USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > History of Newport County, Rhode Island. From the year 1638 to the year 1887, including the settlement of its towns, and their subsequent progress > Part 89
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His father, Samuel West, M. D., was for many years, per- haps, the most widely known physician in the whole region round about him in Rhode Island and the neighboring towns in Massachusetts. His son, the subject of this sketch, truly said of him, "Possessed by nature of a strong mind, rendered vigorons by cultivation, he entered upon the study of physic when it was in its comparative infancy. Yet by his own indus- try and observation, he was enabled to keep up with the times, and frequently to come to conclusions, if not anterior to, at least in company with those who enjoyed the advantages of the schools and the hospitals." He had a very large practice, and no physician was more frequently called in consultation by his brethren in the profession in all critical cases, and none was more honored or relied upon by the community at large.
His grandfather on his mother's side was Doctor William Whitridge, who was also a widely known physician, and a man of marked ability. He was the father of three sons who were all successful practitioners, one in New Bedford, one in Balti- more, the other in Charleston, S. C., and also of that successful andg reatly respected merchant, Thomas Whitridge, of Balti- more. Doctor Whitridge was a lover of literature as well as of medicine. Ife was interested in theological works, and was so anxious to read the Scriptures in the original, that, with the assistance of Rev. Doctor West, he studied Hebrew after he was fifty years old.
Coming from such a lineage as this, Samuel West the third,
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whose portrait is in this volume, had a rich legacy of mental power. He was faithful to that inheritance. He graduated with high rank, the second scholar in the class of 1827, at Brown University. Among his classmates were Hon. Lafayette S. Fos- ter, for twelve years a senator of the United States from Con- necticut, and Bishop M. A. De Wolfe Howe, of the central diocese of Pennsylvania. He was a graduate of the Harvard Medical School in 1831, and began practice in New Bedford. But just as a successful career was opening before him there the death of his father, who had a large farm as well as a wide practice, made it imperative upon him to return to Tiverton. There the community at once transferred to him, and his own attainments commanded, the same confidence in him as a phy- sician and respect for him as a man which had long been award- ed to his father. A laborious practice, extending over a wide range of country, left him little opportunity for large study of books. But, like his father, he was a careful, shrewd and con- scientions observer, and in long rides by day and night he had constant opportunities for a true study of the cases under his care, for following out the trains of thought they might suggest, and finding what might be quite as valuable in his profession as the lore of books. Though living apart from the centers of medical instruction, his own thought kept him abreast of his time. His mind was very active in whatever direction he pur- sued his inquiries, and marked by a sturdy independence of thought. He had a deep interest in the public welfare. He was an ardent advocate of temperance, and though he had no children, was a steadfast friend of the public schools. He was loyal in his friendships, and welcomed the companions of youth or manhood with hearty good will. He was a lover as well as an observer of nature, inheriting his father's interest in agri- culture, and took great delight in the management of a large farm. Even the labor itself upon it seemed to be a joy. Never physically strong, for many years he did the twofold work of a physician and a farmer, eminently successful in both, as he would have been in any pursuit in life, until his health greatly failed. Late in life he married a daughter of Hon. Judge Durfee, chief justice of the supreme court of Rhod. Island, and sister of its present chief justice, and built a house upon a rising ground that gave him a view of a portion of Narragansett bay and of the beautiful Rhode Island
60
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shore. There he lived in his latest years, looking out every day upon the fair prospect always before his eyes, enjoying the fruits of former labors, practising occasionally among lifelong friends, or when called in consultations, until an accident, fol- lowed by brief days of keen suffering, brought his useful and honored life to a close. The name of Samuel West was made honorable by his grandfather's life and service. Though he followed a different calling, his father kept it equally bright. And the subject of this memoir, the last that bore it, left it without a stain.
Any account of the West family which did not mention Miss Hannah Howland West would be very incomplete. She was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel West, D. D., was born in New Bedford in 1779, and went with her father to Tiverton in 1803. She made her home with her brother, Dr. Samuel West and his family until her death in 1847. She was educated chiefly by her father and inherited much of his gift as a teacher. After his death she taught in various places for more than thirty years. Her instruction was sought by teachers, especially in grammar, and many of her pupils, including men distinguished in business and professional life and in congress have asserted that she was the best teacher they ever had. From her mother she inherited a frail constitution, and she conscientiously re- frained from matrimony, being unwilling to transmit a like in- heritance to posterity. She refused many desirable offers of marriage by men attracted by her rare gifts. Her social quali- ties were pre-eminent. Many persons are still to be met who gratefully refer to the benefit they received from her instructions and delightful social intercourse.
Mrs. Joseph Willard wrote of her in an obituary notice pub- lished in the Christian Register: "In the hearts of her friends she must always live, for her intellectual and moral qualities were such as to perpetuate her memory. None who had ever known her could forget her energy, her love of the right and detestation of the wrong, her candor and truthfulness, her steadfast devotion to her friends, her disinterested affection to those more nearly allied. Her acquirements were ninch beyond the age in which she was educated, and her desire for improve- ment constantly induced progress. She was possessed of an uncommon share of rich and conversational talent, which, con- sidering the comparatively retired life she had always lived, was
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remarkable. The fund of wit and humor which rendered her conversation so attractive and which she ordinarily used to il- Inmine her quaint style of discourse, was capable of being con- verted into a powerful weapon of rebuke for the unworthy; yet no one but the wrong-doer ever had reason to shrink from it. Iler wit was tempered by principle and softened by charity, and as justice formed the basis of her character she was ever found the advocate of truth and duty."
Another friend wrote of her:
" Thy ready wit, original and rare, Made old and young its happy influence share, None could forget thee, that decided tone Belonged to thee, and unto thee alone. And words of thine, as with a magic art, Fell on the ear and fixed upon the heart."
JOSHUA C. DURFEE .- The family of which Mr. Durfee is a representative is one of the oldest now in Newport county. Their ancestor was Thomas Durfee, who came from England to Rhode Island in 1660. The line of descent is as follows: Thomas1, Thomas", Job3, Job4, George®, Joshna Co. Job3 in 1736-7 bought of Joseph Cook the nineteenth lot or share of the Pocasset pur- chase on Stafford road, and lived there until his death, in 1774. He was made a freeman of the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1731. Joshua C. now owns one-third of this original nineteenth lot.
George Durfee® was one of six children whose mother, wid- owed early, fought with poverty harder battles than her de- scendants have been called to face. He was married to Sarah, daughter of John Coggeshall. Their family of ten children were: Dwelley, Job, Gideon, Mary, Joshua C., Eliza, Lucy, Peter, David and Delaney, each of whom had issne. He ac- quired an estate and owned seven hundred acres in Tiverton at his death.
The homestead is the present residence of David, known as David Durfee, 3d, on the Stafford road, where the subject of this sketch, the oldest survivor of his generation, was born on the 11th day of October, 1807. His early days were passed on his father's farm, where he remained until "of age," and from which, in the primitive schools of that day he was given the rudiments of an education. In early life he worked in a mill. By hard work and economy he obtained a little capital which
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
he invested in shares in a whale business, investing in several different ships. For ten years he worked in various mills and kept an investment in whale ships for twenty years from the time he was twenty-one years of age. He then began investing in mill stocks, buying shares to hold, believing it, as he still does, a safe investment for surplus. Now, in his declining years, he lives in the retirement of his farm in Tiverton, where he owns one hundred and fifty acres.
Politically Mr. Durfee, with his ancestors, was a democrat until the "Dorr War." Since then he has voted with the whig or the republican party. He has ever had a principle to vote, though never trying for office. He has held the office of as- sessol'.
He was married in 1832 to Patience Brayton. Sarah C., the eldest of their three children, was born February 25th, 1834, and married William T. Robinson. They have one son, Wil- liam G. Robinson, born in 1856, and married June 14th, 1882, to Hattie Manchester. They have two children, Ethel Trafford, and an infant son, Carleton Durfee Robinson. Ellen C. Dur- fee, second child of Joshua C., was born August 15th, 1836, was married to Nelson C. Borden, June 25th, 1857, and died March 28th, 1870. Mr. Durfee's only son, Joshua Thomas Durfee, lately the trial justice for Tiverton, was born August 10th, 1841. His wife, Amanda M., is a daughter of John and granddaughter of Stephen Crandall. They have two sons.
The life of Mr. Durfee strikingly illustrates the working out of a great principle, namely, that strict attention to busi- ness, accompanied by industrions habits, thorough integrity and a true appreciation of the smaller matters of life, will give its results-just what it has given in his case-financial success.
CHRISTOPHER BROWNELL, the son of Josiah Brownell, a prominent ship builder, and his wife, Deborah Howland, was born March 10th, 1798, in Westport, Massachusetts, and died on the 2d of November, 1885, in Tiverton. His education was such as the early schools afforded. Bred to industrious pur- snits in his youth, he began active life as the manager of a grist and saw mill at Adamsville. He then removed to the farm of Stephen Crandall, which land he cultivated for seven years on shares, but desiring more independence and a larger field than was possible under these circumstances, he purchased the fine property, now the home of his widow, and there remained
Christopher Brownell
E. S.ER
Sumuet & etlory.
ARTOTYPE, E BIERSTADT N T.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
until his death. In connection with the farm he erected a card- ing mill, gave his personal attention to the enterprise and made it one of the most successful of his business ventures. Mr. Brownell was, in 1821, married to Miss Mary C., daughter of Stephen Crandall, of Tiverton. She was born January 15th, 1800. They had four children, three of whom died in infancy, and one, Caroline A., who was born February 7th, 1822, and died at the age of 15 years, 11 months and 20 days. Mr. Brownell was much absorbed in affairs connected with his daily routine of business, and gave little time or thought to ques- tions of public import. He cast his vote at the annual election. gave his support to the republican party, and allowed more ambitious aspirants for office to bear away the honors. The only position to which he was elected, that of justice of the peace, was respectfully declined. He was also interested in a store at Fall River, which for a time claimed his attention. Mrs. Brownell still resides on the homestead farm which is managed by Henry F. Wilbor.
SAMUEL E. ALMY is descended from English ancestry, the line being as follows: William1, who emigrated from England, Job", Job3, John4, the grandfather of the subject of this biography, Cook', who married Charlotte, daughter of Isaac Cook, of Tiv- erton, and had children: Eliza, Patience, Clarinda, Samuel E., Deborah, John, Hannah, Welcome Arnold, Isaac, and three who died in infancy.
Samnel Es. was born February 18th, 1800, in the town of Tiverton, and during his busy life, until the infirmities of age rendered the activity of former years impossible, devoted his time to the work of the farm. He received but a limited edu- cation, and in early youth placed his services at his father's command. This filial regard was repaid by an interest in the annual crops and later by ownership of the property, which was bequeathed to him in 1861 with the exception of a single share afterward acquired by purchase. In 1870 he relinquished the management of the farm to his son, Samnel E., Jr., who now cultivates the land.
Mr. Almy was married March 21st, 1830, to Susan, daughter of William Bateman of Newport. Their children are: Delia. born August 5th, 1831; William C., April 14th, 1833; Mary S .. March 29th, 1835; Franklin L., September 8th, 1836: Samuel E., Jr., July 27th, 1838; Susan B .. February 27th, 1841; Catherine
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
S., April 24th. 1843: Harriet B., March 18th, 1851, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Almy has always supported the princi- ples of the democracy. He bas, however, never participated in the strife for office and has avoided publicity other than the distinction which attaches to the office of major of militia. He now enjoys the rest and repose which, after an active life, he has earned, and resides with his son Samuel E., Jr., who married, July 26th, 1863, Cynthia E., daughter of Thomas R. Delano, of Fair Haven, Massachusetts. Their three childen are: Frank D., Leon F. and Stella Lonise.
ASA DAVOL, who was for years a well-known farmer in Tiv- erton, was born April 22d, 1795, in a house still standing east of B. Frank Macomber's farm. His father, William, and his grandfather, Jonathan Davol, each in turn lived in the same building where Asa was born. His father combined shoemak- ing with farming, and here in the little old home of but two rooms the family of thirteen children were born. Asa was the seventh child. At ten years of age he went to Little Compton to live with Joshua Wilbour. Beginning at sixteen years of age, he worked as a farm hand for nearly fourteen years. On the 19th of November, 1822, he was married to Mary Records, who was born in 1799. She was a daughter of William Rec- ords, of Westport, Mass. About this time Mr. Davol pur- chased the farm in the south part of Tiverton, where his five children were born and reared. They are Cornelius, Albert D., Hannah R., William R. and Susan B.
Albert D., who resides in Taunton, Mass., is a mechanic (wood-worker). His wife was Martha F. Burt. They have six children, three boys and three girls.
William R., also of Taunton, learned the same trade as his brother. He married Reliance C. Pierce, of Myricksville, who died in November, 1863, leaving one son and one daughter. He subsequently married Irene G. Wheeler. They have two daugh- ters and one son.
"Uncle Asa," as he was familiarly known to many, with his genial disposition and a heart ever sympathetic toward the poor and those who were in trouble, was loved and respected most by those who knew him best. He was often called to his neigh- bors' homes when sickness and death were there. While he never accepted a public office, he was often consulted on ques- tions of public and private interest, as a man of decidedly good
Asa Davol.
ARTO' YPE, E W . NETAD*
Jaac Brown.
ARTOTYPE, E BIERSTADT N. Y.
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
judgment. Politically he was a republican, and in "anti- slavery" times was with the radical abolitionist. He was the chief instrument in having the eight-rod-way opened to his , farm, which is on the direct line from Fall River to Little Compton. He was an active member of the Christian Baptist church, of Adamsville, until his death.
He was a great favorite with the children, Among them he became a boy again, and many will long remember the oft-re- peated stories with which the children were beguiled to their slumbers. They sought his society for pleasure, and their fathers sought his advice in business matters. If a team or a cow was to be bought "Uncle Asa" must be consulted, and his advice was cheerfully given. If trouble came no one was more ready with assistance and sympathy; if death entered the home-circle, "Uncle Asa" was called upon to perform the last sad offices. He and his estimable wife were spared for a long life of usefulness. He died May 22d, 1875, universally re- spected and regretted. His wife survived him until 1884.
ISAAC BROWN is a grandson of Isaac Brown, who resided in Tiverton, where he was a farmer. Among his sons was Adoniram Brown (13), born in the same township, who also followed farming pursuits. He married Lucinda, daughter of Wanton Manchester, of Tiverton. Their living children are: Ann E., Abby S., Caroline F., Mary C., John Q. A., Adon- iram and Isaac. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are both deceased. Their son, Isaac, was born March 9th, 1839, on the homestead where his early years were spent. His education was ac- quired at the public schools, after which he gave his serv- ices to his father in his work upon the farm. On the 26th of May, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the 10th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry and served three months, receiving his discharge September 1st, 1862. He re-enlisted September 30th, 1862, for nine months in the 12th Regiment Rhode Island Infantry, and filled the office of Sergeant. He was discharged from the hospital at Fort Wood, New York Har- bor, February 12th, 1863. On his return he resumed labor on the farm, and continued until 1867 thus employed. Mr. Brown then engaged in fishing for menhaden. In 1874 the firm of William J. Brightman & Co. (12) was formed for the manufacture of fish oil and guano, and he became a partner. In 1875 he abandoned fishing and gave his attention to the
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
business of the firm, acting as its agent and treasurer. In 1885 the company purchased the fertilizer factory of Stearns & Co., of Coles River, Mass., and now conduct the business at that point. Mr. Brown is also agent and treasurer of the Tiverton Net and Twine Company, which has its factory at Tiverton.
On the 30th of March, 1870, Mr. Brown was married to Mary E., daughter of Robert Gray (34). Their children are: Arthur G., deceased; William Judson, Florence Whitman, Harold Winfred, Isaac Newton, Robert Stanley and an infant, deceased. Mr. Brown is, in his political sympathies, a re- publican. He has been, since 1883, treasurer of the town of Tiverton, and in April, 1881, was made the representative of his town in the state legislature, where he served for two terms. He was then elected state senator, which oflice he also filled for two terms. He is a supporter of the Congregational church of Tiverton Four Corners, where his family worship.
JOB WORDELL .- Tiverton was the home of Gershom Wordell, the grandfather of Job Wordell, for many years a popular land- lord and thrifty farmer in the township. He married Ruth Mott, whose son, David, a native of the township, spent his life in the pursuits of a husbandman. He married Rebecca, daugh- ter of Borden Brayton, of the same county and township. Their children are two sons, Thomas and Brayton B. He mar- ried a second time, Innocent Brayton, sister to his first wife, and had children : David, Innocent, Job, Borden, Rachel, Sarah Ann, and several who died in infancy.
Job, of this number, was born December 27th, 1820, in Tiver- ton, and in youth became an inmate of the family of Doctor Samuel West, of the above township, where he remained six years. Thus early made to become self-reliant and self-sup- porting, Mr. Wordell acquired an independent spirit and a marked individuality, characteristics which have to a consider. able degree contributed to his later success in life. He sought employment as assistant on a farm in various localities, and in 1844 rented a farm in Tiverton. In 1849 he was attracted, with other ambitions and venturesome spirits, to the gold fields of California, and for four years devoted his time to mining, with the exception of a brief interval spent in San Francisco. In this enterprise he met with more than a fair measure of success, and returning again to Tiverton was, on the 6th of October,
Job Howell
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
1853, married to Lydia A., daughter of Edward Gray, of that township. Their children are : Lydia C., deceased; Jane HI., Macie D., deceased, wife of Henry G. Douglas: Job, deceased, and James G.
After his marriage Mr. Wordell was, for five years, the keeper of the Tiverton town asylum, and at the expiration of that period purchased the farm on which he at present resides. Here he has since been engaged in the growing of the ordinary cereals. A democrat in politics, he has held most of the town offices, and has been for several years a meni- ber of the town council, as also agent for the town asylum. He is a director of the Tiverton and Little Compton Mutual Insur- ance Company, and its treasurer and agent for Tiverton. He is frequently called upon to act as administrator and executor, when his services are highly esteemed. Mr. Wordell gave an unqualified support and sympathy to the government during the late war, and was ready with means and influence to aid the canse. In religion his support is extended to the Congrega- tional church, though in early life he was trained under the influence of the Unitarian church.
PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS.
The following paragraphs, numbered from 1 to 99, and the personal paragraphs in Chapter XXI., numbered 100 to 172, are referred to in the history of the towns of Tiverton and Little Compton by the corresponding numbers in parentheses. Where a reference from one of these paragraphs to another would elu- cidate the text or avoid repetition, the same method of referring has been employed. In giving lines of descent, the usual plan of genealogical outline has been followed. Thus, Jolin JJones', Caleb3, William2, Nathaniel', 1622-1690, would indicate John as the son of Caleb and the grandson of William and the great- grandson of Nathaniel Jones, who was born in 1622 and died in 1690.
1 .- Alexander was the oldest son of Massasoit, and at his death became sachem of the Wampanoags in 1662. He was clandestinely taken before the court of Plymonth the same year, and imprisoned in a Boston jail, where he contracted a sickness of which he died after his release. His people believed he was poisoned, and this belief intensified the animus of the Philip war. His Indian name was Wamsutta. His wife was Wetamoo (93), a sister of the Seconnet queen (105).
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HISTORY OF NEWPORT COUNTY.
2 .- Frederick Almy, who died in 1877, was a son of Otis Almy, and had been thirty-two years deacon of the Congregational church of Tiverton. He left two daughters: Harriet S., now Mrs. Gideon F. Gray (38), and Annie E. His widow, now Mrs. Charles Wilcox, is Melissa B., sister of David W. Sim- mons (85).
3 .- William R. Almy®, born 1835; William6, born 1796; Judge Holder4, born 1764; Joseph3, William2, William1. This family is of English descent. William1 owned a very large tract of land here, a part of which is now occupied by Mr. Almy. The sixth generation in this line inelndes Mrs. John L. Burroughs, Mrs. W. K. Adams, Benjamin, Mrs. George A. King, Holder, Phoebe, William R., Sarah M. (4) and Julia A. Holder Almy® commanded the United States transport " Guide" in the civil war.
4 .-- Captain George W. Baker was born at West Harwich, and married Sarah M. Almy (3). He was in the merchant coast- wise service from Norfolk, Va., and in the United States navy about seven years, attached to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron under Farragut. He was injured in the navy in 1863, and discharged in 1868. The log of the United States brig " Bohio," in the bureau of navigation at Washington, shows that Captain Baker was commanding officer of that vessel un- til his removal to the Pensacola Hospital, in Angust, 1864.
5. - Benjamin Barker7, born 1822; Abraham6, 1786; Benja- min', Prince4, 1716; Isaac3, 1660; Isaac2, Francis', who was in Pembroke, Mass., as early as 1628. In February, 1745, an Abraham Barker of another family was married to Susanna Anthony. Their daughter, Ann Barker, subsequently became the wife of Benjamin Barkers, the grandfather of the present Benjamin Barker', of Tiverton, who now owns and lives on the Wanton farm. His wife is Catherine J. Dennis. Their children are: Richard J., Benjamin, Jr., a graduate of Brown Uni- versity, and Catherine W. Mrs. Barker is the first lady in Rhode Island ever elected to a public office in open town meet- ing. She, with Mrs. Moses T. Lawton and Miss Ann E. Brown, being elected school committee in April, 1871.
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