Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 39

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 39

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1 St. James Episcopal Church was organized to fill the need of the English operatives and others in the vicinty of the Wamsutta Mills. Application was made to the bishop for a pastor, but he having none available, application was made to the bishop of Connecticut, who recom- mended Rev. C. H. Proctor. The first services were held by him in a shed near the mills on March 10, 1878. On the 28th of that month articles of association were drawn, the present title was adopted and the following officers chosen : Wardens, Andrew Bannister and James Board- man ; treasurer, William Smith ; clerk, A. McCreary; vestrymen, Sidney Smith, James Slater, William Robinson, William Phillips and George Ramsbottom. On June 6, 1878, the parish pur- chased the lot where the church now stands, and the corner stone of the edifice was laid July 25. The building was first occupied December 24 of that year. This society has been remarkably prosperous.

St. Martin's Episcopal Church, at the south end of the city, is an outgrowth of a Sunday school and later a mission called Olivet. The first minister was Rev. J. Milton Peck, who was succeeded by Rev. Alfred Evan Johnson. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid June 1, 1891.

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THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD.

John M. Spear was then pastor and continued such about six years. A debt was incurred and the society was dissolved in 1849; the prop- erty was sold and all debts canceled. During the summer of 1851 a few meetings of Universalists were held, interest was reawakened, and on November 30, 1851, Rev. Hiram Van Campen was called as regular pastor. A new society was organized in December, officers were chosen, and a constitution adopted. In 1854 a movement was begun for the erection of a church edifice, which was accomplished in the next year, free of debt. The distinct church organization was effected in October, 1855, which still continues. Pastors succeeding Mr. Van Campen were Revs. B. V. Stevenson, J. J. Twiss, T. E. St. John, S. L. Roripaugh, George W. Skinner, Isaac C. Knowlton, C. B. Lombard, J. H. Farns- worth, W. C. Stiles, C. R. Tenney, Rev. Dr. Flanders, from 1882 to 1892, when he was succeeded by Rev. William F. Potter.

It was during the period under consideration in this chapter that the organization of Roman Catholic churches began in New Bedford, al- though there had been services held in this faith from the early years of the century. It is supposed that Rev. Philip Lariscy was the first regular pastor to settle in the place, and it was under his ministrations that the first house of worship was built in 1820. ' The site was on Allen street and the land was donated by Patrick Cluney. This church, which cost about $800, was occupied for nearly thirty years, when it was discarded and the old Universalist church was purchased and occupied on Fifth street. The parish was settled under the name, St. Mary's. In course of time larger and better accommodations became a necessity, and a fund was started and the lot on which the present church stands was purchased. When Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon came to the church in 1865, he found it in possession of this lot and with $13,300 in the treasury. He purchased another lot in rear of the first one, which was occupied by a parochial residence. The handsome church edifice was erected between 1866 and 1870, and was given the name of St. Law- rence, the martyr.1

1 Among the assistants to the pastor in St. Lawrence Church was Father F. Noya, who came in 1867, who was succeeded by Rev. Joao Ignacio Incarnacao in 1869; these men gave their time and ministrations especially to their countrymen, the Portuguese. In 1874 a separate society had been organized and a church was commenced on the corner of Wing and Fifth streets, and given the name of St. John the Baptist.

The Church of the Sacred Heart (French Catholic) was organized soon after 1870 and the ed- ifice was built in 1876-77. Rev. George Pager was the first pastor. This church has a parochial home and is over the Convent of the Sacred Heart, and a parochial school.

St. Hyacinthe parish is also composed of French Catholics and was organized at the South

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Street extension had progressed previous to the city incorporation to meet the needs of the rapidly growing community. The following brief statistics of street opening include nearly all important improve- ments that have not been already noticed :

March 28, 1831, First street was extended from Walnut to Bush street; Fifth street from School to Walnut, and Elm street from Purchase to County street. In 1832, a road was accepted from Ricketson house, near Clark's Cove, easterly and southerly to the road leading to Clark's Point.

1833, Sixth street accepted from Elm to Middle street; Maxfield street from Pur- chase to the County road; Mill street from Purchase to Ray street; Fourth street frsm Francis Taber's house to Bedrord street; Russell street from Sixth to Third street; Bedford street from County to Third street.

1834, Fifth street accepted from Walnut to Bedford street; Walden street from Maxfield to Hillman street; Water street from Bush to Griffin street.

1835, Eighth street accepted from Spring to William street; Kempton street from County to the contemplated Foster street; an extension of Mill street; Center street from Water to Orange street; Bush street from County to contemplated Seventh street.

1836, Pleasant street accepted from North to Willis street; Campbell street from Purchase to Pleasant street; Ray street to Pearl; Pearl street from Ray to Purchase street; Sixth street from Union to William street and from Russell to Bedford street.

1837, Foster street accepted from Maxfield to Hillman street; and from North to Middle street; Sixth street from William to Elm street; Cannon street from Second to Third street; Middle street from County to African church; Summer street from Middle to Kempton street.

1838, Seventh street accepted to Bush street; Grinnell street from Third to Water street; Pleasant street from North to Maxfield street.

1839, Walnut street accepted from Water street to River; First street from Grin- nell to South street: First street to School street; South Water street from Griffin to Clark's Neck; North Water street from Middle to North street; Market street from Sixth to Cheapside.

1840, Purchase street widened and laid out new from Maxfield street to junction of County road; Hill street accepted from Kempton to North street.

1841, Pleasant street accepted from Maxfield to Willis street; Ark lane from North Second to North Water street; Thomas street from Hillman to Maxfield street; Bush street from Sixth to Seventh street; Rodman street from North Water to Orange street.

end in 1887, then comprising one hundred families. This number rapidly increased and the pres- ent church on River street was erected before 1890.

St. James Church was set off from St. Lawrence in January, 1888, to comprise residents south of Madison and Hawthorn streets. Father James F. Clark was assigned to the new church. In August a tract of two acres of land was purchased and and the present beautiful edifice was there erected and finished in 1890.

Besides these Catholic churches, there is St. Killian's on Phillips avenue, and St. Anthony's, on Acushnet avenue, both of which are of recent organization. St. Joseph's parochial school is on the corner of Linden and State streets and is conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, and St. Mary's, on Acushnet avenue, by the same sisters.

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THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD.

1842, Sixth street accepted from Wing to Grinnell street; Bedford street from County to Dartmouth lane; Union street from County to contemplated Orchard street; North Orchard street from contemplated Union to contemplated Morgan street; Smith street from County to Albro lot; Eighth street from William to Elm street.

1843, Orchard street accepted from Hawthorn to Bedford street; Foster street from North to Hillman street; Elm street from County to C. W. Morgan's land.

1844, Grinnell street accepted from Third to County street; State street from Camp- bell to Willis street; Campbell street from Pleasant to State street; Hill street from North to Hillman street.

1845, Russell street accepted from South Second to South Water street; South Second from Grinnell to South street; Hawthorn street from County to contemplated Cottage street; North street from Ray to Water street; Pleasant street from Willis to Pearl street.

1846, Cedar street accepted from North to Kempton street; Grinnell street from South Water to South Orange street; Grinnell street from County to contemplated Orchard street; Washington street from County to Dartmouth street; North Water street from Hillman northward; State street from Willis to contemplated Franklin street; South street from Third to contemplated Orange street; Summer street from Elm to Middle street; Belleville road from McPherson's wharf to Head-of-the-River.

This chapter may be closed with brief notice of the local independent military organizations which flourished in the early years of the village history. The close of the war of 1812 left a zealous and active military spirit in the community, which found its best expression in the meet- ings, drills and parades of regular companies. The State militia con- tinued its organization and was represented by companies in Dartmouth and Fairhaven. Annual musters were held and helped to foster the military enthusiasm. At the time of the formation of the New Bed- ford Protecting Society, in 1830, the prevailing sentiment in the village was against the maintenance of military organizations except as neces- sitated by law; but, nevertheless, the Light Infantry Company and the Washington Artillery, which had already had an existence of many years, continued their meetings and drills, and the newspapers contain frequent mention of these companies being called on to take part in public ceremonies, Fourth of July celebrations, and the like, with com- pliments upon their fine appearance. Capt. Zachariah Hillman was for a number of years at the head of the Light Infantry Company, and Capt. David Sylvester of the Artillery Company. The Washington Artillery had its inception soon after the Revolutionary war.

The New Bedford Mechanics' Rifle Company was the successor of the Light Infantry Company and was organized in 1834, with Jeremiah G. Harris, captain; Benjamin F. Shattuck, lieutenant; Eliphalet Cush-

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

man, ensign. This organization had only a brief existence, but a very honorable one; it disbanded in December, 1837. The Washington Artillery disbanded in 1836.

A volunteer light infantry company was organized January 25, 1841, with the name, New Bedford Guards, and the following officers; Cap- tain, Harrison G. O. Colby; lieutenants, James H. Collins, Samuel Watson, James H. Croker; sergeants, Henry P. Willis, James B. Congdon, David Sylvester, John H. Chapman, William Howe; cor- porals, Cyrus W. Chapman, Josiah B. King, Nathaniel R. Childs, Robert K. Eastman; surgeons, William R. Wells, R. S. S. Andros; treasurer, James B. Congdon; armorers, Nicholas T. Brownell, Will- iam Brownell. The membership was one hundred and included many of the leading citizens of the place. The first parade made by this company was April 27, 1841, in commemoration of the death of Presi- dent Harrison. This notable local military organization continued its popular career until June, 1849, during which period parades, visits to Nantucket, Wood's Hole, attendance at encampments, and other mili- tary events were frequent and in every instance successfully managed.

Following is the continuation of the list of Selectmen of the town down to the city incorporation :

1812-1813,

Roger Haskell,

Samuel Perry,

Manasseh Kempton.

Capt. William Hathaway.

1816.

Joseph Ricketson,

Jonathan Swift,

James Howland 2d.

1820,

Roger Haskell,

William Hathaway, Eli Haskell.

1823.

William Hathaway, Elkanah Tallman,

Ephraim Kempton. 1827-1828.

Joseph Bourne, William Hathaway, Ephraim Kempton.

1814. Roger Haskell, Samuel Perry,

1817. James Howland 2d,

William Hathaway,

Manasseh Kempton. 1821.

Eli Haskell,

Gideon Howland, jr., William Hathaway.

1824.

Ephraim Kempton,

William Hathaway, Joseph Bourne. 1829. Joseph Bourne, William C. Nye, Thomas Mandell.

1815. Samuel Perry, Manasseh Kempton. Joseph Ricketson.

1818-1819. Manasseh Kempton, William Hathaway, Dudley Davenport. 1822. Eli Haskell, Gideon Howland, jr. Killey Eldredge.

1825-26. William Hathaway, Joseph Bourne, Ephraim Kempton.

1830. William C. Nye, Thomas Mandell, Joseph R. Shiverick.

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THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD.

1831.

1832.

1833.

Thomas Mandell,

Alfred Gibbs,

William C. Nye,

Eli Haskell,

Joseph R. Shiverick. 1834.

Ephraim Kempton. 1835.

Charles W. Morgan,

James B. Congdon,

Thomas Nickerson,

Thomas Nickerson.

Joseph R. Shiverick.

1837.

1838-1839.

James B. Congdon,

James B. Congdon, Thomas B. Bush,

John P. West.

1842-45.

Samson Perkins, Edward W. Greene,

Rodney French.

Ephraim Kempton, James B. Congdon, George Howland, jr.

1846. George Howland, jr., John Baylies, Horatio A. Kempton.

CHAPTER XX.

NEW BEDFORD UNDER CITY GOVERNMENT.

The establishment of city government in New Bedford began under happy auspices and encouraging conditions. The municipal organiza- tion took place on April 28, 1847, with the following officers:

Abraham H. Howland, mayor; John Avery Parker, alderman ward 1; Thomas B. White, alderman ward 2; Ivory H. Bartlett, alderman ward 3; William H. Taylor, alderman ward 4; James B. Wood, alderman ward 5; Edward W. Howland, alder- man ward 6. Abraham Gardner, Joseph Clarke, Clement Covell, Jere. Greenman, councilmen ward 1; Perry G. Macomber, Isaac M. West, Pardon Potter, jr., Abra- ham Delano, councilmen ward 2; Peleg Butts, jr., Isaac Brownell, James Durfee, jr., Bennett Wilcox, councilmen ward 3; L. Macomber, Caleb L. Ellis, William H. Allen, Daniel Mckenzie, councilmen ward 4; James B. Congdon, Lemuel Kollock, Francis Baker, Charles R. Tucker, councilmen ward 5; B. F. Howland, James L. Pierce, Josiah S. Bonney, Nathaniel Gilbert, councilmen ward 6. Overseers of the poor, Obed Nye, ward 1; Horatio A. Kempton, ward 2; Robert Ingraham, ward 3; Will- iam A. Gordon, ward 4; David Brayton, ward 5; Edward W. Howland, ward 6. Assessors, George A. Bourne, ward 1; I. M. Richardson, ward 2; Ichabod Chase, ward 3; John R. Thornton, ward 4; Barnabas S. Perkins, ward 5; Benjamin R. Sayer, ward 6. School committee, George A. Bourne, Linneas Wood, Daniel C. Burt, ward 1, Sylvester Holmes, Horatio A. Kempton, Luther G. Hewins, ward 2;

Charles W. Morgan, James B. Congdon, Samuel Little.

1836. James B. Congdon,

Samuel Tobey, E. N. Chaddock.

1840. James B. Congdon,

Thomas B. Bush,

Ephraim Kempton, John P. West.

Ephraim Kempton. 1841.

MAP of the ( die of

FAIR HAVEN

FREEPUBLIC LIBRARY

From Actual Suaver Dy H F WALLING 1850.

NEW BEDFORD MASS

Tablebed C.C A.TASER

NEW BEDFORD

Ward I

CYPRES ST

SALT

Wardy 3

Ward A

ARMULD

Ward 5

Ward 6

Ward

POPES

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THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD.

William H, Stowell, Thomas Davis, William W. Sweet, ward 3; Rufus Babcock, Charles Haffards, Thomas D. Elliott, ward 4; Thomas A. Greene, George Howland, jr., William Howe, ward 5; Henry H. Crapo, William P. Howland, Francis Post, ward 6.

Mayor Howland read an inaugural address in which he made the fol- lowing statement regarding the reasons for the change in the form of government of the community :

It must be obvious to every person of experience that the great interests of a pop- ulation of 16,000, including the management of public property, the instruction of children, the support of the poor, the maintenance and control of the fire department, the raising of taxation and proper annual appropriations of from $70,000 to $80,000, cannot be either judiciously or satisfactorily managed in a town meeting, in which not more than one-fifth of the legal voters can be present, composed, as it is liable to be, of a large number of temporary residents, and comprehending a small por- tion of those who have the largest interest in the affairs of the community. A city government with two council boards, each having the power to negative the pro- ceedings of the other, and consisting of a limited number of persons in whom the electors have reposed confidence, affords the surest guarantee that important meas- ures will receive mature deliberation, and be satisfactorily administered, while it secures greater accountability in the expenditure of the public money.

At the close of the address full organization was effected by the election of the following officers: James B. Congdon, president of the common council; Henry H. Crapo, city treasurer and collector; Isaac M. Richardson, city clerk; the school committee organized with Thomas A. Greene, chairman; William Howe, secretary. Timothy Ingraham, city marshal; Shubael G. Edwards, William O. Russell, assistant mar- shals; Thomas Davis, George W. Shearman, Daniel Ripley, Lewis G. Allen, Marshall B. Bird, Joshua P. Dunbar, policemen; Otis H. Hor- ton, captain of watchmen; Calvin Harvey, Ichabod Coggeshall, James N. Sampson, Thomas Albert, John C. Banker, John Allen, Winthrop Adams, watchmen.

As before noticed the city had at that date about 16,000 population, and was in the full tide of prosperity. The whaling industry was nearly at its height, money was plenty and seeking investment, and the prospects in all material respects were most encouraging. Among events of a public character that took place during the decade succeed- ing the incorporation of the city was the opening of the new almshouse1

1 The first steps were taken in this town towards providing for the poor in May, 1816, but the records do not indicate that anything permanent was effected until ten years later. In 1828 it was decided to buy a farm of about fifty acres on Clark's Point. This farm had doubtless been occu- pied for the purpose for some years, as the records show that a committee was authorized to

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

on Clark's Point on January 10, 1847, which had been erected in the previous year.

On the 3d of March, 1853, the Free Public Library was opened to its patrons. After the establishment and maintenance for longer or shorter periods of the old Library Society, the New Bedford Social Library, and possibly other library organizations of still shorter life, an ordinance was passed August 16, 1852, for the founding and government of the Free Public Library, which, for nearly half a century, has exerted a powerful influence in the city for educational and literary advancement. A committee subsequently appointed recommended an appropriation of $1,500 for the proper establishment of the library, one condition of which was to be the transfer from the Social Library of 5,000 volumes to the new institution. The appropriation measure was passed July 20, 1852. This was the first free public library in the United States under municipal control.1

The founding of the great Wamsutta Cotton Mills took place in 1846 under a special act of the Legislature. This great industry, which has acquired a national reputation through the superior character of its product, is further noticed in a later chapter. It was the beginning of the era of extensive manufacturing industries of New Bedford which have since, to a great extent, kept alive the spirit of material progress that might otherwise have fallen into apathy through the decline of the whale fishery.

Gas for illuminating purposes was first introduced into New Bedford in 1853. A State charter and city franchise had been previously secured in 1850 by a company of Philadelphia men, who were associated with James B. Congdon and Abraham H. Howland, and a corporation or-

"sell the old house." With some additions and improvements the old almshouse was used until 1847-48, when the present stone structure was erected at a cost of about $23,000. The total value of the property at that time was about $33,000. It is now nearly $50,000.

1 Since the founding of the Free Public Library it has been admirably managed and has grown and prospered beyond the brightest hopes of its founders. It was soon realized that a permanent and worthy home was a necessity for the growing library, and measures were adopted for the erection of the present building. The corner stone was laid August 28, 1856, with appropriate ex- ercises. In course of time the original building became inadequate for its purpose and in 1886 a large addition was erected corresponding in architectural form with the first structure. The library has been fortunate in the reception of several trust funds for its benefit. The first was that of Mayor Howland, amounting to $1,600, the amount of his salary as mayor for two years. Following that was the Charles W. Morgan fund of $1,000 ; the James B. Congdon fund of $500 ; the George O. Crocker fund of $10,000, and the Charles L. Wood fund of $2,000. The largest bequest to the library was that of Sylvia Ann Howland, under which a fund of $50,000 is set aside for the institution, the annual income of which is an unfailing source of growth. Robert C. Ingra- ham was the first librarian and has ever since most efficiently filled the position.

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THE CITY OF NEW BEDFORD.

ganized with a capital of $50,000. Local citizens soon purchased the interests of the Philadelphia party and a permanent organization was effected with William C. Taber, president, and James B. Congdon, treasurer. Pipes were laid and gas turned on February 14, 1853, for the first. From that time forward extensive additions were made to the plant, as the growth of the city demanded. Although out of chronological order it may as well be noticed here that in 1888 the New Bedford Gas Light Company purchased the plant of the New Bedford Electric Light Company, which had previously supplied a few arc lights from their station at the foot of School street. The new pro- prietors immediately extended the works, putting in new and powerful dynamos and generator, and erected a new brick station at the foot of Madison street. In 1890 the gas light company purchased the plant of the Edison Electric Illuminating Company, which had been supplying light and power since 1886. This gave the gas company entire con - trol of the supply of light and electric power to the city, which it has since controlled. The capital stock has been several times increased until at the present time it is $550,000.

The New Bedford Five Cents Savings Bank was incorporated April 14, 1855, by the following men: Thomas B. White, William H. Tay- lor, Lemuel Kollock, Ivory H. Bartlett, Alexander H. Seabury, Charles Almy, Henry H. Crapo, George Howland, jr., and Asa R. Nye. The first officers were as follows: President, George Howland, jr .; vice- presidents, Henry H. Crapo, Alexander H. Seabury; treasurer, John P. Barker; secretary, Charles Almy; trustees, George Howland, jr., Henry H. Crapo, Alexander H. Seabury, John P. Barker, Charles Almy, Thomas B. White, Ivory H. Bartlett, Nehemiah Leonard, An- drew Robeson, Edward W. Howland, Moses Howe, Joshua Richmond, George F. Barker, Dennis Wood, Charles Hitch, James Durfee, Lem- uel Kollock, Asa R. Nye, Edward H. Mandell, William P. Howland, Alden G. Ellis, J. Arthur Beauvais, Moses G. Thomas, Samuel Ivers, Simpson Hart, Abner J. Phipps, William H. Taylor, James Taylor, William L. Rodman, Horatio Leonard and John Wood.

The Citizens National Bank was incorporated May 17, 1875, with a capital of $250,000, and the following board of directors: J. Arthur Beauvais, John P., Knowles, William J. Kilburn, Joseph H. Cornell, Lewis S. Judd and John F. Tucker. Mr. Beauvais was at that time engaged in banking and was elected president, a position which he still holds, The present capital is $500,000.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

In 1854, as a result of a petition signed by 1,200 persons, the so-called Point Road was laid out and graded eighty feet wide at a cost of about $50,000. It subsequently received the name of French avenue in honor of Rodney French, under whose adminstration the beautiful driveway was opened to the public.

On the evening of April 19, 1856, occurred the notorious Howland street riot, the details of which carried the memory of older citizens back to 1826. This riot was a result of the region in the vicinity of the street named being infested by a lawless element, and the prevalence in that locality of dance halls, gambling rooms and saloons. When re- turning ships brought in their crews, these places became scenes of frequent brawls and bloody fights. The climax finally came in the murder of a man named Rogers. Soon afterward the body of another person was found over which an inquest was held without reaching a satisfactory conclusion. After two such tragedies the feeling against the lawless element in the community was intense. A few days of fruitless investigation failed to fix the responsibility for the crime, and a mob was organized and meetings held at which plans for subduing or driving away the lawless element were matured. The meetings of the organizers of the mob were called by posting triangular bits of paper about the city ; if these were red in color, danger was abroad. George Howland, jr., was mayor and co-operated with other city officials to prevent an outbreak, but in vain.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 39

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