USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > The history of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts : including a history of the old township of Dartmouth and the present townships of Westport, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, from their settlement to the present time > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Westport > The history of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts : including a history of the old township of Dartmouth and the present townships of Westport, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, from their settlement to the present time > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dartmouth > The history of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts : including a history of the old township of Dartmouth and the present townships of Westport, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, from their settlement to the present time > Part 13
USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > The history of New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts : including a history of the old township of Dartmouth and the present townships of Westport, Dartmouth, and Fairhaven, from their settlement to the present time > Part 13
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and comparing the same with those to be found in the New Bedford Directory or the tax-list, this will be at once observed.
Let us therefore thank God, and take courage, that in this age of hurry and change we have some evidence of stability and endurance left. We should remember also how much we owe to those who have preceded us and prepared the way, and that nothing less than a proper regard and emula- tion of their virtues can entitle us to a continuation of their prosperity and success.
With this episode, I will again return to the subject matter of our history.
From the Proprietors' Records, book 1, page 205, I make the following extract, preserving the origi- nal orthography :
"An account of the several parcels of land laid out to Manasseth Kimton in the Eight Hundred acre devision and where they are laid as followeth
1st The first peace is forty acres Lying on the East side of Clarks neck
2ly Five acres more laid out adjoyning to sª Kimtons meadow that Lyes nere to Clarks neck on the west side of Cushnet River
3ly One hundred and twenty nine acres more Lying in Sconticut neck at and southwardly end of sª neck
4ly Seventy two acres more Lying to the north- ward of Stephen Wests homsteed
5ly Two hundred and eighty one acres and sev- enty eight Rods Lying on the west side of Acush- net River to the north of Joseph Russels Jun" hom- steed
6ly Two hundred and ten acres more Lying to the northward of parronoput and on the west side of the way that goes from poneganset to assonet
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7ly twenty acres more Lying on the back side of accushnet great ceader swamp all the several peaces aded into one sum makes 760 acres and the sª Kimton sold forty acres part of the Eight hundred acre devision which makes up his Eight hundred acre devision as aforesd
what is above written is to be recorded by the desire of Mr Manasseth Morton next after the re- turns of the Eight hundred acre devision
Recorded June ye 28th 1728"
The Kempton family is one of the oldest in New England, although no one by that name came in the Mayflower. But in a list of the inhabitants of Plymouth taken 22d May, 1627, are the names of Manasses Kempton, and Julian Kempton, his wife. From a note in " Davis Morton's Memorial," page 226, their names are mentioned as among those who arrived in some one of the first four ships, the Mayflower, Fortune, Ann, or James.
They came in the Ann. From the same source I find that Julian Kempton died in 1664, at the age of 81 years. Her husband, Manasses Kemp- ton, died 14th January, 1663. Farmer's Register, New England Settlers.
The earliest mention of the name in the afore- said surveys, is that of Manasseth Kempton- spelt as before Kimton-March ye 24th, 1710-11. He was probably a grandson of Ephraim and grandnephew of Manasses. The children of Julian were by a former husband, whose name was Morton, probably George Morton, who was also an original shareholder in Dartmouth. The name of Manasseth Kempton, it should be remembered,
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is also to be found in the list of thirty-six propri- ctors, as recorded at Plymouth March ye 7th, 1652, given in a previous chapter. By this it appears that the said Manasseth owned at the above period one thirty-fourth part of the whole township of old Dartmouth.
The names of others mentioned in the list of thirty-six, who came to Dartmouth, or whose immediate posterity settled here, were John How- land, John Downam (Downham or Dunham,) Francis Cook, John Cook (Cooke,) George Soule, John Jenne, Henry Sampson, Philip De la Noye (Delano,) Samuel Hicks, George Morton.
In the old burying-ground at Acushnet, formerly connected with the society of Doctor West and his predecessors, I find the following inscriptions :
" In memory of Patience, widow of Mr. Ephraim Kempton. She died May ye 2d, 1779, aged 105 years 6 months and 6 days."
She was the daughter of Elder John Faunce, who died in Plymouth in 1745, aged 99 years. .
"Mr. Thomas Kempton, died Dec. ye 29, 1768, in ye 65 year of his age."
" Ruth, wife of Mr. Thomas Kempton, deceased Dec. ye 6th, 1771, in the 25th year of her age."
" Col. Manasseh Kempton died Dec. 14, 1804, in his 66th year."
" Mrs. Lois, widow of Col. Manasseh Kempton, died Oct. 11, 1813, aged 77 years."
A number of the 9th generation from Ephraim Kempton, 1st, (inclusive,) are now living in New Bedford. Valuable landed estates descended from
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the original proprietors are still owned by members of the Kempton families.
The results of the above records go conclusively to prove that the Kemptons were not purchasers of the Willises, but that they derived their estate from the original purchase. It may, however, be the case, that at some early period they purchased land of the Willis family, but subsequent to their occu- pation of the original allotment. A large portion of the Russell property in this part of the old town- ship was also prior to the Willis purchase. But land was quite early purchased by the Russells from the Willises, which had previously been conveyed to Col. Willis by Joseph Russell, 2d. And these facts were probably the ground upon which the statement made by an aged member of the Willis family, given in the last chapter, was founded.
The names of the other settlers in this part of Dartmouth, at Acushnet and upon the east side of the Acushnet River, besides those already men- tioned, were Pope, Jenne, Delano, Spooner, Taber, Tobey, Davis, Wrightington, and others. The fol- lowing inscriptions are taken from the old grave- yard at Acushnet :
" Here lyes buried ye body of Seth Pope, of Dartmouth, who died March ye 17th, 1727, in the 79th year of his age."
By which it appears he was born in 1648. He was one of the original proprietors of the town- ship, and the ancestor of all who bear the name of Pope in this place.
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" Mrs. Deborah Pope, wife to Capt. Seth Pope, departed this life February 19, 1710-11, aged 56 years."
" Capt. Lemuel Pope died May ye 23, 1771, in ye 75th year of his age."
" Mrs. Elizabeth Pope, wife of Capt. Lemuel Pope, died July ye 2th, 1782, in the 85th year of her age."
" Col. Seth Pope died June 9, 1802, in his 83d year."
" Mrs. Abigail Pope, wife of Col. Seth Pope, died died with the small-pox May ye 8th, 1778, in the 59th year of her age."
"Elnathan Pope died Feb. 8th, 1735-6 in the 45th year of his age."
" Mr. Lemuel Pope died Dec. ye 13, 1796, aged 64 years 6 months and 21 days."
" Mrs. Mary, widow of Mr. Lemuel Pope, died Dec. 12, 1808, in her 81st year."
" Rebecca, wife of Seth Pope, died January ye 23d, 1741, in the 79th year of her age."
" Thankful, wife of Mr. Thomas Pope, died April ye 13th, 1756, in the 38th year of her age."
"Mr. Thomas Pope died March ye 2, 1784, in the 75th year of his age." (
The two last were the parents of the late Edward Pope, Esq., formerly Collector of this port, a man of eminent virtues, and for many years one of the most prominent citizens of this place. He was also for some time a Judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas, and is usually mentioned as "Judge Pope." His residence was upon Main street, at the corner of what is now known as North Sixth street. As remembered by the writer in his boy-
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hood, this old-fashioned mansion, stable, carriage- house, front yard, and large garden in the rear, (soon after the decease of this gentleman,) some- what in a state of dilapidation, was to him one of the most attractive places in the village. At this time it was occupied by the widow of Judge Pope, and her son, Thomas Pope, now of Michigan. Among the earliest visits the writer made, and which were continued for several years, were those upon this old lady and her sister, known as " Aunt Bell." Accustomed only to the plain and simple colors of the Quakers, he remembers the strong impression made upon him by the black gowns and black ribbons around the caps of those gentecl old ladies. Their manners were peculiarly Bos- tonian, and of the old school; but exceedingly agreeable, intelligent, and well-educated ladies were they.
Their maiden name was Greenleaf; that of Mrs. Pope Elizabeth. She was the second wife of Judge Pope, and the widow of Samuel Eliot, of Boston. The late William Eliot, of Washing- ton, the father of Hon. T. D. Eliot of this city and Rev. William G. Eliot of St. Louis, was the child of her first marriage.
In the rear of this old mansion, which extended a great length to the northward, was a lumber- room, filled with all manner of rubbish, old papers, books, furniture, &c. There appeared to the youthful mind of the writer a sort of legendary character attached to this place. He remembers the great satisfaction he felt while rummaging
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about with a grandson of Judge Pope, a school- fellow about his own age, and on one of their searches of discovering a strange piece of furniture which for a long time was a great wonder to them, but which they at last ascertained to be a musical instrument, one of the predecessors of the piano- forte, a Harpsichord.
This was undoubtedly the instrument upon which the Misses Greenleaf charmed their adoring " Stre- phons" prior to the days of the Revolution. Good, devout women they were, and have long since joined the bright band of those from whom they were separated.
The old homestead of the Pope family was upon the east side of the Acushnet River, and a quarter of a mile below the Friends' meeting-house. The house of David Russell occupies nearly the same spot as the old Pope house, which was burnt many years ago.
The original settler, Seth Pope, was a large landed proprietor upon Sconticut Neck, and branches of the family are still land-owners there.
The oldest inscription in the grave-yard before mentioned at Acushnet is as follows:
" Here lieth the body of Lieut. Jonathan Delano, died Decem. ye 23d, 1720, in ye 73d year of his age."
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He was accordingly born in 1658, at Plymouth, and was a son or sendson of Philip Delano, who came in the Fortune, 1623. "The name was first spelled De la Noye, by which we may conclude that he was a French Protestant who had united
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himself to the Church of Leyden." Savage MS., note.
Jonathan Delano is also mentioned as one of the proprietors of Dartmouth, in the confirmatory deed from Gov. Bradford, Nov. 13, 1694. His right derived from Philip Delano, whose name is among the thirty-six share-holders who received their titles from the Indian Sachems, Wasamequin and Wamsutta. Two other inscriptions I find in the same place : one of "Jabez Delano, who died Decem. ye 23d, 1734, in ye 53d year of his age ; " the other, " Mary Delano, wife to Jabez Delano, died April 29, 1716, aged 33 years."
Since writing the preceding sketch of the Kemp- ton family, the following memoranda, collected by the late Samuel Kempton, of this city, have been placed in my hands by a gentleman, one of the present most prominent representatives of this ancient race :
"It appears that Ephraim Kempton arrived at Plymouth in the ship Ann, August, 1623; that his son Ephraim, who must have been quite young, came with him. This son settled in Scituate, and there married Joanna, the daughter of Thomas Rawlins. They had two sons, Ephraim and Ma- nasseh. It further appears that Ephraim married Mary They had a son, Ephraim, 4th, who was born Nov. 14th, 1674. On Jan. 2d, 1702, this son (Ephraim) married Patience Faunce, of Ply- mouth, daughter of Elder Thomas Faunce, who was the Town Clerk of Plymouth thirty-eight years in succession. He died 1758, aged 84 years. Pa- tience, the wife of Ephraim Kempton, was born November, 1673, and died May 25th, 1779, aged
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105 years 6 months and 6 days. She lived to a greater age, perhaps, than any other person in this part of the country. She used to speak of King Philip's head, that was placed upon a pole in Plymouth, and there remained over twenty years. She said there was a wren that used to make her nest in the skull every year, and there rear her young.
Their children were Ephraim, born 1703, Thom- as, 1705, William, 1707, Joanna, 1710. Ephraim died in 1720. Thomas married: his first wife was Esther Throop, of Bristol; his second wife, Mary Hathaway, daughter of Thomas Hathaway, of Dartmouth, (now Fairhaven.) Their children were Esther, born 1736, Thomas, 1740, Hepsebeth, 1743, Jonathan, 1756.
Ephraim, son of Thomas and Mary Kempton, married Elizabeth, daughter of Rowland Tupper, of Sandwich, whose wife was Zerviah, daughter of Colonel Samuel Willis, of Dartmouth, (now New Bedford.) Their children were Lydia, born 1774, Mary, 1777, David, 2d, 1779, Thomas, 1783, Ephraim, 1789, Elizabeth, 1794. Ephraim Kemp- ton, of New Bedford, died Jan. 25th, 1802, aged 55 years. Elizabeth, widow of Ephraim Kemp- ton, died Nov. 29th, 1848, aged 95 years."
These were the parents of the present Ephraim Kempton, who, with his sister, Mrs. Lydia Foster, (widow,) are the only survivors of this family. They are the great-grandchildren of Ephraim, whose wife Patience died in this place in 1779, aged 105 years.
The original Kempton house stood upon the west side of County street, next north of the residence of Alfred Kempton. It was of two stories in front, sloping off to one in the rear, as
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was the custom in many of the oldest houses in New England, and faced the south. It was taken down in the year 1809 by the late David Kempton, 2d, who built the house which now occupies nearly the same spot.
Not far from this house, upon a road which led up to the County road from the shore, now North street, three men, by the names of Russell, Trafford, and Cook,* were shot by the British troops, Sept. 5th, 1778. These men were passing up this road, which was then only a cart-way through the woods, in the evening of the day on which the village was burnt, the said 5th of September. It being moon- light, one of the party, who was armed, saw stand- ing against a tree a British grenadier, at whom he fired, killing him; when immediately a volley of muskets was discharged upon these three unfortu- nate men, killing one outright and wounding the other two, who died within a few days. These soldiers were undoubtedly dispatched from the main army to watch the movements of these three men, and they would probably have allowed them to pass in peace, had they not been first assaulted. These were the only lives lost upon this memorable occasion.
The horror which remained upon the minds of the old inhabitants of New Bedford, who witnessed the destruction of their property, and, in a great measure, of their hopes in life, is well remembered by the writer, who has often heard their accounts of this calamitous event. The story of the death
* Abraham Russell, Samuel D. Trafford, and Job (or John) Cook.
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of the three men who were shot by the British was one of the nursery tales of his childhood; and it is difficult even at the present day for him not to associate the names of Russell, Trafford and Cook among the most romantic and tragic scenes of our national history.
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CHAPTER XVII. AN OLD PENSIONER'S STORY.
Our armies swore terribly in Flanders, cried my uncle Toby.
TRISTRAM SHANDY.
Ir was my custom, many years ago, and probably before some of my readers had seen the light of day, while on my daily walks, frequently to cross over the bridge between New Bedford and Fairha- ven, usually making a detour upon the beautiful little island with its cedar trees that lies about half way, and known as ." Pope's Island," thence en- joying the picturesque and extended view up and down the river, to stroll along, occasionally halting to exchange a word with some old fisherman who was eagerly engaged in catching his supper from the great public larder of the aforesaid places, our own handsome Acushnet.
On one of these occasions my attention was at- tracted by a new and remarkable looking person- age, quite a different character from the old stock with whom I had become familiar and had formed a certain kind of acquaintance. It was an old man, apparently about eighty, whose strongly marked countenance and genial aspect moved me to address him. Like the ancient mariner of Cole- ridge, " he held me with his skinny hand" for a long time, and having completed his day's work, or amusement if you please, started for his home,
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which was in an humble tenement a short distance from the old toll-house on the Fairhaven side. Walking by his side, the old man, who by this time I had learnt to be a Revolutionary soldier and pen- sioner, hobbled along, for he was very lame, until we came to his door, where we parted.
This interview resulted in a familiarity ; and as he and his wife soon after removed into New Bed- ford, I had the opportunity during the subsequent winter, that of 1835 and '36, when the following sketch was written, of often seeing him. When dressed in his Sunday clothes, an old-fashioned blue coat with bright buttons which had been kept very choicely for more than a quarter of a century, with an equally old-fashioned waistcoat with a double row of small brass buttons, and primitive trousers, his noble head with its silver locks set firmly upon his square shoulders, he presented a venerable and interesting appearance. His narra- tive was taken down at his dictation, and I have in a great measure observed his own phraseology; in fact, the whole sketch is substantially in his own language. The name of our hero was Deliverance Bennett. He died in the Fall of 1836, aged 86 years.
THE OLD PENSIONER'S STORY.
" I was born in the old township of Dartmouth, at Long Plain, on the eleventh day of November, in the year 1750. I worked with my father, who was a farmer, until I became nineteen years of age. Like most of the boys in our neighborhood, I had but little education, sufficient however to write a
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legible hand, and to perform the usual business transactions of a farmer's life. During my youth I was always fond of adventures, and generally spent what leisure I had in hunting and roving. Deer and foxes, as well as many other kinds of game, were then plenty in our woods, and it was no uncommon affair to see them near our house.
An anecdote illustrative of this fact I will now briefly relate. On a Thanksgiving Day, all our family, with the exception of my father, was invited out to dinner. The old man, feeling some disappointment at this, was determined to amuse himself in his favorite sport, that of hunting, and if fortunate, to have a dinner for himself and some of his friends. Before the family had gone, he took down his gun, which was always kept, when not in use, over the fireplace, and whistling out his hounds, marched for the woods. He had been away from the house but a short time when I heard the report of his gun and the yelping of the hounds not far distant. My spirits were aroused by the music of the dogs and gun, and off I started to learn the result. I had not proceeded far, when I saw the old man standing in the road without his gun. On approaching him I asked him the
cause. He pointed to the butt of a tree where his gun stood, and told me to bring it to him. I sprang to get it, and before I was aware stumbled over one of the noblest bucks I had ever seen. My amazement was truly great. The old man obtained his wish, and instead of being balked of his own dinner, was able to have thirty-two of his neighbors to dine with him, together with the whole of his family, who preferred a good fat buck to the entertainment they had expected. I was at this time about fourteen years of age.
A trivial circumstance which occurred some years after this separated me from my father's family, and determined me to commence a new
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line of life, somewhat of the history of which is here to be given.
The cause which induced me to leave home I will briefly relate. My father, who was a very passionate man, and with whom I was no favorite, in a fit of anger threw an iron bar at me, while I was assisting him in erecting a horse-block. This I could not bear from him whom I was bound to respect, and I therefore determined to leave the roof under which I had passed my childhood.
The Revolution had then commenced, and troops were being raised throughout all parts of the country. Having some predilection for a military life, I enlisted in the army for three years, and received my bounty of three hundred dollars, old currency.
It was about three weeks after I had enlisted, before I was ordered to march. During this time, I went frequently to my father's house, taking care, however, to be there only in the old man's absence. I left one hundred dollars of my money with my mother for my father.
Orders for march came on the Sabbath. I went home to get my clothing, and to bid the family farewell. My father was there, but said nothing. After waiting some time for him to speak, and finding him determined to persevere in his silence, with injured feelings I bade him adieu, and left the house. At the outer door, I drew two pistols that I had at my side, and firing one into the air and the other into the ground, invoked a blessing for my father, and then set off for the meeting-house, where our company was assembled to hear a fare- well discourse from our parish minister, Rev. Mr. Lewis.
We then marched into Middleborough, where an entertainment was prepared for us. After having partaken of the collation, we were regularly formed into columns, and marched to Boston.
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When we left home there was many a watery eye among us, as well as among our friends. One young woman, with whom I was intimately ac- quainted, had persevered in her coolness, and was determined not to be affected by our departure. After the meeting, those who were desirous of hav- ing a last look at us went some distance along the road, and waited till we came up. Among them was this young woman. I was determined to try her feelings, so, springing out of the ranks, I ran up to her, and giving her my hand, bade her 'good bye,' telling her 'the Lord only knew when we should meet again.' She could restrain herself no longer, and burst into tears.
At Boston we passed review before Nathaniel Morton, Esq., and then took up our march for . Stillwater. On our way, we halted at Springfield, and remained there two days, during an election of officers. Here we joined Col. Patterson's bri- gade under Gen. Schuyler, who had retreated from Ticonderoga.
Soon after our arrival at Stillwater, the com- mand was transferred to Gen. Gates, under whom we took up our line of march for the army at Sar- atoga.
During the action which ensued soon after our ar- rival, October, 1777, I fired thirty rounds, and at one time my gun became so hot that I was unable to hold it in my hands. I threw it down, and taking up another, for they were to be picked up in any part of the field, performed my duty until sunset. The action commenced about ten o'clock in the fore- noon.
After the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne, our men, being weary, disposed themselves at pleasure, some upon the green-sward and some on the meeting- house steps. As I sat there resting on my gun, I was much amused at the conduct of the British soldiers, who, being no longer under the control
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of their general, committed every kind of indecency and mad prank they could devisc while marching down the hill, tripping up each other's heels, knock- ing off hats, &c. This I must confess appeared truly disgraceful, and showed to me the true character of our enemies.
After our affairs were settled at Saratoga, we again resumed our line of march, and proceeded to West Point under Gen. Gates. While here, a draught was made from the army, as a brigade of light infantry, and placed under Gen. Wayne, among whom it fell to my lot to be chosen. We were as nearly of a size as possible, and dressed as nearly alike as could be expected. After we were embodied, we left the main army and marched to a place called 'Sandy Beach.' While there a party was chosen, of which I was one, to recon- noitre the works at Stony Point, which was then occupied by the British. Our party consisted of twenty men, with. Col. Putnam as leader. We marched down in the night, and halted in the woods near the point, so that we had full view of the garrison.
While here, feeling some spirit for adventure, I thought one night that I would sally out and see what I could bring to pass. Near where we were encamped was a small village, called 'Cricket Town,' which supplied the British troops with provision, such as butter, poultry, &c. This was mostly carried on in the night by the women, whom we called ' butter-gals.' So on this occasion, as our captain lay by the fire, wrapped up in his blanket, I borrowed one of his pistols, telling him that I was going to try to take a 'butter-gal.' I strapped my blanket on my back, slung my canteen to my side, and started off. I pushed on through the woods, whistling and singing, when all at once I was saluted by a British sentinel with ' Who's there ?' 'A friend,' I replied. He bade me advance
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and give the countersign. I approached him, and told him I had none-that I was a deserter from the American army, and wanted to find the way to the picket. He ordered me to sit down, pointing . to a place on the ground, and said that he would be relieved in about half an hour, and would then conduct me to the garrison. I now began to realize my situation, and keeping my wits about me, had recourse to the following stratagem. As I had never known a soldier but was fond of liquor, I proffered him my canteen, after pretending to take a draught myself. He received it, and, tipping it to his mouth, was in the act of drinking, when, watching an opportunity, I sprang upon my feet, seized his gun with one hand, and, presenting my pistol with the other, bade him not to speak a word or offer resistance, on the peril of his life. I then told him to march with me, and we proceeded to- gether to our place of encampment. After we had arrived I went to our captain, who asked me where the ' butter-gal' was. I pointed to the British sol- dier in full uniform, at the sight of whom he was much surprised, and gave me hearty thanks for my exploit.
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