USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > The Bristol County directory, 1875-6 > Part 6
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Rev. Daniel Hix was born in Rehoboth, Nov. 30, 1755, died in Dartmouth, March 21st 1838, in the 59th year of his ministry. Hix Village in Dartmouth received its name in honor of this ec- centric man.
The writer of this historic sketch in his early youth heard Elder Daniel Hix preach on several different occasions.
On the 14th day of October, 1833, (about forty-two years since), the militia of Dartmouth were for the last time brought out for regimental review, inspection and discipline. The train bands of Dartmouth at that date were organized as three companies of in- fantry, of which the following are correct rolls :-
CAPT. PULLEN'S COMPANY.
Simeon P. Pullen, Captain, Joseph Crapo, Lieut .; George W. Stowell, Ensign; David Crapo, Sergeant.
Private Soldiers :- Joseph Wilbur, Perry Lapham, Paul Ricket- son, Apollos Ricketson, .William Smith, Benjamin Ricketson, Shadrach Ricketson, Thos. Howland, 2d, John Slocum, Rowland Howland, Humphrey Tucker. Joseph Cornell, Wm. B. Mason, Jacob Howland, Obadiah Hoxie, Frank Smalley, Isaiah Smalley,
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
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Albert Anthony, Stephen Anthony, Joseph Warren, Lowell Bart- lett, Geo. Homer, Dan Homer, J. M. Babbitt, Henry Snow, Nathan Chase, Thacher Thomas, Henry Howland, 2d, T. E. Sanford, Abra- . ham Eldridge, Charles Mathews, 2d, Daniel Cary, Thomas Cary, Allen Studley, Alfred Studley, Josiah Mathews, Thomas Lapham, James Akin, 2d, Thomas S. Bailey, Lebeus Washburn, Leander Haskins, Edward Haskins, Osmon Potter, Jerome Thomas, Hum- phrey Sherman, 2d, Joseph Tucker, Davis Gifford, Geo. Stowell, John Blane, Freeman Stowell, Walter Briggs, Rodolphus Snell, Isaac Allen, Allen Haskins, Abishai Reynolds, Joshua Baker, Nicholas Lapham, Alonzo Mathews, Isaiah Thacher, Thos. J. Weeks, David Crapo, Henry Howland, Alvin Sherman, John Sherman, William Sherman, Charles Briggs, Michael Baker, Hum- phrey Sherman, Charles W. Baker, Wm. Howland, Barzilla Her- vey, Benjamin Wilcox, Benjamin Cummins, James O. Grinnell, Abraham Butts, Rodney Durfee, Benjamin H. Smith, Pardon Al- my, Leonard Sherman, Thacher Smith, Joel Mosher, Prince Sears, David Wardell, Avery Curby, Rodney Howland, Leonard Smith, James Aiken, Jonathan Aiken, Charles Wilcox, Allen Wilcox, Wm. Wing, Jr., Daniel Jennings, Edward P. Almy, Christopher Almy, Wm. Cummings, 2d, Stephen Brownell, Nathaniel H. How- land, Warren Sisson, Israel Cornell, Humphrey Davis, Job Rus- sell, Perry Gifford, Peleg Gifford, William Anthony, Benjamin R. Nichols, James H. Howland, Moody Sears, Dan P. Rice, Paul Gif- ford, John W. Howland, James T. Slocum, Ezekiel Harding, Sam- uel Crowell, Obed Sherman, Russell Akin, John Macomber, Bar- ker Cushman, Stephen Sherman, Elihu Gifford, Humphrey Rey- nolds, Leonard Ashley, Daniel Stowell, Jr., Weston Briggs, John Briggs, Stephen Wood, Peter Crapo, Charles Godley, John Gillis, Elisha S. Crapo, Holder W. Brownell, Pardon Peirce, Jonathan Curby, Elihu Briggs, Charles Hayer, Caleb Miller, Elijah Smith, Henry Tucker, 2d, Samuel Johnson, Thomas Reynolds, and Obed Cushman.
CAPT. MILLARD'S COMPANY.
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Gilbert Millard, Captain; Grafton G. Phillips, Lieut .; Benjamin Wilson, Ensign; Edmund Munroe, Philip Collins, John Andrews, Jr., and Abiel D. Collins, Sergeants; Joel P. Rogers, William F. Andrews, Samuel W. Weaver, and William Cornell, Jr. Corporals; Edward Russell, Musician. Private Soldiers :- William Moshier, Samuel Wilkey, Stephen Andrews, 2d, Isaac Reed, William Peck- ham, Sarbinus Pool, Abiel Jones, Philip Cowin, Daniel Russell, Jonathan De Moranville, Leonard Rogers, Shadrach Davis, Jr., Ebenezer Andrews, Luther Chase, Jacob. Reed, Samuel Cowin,
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Samuel E. Francis, Thomas Collins, Jr., John Ellis, Daniel Dris- coll, Danforth Hathaway, Wm. Butts, John Jones, Jireh Reed, Wm. Gifford, Jacob Pool, Gideon Butts, Levi Sampson, Abraham A. Allen, Abiel Jones, Jr., Butman Collins, Isaac W. Rogers, Abiel Snell, Michael Reynolds, Jr., Stephen Ashley, Nathaniel Haskell, Edward Peets, Thomas W. Bisbey, Wm. Reynolds, Jr., Reuben Rogers, Ralph E. Gardner, Henry Rider, Jason Phillips, Perry Peckham, Samuel Wheeler, John Terry, Abiel Briggs, . Wm. Allen, Richard Ashley, Wm. Pitsley, Levi Russell, Harry Russell, Allen Collins, Joseph Borden, Joshua B. Rotch, Thomas Hatha- way, Thomas J. Lee, Peleg Russell, Silvanus Allen, Abner Reed, Thacher Nickerson, Richard Winslow, Jonathan Pierce, George Peckham, Malachi H. White, and David Millard.
CAPT. ALLEN'S COMPANY.
Samuel P. Allen, Captain; Stephen Gifford, Lieut .; Isaac Mosh- ier, Ensign; Lemuel Moshier, Sergeant. Private Soldiers :- Abram S. T. Maxfield, Allen Chase, Albert Booth, Abraham Gif- ford, Barker L. Allen, Calvin W. Lincoln, Collins S. Maxfield, David W. Maxfield, Ezra Little, Frederic Tripp, Gideon Moshier, Jr., George W. Peckham, Hiram Whalon, Holder Sabins, Isaac P. Baker, Hiram Reed, Isaac P. Moshier, John Faunce, John Wha- lon, James Tripp, Jeremiah Chase, Lemuel Barker, 2d, Leonard Nickerson, Melatiah Hathaway, Philip Reed, Robert Potter, Silas Sherman, Stephen Reed, Samuel Francis, Taber Gifford, Thomas Gifford, Weston Cornell, Warren Gifford, William Gifford, Will- iam Wrightenton and Noah Mosher.
Recapitulation. Capt. Pullen's Company: 1 Captain, 1 Lieut., 1 Ensign, 1 Sergeant and 141 private soldiers. Total, 145.
Capt. Millard's Company: 1 Captain, 1 Lieut., 1 Ensign, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 1 Musician and 66 private soldiers. Total, 78.
Capt. Allen's Company: 1 Captain, 1 Lieut., 1 Ensign, 1 Ser- geant, and 36 private soldiers. Total, 40.
Grand Total of the Dartmouth militia Oct. 14th, 1833, = 263.
Henry H. Crapo of New Bedford, (but then recently of Dart- mouth), was Lieut. Colonel, commanding the 2d Regiment of 2d Brigade, 5th Division, on the occasion of the review and inspection noticed, as it was to this 2d Regiment that Dartmouth militia be- longed. Lt. Col. Crapo was promoted to Colonel, March 1st, 1834. He removed to Michigan, of which state he became the governor.
When Henry H. Crapo was Col. of the 2d Regiment, in the 2d · Brigade, 5th Division, Mass. Militia, David Sylvester was his
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Lieut. Colonel, Stephen W. Taber, Major, and Abner C. Brownell Adjutant, all of New Bedford.
The writer of this historic sketch of the ancient and time hon- ored town of Dartmouth copied these inspection rolls of the local militia of that town, from the official returns of the muster Octo- ber 14, 1833, hence they can be relied on as correctly representing the names and the numbers of the militia of Dartmouth, forty-two years since, on the occasion when said militia were for the last time brought out for inspection, review, and discipline.
DIGHTON.
This town was incorporated, May 30th. 1712, before which date it had been a part of the township of Taunton. That portion of the present town of Berkley lying between Taunton and Assonet Rivers, and called "Assonet Neck," was included within the original bounds of Dighton, detached from Taunton and made to consti- tute a part of. Dighton by the provisions of that act of incorpora- tion, "Assonet Neck" thus continued to form a part of Dighton not only until the incorporation of Berkley, (April 18th, 1735) but until Feb. 26th, 1799, or almost 87 years.
Dighton in its present limits is bounded northerly by Rehoboth and Taunton, easterly by Taunton and Berkley, southerly by Swan- sea and Somerset, and westerly by Swansea and Rehoboth, and by common carriage road or public highway, is about 43 miles from Boston.
The name Dighton was conferred as a token of respect for the numerous and eminent virtues of Francis, the wife Richard Will- iams, her maiden name having been Francis Dighton. She was a sister of Catharine, the wife of Governor Thomas Dudley, and mother of Gov. Joseph and Judge Paul Dudley.
Francis Dighton, as the wife of Richard Williams, became the mother of the large and respected family of Williams at Taunton.
No other of the numerous towns of this Commonwealth was or has ever been named for a woman; we will not say "lady," as that term in this country has, by abuse, come to signify nothing, or if it does, is rather that expressing questionable qualities, a syno- nym of sly reproach, and in a land where no man is a "lord," how can the women be "ladies?"
Richard Williams and Francis, his wife, were such beings as the great Creator made when "in the image of God made he him; male and female created he them."
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
"When Adam dug and Eve span, Who was then the gentleman ?"
Ancient Taunton included several purchases made of the Indians, the first of which was called the "Tetiquet purchase," and em- braced the teritory of the present city of Taunton and town of Raynham, with most of Berkley. This purchase was effected in 1636.
Thirty-one years after a second purchase was made, called the "North purchase," and this was what subsequently became Nor- ton, Easton and Mansfield. In 1672 a third purchase was made called the "South Purchase," the bounds of which were identical with the present limits of Dighton.
On the 12th day of Nov., 1677 was bought what is called "Assonet Neck," and this was in July, 1682 annexed to Taunton, that thus came to consist of five separate and distinct purchases, made at different times during a period of forty years.
The South Purchase remained a part of Taunton from 1672 to 1712, a period of about forty years. Assonet Neck was a part of · Taunton from July 1682 to 1712, or about thirty years .*
On the 30th of May 1712 the South Purchase and Assonet Neck were by legislative enactment detached from Taunton, and incor- porated as a new and distinct town under the name of Dighton.
The territory of Dighton for a few years immediately preceding this act of incorporation had been a precinct or parish in Taunton, and known as the South Precinct.
June 1710, Rev. Nathaniel Fisher received a call to become the pastor of the people of this precinct. That call he accepted and here preached about fifty years, proving himself a good man and a worthy minister of the gospel. Rev. Mr. Fisher was a native of some one of the towns in Norfolk county, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard University in 1706. Doubtless his mortal remains found a final resting place in Dighton, but
"Not à stone tells where he lies."
though stones bearing still legible inscriptions mark the graves of his wife and two of their children.
Rev. John Smith was the immediate successor of Mr. Fisher. He was a native of Plainfield, Conn., and preached in Dighton not far from thirty years, and removing from thence to the state of Pennsylvania. Next in the ministry here was Rev. William War-
* The original deed of "Assonet Neck" is in the possession of Ebenezer W. Peirce, at Assonet Village, Freetown, Mass. He found it among old papers that were deemed worthless, and which the owner proposed committing to the flames as trash. Assonet Neck has been a part of Berkley seventy-six years.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
ren from New Ipswich, N. H., a graduate of Dartmouth College in 1800. He was ordained at Dighton in 1802. He seems to have fallen from grace, as in 1820 he was excommunicated.
Rev. Preston Cummings was installed Dec. 26, 1827. Dismissed in Oct. 1835.
Rev. Jonathan King preached to this people awhile in 1837. Rev. John Shaw from April 1838, to March 1843. Rev. Joseph H. Bailey from Jan. 1844, to Nov. 1844, died. Since which the changes have been very frequent.
A second society was formed a little more than seventy years since and came to be known as the "Lower Society," and settled as their minister ;Rev. Abraham Gushee, a native of Raynham and graduate of Brown University in 1798. He was ordained Sept. 23, 1803, and continued in the ministry here for more than half a cen- tury. Besides these two Congregational societies, there was formed a Calvanistic Baptist church and society under the minis- trations of Elder Enoch Goff, a good man but uneducated, full of zeal, possessing strong lungs and a stentorian voice. If his hearers were not kept awake by the substance of what he uttered, they could scarcely go to sleep for the sound.
Added to these three churches were one Methodist Episcopal and two Christian Baptist churches.
In the "Old French War" so called, an expedition was sent to Cape Breton that succeeded in capturing the fortress of Louisburg.
Sir William Pepperell was the commander, and Dighton fur- nished the Colonel of one of the regiments in the person of Colonel Sylvester Richmond. Ebenezer Pitts was Lieut. Colonel and Joseph Hodges of Norton, Major; Lt. Col. Pitts and Major Hodges lost their lives in that campaign, but Col. Richmond surviving the perils of flood and field returned home and was made High Sher- iff of Bristol county.
A slate stone in an ancient cemetery in this town bears a legible inscription attesting to his virtues and usefulness and how they were appreciated by the people, as expressed in the honors that were conferred upon him.
Col. Ezra Richmond of Dighton commanded a regiment in active service in the "French and Indian War," about ten years subse- quent to the "Old French War."
tThe writer of this historic sketch listened to a sermon delivered by Rev. Abraham Gushee, in the pulpit he had been occupying about 52 years; the text was, "The Fathers, where are they?" It was interesting, impressive, and instruc- tive. The writer's mother told him that, in her youth, Elder Enoch Goff used sometimes to preach in a school house at Assonet Village, Freetown, and preached so loud that she could hear what he said, in her father's house, at a considerable distance from the school house.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Col. Ezra Richmond was also Colonel of the Second Regiment of local militia of Bristol county, an organization embracing the "train bands" and "alarm lists" of the territory now embraced in in Berkley, Dartmouth, Dighton, Fairhaven, Freetown, Westport and nearly all of Acushnet and Fall River.
*Job Winslow was a Captain and also a Major in active service in the "French and Indian War," and in 1762 commissioned Lieut- Colonel of the 2d Regiment Bristol county militia. '
Dighton was represented in the battle field of the American Revolution by one of the Richmond family, being both the chris- tian and sir names of the Colonel in the "Old French War," thirty years before.
The Sylvester Richmond of the patriot army of the American Revolution was commissioned Feb. 7, 1776, Major of 2d Regiment in local militia of Bristol County Brigade. + Edward Pope Esq., of Dartmouth, (now New Bedford), being Colonel of that regiment, and George Godfrey of Taunton, General of the Brigade.
In compliance with orders this entire brigade marched on the 8th day of Dec. 1776, and reported for duty at Warren, R. I., remain- ing in that service twenty-five days.
June 9th, 1778, Major Sylvester Richmond was promoted to Lieut. Colonel of the Second Regiment in the local militia of Bris- tol County, and in the succeeding August was detailed to serve as Lieut Colonel of a Regiment composed of drafts from the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Regiments of the local militia of Bristol County, 4th Regiment of Plymouth County, and Col. Howe's Regiment, and sent to join "Sullivan's Forces" on Rhode Island. From the 1st Regiment, 150 men including company officers, and 2d Regiment, 150 men including company officers and its Lient. Colonel, (Sylves- ter Richmond of Dighton), were required. From the Sd Regiment, 150 men including company officers; from the 4th, Regt. 150 men, including company officers and its Colonel, (John Daggett of Attleborough) from the 4th Plymouth County Regi- ment, 150 men including company officers, and from Col. Hawes' Regiment, 150 men including officers and its Major. These 900 men, including company officers made up the Regiment sent from the Bristol County Brigade to assist General Sullivan in his oper- ations on Rhode Island in what was termed " Sullivan's Expedition"
*His son Job Winslow of Dighton, was promoted to the office of Major of the 3d Regiment, (Taunton Regiment so called), March 22, 1792, Colonel April 26th, 1798. Discharged in or about 1805.
+His son Edward Pope Jr., of New Bedford, was commissioned Adjutant of the same Regiment in 1808, Junior Major Sept. 24th 1810, Senior Major June 8th 1812, and Colonel July 3d 1815. As a Major he was active in defending the same identical territory in the last war with England, that his father as a Colonel had done in the Revolution.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Dighton was also represented on the personal staff of the Com- mander in Chief of American Armies, his excellency, General George Washington, Major Hodijah Baylies, of Dighton, was Aide de Camp to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, from which position he was transferred and for a time served upon the staff of the immortal Washington, the father of our country, "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
In the local militia of the County, Dighton has been represented in the following named leading positions.
BRIGADE COMMANDANT.
Brigadier General; William Peck, from Sept. 11, 1830 to 1833.
FIRST REGIMENT.
Colonel; William Peck, from Aug. 27, 1828 to Sept. 11, 1830, when he was promoted to Brigadier General of the 2d Brigade in the 5th Division .*
SECOND REGIMENT IN SECOND BRIGADE.
Colonel; Ezra Richmond, from about 1755.
Lieut. Colonels; Elnathan Walker, from about 1760 to 1762; Job Winslow, from June - 1762; Sylvester Richmond, from June 9, 1778 to 1781.
Major ; Sylvester Richmond from Feb. 7, 1776 to June 9, 1778.
THIRD REGIMENT IN SECOND BRIGADE.
Lieut. Colonel Commandant; Job Winslow from April 26, 1798 to about 1805.
* Names of the Field Officers and Adjutants of the 2d Brigade, 5th Division Mass. Militia, when the Brigade was commanded by Brig. General William Peck, of Dighton, places of residence, and dates of their commission.
FIRST REGIMENT .- Lyndall Bowen, of Rehoboth, Colonel, Oct. 23, 1830; John B. Read, of Pawtucket, Lieut. Colonel, Oct. 23, 1830; Caleb W. Baker, of Swansea, Major, April 30, 1831; Henry Luther, of Swansea, Adjutant, May 15, 1829.
SECOND REGIMENT .- Seth Carter, of New Bedford, Colonel, July 10, 1830; James D. Thompson, of New Bedford, Lieut. Colonel, July 10, 1830; Henry H. Crapo, of Dartmouth, Major, July 10, 1830; Asa Wood of New Bed- ford, Adjutant, Sept. 2, 1823.
THIRD REGIMENT .- Warren Lincoln, of Raynham, Colonel, Aug. 13, 1831; Stephen L. White, of Taunton, Lieut. Colonel, Aug. 13, 1831; George Danforth, of Taunton, Adjutant, Oct. 15, 1829.
FOURTH REGIMENT .- Ira K. Miller, of Attleborough, Colonel, Sept. 23, 1828; Mason Stone, of Norton, Lieut. Colonel, July 15, 1829; Willard Blackington, of Attleborough, Major, July 15, 1829; Ira Newman, of Attleborough, Adjutant, Oct. 1, 1829.
FIFTH REGIMENT .- Philip R. Bennett, of Troy, now Fall River, Colonel, July 9, 1830; Philip P. Hathaway, of Freetown, Lieut. Colonel, Oct. 5, 1829; John Chase, of Dighton, Major, March 8, 1828; John T. Lawton, of Freetown, Adjutant, Oct. 8. 1829.
BATTALION OF ARTILLERY .- Seneca Sanford, of Attleborough, Major, Sept. 6, 1823; Ephraim A. Raymond, of Norton, Adjutant, April 23, 1829.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
Senior Major; Job Winslow, from Sept. 3, 1795 to April 26, 1798, when promoted to command of Regiment.
Junior Major ; Job Winslow, from March 22, 1792 to Sept. 3, 1795, when promoted to Senior Major.
FOURTH REGIMENT IN SECOND BRIGADE.
Senior Major; Abraham Briggs, from April 14, 1812 to disband- ment of the Regiment .*
FIFTH REGIMENT IN SECOND BRIGADE.
Lieut. Colonel ; Darius Perry, from August 10, 1818 to 1820.
Majors ; Charles Whitmarsh, from April 19, 1823 to 1828. John Chase, from March 8, 1828 to 1833. Both resigned.
Dighton for several years sustained a very fine company of Light Infantry that from the date of its organization, September 23, 1823 until 1834 was a flank company to the 3d Regiment. From 1834 to disbandment it was a line company of the Bristol County Battalion of Light Infantry and Riflemen.
The uniform consisted of dark blue dress coats, with bell but- tons, white pantaloons, bell topped patent leather caps, and long black plumes, not fountain, but the kind that waved or rather nod- ded so gracefully. It was generally known by the title, appel- lation or name of Wellington Light Infantry.
The successive Captains were as follows :-
Henry Bowen, from Sept. 23; 1823 to 1826. Hon. Discharged.
John Crane, from Aug. 19, 1826 to 1828.
Leonard Goodwin, from Feb. 11, 1828 to Feb. 24, 1832. Hon. Discharged.
William Walker, from April 7, 1832 to his death.
George W. B. Atwood, from May 7, 1833 to disbandment.
Part of a uniformed company of militia cavalry for several years existed in this town, and some of the commissioned officers were selected from its citizens.
In the Autumn of 1833, or forty-two years since the entire mili- tia of the State were for the last time required to muster for inspec- tion, review and discipline, the militia law was changed by the Legislature in session the succeeding winter. That inspection, etc., in the Third Regiment came off the 18th day of October, 1833, Dighton militia forming a part of the "Sd Regiment
* NOTE. This 4th Regiment was in the 2d Brigade of the 16th Division; the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 5th Regiments were in the 2d Brigade of the 5th Division.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
of *Infantry," under Col. Stephen L. White, of Taunton.
The roll of the "Wellington Light Infantry Company," of Digh- ton, exhibited the following names :-
George W. B. Atwood, Captain; Amos A. Olney, Lieut .; Thomas W. Pool, Ensign; Elijah Williams, David Standish, Joseph W. Pierce, and John Trafton, Sergeants; Isaac Hathaway, Thomas D. Standish, John C. Atwood, and Benjamin C. Babbit, Corporals ; William B. Whitmarsh and Zebina Atwood, Musi- cians ; Jonathan Jones, Jr., George Babbitt, Jethnial Williams, Stephen D. Reed, William E. Pool, Caleb S. Cummings, Jon -. athan Crane, John C. Crane, John P. Perry 2d, David W. Waiscoat, George W. Briggs, Danforth G. Horton, Levi F. Briggs, Israel N. Williams, William Sherman, Frederick A. Nants, Jolin W. Palmer, George W. Pearce, Alson Briggs, Franklin S. Wright, John Prentice, Peter Tinkham, Allen Francis, Benjamin P. Jones, Anthony Hathaway, William Peirce, Alfred Babbit, Elam Tobey, Benjamin H. Paul, Darius White, William P. Peck, Gardner B. Hathaway, Seth Hathaway, and Peleg Francis, Private Soldiers.
The town at that time also had a company of standing militia, of which I have not been able to find that any returns were made, and whether present or absent from the regimental inspection on the 18th of October, 1833. That Company was commanded by Captain Henry Waldron, who, at May inspection, 1833, returned his force as consisting of 1 Captain, 1 Lieut., 1 Ensign, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 1 Musician, and 62 Privates. Total 74.
The " Wellington Light Infantry" return for the May inspection in 1833, was 1 Lieut., 1. Ensign, 2 Sergeants, 1 Corporal, 2 Musi- cians, and 38 Private Soldiers. Total, 45
Both companies therefore on the first Tuesday in May, 1833, embraced 1 Captain, 2 Lieut., 2 Ensigns, 6 Sergeants, 5 Corporals, 3 Musicians, and 100 Private Soldiers. Total 119.
The early town records of Dighton are in a somewhat dilapida- ted condition, and require longer time and a closer study than I have been able to devote, in order to reproduce with completeness the story that these contain.
But "such as I have" gathered, "give I 'unto thee" my readers, wishing that it was better, and hoping this imperfect sketch may provoke some one to the good work of presenting a history of this town that is immeasurably superior; a task time, reasonable appli-
* NOTE. At that date the Field Officers of the 3d Regiment, in 2d Bri- gade, 5th Division Mass. Militia, were, Stephen L. White, Colonel ; Pardon Leonard, Jr., Lieut. Colonel; and Nathaniel S. Mason, Major; all of Taunton, and all commissioned June 9th, 1832. George Danforth, of Taunton, was Adju- tant; he was commissioned Oct. 15, 1829.
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BRISTOL COUNTY HISTORY.
cation and proper patience would enable one readily to accomplish.
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Here are the names of the earliest town clerks: Joseph Dean, Capt. Jared Talbot, the dates of whose elections are unknown to me. Joseph Atwood chosen March 27, 1721; Ephraim Atwood March 8, 1724; Ezra Richmond Esq., 1751, Samuel Briggs; March 9th, 1752, Gershom Williams Jr., March 19, 1753; and then Eph- raim Atwood again, who was succeeded by Abiezer Phillips.
TOWN TREASURERS.
Benjamin Jones probably the first chosen, and then Ensign John Crane from March 3, 1718 to March 16, 1719.
Daniel Axtil, from March 16, 1719; Jared Talbot, from March 7, 1720; David Walker, March 8, 1724; Sylvester Richmond and Deacon Abraham Shaw.
REPRESENTATIVES TO GENERAL COURT.
Ephraim Atwood 1719 ; Benjamin Crane 1721; Jared Talbot 1722; Edward Shove in 1723 and 1733, Thomas S. Bailey 1791; Thomas Church 1795; Rufus Wilmarth 1796, 1801 and 1815; Geo. Walker 1802 and 1811; John Hathaway 1804-5-7-8-11-13; Leonard Hathaway 1813-14 ; Wellington Parker 1815-16-17 ; Nathaniel Wheeler 1815-25-27; Jeremiah Jones 1816; Gamaliel Church 1816; William Wood 1817-18; Thomas S. Baylies 1818 ; Col. Darius Perry 1825 ; Seth Talbot 1829 ; Nehemiah Walker 1829-30-33-34; David Hathaway 1831-34-37 ; Crocker Babbett 1833; Anthony Shove 1840-41-46-52; Joseph Pitts 1842-43-44; William T. Rose 1847; Bradford Pratt 1848-49; Jonathan Jones 1850; William L. Hathaway 1851 ; Jervis Shove 1853-57; Isaac Hathaway 1854; George F. Gavitt 1855. It will be observed that some years Digh- ton sent two Representatives, and quite a number of years was not represented at all.
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