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 14
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 14
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 14
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 14
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We made a guide of this fellow, and the next day joined the regiment and marched for Stony Point. We left our encampment about nine o'clock in the morning, and halted at Sandy Beach, ten miles from Stony Point. Here we remained until twelve o'clock at night, when we marched for the garrison, arriving there before one. It was very dark, and we had much difficulty in proceeding, as the enemy had dug pits to hinder us. We had also to pass through a creek, which almost spoilt our ammunition. After this we met with some imped- iment by a strong hedge, made of trees, with their branches towards us; this we had to cut away be- fore we could reach the garrison. While we lay in the woods, Gen. Wayne had given us strict or-
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ders not to fire a gun, as he intended to take the garrison by the point of the bayonet. As we ap- proached we could distinctly hear the enemy driving their shot. We immediately fell down; and when they fired, the shot passed over us without injuring any of our men. Before they had an opportunity to reload, we made a rush, and took possession of the fort without much difficulty. We lost but two men, and the enemy seventy, besides fifty wounded. The remainder, about three hundred in number, we took prisoners. The next day we executed three of our men, whom we found in the fort, having previously deserted.
We then evacuated the fort and marched for Sandy Beach, from which place we went to West Point, thence to White Plains, under the command of Gen. Patterson, and there remained until the battle, which took place some time afterwards, as follows. A detachment of our troops, of which I was one, being on the scout, fell in with a party of the British troops, by whom the engagement com- menced. - Soon after, a body of French horse came to our aid, and after a smart action, of about an hour's duration, the British retreated. Our loss was small, and I came off unwounded.
Soon after this battle, we were ordered to Schuyl- kill River, Pa., where we built a bridge, under the superintendence of Gen. Carleton .* After we had finished it, some of our officers came down from the camp, which was about three miles distant, to see the bridge, and to pass over it. 'Old Carleton,' perceiving them approach the bridge, ordered them to return, loudly vociferating that 'if the angel Gabriel were there he should not cross it before General Washington had seen it:' such was the respect towards that great and good man by his
* I am unable, after the closest research, to find this name among the American officers of the Revolution.
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brother officers. We remained at this station all the winter of the year 1779, as near as I can re- member.
During our stay on the Schuylkill, at one time we were very short of provisions, and the little we obtained was of an inferior kind. One day, my- self and a companion, having a holiday, went into the country with the intention of purchasing some fowls. We came to the house of an old Dutch farmer, and told him our wishes. He replied that the officers had engaged all his poultry, and he would not sell us any of his fowls. I told him that if he would not sell me any I should take some the first chance I had. He was inexorable, and again said that he would not dispose of any. On our way back, we determined that night to go to the old man's farm-yard and carry off as many of his fowls as we could. As soon as we thought they had all retired for the night in the neighbor- hood, taking advantage of the rising moon, we started off with a lantern, and each armed with a club for defence. Stealing along through the old man's orchard, we came to a small out-house where the fowls were shut up for the night, the door secured by a strong padlock, and the only place we could find to enter, a small opening on one side of the building. I agreed to go in, and told my companion, if he heard any sign of our being suspected, to whistle, and make off through the orchard. Accordingly I climbed up and after some difficulty got in at the hole. The turkeys were all at roost; and the moment I got into their company, they gave me a most clamorous greeting, little to my pleasure. However, I secured two of them, and was ready for my departure, when I heard my comrade whistle and make off. I got up and looked out of the little window, and there saw the old Dutchman, with his gun in his hand, com- ing down the lane from the house. I now perceived
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there was no chance for me to escape through the window; so I took my usual recourse to stratagem, which I ever had ready in case of necessity. Plac- ing myself beside the door, and holding a turkey in each hand, I waited for the old wan to come. I could not exactly devise how the affair would end, but knew my only chance of escape would be in acting promptly. As soon as the door was open, I swung the fowl I held in my right hand with all my strength into his face, and made a bolt, but finding him ready to confront me, I let him have the weight of the other turkey in a similar manner as before, which effectually baffled his efforts, and succeeded in getting clear from him. After I had run a few rods, I turned about, and made myself known to him, at which he blazed away his old fowling-piece at me, lodging a good charge of shot into my right leg. Being used to these things, how- ever, I hurried away as fast as I was able with the turkeys, which I still kept, determined not to 'lose my bacon' this time, for which I had paid so dearly. The next day I was mostly employed in extracting the shot from my leg, but I could not get them all out, and some of them are probably there at this day. We had our feast, however, and I soon re- covered from my wounds, and little regretted the adventure, as it proved a good story to tell, and made much laughter among our men.
In the Spring of 1781, we decamped and proceeded to Danbury, where we remained nearly two months, and then marched to the head of Elk River before we were known to the British, who were then at Yorktown. We were soon honored by the command of Gen. Washington, who quickly laid plans for commencing an attack upon the ene- my. We began by heaving up batteries, working at night and secluding ourselves by day, until we had advanced within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's quarters; the action was then com-
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menced on our part. We had thirty pieces of mor- tar and plenty of cannon.
The heat of the engagement continued two days and one night, when we finally compelled them to capitulate. Gen. Cornwallis sent out a flag of truce and a paper, wishing for a cessation of arms, to which Gen. Washington did not agree, and sent word back that Gen. Cornwallis would have fifteen minutes to determine whether to surrender or con- tinue the battle. This was followed by the surren- der of the British commander.
Our advantage was superior to that of the ene- my; for we had advanced our rows of batteries, which were eight or nine in number, with perfect safety, until we had fair play upon the British ranks. We lost but a small number, but the ene- my's loss was very great.
After our affairs were arranged, we were marched, being about two thousand in number, to New York, which the British soon evacuated. Here we had a fine display of fireworks.
From New York we went up the Hudson river to West Point, where we remained until after peace was declared.
In the month of January, 1783, I started for home on foot, having about one hundred and fifty miles to travel, which I accomplished in about a week, without a cent in my pocket. I found my friends all well, and felt thankful that I had been preserved to see them again.
But my hardships were by no means at an end -the times extremely bad, and every man who owed a dollar was liable to be sued. At this time I felt very much interested for my suffering countrymen, for I was exempt from prosecution, owing to my service in the war. I had fought for my country, and any usurpation of her rights aroused my indignation. Hearing that there was going to be an attempt among the people to secure
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their rights, and deeming the cause a good one, I offered my assistance.
The day appointed for holding the court at Taunton had arrived, and having mustered about thirty men, we started for that place to stop the proceedings of the court. We encamped for the night at the Weir Bridge, where one David Valen- tine joined us with his party and attempted to take command. But the men being dissatisfied with him, we went into a field and put it to vote, by which I was chosen leader. We waited until about ten o'clock the next day, and then marched across to Taunton Green. Here we found a large body of armed men in front of the court-house. This looked rather formidable; however, we kept up our courage and marched up to them, when Col. Sprout [Sproat] came forward, with his sword drawn, and demanded of me why I presumed to cross the line. I replied that if he would mark out his lines I would observe them, and then, taking a pistol from my pocket, told him that I was armed as well as himself, and if he did not sheathe his sword I would discharge it at him. He then stepped into the ranks, and I marched my men, with music, having a fife, two drums, and a fiddle, before them, and got about thirty of their number to join us. I called one of them to me, and asked him to give me a correct account of the state of their matters. He told me that not one to thirty had any powder in their guns, and those who had were destitute of balls. I then gave orders for my men to prime and load, and then marched through the ranks of our opponents with- out hinderance. As I approached the court-house door, old Judge made his appearance, and immediately recognized me, although disguised in a British uniform. He asked me what was my desire. I replied all we wished was that no execu- tions or taxes should be levied for the space of
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twelve months. To this he at once agreed, and we then peaceably marched home."
The death of the old man, whose narrative we had thus far penned, brought it to a hasty close.
Subsequent to the time of the last-mentioned adventure, which appears to have been a bold if not rebellious undertaking, he became a sailor; and was pressed into the British service during the last war between England and America; and during an engagement received a severe wound in one of his legs from a splinter thrown off by a cannon ball. Having in vain for a long time sought an opportunity to escape from his servitude, he kept this sore open and aggravated by the application of copperas, until he was pronounced by the surgeon incurable, and was consequently discharged. He was never able to heal this wound afterwards, which was the cause of his lameness. His suffering from this source during the acquaint- ance of the writer were sometimes so great as to render him unable to converse. It finally, more than old age, for he had an otherwise remarkably sound body, caused his death.
At the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1835, our old friend rode in an open carriage, in company with two or three old Revolutionary soldiers, in the procession. His appearance on this occasion was a very dignified one.
The foregoing narrative, although but few dates are given, will be found to be substantially correct, if compared with the authentic historical accounts of the events herein recorded. Many scenes and
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. events the old man had in store for me to record, my object being to produce a narrative which he might sell to assist him in his support, as he and his wife had nothing but the pension to depend upon for their livelihood. On one of my last visits to him, he said that he had "just begun."
There was much of the true old republican in him; and though rough hewn and somewhat of the "Uncle Toby" school, yet he possessed many estimable qualities, and was a good specimen of those to whom this country owes much for her national existence. Of the other old soldiers of Dartmouth who suffered in the Revolutionary War, history has no record.
It will be perceived by those conversant with the dates of the Revolution that our old friend, the pensioner, has confused the order in which the battles transpired wherein he took part, and that his statements in other respects disagree with other records. This does not, however, invalidate his testimony, particularly when his great age is taken into consideration, as the main facts and circum- stances are a still further corroboration, if any be necessary, of the historical accounts of these events. For ready reference, I subjoin a list of the battles in which our hero was engaged, in the due time and order in which they took place: battle of White Plains, Oct. 28th, 1776; Saratoga, Oct. 7th, 1777; Stony Point, July 15th, 1779; York- town, Oct. 10th, 1781.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS UPON THE MERCANTILE PRO- FESSION - VIEWS IN RELATION TO MERCANTILE CHAR- ACTER-THE VALUE OF PROBITY AND INTEGRITY IN COMMERCIAL PURSUITS-SKETCHES OF TWO OLD MER- CHANTS, DRAWN FROM LIFE.
Eye nature's walks; shoot folly as it flies; And catch the manners living as they rise. POPE.
I PROPOSE in this chapter to record a few reflections and observations, which, through "the loop-holes of retreat," I have made during a somewhat length- ened experience. My remarks are intended herein to be entirely of a general character, and no one will regret more than myself, should I uninten- tionally appear too severe or exacting in my views and criticisms. Placing the profession of the mer- chant among the highest callings of human enter- prise, my object is only to encourage that noble aspiration among my friends and fellow-citizens engaged in commercial pursuits, to excel in those expansive and higher phases of character which belong to the true merchant; to encourage an emulation whose end shall be not who shall be the richest, but who shall be the noblest member of his fraternity, -not so much a desire for rank and precedence as for virtue and philanthropy. Illustrious instances have we of this class in our own and other lands, -men who, correlative with their enterprise and success in business, have been
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benefactors of their several communities and their race.
All very well, says the reader perhaps, but what has this to do with the history of New Bedford ? I answer, much, every way; for from her field of observation, in a great measure, has my experience been drawn. Here may be found the different traits of character which mark all commercial communities: the clear-headed, far-sighted, bold and fearless man of business; the cautious, timid, self-distrusting; the steady, persevering, honest, self-respecting; the reckless, the avaricious, the penurious, the generous, benevolent, philanthropic, intelligent, cultivated, knowing, grasping, the haughty and overbearing, the shrewd, manœuvring, dash-devil, mingled together, and jostling each other in their daily occupations. Every community has its own standard of morality; and every large commercial body of people is particularly open to scrutiny in this respect.
From the earliest history we have of commerce through the flourishing periods of the Lombards, Venetians, and their rival successors, the Dutch, the merchant, the true high-minded man of honor, has ever held an exalted stand and exerted a mighty sway over the destinies of nations. No man commands more of our respect, no man holds a more enviable position, than the honest, noble-hearted merchant. From his honestly ac- quired gains have originated a large proportion of the hospitals and other charitable institutions, as well as the foundation of churches and colleges,
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in the Old World. From old Sir Thomas Gresham down to William Roscoe and Sir Fowell Buxton, England has been indebted for much of her glory, as a nation, to her merchant philanthropists. And in our own country, daily almost do we witness with what a lavish hand her sons of trade pour out their treasures for the public good.
A great and good man, now gone "from works to rewards," needs only to be mentioned to show how an unblemished moral character may be united with a successful business life. I allude to the late Amos Lawrence, a name which every good merchant and philanthropist must ever hold in veneration. Boston may well be proud of his memory.
New York, too, has her noble-minded merchants, of Revolutionary and modern times; and her Grinnells already stand forth as rivals of the Livingstons and Hancocks of older and the Law- rences of later times. But we cannot allow our national metropolis the whole credit of claiming these last-named gentlemen, the Grinnells. They are not only natives of New Bedford, but here received the rudiments of that education in which they excel as skilful and honorable merchants of the old Quaker stock, from which they sprung, and among whom they passed their youth.
New Bedford has ever held a prominent stand in the business public: no place has maintained a higher or more deserving character for mercantile strength and probity than herself. She has afforded many noble-minded men, ay, and women also;
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and a purer or more honorable state of commercial enterprise probably as rarely existed in any com- munity as for a long period obtained here. The names of William Rotch, Sen. and Jr., the former of whom I have written of at length in another chapter, and of Samuel Rodman, Sen., as well as the venerable widow of the latter, a daughter of William Rotch, Sen., lately deceased at the age of nearly one hundred years, are inseparably connected with whatever is noble and philanthropic which New Bedford may claim to possess. Nor has the spirit of our predecessors entirely left us : we still possess a body of true and noble-minded men and women, who are worthy of such an ancestry.
There are, however, in every large commercial community men who, regardless of those qualities which mark the true merchant, aim only at success, as they falsely term it, and who lead a skirmishing warfare in the mercantile public. Of these men I would speak justly, but candidly. With them a failure in business seems to be no particular obstacle, even for the time; and we soon find that, mindless of their suffering creditors, they are going on swimmingly. They have answered the requi- sitions of the law, and this satisfies their easy consciences.
Honest men will undoubtedly sometimes become embarrassed, or fail in their business; but it may be doubted whether the most skilful and accom- plished merchant will allow himself to be brought to this strait. At any rate, it is the duty of every honest merchant not to jeopardize in his business
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that property which is not legitimately his own. Undoubtedly, by so doing many a merchant has, like some tempest-tossed vessel, passed over the shoals and quicksand by only scraping the keel. But should adversity overcome them, they do not sink beneath it; they preserve their integrity of character, and rise, like the gallant bark, upon the succeeding wave. These are the men who cause their creditors and friends no anxiety; whose first care it is to pay off their honest debts, principal and interest. The law may exonerate them ; but in foro conscientia they deem themselves bound to make good all their liabilities, and they do it. These men deserve all praise and honor ; they give a high and healthy tone of character to mercantile morals; and these are your true merchants.
But there is another class to whom we cannot award this high praise. With a magician's power they throw their enchantments, in the shape of wiles and snares, around a community - they go on in apparent prosperity, -when all at once comes the crash! Men supposed to be doing a small busi- ness on a small capital, fail to the amount of fifty, sixty, or over a hundred thousand dollars; a mystery surrounds the whole affair; a small and hardly ob- tained percentage is all the astonished creditor re- alizes. But is the man crushed ? does he live upon bread and water ? is he homeless, and an object of pity ? Ah no! There is a temporary lull, it is true : he may lose a little influence in his church, perhaps, or at the next political campaign. But how is the matter in the course of two or three
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years ? He drives his horse-perhaps horses- and carriage, builds a fine house, gives his parties, and so goes on. This man seems to forget his creditors, some of them now, perhaps, poor men, wofully in need of their just dues. But the law protects him; he finds others in the same category as himself : and so he sets his brazen face against the world, and generally succeeds in holding his own position in society. Can such a man be respected? can he respect himself ? In a healthy mercantile community he must ever be regarded as a dishonest man, and from this he can find no escape.
If virtue has its reward, vice also must meet its doom.
These remarks may be considered as a fitting prelude to the following notices of two well-known merchants, lately deceased.
Joseph Ricketson, so well and favorably known in this community, was the first cashier of the Bedford Commercial Bank, which situation he occupied for about fifteen years. Previously, how- ever, as well as subsequently, he was engaged in commercial pursuits.
His advantages for an education in his youth were superior to most of his cotemporaries. Un- der the tuition of his uncle, Caleb Greene, he acquired, besides a good English education, some knowledge of the Latin, and subsequently, from other sources, of the French language. In many of the more scientific studies, particularly in chemistry, his acquirements were very respectable.
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Through all his reverses of fortune, he kept up his habits of reading and study; and his library, though not large, was well chosen and valuable.
At the age of sixteen or seventeen, he entered the counting-room and warehouse of William Rotch, Jr., who had then just established himself in business in the village of Bedford. Here he re- mained until he was twenty-one, leaving with mu- tual respect, which continued through their lives.
Entering into business with his father, under the firm of Daniel Ricketson & Son, with the practical experience of the former as a sea-captain and his own industrious habits, their business prospered, and they accumulated, for those times, a considerable fortune; but the embargo, the war, failures, and the loss of vessels by capture, com- pletely frustrated their business, leaving them little else than their real estate in the village.
He was one of the earliest promoters of education and of every object for the public good in this place. As an ardent and effective supporter of the peace, the temperance, and anti-slavery movements in this place, he will be long remembered. In all these noble enterprises for the cause of humanity, Joseph Ricketson was among the earliest. If they in some degree were the cause of reproach, his heartfelt devotion to these great Christian objects sustained him.
As a man of business, in his long experience and various relationships he ever sustained the highest character for honesty and ability. But as
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a merchant, as usually estimated, he did not possess that knowledge of human nature which would have secured him from many great adversities in his business. Honest to a fault,-if possible, - he rarely or never distrusted any one, and conse- quently too often became the victim of others less conscientious than himself. Most men with his opportunities would have accumulated great wealth; but his constant losses, following in unre- mitted succession from time to time, left him at his death with but a small part of that wealth which might otherwise have been secured. Had it not been for the preservation of his real property, which he did under great difficulties, he must have become almost penniless.
Joseph Ricketson, Sen., was born in this town 7th mo. 27th, 1771, and died at his residence on Main, head of Seventh street, 10th mo. 9th, 1841, aged 70 years 3 months and 18 days.
George Howland, who for many years was Pres- ident of the Bedford Commercial Bank, and one of the most successful merchants of New Bedford, was the architect of his own fortune; his great success in the acquisition of his property, and his position as one of the leading men of business in a place of distinguished commercial character, having been altogether the result of a sound judgment, allied to an indomitable energy and perseverance. Start- ing in life a farmer boy, his ambition for a broader and more congenial field of labor brought him at the age of sixteen years into the warehouse and
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counting-room of William Rotch, Jr. His great ability for business and attention to his duties soon won the confidence of his master, to whom in after years he was destined to become an un- envied rival.
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