Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 4

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 4

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

May 24, 1686. At a town meeting the 24 May, 1686, John Cook chose Debity Jo- seph Seth Pope and four others, Deline, Selectmen, James Sisson Constable. Recompense Grand jury men. John Spooner, John Shearman and George Cadman surveyors of the highways. It is also ordered that all our Town meetings shall be held at or near the mill in Dartmouth until the town sees cause to order it otherwise.

According to one of the papers left by Elisha Leonard and now in the New Bedford Library, this mill was built at what is now known as Smith's Mills, or North Dartmouth. A share in Dartmouth was given to George Badcock and Henry Tucker for building a mill and they made an agreement which is referred to in the following :

Voted: that the articles of agreement made between George Badcock and Henry Tucker of and concerning building of a Grist Mill in Sd Dartmouth, and Ralph Allen, Samuel Hix, John Russell and Arthur Hathaway as agents for the Proprie- tors bearing date June 20th, 1684 and a confirmation of Sd agreement dated Feby 6th 1684-5 be established good.

In January, 1694, 200 acres more of land were given towards these mills. Henry Tucker gave his lands to Abraham, but probably did not retain interest in the mills, as George Badcock 1 in his will gave this property to his son, Return Badcock. The latter seems to have wasted his fine property, selling it out to various persons, and finally in Sep- tember, 1702, mortgaged his mills, house and forty acres of land to two women in Boston for a debt of £106, 16s. 8d. ; the morgage men- tions the old grist mill and a fulling mill. The mortgage was pur- chased in 1705 by Seth Pope for £40 and was sold May 4, 1707, to Eliashib Smith for £52; the latter took possession and operated the mills for many years. In his old age he turned the property over to his son, Joseph, from whom it gradually slipped away and passed through possession of many owners in later years.

Following is a list of persons' names who had taken the oath of fidelity, the freeman's oath, as recorded in May, 1686:

John Cook, Deliverance Smith, Shearman,

Lettice Jeney,

John Russell: Sq.,

George Cadman,

John Smith,

- Howland,

James Triple,

Samuel Jene: Sener,

John Earl.

Samuel Jeney, Jr.,

Arthur Hathaway,

Ralph Earl, Jun.,

John Hathaway,

James Sampson,

Joseph Russell,

John Shearman,

Stephen Peckham,

Seth Pope,

William Woods, Ralph Earl, son of Wm. Josiah Smith, Earl, James Sisson, John Spooner,

William Macomber,

1 This appears to have been the original spelling of the name, Babcock.

FROM 1637 TO 1685.

Joseph Tripp,

Nathaniel Soule,

Samuel Willcocks,

Jonathan Russell,

John Terry,

· James Franklin, Samuel Spooner,

Jonathan Delano,

Eleazer Smith,

Thomas Taber,

Return Badcock,

William Wood,

Samuel Cornwell,

William Spooner,

Anthony Savory.

In reading the late history of New Bedford, Fall River and Dart- mouth herein, many of these names will be found among the later prominent families of the two towns and vicinity. Another list of proprietors and early settlers of Dartmouth is in existence which is worthy of preservation here, as follows:

Abraham Akin,

John Bennett,

Abishai Delano,

Jacob Akin,

Stoten Booth,

Jethro Delano,

John Akin,

Benjamin Borden,

Jonathan Delano,

Jonathan Akin,

Edward Borden,

Nathan Delano,

Joseph Akin,

John Borden,

Nathaniel Delano,

Abraham Allen,

Joseph Borden,

Seth Delano,

Benjamin Allen,

William Borden,

Thomas Delano,

Ebenezer Allen,

John Briggs,

Charmont Demoranville,

George Allen,

Thomas Briggs,

Josiah Demoranville,

Increase Allen,

Henry Brightman,

Louis Demoranville,

John Allen,

Thomas Brightman,

Nehemiah Demoranville,

Joseph Allen,

Ezekiel Brownell,

John Dennis,

Josiah Allen,

George Brownell,

Jeremiah Devoll,

Noah Allen,

Mehitable Burrill,

Mary Devoll,

Noel Allen,

Jonathan Butts,

William Devoll,

Philip Allen,

George Cadman,

Akin Durfee,

William Allen,

George Cadman,

Benjamin Durfee,

Zachariah Allen,

William Cadman,

Briggs Durfee,

William Almy,

Abraham Chace,

John Earl,

Caleb Anthony,

Benjamin Chace,

Ralph Earl,

Abraham Ashley,

David Chace,

William Earl,

Jethro Ashley,

Jacob Chace,

William Earl's heirs,

Nathaniel Babbitt,

Jonathan Clark,

John Fish,

Benjamin Babcock,

Thomas Coleman,

Thomas Fitch,

George Babcock,

Hannah Cornell,

Edmund Freeman,

Benjamin Baker,

John Cornell,

Thomas Getchell,

Ebenezer Baker,

Samuel Cornell,

Henry Gidley,

Jabez Barker, Joseph Barker,

Samuel Cornish, Benjamin Cory,

Enos Gifford,

William Barker,

Caleb Cory's heirs,

Jeremiah Gifford,

Richard Beden,

Joseph Gifford,

Sampson Beden,

Thomas Crandon, Consider Crapo,

Levi Gifford,

Jeremiah Bennet,

Peter Crapo,

Robert Gifford,

Christopher Gifford,

Stephen Barker,

Thomas Cornell,

Benjamin Gifford,

Hezekiah Smith,

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

William Gifford,

Isaac Lake,

Stokes Potter,

Beriah Goddard,

Joseph Lake,

Eleazer Pratt,

John Hammond, William Hart,

John Lapham,

Timothy Ricketson,

Benjamin Hathaway,

Nicholas Lapham,

William Ricketson,

Elisha Hathaway,

George Lawton,

Samuel Rider,

James Hathaway,

Abial Macomber,

William Rider,

Jethro Hathaway,

Ephraim Macomber,

Daniel Rogers,

John Hathaway,

John Macomber,

Philip Rogers,

Jonathan Hathaway, Meltiah Hathaway, Seth Hathaway,

Thomas Macomber,

John Russell,

Sylvanus Hathaway,

Edmund Maxfield,

Jonathan Russell,

Thomas Hathaway,

John Maxfield,

Joseph Russell,

Thomas Hathaway (2d),

Timothy Maxfield,

Joseph Russell, Jr.,

Jonathan Head,

Zadock Maxfield,

Thomas Russell, Henry Sampson,

Joseph Hix,

Jonah Merrihew,

James Sampson,

Mary Hix,

Joseph Merrihew,

James Sampson, Jr.,

Samuel Hix,

Peter Merrihew,

Joseph Sampson,

Experience Holmes,

Job Milk,

Stephen Sampson,

Abner Howard,

Lemuel Milk,

Daniel Shearman, Edmund Shearman,

Benjamin Howland,

Abner Mosher,

Job Shearman,

Gideon Howland,

Benjamin Mosher,

John Shearman.

Giles Howland,

Constant Mosher,

Joshua Shearman,

Henry Howland,

Daniel Mosher,

Peleg Shearman, ·

Nathaniel Howland,

Hugh Mosher,

Philip Shearman,

Nicolas Howland,

John Mosher,

Samuel Shearman, William Shearman,

Samuel Hunt,

Joseph Mosher,

Daniel Shepherd,

Valentine Huttlestone,

Maxson Mosher,

John Shepherd,

Job Jenne,

Nicholas Mosher,

James Sisson,

John Jenne,

Eleazer Slocum,

John Jenne, Jr.,

Samuel Mott, Nathan Nye, Micah Parker,

Giles Slocum,

Lettice Jenne's heirs,

Mary Slocum,

Luther Jenne,

Joseph Peckham,

Peleg Slocum,

Mark Jenne,

Stephen Peckham,

Benjamin Smith,

Samuel Jenne, Seth Jenne, Samuel Joy,

Edmund Pope,

Eliashap Smith,

James Kempton,

Isaac Pope, Seth Pope,

Gershom Smith, Henry Smith, Hepsibah Smith,

John Kirby,

John Potter,

Nathaniel Kirby,

Nathaniel Potter,

Stephen Potter,

Hezekiah Smith, Humphrey Smith, Increase Smith,

Robert Kirby,

Samuel Perry,

Deliverance Smith,

David Petty,

Eleazer Smith,

Manasseh Kempton, Jacob Kenny,

Ichabod Potter,

John Russell, Jr.,

Gabriel Hix,

Samuel Mendall,

William Howard,

Seth Morton,

Zoeth Howland,

Jonathan Mosher.

George Rowse,

Samuel Macomber,

William Macomber,

Nathaniel Lake,

Jonathan Ricketson,

-- - -

FROM 1637 TO 1685.

Judah Smith,

Philip Taber, Jr.,

Reuben Wait,

Mary Smith,

Stephen Taber,

Thomas Wait,

Peleg Smith,

Thomas Taber,

Richard Ward,

Amos Snell,

Thomas Taber, Jr.,

Thomas Ward,

Benjamin Sowle,

William Taber,

Moses Washburn,

George Sowle, Jacob Sowle,

Ebenezer Tinkham,

Eli Waste,

John Sowle,

John Tinkham,

Nathan Waste,

Jonathan Sowle,

Peter Tinkham,

Joseph Weaver,

Nathaniel Sowle,

Elisha Tobey,

Bartholomew West,

Timothy Sowle,

Elnathan Tobey,

Samuel West,

William Sowle,

Jonathan Tobey,

Stephen West,

Benjamin Spooner,

William Tobev,

Joseph Whalen,

Isaac Spooner,

Zaccheus Tobey,

George White,

John Spooner,

John Tompson,

John White,

John Spooner, Jr.,

Abial Tripp,

Rogers White,

Micah Spooner,

Benjamin Tripp,

Samuel White,

Nathaniel Spooner. Jr,,

Ebenezer Tripp,

William White,

Samuel Spooner,

James Tripp,

Scipio Wilbour,

Seth Spooner,

John Tripp,

Stephen Wilcox,

Walter Spooner,

Joseph Tripp,

Daniel Wilcox,

William Spooner,

Peleg Tripp,

Jeremiah Wilcox,

Joseph Stafford,

Richard Tripp,

Samuel Wilcox,

John Summers,

Timothy Tripp,

Samuel Willis,

Jacob Taber,

Abraham Tucker,

Joseph Wing,

Jacob Taber, Jr.,

Henry Tucker,

Matthew Wing,

John Taber,

John Tucker,

Daniel Wood,

Jonathan Taber,

Joseph Tucker and sons,

George Wood,

Joseph Taber,

Christopher Turner,

George Wood, Jr.,

Philip Taber,

Benjamin Wait,

William Wood.

The bounds of Freetown as originally established were not changed until Fall River was set off in 1803; but the line between Freetown and Tiverton was fixed in 1700. The town was incorporated in July, 1683. Each lot, or "freeman's share," in this old township was bounded on one end by the river, and on the other by the headline of the original purchase; the lots were intended to be one hundred rods wide, but there was considerable variation, on account of differences in values of various localities.

Prominent among the purchasers of Freetown was Capt. James Cud- worth, whose name has been mentioned in this chapter. Born in 1612 he came to Plymouth in 1634 and soon took up his residence in Scit- uate, where he was honored with several important offices; he was for a period lieutenant-governor of the colony and early in King Philip's

Jonathan Tallman,

Peter Washburn,

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

war was commander-in-chief of the forces of both Plymouth and Mas- sachusetts Colonies. His Freetown lot was settled by his grandson, James Cudworth, and parts of it remained many years in possession of members of the family. James Cudworth died in 1729.

Thirteen whole lots and part of the fourteenth in the division of the Freemen's Purchase were in what is now Fall River, and are described in the history of that town in later chapters.

The fifteenth lot was drawn by Josiah Winslow, sr., youngest brother of Gov. Edward Winslow. On April 8, 1661, he sold it to Will- iam Makepeace, a cooper, who is elsewhere noticed as undergoing pun- ishment for " lascivious attempts towards an Indian woman." He was drowned in August, 1681.

The sixteenth lot, drawn by John Waterman, was settled soon after King Philip's war by Lieut. Job Winslow, from Swansea, who occupied it until his death, July 14, 1720. He was a prominent citizen in both Swansea and Freetown and held several public offices.

Samuel Jackson, of Scituate, probably sold his right in the seven- teenth lot to William Randall, from whom in 1678, the title passed to Nicholas Cotterell, of Newport. In 1683 and 1690 most of the lot be- came the property of Lieut. Thomas Terry, whose sons settled there. Parts of it have always remained in the family.

The eighteenth lot was drawn by Nathaniel Morton, colonial secre- tary 1647-85, who sold to John Hathaway, sr., of Taunton, in March, 1671; John Hathaway, jr., soon settled there and remained until his death about 1730. He held the office of constable and selectman, and was the earliest tavern-keeper in Freetown, his license bearing date June 5, 1684.

The nineteenth lot was the share of Constant Southworth, before mentioned, who was a prominent citizen and office-holder. The lot was settled by John Bailey, from Weymouth, about 1682. He was selectman in 1685, and died June 22, 1686.

Thomas Bourne had the twentieth lot; he was a resident and promi- nent citizen of Marshfield and died May 11, 1664, the lot passing then to his son, John Bourne, who, on March 4, 1678, gave it to his daugh- ters, Anna, wife of John Bailey, and Martha, wife of Valentine Decro.

The twenty-first lot occupied the southerly part of the site of Assonet village and was drawn by Samuel Nash.

The twenty-second lot, drawn by John Barns, included part of the site of Assonet village; it was bought in 1666 by Hugh Cole, of Swan-

FROM 1637 TO 1685.

sea, who sold it in 1685 to Benjamin Chase, a cooper, who settled there about twenty-six years after the purchase from the Indians. Mr. Chase died about 1731.

The twenty-third lot, drawn by John Tisdall, was settled by Joshua Tisdale, who died there about 1714. This lot included a part of the site of Assonet village, and parts of it remained in possession of mem- bers of the family a hundred years. Joshua Tisdale was town clerk of Freetown four years, a selectman six years, and assessor three years. He caused to be built the lowest dam on Assonet River, and there operated an early grist mill. The ledge of rock near the Assonet depot took the name from him of "Joshua's Mountain." John Tisdall, the father, was a prominent man; he removed to Taunton, where he was made selectman in 1672 and held the office until his death in June, 1675; he was slain by the Indians in the war.

The twenty-fourth lot was drawn by Kenelm Winslow, a brother of Governor Winslow. It was settled by Nathaniel, son of Kenelm, and Josiah, a grandson of the same; the latter remained there until his death April 3, 1761. About the year 1695 he built the dam used in recent years by his descendants, and erected a saw mill. Josiah Winslow was selectman five years, assessor seven years, and was a militia captain.

The twenty-fifth lot was settled by James Cudworth, before men- tioned, a grandson of Capt. James Cudworth, the purchaser. The set- tler remained there until his death in 1729.

John Daman drew the twenty-sixth lot; he died about June, 1677, and the lot passed to his heirs who, in 1713-14, sold it to Timothy Lin- dall of Boston; it remained in that family until the Revolution.

The foregoing pages of this chapter show that through the open- handed acts of Massasoit and his sons, and the adventurous spirit of the English immigrants, settlement was considerably advanced through- out most of the territory that became Bristol county before the county was formed. Those pioneers laid firmly and honorably the foundations of civil government. A most excellent authority1 has written upon this subject, that " nowhere upon the face of the globe has the princi- ple of self-government, the capacity and right of men to make laws for themselves and regulate their municipal affairs, been so fully illustrated as in the early history of New England. The most perfect democra- cies that mankind has ever shown are found in the early New England

1 Hon. William W. Crapo.

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

towns." These are very broad and remarkable statements, but they are amply substantiated within the limits of Massachusetts-even within the limits of Bristol county. The proper conduct of public business was constantly uppermost in the minds of all citizens, and consequently it was well performed in every detail. Behind every action was a broad reliance upon the providence of God. Their religious tenets, if at times over strict or almost tyrannical, were a never failing guide to right action as they saw it. In acquiring their lands of the natives they un- doubtedly endeavored to deal justly and reciprocate the kindly treat- ment received from the owners; but influences were early at work under which continued and permanent peace was found to be impossi- ble. If the conduct of the settlers at certain times seemed unjustifiable, as far it related to their dealings with the Indians, we must remember that they were surrounded by circumstances and conditions very diffi- cult to understand and appreciate in modern days. On the other hand, it is not strange that the natives fought for their hearthstones; civilized people have done no less. Neither is it strange that their methods of warfare were unlike those of the white men; they were savages at heart and by nature, whatever may have been their attitude towards the early-coming English, and the consequences of their campaigns, blood- thirsty and unrelenting though they were, were just what should have been expected of them. The oncoming struggle between the Indians and the white settlers was one of the unavoidable movements of the armies in the grand march of civilization. 1

The same causes that sent to our shores the Puritan pioneers, im- pelled the persecuted Quakers (as they were commonly known) to seek, on this side of the ocean, relief from religious intolerance. Many of these settled within the limits of Bristol county, particularly in the old town of Dartmouth, where they and their descendants have exerted a powerful influence upon the development of that region. The first

1 Rev. Mr. Wood, writing upon the Plymouth colonists, says: "Many have supposed that our fathers treated very unjustly the natives whom they found on this soil; and sometimes will- iam Penn and Roger Williams are applauded as standing higher than others in this respect. It is believed, however, that the Pilgrim fathers were no less desirous, than the worthies just men- tioned, of acting towards the Indians upon the principle of the Golden Rule. Gov. Winslow, in 1676, says: 'I think I can clearly say that, before the present trouble broke out, the English did not possess one foot of land in this Colony but what was fairly obtained by honest purchase of the Indian proprietors.' The prices paid seem to us now as absurdly small; but the lands sold were of little value to the few scattered natives, who wished to use them only for hunting and fishing; and, in a large measure, they retained these privileges after the surrender of their titles to the soil. Lest they shold be wronged by individual whites, it was ordered that no person should pur- chase, or receive as a gift, any land of the Indians, without consent of the court."

FROM 1637 TO 1685.

Quakers arrived in Massachusetts in 1656 in the persons of two women. As a foretaste of the persecutions to which the sect was to be subjected in this country, persecutions very similar and in many instances more severe than those from which they had fled, these women were at once arrested and placed in the Boston jail. This was the beginning of a period of conflict between the Puritans and the Quakers which was, to a great extent, one-sided and during which the Quakers suffered many indignities and actual injury and punishment. The details of this con- flict as a whole would fill a volume and cannot be given in these pages. It must suffice that for such offenses as disturbing public worship, speaking falsely of their neighbors, resisting officers, having in their possession papers and writings " both false and pernicious to the gov- ernment," etc., many were punished by fines, imprisonment and public whipping. Other towns in the county contained a large Quaker ele- ment, and while their peculiar faith, their policy of resistance to tax. ation for support of the ministry, and non resistance, were antagonistic to the principles of the colonial government, their good citizenship at all times and in all places, speaking in general terms, cannot be ques- tioned. Their refusal to pay church assessments led to almost endless difficulty in which they were sufferers, and which did not end until well into the present century.

Intimately associated with the religious aim and purposes of the pio- neers were the first measures adopted for educating their children in the simple primary branches. It is to the great honor of Massachu- setts that her people were the first to actively promote free public edu- cation. The well known act of June 14, 1642, was mandatory for the establishment of schools, as seen in the following :

That in every town the chosen men appointed for managing the prudential affairs of the same, shall henceforth stand charged with the care of the redress of this evil [the lack of educational facilities] and for this end they shall have power to take account from time to time of their parents and masters, and of their children, espe- cially of their ability to read and understand the principles of religion and the capital laws of the country, and to impose fines upon all those who refuse to render such account to them when required; and they shall have power to put forth apprentices the children of such as they shall find not to be able and fit to employ or bring them up.

This action was taken to improve a condition of "great neglect in many parents and masters in training up their children in learning." The act from which we have quoted was supplemented in 1647, by 5

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

another (Mass. Col. Records, vol. 2, p. 203), which contained the fol - lowing :

It is therefore ordered, that every township in this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath increased them to the number of fifty householders, shall then forthwith ap- point one within their towne, to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and reade, whose wages shall be paid either by the parents or masters of such children, or the inhabitants in generall, by way of supply, as the major part of those that order the prudentials of the towne shall appoint; provided, those that send their children be not oppressed by paying much more than they can have them taught in other townes.

Here was the germ of the free school principle; and towns in the colony and the county, after its formation, were reasonably zealous in carrying out the provisions of these acts. It may be added here that all school affairs came before the towns until 1789, when the district system was adopted, the towns still retaining the controlling power. The district system was continued until 1864. Meanwhile the districts gradually gained prestige until in 1817 they could, as corporations, own their school houses and other property, contract with teachers through prudential committees, etc. When the district system was dropped, general school committees were chosen in the towns.

CHAPTER III.

INDIAN TROUBLES.

The primary causes of the bloody conflict known as King Philip's war must be sought far back of the outbreak of hostilites in 1675, and need not be discussed at length here; the details are a part of the gen- eral history of New England and they had their birth in conditions and circumstances that were unavoidable. While the conflict might, per- haps, have been postponed by a different course of action on the part of the authorities and settlers of the Plymouth Colony, it was undoubt- edly inevitable sooner or later.

In the early years military affairs received due attention and the citi- zen soldiery were usually in readiness to respond to a call to arms; but for a long period substantial peace was maintained. The possibility of trouble with the Indians was always present, and the Pequot war,

INDIAN TROUBLES.

which was chiefly confined to Connecticut and was concluded before settlement began in Taunton, was an object lesson of importance to the settlers. It soon became evident after the assumption of the sachem- ship of the Wampanoags by Philip, in 1662, that he was not likely to maintain the friendly relations with the English so firmly established by his father. He was jealous of the progress of the settlers in occu- pation of the lands they had purchased, and early began plotting with the Narragansetts and other Indians for their extermination. When he was sent for, in 1662, to appear at Plymouth and give an account of his actions, he professed nothing but friendliness for the colonists and a desire to continue the amicable relations established by his father and brother, and signed a treaty of submission. Five years later, in 1667, he was again called upon by the authorities to explain reports that he had adopted measures to join the French or the Dutch against the English. Once more he made ample professions of friendship and was permitted to depart and peace reigned about three years. Early in 1671 he began hostile demonstrations on account of alleged injury done to his planting lands by the settlers. The Plymouth government there- upon sent a request to Boston for aid in an endeavor to pacify the chief. The request was granted and word was sent from Boston to Philip to meet certain men from there, with others from Plymouth, at Taunton, and consult upon the differences. This commission consisted of Will- iam Davis, William Hudson and Thomas Brattle, on the part of Massa- chusetts, and Governor Prence, Josiah Winslow and Constant South- worth, with some others, from Plymouth. The meeting took place on April 10, when word was received from Philip that he was at Three- Mile River, about four miles south of the village, and wished the gov- ernor of Plymouth to meet him there. This request was refused, and James Brown and Roger Williams were sent back with word to Philip that he must come on to Taunton Green, the place appointed for the meeting. These messengers found Philip with a considerable retinue of Indians, in war paint, as if expecting a battle. Philip consented to repair to the village if hostages were left with his party, and Brown and Williams remained. The chief with a part of his men then moved forward as far as the grist mill (see history of Taunton herein), having posted sentinels in his rear, and sent for the governor to meet him there. The Plymouth men were now exasperated and would have attacked the Indians but for the interposition of the Massachusetts men, and Philip was finally prevailed upon to proceed to the village,

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 4

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