet occurred, which was the first one of which there is any authentic record. On the 8th of January of that year a foot of snow fell, followed by warm winds and a heavy rain. The streams flowing into Taunton River rose with great rapidity and every bridge and dam on both sides of the river was swept away. The water was so high on Dean street that it was navigable for boats for a long distance. 1

Long before the beginning of the present century Taunton was the theater of considerable commercial operations by water. A coasting trade was established soon after the settlement of the provinces, and small sloops and shallops of ten and twenty tons, laden with brick, hol- lowware, iron and other products, plied back and forth to Providence, Newport and New York. Sloops were built in Taunton River as far up as Titicut and at Richard Williams's Landing. Captain Job Smith

1 The great gale and tidal wave of 1815, which began on the 22d of September, caused a freshet which covered the river roads with water to a great depth. Dean street at some points was six feet under water, large tracts of woodlands and orchards were laid low, buildings were unroofed and the Episcopal church near Three-Mile River was demolished.

Another destructive freshet occured in March, 1829, raising the water in Taunton River nearly as high as that in 1815, but the destruction of property on Mill and Three-Mile Rivers was not very great. Other freshets that caused considerable damage occurred on March 29, 1813, and in the first week of February, 1857. On Friday, February 12, 1886, a copious rain fall began and continued thirty-six hours. The water continued rising until the afternoon of February 11, causing great damage to property on Mill River. Baylies's farm, Neck of Land and Ingell street were sub- merged, and every mill dam suffered. Weir village was under water, bridges were destroyed, the lower parts of dwellings were flooded and the river roads through the city were impassable.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

had a large store of West India and dry goods at Neck of Land, where Capt. Job Godfrey and others landed their cargoes. Some of those vessels and their owners and mates were as follows: Raynham, built at Dean Street Landing by Capt. Joseph Hall for Hon. Josiah Dean, who then conducted the iron works; the sloop Industry, owned by Capt. Peter Hall and his father; sloop Sally, Capt. Benjamin Cooper, Josiah Dean and Col. George Williams, owners; sloop Ranger, Capt. William Presbrey; sloop Peace and Plenty, Capt. Seth Presbrey; sloop Union, Capt. Sylvester Jones; sloop Sally, Capt. Jacob Phillips; sloop Hannah, Capt. David Vickery. Among the prominent other vessel owners were Samuel Leonard, Jonathan Ingell, James Hart, Capt. David Padelford, Col. Noah Hall, Capt. Abiathar Williams, and others. As early as 1800, in a remonstrance against a bridge over the river be- low the Weir, it was stated that "there are sixteen coasting vessels owned and employed above the place where the said bridge is intended to be built, drawing from six to seven and a half feet of water, ten of which pass and repass to Providence, Bedford, etc., twenty-five times each year at least; the other six pass and repass from New York, Philadelphia, Connecticut, New Jersey, etc., at least eight times each year, freighted wholly with manufactures of Taunton and the neigh . boring towns, and generally bringing back raw materials and grain." In the same document it is stated that there " are at least three millions of brick made in Taunton a year. That there are manufactured in Taunton and vicinity eight hundred tons of iron ware at least, the fur- naces at which it is made depending in a great measure upon ore freighted up Taunton River, and that there are seven hundred tons of bar iron slit and rolled in Taunton and made into nails, shovels, etc., giving employment to a large number of men." These statements throw important light upon not only the early commerce of the place, but also upon the pioneer manufactures.

The calling of the Rev. John Foster to the First Church of Taunton in 1791, to succeed Rev. Ephraim Judson, was the immediate cause of a division in the congregation. Rev. Mr. Foster was installed over the church in May, 1792, the call having been supported by only three men and one woman; all of the remainder of the congregation withdrew and worshiped for a time in a barn and later in a meeting-house in the western part of the town beyond the Episcopal glebe, before men- tioned, and not far from the Oakland burial ground. This was occu- pied until 1824, when the present edifice in Westville was erected.

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THE CITY OF TAUNTON.

Rev. Mr. Judson continued to officiate over the church and was suc- ceeded during several distinct periods by supplies. Later regular pastors of the church were Rev. Samuel W. Colburn, 1809-12; Rev. Alvan Cobb, 1815-61; Rev. Thomas Tobey Richmond, to 1882; Rev. George C. Capron, to 1887, after which the congregation was served by supplies. It is a historical fact of importance that the first Sunday school held in Bristol county was in connection with this church in 1816.

There are records in existence which show that as early as 1720 meet- ings of a very few persons of those who had embraced what Rev. Mr. Danforth called "Quaker notions," were held. There is still in the northwest part of the town a Quaker meeting-house, long unoccupied, which must have been built in the last century.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE CITY OF TAUNTON IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

The embargo of 1807 affected Taunton seriously, as it did other parts of Bristol county. Under orders of the governor of Massachusetts, the quota of 11,075 militia, out of the 100,000 for defense called for by the president, was provided for. A return of the Third Regiment of the Bristol County Brigade, then commanded by Thomas Lincoln, lieuten- ant-colonel, dated June 26, 1807, named the following commanders of companies:

Captains-Simeon Wilbour, Barzillai King, Edward Crossman, Josiah King, jr., Richard Westcoat, James Spooner, Francis Baylies, Nathan - iel Staples, Ephraim French, Aaron Lincoln, Job King, jr., George Padelford.

Under command of Capt. Edward Crossman, above named, a com- pany was detached under orders for six months. The roll of this com- pany shows forty-seven privates and nine officers. The embargo act was repealed in 1809, but difficulties between England and the United States, which have been described in an earlier chapter, continued until they finally culminated in war. Taunton troops shared in that conflict with honor. The Third Regiment was ordered to assemble on October 26, 1812, on Berkley Common, " near the meeting-house in said town,"

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for review, inspection and drill. On July 10, 1814, Capt. Silas Shep- hard was ordered to march his company to Clark's Cove for guard duty, "to guard from Smoking Rocks around Clark's Point and Clark's Cove, bring to all boats, and examine them, also all suspicious persons, and communicate to me all important discoveries." Signed by B. Lincoln, Colonel.

Another order of August 15 contained the following :

The Green near the Court House in the town of Taunton is appointed as a Reg- imental Alarm Post in said Regiment. Captains and commanding officers of Com- panies will appoint each within his own command an Aların Post and give informa- tion of the same to the troops under his command.

A true copy.

Israel Dean Lt. Col. Commanding, 3d Regt., 2d Brig., 5th Division.

In August and September various detachments were taken from the Third Regiment for guard and other duty at Taunton, New Bedford and other points in the county. One of these detachments included one hundred and fifty men, with proper officers, which marched to New Bedford late in September to aid in the defense of that port. Capt. Joseph Reed's company of Taunton, consisting of seven officers and twenty-six privates, was also stationed at New Bedford early in October, 1814; also Capt. Seth Staples's company, comprising ten offi- cers and fifty-eight privates. Those were troublous times for the in- habitants of Taunton; anxiety was caused, however, more. for the safety of her citizens at other points, than by fear of actual invasion or battle near at hand.

The struggle at length came to an end and the treaty of peace was signed at Ghent on the 24th of December, 1814. Great rejoicing fol- lowed at Taunton and elsewhere when the news was received. The country had suffered terribly from the war, particularly in the decline of industrial operations. Taunton, in common with most New Eng- land villages, felt this decline severely. Shops were closed in many instances; money was scarce; prices of the necessaries of life were very high, and all commercial relations were unsettled. But recovery was prompt; with mighty resources and indomitable energy, the Ameri- can people straightway took up their neglected vocations and the wheels of industry were soon moving and the channels of trade opened anew.

To accommodate the business interests of the community the Taun- ton Bank was incorporated June 28, 1812, with a capital of $100, 000.

GEORGE A. WASHBURN.

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The first board of directors consisted of Simeon Tisdale, Samuel Fales, Joseph Tisdale, Samuel Crocker, Eliphalet Williams, Job Godfrey, jr., Marcus Morton, John West, James D. Hodges, Nicholas Tillinghast, John Presbrey, Jonathan Ingell. Samuel Fales was elected president and James L. Hodges cashier. With the revival of industry after the war this bank became of great importance to Taunton and near by people. The records of this institution are not complete, but Jonathan Ingell was the second president. Charles J. H. Bassett served in that position from 1869 until his death in September, 1891, when George A. Washburn, the present incumbent, was elected. George W. Andros has been cashier since 1869. The Taunton Bank increased its capital at different times until it is now $600,000. It was sufficient for the community until 1829, when the Cohannet Bank was established, as noticed further on.

Even before the village felt the actual effects of the war of 1812, the first newspaper in Taunton was established. It is scarcely worthy of historical notice, except from the fact of its being the pioneer, for it was insignificant in size and lived only a short time. Its name was the Saturday Miscellany, and it was published by a company of women. The second newspaper in the village did not appear until 1821. On April 4 of that year Jacob Chapin, a young lawyer, began the publica- tion of the Old Colony Reporter, which was printed by Allen Danforth. This journal was 19 by 24 inches in size with four pages. In the sec- ond year the paper was enlarged and the name changed to Columbian Reporter and Old Colony Journal. In April, 1823, Allen Danforth re- tired as printer and founded the Old Colony Memorial in Plymouth, where he became a prominent citizen. 1

1 This paper was the direct ancestor of the present weekly Republiean, published by William Reed, jr., its later history being as follows: George Danforth, brother of Allen, succeeded as printer of the Reporter when the latter went to Plymouth, and was succeeded in 1825 by Samuel W. Mortimer. In 1829 Christopher A. Haek and Edmund Anthony, who had been apprentiees in the office, followed Mr. Mortimer and continued together most of the period until January, 1832, when Mr. Anthony retired to start a paper ealled the Independent Gazette, with Henry Williams editor. Mr. Hack, who had previously retired from the connection with Mr. Anthony, again took the Reporter until December, 1832, when Mr. Chapin, who had been for a short time asso- eiated with Mr. Anthony, sold his interest in the Reporter to Franklin Dunbar, a bookseller, who had just started the Old Colony Whig. These two names appeared as proprietors until 1834, when Mr. Dunbar died, and his brother, Samuel O. Dunbar, assumed the management, assisted by Hiram Martin. At about that time the first daily paper in Taunton was started, called the Daily Whig ; it is not remarkable that it did not succeed. In December, 1834, the paper was sold to Israel Amsbury, jr., and Seth Bradford ; in December, 1837, Mr. Bradford retired from the firm and Mr. Anthony continued sole publisher. The fire of 1838 destroyed the offices of both papers, but Mr. Anthony continued the publication of the Gazette ; in course of time it was made a tri-weekly and the name changed to Bristol County Democrat. He retained control of the 35

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Two years after the first issue of the Old Colony Reporter, in 1821, Charles G. Green started in 1823 the publication of the Free Press, with Theophilus Parsons and Pliny Merrick, two young lawyers, act- ing as editors. This paper suspended in about a year, after having supported William H. Crawford, the unsuccessful presidential candi- date. 1

Mention of the other newspapers in Taunton at the present time may be made here, although far out of its chronological order. The Taun- ton Daily News was started on May 1, 1889, under the editorial man- agement and proprietorship of T. B. Eaton. Four years later he sold out to M. P. Perley and soon afterward, in 1894, the Taunton Evening . News Company was organized, with capital of $7,500. The officers of the corporation, chosen soon after its formation, were Henry B. Hart,

paper until his removal to New Bedford in 1849, when he sold out to A. M. Ide, jr., who had already started the True Democrat; the two papers were consolidated under the title Taunton Democrat. The Taunton Daily Gazette was issued from the same office, Amos Kilton assisting on the editorial work. The Whig and Reporter, purchased by Amsbury and Bradford in 1834, was continued by Mr. Amsbury under the name of Taunton Whig until September, 1841, when his assistant, J. W. D. Hall, purchased the establishment, changed the name of the paper to American Whig, and in 1857 to American Republican, and made the paper a strong organ of the Republican party. Ezra Davol began publishing the Bristol County Telegram July 3, 1858 ; this also was a Republican paper, and in 1861 Mr. Hall sold an interest in the American Republi- can to Mr. Davol and Joseph E. Wilbar ; the two papers were consolidated under the name Bristol County Republican, and in 1862 the remainder of Mr. Hall's interest was acquired and Rev. Eben- ezer Dawes admitted to the firm. For twenty-five years after that the Republican was kept in the front rank of Bristol county newspapers. Mr. Hall now took an interest with Mr. Ide in the publication of the Gazette and Democrat, with the understanding that the paper should advocate Republican principles ; the journal was thus continued as the Daily and Weekly Gazette. Mr. Ide retired in 1867, Mr Hall continuing until 1872, when, after more than forty years in the news- paper business, he transferred the establishment to Reed Brothers (William and Milton Reed). Subsequently Milton Reed retired and since that date William Reed, jr., has continued the busi- ness, changing the name of the last-named paper to the Household Gazette. In 1886 Davol, Wil- bar and Dawes sold the Republican to A. O. Milne, who, 1889, sold it to W. F. Greenough. In December of that year William Reed, jr , purchased it and still continued it as a weekly in con- nection with the Gazette. The Republican is the oldest newspaper in this part of Massachusetts aside from the New Bedford Mercury.

1 There have been a few other short-lived journals in Taunton. In 1827 James Thurber and George Danforth founded the Commonwealth Advocate, advocating the cause of Masonry. Af- ter changing its name to the Advocate, it was sold to Major George Leonard in 1834, who made it a Democratic organ with the title, The Sun.

The Star of Bethlehem, a religious journal, was published from the Reporter office in 1825, with Lorenzo Dow Johnson, editor. In 1829 the Aurora, a small paper, was issued by H. A. Lowell, and about this date William S. Tisdale started the Cabinet. In 1832 the Village Fire Fly was pub- lished by Thomas Prince from the Advocate office; these papers were all short-lived. In 1834 a semi-weekly paper called the Temperance Sentinel was issued, and in 1837 the Working Men's Journal, both of which were soon discontinued. In 1840 the Harrison Eagle was started by Chas. R. Atwood and J. W. D. Hall. A temperance organ called the Dew Drop was issued in 1843, with B. W. Williams, editor; in 1844 the Beacon of Liberty was published by Hack & Bradbury; in 1846 the Old Colony Republican was started and lived to 1848, with Chester I. Reed, Benjamin F. Presbrey and others editorially interested.

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president; Dudley M. Holman, secretary and treasurer. These two and H. B. Holman, directors. The News is Republican in politics, has the Associated Press dispatches, and under editorial control of Dudley M. Holman, meets with a large measure of success.

The Taunton Evening Herald was started in November, 1893, by the Taunton Herald Company, having capital stock of $5,000, a large part of which is owned by M. C. Golden The first editor was John Latchford, whose successors have been John Collyer, Herbert L. Thurber (deceased), Samuel Hoyt, and the present editor, Henry A. Noyes. The Herald is independent.

While the material interests of Taunton were thus advancing in the early years through the establishment of the first bank, the newspapers, and many manufacturing industries yet to be noticed, the inhabitants of the town did not forget their responsibility in religious, educational, moral and benevolent affairs. As early as 1814 several women in Taunton saw the need of organized action for relief of the poor or un- fortunate who would not seek charity from the town at large. The matter was discussed by them for a considerable period, but permanent result was not attained until 1816, when a society was formed consist- ing of thirty-five members, with a constitution and well-defined regu- lations. Quarterly meetings were held, and funds raised by taxing the members and soliciting from the benevolent. Half of the accumulated fund from year to year was to be devoted to immediate charitable uses and the other half to be retained for future demands. In 1829 a charter was obtained, in which were named Abigail West, Mary B. Bush, Martha B. Richmond and Sarah W. Richmond, with their associates, as the Taunton Female Charitable Association.1

Meanwhile the Trinitarian Congregational Church, known also as the Broadway Church, was organized on August 17, 1821, with twenty- nine members. The origin of this church is ascribed to the fact that

1 The later history of this excellent association may be briefly told. After many years of useful labor the organization adopted measures for the founding of a home for poor and friend- less women. To that end the Legislature granted the association broader powers, particularly with reference to its receipt of grants, donations, etc. Donations were liberal, Edward Padel- ford, of Savannah, Ga., giving $2,000. A suitable house was found, and in January, 1871, was opened ; within a few weeks eight inmates were admitted to the Old Ladies' Home. From that time to the present the institution has accomplished incalculable good by providing a comforta- ble resting place for the weary, among friends, with care in sickness and all reasonable comforts of life. The first directress of this institution (1816) was Susanna Brewer ; second directress, Abby West; treasurer, Sally Shepard ; secretary, Harriet Leonard. Through the long period of its ex- istence the association has been most fortunate in having among its managers and officers many of the first women of Taunton in respect to wealth, ability and unselfishness.

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Rev. Luther Hamilton, successor of Rev. John Pipon in the pulpit of the First Church, held views that were objectionable to some of the members. Meetings of the displeased members were first held in the town hall, afterwards in the court house until the spring of 1823, when their meeting-house in the vicinity of the Green was completed. The first regular pastor of the new church was Rev. Chester Isham, a grad uate of Yale and a young minister of great promise, who was settled in February, 1824, and died greatly lamented April 20, 1825 He was succeeded by Rev. Erastus Maltby, who came to the church January 18, 1826, and began a pastorate remarkable for its length and for the resulting growth of the parish. Rev. Mr. Maltby officiated until Sep- tember 18, 1870, when he resigned, after forty-five years of service, and was succeeded by Rev. Stephen M. Newman On September 29, 1852, the imposing stone church edifice on Broadway was dedicated. Mr. Newman was succeeded by Rev. Heman P. De Forest and he by Rev. Samuel Valentine Cole. 1

Taunton had a musical organization early in its history, named the Beethoven Society, which was organized in 1821, its membership in- cluding most of the residents of the village at that time who were pos- sessed of musical ability and taste. Col. Samuel Fobes of Bridge- water, was director, Jotham Colburn instrumental leader, and James

1 Another Trinitarian Congregational Church was organized on January 12, 1837, and took the name of Spring Street Church, from the street on which it was situated. The membership was forty-four, and Rev. S. Hopkins Emery was installed the first pastor November 23, 1837; he was called to Bedford in 1841, and was succeeded by Rev. Lathrop Taylor. On January 6, 1847, Mr. Emery was recalled and remained until 1855. In March, 1853, the new edifice on Cohannet street was finished and took the name of Winslow Church, as at present, in memory of Gov. Edward Winslow. Rev. Mortimer Blake was installed pastor December 4, 1855, and served the church twenty-nine years, until his death December 22, 1884. The church was supplied for a time, and Rev. George H. Reed was installed February 11, 1887, and remained to November, 1891 ; he was succeeded by Rev. T. Clayton Welles, who was installed February 16, 1892.

The Congregational Trinitarian Church was organized with thirteen members, June 16, 1853. The pastors have been as follows : Rev. N. Richmond, who preached for a time in a school house prior to the date of organization ; Rev. James R. Cushing, from May, 1854, to 1861. The church edifice was built early in his pastorate. From 1861 to 1863 Rev. Mr. Harding, supply ; May, 1863, to May, 1866, Rev. G. G. Perkins; November, 1866, to June, 1876, Rev. Frederick A. Reed ; Sep- tember, 1876, to August, 1879, Rev. H. P. Leonard ; February, 1880, to March, 1885, Rev. William H. Wolcott ; 1885 to 1890, Rev. Ephraim W. Allen. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles A. Perry.

The Union Congregational (Trinitarian) Church was organized in 1868. This society was the outgrowth of the efforts made for several years previous in Whittenton. What was known as the Union Society was formed November 14, 1867, and just before the close of that year Rev. Isaac Dunham of Westport, was called to preach. The final organization of the church took place April 2, 1868, with twenty-four members. In January, 1873, Rev. H. Morton Dexter was called to the church and served to November, 1878. In March of the next year he was succeeded by Rev. John W. Ballentine, who continued to 1881. Rev. Edward N. Pomeroy followed April, 1888, and was succeeded by Rev. A. L. Howard King to December, 1891. Rev. Edward Herrick Chandler was installed in November, 1892.

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Sproat, secretary. The society gave its first concert in February, 1822. The population of the place was then about four thousand five hundred, and singers of ability were not very numerous, but the concert was in every way successful. In the following June the society performed an oratorio in the Congregational church, which was warmly commended. One of the early members of the society was Zephaniah L. Hodges, who was a skilled mechanic as well as musician and built the first or- gan used in the Broadway church, and, aided by Nathan Fisher, the one first used in St. Thomas church. When many of the original members of the society passed away there was decline of musical en- thusiasm ; but the musical spirit of the place again asserted itself in the formation, in 1836, of the Mozart Society, which had a successful career for several years and in turn declined. In 1847 the Beethoven Society was revived and has continued its good work until the present time. Taunton has had at different periods several excellent bands and is amply represented in this direction at present.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 29

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