Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 52

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 52

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It has already been mentioned that up to 1846 the size of mill build- ings in Fall River was small in comparison with those of recent times. At that time improve- ments in machinery and other causes led manufacturers to be. lieve that much larger mills could be operat= ed to greater advan- tage. The Pocasset Company was the first to put the theory into practice in the erec- tion of the present mill which is 219 by 75 feet and five stories high. This was done largely at the instiga- tion and under direc- tion of Stephen Da- vol, superintendent, and Micah H. Rug- gles, agent and treas- urer, and in the face of predictions of fail- ure. In the construc- tion of this first of the great mills, plans STEPHEN DAVOL. were made for the whole interior in advance of construction, contrary to previous methods, and the arrangement of the machinery and transmission of power was accomplished to much better advantage. '

1 Stephen Davol was born November 22, 1807, and was a son of Abner Davol and grandson of

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

In 1876 the Iron Works Company erected the Metacomet Mill, the plans for which were brought from England by Major Durfee and William C. Davol' and differed in many particulars from any then in this country. Previ- ous to that time the mills had been built with wooden posts and girders, the springing and settling of which caused un- due friction in the machinery and conse- quent loss of power. The Metacomet was built with iron posts and girders and that difficulty was largely obviated. The death of Major Durfee left the burden of labor in placing the ma- chinery and the num- berless details con- nected with the start- ing of this mill upon Mr. Davol's shoul- ders, and its entire success showed that WILLIAM C. DAVOL. he was equal to the task.

Fall River must now be given credit for the first establishment in this country for the manufacture of fine linen fabrics. This was the

Pardon, the pioneer of the family in this vicinity. He began at the foot of the ladder in manu- facturing when he entered the Troy Mill in 1818, his elder brothers already working as doffer- boys. He rose rapidly through all the grades of the business until 1842, when he was called to the superintendency of the Pocasset Mill, and held the position until 1860. He drew all the plans for building and alterations in the mills of that company and was generally acknowledged a leader among the most skilled manufacturers of the village and city. He died March 7, 1888.

1 William C. Davol was born in Fall River January 5, 1806, and was a son of Abner Davol, before mentioned. He entered the Troy Mill when a boy, was made overseer of spinning in 1819, and superintendent in 1827, which position he occupied until 1841, when he became a partner in

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

American Linen Company's mill, which was projected in 1852. Ex- tensive stone buildings were erected consisting of a factory 300 by 63 feet, four stories high ; store and heckling house, 150 by 48 feet; bleach house, 176 by 75 feet, and a finishing building 176 by 45 feet. The machinery comprised 10,500 spindles and 300 looms. In the spring of 1853 the first product was sent to market. Before the mill was in full operation the demand for the class of goods made in it almost ceased, on account of the more general consumption of cotton goods and thin woolens, and it was therefore determined in 1858 to remove the ma- chinery from the main mill and substitute machinery for the manufac- ture of print cloths. The further history of this mill is given in a later chapter.

As far back as 1828 the town authorities attempted to provide an armory for the Fall River Rifle Company. The result was the erection of a small building on Cherry street, which was occupied for a period, and subsequently became a school house. This building is still stand- ing and occupied as a dwelling. Philip R. Bennett and Stephen Davol were captains of that early company at different periods. In course of time, as military affairs here assumed more importance, efforts were made to obtain better quarters for the local company. In 1845 a special town meeting was called at which it was voted that the use of the town house be granted to the Fall River Guards for an armory, and also " that the town cause to be made such alterations as to render it a suitable place of deposit for the arms and equipments of the Fall

the firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol, in manufacturing cotton machinery. He accompanied his intimate friend, Major Durfee, to Europe on a tour of inspection of foreign machinery in 1838. Mr. Davol's chief purpose was to secure the introduction of machinery by the use of which the cost of production could be reduced to meet foreign comipetition, and to provide a larger output for the rapidly increasing consumption of goods. With letters of introduction and by unyielding persistence an arrangement was made with the owners of the Sharp & Roberts self-acting mule to secure patents for the machine in this country and the firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol at once entered largely into the manufacture of cotton and other machinery. This arrangement was not completed and its terms fulfilled by the English people until the lapse of more than a year and a course of business tactics that was not wholly honorable. Mr. Davol suffered the fate of most inventors in the control of his patented rights in the spinning machine, to the success of which Fall River is so deeply indebted. He was involved in costly litigation, but finally triumphed. In his harassing and expensive struggle he was greatly aided by Micah H. Ruggles, agent of the Pocasset Company. The latter held this position about twenty years trom 1837 and conducted its business with skill and success. (He was president of the Fall River Savings Bank from its organization in 1828 until his death in 1857.) In his connection with the machinery manufacturing firm before named Mr. Davol projected improvements in the self-acting inule and from his pat- terns built 180,000 spindles. In 1847 a new set of patterns was made which superseded the old, and from which 100.000 spindles were soon constructed. In 1852 and 1854 still further improvements in mules were made, and his inventive genius also found a productive field in patent carders, speeders and drawing frames, which greatly increased their productive capacity. Mr. Davol died on January 12, 1892.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

River Guards." A committee, consisting of Asa Eames, Edwin T. Lake and James Ford, was appointed to carry out the purpose. In June of the same year it was voted to reconsider this action and nothing was accomplished further until October 16, 1852, when another special town meeting was called and a committee appointed to either build or pur- chase a building suitable for an armory for the Fall River Artillery Company. The sum of $2,500 was appropriated for the purpose. This committee consisted of Josiah C. Blaisdell, Horatio N. Gunn and Capt. John B. Sanford. They at once purchased a site on Bedford street and erected a plain building for armory purposes and turned over $25.00 of the fund which was not expended. This building was occupied a number of years and was ultimately rebuilt and used by the Antelope Fire Company. At a later date the city used the upper part of the Central engine house as an armory and occupied it until the building of the new armory. Another building was rented also on the corner of Fourth and Pleasant streets for the use of Company F. The rental of these places was costing the city nearly $1,500 a year, of which the State allowed only about $650. It was this situation that led to the erection of the present handsome and commodious armory.'

The population of Fall River had now (1850) reached 12,000 (in 1855 it was 12,680); a score of great corporations were in prosperous existence; railroad and steamboat connections were established with other points; the minds of the foremost business men of the place were alert for progress; the spirit of enterprise pervaded the community, and

1 The building of a new and adequate armory for the city was first seriously discussed in 1895, and in that year a joint committee was appointed consisting of the mayor, Alderman Gib- ney and Councilmen O'Keefe, Johnston and Borden, to investigate as to the expediency of erect- ing an armory under provisions of chapter 384 of the acts of 1888. This act authorized the State Armory Commission to acquire land and erect buildings in each city where two or more com- panies of militia were located, bonds being issued for the purpose to an amount specified by the city council, running not to exceed thirty years, a sum sufficient with its accumulations to pay the debt at maturity being made a part of the city tax each year. The committee reported favor- ably upon the project and advised that instead of purchasing a site, the land lying south of Pine street belonging to the city be used. The report was accepted and on January 3, 1895, $100,000 was voted to meet the expense. This site was subsequently abandoned in deference to public desire and the existing site chosen. On August 5 an additional amount of $25,000 was appropriated and on December 26 of the same year another like sum, making the total appropriation $150,000. Plans were at once drawn and the erection of the splendid granite structure begun. The com- missioners were Roger Wolcott, governor ; Samuel Dalton, adjutant-general ; William S. Greene, mayor ; John W. Leighton, Josiah Pickett and Joseph N. Peterson. The structure was finished in 1897. The first floor contains the quarters of Battery M, 1st Regiment Heavy Artilery, M. V.M., and quarters for another company when needed ; also a large drill hall 150 by 75 feet in dimen- sions. On the second floor are the quarters of Co. F, Naval Brigade, M. V.M., and quarters of Co. I, formed in 1898. The third floor has space for two companies, and on the upper floor is a gym- nasium. This armory is in every way adapted to its purposes and is a credit to the city.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

it is not remarkable that progressive men began to discuss the desira- bility of inaugurating a city government. During the twenty-five years under consideration in this chapter, as we have already seen, great strides were made in the manufacturing interests of Fall River; these went hand in hand, during the same period, with public improve- ments of various kinds, and the establishment of numerous private undertakings of importance.

One of the characteristics of Fall River that has been largely instru- mental in advancing its growth, is its excellent harbor accommoda- tions, affording ample room and depth of water for the largest craft ; this, with facilities for water communication direct to distant points of importance, constitute advantages for shipment of freight and passen- gers that have been of inestimable benefit to the place. It was natural that Col. Richard Borden, after the boating experiences of his younger life, should be foremost in improving the means of communication by water between Fall River and other localities. Hence his establish- ment of the steamer line to Providence in 1827, with the Hancock, already mentioned. This early boat was succeeded by the King Philip in 1832; the Bradford Durfee in 1845, the Canonicus in 1849, the Metacomet in 1854, and in 1874 the Richard Borden was added. Pre- vious to 1825 communication with neighboring places was limited to private conveyance; in that year a stage line was established to Prov- idence and New Bedford, the terminus of each line being Slade's Ferry, where the crossing was made by sail or row boat, until the horse boat was put on in 1826. Isaac Fish, who ran coaches to Boston, Bris- tol and Newport, by way of Bristol Ferry, was proprietor of the Prov- idence line, and I. H. Bartlett of the New Bedford line. In 1847 the horse boat on the ferry was superseded by the steam ferry boat, Faith, and she by the Weetamoe in 1859. The old ferry became useless in 1976, on the completion of the iron railroad bridge.

In early years sailing packets made stated trips to New York, Albany, Newport and Providence. Next came the propeller, Eudora, built for a freight boat between Fall River and New York. In the summer of 1829 a small steamer called the Experiment, made occa- sional trips between Taunton and Newport, and sent a boat ashore at Fall River with passengers. Other boats, among them the Babcock, the Rushlight, and the Wadsworth, made attempts to run regularly to neighboring ports, but with only partial success. In 1847 the steamer Perry was built for Rufus B. Kinsley, to run between Fall River and

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Newport; she was withdrawn from the Fall River route some time in 1848.

It was to Colonel Borden (associated with his brother Jefferson) that was due the establishment of the modern system of communication be- tween Boston and New York, by way of Fall River. In 1846 he pro- jected and mainly by his own efforts constructed the railroad from this village to Myrick's, where it connected with the railroad from New Bedford to Taunton; this latter line was then used to join the Prov- idence line to complete the communication to Boston. While this was not the best or most direct route to the capital, it was a vast improve. ment over previous methods, and it was soon extended to South Brain- tree, where it connected with the then existing Old Colony Railroad. This road from Fall River to Myrick's, and also the Cape Cod Railroad, which was projected by Colonel Borden, with others, were soon con- solidated with the Old Colony system.

Meanwhile, in 1847, soon after the railroad just described was in op- eration, Colonel Borden and his brother Jefferson founded the Bay State Line of steamboats, these two men supplying most of the capital of $300,000. The steamer Bay State, a large and handsome craft for that day, was built in 1847 and began her regular trips to New York in May. Her commander was Capt Joseph J. Comstock. For an alternate boat the steamer Massachusetts was chartered, until the completion of the Empire State, and commanded by Capt. William Brown. In 1854 the Metropolis, the largest boat and finest steamer of that period, was added to this line. 1

The banking facilities of Fall River were considerably extended during the period under consideration. What is now the Massasoit National Bank was chartered June 2, 1846, with an authorized capital of $100,000. Jason H. Archer was elected president; Leander Borden, cashier; Jason H. Archer, Oliver S. Hawes, Azariah Shove, Nathan

1 In course of time the Bay State Steamboat Company passed to the control of the Boston, Newport and New York Steamboat Company, and the Old Colony Railroad Company having ex- tended its line to Newport in 1864, that city was made the terminus of the boats. Another change was soon made by which the boats became the property of the Narragansett Steamship Com- pany, then under the Fiske and Gould control, in New York, and the eastern terminus was re- established at Fall River; this took place in 1869, and a year or two later the line became the prop- erty of the Old Colony 'Steamboat Company, forming, with the railroad of that company, then running by a new and shorter route by way of Taunton to Boston, a completely satisfactory means of transportation between New York and the Massachusetts capital. The line was equipped later with the splendid boats, Bristol and Providence, which have within the past very few years been succeeded by those magnificent examples of modern steamboat construction, the Priscilla, Puritan, Pilgrim and Plymouth; these are, probably, the largest and most luxuriously appointed steamboats for coast and inland traffic in the world.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

Durfee, Henry Willard, Iram Smith and Benjamin Wardwell, directors. The bank began business in December, 1846, with paid in capital of $50,000; this was increased in the following March to $100,000. In January, 1854, the capital was again increased to $200,000. Upon the removal from the town of Dr. Archer in 1852, Israel Buffinton 1 suc- ceeded as president of the bank; he resigned in October, 1864, and was succeeded by Charles P. Stickney, who held the office until September 11, 1878, to be succeeded by Iram Smith ;? Mr. Smith by Bradford D. Davol, and he by Charles M. Shove, the incumbent of the office. The building now occupied by the bank was erected in 1889. The capital stock is $300,000. In December, 1864, the institution became a Na- tional bank.

The Citizen's Savings Bank was incorporated as "The Savings Bank," to be located in Tiverton, with Oliver Chace, jr., Cook Borden, Thomas Borden, Clark S. Manchester, and their associates, incorporators. The amount of deposits was limited to $400,000. The institution was or- ganized November 15, 1851, with Joseph Osborn, president; Charles F. Searle, secretary; William H. Brackett, treasurer, and fifteen trus- tees. Business began December 1, 1851, in the office of the Fall River Union Bank, but in June, 1854, was removed to Fall River Union Bank building, corner of Main and Rodman streets. The change in the boundary made March 15, 1862, made the institution a Massachusetts

1 Israel Buffinton was born in Somerset, October 14, 1804, and lived with his parents, Benjamin and Charity (Robinson) Buffinton, in his native town and Dighton, working on the farm during his minority. He then went to Pawtucket and worked in a cotton mill several years. While there he married Nancy, daughter of Luther and Rachel (Macomber) Lincoln, of Norton, the date of his marriage being October 7, 1826. In 1827 he removed to Fall River, where he worked with others in the cotton business and began the collection of cotton waste from the different mills and in 1839 began the manufacture of cotton batting in a small mill at Sucker Brook, in Tiverton. He subsequently purchased the farm on which the Fall River Bleachery is situated, and on the stream built a mill 40 by 60 feet, two stories high, for the manufacture of batting and other stock from cotton waste. He was successful and became a large land owner in Fall River and Tiver- ton. He was a Friend and unfailing in devotion to the cause of that sect, aiding in all their affairs by word and deed. He was interested in the public schools and gave freely of his time without expense on various committees for building school houses and in other educational affairs. He was several years prudential committee for district No. 2. Upon the resignation of the pres- ident of the Massasoit Bank, Jason H. Archer, he was elected to that office, which he faithfully filled twelve years. Many young men of limited means found in him a generous helper in begin- ning life. He died December 12, 1880.

? Iram Smith was born in Maine, October 26, 1807. He learned the carpenter's trade before he reached his majority and settled in Fall River in 1827, where he was employed by Andrew Robeson and others until failing health compelled him to take up some other occupation. After losing his small accumulations in a grocery business, he followed whaling and fishing two years and then, with renewed health, began mercantile business, which he continued to 1873. Mr. Smith was honored with several places of trust and was a good example of the useful and re- spected citizen.

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OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

bank, when it took the name of the Citizen's Savings Bank and was removed with the Pocasset Bank to the northwest corner of what is now the City Hall. In January, 1873, it was again removed to rooms prepared for it in the Pocasset National Bank building. In December, 1862, Edward E. Hathaway succeeded Mr. Brackett as treasurer, and is still in the office. Cook Borden,' Oliver Chace, jr., Weaver Osborn, William C. Chapin and Samuel B. Hathaway3 were appointed a board of investment at the organization of the bank. Joseph Osborn, presi- dent, was succeeded by Linden Cook in 1883; he in 1884 by Joseph Healy and he by John C. Milne in 1887. The first dividend was de- clared June 4, 1852.

The Metacomet National Bank was incorporated by act of legislature in the winter of 1852-3 and began business in December of the latter year. The organization took place in the summer of 1853, the capital being $400,000, and the officers as follows: Jefferson Borden, president; Azariah S. Tripp, cashier; Jefferson Borden, Nathan Durfee, William Lindsey,4 Philip D. Borden, Thomas J. Borden, Daniel Brown, Will-

1 Cook Borden was born in Fall River (in what was then Tiverton), January 18, 1810, and was a son of Richard of the sixth generation, Early in his business life he worked for Frost & Gur- ney, lumber dealers, and then engaged in the same business for himself, near Lindsey's wharf. His business prospered and in 1846 he bought in Bowenville and thither removed his yards. He was closely identified with the material interests of Fall River and held several positions of trust. He died September 20, 1880.

2 Weaver Osborn, son of Thomas and Anna (Durfee) Osborn, was born in Tiverton May 23, 1815. After working on the farm and attending school until he was eighteen, he learned the blacksmith's trade in Fairhaven, Bristol county, and continued in that business until 1871. In 1844 he began work for Andrew Robeson, continuing four years, when he returned to his native town. His shop burned in 1855 and he then settled in Fall River, and with his brother, James M. Osborn, formed the firm of W. & J. M. Osborn, having their shop on the site of the post-office building. After the dissolution of that firm in 1871, Mr. Osborn associated himself with various local industries, finally being chosen president and director of the Osborn Mills, and holding other positions of responsibility. He died February 5, 1894.

3 Samuel B. Hathaway was a native of Freetown where he was born October 31, 1807. His mother with her four children removed to Fall River when he was ten years of age In 1824 he began work in the Robeson Print Works, continuing until the establishment changed proprietors, when he returned to agricultural occupation in the suburbs of the city ; this business he con- tinued most of the remainder of his life. He was actively connected with the organization of Fall River banks and several of the manufacturing establishments. He was respected for his sound judgment, stalwart integrity, and his public spirit. He died April 10, 1873.

4 William Lindsey, son of Capt. Jonathan W. Lindsey, was born in Bristol, R. I., September 20, 1816. His father was a hatter by trade, though he afterwards went to sea and rose to be a master. The son at the age of thirteen years, began work at the hatter's trade and two years later settled in Fall River, where he was employed by G. Burr & Co., grocers. He remained with them about four years, until 1836, gaining a full knowledge of the business, and in that year pur- chased the establishment. From that year he continued in trade forty-three years, under the firm names of William Lindsey, J. W. & W. Lindsey, Lindsey & Brothers, and W. & N. Lindsey. Under Mr. Lindsey's excellent business management prosperity attended during all that period. In 1875 he was made treasurer of the Weetamoe Mills and acquired stock in other mill corpora- tions. He was father of Crawford E. Lindsey, formerly of Fall River. He died February 2, 1897.

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THE CITY OF FALL RIVER.

iam Carr, William Marvel,1 Joseph Crandall, directors. The bank was then located opposite the American Print Works, corner of Water and Pocasset streets. The capital was increased at the next session of the Legislature to $600,000, which was all paid in, mainly by the old stock- holders, during 1854. This has since been reduced to $500,000. In 1865 the bank was changed to the National system with the title, The Metacomet National Bank of Fall River. In 1876 it was removed to the Borden block, corner of South Main and Pleasant streets. The building now occupied was erected by the bank in 1886. Mr. Borden remained president until 1880, and was succeeded by William Lindsey. In 1886 he was succeeded by Walter C. Durfee who served until Janu . ary, 1894, when Frank Shaw Stevens was elected and served until his death, April 25, 1898, to be succeeded by Thomas J. Borden.2

The Pocasset National Bank was incorporated in Rhode Island in May, 1854, the names of Moses Baker, Oliver Chace and Joseph Os- born appearing in the charter. The organization took place on the 2d of the following June, when Oliver Chace was elected president; Will- iam H. Brackett, cashier; Oliver Chace, Samuel Hathaway, Weaver Osborn, Gideon H. Durfee and Moses Baker, of what was then Tiver- ton, and John C. Milne and William H. Taylor, of Fall River, Mass., directors. The bank was at first situated in the Fall River Union

1 William Marvel, whose name nas been mentioned in connection with the manufacturing firm of Hawes, Marvel & Davol, was born in Swansea, March 21, 1800. When the old cotton miil was started, about 1806, in his native town, he was hired to tend the breaker, remaining in the mill until about 1813. In 1814 he was employed in the Troy Mill and from that time forward he was closely identified with the development of the cotton manufacturing business. In 1824 he was hired by Harris, Hawes & Co. to build spinning frames, and in the next year formed a part- nership with Oliver Hawes in that business. Into this firm William C. Davol was subsequently admitted, as elsewhere described, resulting in bringing from England the Sharp & Roberts self- acting mule. Mr. Marvel withdrew from active participation in the business in 1865, and entirely severed his connection in 1876. Mr. Marvel was a thorough-going and practical mechanic, re- spected by his fellow citizens.

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Our country and its people; a descriptive and biographical record of Bristol County, Massachusetts, Part 52

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