USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > The Bristol County directory, 1875-6 > Part 5
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CAPTAINS OF SECOND COMPANY.
John Dillingham, from Nov. 13, 1795; Luther Crane, from May 1st, 1800; Ephraim French, from May 1st, 1806; Dean Babbitt, from March 19, 1810; Barzilla Crane, from June 23, 1814; Adoni- ram Crane, from May 25, 1816; Enoch Babbitt, from May 1, 1818; John Dean, from Aug. 3, 1822; Samuel Newhall, from Sept. 3, 1825 to its disbandment, April 12, 1828, when the militia men of which it had consisted were made a part of the militia company commanded by Captain Giles Leach.
The greatest military displays ever witnessed in Berkley, proba-
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
bly were on the occasion of two Brigade musters; the first on Berkley Common in 1802, and the other near the ancient cemetery in 1828. The open space- old people tell us -was then much more extended at the "Common" than now, and must have been to parade the troops of the entire county there and then assembled.
Brigadier General Benjamin Bates of Mansfield was Master of Ceremonies and Commander in Chief on that occasion, and Will- iam Seaver of Taunton, Chief of Brigade Staff.
The Brigade consisted of the following commands :-
First Regiment of Infantry .- Christopher Blanding of Rehoboth, Lieut. Colonel Commandant; Abijah Bliss and Jonathan Barney, Majors, and Joseph Kellog of Somerset, Adjutant.
Second Regiment of Infantry .- Robert Earle of Westport, Lieut. Colonel Commandant; Sylvester Brownell of Westport and John Spooner of New Bedford, Majors, and Benjamin Lincoln of New Bedford, Adjutant.
Third Regiment of Infantry .- Job Winslow of Dighton, Lieut. Colonel Commandant; Thomas Lincoln of Taunton and John Gil- more of Raynham, Majors, and Abner Burt of Berkley, Adjutant.
Fourth Regiment of Infantry .- Lieut. Col. Comdt. vacant; John Williams of Easton, and Ebenezer Bacon of Attleborough, Majors, and Henry Sweet, jr., Adjutant.
Battalion of Cavalry .- Daniel Gilbert of Mansfield, Major, and Johathan Chafce, Adjutant.
Battalion of Artillery .- Brien Hall of Norton, Major, and William Lane of Norton, Adjutant.
The field officers of a Regiment of the Local Militia of Mass., at that time ranked as a Lieut. Colonel Commandant, with one senior Major and one Junior Major.
At the Brigade Muster near the ancient cemetery, in a more southerly part of the town, in the autumn of 1828, Brigadier General Cromwell Washburn, of Taunton, was in command, and his Colonels of Regiments were as follows :-
*Wm. Peck of Dighton of 1st; Lysander Washburn of New Bedford of 2d; Hervey Harnden of 3d; Ira K. Miller of Attle- borough of 4th, and Richard Borden of Fall River of 5th.
Battalion of Cavalry .- Major Jonathan Bliss of Attleborough.
t Battalion of Artillery. - Major Seneca Sanford, of Attle- borough.
* Sept. 11th, 1830, Colonel Wm. Peck of Dighton was promoted to Brigadier General in place of Cromwell Washburn of Taunton, who had been promoted to Major General of the Fifth Division, Mass. Militia.
t Consisted of the Norton and New Bedford Artilery Companies. The Norton company was first organized in October, 1776, and the New Bedford company,' Aug. 12, 1794.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
The writer of this historic sketch of Berkley was then a child of six years, and well remembers going with his father to that muster, and what, while being led by a parents hand, his eyes saw, ears heard, and his young mind tried to reason upon and understand.
WAR OF THE GREAT REBELLION.
Benjamin F. Dean, Preston O. Smith and Solomon H. Smith, of Berkley, enlisted into Company F., Captain Tripp, in the 29th Massachusetts Infantry (a three years Regiment), of which Eben- ezer W. Peirce of Freetown was the first Colonel. This Regi- iment was organized Dec. 13th, 1861.
· Solomon H. Smith died of disease contracted in the army and was buried near Boliver heights in Virginia. Preston O. Smith after serving out one enlistment, re-enlisted and was one of the best soldiers in the Regiment. At a battle before Petersburg in Virginia, on the afternoon of June 17, 1864, Preston O. Smith was one of the color guard of the 29th Reg., and he, with two color bearers, and most part of the guard, was killed. Two color bear- ers were killed outright, shot dead within 15 minutes, and about 18 inches of the top part of the color and staff to which it was at_ tached cut off by the storm of missile that swept all before it as with a besom of destruction in an avalanche of death. Thomas P. Burt (the present town clerk of Berkley), also received a severe wound that deprived him of a foot, while fighting the battles of his country and imperiling life and limb in that war.
The American Biographical Dictionary credits Berkley with having furnished one of the "men of the times" in the person of William Mason Cornell, who was born in this town, Oct. 16, 1802; Ordained to the Gospel ministry, Jan. 19, 1830, Pastor of Cong. Church.in Woodstock, Conn., from 1832 to 1834, and at Quincy · from 1834 to 1839. Studied medicine and practised in Boston. author of some medical treatises, editor of Journal of Health, and Pastor and People, and Guardian of Health. He has received the degrees of M. D., D. D., and LL. D. Though a man of fee- · ble constitution he has performed a large amount of literary labor.
TOWN CLERKS OF BERKLEY.
Abel Burt, from May 12th, 1735.
Benejah Babbet, from March 15th, 17.42.
Abel Burt again, from March 14th, 1743. Ebenezer Winslow, from March 1st, 1748. George Caswell, from March, 1751. Abel Crane, from March 15th, 1756. George Caswell, from March 20th, 1758.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Abel Crane, from March 26th, 1759. Capt. Samuel French, from March 17th, 1760. Samuel Tobey, Jr., from March 14th, 1774. Capt. Samuel French, from March 22d, 1784, Stephen Burt, from March 15th, 1790. John Crane, from March, 1792. Joseph Sanford, from April 6, 1795. Apollos Tobey, from March 6th, 1797. Adoniram Crane, from March 5th, 1810. Asahel Hathaway, from March 13, 1826. Capt. Samuel French, Jr., from March 5th, 1827. Col. Adoniram Crane, from March 15th, 1830. Abiel B. Crane, from April 1st, 1833. Ephraim French, Jr., Esq. from March 16th, 1835. George Crane, Walter D. Nichols, Nathaniel G. Townsend, Ephraim French, Daniel S. Briggs, Thomas Preston Burt. The last named is still in office.
TREASURERS OF BERKLEY.
Seth Burt, chosen May 12th, 1735.
John Crane, March 5th, 1739.
Seth French, March 14th, 1743.
John Crane, March 18th, 1745. George Caswell, March 17 -. Stephen Burt, April 15, 1754. John Crane, March, 1756. Jacob French, March 20th, 1758. John Crane, March 17th, 1760, Stephen Webster, March 23d, 1761. Maj. Ebenezer Winslow, March 16th, 1762. Dea. Ebenezer Crane, March, 1763. Stephen Burt, March 24th, 1766.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT.
Abel Burt, chosen Dec. 5th, 1735.
Samuel Tobey, Esq., in 1789 and 1791. Apollos Tobey, 1801-02-04-05-07-08-11-13-14-15-19.
Adoniram Crane, 1816-17-18-31-33.
Samuel French, Jr., 1825-29-30. Capt. Barzilla Crane, 1834. Thomas Andross, 1836-37. Enoch Babbet, 1840. Nathaniel Townsend, 1841-42. Leander Andross, 1843. Samuel Newhall, 1845.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Ephraim French, 1846. Abiel B. Crane, 1850 .: Giles L. Leach, 1852.
Walter D. Nichols, 1854. Enoch Boise, Jr., 1855.
William S. Crane, 1856.
William Babbitt, 1860.
Abiel B. Crane, Giles L. Leach, William Babbett, 1872.
What has herein been presented concerning the town of Berkley has not been given as all its history, or even as the most important part of that history, but rather as that part to which writers have given, and would perhaps in time to come be inclined to give the least attention. The writer does not claim completeness, but simply the production of the fragments, without which no one can present a complete history of the locality, that for one hun- dred and forty years has been incorporated under the name of Berkley. These materials the writer as a free gift presents, not as cap stones that shall merit "shouting and praise," but such as the master builder of the town's history can never properly ignore or · reject, rather crude material 'tis true, unpolished blocks, and un- hewn sketches, roughly drafted, that profitable labor may be ex- pended upon, and to which it is hoped some Phideas and Praxi- tiles will give the last touches and finishing.
DARTMOUTH.
This is one of the oldest towns in the county, and its early extent was much greater than at present, Fairhaven, New Bedford, Westport, and nearly all of Acushnet having once been parts of Dartmouth.
Two hundred years ago, the term, Dartmouth, expressed and described all these localities, and the act of incorporation making Dartmouth to be a town, covered nearly all now embraced in each of the four towns and city named. The first discovery of this section of country by a white man, was in 1602, or six years be- fore the earliest European settlement in Virginia, and eighteen years in advance of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.
Bartholomew Gosnold was that discoverer's name. He had sailed from Falmouth in England, March 26th, 1602, on a voyage of discovery, and landed upon the Elizabeth Islands. From those islands Gosnold crossed the bay in his vessel, and found the mouth of that river, on the west bank of which, the city of New Bedford
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now stands, but then covered with flowery meadows and stately groves, owned and occupied by Indian natives, who met the Euro- pean explorer, and with courteous kindness sought to entertain him. Fathers, mothers and children, all were there, and all equally desirous to gratify their curiousity in looking at the strange beings from where, up or down, the heights of air, or depths of the sea, no one of them could possibly tell. A "great show" did Gosnold and his followers prove to be in the estimate of the red men, the eyes of the copper-colored squaws, and won- dering gaze of the papooses. And. they evidently felt that 'twas little too good a thing to look at gratis, and so they brought the skins of wild beasts, turtles, hemp and artificial strings as en- trance fees, or to pay for their privilege of going to the greatest of shows. They wanted to pay Gosnold and his men for being so funny looking. and for dressing so singularly. Perhaps that they thought the style of their apparel was as unusual to themselves as to the red men, and gotten up for the occasion expressly to amuse Indians.
Gosnold did not remain long, but loaded his vessel with sasa- fras root and furs, and on the 17th of June set sail for England.
The Indian name for Dartmouth was Apponnaganset.
That part of Dartmouth that became New Bedford, in the In- dian tongue, was Accushnet; Fair Haven portion was Sconticut, and Westport, Acoaxet.
In one of the earliest attempts of the white men to acquire a title to "terra firma," or soil, in Dartmouth, "Big Indian" was induced to part with and sell a portion of his birthright for, and in consideration of 30 yards of cloth, 8 moose skins, 15 axes, 15 hoes, 15 pair of breeches, 8 blankets, 2 kettles, 1 cloak, 2 pounds in wampum, 8 pair of stockings, 8 pair of shoes, 1 iron pot, and 10 shillings in another commodity. Had that commodity been a horse, perhaps like mad Richard of the play, the Indian chief would have consented to part with his entire domain. To prepare the early English settlers for defence, they were required to be drilled by proper officers in the use of fire arms, and hence in 1667 we find the following order to have been issued from the colonial court. "Sergeant James Shaw and Arthur Hatherway are appointed by the Court to exercise the men in arms, in the town of Dartmouth."
The same year John Cooke was empowered to unite people in the contract of marriage, and also to administer oaths to any wit- ness for the trial of a case.
June 8, 1664, was the date at which the colonial court conferred an act of incorporation on Dartmouth, that henceforth became, and for more than two hundred and eleven years has continued to be a
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town, though New Bedford, one of its children, has arrived to the distinction and station of a city.
In 1673 those inhabitants of Dartmouth able to bear arms, were sufficiently numerous to form a Lieutenant's company, but not enough to constitute a Captain's command, and hence we find "1673, March 4, John Smith of Dartmouth is appointed to be a Lieutenant of the military company of Dartmouth, and Jacob Mitchell to be ensign bearer of the said company." (See Book V, page 96, Court Records).
. It used to be the form of warning militia men for military duty, to notify them to appear at their colors at a specified time and place, and these exercises at Dartmouth probably commenced by a
"Rally around the flag."
in the hands of ensign bearer Jacob Mitchell.
Those persons residing in Dartmouth, and who as early as the .29th of May, 1670, had been admitted to the freedom of the colony, were John Cooke, John Russell, James Shaw, Arthur Hathaway, William Spooner, Samuel Hickes and William Palmer.
Dartmouth was first represented in the colonial legislature or court of New Plymouth by John Russell in 1665, and with the ex- ception of two years, viz .: 1666 and 1673, continued to represent that town until 1683. In 1666, 1673 and 1686, John Cooke was the representative or "Deputy" as such officers were then called, and in 1685 Joseph Tripp, 1689 and 1690 Seth Pope.
Ralph Russell established an iron-forge, (or bloomary, as then called), in Dartmouth, at a place still bearing the name of "Rus- sell's Mills." Ralph Russell came from Pontypool in Monmouth- shire, England, and as early as 1652, he, with James and Henry Leonard set up the first extensive iron works in America. These iron works they located in what was then Taunton, now Raynham. Ralph Russell and both the Leonards appear to have tarried for a time in Braintree, Mass., but were induced to remove from the "Bay Colony," to that of "New Plymouth," in consideration of encouragement offered them by the town of Taunton, that by vote decided as follows: "Imprimis. It was agreed and granted by the town to the said Henry Leonard and James Leonard his brother, and Ralph Russell, free consent to come hither and join with cer- tain of our inhabitants to set up a bloomary-work on the Two Mile River."
Ralph Russell moved to Dartmouth as before stated.
Henry Leonard did not remain long at Taunton but removed to New Jersey. James Leonard continued at Taunton and became the ancestor of the very respectable families of that sirname, who
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have lived and still continue to reside there. Such was the love of King Philip for James Leonard of Taunton, that at the breaking out of the war in 1675, the chieftain gave strict orders to all his Indian followers and subjects never to hurt the Leonards.
Not so however, with the Russells at Dartmouth, for they strengthened their dwelling and made it a garrison, hung
"out the banner on the outer wall,"
for concerning the Indians in war paint there menacing the people . the cry was
"Still they come."
Russell's garrison was near the head of Apponeganset River. The cellar of Russell's garrison remained until within the memory of some yet living, and some marks are still discernable. It was near the site of this garrison that the English forces met quite a number of Indian prisoners that had surrendered themselves on the terms promised by Captain Eels of the garrison, and Ralph Earl, who persuaded them to come in, by a friendly Indian whom he employed, and yet notwithstanding the promises made, and in consideration of which promises the Indians surrendered, the lat- ter were, by order of the "higher powers," that one would think were of the devil instead of God, carried away to Plymouth, there "sold and transported out of the country, being about eight score persons."
King Philip the pagan savage religiously kept his promises, but Plymouth colony christian authorities, ignored their's entirely.
"Indulge, my native land, indulge a tear, That steals impassioned o'er a nation's doom, To me such twig of Adam's stock is near, And sorrows fall upon an Indian's tomb."
Besides Russell's garrison there was also one on the east side of Acushnet River, at a short distance from the Isle of Marsh. The location of this is discernible, and in our reflections concerning these footprints of a former and distant age, we are led to exclaim, "Cursed is he that removeth the ancient landmark, and let all the people say amen."
In the time of the "Old French War" 1745, Dartmouth was head- . quarters of the Second Regiment of the local militia of the county, Samuel Willis of Dartmouth, (that part now New Bedford), being Colonel.
Colonel Willis was legitimately descended from a military as well as a literary stock, men who wielded both pens and swords as if they were made expressly for the occupations, instead of the occu- pations for the men.
Col. Willis was descended from that brave "trooper" in King Philip's war, Comfort Willis, of Bridgewater, whose remarkable
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
diary is the foundation of much of the minute and particular now known concerning the conflict. 1675 saw Comfort Willis prominently engaged in behalf of his country, wielding adroitly pen and sword, each mightily, both successfully, and 1745 seventy years later, beheld his grandson Samuel, at the head of Bristol county's Second Regiment, then embracing the local militia of what is now Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Freetown, New Bedford, Westport, Little Compton, Tiverton, and nearly all of what is now Acushnet and Fall River.
In the civil as well as military list, was Colonel Willis promi- nent, holding as he did the office of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Bristol. Colonel Samuel Willis was born in Bridgewater in 1688, and died in Dartmouth (now New Bed- ford), Oct. 3, 1763. His remains were interred in the ancient cemetery at Acushnet, the grave being marked by a mural monu- ment upon the freestone slab of which is engraved :
"In memory of Col. Samuel Willis, Esq., who departed this life Oct. 3d, 1763, in the 76th year of his age."
The family mansion of Col. Willis, formerly occupied the spot where now stands the house of the late John Avery Parker, on County street, New Bedford.
In the "Old French War," when volunteers did not come for- ward in sufficient numbers to meet the demands, drafts were made from the local militia at home. The following is a true copy of one of Col. Willis' orders requiring a draft:
Bristol ss. Pursuant to His Excellency the Governor's warrant to me directed .- You are hereby required forthwith to impress for His Majesty's service on the Eastern Frontier, three able-bodied, effective men out of your company of militia, and see that you have them at ye dwelling house of Lieut. Lot Strange in Freetown, on Wednesday ye 30th of July instant, at ten of the clock in the fore- noon. For which this shall be your sufficient warrant. Make due return with your doings hereinunto myself or order, given under my hand and seal at Dartmouth, the 17th day of July, A. D. 1746.
SAMUEL WILLIS, COLO."
"P. S. The soldiers to be raised and that were to meet at Mr. Salsbury's, you are to bring with you at time and place above men- tioned, there with them must be had."
The foregoing order was directed to the commander of a com- pany of the local militia in Little Compton, and in case of his absence from home to be delivered to his Lieutenant, James Peirce, and probably such as were sent to the commanders of the local
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militia of other towns lying within the geographical limits of the Second Regiment.
Ebenezer Willis, (a son of Col. Samuel Willis), was captain of a company of the local militia in Dartmouth, in the tine of the "French and Indian War," ten years later than that called the "Old French War."
In, or about 1777, Capt. Ebenezer Willis was promoted to major of the regiment of which his father had formerly been Colonel.
A tomb stone in Acushnet cemetery bears the following :-
" Major Ebenezer Willis, died Nov. 7th, 1809, aged 83 years and 4 days."
He must have been born Nov. 3d. 1726. Adjacent are stones with these inscriptions :-
" Elizabeth, wife of Major Ebenezer Willis, died Aug. 9th, 1807, in her 79th year.
Samuel, son of Major Ebenezer and Elizabeth Willis, died at sea, March 6th, 1805."
The last named, Samuel Willis, was, perhaps, identical with the Samuel Willis appointed by Col. George Claghorn as Adjutant of this same Second Regiment when it was re-organized to meet the emergencies growing out of "Shay's Rebellion," the country being in turmoil and commotion, and men's hearts failing them through fear and terrible looking for what was to come. * Col. Claghorn was Naval Constructor of the frigate Constitution, ("Old Iron- sides"), and builder of the first American whaler that doubled Cape Horn and obtained a cargo of oil in the Pacific Ocean.
The Second Regiment, at the reorganization above noticed, was officered as follows and at the dates given.
Field Officers :- Geo. Claghorn, of New Bedford, Colonel, July 10th, 1788; Benjamin Weaver, of Freetown, Lieut. Col., July 10th, 1788; Robert Earl, of Westport, Major, July 10th, 1788; Samuel Willis, Adjutant, Oct. 15th, 1788: William Almy, of Westport, Quartermaster.
The local militia of Dartmouth in 1781, was re-organized by commissioning officers as follows: It will be observed that Dart- mouth at that date suffered no diminution in territory, and these officers were also for the locations known as Acushnet, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Westport, as well as what is now Dartmouth.
Captains :- George Claghorn, Gamaliel Bryant, Thomas Cook, Robert Earl, Henry Jenney, John Phillips, Elisha Gifford, Icha- bod Brownell, Josiah Booth.
* NOTE. The frigate Constitution was lauched in Sept. 1797. The American Whaler alluded to was the ship Rebekah, built in Dartmouth, now New Bedford, and launched in March 1785. Col. Claghorn, poor and broken hearted, spent his last years in an obscure and unfrequented part of Behoboth.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Lieutenants :- Charles Church, Amos Simmons, Obed Cush- man, Sylvester Brownell, Elisha Cushman, Elisha Parker, William Wilcox, Ephraim Wilcox, Edward Thurber.
2d. Lieut .:- John Sherman, Jesse Keen, Benjamin Babcock, John Hix, James Kempton, Benjamin Blossom, Josiah Taber, John Tibit, - Washburn.
These nine companies, of which the local militia of Dartmouth was then composed, were a part of the Second Regiment, and the field officers made to consist of-
Manasseh Kempton, of Dartmouth, Colonel; Joseph Durfee, of Freetown, Lieut. Col .; George Claghorn, of Dartmouth, Major.
Names of Dartmouth gentlemen who held the commissions of field officers in the Second Regiment:
COLONELS.
Samuel Willis, from 174- to about 1754.
Edward Pope, from Feb. 7th, 1776 to 1778.
Manasseh Kempton, from July 1st, 1781 to 1788 ..
LIEUT. COLONEL.
Henry H. Crapo, from 1831 to 1834.
MAJORS.
Zacheus Tobey, from 1762 to about 1771.
Ebenezer Willis, from 177- to Sept. 1775.
Manasseh Kempton, from June 8th, 1778 to July 1st, 1781.
George Claghorn, from July 1st, 1778 to July 1st, 1781.
Henry Smith, from June 2d, 1807.
Jesse W. Nichols, from July 28th, 1827 to 1830.
Henry H. Crapo, from July 10, 1830 to 1831.
The religionists of this town have chiefly been Friends or Quak- ers. A monthly meeting of this sect was established here at an early period, and in 1699 their first meeting house was built. They were numerous and influential, and at one time composed a very considerable portion of the inhabitants of the town, but their palmiest days long since passed, for in 1807 it was in truth said of them, :-
" The number of the Quakers.is probably diminishing, and many are driven from their society by the strictness of their discipline."
At one time there were within the ancient limits of Dartmouth, fourteen meetings of Friends or Quakers, and located as follows: Two at Apponeganset, one each at Smith's Neck, Allen's Neck, two at Smith's Mills, two in Westport, two in New Bedford, and one each at Acushnet, Long Plain, and Fairhaven.
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These were divided into three monthly meetings. In 1849 these numbered 825 members, of which 202 resided in Dartmouth, 445 in New Bedford, and 178 in Westport.
A Calvanistic Baptist church and society once existed in that part of Dartmouth now called Hixes. A very strong minded, clear headed, but eccentric man named Daniel Hix was the pastor of that Calvanistic Baptist Church. The church numbered a great many members, and Mr. Hix was remarkably influential. Among his flock, "he spoke as one having authority," and they regarded him with a love mingled with awe. Potent was Daniel Hix in that church, and among that worshiping congregation, as very sin- gular events most fully served to show. In 1805 this minister and a few brethren attended a religious meeting in the easterly part of Freetown, then called "the Furnace neighborhood," attracted thither by the fame of Rev. Elias Smith. Smith was there, and so great was the number assembled to listen to him that no house was large enough to shelter them, and hence the religious services were performed in an orchard. In brief, Daniel Hix was made a convert to the doctrines proclaimed by Smith, and so great was the influence of the former over the Calvanistic Church in Dartmouth, that this religious body numbering more than four hundred souls ere long followed their pastor in his "new departure," all save four persons, and thus was formed the "first Christian Church" in Dartmouth.
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