-am 
 
 BookA:iaX£. 
 
 CQr>yiiglitiN°! 2->r>W ^. 
 
 CPFjRiGHT oi;posai 
 
J^^^^^^Q, 
 
A SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 History of attleborough 
 
 FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE DIVISION. 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN DAGGETT. 
 
 Edited and Completed by His Daughter. 
 
 ..,-^-' 
 
 BOSTON: ^2- ^- 
 
 PRESS OF SAMUEL USHER, 
 
 171 Devonshire Street, 
 
 1894. 
 

 Copyright, 1S94, 
 By Amelia Daggett SHErpiELX). 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IN placing this historical work of my father's, in its more extended form, before his towns- 
 people, some words of explanation are requisite. The delay in its appearance has 
 been unavoidable because the task of bringing it to completion assumed much greater 
 proportions than was anticipated. I had but little knowledge during his lifetime of the 
 progress he had made toward perfecting his plan, and it was not until nearly a year had elapsed 
 after his death that I was able to commence such an examination of his papers as was neces- 
 sary to enable me to decide whether it would be possible to uudei-take myself the labor of 
 completion and publication. 
 
 At tirst T thought a few months' time would suffice, as the preparations seemed to be quite 
 complete; but this proved true of portions only which pertained to the ancient history of the 
 town. Regarding the more modern times numerous scattered notes and suggestions were 
 found, but frequently nothing whatever to guide me in trying to ascertain the author's ideas iu 
 certain lines, or to work out the same when a theme was given. I found no single page of 
 fully prepared manuscript, but a copy of the former " Sketch,*' bound with as many blank as 
 printed leaves, and upon them were corrections, additions, fresh items, etc. Beyond that 
 scraps of paper containing facts, dates, references, etc., with now and again a few pages relating 
 to some person or subject, requiring sometimes little or no change, at others partial or almost 
 entire rewriting — all of which had to be arranged and rearranged again and again, as new 
 links were added to the ever-lengthening chain, or new threads were brought to the almost 
 endless weaving of the historical web. 
 
 The book is simply what it purports to be — a "sketch," not a complete history; such iu 
 detail would comprise several volumes. As events have transpired, it is no doubt well that it 
 was not published before the division, as that forms a proper ending to the history of the 
 original town. I hope it may also prove to be well that the longer delay brings its publicatiou 
 into this our bi-centennial year. Like the earlier sketch this is designed first of all for Attle- 
 borough people, wherever they may be, and in what it has fallen to my lot to finish I have 
 endeavored to carry out this evident design of the author, by preserving many things of peculiar 
 and personal interest to them. 
 
 I have been most generously assisted iu my labors by those to whom I have applied for 
 information or advice. I am much indebted to Mr. D. Handlton Hurd, of Boston, the compiler, 
 and Messrs. J. W. Lewis & Co., of Philadelphia, the publishers, of the '-History of Bristol 
 County," for their courteous permission to copy from that publication whatever might be of 
 use to me; a privilege of which I have availed myself, especially outside the chapter therein 
 which was prepared by my father; and I am indebted to Messrs. George H. Walker & Co.. of 
 Boston, Publishers, Engravers, Lithographers, etc., the publishers of the '• Atlas of Attle- 
 borough Town," for a similar courtesy with regard to the historical sketches iu that work. I 
 am also indebted to officers of Brown University, Amherst College, and Yale University for 
 searching records and furnishing full and correct lists of Attleborough graduates from their 
 respective institutions; and to the officials in the Secretary's Library at the State House for 
 their civilities in facilitating my researches there. I am under special obligations to Mr. Thomas 
 A. Barden for many essential facts which he took considerable trouble to furnish; to the Rev. 
 John Whitehill for the valuable information he supplied ; to Mr. Edward R. Price for important 
 aid; to Mr. Frank I. Babcock for clear statements regarding various matters, and nmch 
 needed advice; and to Major Everett S. Horton for placing in my hands carefully compiled 
 records relating to our soldiers of the Civil War, which I could not otherwise have obtained, 
 and for useful information upon other subjects. 
 
4 PBEFACE. 
 
 I wish to express thanks to those town otKcers who phiced records — both ancient and 
 modern — at my disposal, and aided me materially in my investigations; to the large number of 
 business men who responded to my lists of questions; to the old soldiers who recalled inter- 
 esting war experiences; to Mr. Everett B. Bliss for his gift of several pictures; to Mr. Samuel 
 M. Holman for his interest and care in preparing the photographs from which nearly all of the 
 illustrations were made; and to all the others, both ladies and gentlemen, — who number too 
 many to be mentioned separately, and who would not desire such particular mention, — to 
 whom I have applied for help, and who have bestowed it graciously to the extent of their ability, 
 and in most abUndant measure. From the " Chronicle," the " Advocate," and the " Sun " 
 I have culled much of interest and importance, and it gives me pleasure to acknowledge ray 
 indel)tedness to their columns in this manner. 
 
 Among the many agreeable experiences to be remembered, I recall with special pleasure the 
 intei-est shown in my work by a little girl, who carefully gathered up numerous loosened ends 
 of fact, bound them neatly together, and sent them to me far over the seas to an ancient liberty- 
 loving city of mid-Europe; and in that same city, by one of those happy accidents never to be 
 forgotten, and always to be gratefully appreciated, some very essential matter relating to the 
 tii-st white settler within our original borders — without which a chapter would have been sadly 
 incomplete— came to me by the hands of a lover of all that pertains to early New England 
 history, a courteous and cultivated Boston gentleman. My gratitude to all these my creditors 
 is oftered in the name of my father as well as my own, for in his name I asked for aid, and for 
 his sake 1 am sure my requests, of whatever nature, were fully and freely answered. 
 
 The book had assumed almost double the size expected before the manuscript was placed in 
 the printer's hands. If blame attaches to that fact, I willingly bear my portion thereof; but 
 the number of pages is largely due to the fact that the good people of whom 1 have asked 
 information have shown their love for their town by filling my hands to overflowing with those 
 incidents and occuri-ences which form the contents of several of the following chapters, and 
 which were of too much interest to be lightly thrown aside. 
 
 No one can regret more deeply than myself that the author die' not live to fully accomplish 
 his purposed work, for he of all men was best fitted to write worthily a history of our town. 
 No one can realize more fully than myself the many deficiencies of my own share of the work; 
 but I offer the result of my attempts to Attleborough people without hesitation, liecause I feel 
 certain that in kindly remembrance of the author my many faults will meet with lenient criti- 
 cism, and that my many failures will be generously overlooked by all those who understand 
 my motives in essaying the completion of the book. Numerous errors will no doubt be found 
 upon its pages — some probably avoidable, others perhaps not so; for all such I bespeak 
 forbearance. 
 
 If this " Sketch" — so called by its author— finds favor and proves acceptable and useful to 
 Attleborough people, at home or abroad, wherever it is destined to find its way, his long- 
 cherished wish will be realized and my own highest desire fully satisfied. In writing these 
 words of explanation and preface it aftbrds me peculiar pleasure to date them not only from 
 the town where the author lived and died, but from the very house where for a long generation 
 he dwelt, and from the very corner of the room where during those years he constantly read 
 and wrote, and where no doubt he often thought of those early days whose annals he so 
 zealously investigated, and upon whose occurrences his fancy ever loved to dwell. 
 
 The Editor. 
 Attlkborougk, Julv. 1894. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Settlement of Rehohotli. — Purchase of the Tract Called Rehol)Oth North Pur- 
 chase. — Proceediui!;s of tlie Proprietors. — Captain Thomas Willett, etc 4S 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 Blackstone 65 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Ini-orporatiou. — Proceedings of the Town. — First Settlements, etc 85 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Proceedings of the Proprietors. — Indian War. — Proceedings of the Town 101 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Revolutionary War 120 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Proceedings of the Town, continued. — Division 144 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 The Civil War. — Proceedings of the Town. — Experiemes and Reminiscences of 
 
 Soldiers, etc 172 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Soldiers of the Civil War 204 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Churches and the Ministry 22() 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Churches and the Ministrv. (Mjntinued 271 
 
6 cox TEXTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Sdiools 311 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Muiuifaetiires. —The Rlooinery. —Cotton Manufactories, etc 338 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Manufactures, (n)iitinued. — Jewelry Manufactories, etc .3tiT 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Societies. — Orsianizations, etc 399 
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 Bio,<,nai>liical Sketches 453 
 
 CHAPTER XYI. 
 
 Biographi(;al Sketches, continued .i07 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Bioi;"raphical Sketches, concluded .561 
 
 < HAPTER XVm. 
 
 Genealogy. — Statistics. — Representatives. — Town Officers. — (rradiiates of ("olloges, 
 
 etc 623 
 
 CHAPTER XTX. 
 
 Miscellaneous 649 
 
 (HAPTER XX. 
 Miscellaneous, continued 691 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 Cemeteries 727 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Topography. — Dc.-cription of Attleborough, England. — Early Condition of the 
 
 Country, etc 76,t 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Hon. John Daggett, the author of this work, was boru in Attleborough, 
 February 10, 1805, one of the seventh generation of his family in this 
 country. The first of the name to emigrate from his native laud was one 
 John Doggett, who came over in Winthrop's fleet in 1630. His name is 
 found on the list of applicants for admission as freeman, October 19, 1630, 
 and he was among the first admitted, — No. 8, — May 18, 1631. He was a 
 proprietor, and among the first settlers of Watertown, this State. That town 
 was settled in 1630 aud was for many years larger than Boston. Mr. 
 Doggett's homestead there was adjoining Fresh Pond, where a hotel of that 
 name now stands, and contained about fifteen acres. He had six lots and a 
 grant of eighty acres. He seems to have been actively engaged with Gov- 
 ernor Mayhew — then a resident of Watertown — in getting up a companv to 
 occupy Martha's Vineyard, " the island of which Governor Mayhew had 
 purchased the grant," and about 1644 he went there in the company of the 
 new governor, and, it is said, " was thus intimately associated with the 
 Ma3iiews in the government of the colony, as indeed the Daggetts continued 
 to be not only for some succeeding generations but down to the present day." 
 Thomas Mayhew, "a merchant," was born in Southampton, England, in 
 1591. He came to this country and settled first in Medford, then removed 
 to Watertown, and from there to Martha's Vineyard as its proprietor aud 
 governor. He died in 1681, six days before he was ninety. He had been a 
 representative in this State, and was a preacher to the Indians for some 
 thirty-three years. His first wife died in England ; the second one was 
 Grace, widow of Thomas Payne, of London. Two of his descendants were 
 missionaries to the Indians and many of them have been prominent men. 
 Of one of these, Thomas, a son, an interesting story is related. He gradu- 
 ated at Harvard College and prepared himself to be a missionary, going as 
 such to the Vineyard in 1642, two years before his father took up a residence 
 there. He was very successful as a teacher and preacher among those native 
 people, and they became exceedingly attached to him. He finally decided to 
 go to England to solicit funds with which to build a church and provide 
 other things needed by his pupils, and in 1657 completed his arrangements 
 for the voyage. The Indians regarded the ocean as a terrible monster, 
 because it often swallowed up their friends and canoes when they ventured 
 but a short distance from the land, and they were overwhelmed with fears for 
 their beloved teacher when they learned that he was goino- so far awav '■ 
 
8 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 quite over this treacherous ocean. " On the day he was to leave, the Indians 
 gathered at a point a few miles from Edgartowm to bid him a tearful fare- 
 well. As he left them each Indian picked up a stone and placed it on a pile 
 as a memento of the parting." The fears of the simple-minded savages 
 were in this instance fully realized, for the ship in which Mr. Mayhew sailed 
 was never heard from. The place of parting became a sacred one to them 
 and their descendants, for, long after the last one who had seen Mr. ^Mayhew 
 had died, "each Indian as he passed the sacred spot added a stone to the 
 monumental cairn," whose ruins " mark the place of the sad parting to this 
 day." 
 
 John Doggett settled at Edgartown. In 1641 and 1642 he had become 
 interested in grants of land on the island, whose privileges the Mayhews 
 shared with him and others, but " it does not appear that he moved directly 
 to the Vineyard, but instead made his home for a time at the new settlement 
 at Rehobotli," going from there to the Vineyard about 1648.' Who his first 
 wife was is not known, but they had five children, all but the eldest of whom 
 it is supposed were born in Watertown. Of the death of this wife there is 
 no record. On August 29, 1667, he was married at Plymouth to one 
 Bathsheba Pratt, a widow. He seems to have been in some measure identi- 
 fied with that town previously, and to have resided there most of the time 
 after this marriage until his death, which occurred between the seventeenth 
 and twenty-sixth of May, 1673. 
 
 One of his sons — Thomas — married, about 1657, Hannah, the daughter 
 of Governor Mayhew by his second wife. She was born in Watertown. 
 This Thomas was a man of some education certainly, for Governor Mayhew, 
 in writing to John Winthrop, Jr., in speaking of him says: "My sou 
 Doggett, that hath more language than any other P2nglishman upon the 
 Island, and is a considerable young man." Thomas died between the middle 
 of ^larch and the middle of September, 1691, and his wife Hannah, it is 
 supposed, in 1722 or 1723.- Of him it is said he " called his name Daggett," 
 but probably not " until near the close of his life." There seems to be no 
 doubt that the English surname of this family was Doggett, and it continued 
 to be so called for about fifty years after the emigration to this country, the 
 first indications of the change in the manner of spelling being found in 
 records on the Vineyard relating to John tlie 2d, and others of the name, 
 dated 1675 and 1677. 
 
 ^See "History of the Doggett-Daggett Family," by Samuel B. Doggett, of Boston, published 
 1894. To this work the editor is iudebted for several items of information contained in the few para- 
 graphs relating to the early ancestors of the author. They have necessitated some few changes in 
 what had been written from the data collected by him many years ago, though those were in the main 
 correct. The source of information is here acknowledged for all these facts and changes. 
 
 = There seems to be no positive record of her death, but her will was proved in February, 1V22-23. 
 She married again, her second husband being Captain Samuel Smith, of Edgartown. He survived 
 her, and it is said lived to ije 103 years old. 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOIi. 9 
 
 John, sou of Thomas and Hannah, was probably born in Edgartovvn in 
 1662. He married on the Island, and his wife's first name was Sarah. Of 
 her other name nothing positive is known, one account declaring her to be 
 the daughter of Isaac Norton, aud another that there is no certainty as 
 to who she was. This couple settled in Chilmark, and from there came ta 
 this town, their entire family of nine children also settling here. Prudence 
 is mentioned as the residence of John Daggett, and that was a portion of 
 Tisbury, the records speaking of it as " the mannour of Tisbiu-y, commonly 
 called Chilmark." This was the seat of the May hews, and is now a part of 
 the town of Tisbury. He owned property there which it is said he sold in 
 1711 for £300, a considerable sum in those days and the equivalent of a 
 much greater one at the present time. During that same year he bought the 
 Woodcock Garrison House and several hundred acres of land in this town. 
 Upon a record bearing date June 10, 1711, Mayhew Daggett, his oldest son^ 
 is named as " of Attleboro'." It would seem, therefore, that he preceded his 
 father in removing to this town, the latter, with his family, coming '• between 
 October 17, 1711, and December 24, 1712." He at once became an inn- 
 keeper in the old Garrison house, " aud soon became interested in town and 
 church affairs. His lands being located on the road from Boston to Rhode 
 Island, and his tavern a convenient stopping-place en route, he soon became 
 well known, not only to the people of Attleborough, but to all travelers between 
 Boston and Rhode Island." He became a deacon, and was a representative 
 in 1720 to the General Court. In 1722 he sold his inn property and two 
 years later, on September 7, 1724, he died. He was buried in the old 
 " Hatch burying ground." 
 
 Ebenezer, son of Deacon John, was born on the Vineyard in 1690. 
 November 9, 1721, he married, in this town, Mary, daughter of Penticost 
 Blackiuton, and about that time he bought the farm on the East Bay Road, 
 leading from Bristol and Providence to the Bay, Boston — now known as the 
 "old Daggett place." He is spoken of as " husbandman," " tanner," and 
 " inn-holder." About the time of his marriage he built the house there 
 which, with some changes, is still standing. The old-fashioned summer 
 beams extend through the two large main rooms, aud the immense chimney 
 still occupies its original space in the centre of the building. It must be one 
 of the oldest dwelling-houses in town. The old inn sign — a curious relic of 
 olden times — is still in existence. It is of considerable weight and size and 
 was elaborately painted. The representations of the great royal crown of 
 England, in once glowing but now fast-fading colors, are still discernible,, 
 and the date of 1725 is still traceable on one side. It ceased a century aud 
 a half ago to swing on its rusty hinges before the hostelry door, where it 
 creakingly announced comfort aud cheer to mailcoach traveler, or wearv 
 wayfarer, its life of bustling activity changed to one of quiet reminiscence 
 in the big lonely garret of the old house. Whose eves have scanned its 
 
10 BIOGIiAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 brilliant painting in colonial days no one is left to tell us, and of the guests 
 it invited to refreshment or repose the voice of time is silent. What 
 changes has Attleborough seen since it first swung merrily to the breeze ! 
 — from four hundred people to four times that number of thousands; from 
 almost a wilderness, with few and lonesome roads and here and there a rude 
 and i-oughly built dwelling with its patch of clearing, to busy villages, 
 smiling, fertile farms, lioautiful houses, numberless cheerful roads, and light- 
 ning railways. Would that its long silence might be broken ! Would that it 
 could voice for us the incidents of those long-dead intervening years ! 
 
 El)enezer Daggett died in 1740. His son was John, the famous Revolu- 
 tionary officer, and Ebenezer, his son, was the father of the subject of this 
 sketch. 
 
 The full descent is as follows : John, the English emigrant ; Thomas, 
 second son and child; John, third son and child — removed from the Vine- 
 yard to Attleborough ; Ebenezer, second son and child ; John, first son 
 and second child ; Ebenezer, fourth sou and sixth child. The last named 
 married Sally Maxcy, of North Attleborough, September 3, 1797. She was 
 born in November, 1778, the daughter of Benjamin Maxcy by his second 
 wife. Amy Ide, of this town. 
 
 A story of considerable romantic interest is attached to the first of that 
 name who came to this country. He is said to have been one Alexander 
 Maxcy, sou of a gentleman of rank and wealth in England. He was brought 
 up on his father's estate in the country, and during his boyhood his constant 
 playmate was the pretty daughter of the lodge-keeper. No danger of serious 
 consequences was anticipated, and the children were allowed the utmost free- 
 dom of companionship. The frequent result in such cases, however, followed 
 here : the boy and girl fell in love with each other, both very naturally forget- 
 ting the differences in their social positions, and as the former approached 
 manhood lie announced his intention of marrying his little friend. This 
 idea, of course, met with instant and entire disapproval on the part of his 
 parents, and he was at once dispatched to school and college, with the expec- 
 tation that new scenes and occupations would speedily dispel the unfortunate 
 illusion. In due time the young man returned to his home, and, to the dis- 
 may of his family, more than ever determined to carry out his purpose and 
 wed the woman of his choice, regardless of rank or position. The usual 
 quarrel ensued ; the father would not yield and give his consent to the union, 
 the son would not yield and promise to give it up, nor would he remain at 
 home if he must forfeit his wished-for bride ; so he ran awa}', and presently 
 found passage to America. How he employed himself here is not stated, 
 but some time after his arrival an advertisement happened to meet his eyes, 
 whicli stated that if he would go to a certain place in Boston, something to 
 his great advantage would there be communicated to him. His curiosity was 
 sufficiently aroused to prompt him to make his appearance at the specified 
 
BWGEAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. H 
 
 place, aud he found that a vessel had been sent out for him. It was thor- 
 oughh' and completely equipped in every way, and contained many costly 
 personal gifts in the line of handsome apparel, etc., aud he was entreated 
 to take the entire command of everything and return to his home. This 
 young Maxcy promptly declined to do, finding the freedom and independence 
 of this new country more congenial to his self-reliant nature than the con- 
 ventional thraldom of the old. 
 
 He finally came to this region — possibly to Wrentham, since this tradition 
 has been preserved among descendants who lived in that town — aud found 
 occupation of some kind. The first love appears at length to have been for 
 gotten, or at least supplanted, for in due time he fell in love again, this time 
 with the daughter of some worthy citizen in his vicinity. Others also aspired 
 to her hand, for she was comely, and her father •'■ well to do." One of these 
 suitors, older and already " forehanded" far beyond our hero, was approved 
 by the father. The story runs that on a certain evening the elder swain 
 was expected to make a visit upon the maiden for the purpose of declaring 
 his sentiments. Maxcy, informed of this, — perhaps by the fair maiden 
 herself, for we may be assured he had long before ascertained the state 
 of her mind and heart upon the important question, — took occasion to 
 present himself for a visit at the same time. He quietly but determinedly 
 outstayed the elder man, aud furthermore presented his own case to the 
 fathei' in such bold and manly fashion that he won it in spite of former 
 obstacles and became the accepted lover, the father's conseut thereto making 
 the young people happy then and there. This account has been handed down 
 in one branch of the family at least, but unfortunately no names but that of 
 the hero have been preserved. Much or little of it may be true, but the 
 whole of the determined independent spirit which it ascribes to the founder 
 of the family may be accepted unquestionably, for the same spirit has been 
 inherited by many of the descendants who have followed him here, and it is 
 by no means wholly dissipated up to the present time. 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett resided always upon the place purchased by his grand- 
 father, and there in the old house his twelve children were born. Of the 
 eight who lived to reach maturity, John was oldest sou and second child. 
 Like most of our town boys of his time he was brought up in the occupation 
 of his father. He. no doubt, performed his allotted share of the lighter 
 farm work thoroughly and conscientiously, — as his nature w^ould prompt him 
 to do, — but taking no pleasure in the actual labor. He always, however, 
 evinced a decided fondness for farming theoretically, and for many years he 
 made it an avocation. He enjoyed practical work in that line occasionally, 
 but his lameness prevented auN'thing more than a very slight indulgence in 
 personal application to it. As a child he was quiet and reserved, and though 
 healthy and strong, never had any special fondness for rough sports and 
 games or for indulging in boyish pranks and frolics. He early developed a 
 
12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 
 
 qaickuess in learniug and an aptitude for study, and he always had an unusu- 
 ally vigorous and retentive memory. 
 
 This latter was manifested in a remarkable manner at a very early age, as 
 is shown by the following incident. When he was three or four years old, 
 instead of amusing himself with playthings, he frequently wanted to sit 
 down and sew. Upon one occasion, when he sat in his little armchair busily 
 engaged in taking stitches, he had an experience like that which often befalls 
 even adepts in the art — his work " plagued him," and presently he called to 
 his mother to come to his assistance. His little soul was so vexed within 
 him tliat lie was moved to express his opinion of the sewing with a very 
 short but very forcible word. The mother was surprised and shocked to 
 hear an oath from those baby lips, and as she set matters right read him a 
 lesson upon the wickedness of the word and his own exceeding naughtiness 
 it using it, bidding him never to say it again. All went smoothly for a while, 
 but, alas ! the thread, as thread will, knotted and tangled and broke again, 
 and again the childish wrath waxed hot. The moral lesson was speedily 
 forgotten in the all-absorbing anger, for, as he called a second time for 
 assistance, he emphatically doubled his former forcible expression. A scream 
 of horror burst from the lips of the dismayed mother, and a long and very 
 serious conversation followed this second indulgence in impious phrases, 
 conducted with severe solemnity on the part of the elder, and with, no doubt, 
 a sober and decorous giavity on the part of the younger. A tract upon the 
 use of profane language was purchased, and read so often to the innocent 
 little sinner that he soon learned it by heart. The real delinquent in the 
 case was one of the town's poor, a boarder at the house of Mr. Daggett, 
 then one of the selectmen, and his was the language which had been caught 
 and made use of ])y the child. That he, young as he was, understood the 
 lessons taught him by his mother, and the tract, is shown by the fact that 
 frequently, when the day's w^ork was done and "Old Sweet" sat upon the 
 kitchen settle, smoking his evening pipe, he would clamber up, tract in 
 hand, — though he could not read a word and generally held it upside 
 down, — and standing by the old man's side he would solemnly say otf its 
 contents — let us hope to the aged reprobate's repentance and improvement. 
 
 This story was often told by the mother, in her later years, at family 
 gatherings. Her manner was inimitable, and convulsive laughter on the part 
 of ever}' listener accompanied each recital, no matter how oft repeated, and 
 no one joined in it more heartily than the hero of the tale himself. She 
 almost always ended her vivid description in words like these: "And 
 that is the only time 1 ever heard John swear." It probably was the only 
 time in his life, for his language was always characterized by simplicit}' and 
 refinement. He rarely indulged in extravagant epithets, and he never made 
 use of slang phrases, no matter how apt or expressive. Another instance 
 of the power of his youthful memory was shown at a " spelling-match " held 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 13 
 
 in the little old red schoolhouse, still standing, — though somewhat enlarged 
 and different!}' clothed, — in New Boston. Upon that occasion, when he 
 was perhaps eight or ten years old, he spelled seven hundred words without 
 missing one, and, needless to say, took and held first place. In after years 
 his memory in this direction never failed him. His children always found 
 him the equal of the dictionary in telling them how to spell words, and often 
 much clearer in explaining or simplifying definitions to suit their childish 
 capacities. 
 
 The New Boston district school was his '' hall of learning " during his 
 early boyhood. At one time, he himself says, he attended the classical 
 school at South Attleborough, kept by a Mr. Wheaton, but at what date or 
 for how long a time is uot known. Very naturally in the then state of society 
 in the sparsely settled districts, the decision in favor of giving to a boy 
 a " classical " or college education was frequently the result of what we 
 call "accident" or "• chance," and a sad misfortune was the chance in Mr. 
 Daggett's case. It never ceased to be a trial to him, though, as it totall}' 
 changed his entire expected course of existence, it resulted in giving him a 
 higher, and very probably a happier, life in many respects, one which was 
 certainly more congenial to his nature than almost any other could have 
 been, and which was therefore perhaps more useful to his fellow men. 
 
 When a lad of fourteen he was seized with a serious illness, which was 
 long continued and attended with most unfavorable results. The disease 
 finally settled in one of his lower limbs, and physicians pronounced amputa- 
 tion the o\\\\ means for saving his life. At first his mother, proud of the 
 manly beauty of her promising boy, her oldest son, for the moment refused 
 her consent to the proposed operation, feeling almost that death was prefer- 
 able to the process of maiming his body, and, it would seem, his entire life. 
 Such a feeling can be well understood in view of the dreadful thing amputa- 
 tion then was ; but of course she finally yielded her consent. The time required 
 for such an operation was perhaps not much longer then than now ; but to-day 
 powerful aui^'sthetics place the patient bevond the realization of suffering, 
 and under their influence the shock to the system is reduced to a minimum 
 amount. Then ether and chloroform were unknown, and in this case not 
 even a drop of liquor was given to dull the sensibilities ; but, with his strength 
 greatly reduced by months of severe sufferiug, the boy was strapped to his 
 bed, and with only a handkerchief held before his eyes he endured the keen 
 horrors of the surgeon's knife. The remembrance of that half-hour of agony 
 was so terrible to him that he rarely if ever referred to it, and he never 
 told the feelings he experienced during the operation ; nor did the older 
 sister, who was in and out of the room ministering to him as best as she 
 could, ever mention any details but once or twice, and then only in response 
 to earnest questiouings. 
 
 After the double strain upon the system of protracted illness and the loss 
 
14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 of a limb, progress toward recovery was slow and tedious ; but at length 
 health was completely restored. Then very naturally the question as to 
 the best way of providing for the boy's entire future arose, and the only 
 answer possible was to give him a liberal education, and so prepare him to 
 earn with his mind the livelihood his body would in great measure be unfitted 
 to procure. Such a decision coincided with his desires, and it was a great 
 pleasure both to anticipate and to realize the gratification of his literary 
 tastes. 
 
 College life then differed in very many respects from that life now. Stao-e 
 coaches were the only public modes of conveyance, a carpet-bag contained 
 the young man's personal outfit, and college rooms were plain and bare, by 
 no means the luxurious and often artistic apartments of the present day. It 
 was the almost universal custom for students to eat in " Commons." Thev 
 were largely farmers' sons, and ready money would not be easily obtained 
 for the payment of all necessary bills, so the home woodlot supplied the log 
 for the study fire, and many a generous store of good things from the home 
 farm and kitchen accompanied the loads of wood, brought to the college very 
 probably by the father himself, who took the opportunities the carrying of 
 such supplies afforded to see personally how his boy was " getting on in the 
 ways of learning." Upon the mother in those times devolved the preparation 
 of the entire wardrobe, for even "suits" were then homemade, and in the 
 case of which we write all that proud and loving heart could suggest and 
 capable and willing hands perform was done to make the physical loss and 
 inconvenience less deeply felt. 
 
 Mr. Daggett fitted for college at Day's Academy in AVrentham, and later in 
 the study of Rev. Alvan Cobb, of Taunton. In September, 1822, at the age 
 of seventeen, he entered Brown University, graduating with high honors — 
 third or fourth in his class — in 1826. The life of a real student thoroughly 
 suited him, and his college years were very happy ones. Their experiences 
 were among the most cherished of his after life, and were always recalled 
 with great satisfaction, especially on commencement anniversaries, when, 
 within the loved and honored walls or under the same old trees, he met 
 surviving classmates and renewed the friendships formed there in the years 
 gone by. Tales of fun and joke were told, professors' whims or peculiari- 
 ties recollected and imitated, or their lessons of wisdom and good counsel 
 repeated, and, sober, gray-haired men, he and his comrades lived over 
 together those pleasant, youthful days. There was never a son of Brown 
 who possessed a deeper or more lasting love for his Alma Mater than Mr. 
 Daggett. His fidelity never wavered and he grew more zealous in his interest 
 with his growing years. He was proud of the record of her great men, and 
 of his own connection with the institution. He allowed nothing to keep him 
 from attending each commencement as it recurred, and was present literally 
 at every such celebration from the time he entered college until and including 
 
BI0(4EAPHIGAL SKETCH OF THE ATJTHOE. . 15 
 
 the year of bis death — sixty-four in number — a fact which can be recorded 
 of no other graduate. 
 
 Having chosen the law as his profession, he at once upon graduating 
 commenced its study in the office of Hon. Joseph L. Tillinghast, of Provi- 
 dence, a distinguished member of the Rhode Island bar and a member pf 
 Congress. Here he remained about a year. He continued these studies 
 in the office of Hon. .1. J. Fiske, of Wrentham, for the same length of 
 time, and the third year of his course in this department he attended the 
 lectures of Hon. Theron Metcalf, of Dedham. He was admitted to the bar 
 in that town in December, 1829. and at once commenced the practice of 
 his profession, opening an office in P^ast Attleborough in January, 1830. He 
 continued to practise law in his native town throughout his entire life, with 
 the exception of the two years, 1833 and 1834, when he held the position of 
 editor of the Dedham Patriot^ and resided in that town. 
 
 In 1836, at the age of thirty-one, he was elected to the State Legislature 
 for the first time, and his townsmen paid him the compliment of reelecting 
 him for the two succeeding terms. He was a member of the judiciary 
 committee in 1837, and chairman of the committee on railways in 1839. 
 He opposed with all his powers the plan of running the Boston & Providence 
 Railroad through the centre of East Attleborough, not only because the 
 proposed route necessitated the removal of many bodies from that portion of 
 the graveyard upon which the track trespassed, but because he considered, 
 and so argued, that the heart of a growing village was an inappropriate situ- 
 ation for railroad tracks and a depot with its necessary surroundings. He 
 foresaw, as did many others, that as the village increased many inconveniences 
 would arise, and even serious accidents would be almost certain to ensue. 
 He urged the propriety of taking a projected line over the meadows in the 
 rear of the Holman homestead, bringing many excellent arguments to bear 
 upon the question ; but all efforts were in vain, the idea being at that time 
 prevalent that railroads must as far as possible be built in straight lines. As 
 was predicted, great trouble has followed and indeed continues to follow upon 
 the laying of the tracks through the village-centre, and it was long ago 
 acknowledged by the railroad company that Mr. Daggett was right, and 
 that his desired line would have been better for all parties concerned. 
 
 The following testimonials were presented to him at about the time of 
 which we are now writing, and would seem to have been called forth in 
 connection with his first candidacy for public office outside his native town. 
 
 Dedham, May 27, 183G. 
 This certifies that John Daggett, Esq., of Attleborough, pursued the study of law in 
 my office during the year uext preceding his admissiou to the bar — that he has since practised 
 law in the County of Bristol, with honor and probity, and is, in my estimation, entirely worthy 
 of the confidence of the public and of any individuals who may entrust to him the management 
 of business which he will undertake to superintend. I might truly say much more — and my 
 disposition would lead to a fuller statement of Mr. Daggett's character and habits. But I am 
 
16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 restrained by a belief that where he is Ijuowii, or shall become known, his deportment ajid 
 talents will recommend him much more eflectually than any account that can be given by 
 another. Theuon Metcalf. 
 
 Boston, May 30, 1836. 
 
 I have had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Daggett personally for several years, and it gives 
 
 me pleasure to say that, so far as my knowledge extends, [ believe him worthy of the very high 
 
 character given to him by Mr. Metcalf as above. Horace Mann. 
 
 These are words of high praise, but only such as were well deserved b}' 
 Mr. Daggett both at that early period of his life and ever after, for his 
 course as a man commanded the respect of all who knew him, and as a 
 lawyer the confidence of all who employed him. 
 
 He began very early to take an active interest in the cause of common- 
 school education in this town — at or al)out the time when Horace Maun was 
 secretary of the Board of Education and rendered such distinguished serv- 
 ices not only to Massachusetts but to the country. Mr. Daggett was a 
 member of the school committee in town for fully fifteen years, and during 
 the greater part of that time was its chairman. He labored earnestly and 
 conscientiously in this direction, because he fully comprehended the impor- 
 tance of free and general education to the highest success of a republican 
 form of government. He lived long enough to see marvelous improvements 
 in this direction throughout the entire land, and witnessed w^ith great satis- 
 faction the fulfillment of many of his wishes for advancement in the public 
 schools of his own town. He was for many years a leading man in his 
 parish, that of the Second Precinct, and for a number of years the chairman 
 of its committee — this latter at a time when an unusual amount of respon- 
 sibility fell upon the committee, both financially and in other directions. 
 
 On .June 18, 1840, he was married in Sutton, this State, to Miss Nancy 
 McClellan Boomer, a daughter of Rev. Job B. Boomer, then a resident of 
 that town, where she was born, September 29, 181'J. They had seven chil- 
 dren, five of whom died in infancy or at an early age. The two surviving 
 are John Mayhew Daggett, a resident of Marianna, Ark., and Amelia Maxcy 
 Daggett (Mrs. George St. John Shettield), now a resident of Attleborough. 
 Up to the time of his marriage Mr. Daggett resided with his family at the old 
 homestead, and continued to do so for perhaps a year thereafter. He then 
 removed to the village, and for a few years lived in the two-tenement house 
 which stood, until within a comparatively recent date, between "the long 
 block " and the residence of the late William M. Fisher, on North Main 
 Street, and which now stands directly back of that site, having been moved 
 to make place for Crandall's Block. The estate of Mr. A. A. Richardson, 
 the founder of the school fund, came into his hands to settle, and about 
 1844 a farm on the " old post road," a mile from the village, being a por- 
 tion of this estate, was put up by him, as executor, for sale at public auction. 
 Bidding was by no means brisk, and to make a beginning in that direction 
 Mr. Daggett himself made an offer, but with neither desire nor intention 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 17 
 
 to purchase. Not another bidding voice was raised, and the farm was con- 
 sequently "struck off" to him. He therefore took up his residence there, 
 and also removed his office from the village. 
 
 He occupied the place for about thirty years, becoming deeply attached to 
 it, and he spoke of those years as the happiest of his life. There six of his 
 seven children were born, and there four of them died. The freedom and 
 independence of life on a farm were very agreeable to him, and he took much 
 pleasure in superintending such work as he carried on upon his place, so far 
 as the time not occupied by his professional duties permitted. He was 
 greatly interested in fruit-growing, and took special satisfaction each year 
 in watching the growth of his vegetable garden. During his long residence 
 he made many changes and improvements, particularly in the house, which 
 was a pleasant and comfortable home, and both he and his wife were 
 alwavs delighted to greet the many guests who crossed their threshold. 
 Under their reign the house was a most hospitable one. In our homely but 
 expressive New England phrase, " the latchstring was always out." Rela- 
 tives, friends, and acquaintances were cordially welcomed, and in that sincere 
 and hearty way which made them feel perfectly at home ; young people made 
 merry as they willed beneath the venerable roof, or about the entire place, 
 and many large social gatherings of young and old together have been held 
 within the time-honored walls of their cheerful dwelling. During a score or 
 more of years this house vied with the Holmans' in its pleasing, kindly hospi- 
 tality, and there was a lifelong intimacy between the heads of the two house- 
 holds. In former days the agreeable duty of entertaining lecturers from 
 iibroad devolved upon Mr. Daggett more frequently perhaps than upon any- 
 one else, and in this way he added to his long list of acquaintances among 
 prominent people. His cultured mind and courteous manners eminently fitted 
 him to assume the prominent social position in town which he held for many 
 years. Clergymen were especially welcomed in this family, and whenever 
 the village church was without a settled pastor those who came to supply 
 the pulpit were often guests at this old farmhouse fireside, and various 
 pleasant friendships were thus formed. 
 
 In 1850 Mr. Daggett was again called upon to represent his town in the 
 Legislature, and this time in the Senate. He was appointed a member of 
 the Valuation Board, whose session occupied about four months of that year, 
 at the State House. In 1852 he was appointed " Register of Probate and 
 Insolvency for Bristol County," by Governor Clifford, and twice afterwards 
 elected by the people to the same office for terms of four years each, thus 
 continuing in the office for eleven years. This necessitated his traveling 
 back and forth to Taunton nearly every day for that length of time, and, 
 notwithstanding the distance of his house from the depot, the difficulty of 
 driving over bad roads and through severe storms, the delays relating to 
 business in town or home work, and, most of all, the many inconveniences 
 
18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 attending his lameness, he never lost a train. Once or twice he was assisted 
 in getting on the cars just starting, and once or twice, seeing his carriage 
 near, the engineer obligingly delayed starting his engine for a few seconds ; 
 but so exact was he that he was almost always very punctual. He was as 
 conscientious in the position of register as in every other which he occupied, 
 and careful and exact in the work of recording. He very rarely remained 
 away from Taunton an entire day for his own rest or pleasure, and if busi- 
 ness required his presence elsewhere for a time, the preceding days, or 
 those following, were made longer, so that his every duty in the office there 
 was strictly performed. Though he carried on various kinds of work, and 
 though that in his profession was often both wearisome and exhausting phys- 
 ically and mentally, the regular rest of a summer vacation time never came 
 to him, and he but infrequently left home for more than a day for auv pur- 
 pose other than the better accomplisliment of work in which he might be 
 engaged. He could labor hard and uninterruptedly for many years, preserv- 
 ing health of body and mind to a good old age, partly, no doubt, because his 
 lines were cast in a country town, and not in the midst of the all-absorbing 
 activity of a great city, and partly because his generation had not fortu- 
 nately reached the extreme of the rush and hurry of the present time, when it 
 would seem that "every man's hand is against his neighbor," and competi- 
 tion in all occupations, professional or otherwise, makes the gaining of a 
 livelihood a fight on the part of each and every man against the world. 
 
 During the civil war Mr. Daggett took a very active part in the patriotic 
 work of the town. Precluded both by age and physical inability from per- 
 sonal service in the army, he nevertheless worked devotedly and unceasingly 
 in every other way that was possible. His voice and pen were busy, and 
 he gave freely, so far as he was able, toward forwarding every movement 
 requiring money to accomplish its purpose. He was one of the leaders in 
 all the many war meetings held, and foremost in all patriotic assemblies. 
 He was continually appointed chairman of such meetings ; he drafted resolu- 
 tions, prepared and delivered numerous speeches, and faithfully performed the 
 varied and onerous duties of a prominent and loyal citizen in the noble work 
 done b}' Attleborough during those years of difficulty and danger to the gov- 
 ernment and ihe country. In 1866 he again represented the town in the 
 Legislature, this time in the lower branch, and with this service his public 
 political career ceased. 
 
 Some ten or twelve year^ before his death he removed again to the village 
 of Attleborough and opened an office in his residence there, on Bank Street. 
 He continued to practise his profession literally until the hand of death was 
 upon him, for he did not wholly lay aside the harness of work until the very 
 last day of his life. Had Mr. Daggett done no more work than that of 
 which an outline has been given, his life would have been a busy and indus- 
 trious one ; but beyond the performance of his many public and professional 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 19 
 
 duties he fouud time for varied and extensive literarj^ and historical 
 research. He was a thorough and devoted antiquarian, and he embraced 
 with avidity every opportunity for obtaining facts relating to the early history 
 not only of his native town and its inhabitants, but of other towns in the 
 State. Indeed, every historical fact bearing upon the early history of New 
 England and of its inhabitants, even before they left their native shores, was 
 full of interest to him, and he was so careful and exact in verifying all 
 items that came to his notice that he became reliable authority on such mat- 
 ters. His fondness for research of this nature commenced with his early 
 youth, possibly, indeed during the years of his childhood, for at the family 
 fireside he must then have listened to many tales of the days of the Revolu- 
 tion, in which his grandfather took so conspicuous a part, or to stories of 
 Indian adventure and attack, made the more impressive from the fact that a 
 sort of mongrel remnant of some savage tribe once lived on his homestead 
 farm. 
 
 Having occasion, some time in 1830, to prepare a lecture to be delivered 
 before the Attleborough Lyceum, — when he was about twenty-five, — he 
 chose for his theme the early history of his town. This developed so 
 decided an interest in that subject that he was induced to enlarge upon the 
 contents of his address and prepare it for publication in book form. Four 
 years later he published his " Sketch of the History of Attleborough," of 
 which the following pages are an enlargement and continuation. He never 
 wholly relinquished inquiries in the line of this publication, but followed up 
 every clew he obtained which promised further information upon the subject, 
 corresponding with people in almost every part of this country, and even to 
 some extent in England. In the course of years great store of interesting- 
 matter was collected, and many rare and valuable books, manuscripts, and 
 papers came into his possession. For a long period he cherished the idea of 
 publishing another and more complete edition of his early " Sketch," and 
 quite a number of years before his death he began regular and continuous 
 work in the carrying out of this plan. Most unfortunately he was unable to 
 accomplish his purpose, for death called him from his labors ere this ever- 
 increasing task was completed. Meanwhile he prepared a lengthy sketch of 
 the town history, chiefly copied from his own publication, for the "History 
 of Bristol County," and by his suggestions and advice rendered valuable aid 
 to the compiler of that work. He prepared other local historical sketches, 
 and frequently gave material assistance to persons engaged in similar occupa- 
 tions elsewhere. 
 
 After the death of Dr. Samuel B. Parris, a young man of rare intellectual 
 abilities and attainments and a physician of great promise, who settled in 
 this town, Mr. Daggett made a collection of his writings, which were quite 
 numerous. From these he made selections which he published, together with 
 a memoir of their author, which he wrote. This little book was entitled 
 
20 BIOGBAFHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 " Parris' Remains." jNIr. Daggett also wrote for some years in the editorial 
 line while in charge of a newspaper, and also during his earlier years many 
 short poems, displaying in that direction some considerable talent. A num- 
 ber of these appeared as special contributions to the Dedham Patriot, the 
 paper he at one time edited. None of these Avere found, but among his 
 papers a copy of the Old Colony Memorkd, dated October 17, 1829, was dis- 
 covered, in which the following poem appeared : — 
 
 [For the Memorial.] 
 
 Maid of the dark eye and raven locks, 
 
 Meet me alone wbere waters glide, 
 "Whose gentle stream rolls ceaseless on. 
 
 And roam with me its grassy side. 
 
 Meet me beneath the shady grove, 
 
 Where stranger's foot may never tread ; 
 A spot which kindred hearts may love — 
 
 When spring its robe of green has spread. 
 
 Meet me beneath the moon's pale beam; 
 
 Gaze on its soft and vestal light. 
 Whose pensive, ling'ring smile might seem 
 
 To woo the cold embrace of night. 
 
 Meet me beneath the evening skies. 
 
 When stars are glowing brightly there. 
 As if a thousand heavenly eyes 
 
 Were smiling o'er a scene so fair. 
 
 Yes, — far away from human haunts, — 
 
 No curtained halls our vows shall hear. 
 But the pure heaven's bright expanse, 
 
 And the sweet moon's list'ning ear. 
 
 None Init the shades of the lone grove. 
 
 And where the riv'let steals its way, 
 Where the spirits of nature rove. 
 
 And breathe their wild but sweetest lay. 
 
 'T is tit that love so deep as ours 
 
 Be told in scenes where nature dwells. 
 Mid blooming vales and shady bowe'-s. 
 Mid Muses' haunts and fairy spells. 
 
 Oh ! by that stream which ceaseless flows. 
 
 That grove which spring revives forever — 
 That moon which constant wanes and grows — 
 
 I'll vow that I will love thee ever I 
 
 In 1831. the fifty-fifth anniversary of American Independence was cele- 
 brated in town, and this reference may possibly recall that special occa- 
 sion to the remembrance of a few people still living. The public exercises 
 were held in the Second Congregational Church, and the program states 
 that Rev. Mr. Ferguson offered the prayer, Dr. Phineas Savery read the 
 Declaration of Independence, and the writer of this book delivered the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 21 
 
 oration. Several appropriate pieces were sung and the following ode, com- 
 posed for the occasion by the writer (Mr. Daggett), was also sung : — 
 
 Hail I welcome day of Freedom's birth. 
 
 The day of glory to the free I 
 We'll praise our fathers' deeds of worth, 
 
 While grateful hearts shall welcome thee. 
 
 Oh, let our thanks arise to those 
 
 Who for our country bled or died ; 
 Who met on battlefields our foes. 
 
 And, glorious, triumphed o'er their pride. 
 
 Let praise ascend in nol)lest strains 
 
 To those who stood on Bunker's height, 
 Who bled on Trenton's gory plains, 
 
 < )r died in Monmouth's fatal tight. 
 
 And now to those who nobly bleed 
 
 In distant lands for Freedom's right. 
 Oh, grant, kind heaven, the victor's meed. 
 
 And roun<l them spread fair Freedom's light. 
 
 Rejoice, ye sons of Liberty I 
 
 The nations spurn the tyrants' chains ; 
 Behold the banners of the free 
 
 On Gallia's hills and Belgium's plains. 
 
 Again the sons of Poland rise. 
 
 Behold their ancient banners fly ! 
 They've nobly sworn, bj' earth and skies, 
 
 They'll "' freemen live or freemen die." 
 
 Our fathers' God, accept our lay, 
 
 For all our nat'ou's blessings given, 
 While here, on Freedom's hallowed day. 
 
 We raise our joyful songs to heaven I 
 
 Mr. Daggett was, during the course of his life, frequently called upon to 
 prepare and deliver addresses before various organizations, and upon occa- 
 sions of public celebration, both at home and abroad. The position of toast- 
 master was one he filled admirably, and one which for many years he was 
 ofteuer called upon to occupy than any person in town. He was always 
 happy in the selection of matter, and acceptable in his manner of presenting 
 toasts, and especially apt in his responses to those of others, for he was 
 quick and witty, and his large fund of general information made him an 
 interesting speaker no matter Avhat the subject might be. He was a very 
 extensive reader, and the amount of time he always found to devote to this 
 pleasurable occupation was remarkable considering how much he was obliged 
 to employ in the other interests of his life. His favorite studies while in 
 college were belles-lettres and the classics, and he always to some extent 
 kept up his Greek, of which language he was particularly fond. His tastes,. 
 therefore, led him naturally to prefer historical and poetical works, and in 
 the former line he had perhaps read as much as any man in his generation^ 
 
22 BIOaBAPIIICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 This did not prevent his informing himself intelligently upon scientific and 
 practical matters, and upon the varied questions and interests of the day. 
 He read rapidly, but was able to digest and retain what he read, and thus his 
 mind l)ecame stored with a great amount of entertaining and useful knowl- 
 edge, which he was able to impart agreeably to those who conversed with 
 him. He was always a favorite in society, both with old and young, for he 
 had the happy faculty of adapting himself for the time being to the ages or 
 attainments of those persons with whom he might accidentally be thrown. 
 He enjoyed, perhaps more than all else, conversing with guests at his own 
 fireside, and after advancing years compelled him in large measure to relin- 
 quish public duties and outside society he was especially gratified when 
 friends and neighbors "dropped in " after the pleasant country fashion for 
 a social chat. One of his near neighbors during the latter years of his life 
 used often to say: "1 blame myself much that I do not for my own sake 
 oftener spend an hour in Mr. Daggett's company, for his conversation on 
 every subject is very eutertaining, and I always learn from him something 
 new and interesting." 
 
 Mr. Daggett lived a life of marked temperance, not in eating and drinking 
 alone, but in all things ; and in that way only, with his impaired vitality, did 
 he continue to maintain the uniform good health which enabled him to accom- 
 plish so much work with so much ease. He was extremely regular and 
 methodical in many of his ways. One thing which shows this was his habit 
 of stepping out on the piazza of his house every morning at a few minutes 
 past seven o'clock to look at the thermometer. He used to sa}' laughingly 
 that he could not tell anything about the weather, or whether he himself was 
 cold or warm, until he had consulted that little instrument of advice. Be 
 the weather or the season what it might, he always put on a hat — usually a 
 tall one of somewhat ancient style and by no means in the highest state of 
 preservation — to perform this ceremony. For years, neighbors " across the 
 way" witnessed this daily occurrence from their breakfast table, always sure, 
 as it recurred, of the exact hour. For a long time after his death they found 
 themselves again and again, at the accustomed hour, looking over the street 
 for the familiar form, and among the many little things which went to make 
 up a pleasant daily intercourse between the two families they missed this 
 act with its oft-given friendly nod of greeting to themselves most of all. 
 
 Mr. Daggett never used tobacco in any form. He had one experience 
 with the weed, which he occasional!}' related, and which in its effects was 
 similar to the earlier one with profanity. When quite a lad his father upon 
 one occasion sent him to bring the regular supply to one of the paupers then 
 at the farm. It occurred to him that what seemed enjoj-able to an old man 
 might be equally so to a younger, and he tried a generous mouthful. The 
 severe and very disagreeable attack of illness which speedily followed effec- 
 tually cured him of any desire to repeat the experiment, and he never 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 23 
 
 attempted to smoke. He was a firm believer iu the real temperance cause. 
 He did not iu any way set himself up as a reformer in this direction, but he 
 was a thoroughly consistent temperance man. He frankly acknowledged he 
 had a fondness for the taste of wiues and liquors, and that their moderate 
 use would give him pleasure and produce beneficial results ; but realizing the 
 possibility of danger to many from even moderate indulgence, he habitually 
 abstained from the use of all intoxicants. The highest motive — that of 
 principle — guided him in this as in other things. He had, however, very 
 little to say about his principles — he never preached about them, never 
 yielded to that mistaken sense of duty which prompts dictation to others, but 
 contented himself with simply practising what he believed to be right, and 
 he was a shining example of the truth of the saying that " a life of modera- 
 tion in all things is the highest type of life," and one whose influence for 
 good must be widely felt. 
 
 He was a very reserved man in some respects, and he rarely gave utterance 
 to the most profound feelings of his nature. On the subject of personal 
 religion, therefore, he did not often speak, though that he felt deeply there 
 can be no doubt. His life was guided by the higliest principles of morality 
 and rectitude. He was always a constant attendant upon public worship, 
 and an attentive listener to the preachers whom he heard, thus setting a good 
 example to many who professed more than he did. This regularity iu attend- 
 ing divine service was broken up only during the very last part of his life, 
 for when he became unable without extreme physical exertion to walk from 
 his house to the centre of the village, a thoughtful friend called Sabbath 
 after Sabbath at his door with a carriage and took him to and from the 
 meetinghouse. He contributed freely as much as, and sometimes more than, 
 he could afford toward the support of the church which he attended — the 
 Second Congregational — and toward religious and other charitable objects, 
 but he never became a church member. None the less was his the life of 
 a good man, and one of his pastors has said: "I consider him one of the 
 Christians outside of the church." 
 
 The study of law in itself, and its practice in certain branches, was agree- 
 able to Mr. Daggett, and in these directions he was successful. His reputa- 
 tion as a professional man was spotless and he well merited the high compli. 
 ment paid him by a fellow alumnus upon a certain commencement anniver- 
 sary. This gentleman said in his after- dinner speech that among her lawyer 
 sons Brown had one of whom she had just cause to be unusually proud, for, 
 said he, "He is an honest lawyer, and he never told a lie." He was consid- 
 ered an excellent consulting lawyer, and his discretion and probity were 
 unquestioned. He never acted in criminal cases, and accepted only such as 
 seemed to him to have right and justice to recommend them. He ranked 
 among the best of lawyers, because he could rise above the question of per- 
 sonal aggrandizement and emoluments and consider primarily the advantage 
 
24 BIOGRAFHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 of his clients. It was always his advice to people, whenevei- such a course 
 was possible, to settle cases by ail)itratiou and to avoid litigation. By his 
 good judgment and wise and conciliatory counsel he often accomplished the 
 settlement of cases in this friendly manner, when the majority of lawyers 
 perhaps could not have done so, thus saving the contending parties much time 
 and money and infinite worry and trouble. The confidence reposed in his 
 unprejudiced judgment was so strong that he was more than once consulted 
 by botii parties to contests. He seemed capable of comprehending all sides 
 of questions connected with his profession, and to form unbiased opinions, 
 and he could, therefore, give good advice to both parties without betraying 
 the confidences of either side. In this manner, no doubt, he effected many 
 settlements in tlie manner mentioned — by arbitration. 
 
 Those cases which involved questions of ancient law, and the necessity 
 for research among old records, always gave him great pleasure to work up 
 and trv, and his preparations were made with nicety and exactness. One 
 case of this kind is recalled, the gaining of which gave him peculiar satisfac- 
 tion. It involved the question of a public right-of-way in a footpath cross- 
 ing a certain field near the Falls village, and the opposing couueil was a 
 lifelong and intimate friend. ]Mr. Daggett took the ground that time and 
 precedent had established the public's right to the use of the path, and that 
 the owner of the field had no right to close it. The opposing friends had 
 lengthy discussions upon this matter in Mr. Daggett's office, but, needless to 
 say to any wlio kiiew the two gentlemen, neither could convince the other 
 that he was wrong. In due time the case came to trial. Mr. Daggett's 
 proof of his opinion was based largely upon the fact that the old laws of 
 Massachusetts recognized the establishment of such paths or " lanes," and 
 he cited the names of several such still open and used by the public in the 
 city of Boston. He clinched his arguments by quoting several paragraphs 
 from two different books published some time previously by his opponent, in 
 which he — their author — was shown to have recognized the same kind of 
 public rights which Mr. Daggett then sought to establish. He thus con- 
 demned his opponent out of his own mouth, and won the case. This was a 
 kind of triumph he thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed, and he did a good 
 deal of quiet chuckling over his success in this instance, because his adver- 
 sary was both a clever man and lawyer. 
 
 What may be termed the strictly professional part of his profession was in 
 harmony with Mr. Daggett's tastes, but the pureh' business portion was 
 somewhat irksome to him. The keeping of accounts and the presenting of 
 bills were matters very easily put oft", and indeed very frequently forgotten 
 altogether. His list of " charity clients," including those who paid only in 
 " blessings," was always a long one, while among those who were willing and 
 desiroiis to pay for services rendered there were many whom he insisted 
 upon calling 'Mieighbors" and "friends," for whom as such prices were 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 25 
 
 reduced. The consequeuces to his income are easily calculated; but it was 
 inborn in his nature to dislike the process of accepting remuneration for 
 work he did, and equally in his nature to take great pleasure in using his time 
 and talents and the results of his experience and research for the benefit or 
 the gratification of others. More than this, he frequently took financial risks 
 in order to assist friends or clients, and through the failure of some of these 
 to meet their obligations he suffered severe and irretrievable losses, thus 
 becoming unable to meet some of his own obligations during the later period 
 of his life. All such losses he bore without bitter complaints against those 
 through whose misfortune or carelessness they came upon him, though he 
 felt none the less keenly their consequences both to himself and others, as 
 occasional expressions made to those who knew him best clearly showed. 
 All the many trials of his life he met with the calmness and dignity possible 
 only to those who possess strong and earnest characters. From a strictly- 
 business point of view, actions like some of his may seem worthy of nothino- 
 but condemnation, but, as they often have for their underlying motive the 
 generous desire only to render needed assistance to fellow creatures in trouble, 
 they, on the other hand, deserve the highest commendation. Everv truly 
 unselfish act — no matter what the immediate or apparent result may be — 
 must in some degree benefit its doer and him for whom it is done ; and we 
 feel sure that the higher records will bear testimony to the purity of purpose 
 prompting many such deeds in the life of him of whom we write, and that 
 " verily, he shall have his reward." 
 
 Of a modest and retiring disposition, Mr. Daggett never pushed himself 
 forward, but left to others the task of finding out his merits. Indeed he never 
 seemed to fully appreciate his own talents and acquirements, or adequately to 
 value his professional services. He did not seek office, but if elected to places 
 of public trust, he was certain to " do with his might what his hands found to 
 do," in the best interests of his constituents. He was equally conscientious in 
 the performance of the ordinary duties of a private citizen. In politics he 
 was a whig, later a republican, and a stanch adherent to the true precepts 
 of those parties. He often took a leading part in political meetings, and 
 frequently prepared the resolves which the}' had occasion to adopt. The rio-hts 
 of citizenship in our great American Republic were valuable in his eyes, and 
 their exercise always an important matter. He deemed it every man's duty 
 to vote upon questions before the public, whether party issues were great or 
 small, and he himself was always to be found at town-meetings, whether the 
 part he played there was a prominent one or simply that of casting his ballot. 
 He never willingly omitted this duty, and he never laid it aside, for friends, 
 knowing his feelings on this subject, arranged for his speedy and comfortable 
 conveyance to and from the polling places during the years of his old ao-e. 
 
 For upwards of a quarter of a century he was a member of the New Eno-- 
 land Genealogical Historical Society. In 1854 the Old Colonv Historical 
 
26 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 Society was formed in Taunton, and he was one of its constituent members. 
 The first president was Nathaniel ^lorton, Esq. His death occurred two years 
 later, aud Mr. Daggett was chosen chairman of the committee appointed to 
 prepare a suitable series of resolutions thereupon, and at the society's meet- 
 ino-, held April 14, 185(i, when these resolutions were presented for approval, 
 he was chosen president. He retained the office until his death, a period 
 of almost thirty years, though during the latter part of the time his increasing 
 years and somewhat enfeebled physical condition prevented his regular attend- 
 ance upon meetings. 
 
 It was allotted to Mr. and Mrs. Daggett to have almost a half-century of 
 married life. On June 1-^, 1880, the anniversary of their wedding, quite a 
 number of neighbors and friends gathered at their pleasant home to offer 
 congratulations upon the occasion. Our town poet — a valued friend of the 
 family — brought her good wishes in rhyme, and it seems appropriate to give 
 here her pretty description of the forty years of life's journey these two had 
 traveled together, aud Mr. Daggett's reply rendered in verse — the last he 
 
 wrote : — 
 
 The angel, in form a woman, 
 . Hath bidden me " Write," 
 
 And the !<pirit of Love, unbidden. 
 My thoughts indite. 
 
 We lift the veil of forty years. 
 Pass in review its hopes and fears; 
 Turn back along the train of thought 
 And see the changes time hath wrouglit. 
 Ere railroads with their iron band 
 Had run and crost all o'er the land; 
 Ere telegraph with magic wire 
 Had utilized the lightning's tire; 
 Ere cable run on ocean's floor. 
 Or telephone from door to door ; 
 When " Weekly" the newspaper came. 
 With news that seemed nor old nor tame; 
 When neighbors' girls went out to help, 
 And Bridget, like the foreign kelp, 
 Still clung to her own native shores, 
 Nor yet had tended Yankee doors ; 
 When matrons of an afternoon. 
 Went out to tea, aud tongues kept tune, 
 From three o'clock till waning light. 
 To knitting-needles sharp aud bright, 
 And no one in the town had seen 
 A knitting or sewing machine; 
 They wore a dress of cambric neat. 
 Apron of silk, with fold or " pleat" ; 
 And muslin caps; no wonder then 
 They seemed so old to children's ken. 
 
 Then Saturday was baking day 
 
 (Not with gas stove, like child at play) ; 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 27 
 
 The gaping oveu opens wide, 
 
 — The bread-trough standing close beside — 
 
 The bread and pudding each in turn. 
 
 (Meanwhile, in shady porch the churn, 
 
 Full of rich cream, awaiting stands. 
 
 No Oleo then the taste to cheat. 
 
 Made up of what we won't repeat, 
 
 But butter golden, rich and rare, 
 
 The skillful hands with pride prepare.) 
 
 The oven 's read}' : beat the cake ; 
 
 The pies of golden pumpkin make; 
 
 The custard too of milk and cream, 
 
 Not milk shook up by jarring team. 
 
 Father to clear the oven comes. 
 
 Wake visions of our early homes. 
 
 Let not the homely mem'ries sleep; 
 
 The toils and pleasures sacred keep. 
 
 The mother of our host ! to-day. 
 
 Her name shall mingle with our lay. 
 
 The beauty of her womanhood ; 
 
 Her common sense, uncommon good. 
 
 To her he owes the gentle grace, 
 
 That smiles so calmly in his face; 
 
 Refinement of the heart and air 
 
 That makes him welcome everywhere 
 
 As Attleborough's noble son ; 
 
 Her honored, loved historian. 
 
 I will not. really cannot say 
 (For that was just before my day) 
 If all the maidens fair in town. 
 Looked with approval or a frown. 
 When this young squire went just outside 
 To choose a young and blooming bride. 
 But this I know, that grafted fruit 
 Is oft more choice than native shoot. 
 She came to cheer and share his life; 
 These many years a loving wife. 
 Changes that come to all liave come; 
 Sunshine ami darkness filled the home, 
 Not everything the heart could wish 
 Drops into the uplifted dish. 
 Sometimes the cup with joy o'erflows; 
 By little graves, seems full of woes. 
 But the good God, high over all. 
 Notes e'en the tiny sparrow's fall — 
 And says: "Fear not, whate'er betide, 
 Thy Saviour still is at thy side." 
 
 The years have brought the frost of age, 
 
 The kind deeds still her hands engage. 
 
 We see her deck the blushing bride, 
 
 And stand the sutterer's couch beside; 
 
 Refraining from no work of good 
 
 We think, '' She hath done what she could." 
 
28 BIOORAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 
 
 3Iay the old love, that's always new. 
 Attend you all your journey through; 
 ('hildren lie spared to close your eyes, 
 Ami tlays yet dawu ofj^Iad surprise: 
 With sunsets brii?liter than the moru; 
 With faith and ho|)e in Christ newborn; 
 And golilen weilding days be given. 
 If not on earth, above in heaven. 
 
 From this long stage of life we turn our eyes 
 
 Back o'er the flight of years, to other days. 
 Where Fancy's light ilhimes the morning skies. 
 
 And ever-blooming Spring its charms displays. 
 
 In vain we look for those, in youth's bright day. 
 
 Who trod the path with us when life began. 
 But dropped their burdens on the weary way. 
 
 Where many a stone now marks life's shorten'd span. 
 
 They've gained a happier clime and fairer shore, 
 
 But left us here our lonely way to wend ; 
 We "11 patient tread the path they trod before. 
 
 And meet them when we reach our journey's end. 
 
 We '11 cheerful walk our life's allotted span. 
 
 For oft its setting sun will shine as bright. 
 In age, while traveling down life's smooth decline. 
 
 As when, in youth, it sheds its morning light. 
 
 We leave the Past behind and look around. 
 
 O'er coming years — wliate'er our lot may be. 
 When other forty years have run their round, 
 
 May all of you be here again to see ! 
 
 On the tenth of Febrnary, 1885, tliere was a gathering of friends at Mr. 
 Daggett's residence to eongratnlate him on attaining his eightieth birthday — 
 which proved to be his last. At this time a number of liis fellow citizens 
 united in presenting him with a sul»stantial proof of their good wishes in the 
 form of a handsome purse of money. 
 
 Throughout his life Mr. Daggett enjoyed for the most part uniform good 
 health, occasional attacivs of a rheumatic nature being the only interrup- 
 tions ; and this continued until the very last year he lived. In the autumn 
 of 1884 he took what he called a very severe cold, from which he did not 
 rally for months; indeed he never fully recovered, for this illness proved to 
 be " the beginning of the end." In tlie spring and earh' summer of 1885 
 the very severe and dangerous illness of his wife caused him great anxiety, 
 and just when this had begun iu some measure to be relieved he was thrown 
 from a carriage and narrowly escaped with his life. The outward injuries 
 were apparently slight, and he recuperated with wonderful rapidity consid- 
 ering his advanced age ; but the internal shock he sustained produced an 
 unfavorable effect upon his weakening system, and from that he never 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 29 
 
 recovered. As the autumn again advauced the " cold," as he insisted upon 
 calling it, again attacked him and he suffered at times considerably from 
 pain ; but more and continuously from inability to breathe with anv degree 
 of ease or comfort. During this time he passed many sleepless nights, 
 walking from room to room, resting now and again perhaps for a few 
 moments in his chair or on some couch, and going repeatedly to the door to 
 gain an instant's relief from inhaling the fresh outer air. Even after weeks 
 of this experience his vitality was so great that it was thought he would live 
 on for some time, but that probably he could not survive the entire winter. 
 The end therefore came much sooner than was expected, and very suddenly. 
 Weary and weak as he had long been, he never wholly gave up work, for 
 only twenty-four hours before he died he walked slowly and painfully from 
 his sitting-room to his office and tried to attend to the wants of a client. 
 The hand of death was even then laid heavily upon him, but his quiet, uncom- 
 plaining fortitude prevented this from being realized by those about him. He 
 attempted to do vrhat was asked of him, but his, until then, ever-willing 
 hands refused to perform their wonted offices. He probably realized himself 
 the meaning of this failure, but he made no sign. "With his usual gentle 
 courtesy he apologized for his inability to serve the person in waiting, and 
 with the old familiar phrase begged him to " call again in a few days" when 
 he should probably be better of his ailment and could attend to the business 
 required. 
 
 His last day of life was comparatively free from suffering and can be 
 recalled without painful sorrow by those who were with him at tlie time. In 
 the early evening of Sunday, December 13, 188.j, at the age of eighty years, 
 ten months and three days, he passed away — quiet and jteaceful in his 
 death as he had ever been in his life. He died of no special disease, but 
 because his physical powers were worn out, because the work allotted him to 
 do on earth was, in the eyes of the Supreme Kuler, finished. For a year or 
 two previous to his death a slight imperfection in his hearing was at times 
 noticeable, but his eyesight always remained wholly unimpaired. In this 
 way he was remarkable, for he never wore glasses, and was always able to 
 read fine print with ease and to write readily by lamplight — the one a habit 
 formed for pleasure, the otlier a custom he had been obliged to adopt and 
 follow constantly, a great deal of his writing, both professional and literary, 
 having been done after nightfall. He retained all his mental faculties to an 
 unusual degree, for there was never the slightest diminution in this regard 
 apparent. His mind was perfectly clear to the very last, for he conversed 
 rationally and distinctly in a manner to show his comprehension of liimself 
 and his surroundings frequently during his last hours, and spoke in the same 
 clear and sensible way only a few moments before his decease. His friends 
 were happily spared the grief of witnessing the decay of his bright intellect, 
 for he had no days of feeble, helpless " second childhood," either physi- 
 
30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 
 
 cally or mentally, aud the pleasures of the life he loved — the life of real 
 companionship with books and pen — were never denied to him, but were 
 enjoyed and appreciated with the eager zest of his earlier years even to the 
 very end. 
 
 Mrs. Daggett survived her husband only six months. She died at the 
 residence of Miss Susan Thacher on Bank Street, June 22, 1886, after a 
 long and extremely painful illness which had severely shattered her body, 
 and to some extent her mind ; but could never quench her brave and cheer- 
 ful spirit. She was buried by the side of her husband and children in the 
 "Old Kirk Yard." With the death of these two one of Attleborough's 
 pleasantest homes for nearly fifty years was broken up, though cherished 
 memories of it and of them will long remain. 
 
 Mr. Daggett had been president of the trustees of the Richardson school 
 fund since the first board was elected ; a period of more than forty years. 
 At a meeting of this board of Trustees held December 16, 1885, the follow- 
 ing, among several other resolutions, was unanimously adopted: ^' Ee solved, 
 That we mourn the removal of a wise and faithful President of this corpo- 
 ration, and the loss to this community of a citizen whose public spirit and 
 whose courteous and honorable character have won the respect and regard 
 of all." 
 
 On .January 22, 1886, the annual meeting of the Old Colony Historical 
 Society was held at Taunton. In the course of his address, reviewing the 
 year just past, the vice-president, Rev. S. Hopkins Emory, in speaking of 
 Mr. Daggett, said: "I cannot refrain from expressing my deep sense of 
 personal bereavement, and the exceeding great value of the deceased to the 
 Old Colony Historical Society as a member and an officer. His industry in 
 historical research, his untarnished reputation in his profession as a lawyer 
 and in social life made his name a tower of strength, a credit and a comfort 
 to us. We have abundant reason to mourn his loss." A memorial of Mr. 
 Daggett prepared by the Society's liistoriographer. Judge Fuller, was read 
 at this meeting, and after the election of oflficers his successor as president, 
 Mr. Emory, proposed the following action upon his death, which the 
 society adopted : " Whereas, The Hon. John Daggett, second President of 
 the Old Colony Historical Society, who had served it in that capacity nearly 
 thirty years, has recently been called away by death. This is to record our 
 appreciation, as a society, of the high moral character of the deceased — 
 those admirable qualities of mind and heart which so endeared liim to his 
 friends and brought such honor to this society over which he so long presided. 
 In his profession as a lawyer, in all the offices of responsibility and trust 
 which he was called to fill, his reputation was unsullied. Ever courteous, 
 polite, and kind, he was deservedly popular. With a natural aptitude for 
 historical research, he was eminently successful in gathering rich stores of 
 facts concerning his own town in particular, and the Old Colony generally ; 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 31 
 
 SO that, altbough dead, he will yet live as the historian of Attleborougb aud 
 the long-time President of the Historical Society, of which he was an 
 original member." 
 
 The librarian of the society, in writing of him and referring to their long 
 and pleasant acquaintance of over sixty years, says : " No man living ever 
 held my esteem aud regard so warmly as John Daggett. We elected aud 
 reelected him our President year after year, aud never was an opposing vote 
 o-iven to supersede him while living. I say this that it may be known in 
 what estimation he was held and how he was appreciated by his Taunton 
 friends and members of the society." The same writer, Mr. J. W. D. Hall, 
 in an obituary notice printed in a Taunton paper, further says: '' He has 
 also been several years preparing a more elaborate history of that flourishing 
 town (Attleborougii), its ancieut and modern enterprises and industries that 
 have grown up to aunual millions, which he leaves in manuscript. He has 
 also devoted some of his leisure time to the investigation of the Old Colony 
 and North Purchase settlements in connection with tlie original lines of the 
 ancient town of Rehoboth, aud was one of the most thoroughly posted anti- 
 quarians. His genial kindliness, courtesy, and integrity of character, as a 
 counselor and friend — always ready to say a kind word, never a hard oue — 
 secured for him the title of ^ honest John Daggett,' which he wore with 
 modest grace and merit from his college days, during these sixty years, to the 
 time when ' death claimed a shining mark.' He has passed away, but his 
 lifelong deeds of kindness will live after him, and his memory as the Chris- 
 tian gentleman will ever be cherished." 
 
 A Mr. Everett, of East Princeton, this State, a descendant of Attleborough 
 people who emigrated to that town in 1764, wrote thus in a communication 
 dated December 27, 1885, which he sent to the Advocate: "J formed the 
 acquaintance of Mr. Daggett, in the House of Representatives in Boston, in 
 the winter of 18o6. I was more interested in Mr. Daggett, not alone from 
 his representing Old Attleborough in the Legislature, but from the fact that 
 we were two of the four youngest members of the House of Representatives, 
 aud were in age from twenty-eight to thirty. Julius Rockwell, now Judge of 
 the Superior Court of our State, and the talented statesman and keen 
 debater, and Robert Rantoul, Jr., were the other two young members 
 referred to. Mr. Daggett never made speeches — certainly never to exhibit 
 egotistically any pride of oratory. He was an influential member of any 
 committee upon which he was placed. He was always on duty, carefully 
 examining every bill or resolve presented, and never giving his approval to 
 any act or measure that was not approved by his judgment for the good of 
 the State. As a friend he was always social, agreeable, and confiding. He 
 was eminently a true Christian gentleman. But his life work is done, and he 
 has passed over the river to the immortal shores of the better land, and has 
 had accorded to him the ' Welcome, good and faithful servant.' " This inter- 
 
32 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOE. 
 
 esting article closes with these words: '"Well! Attleborough of one him- 
 dred and twenty years ago was purely a farming town ; but now various 
 industries of this teeming age eclipse too much the honest farmer's toil and 
 produce. But anyway may blessings rest on old Attleborough evermore" — a 
 sentiment which would have met with a truly heartfelt response from the lips 
 of him whose death occasioned the writing of the reminiscences, some of 
 which have been quoted, could he but have read it. 
 
 A townsman writes of him as " one of the oldest and perhaps best known 
 citizens of Attleborough." (And it is perhaps needless to say that his repu- 
 tation was not confined to his native town.) " But for him the history of 
 the town would probably have been a blank to this day. When we remember 
 that Mr. Daggett had been fifty-five years a practising lawyer and that he 
 retained his activity until the very last, going from his room to his office to 
 meet a client the da}' ])efore his death, we may form some conception of the 
 amount of valuable work he had in its aggregate accomplished. He saw the 
 town of Attleborough increase its population more than tenfold, and his 
 native village grow from a church, a tavern, and three dwellings to its 
 present flourishing condition. He was a man of active mind, careful and 
 shrewd in his profession, a well-read antiquarian and historian, and kept 
 thoroughly up with the political and social movements of his time. In his 
 family he was kind and courteous, and much attached to those bound to him 
 in the ties of kin. His manners were learned in the time when children were 
 taught politeness and courtesy was not a lost art. He carried into his con- 
 verse with every one a dignity yet pleasantness of demeanor which is seldom 
 met in the younger generation. He will ])e missed throughout the wide circle 
 of friends and acquaintances which his fourscore years of life had gathered 
 about him. He goes to his rest full of years and of deeds." 
 
 Another townsman writes : " Although in his later years he has been com- 
 pelled to lead a more quiet life, for many years he was prominent in public 
 affairs and since his retirement has exercised a steady influence, being 
 frequently sought for counsel and information, not only on matters directly 
 connected with his profession, but upon literary and historical subjects, upon 
 which he was an acknowledged authority. For over half a century he con- 
 tinued his legal practice, reduced of course in amount in his later years. He 
 was particular about having only cases which he thought were founded on 
 justice, and identified himself heartily with his client's interests. In many 
 ways he Avas helpful to those in need of legal services, and ever seemed more 
 anxious to be of service than to win a financial gain. As a public servant 
 he was careful, faithful, honorable, serviceable, and respected, recognized as 
 an equal among experienced legislators and officials. His greatest taste was 
 for antiquarian researches and historical information. He probably knew 
 more about Attleborough people and their connections all over the country than 
 any other person. AVith nice literary tastes and possessing a large library, 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 33 
 
 he was well read, uot ouly in standard literature, but in all the events, 
 literar}', social, and political, of the present time. He was a pleasant con- 
 verser, and ever ready to give to others, in a most gracious way, the results 
 of his long experience. His character w'as pure, his bearing dignified, his 
 manners courtly, his disposition kind. Retiring in his manners, for one so 
 useful in a public way, he w^as a very approachable man, seeking no honors, 
 shirking no responsibilities. He realized in its fullest sense the word gentle- 
 man. A good, well-balanced, honorable, useful life was rounded with a 
 sleep." 
 
 An old lawyer friend speaks of him as a better lawyer than advocate^ 
 saying that while he prepared his cases well and thoroughly, he disturbed 
 himself over the closing of the same to the jury, and therefore almost 
 always had Mr. Clifford or Mr. Read, or some other of their special class, 
 make the closing arguments for him. The same friend says again: "He 
 was interested in and thoroughly read in Probate Law. He was not a 
 man of great force or executive ability, but as counselor he was thorough 
 and reliable. He enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who were brought 
 in contact with him as a man or lawyer. Frankness, and uot duplicity, was 
 his leading characteristic." 
 
 In the necrology of Brown University for the year 1885-86 may be found 
 the following words relating to Mr. Daggett: " His legal and general knowl- 
 edge and his good judgment, together with his public spirit and integrity and 
 fidelity, won for him the confidence and the suffrages of his townsmen, and 
 also ensured him success in the different places of trust which he filled. He 
 also found time for literar}' and historical studies. His interest in inquiries 
 and studies pertaining to the objects of these societies (the Old Colony 
 Historical and New England Genealogical Society) induced him to write and 
 pul)lish the history of his native town of Attleborough, a task which he so 
 worthily discharged as to win for him, with the respect and love of his 
 townsmen, the name and influence of an authority in all that pertained to the 
 annals of their town. Yet apart from that good service he was widely 
 known and esteemed in Attleborough, and a popular man throughout the 
 State." 
 
 Mr. Daggett was to the last days of his life a loyal son of his Alma 
 Mater. To the last he preserved a fresh and active interest in all that per- 
 tained to the welfare and progress of the university, and he especially 
 ■delighted when within its loved borders to talk over with his classmates and 
 fellow students, as they gathered there from year to year, the well remem- 
 bered and deeply cherished experiences of their college life. 
 
 Mr. Daggett's funeral occurred December 17, 1885. A very beautiful 
 and touching service for the invalid wife was conducted at his residence by 
 Rev. Mr. Barton. The members of the bar in town bore him on his final 
 earthly journey, and a number of prominent citizens of his native village. 
 
34 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOB. 
 
 and old friends and representative men from all parts of the town attended 
 him as bearers, or as a special mark of respect. It was fitting that his last 
 resting-place this side the grave should be in the edifice of that church whose 
 history he had followed with so much interest, for whose welfare he long and 
 faithfully had labored, and whose wonted place within its walls had during 
 more than threescore years and ten so seldom been vacant. Many friends 
 from town and from abroad gathered there and followed him as he passed up 
 its familiar aisle for the last time. Appropriate music was rendered and his 
 favorite hymn, "Rock of Ages," was remembered. The discourse was 
 delivered by Mr. Barton, and an outline of it follows. 
 
 " The leading facts about him we mourn have already been made public. 
 His life covered an important period of the nation's history, and of the his- 
 tory of the world. He was born, 1805, died 1885, a brief statement; but 
 how much happened between those dates, and how well he improved those 
 years ! The year of his birth Lord Nelson defeated the combined fleets of 
 France and Spain at Trafalgar ; in that year France became an empire. 
 Our own country had about six millions of people. How great a change 
 there is from the time one fellow-citizen made his entrance into the world, to 
 the time of his exit ! What a contrast is his native town at his departure to 
 what it was at his birth! This village in 1805 had a church, tavern, and 
 three dwellings. For many years he wrought faithfully, was most active, 
 respected, honored. He had an active mind, varied attainments, was public 
 spirited, well informed on all public questions, and it is not strange that 
 he was so serviceable to this town and to different generations. The profes- 
 sion of law seems to demand more real brain work than any other, though 
 different in kind. Our most important temporal matters depend upon the 
 work of the profession of which he was a wise, an honored, and an active 
 member. His character was so real, so open, so well known, there seems 
 little need to enlarge upon it to those familiar with him. Let us see how his 
 life touched our own. In talking with him and finding the purit}^ and lofti- 
 ness of his motives, one was reminded of tlie text, ' Whatsoever things are 
 true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever 
 things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,' for he seemed to 
 move in harmony with these ideas. Always and easily a gentleman, he was 
 never in too much haste to exchange civilities graciously and gracefully. 
 His mind and heart were set upon the history of his native town." The 
 speaker dwelt at large upon the value of this history, " to the student, to 
 the patriotic, to all," and the patience, accuracy, and diligence which had 
 been put into the work were highly commended. The discourse was closed 
 with these words: " He was busily engaged in compiling facts for a larger 
 and more complete history, but he is gone without accomplishing it. Oh, 
 the facts which perished when this man died ! Oh, the threads which ended 
 when he passed away ! AVho will take up the work where he left it and com- 
 plete the monument he was erecting?" 
 
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR. 35 
 
 A long-time and honored friend, and tlie president of his loved institution, 
 Dr. E. G. Robinson, of Brown University, then paid a most beautiful tribute 
 to the life and character of Mr. Daggett, in words something like these: 
 " Death, come when it may, and as often as it may, never fails to fill the 
 mind with awe. For a [long] valued spirit entering upon the untried and 
 unknown, we cannot grieve as for one smitten in early manhood, or in the 
 midst of mature years. He was a shock of corn fully ripened and ready for 
 the harvest. Not a self-seeker, not obtrusive, content with himself and the 
 realities of his life, strikingly in contrast with the present men and times, 
 never seeking favor, possessed of a good reputation, he was a man of far 
 more ability than was always recognized. He really had a perfectly stain- 
 less character ; he was a product of Christian civilization, a real man [a 
 single-minded man], gentle to an excessive degree, modest, but real. Is 
 there any higher plane? He was self-sacrificing, content to be simply faith- 
 ful to his duty, honest in heart, purpose, and deed. He never sought office ; 
 it was thrust upon him. Many, nearly all, with whom he was associated in 
 the law have passed away ; they were men of ability and wide reputation. 
 He was the last but one of his [college] class. He did not practice law 
 chiefly for gain, but he performed much gratuitous service. He knew more 
 about the old families of the town and their descendants than any other 
 man in the State or country, and has preserved material for some one to com- 
 plete and publish. He never allowed himself to be ruftied by men, he never 
 rufltled any one else. Can the influence of such a man be anything but good? 
 Pure, kind, faithful, helpful, gentle, he wrought his lifework and now he has 
 fallen on sleep." 
 
 A townsman says : " At the completion of the services, one of the town's 
 greatest men was laid at rest in the old kirkyard in the rear of the church." 
 By the strong, kind hands of friends he was carried to that sacred spot, and 
 by them gently and tenderly lowered into his grave. He lies in the place of 
 his expressed desire, near his mother, in the soil he loved so well, surrounded 
 by many members of his own family, and with many of his kindred near. 
 May he rest there undisturbed till the last sound of time shall usher in eternity ! 
 Such in brief was the life of John Daggett, such his death, and such a few 
 of the honest, heartfelt expressions of commendation of his character and 
 career. No man ever loved his native town with a deeper, warmer, more 
 faithful and stedfast love than he, no man was ever more zealous in her cause 
 or worked in her interests with a nobler, more generous fidelity than he. 
 He has given tangible and enduring proof of the reality and earnestness of 
 his affection by the careful collection and preservation of many of the facts 
 to be found in this book, and the name to which the work entitles him — one 
 he highly prized, and the one by which he will be best known and longest 
 remembered, is the name — 
 
 THE HISTORIAN OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 This little work is designed principally for the citizens of this town. The subject is not 
 presumed to be of sutlicient interest to attract the particular attention of strangers. I have, 
 therefore, entered into details and local descriptions which will not be interesting to readers in 
 general, but only to those who are connected with the scene by association or locality. 
 
 The work originated in a Lecture delivered before the Lyceum in Attleborough in 1830, 
 which was prepared without the most distant idea of publication. The subject, though an old 
 one, being entirely neu^ to the hearers, excited much interest. At the earnest request of many 
 of the most respectable citizens of the town, I concluded to prepare it for publication, to be 
 included in a mere pamphlet of .ibout sixty pages. lu compliance with what seemed the 
 general wish, proposals were accordingly issued, to ascertain if sutHcient encouragement would 
 be given to justify the undertaking. But in the prosecution of my researches new materials 
 were found, and the work multiplied upon my hands, until It has extended to more than 
 doul)le its original size. 
 
 When the author attempted to prepare even a brief lecture on the subject and began to make 
 inquiries accordingly, he was told that it was in vain — that no materials existed from which a 
 sketch could be formed, particularly in relation to our early history. The attempt indeed was 
 at first discouraging. The field was new and unexplored. There was no light " to lead my 
 blind way'' through the dark labyrinths of the past. Little or nothing was contained in other 
 works to which I could refer for aid. The spot had almost escaped the prying curiosity of 
 the antiquarian. I found, however, after diligent and laborious research, facts enough to make 
 up the present volume. 
 
 The materials which are here embodied have been derived mostly from original sources. I 
 have gathered " here a little, and there a little." Tradition has supplied a part; for some facts 
 I am indebted to the recollections of the aged ; others I have industriously gleaned from a mass 
 of voluminous and almost illegible records and other manuscripts. I have left nothing 
 unsearched which might throw light on the early history of the town. 
 
 The object of this work is not mere anuisement, but the preservation of facts. I have 
 therefore selected not merely what might be interesting at the present time, but what might 
 be valuable for future reference. Hence some may think that it is too minute in the relation 
 of circumstances; but others, knowing the true objects of such a work, will be rather inclined 
 to complain that it is not minute enough. Minuteness and detail are, in fact, the principal 
 merit of local histories. Such works will furnish materials for more general history. This is 
 the design; or at least, one great benefit to be derived from them is the collection and pres- 
 ervation of facts for a more full and perfect history of the country. Many items which have 
 been collected together in these pages, however unimportant now, will be curiosities to future 
 generations. They will become more interesting, as time throws its thickening shadows over 
 the actors and events of the past. 
 
 I have seized the present moment and gathered what could be obtained from tradition, and 
 thus arrested what was rapidly passing into the gulf of oblivion. I have been particularly 
 minute in describing the transactions connected with the Revolution. Those who lived in 
 that age — who saw, and acted in, the great scenes which then transpired, and who alone can 
 give us correct and circumstantial accounts of that period, will in a very few years more have 
 passed from the stage of life; and thus interesting and important facts will be irrecoverably 
 lost to us and to posterity, unless now rescued and embodied in a durable form. The present 
 is the only time to obtain minute and circumstantial accounts of the Revolution. S^ven now, 
 since the commencement of this work, several, from whom I have obtained facts in relation to 
 that period, have descended to the silence of the grave. It is hoped, that every opportunity 
 
38 INTBODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION. 
 
 will be improved, to collect infonnation from those who were personally engaged in the scenes 
 of the llevohition, ere they shall disappear from the stage of life. It is useless to disguise that 
 the labor and expense of collecting the materials and preparing the work, brief and imperfect 
 as it is. have far exceeded my expectations. Indeed, no one, until he has tried the experiment, 
 can fully appreciate the labor and patience and perseverance which are requisite in connecting 
 insulated facts and supplying broken links in the chain, and the perplexity which is caused in 
 reconciling apparent contradictions and removing doubts. I have, however, no expectation of 
 receiving an adequate compensation for the time and expense bestowed upon the work ; but the 
 consciousness of having redeemed from undeserved neglect the names of our worthy fore- 
 fathers, and rescued from oblivion many facts in the history of my native town which would 
 otherwise have been irrecoverably lost, will be, if not a sutlicient reward, at least a consolation. 
 
 Such a work. T am aware, is of no great consequence to any but those who ax'e connected 
 with the town. But it takes many little rills to make up the great current of history. All 
 these things tend to throw light on the interesting subject of our early history ; and in this 
 view every historical fact, however minute or unimportant in itself, is valuable and worthy of 
 preservation. And it may be truly said that he has not labored in vain who has added one 
 new truth to what is already known, or elucidated one dark spot in his country's history. 
 
 In the extracts which have been made from ancient records I have retained the orignal dates 
 and the titles which were bestowed in accordance with the customs of former times. Even the 
 most inferior titles then conferred some distinction. In the earliest records it is not uncommon 
 to find " Corporal and Sergeant" such-a-one. Ensign, Lieutenant, and Captain were invariably 
 applied to those who could claim the honor. Even the title of 31r., which is now without dis- 
 tinction, on ac(!ount of its indiscriminate application, was once esteemed an honor to which 
 but few could aspire I 
 
 I have labored to be accurate, but some errors have doubtless escaped the closest attention. 
 If any should be observed, it will be esteemed a favor if those who have the means will 
 communicate the correction. 
 
 Attleborough, January, 1834. 
 
T^O .search the records of the past, 
 Recall the scenes of early days, 
 Was his, whose memory will last 
 
 Beyond the poet's lays. 
 But with the task yet incomplete. 
 
 The purpose unfulfilled, 
 A messenger, that comes for all, 
 
 His mortal pulses stilled. 
 
 His mantle falling rests on one 
 
 Endowed with youth and power 
 To bring the work her father left 
 
 Down to the present hour. 
 Upon this page of History 
 
 With gratitude we look 
 And bless the art of magic skill 
 
 That saves it in a book. 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
A SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH, 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Settlement of Rehoboth, — Purchase of the Tract Called Rehoboth 
 North Purchase. — Proceedings of the Proprietors. — Captain 
 Thomas Willett, etc. 
 
 IN 1643 a compauy was formed at Weymouth, Mass., cousisting of Rev. 
 Samuel Newman aud a large portion of his congregation, for the pur- 
 pose of establishing a new settlement in this vicinity. They purchased a 
 large tract of land of the Sachem of Pokanoket, including what is now 
 Rehoboth, Seekonk, Pawtucket, East Providence, and a part of Swansea, 
 then known by the name of Wannamoisett ; and in the spring of 1644 
 removed to a place then called by the Indians Seacunke, and commenced 
 their settlement around the Great Plain. This was the Rehoboth Purchase. 
 It was purchased of Massasoit, and one inducement in the selection of this 
 particular tract by the settlers of Rehoboth may probably have been the fact 
 that it included a large, level plain clear of wood and ready for cultivation. 
 Here the inhabitants continued with many additions to their number as a 
 distinct and independent settlement until June 4, 1645, when they were 
 found to be within the limits and were adopted into the jurisdiction of 
 Plymouth Colony, to whose territory this tract belonged, and were incorpor- 
 ated as a township by the scriptural name of Rehoboth. 
 
 Here was then principally a wilderness with no other settlement in the 
 immediate vicinity, the nearest being the then new settlement at Cohannet, 
 Taunton, distant about twelve miles. The Rehoboth plantation prospered 
 and continued to receive accessions from new emigrants and also from the 
 settlements near Pl3niiouth, from Duxbury, Marshfield, and Scituate, some 
 from Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, Hiugham, Dedham, and some more 
 emigrants from Weymouth, the former residence of the original settlers. 
 These people were almost entirely from Massachusetts Colony, who landed at 
 Boston in 1630 and subsequently, and the location of Rehoboth was deemed 
 favorable, as it was situated on the borders of the Narragansett Bay. 
 
44 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The principal meu of this settlement were a substantial and intelligent 
 class of people, and seem to have been above the average, possessing in a 
 marked degree the characteristics required in pioneers. Their first minister 
 seems to have been especially qualified for the position he occupied. Most 
 of the first generation of ministers in the New England colonies were learned 
 men, educated in the universities in England, at first ministers of the 
 Established Church, who, from non -conformity, were obliged to flee from 
 religious persecution at home aud to seek an asylum in the American wilder- 
 ness, ]Many of them were eminently j^racfu'aZ men, fitted by their varied 
 experience in life to be the advisers, the guides, or the pioneers of their 
 flocks in these early settlements. Such was Samuel Newman, who led his 
 people into the rough and hardy soil of Rehoboth, where he remained in the 
 laborious and faithful discharge of his duties as pastor of the first church for 
 a period of twenty years until his death. He was the son of Richard New- 
 man, and was born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, in 1602, of a family ''more 
 eminent and more ancient than most in the realm of England," and was 
 baptized by a clergyman of that parish, May 24, 1602. He was educated at 
 Cambridge, England, having entered Trinity College there, March 3. 1619. 
 He preached in several places after leaving the University, and emigrated to 
 this country about 1636. He was a short time at Dorchester, then removed 
 to Weymouth, aud finally to Rehoboth. He died July 5, 1663, and the 
 manner of his death was somewhat peculiar, as he had a certain premonition 
 of it. and stated that it would occur. He was apparently in good health, but 
 suddenly expired on the day named. He was buried in the old burying- 
 gronnd at Seekonk. His dust has there mingled with his mother earth, but 
 no monument marks the spot. A man of so much usefulness aud distinction 
 in his day and generation should not be suffered to remain without even the 
 ordinary memorials of the dead — such as mark the last resting-places of 
 the most humble tenants of the grave. We often neglect the living and 
 honor the dead ; but we sometimes honor the living and forget the dead. 
 
 Mr. Newman was especially remarkable as being the author of a Concord- 
 ance of the Bible, a voluminous work, a most laborious one to accomplish, 
 and which shows him to have been a very learned man. The first edition 
 was published in London iu 1643, about the time of his removal to Rehoboth. 
 While there he revised the work, making many additions and improvements. 
 The second edition was published at the same place in 1650, and a third in 
 1658. It was a work -of great utility, not only in itself, but as laying the 
 foundation for subsequent works of a similar character. It was published 
 about one hundred years earlier than the since famous Cruden's Concordance. 
 In 1662, a short time before Newman's death, an edition of this work some- 
 what altered and improved was published by the learned scholars of Cam- 
 bridge University, England, ijt the University Press, which was afterwards 
 known to the public as the "• Cambridge Concordance," thus robbing the 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 45 
 
 real author of the reputation which belonged to him, though iu the preface 
 the editor acknowledges that it is founded on Newman's work, and his plan 
 is adopted.^ 
 
 It is related of the author, that while pursuing this work at Rehoboth he 
 ■was obliged from the scarcity of materials for lighting iu that infant settle- 
 ment to use pine knots for the purpose. It is justly a matter of no little 
 satisfaction to us that the author of such a monument of learning and indus- 
 try should have completed it while he was an inhabitant of the Old Colony. 
 
 As many of the pioneers of Rehoboth or their immediate descendants were 
 the pioneers in establishing our town, we go back together in large measure 
 to original founders. "We can claim a common interest in this eminent 
 scholar as one of her pioneers, and we deem this short sketch of his life 
 appropriate to the history of Attleborough. 
 
 During the first seventeen years after the settlement of Rehoboth there was 
 remaining a large tract of land belonging to the Indians, lying directly on the 
 north of the town and between its north line and the south Massachusetts 
 Bay line, containing an area sufficient for two large townships. This region 
 was then the domain of the '* good Massasoit," the fast friend of the Eng- 
 lish. Pocanoket, or Pawkunnawket, is the name that was applied to the 
 tribal dominion of Massasoit, whose personal tribe was the Wampanoags. 
 His general authority extended over various other tribes in Plymouth Colony, 
 and his dominion descended through Wamsutta to Pometacom, King Philip. 
 It is believed by historians that the tribe of Massasoit contained a numerous 
 population shortly before the landing of the Pilgrims. In 1612 it was said to 
 have numbered four thousand warriors, but about that time, or a little later, 
 it had been greatly reduced in numbers by the terrible and fatal pestilence 
 which swept away so many of the natives. Baylies says this plague almost 
 depopulated the New England coast. The Pokanokets suffered the most, 
 and on the arrival of the Plymouth settlers in 1620 their warriors numbered 
 only sixty. The territory included in the Rehoboth North Purchase was 
 probably inhabited by the Wampanoags (or Pocassetts). 
 
 " Once Pawkuunawkef s warriors stood 
 Thick as the columns of the wood: 
 On shores and isles uuconquered men 
 Called Massasoit father then." 
 
 How long in the ages of the past this fair domain had been in [)OSsession 
 of the natives the records of time have never revealed. But their hour had 
 now come ; it was destined to pass from their hands to another and higher 
 race. Thev were doomed to extinction. According to the inevitable law 
 
 ^ A copy of this edition came into the possession of the authoi-, and was promised by him to the 
 people of Rehoboth. Since his death, in fulfllluient of this promise, it has been presented to tliem, 
 and is now in the historical collection iu Goff Memorial Hall. — Editor. 
 
46 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of Providence, if brought in conflict, the inferior must yield to the superior 
 race. After Philip's War, a feeble and spiritless remnant lingered around 
 their former abodes, in a degraded condition, for a few years, and then van- 
 ished forever. 
 
 " Of all their tribes, the heirs of want, 
 A feeble few our land may haunt; 
 The gloomy ghosts of dead I'enown 
 Awhile from sire to sou go down; 
 And in their spectral visits say, 
 That here the red man once had sway." 
 
 About 1660 our forefathers began to feel "straitened," and wanted an 
 enlargement, having only an area of about fifty thousand acres, and ten 
 inhabitants to a mile. In 1661, therefore, Captain Thomas Willett, who w^as 
 a skilful negotiator, and on intimate, friendly terms with the Indians, was 
 employed by certain inhabitants of Rehoboth to make a purchase of a new 
 tract of land in their behalf, having been first authorized and empowered by 
 the court for that purpose. He accordingly purchased of Wamsutta (or 
 Wamsetta) a certain tract of land situated north of the town of Rehoboth, 
 which was called the Rehoboth North Purchase. Wamsutta was the then 
 reigning Sachem of Pokanoket. He was the oldest son of Massasoit, and 
 was originally called Mooauam, then Wamsutta, and finally, after the death 
 of his father, according to Indian custom, his name was changed and he 
 took that of Alexander. He died in the summer of 1662, about a year after 
 the date of this purchase.^ 
 
 The manner of acquiring title to land in this colony was by purchase from 
 an Indian chief or sachem. The proprietorship appeared to be not in the 
 tribe but in the sachem, and individual settlers were not permitted to make 
 purchases on their own account. This was designed for the protection of 
 the Indians against the greed of speculators or private rapacity. When 
 lauds were desired for settlement a company was formed of a fixed, speci- 
 fied, certain number of shares, and a committee appointed with the consent 
 of the government to negotiate with the sachem for the purchase of a tract 
 of land, generally of a territory sufficient for a township. When the pur- 
 chase was made, the chief gave a deed in his own name, which was after- 
 wards confirmed by a deed from the government to the purchasers or proprie- 
 tors. A meeting was called of the shareholders, who organized by choosing 
 a clerk who was to register the proceedings of the company, a committee of 
 three or more, and one or more surveyors of lands, and from time to time 
 they ordered a dividend or division of their common lands, of so many acres 
 to a share. A proprietor would then or at any time apply to the committee 
 and one of the surveyors, who would proceed to lay out or assign to him a 
 
 1 Wamsutta's wife was named Namumpum. See Drake's Indian Biography. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 47 
 
 certain number of acres on his share by metes and bonnds ; and he would 
 make a return of the lay out to the clerk, who recorded the same on his 
 books. This constituted the shareholder's indiviflual title to his lands. 
 These divisions were ordered from time to time till the whole common and 
 undivided lauds were exhausted. In this way the original, private titles to 
 all the lands in the Rehoboth North Purchase were obtained. In aucient 
 Rehoboth the inhabitants voted that " the recording of any man's land in 
 the town Book shall be to him and his heirs sufficient assurance forever." ^ 
 This made the title valid. A stranger or non-proprietor might purchase of a 
 shareholder a whole or any part of a share, or a right to lay out and have 
 assigned to him a certain nnmber of acres in any particular division. 
 
 This purchase from Wamsutta was bounded west bv Pawtucket River, now 
 the Blackstone ; north by the Massachusetts Colony, or the Bay Line (so 
 called) ; east by territory' which was afterwards the Taunton North Purchase, 
 now Mansfield, Norton, and Easton ; and south by the ancient Rehoboth, now 
 Rehoboth, Seekonk, Pawtucket, and East Providence. This purchase included 
 Attleborough, Cumberland, Rhode Island, and a tract of a mile and a half 
 in width extending east and west, and a part of Wrenthara and Foxborough. 
 This mile and a half tract was given to Rehoboth as an enlargement by the 
 agents of the court, who were appointed to conve}' the North Purchase to 
 the proprietors, and afterwards, in 1710, restored to Attleborough by the 
 Legislature of Massachusetts. 
 
 In those early days there was much looseness of expression in the legal 
 proceedings. By some phraseology used the reader would suppose that the 
 North Purchase was a part of the town of Rehoboth. It was never merged 
 in that town, or included within its chartered limits. It was from the begin- 
 ning intended for an independent township. On this point a misapprehen- 
 sion prevails, and there is some confusion and uncertainty in the first pro- 
 ceedings on the part of Rehoboth concerning the title to the North Purchase, 
 such as was common in those days. The clerk of the town, in making his 
 first records, regarded the purchase as made by the town as a corporation, 
 but such was not in reality the case. It was made by shareholders, owning 
 in different proportions, but generally one share each, and it soon assumed its 
 true shape, by becoming an organization of '•'• Proprietors of the Purchase." 
 While it originated among the people of Rehoboth, and as the territory lay 
 on the north of that town was called Rehoboth North Purchase, the share- 
 holders did not include all the people of that town, but only a portion of 
 them, with besides a number of non-residents, some of them from Wanna- 
 moisett (Swansea). 
 
 Settlers soon located on the North Purchase, but they were Avithout the 
 safeguard of the law. At first these inhabitants were not sufficient in 
 
 ' Baylies, vol. ii, p. 199. 
 
48 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 numbers for au incorporation. They were therefore brought within the legal 
 jurisdiction of Rehoboth b}' being temporarily annexed to it ; or, as expressed 
 by the order of the government, " included in the Coustablerick of Rehoboth, 
 till they should become sufficient for a township," and this temporary annexa- 
 tion was for municipal purposes and privileges. 
 
 A close examination of the records and history of the plantation shows 
 that Attleborough, or the Rehoboth North Purchase, was an independent pur- 
 chase, and in its boundaries always kept distinct, but, having for a time no 
 special name for itself, it would naturally be called Rehoboth. The vote of 
 the town of Rehoboth regarding the North Purchase annexation was: "To 
 bring the inhabitants thereof into some lawful jurisdiction for their safety." 
 This rather carelessly expressed vote meant they were to be subject to the 
 town government of Rehoboth, and entitled to its benefits and privileges. 
 Under this peculiar arrangement, its settlers voted in that town, and one of 
 its inhabitants was once elected a representative. Other instances of a simi- 
 lar arrangement have occurred in the civil polity of the Old Colony. 
 
 The following copy of the Indian deed is taken from the Old Colony 
 records : — 
 
 A DEED APPOINTED TO BE RECORDED. 
 
 Know all men, that I Wamsetta, alias Alexander, chief Sachem of Pokanokett, for divers 
 good causes and valuable considerations me thereunto moving, have bargained and sold unto 
 Captain Thomas Willett of Wannamoisett all those tracts of land situate and l)eing from the 
 bounds of llehoboth ranging upon Pawtuckett River unto a place called Waweypounshag, the 
 place where one Blackstone now sojourneth, and so ranging along to the said river unto a 
 place called Messanegtacaneh, and from this upon a straight line crossing through the woods 
 unto the uttermost bounds of a place called Mamantapett, or Wading River, and from the said 
 River one mile and a half upon an east line, and from thence upon a south line unto the bounds 
 of the town of Rehoboth : To have and to hold unto him the said Captain Willett and his 
 associates, their heirs and assigns forever; reserving only a competent portion of land for 
 some of the natives at Mishanegitaconett for to plant and sojourn upon, as the said Wamsetta 
 alias Alexander and the said Thomas Willett jointly together shall see meet: and the rest of 
 all the land aforementioned, with all the woods, waters, meadows, and all emoluments whatso- 
 ever to remain unto the said Thomas Willett and his associates, their heirs and assigns forever. 
 Witness my band and seal the eighth day of April in the year 1661. 
 
 The mark of 
 
 AX A 
 Signed, sealed, and delivered Wamsitta alias Alexander, 
 
 in presence of his seal [L. S.] . 
 
 John Brown, Jr., 
 Jonathan Bos worth, 
 .John Sassaman,! the Interpreter. 
 
 April 10, 1666. Witnesseth these Presents, that Captain Thomas AVillett aljove said hath 
 and doth hereby resign, deliver, and make over all and singular the lands above mentioned, 
 purchased of Wamsitta alias Alexander, chief Sachem of Pocanokett, according unto the 
 bounds above expressed, with all and singular the benefits, privileges, and immunities there- 
 
 1 John Sassaman, member of Indian Church at Natick, a school teacher. See Baylies. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. - 49 
 
 uuto appertaining, unto Mr. Thomas Prence, Major Josias Wiiislow. Capt. Tlionias South- 
 worth, and Mr. Constant Southworth, in the behalf of the Colony of Xew Plymouth. In 
 witness whereof he doth hereunto set his hand and seal. 
 Signed, sealed, and delivered Thomas Willett [Seal]. 
 
 in presence of 
 
 Daniel Smith, 
 
 Nicholas Peck. 
 
 For the better protection of the Iiidiaus and to prevent controversies and 
 confusion of titles, the Government of Plymouth prohibited by law any 
 person to purchase of them without the assent and positive confirmation of 
 the government. This was first enacted by Statute in June, 1643, providing 
 that no person should purchase, rent, or hire any lands, herbage, wood, or 
 timber of any of the natives in any place within this jurisdiction under heavy 
 penalty.^ 
 
 The following is the Grant or Deed - of the Government : — 
 
 Know all men by these presents, that we Thomas Prence, Josias Winslow. Thomas 
 Southworth, and Constant Southworth by order of the General Court of New Plymouth, and 
 in the name and behalf of the said Colony of Plymouth, have and liy these presents do bargain, 
 sell, alien, grant and confer, and make over unto the proprietors of the town of Rehoboth, 
 (viz.) unto all that hold there, from a fifty pound estate and upwards, according to their first 
 agreement, all and singular the lands lying and being on the north side of that town of 
 Rehoboth bounded as followeth, (viz.) by a River commonly called Pawtucket river, on the 
 west, and up the said River unto the 3Iassachusetts Line, and on the northerly side by the said 
 Line until it cross the old road towards the Bay, where the marked tree stands and heap of 
 stones, and thence a mile and a half east, and from thence by a direct line to the northeast 
 corner of the present bounds of the town of Rehoboth, and so back again home unto the 
 said Line between the governments; with all the meadows, woods, waters, and all benefits, 
 emoluments, privileges, and innnunities, thereunto appertaining and belonging, to have and to 
 bold to them and to their heirs forever: Excepting that we reserve within this tract a farm 
 formerly granted unto Major Josias Winslow, and a farm granted unto Capt. Thomas 
 Willett, and two hundred acres of land unto Mr, James Brown about Snake Hill, and ten 
 acres of meadow thereabouts ; and the meadow called Blackstone's Meadow, the west plain 
 and the south neck the quantity of two hundred acres, and the fifty acres granted to Roger 
 Amadown. with four acres of meadow next adjoining, three acres to Nicholas Ide, and half an 
 acre of meadow unto George Robinson : All the residue of the lands above mentioned we do 
 hereby firmly make over unto the above said purchasers and their heirs forever, and do hereby 
 acknowledge ourselves to be fully paid and satisfied for the same, and do exonerate, acquit and 
 discharge them and every of them for and concerning the premises. 
 
 In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this tenth of April 1666. 
 4Signed. sealed and delivered in presence of 
 
 Isaac Howland, Thomas Prince, [l.s.] 
 
 The mark X of Josias Winslow, [l.s.] 
 
 John Parris, Thomas Southworth, [l.s.] 
 
 The mark X of Constant Southworth, [l.s.] 
 
 John Rocket,-^ 
 
 This tract w^as purchased, as the reader perceives, in behalf of the proprie- 
 tors, by Captain Willett, of Wamsetta, the eldest son of Massasoit, Sachem, 
 
 1 Plymouth Col. Laws, p. 74; also, ib. p. 289, sect. 5. ^The original is among the records of the 
 Prop's of R. N. Purchase. ^ Perhaps son of Richard, of Braiutree, born December 1, 1641. Joseph 
 Rocicet married Mai-y Wilmarth, January 5, 1680. Rehoboth. 
 
50 A SKETGB OF THE 
 
 April 8, 1661. Captain Willett held this title in bis own name until April 
 10, 1666, on which day he conveyed it to certain men of Plymouth, tlie rep- 
 resentatives of the goverment of that colony ; and on the same day it was 
 confirmed or conveyed by them to certain inhabitants of Rehoboth, and 
 others, such as held £50 estates and upwards. The purchasers, as has been 
 stated, were not limited to the inhabitants of that town, Init included resi- 
 dents of Swansea (Wannamoisett) and other places, and new purchasers 
 from time to time. They constituted a separate and distinct body or com- 
 pany of purchasers ; they chose a proprietor's clerlf, surveyors, and commit- 
 tees to divide the lands. They soon held separate meetings, kept separate 
 books and records of their own, containing their proceedings and divisions 
 of land. Captain Willett himself, who heads the list of proprietors, lived in 
 Swansea ; Mr. Myles was of the same place ; Joanna Ide was of New Nor- 
 rich, and William Allen of Prudense. Some of the original purchasers sold 
 their shares, and upon the death of any of them his heirs became proprie- 
 tors. Thus new shareholders were constantly l)eing added to or substituted 
 for the original ones, so that the proprietorship mostly came eventually into 
 the hands of those who settled here. In 1672 a full and correct list of 
 proprietors was made, there being seventy-nine and a half shares and eighty- 
 tAvo proprietors. 
 
 Before the signing and sealing of the above-mentioned deed it was also 
 agreed according unto a clause in the Indian deed when these lands were 
 purchased by Captain Willett that some meet proportion of lands about 
 Sinnichiconet, such as the said Captain Willett and the Indian .Sachem shall 
 agree upon, should be set out for the use of the Indians. 
 
 Note on the back of the same deed : — 
 
 This Deed is recorded aceordiiii;- to order by me Xathaiiiel Morton, Secretary to the Court 
 of New Plymouth. 
 
 The Dividend of Lands enrolled, 
 Folio 217. 
 
 The following order relating to this subject was passed by the Court of 
 New Plymouth. 
 
 New Plymouth, October 2nd, 1665.. 
 
 Whereas the Court, liaving formerly impowered Capt. Thomas Willett to purchase of the 
 Indians certain Tracts of lands on the Xorth of Rehoboth towards the Bay Line, the which he 
 hath done, and is out of purse some considerable sum of money for the same, this Court have 
 appointed the Honored Governor, the Major Winslow, Capt. Southworth, and Mr. Constant 
 Southworth, to treat with Capt. Willett concerning the said purchase, and have impowx>red 
 the above named Committee to take notice of what liath been purchased by him, and what 
 Deeds he hath, and what his disbursments have been for the same; and have also impowered 
 them to settle upon him such a proportion of the said lands as may appear to be equal, upon 
 any grant to him; and to accommodate the town of Rehoboth respecting an enlargement of 
 their town, as the Court have promised; and to take such course concerning the remainder as- 
 he may be reimbursed of his just due and those lands may be settled by the Court. 
 
 Extracteil from and compared with the Records of said Court. 
 
 Per. Samuel Sprague, Clerk.. 
 

 •^r',i»» -- 
 
 1. Nine Men's Misery, Cumberland, R. I. 2. Graveirtones of Captain Tliouias Willett. 
 in what is now East Providence, R. I. 3. Monument erected to William Blackstoue by 
 descendants, stands in the yard of Ann and Hope Mill, Lonsdale, R. I. 
 
HI8T0BY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 51 
 
 CAPTAIN THOMAS WILLETT. 
 
 Some notice of Captaiu Thomas Willett, who stands at the head of our 
 list of proprietors and whose life deserves to be better known to the present 
 generation, will not be deemed inappropriate. His history does not exclu- 
 sively belong to this town, but as he took so active and important a part in 
 the original purchase and settlement of this and the neighboring towns, a 
 brief sketch of his life seems to be demanded by the interest which our 
 citizens must feel in his character. But little is known of him previous to 
 his emigration to this country. He was a merchant in his native country, 
 and probably in his business travels had become acquainted with the Pilgrims 
 in Leyden, was a sympathizer in their religious views, and had resided with 
 them in Holland for some time prior to their exile to America. Here he had 
 an opportunity to acquire a good knowledge of the manners, customs, and 
 language of the Dutch — a knowledge which was destined to prove very 
 useful in later years in a far distant land. He was one of the last of the 
 Leyden company, and came here probably about 1630, a very young man at 
 the time of his arrival — perhaps twenty-one. One authority states that he 
 came in 1629, being then in his twentieth year ; others suppose he was about 
 twenty-four years of age when he arrived at Plymoutli, where he at first 
 resided. He was an intelligent and well-educated man and soon became 
 useful and distinguished in the colony. He was admitted freeman of Ply- 
 mouth Colony, July 1, 1633, and six acres of land were granted him in 
 Plymouth. He resided there quite a number of years and acquired an influ- 
 ence and highly respectable standing among the colonists. He soon took an 
 active and prominent interest in the survey and settlement of other portions 
 of the colony and in the purchase of lauds from the aboriginal owners. He 
 took much interest in the Indian race, cultivating acquaintance and friendship 
 with them. They became thoroughly attached to him and had great confi- 
 dence in him, calling him in some of their deeds '^ our loving friend Capt. 
 Thomas Willett." 
 
 Soon after his arrival in 1630, though, as already observed, a young man, 
 he was sent by the company of Plymouth, who had established a trading 
 house at Kennebeck, to superintend their business as agent. While he was 
 residing there Governor Winthrop relates of him the following curious anec- 
 dote : " At Kinnebeck, the Indians wanting food, and there being store in the 
 Plymouth trading house, they conspired to kill the English there for their 
 provision ; and some Indians coming into the house, Mr. Willett, the master 
 of the house, being reading the Bible, his countenance was more solemn than 
 at other times, so as he did not look cheerfully upon them, as he was wont to 
 do ; whereupon they went out and told their fellows, that their purpose 
 was discovered. They asked them how it could be. The others told 
 them that thev knew it bv Mr. Willett's countenance, and that he had 
 
52 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 discovered it by a book that be was reading. Whereupon they gave over 
 their design."^ 
 
 In 1647 he became successor — probably the immediate — of the famous 
 Miles Standish, the Pilgrim warrior in the command of the military company 
 at Plymouth. March 7, 1647, "The Military Company of New Plymouth, 
 having according to order proposed unto the Court two men for every special 
 office of their band, the Court do allow and approve of Capt. Thomas 
 Willett, for Captain, Mr. Thomas Southworth, for Lieutenant, Mr. William 
 Bradford, for Ensign."- He was in 1651 elected an assistant of the 
 Governor, and was annually continued in that office till 1665, when other 
 duties obliged him to decline, and James Brown, of Swansea, was chosen his 
 successor. At this time he was selected by the Plymouth Court, agreeably to 
 the request of His Majesty's Commissioners, to attend them at New York 
 (which had just been surrendered by the Dutch), for the purpose of assisting 
 them in organizing the new government. It is mentioned by Davis in a note 
 to his edition of Morton's Memorial that " Col. Nichols, (one of the Com- 
 missioners,) in a letter to Gov. Prince, written from New York, the spring 
 after the reduction of the Dutch settlements, requests that Capt. Willett 
 may have such a dispensation from his official engagements in Plymouth 
 Colony, as to be at liberty to assist in modelling and reducing the affairs in 
 this settlement into good English. He remarks that Mr. Willett was more 
 acquainted with the manners and customs of the Dutch than any gentleman 
 in the country, and that his conversation was very acceptable to them." 
 Captain Willett executed his duties there to the entire satisfaction of all 
 concerned ; his services were so highly appreciated and he rendered himself 
 so popular with the people, that after the organization of the government he 
 was chosen the first "English Mayor of the City of New York." He was 
 elected to the same office a second time. " But," as Mr. Baylies, the his- 
 torian of Plymouth Colony, lias justly remarked, " even this first of city 
 distinctions conferred by that proud metropolis did not impart more real 
 honor to his character than the address and good feeling manifested by him 
 in effecting the peaceable settlement of the humble town of Swansea." The 
 Dutch had so much confidence in his integrity that he was selected by them 
 the umpire to determine the controverted boundary between New York and 
 the New Haven Colony. He was also for a number of years one of the 
 commissioners or delegates of the United Colonies. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of Rehoboth, Captain Willett removed to Wanna- 
 moisett, a part of what is now the town of Swansea, where he resided during 
 most of the remainder of his life. A grant of a quarter part of that town- 
 ship (Swansea) was made to him and others. With him was associated Mr. 
 Myles, the first Baptist minister in New England, and they two are justly 
 
 1 mnthrop's Jour., 1, 32-2. 2 old Col. Rec. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 53 
 
 reo-arded as the founders of Swansea. The manner in which they conducted 
 the settlement of that plantation was just and honorable and reflects much 
 credit on the character of both. Captain Willett always cultivated a friendly 
 intercourse with the Indians wherever he was, and everywhere gained their 
 confidence and good will. Hence he was generally employed by the colony 
 in the purchase of lands from the native chiefs, and besides being the 
 original purchaser of the Rehoboth North Purchase, he was that also of 
 the Taunton North Purchase, and many other tracts of land in the vicinity. 
 He was on particularly friendly terms with Alexander, and his brother the 
 famous King Philip, his home being near Mount Hope, the dwelling place of 
 the latter. 
 
 The following order relating to him was passed by the Plymouth Court : — 
 
 March 1665-6. lu reference to an order of Court bearing date the third day of October 
 1665. wherein our Honored Governor Major Winslow, Capl. Southworth, and Mr. Constant 
 Southworth were appointed to be a comuuttee in reference to a certain tract of land purchased 
 by Capt. Willett on the north side of Rehoboth, which said order empowereth the said Com- 
 mittee to dispose and settle a proportion of the said lauds on the said Capt. Willett as they shall 
 think meet; and the Court do therefore settle and confirm unto him four or live hundred acres 
 of the said lands, to be laid out for him on the Easterly side or end of the said lands, to him 
 and his heirs forever. 
 
 This grant or farm in this town, at High Squisset, was laid out to him and 
 recorded in the " Rehoboth North Purchase Books." It lies on both sides of 
 the Seven Mile River,' Ijeginning near Newell's tavern and has always borne 
 the name of " Willett's farm." It was a tract of five hundred acres, and 
 with certain meadows and out lots amounted to about six hundred acres, and 
 was o-iven to him as an acknowledgment of his services to the proprietors. 
 It seems to have passed into the hands of his son. Captain Andrew Willett, 
 who sold it some time after his father's death to John Wilkinson the 1st, 
 of Attleborough. In 1720 it was divided into two parts between Captain 
 Samuel Tyler and Joyce Newell, widow of Jacob Newell. This farm was 
 originally laid out with great regularity — in parallel lines — and its subse- 
 quent divisions have been preserved in good shape. 
 
 Captain Willett married Mary Brown, daughter of Mr. John Brown the 
 1st, at Plymouth, 6th July, 1636, by whom he had several children : Thomas; 
 Hester, b. 6th July, 1647 ; Rebecca, d. 2d April, 1652 ; James, b. November 
 24, 1649 ; Andrew ; Samuel; Hezekiah, who died 26th July, 1651 ; Hezekiah 
 2d, b. 16th November, 1652; Sarah; Martha, etc. His son James married 
 Eliza, daughter of Lieutenant Peter Hunt, of Rehoboth, 17th April, 1673, 
 and continued to live on the paternal estate. Hezekiah 2d married his 
 cousin Anna Brown, daughter of Mr. John Brow^n, 2d, of Rehoboth, 7th 
 January, 1675, and was killed soon after by the Indians in Philip's War. John 
 Saffln, who had resided in Scituate and Swansea, married Martha Willett. 
 They lived in Boston — where in 1686 he was Speaker of the Assembly of 
 
54 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Massachusetts — and iu Bristol, R. I. Samuel Hooker,^ of Farmiugton. 
 Couu., married Mary ; Sarah married au Eliot, and it is said another daugh- 
 ter married one of the family of the Rev. John Wilson, of Boston, " the Holy 
 Wilson of Cotton Mather's eulogies " ; and Hester or Esther married the 
 Rev. Josiah Flint, of Dorchester. 
 
 Captain Willett has numerous descendants residing in various parts of the 
 country, several of whom have become distinguished in history. His grand- 
 son, Francis, was a prominent man in Rhode Island ; another descendant, 
 his great-grandson, of the family of Samuel was Colonel Marinus AVillett, 
 who lived in the State of New York, was a distinguished officer in the Revo- 
 lutionary War — and he had also been mayor of New York City.- 
 
 After a residence of a few years in New York, Captain Willett returned to 
 his seat in Swansea, where, after a life of varied and distinguished useful- 
 ness he died the 4th of August, 1674, at the age of sixty-three. The "Old 
 Colony Records " give the date as the 3d of August, but I have chosen to 
 rely on the inscription upon his gravestone. He was buried in an ancient 
 burying-ground, at the head of Bullock's Cove, in what is now Seekonk, 
 where a rough stone is ei'ected to his memory containing a brief and rudely 
 carved inscription which reads as follows : — 
 
 HEAD STONE. 
 
 FOOT STONE. 
 
 1674 
 
 Here lyes y*^ Body 
 
 of y*^ wor" Thomas 
 
 Willett efq who died 
 
 AvgvPt y' 4"^ in y'= 64'" 
 
 year of his age anno 
 
 WHO WAS THE 
 
 FIRST MAYOR 
 
 oF NEW YORK 
 
 & TWICE DID 
 
 SVSTAIN Y^ PLACE 
 
 1 Baylies' Memoirs of Plymouth Colony. 
 
 2 Memoirs of liis life have Iteeu published by his son, William M. Willett. Colonel Willett had 
 another son, Dr. Marinus Willett, who was one of the founders of the American Tract Society, 
 and his daughter. Miss Anne \Villett, has been prominent for her generous and personal interest in 
 the Evangelical Orphan Asylum for Girls in the city of Florence, Italy, being its Directress. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 55 
 
 His wife Maiy died about 1669, and is buried by bis side.^ Thus the first 
 English Mayor of the first commercial metropolis iu America lies buried ou 
 a lonely and barren heath in the humble town of Seekonk, at a place seldom 
 visited by the footsteps of man — with naught but the rudest monument to 
 mark the spot. 
 
 The following extracts are taken from an account of the Willett family, 
 found in the Providence Journal of January 24, 1873. One writer says of 
 Captain Willett : — 
 
 He was conversant in the fur and Indian trade of the whole coast of Kennebec to Hudson's 
 River, became very opulent, and settled on a plantation in Swanzey, now Barrlugton, where 
 remains his grave, six miles below Providence. Being an intelligent and respectable person, he 
 went as a counsellor on board of beloved Colonel Nicholl's fleet, at the reduction of Manha- 
 does, 1664, and was by him appointed Mayor of the new conquered city. He owned houses in 
 New York and Albany. The Dutch resuming the government, he afterwards returned to his 
 settlement and died in Barringtou. 
 
 The following "epitaph on my worshipful father-in-law," was written by 
 John Safflu : — 
 
 Here lies Grave Willett, whose good name 
 
 Did 3Iount upon the wings of Fame; 
 
 Who unto Place did not Intrude, 
 
 (A Star of the tirst Magnitude.) 
 
 But 's prudence, pietie and zeale. 
 
 For God, in Church and Connnonweall, 
 
 His reall worth, and Generous Spirit, 
 
 Which constantly he did Inherit. 
 
 His hospitality and love, 
 
 And courteous carriage, like a Dove. 
 
 Did so Excell, that all might See 
 
 He had attain'd to the First Three. 
 
 Now he 's hence gone to his long home. 
 
 And taken from the 111 to come — 
 
 Liv'd here Desir'd ; lamented Dy'd ; 
 
 Is with his Saviour. Glorified. 
 
 The will of Captain Thomas Willett is a very long document, drawn up 
 with minute particularity. It contains legacies to the "overseers" of the 
 instrument, and to the churches of the neighboring towns. Some old serv- 
 ants are also remembered. He then devises his extensive estates in New 
 Plymouth, Swanzey, and Rehoboth to his sons, James, Hezekiah, Andrew, and 
 Samuel, and his Narragansett lands to his grandchildren ; but Thomas, son 
 of John and Martha Saffin, is to inherit a double portion. As early as July 4, 
 
 1 Following are the iuscriptions ou her gravestones : Headstone — " 1669. Here lyeth ye body of the 
 virtuous Mary Willett, wife to Thomas Willett, wlio died January ye 8 about ye iUeg th year of her 
 age, anno." Footstone — " Daughter to the worli John Brown, Deceased." Captain Willett's head- 
 stone is some six or seven inches thick, about eighteen inches wide, and stands perhaps two and a 
 half feet high, and is in a very good state of preservation, but the little cemeteiy is still a barren and 
 neglected spot. It is now in what is called East Providence. For these facts, and the above copy of 
 Captain Willett's inscriptions, I am indebted to Mr. Charles H. Wheeler, of this town, who has 
 recently visited this place of historic interest.— Editor. 
 
56 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1659, cevtaiu lands in ancient Xamcook, afterwards part of the "King's 
 Province," but generally known as Boston Neck, and situated near the 
 present Narragansett Ferry, had been purchased of three sachems by Willett 
 and others. This small part of the Willett property, reserved by its owner 
 as a suitable portion for his grandchildren, is still held by his descendants, 
 while all the other estates have long since been divided and alienated. A 
 singular provision of the will was that if any one of his sons (the daughters 
 were all married but one), should marry without the consent of a majority of 
 the five executors, he would by that act forfeit all claims to his inheritance. 
 The Willett farm (where he resided), was the original seat of the great 
 sachem, Miantinomi, and a large bowlder on the farm is still known as " Mian- 
 tinomi's Rock." On one portion of this farm the celebrated Colonel Whale 
 or Whalley, styled one of King Charles' regicide judges, resided for a time.^ 
 
 The following introduction is entered in the first book of the records of the 
 Rehoboth North Purchase : — 
 
 "•Whereas, in the year one thousand six hundred sixt}' and six, a purchase 
 of lands was made by the Inhabitants of Rehoboth and the neighborhood of 
 Anuimosett : — the said lauds situate on the North side of the Towne of 
 Rehoboth — of Mr. Thomas Priuce, Esquire, Major Josiah Winslow, Captaiu 
 Thomas Southworth Agents of the Government of New Plymouth, the 
 bounds of the said lauds fully appearing by a Deed of sale made by the 
 aforesaid gentlemen, to the purchasers thereof, bearing date the tenth of April 
 1666, which deed hath been inroUed at the Court of New Plymouth according 
 to order of Court. The bounds of the said lands are as followeth, (viz.) by 
 a river called Pawtucket river, on the West, and up the said river unto the 
 Massachusetts line ; and on the Northerly side, by the same line, until it cross 
 the ould Roade towards the Bay, where the marked tree stands, and a heape 
 of stones ; and thence a mile and halfe East, and from thence by a direct line 
 to the North East corner of the present bounds of the towne of Rehoboth, and 
 soe back agaiue home to the said line between the Governments — Excepting 
 there was reserved out of the said tract of land a farm granted before to 
 Major Josiah Winslow, a farm granted to Captain Thomas Willett, and two 
 hundred acres of land to Mr. James Browne about Snake-hill, and ten acres 
 of Meadow thereabouts ; and the Meadow called Blackstone's Meadow the 
 Westplaine;- and the South neck the quantity of two hundred acres; and 
 fifty acres granted to Roger Ammidown with four acres of meadow ; and 
 
 1 The larger portion of Uiis sketch is as the author prepared it. The extracts from the Journal 
 were acUlecl by the editor. One or two discrepancies are thus explained. 
 
 = April 18, 1G66. Agreement between tlie town and Captaiu Willett as to the location of his lands 
 in the Noi'th Purchase. See record \\\' Bliss' Rehoboth, p. 61. Tiie lands reserved to Captain Willett 
 iu his deed to the R. N. P. were assigned to liim ou the records and came into the hands of his son, 
 Andrew Willett. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 57 
 
 three acres of Meadow to Nicholas Ide ; and half au acre to George Robiusou ; 
 also some Meete proportion of lands for the Indians at Sinniehiteconett ; for 
 the use of the said Indians. All the rest of the said lands within the said 
 tract as before bounded, to be equally divided to the purchasers thereof 
 according to their said proportions, (there being Seventy Nine whole shares 
 and a half) being joint purchasers ; and the said purchasers have fully dis- 
 charged and paid the purchase thereof according to their several proportions.'^ 
 
 "Mem. That the clause in the former page 'to be equally divided to 
 the purchasers thereof hath reference to the before expressed date (viz.) 
 one thousand Six hundred and Sixty and Six. 
 
 " The names of the Purchasers with their Rights to the said Lands before 
 mentioned are those {no man contradicting) that are here expressed in the 
 following List." 
 
 Capt. Thomas Willett (one share, John Wll- 
 
 kinsou's). 
 Mi-. Stephen Paine. Sen., 2 shs. (one that was 
 
 his own and one that was appointed for 
 
 John Martin). 
 Mr. Noah Xewman. 1 sh. 
 Lieut. Peter Hunt, 1 sh. 
 Mr. James Browne, 1 sh. 
 Samuel Newman, 1 sh. 
 John Allen, Sen., 1 sh. 
 .John Woodcock, li sh. 
 Thomas Estahrooke's h sh. (bought of lioger" 
 
 Amidovvue). 
 Thomas Willmot, 2 shs. (one he bought of 
 
 Jo. Carpenter and one of his own) . 
 Sampson Mason, 1 sh. 
 Anthoney Perry, 1 sh. 
 John Butterworth, 1 sh. (this sold to Daniel 
 
 Jenkes, excepting the meadow). 
 Philip Walker. 1 sh. 
 John Ornisby. 1 sh. 
 Richard Martin, 1 sh. 
 Stephen Paine, Jun., 1 sh. 
 Rober .Joans, 1 sh.i 
 . Ubadiah Bowen, 1 sh. 
 John Pecke, 1 sh. 
 James Rede way, 1 sh. 
 Samuel Carpenter, 1 sh. 
 .John Titus. 2 sh. (one that he bought of his 
 
 mother-in-law, Abigail Carpenter, and one 
 
 that was his own). 
 Mr. John Myles, 1 sh. 
 -William Carpenter, 1 sh. 
 .Joseph Pecke, 1 sh. 
 Thomas Cooper, Jun., 1 sh. 
 Ensign Henery Smith, 1 sh. 
 
 John Reade, Sen., 1 sh. 
 
 John Reade, Jun., 1 sh. 
 
 Nicholas I'ecke, 1 sh. 
 
 Elizabetli Hannah and LydiaAVinchester,! sh. 
 
 This sould to Dau'l Shepardson. 
 Daniel Smith, 1 sh. 
 
 — Jonathan Bliss, 1 sh. 
 Rice Leonaixl, 1 sh. 
 William Saben, 1 sh. 
 
 - John Perrin, Sen., 1 sh. 
 George Keiidricke, 1 sh. 
 George Robinson, 1 sh. 
 John Doggett, 1 sh. 
 -John Fitch, 1 sh. 
 Richard Bowen, Jun., 1 sh. 
 Elizabeth BuUucke. 1 sh. 
 John Miller, ,Jun., 1 sh. 
 Robert Fuller, 1 sh. 
 Robert Wheaton, 1 sh. 
 Ester Hall, 1 sh. 
 
 — John Miller, Sen., 1 sh. 
 
 — -Jaret Ingrahani, 1 sh. 
 -John Kingsley, 1 sh. 
 
 Gilbert Brookes, 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas Reade, 1 sh. 
 
 Thomas Grant, i sh. 
 
 Jonathan Fuller, 1 sh. 
 
 James Gillson, 1 sh. (bought of Samuel Saben). 
 
 SauDuel Luther,! sh. (This share sold to Mr. 
 
 Phillip Squire.) 
 Nicholas Tanner, 1 sh. 
 John Allen, Jun., 1 sh. 
 Preserved Abell, 1 sh. 
 Francis Stephens, 1 sh. 
 Nicholas Ide, 1 sh. 
 Richard Whittaker, 1 sh. 
 
 ' Robert Joues intended, but spelled as above on the record. 
 
58 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Thoiuns Cooper, Sen., 1 sli. Nathaniel Pecke. 1 sh. 
 
 Samuel Pecke, 1 sh. \sy^.q\ Peoke, 1 sli. 
 
 '-^ William Buckliuid. 1 sli. Jonah Palmer, 1 sh. 
 
 ,— Joseph Buckland, 1 sh. ^-Robert Miller. 1 sh. 
 
 „JBenjamin Bucklaud, 1 sh. Nathaniel Paine. 1 sh. (i of it he bought 
 
 John Lo^ell. 1 sh. of Richard Bowen, Sen., and the other 
 
 Joanna Ide, of New Norwich, halfe a share. of Jeremiah Wheaton.) 
 
 Thomas Ormsby, * sh., l)ought of Richard _ Eldad Kinsley, 1 sh. 
 
 Bowen. Sen. The aforesaid List and the preface to it was 
 
 John Savage, 4 sh. universally agreed upon at a Meeting of the 
 
 Jacob ( )rmsby, h. sh. (that was his mother's). Purchasers, May 2Sth, lfiT2. to be entered into 
 
 John Polley. 1 sh. (that he had of his father, the Booke of Records for the North Purchased 
 
 Jon. Bosworth.) Lauds. This attested to by me, 
 
 William Allen, of Prudeuse, 1 sh. he bought William Carpenter, Jr., CJerke. 
 
 of Nathaniel Paine. 
 
 This list of proprietors, 1 as the reader perceives, was made iu 1672, by a 
 couuuittee chosen for that purpose. 
 
 The first division of lauds iu the North Purchase was made Juue 22, 1658. 
 This division was coufiued exclusively to meadow land. It was made before 
 the lands were purchased, aud was evidently intended for the immediate use 
 of the cattle of the inhabitants. It appears by the following extracts from 
 the town records of Rehoboth that the Court had made a grant of the 
 meadows in the North Purchase to the inhabitants of that town, before the 
 rest of the lands were granted, and this division was therefore an authorized 
 one. 
 
 February 23, 1657. At a town meeting lawfully warned it was voted, 
 '• that all the Meadows lying on the North side of the town, which were 
 given aud granted to the Town by the Court, shall be laid out according to 
 person and estate." 
 
 " At the same time those men whose names are here subscribed have 
 promised to go to see what meadows they can find on the North side of our 
 Town, that they may notify our town, to their best judgment, what quantity 
 there may be of it, aud this they do freely on their own charge. Wm. Car- 
 penter Senior will go 3 days on his own charge, and if he go any more he 
 is to be paid for it. Wm. Sabin, 1 day ; Lieut. Huut, 2 days ; Joseph Peck, 
 1 day; John Peck, 1 day; Henry Smith, 1 day; Wm. Bucklin, 2 days; 
 Robert Fuller, 1 day ; John Read, 1 day ; Thomas Cooper Junior, 1 day ; 
 Francis Stephens, 1 day." 
 
 At the same time those men whose names are here subscribed are accepted 
 of the freemen of the town to take up their freedom ; namely, Joseph Peck, 
 John Peck, Henry Smith, Robert Fuller, John Fitch, Steven Paine, Jonathan 
 Bliss, Wm. Bucklin, Rice Leonard. Several of these persons afterwards 
 removed to Attleborough. 
 
 June 22, 1658. It was voted, "that all the meadow that lies upon the 
 
 Many of the shareholders removed to Attleborough ; others sold to persons from other places. 
 
HIS TOUT OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 59 
 
 North side of the town, that hath been visited by certain men according to 
 the town's order, shall be lotted ont, according to person and estate." 
 
 " 14 of the 9th month, 1G61. Lient. Hunt, and Wm, Sabin were chosen 
 to confer with Mr. Willett to know what he hath done about the North side 
 of the town in the behalf of the to^vn." 
 
 ''The 28 of the 5 mo. 1662. It was voted that John AVoodcock (after- 
 wards of Attleborough) should In. '■ two rods of land to build a small house 
 on for himself and his family to be it. ^n the Lord's day in some convenient 
 place near the meetinghouse, and Goodman Paine and Lieut. Hunt were 
 chosen to see where the most convenient place might be for it." 
 
 " 1658, Jnne 22d. At a town meeting lawfully warned, Lots were drawn 
 for the meadows that lie on the North side of the town, according to person 
 and estate." 
 
 April 18, 1666. It was voted by the town "that the late purchasers of 
 land upon the north side of our town shall bear forty shillings in a rate 
 of o£ and so proportionable in all other public charges." 
 
 It was also voted that there should be a three-railed fence set np and 
 maintained between the late purchased land on the north side of the town to 
 be set up on all the end of the plain from Goodman Buckland's lands to the 
 Mill river, " and every man that is interested in the said purchased Lands to 
 bear an equal proportion in the aforesaid fence according to their proportion 
 of Lands." 
 
 It was also voted " to make choice of a Connnittee for the settling and 
 stating of the late purchased Lands on the north side of our tow^n, viz : 
 whether such, as at present seem questionable, are true proprietors of the 
 aforesaid lands ; — and tlie Committee chosen were Capt. Willett with the 
 townsmen and those that stand engaged for the payment of tlie aforesaid 
 pnrchased Lands." The committee reported April 23, 1666. 
 
 It was also voted by the town '' that Mr. Goodman Martin shall enjoy a 
 spot of fresh meadow that lies on the north side of the town lying at the end 
 of the Great Plain, during his life and his wife's, and at their decease to 
 return to the town." 
 
 At the same time it was agreed between the town and Captain Willett, 
 " that for the forty acres of meadow that he is to have to his farm, on the 
 north side of the town, he is by agreement made with the town to have 
 High Squisset and Low Squisset. and the bounds of the said Squisset's 
 meadows to be according to the sight of the Surveyors the day that they laid 
 out his farm, that is, Henry Smith and William Carpenter ; and he is also to 
 have a piece of meadow at the Seven Mile River near unto the going out at 
 the highway, and six acres of meadow at the Ten Mile River, and what there 
 wants of the six acres in quality is to be made up in quantity — the said six 
 acres of meadow on the Ten Mile River lies by the old highway as we go into 
 the Bay." 
 
60 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 "April 23d, 1666. The Committee that was chosen by the town April 
 18th 1666, at a town meeting, for the stating and settling of the late pur- 
 chased lands, upon the North side of our town, the aforesaid committee 
 being met together this twent}' third of April, we see cause tliat there shall 
 be seventy six whole shares and equal purchasers in the aforesaid Lands, and 
 six persons that have half shares, which we see cause to add to the seventy 
 six whole shares, so that the whole number of shares amounts to seventy nine 
 shares." 
 
 May 19, 1666. At a town meeting lawfully warned, the town concluded 
 to have a meeting upon the last Tuesday in June, " to consider of the 
 meadows on the north side of the town, how they may be disposed of for 
 this present year; it is therefore agreed by this town, that no man shall mow 
 a load or a part of a load of grass, before the town hath disposed of them, 
 upon the penalty of twenty shillings the load or part of a load." 
 
 October 16, 1666. At a town meeting it was concluded that the pur- 
 chased lands on the north side of the town " shall be divided between this 
 and the first of May next ensuing." It was also voted by the town, " that 
 no person shall fall any trees upon the aforesaid lands on tlie north side of 
 our town before the said lauds be divided, upon the penalty of ten shillings 
 for every tree so fallen." The same day John Doggett, John Woodcock, 
 and John Titus were chosen by tiie town "to see what timber trees are 
 fallen on the late purchased lands on the north side of our town, and they 
 shall have the forfeiture for their pains, and the trees to those that the land 
 shall fall to." 
 
 June 22, 1667. At a town meeting it was voted by the town that the 
 meadows lying on the north side of tiie town " shall be for this present year, 
 as they were the last year." 
 
 April 10, 1668. " The town chose a Committee to go and view the 
 meadows that are in the North Purchase and to acre them out, to divide them 
 into three score and eighteen parts and a half, and to mark and bound out 
 each part and put in such swamps as in their prudence they think meet, to 
 be laid out in the said division — provided they do it equally as they can. 
 The said committee are Anthony Perry, Philip Walker, Thomas WiImot,i 
 Nicholas Ide ; to be paid by the whole company of purchasers." 
 
 May 13, 1668. The town made an agreement with Goodman Allen " that 
 he is to have the twenty acres of Meadow that is laid out by Ensign Smith 
 at Sinecheticonet, and the Meadow called the Parson's Meadow, and all that 
 is within his farm, for his thirty acres of meadow that lie purchased of Major 
 Winslow — and also for his full share of meadow on the North Purchase." 
 It was also voted " that the rates upon the North side of the town be lowered, 
 and part taken off, that is to say, wliereas the lands upon the North Purchase 
 
 > Now Wilmarth. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 61 
 
 paid 40 sMUiugs of 5 pounds in all rates, that now the said lands shall pay 
 20 shillings in 5 pounds until the town see cause to alter it." 
 
 May 26, 1G68. It was voted that John Woodcock "shall have the 
 meadow upon the Ten Mile Kiver between Capt. Willett's meadow and his 
 own Meadow, and another piece that the townsmen shall appoint him that 
 were chosen by the town to acre the meadows in the North Purchase, for two 
 shares of meadow on the N. Purchase." 
 
 The 26th of May, 1668, lots were drawu for the meadows' in the North 
 Purchase. 
 
 The first division of general lands was granted by the proprietors at a 
 meetino- held February 9, 1668. Lots were drawn for this divisiou March 
 18, 1668-69. The previous divisions had been confined to meadow land. 
 
 " At a town meeting lawfully warned February 9th 1668, it was voted 
 that there should be Fifty acres of upland laid out on the north side of the 
 town to every share, speedily ; and the rest to ])e laid out with as unich con- 
 venieucy as may be." This was the first general division, and the number of 
 proprietors was eighty-two. In 1685 it was eiglity-three, and at another divi- 
 sion, November 7, 1699, the number had increased to one hundred and thirty- 
 three. It was voted that there should be a committee chosen '' to view where 
 there is good land for the laying out of a divisiou of lauds on the north pur- 
 chase," and that the aforesaid fifty acres to a share should be forthwith laid 
 out, and then lots should be drawn by the aforesaid purchasers according to 
 the agreement. 
 
 At a towu meeting lawfully warned the 18tli of March, 1668-69, '^ it was 
 voted that there should be fifty acres of land laid out to a share on the North 
 purchased lands." 
 
 It was also provided that the purchasers should draw lots for their choice ; 
 and that each one should choose his lands successively according to his turn, 
 and give notice to the next in turn ; and that if any neglected or refused to 
 make choice and lay out his land in his turn, for the space of three days 
 after notice was given him, he should wait until all others had made choice 
 in regular order. 
 
 At this meeting a conunittee of eight were chosen, any two of whom 
 might act, to see that these rights should not be laid out so as to inter- 
 fere with highways, previous divisions of meadows, or other lotments. This 
 committee were William Sabin, Nicholas Peck, Samuel Newman, James 
 Reddeway, Thomas Willmot, Samuel Peck, Lieutenant Hunt. Joseph Buck- 
 land. Nine purchasers entered a protest against the manner of laying out 
 the lands by choosing ; namely, Captain Willett, Mr. Myles, William Sabin, 
 Mr. Brown, Deacon Cooper, John Miller, Sen., John Peren, Sen., George 
 Kendricke, William Carpenter. 
 
 1 Granted by the Court previous to the purchase. 
 
62 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 "The Names ^ of those that drew for a Division ou the North Purchase, 
 18th March, 1668-9." 
 
 John Titus 
 
 Joseph Buckland 
 
 John Ornisby 
 
 Children's Lands - 
 
 Nath"! Paine 
 
 Goody Hide 
 
 Rice Leonard 
 
 John Allin. Jim. 
 
 Nicholas Peck 
 
 Ichabod Miller, Jun. 
 
 Robert Wheatou 
 
 John Duggett 
 
 Deacon Cooper 
 
 Phillip Walker 
 
 Tho. Read 
 
 Joseph Peck 
 
 John Read, Sen. 
 
 Jonathan Bliss 
 
 Roger Amidowne 
 
 Stephen Paine, Jun. 
 
 Thomas and Jacob Ornisby 
 
 Richard Bullock 
 
 Daniel Smith 
 
 John Kingsley 
 
 Obadiah Bowing 
 
 John Peren, Sen. 
 
 Robert Joanes 
 Will. Buckland 
 James Gillson 
 Israil Peck 
 Anth. Perry 
 Eldad Kingsley 
 Tho. Cooper, Jun. 
 Mr. Myles 
 Richard Bemis, .Jr. 
 John Fitch 
 Joseph Carpenter 
 Preserved Aljel 
 ,Tohn Woodcock 
 .John Allen, Sen. 
 Nich. Ide 
 Capt. Willet 
 -James Reddeway 
 Sam. Newman 
 Stephen Paine, Sen. 
 Jona. Palmer 
 Robert Miller 
 Tho. Willmot 
 Gilljert Brooks 
 Wid. Carpenter 
 Left. Hunt 
 -Jaret Ingraham 
 Francis Stephens 
 
 -John Read, Jun. 
 Mr. Newman 
 Rich. Martin 
 .John Butterworth 
 George Kcudrick 
 John Lowell 
 Thomas Grant 
 Mr. Brown 
 Nath. Peck 
 George Robinson 
 Jonathan Fuller 
 Jonathan Bosworth 
 Sam. Peck 
 Robert Fuller 
 Nath. Paine, -Jr. 
 Richard Whittaker 
 Sam. Carpenter 
 Edward Hall 
 Nicholas Tanner 
 John Savage 
 Will. Saben 
 Will. Carpenter 
 Sampson Mason 
 John Peck 
 Ben. Buckland 
 Hen. Smith 
 Sam. Luther 
 
 Complaints were often made that the lands in the North Purchase were 
 rated or assessed too high. There is the following record on this subject : — 
 
 At a meeting of proprietors of the North Purchase the 26th of August, 
 1670, it was voted, " that the townsmen should choose three men to discuss 
 and also to end any difference with such persons as are chosen by the com- 
 plainers of the provisions of the Rates." The time set to meet was " this 
 day s'en'uit at the meeting house ; and if not ended to attend the next Court 
 at Plymouth to defend and answer such complaints as are made against the 
 rating of these lands." 
 
 A mile and a half on the south side of this town was granted to Rehoboth, 
 by order of Court, June, 1668. ^ 
 
 June, 1668. "This Court have ordered that a tract of laud containing a 
 mile and a half h'ing on the North side of the town of Rehoboth is allowed 
 to be the proper right of the said township. And for such lauds as are lying 
 
 'See List of Proprietors in 1707, September 16, N. P. Records, vol. 2, p. 3. See List April 14, 
 1735, vol. 2, p. 133. 
 
 -Children of Alexander Winchester, deceased. 
 
 2 It was restored to Attleborough in 1710. If it — the North Purchase — belonged to, and was a part 
 of Relioboth, why did that town ask for an enlargement of a mile and a half from that territory when 
 the whole tract belonged to it? 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 63 
 
 betwixt the Bay Hue and it is to be accounted witiiin the Coustablerick of 
 Rehoboth, uutil the Court shall order it otherwise. And that such farms as 
 lyeth within the said liberties shall be responsible in point of rating at the 
 Colony's disposal." — Old Col. Bee. 
 
 There is the following vote concerning this tract in Rehoboth Records : — 
 
 November 8, 1670. At a town meeting lawfully warned it was voted that 
 the line should be forthwith run between the North Purchase and the mile and 
 a half given to the town for enlargement. 
 
 The committee were " Lieut. Hunt and Ensign Smith, Nicholas Peck and 
 Will. Carpenter." 
 
 Committees were also chosen to see that no timber on the north side should 
 be " fallen or drawn away." Great difficulty was experienced in preventing 
 the loss of timber on the undivided lands. 
 
 December 26, 1670. It was voted that there should be a town meeting 
 " this day fortnight about ten of the clock in the morning," and that there 
 should be a committee chosen " to draw up such propositions as they think will 
 be most expedient for the settling of the differences on the north side of the 
 town concerning those lands, considering that all the purchasers of the land 
 have not yet given them, Mr. Browu engaging to give notice to all the pro- 
 prietors of those lands that dwell at Swansea ; and that these propositions be 
 tendered at the said town meeting, that, if it were the will of God, there 
 might be a unanimous agreement. The committee chosen were Lieut. Hunt, 
 Ensign Smith, Nathaniel Paine, Nicholas Peck and Anthony Perry." 
 
 November 23, 1670. A committee was chosen to meet the treasurer of 
 Taunton to settle the bounds between the North Purchase and Taunton 
 North Purchase. Committee were " Ensign Smith, Wm. Sabin, Wm. 
 Carpenter." 
 
 At a meeting of the proprietors. May 28, 1672, it was voted " that for 
 the comfortable and peaceable settlement of the lands and meadows on the 
 North side of the town ; — whereas there has been great dissatisfaction in 
 respect of the unequal division of meadows ; — and. forasmuch as there was 
 a Committee chosen in the year 1688 for the bounding of the meadows 
 betwixt the Tens; — there shall be a new committee added to them, to make 
 diligent search and take a deliberate view of the meadows and swamps within 
 all the several Tens, with power to add to those Tens which needed amend- 
 ment, and bound them all; and also to redress any grievance which any par- 
 ticular person suffers. This order is not to take place till after six months." 
 It was provided that the said committee should " bound all the Tens before 
 any more upland lots are laid out, if they do it within two months." 
 
 At a meeting of purchasers, February 18, 1684, it was voted that there 
 should be a division of fifty acres to a share in the North Purchase ; William 
 Carpenter was chosen surveyor to lay it out. Voted that there should be a 
 meeting of the purchasers to draw lots for said division " the last Tuesday 
 
64 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of June next ensuing." Accordingly, at a meeting held June 29, 1685, lots 
 ■were drawn for said fifty acres of upland among eighty-three persons. 
 
 At a proprietors' meeting, October 31, 1699, it was voted that there should 
 be two divisions of lands in the North Purchase forthwith laid out to the said 
 proprietors according to their rights in said lands, that is, fifty acres to a 
 whole share in both divisions ; namely, twenty-five acres to the first division, 
 and twenty-five acres to the second division; "and he that is first in the 
 first division shall be last in the second division," and so on. 
 
 At their next meeting, November 7, 1699, the proprietors drew lots for the 
 new division. They had increased at this time to one hundred and thirty- 
 three in number. 
 
 In the year 1694 the inhabitants of the North Purchase were incorporated 
 into a township by an Act of the General Court of Massachusetts. 
 
 Previous to this time, as has been stated, the North Purchase was within 
 the jurisdiction, but not within the chartered limits, of Rehoboth. It was 
 annexed to that town, for a temporary and special purpose. If it had been 
 a part of the tow^n, there was no need of annexation. The inhabitants were 
 subjected to the municipal authority, and had for the time all the rights of 
 freemen of that town. It was properly a plantation of Rehoboth. It was 
 ordered by Plymouth Court to be within the jurisdiction of that town until 
 it should be incorporated. July 5, 1671. "The Court have ordered that 
 the North Purchase (so called) shall lie unto the town of Rehoboth, until 
 it comes to be a township ; and in the meantime to bear the seventh part 
 of all the rates that sliall be levied for the public charges of that town ; 
 and when the said Purchase shall become a Township by itself, then the said 
 township of Rehoboth to be eased in their rates." — Old Col. Rec. 
 
 An act raising £4,841 10s. for the whole province was passed October 27, 
 1694-95, and Attleborough was assessed £12. It was common to provide for 
 the government of these outlying settlements by annexing them to some 
 town having a municipal government or legal status. ^ 
 
 1 In 1661 Plymouth Court ordered that Rehoboth jurisdiction extend over or " unto Sowamsett." 
 See Bliss' Rehoboth, p. 52. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 65 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BLACKSTONE. 
 
 THE first white inlialjitaut witliin the original limits of the town was the 
 celebrated William Blackstone, a man of many peculiarities and a 
 singular history. He was also the first settler and sole progenitor of Shaw- 
 7nut, now the site of the great city of Boston. There were two or three indi- 
 viduals at a distance, on Mavericlv and Thompson's islands in the harbor, 
 apparently having no connection with him.^ PLverything relating to the 
 unique life of this eccentric though amiable man must be interesting not only 
 to the people of this town, but to all who feel an interest in the ancient 
 history of the colonies. 
 
 He came to this country from England soon after the Pilgrim Fathers, as 
 early as lG2o-26, and settled first at Boston, called by the Indians Shcuvmut, 
 meaning a spring of water. Here he commenced his solitary life, built his 
 house, cnltivated his lands, and planted his orchard, where the first apples 
 in Massachusetts were grown. He had undoubtedly occupied the peninsula 
 several years, and alone, prior to the arrival of Governor Winthrop's Com- 
 pany in 1630. They at first located theiliselves at Charlestown, but finding 
 the water bad, and ''Hiving that plain neck that was then called Blackstone's 
 Neck," they soon removed ))y invitation to the peninsula, where they found 
 a good spring of water. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone had been in England a clergyman of the Ustablished 
 Church, and was a well-educated man ; he graduated at Emmanuel College, 
 Cambridge University, receiving his degree A.B. in 1617, and A.M. in 1621. 
 What the special occasion of his leaving his native country and coming here 
 was, is not wholly known. It is thought by some that he had some connec- 
 tion with Sir Ferdinand Gorges- in his enterprise. None have traced him 
 to his birthplace or any home in his native country', for the name is not 
 
 1 One Walfoid, lived at Charlestown; Maverick, on what is now East Boston; Thompson, on the 
 island still bearing his name; and Blackstone, at Shawmut, are supposed to have held their lands 
 Tinder Gorges' patent, and thought to have been the pioneers of a projecteil plantation. See a pamphlet 
 ■entitled " Blackstone, Boston's First Inhabitant," published in Boston, in 1877. 
 
 = In 1G23 a patent was issued to Robert Gorges, son of Sir Ferdinand Gorges, including ten miles on 
 Massachusetts Bay, thirty inland, ami some islands, and it is now said that EJlackstone received 
 a right from him, and tliat he may have come to this country in 1(52:5, with the colonists whom Gorges 
 sent out in that year to establish a plantation at Weymouth. Subsequently Sir Ferdiuaml Gorges 
 persuaded his son to give up his patent, and in 1629 another was issued to Winthrop, who arrived in 
 1630, as stated above. See pamphlet above quoted. 
 
66 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 a very coninion one in England. ^ He lived, however, in an age of religiou& 
 bigotiy, intolerance, and persecution, and, " not being able," as be said, " to 
 endure the power of the Lords Bishops," he left his native land and sought 
 an asylum in the wilds of America, where he might enjoy his own opinions 
 unmolested. 
 
 The peninsula, as we have seen, was called " Blackstone's Neck," and as 
 first occupant of the place he claimed the whole as his property. After 
 residing a few years with the new settlers of Shaivmut, he found there was 
 the same intolerant and overbearing spirit among those new associates. 
 They attempted to eject him from his lands under preteuce that they were 
 entitled to them by a grant from the English king. Mr. Blackstone declined 
 to have his rights taken from him even by a sceptered hand, saying in his 
 independent and characteristic way, " The King asserteth sovereignty of this 
 New England because John and Sebastian Cabot sailed along the coast with- 
 out even lauding at any place ; and if the quality of sovereignty can subsist 
 upon the substratum of mere inspection, surely the quality of property can 
 subsist upon that of actual occupancy, which is the foundation of my claim." 
 Becoming thus very naturally ''discontented with the power of the Lords 
 Brethren," he felt compelled to seek another retreat. His claim was recog- 
 nized by the new settlers, but to how just an extent it is difficult to deter- 
 mine. At one time they decided to set off fifty acres for him " near to his 
 house in Boston, to enjoy forever," but this seems not to have been a satis- 
 factory offer, and finally they purchased the relinquishment of his title, 
 reserving for him his garden and house lot and pasture about six acres in 
 all. According to Prince's Chronfdes, his cottage stood "on the south side 
 of Charles river mouth, on a point of land called Blackstone's Point," and 
 near a spring.- Mr. Blackstone must have been a man of substance, for 
 
 1 But I have found the followiug memoranda in one of the ancient local histories of England ; John 
 Blaxton, Vicar of Osmington, in Dorset, lH-21. In 1650, Mr. .Jolm Blaxton incumbent, and had been 
 so twenty-eight years. lie was the author of the following work, published in 1634: "The English 
 Usurer, or Usury condemned, by the most learned and famous Divines of the Church of England. 
 Collected by .John Blaxton, Preacher of Go<l's Word at Osmington, in Dorsetshire." "London: 
 Printed by .John Norton, and are to be sold by Francis Bowman in Oxford. 1634." In 1650-.5-2 " .John 
 Blaxton the Vicar, had an augmentation out of Lord Peters' impropriation here." There was 
 a Samuel Blaxton, June 5, 1662. Hiitchin's Dorsetshire, vol. i, p. 432. These were cotemporaries of 
 our Blackstone. What connection, if any, did they bear to him? There was a John Blaxton in the 
 time of Elizabeth, and one Marmaduke Blaxton was admitted A.M. at Queen's College, and in 1625 
 "he was a dignitary in the Church of Durham." One John Blackstone, a member of Parliament, 
 seems to have taken an active interest in the early plantations of tliis State. He was a member of 
 the "Council" which issued patents, and as such, "joined in a power to William Blackstone to 
 deliver seisin under one of its patents." It is not positively known if relationship between these 
 two existed, but it may with foundation be so conjectured. See pampldet before quoted. 
 
 2 It is now the accepted fact that Winthrop's Company acknowledged Blackstone's claim, under the 
 Gorges patent, to the territory subsequently granted to them, and so purchased his right to the 
 territory to which he had invited them in their sore distress, when fatal sickness assailed them a,t 
 Charlestown. Blackstone was admitted a freeman in 1631; in 1633 the fifty acres of land was set oflf 
 to him near his house, and in 1634 " he released all except six acres in a general release of the whole 
 peninsula." This fifty acres, his " park and pasture," mentioned in the deposition of Odlyn as 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 67 
 
 in 1628 liis share of a levy made to defray the expenses of "the campaign 
 against Morton at Merry Mount " was twelve shillings, a large sum for tliose - 
 days, and though the smallest of the several levies made, was more than 
 a third of that of the whole town of Salem. 
 
 AYith the purchase money for his lands he bought a "stock of cows," 
 which he carried with him when he removed to his new settlement on the 
 Pawtueket River. Instead of contending with his neighbors he fled from 
 their society and persecutions. It w^as in 1634 that he sold his right and 
 title in the peninsula to the inhabitants of Boston, each one paying him six 
 shillings, and some of them more. 
 
 The following document, quoted in Shaw's History of Boston, gives some 
 ■of the particulars of this purchase : — 
 
 The deposition of John Odlyu, aged about 82 years; Robert AY allier, aged about 78 years; 
 Francis Hudson, aged al)out 66 years; and William Lytherlaud, aged 76 years. These 
 deponents being antient dwellers and inhabitants of the town of Boston, from the time of the 
 first planting thereof, do jointly testify and depose, that in or about the year of our Lord six- 
 teen hundred and thirty four, the then present inhabitants of said town, (of whom the Hon. 
 John Winthrop, Esq. Governor of the Colony, was chiefe). did treate and agree with Mr. 
 Williuui Blaokstone for the purchase of his estate and right in any lands lying within the said 
 neck of laud, called Boston, and for said purchase agreed that every householder should pay 
 six shillings, which was accordingly collected — none paying less, some considerably more; 
 and the said sum was paid to Mr. Blackstone. to his full content. Reserving unto himself 
 about six acres of laud on the point, commonly called Blackstone's Point, on part whereof his 
 then dwelling-house stood. After which purchase, the town laid out a place for a Training 
 Field, which ever since, and now is used for that purpose, and for the feeding of cattle: 
 Walker and Lytherland further testify, that Mr. Blackstone bought a stock of cowes with th 
 money he received, and removed near Providence, where he lived till the day of his death. 
 Sworn to the 10th of June, 1684, l)efore S. Bradstreet, Governor, and Samuel Sewall, Assistant. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone received £30 for his right to the peninsula as appears 
 by the following record: The "10th day of the 9 mo. 1634." Voted that 
 a rate be made, namely : " a rate for £30 to Mr. Blackstone." 
 
 Reckoning March i the first month, this assessment was made in November. 
 The purchase of course was made previous to this date, and Blackstone, in all 
 probability, removed early in the subsequent spring. We can hardly con- 
 ceive the difficulties of such a journey at that time. No highways opened a 
 passage for him, and the Indian paths led in varying directions. No sign- 
 posts pointed a guiding finger for the traveler ; he must find his way unaided, 
 and, more than that, guide his wayward cattle and transport his household 
 goods. How this was done we cannot tell, but it was in some way successfully 
 accomplished. 
 
 having been made into a " training field," was without doubt Boston's beautiful Common. His 
 orchard was close by, and his house probably stood on the site "bounded by Beacon, Walnut, and 
 Spruce Streets." Bevond the deposition of Odlyu. one of Anne Pollard, the first of Wiuthrop's 
 colonists to leap ashore, which was taken in 1711, confirms the boundaries of Blackstone's property, 
 as do his deed to Richard Pepys of six acres, and various deeds and wills relating to the same for 
 a hundred years after his departure to Attleborough. 
 
 iThe year, according to Old Style, commenced March 25, Pope Gregory's correction of 15S2 not 
 being adopted by the English Parliament until 1751, more than a century later than this date. 
 
68 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 It is said that he resided in Shawmut about ten years, and the authority 
 may be relied on as quite accurate. One Lechford, an Englishman, who 
 visited America in 1637, and published his writings in London in 1641, says: 
 " One Master Blaxton, a minister went from Boston, having lived there nine 
 ov\ten years, he lives neere Master Williams, but is far from his opinions." 
 In 1635, then, he removed about thirty-five miles to another retreat still 
 farther in the wilderness. This place ' was on the banks of the Pawtueket 
 Kiver — which now bears his name — and on the east side of the river, his 
 lands adjoining it. It was within ''tlie ancient limits of Attleborough, in that 
 part called the Gore, now Cumborlaiul, R. I. Writers have seemed to mis- 
 imderstand the facts with regard to his residence. Blackstone never lived in 
 Rhode Island. After his removal from Boston, he located, lived, and died 
 within the territory of Plymouth, or Old Colony. The boundaries are differ- 
 ent from what they were when he lived and died. Cumberland was not set 
 off to Rhode Island till 1747, more than one hundred and ten years after he 
 located himself in the Rehoboth North Purchase. It was seventy years after his 
 death before the change in the line between the two States. The Pawtueket 
 River was then the boundary between the Colonies, and Blackstone was this 
 side the river, and the territory which he occupied and cultivated, and which 
 contains his grave, was in Massachusetts.^ Some historians forget the dis- 
 cretionary powers of the Royal Commissioners and their arbitrary proceedings 
 under their " Commissions by order of the King in Council." 
 
 This time, 1635, was about ten years before the settlement of Rehoboth, 
 and a few years before that of Providence, for it was in 1636 that Roger 
 Williams came to Seekouk, which place he was obliged to leave, going from 
 there to the place which was later Providence. Here in this secluded forest 
 Blackstone found a congenial home amid the solemn silence of nature. Here 
 he rebuilt a house, replanted orchard and garden, surrounding them with a 
 park for his daily walk, and here he laid out his fields for cultivation. Here 
 he could indulge his love for meditation, enjoy the companionship of nature 
 and his much loved animals, with his books and studies to charm the loneliest 
 hours. Here in this quiet spot, this peaceful solitude on the banks of a 
 gently fiowing river, he lived the remaining forty years of his life, and here 
 for more than two hundred years he has slept in the more peaceful, more pro- 
 found silence of the grave. 
 
 His dwelling-house, Avhich he called " Study Hall," was a few rods from the 
 banks of the river, near the hill which ascended by a gentle slope, and his 
 
 1 It was includeil In the R. N. P., embraced by the boundaries of this town wlieu it was incorporated 
 and so remained for more than a century. 
 
 2 This tcn-itory was called the " Attleborough Gore," because the tract which was afterwards named 
 Cumberland commenced at a point on the east shore of Pawtueket River (now the IJlackstone), and 
 ran a due north line to the Massachusetts Colony line, cutting or dividing Attleborougli into two 
 nearly e(iual parts, making Cumberland in the form of a fan or gore — a triangle, with its south point 
 on tlie river — spreading on the Hay line about seven miles. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 69 
 
 orchard was just east of the hill. This eminence he called " Study Hill," a 
 name it long retained. The place is about three miles above Pawtucket, in 
 the present town of Lonsdale, where the late Colonel Simon Whipple resided. 
 The Indian name of the place was Waivepoonseag, the place of nets or snares, 
 vxore meaning a goose. This name is mentioned in the " Plymouth 
 Records " in describing the boundaries of the North Purchase, in 1661 : '' From 
 Rehoboth, ranging upon Pawtucket River, to a place called by the natives 
 Wnwepoonseaf/,^ where our Blackstone now sojourneth." His title to the 
 lands which he occupied was respected by the Plymouth government. Accord- 
 ing to the " Old Cf)lony Records," on '• March 5th, 167J, Mr. Stephen Paine, 
 Sen. of Rehoboth, and Mr. Nicholas Tanner were appointed by the Court to 
 see Mr. lUackstoiie's land laid forth according to the grant." After his 
 death the government ordered them recorded to him. 
 
 For many years Mr. Blackstone must have lived in complete isolation and 
 seclusion, for his abode was far from human habitations or the haunts of his 
 fellow-men. Stray Indians may have occasionally visited him in their hunt- 
 ing and fishing excursions, but beyond such infrequent visits he was probably 
 companionless. He certainly tested thoroughly the advantages, if such there 
 be, of a solitary life ; but at last, possibly because of approaching age, but more 
 probably because he was true to the instincts of our nature and the dictates 
 of the human heart, he decided that •• it is not good for man to be alone," 
 and " he sighed for some one to enjoy the solitude with him." What soft per- 
 suasions he whispered into the ear of Sarah Stevenson which induced her to 
 forsake the society of relatives and friends in Boston to become the constant 
 companion of the sage of the wilderness, history has not revealed ; but ancient 
 records have told us that they were married, July 4, 1659, " by John 
 Endicott, Governor." Blackstone's lonely dwelling was thus enlivened by 
 the presence of woman, and one son was the fruit of the union. The life, if 
 retired and so far from such markets as the towns then afforded, was not of 
 necessity unvaried or frugal. Milk and meat were obtained from the herds, 
 fish from the river, game from the forest, and these, with the fruits and vege- 
 tables raised on the fields, afforded abundant food. 
 
 Mrs. Blackstone was the widow of John Stevenson, of Boston, who had by 
 her at least three children : Onesimus, born 26th 10th mo. 1643 ; John, born 
 7th mo. 1645 ; (baptized 28th September, 1645) ; James, born October 1st, 
 1653. The second son, .John Stevenson, lived with his mother after her mar- 
 riage with Mr. Blackstone, and after their decease continued at the same place 
 during the remainder of his life. Mrs. Blackstone died in June, 1673. The 
 following is found in the Rehoboth Records: "Mrs. Sarah Blackstone, 
 
 1 It is supposed by a writer in the Mass. Hist. Coll. to he properly the name of a brook, now called 
 Abbott's Run, which enters the river not far from the site of Study Hall. It is said by tradition that 
 Mr. Blackstone had a servant whose name was Abbott, to whom he gave the land on this " run " 
 now bearing that name. 
 
70 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the wife of Mr. ■\Villiam Blaxton, was buried aVtout the middle of June 1673." 
 Man}' of the ancient records mention the da}' of the burial, but not that of 
 the death of persons. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone survived his wife only about two years, and died May 26, 
 1675, a few weeks before the commencement of the great Indian War, thus 
 having escaped witnessing the horrors of that awful period and the complete 
 destruction which awaited his " fair domain." He was always on good terms 
 with the Indians. Miantonimo, the nephew of Canonchet king of the Narra- 
 gansetts, Ocamsequin, Massasoit king of the Wampenoags, Canonchet, and 
 King Philip were his friends, and through his instrumentality and influence 
 hostilities may have been averted. He was of the "age of fourscore," at 
 his death, and the record on the Rehoboth book of his burial is "Mr. 
 William Blaxton buried the 28th of May, 1675." 
 
 The name has been written in several ways, but Blaxton was the form he 
 chose. As wa-itten now it has become so fixed upon the records of the 
 countr}' that it would be inexpedient to change it, and the modern orthography 
 is the more agreeable of the two. Blackstone had lived in New England 
 about fifty years, ten at .Shawmut and forty at this place, and was quite 
 advanced in years. A brief notice of his death is furnished by his friend, 
 Roger Williams. At the date of June 13, 1675, he says: "About a fort- 
 night since your old acquaintance, Mr. Blackstone, departed this life in the 
 fourscore year of his age. Four days before his death he had a great pain 
 in his breast and back and bowels ; afterwards, he said he was well, had no 
 pain, and should live, but he grew fainter, and yielded up his breath without a 
 groan." 1 Thus died this patriarch of the wilderness. 
 
 Around him was still the wilderness when death snatched him from the 
 sylvan retreat which he loved ; but, though the footsteps of men were fast 
 approaching, how would he be astonished to behold the region around it — 
 the place which he once thought secure from the haunt of men, now swarm- 
 ing with an industrious and thriving population ! How would he grieve 
 to find the stream, whose placid waters as they flowed by his dwelling he 
 delighted to contemplate, now interrupted by numerous water-works, and the 
 silence which then reigned around him now disturbed by the buzz of thou- 
 sands of spindles ! To what ignoble purposes is his classic stream now 
 devoted ! What a contrast ! It is a change which the peace-loving spirit of 
 Blackstone could not endure. Did he seek for solitude to-day, he must drive 
 his herd for many a weary mile, beyond the " Great Lakes," over the 
 ' Father of Waters," never resting until he reached the wilds of the Rocky 
 Mountains, or some quiet corner of the great plains of the far AVest. 
 
 Mr. Blackstone left a considerable property, as may be seen from the fol- 
 lowing inventory, taken May 28, 1675. "This was taken but two davs 
 
 1 4ih, Mass. Hist. Coll. 0-209. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 71 
 
 after his death," says Bliss, in his History of Rehoboth, " and was a common 
 practice, owing to the condition of the times."' 
 
 REAL ESTATE NOT PRIZED. 
 
 Sixty acres of laiul, aiul two shares in meadows in Providence. The west plain, the souths 
 neck, and land about the house and orchard, amounting to two hundred acres, and the meadow- 
 called Blackstone's Meadow. 
 
 The following is the personal property : — 
 
 LIBRARY. 
 
 3 Bibles, 10s. ; 6 English books in folios, £2 £2 10s. 
 
 3 Latin books, in folio, 15s. ; 3 do., large quarto, £2 2 15s. 
 
 15 small quarto, £1 17s. fid.; 14 small do., lis 2 lis. 6d. 
 
 30 large octavo, £4; 25 small do., £1 5s 5 5s. 
 
 22 duodecimo 1 l3s. 
 
 53 small do., of little value 13s. 
 
 10 paper books ; 5s. 
 
 15 12s. 6d. 
 Remainder personal 40 lis. 
 
 Total personal £56 3s. 6d. 
 
 "This estate (the movables) was destroyed and carried away by the 
 natives," says a marginal note on the Plymouth Colony Records. This library 
 contained one hundred and eighty-four volumes, certainly a large library 
 to be in the possession of a private gentleman of that day in the wilds of 
 America. The historian will always painfully regret the destruction of those 
 "paper books," which were probably manuscripts, and must have contained 
 the meditations of this solitary thinker, and might have revealed the mys- 
 teries of his strange residence in the New World. What a treasure was lost 
 by the fire-brand of the savage ! How interesting we should find a mere cata- 
 logue of those volumes — the associates of his retirement, the joy and solace 
 of his long life ! AVe know his was a mind and spirit which could not brook 
 the tyranny of men; but what other causes than those known, if any, con- 
 tributed to his removal to this country will probably always be a profound 
 secret. We can hardly imagine what strong influence there was which could 
 have moved him to forsake his home and all his kindred without the hope of 
 meeting them again; what could have induced such a man, with his tastes 
 and pursuits, to leave the halls of learning and the cultivated society of old 
 England, to become a hermit in New P^ngland. 
 
 He was by no means a misanthrope, but a man of natural benevolence, 
 who took this mode of indulging his love for solitude and securing the unre- 
 strained enjoyment of his own sentiments and tastes. He did not shun man 
 because he hated him, but because he loved solitude more than society. He 
 was fond of study and contemplation, and here he could enjoy both. His 
 independent and original mind and character held nothing in common with 
 the dogmatical and persecuting spirit of the age, and he determined to escape 
 
72 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 its presence and iuttuence and avoid the theological controversies of the da}'. 
 He was not idle, tliough alone. He cultivated his garden and reared his 
 orchard with his own hands. He is said to have lieen devoted to his books, 
 and though meditative in his habits, yet cheerful in his disposition. Though 
 for so long a time a hermit, he was certainly not morose or disagreeable, and 
 enjoyed intercourse with his kind if it could be peaceable. 
 
 He frequently visited Roger Williams, the father of Rhode Island, being 
 only about six miles away from him, and it is said he was also a visitor at 
 times at Richard Smith's fine old mansion, which is "still at Wickford on the 
 Narragausett shore, which was also a favorite resort of Roger Williams." It 
 is understood b}' all antiquarians that he preached for Mr. Williams — to his 
 jiudience and people. They differed on certain theological points, but both 
 tjeiug decided " tolerationists," they "agreed to disagree," and so harmo- 
 nized, their relations being of the most intimate and friendly kind. One says 
 of Mr. Blackstone : "Though a non-conformist, and detesting prelacy, his 
 ^canonical coat, which he continued to wear here, sliows he was still attaclted 
 to the f^uglish Church, and regarded himself as a teacher of its tenets." 
 In Johnson's Wonder Working Providence, the writer speaks of him as 
 "retaining no simbole of his former profession but a Canonicall Coate." 
 The p]piscopal Church very naturally claimed him as its son ; though while 
 here it is to be presumed he was not witl'.in its fold, as ^Episcopalians could 
 hardly have been numerous enough at that time in his vicinity to have 
 formed an exclusive audience, and there seems no reason to doubt his liaving 
 joiued with that of his friend, preaching there and in the neighboring towns. 
 It has been thought by some that he settled in the " Gore" with tlie special 
 design of either planting or extending the Cimrch of PEngland ; but there 
 seems to be no proof to substantiate such an idea, while there is strong evi- 
 idence that the same motives and experiences which partially, at least, induced 
 him to leave PEngland induced him to emigrate again after reaching these 
 shores. 
 
 Among other anecdotes, it is related of Blackstone that he tamed a 
 bull, it is said of cream color, which he used to ride on his journeys to Bos- 
 ton, Providence, and elsewhere to visit friends ; but this cannot be considered 
 a proof of eccentricity. In order not to misjudge tlie character of the early 
 settlers, we must consider the circumstances in which they were placed. 
 Among isolated settlers of that period it was a common practice to train 
 such animals to carry burdens of all kinds — a practice not entirely extinct 
 at the present time. If there were horses in the settlements at that age, 
 they were rare, and would have been of little use or value, for there were no 
 carriage roads, no carriages. It excited no curiosity to see a person riding 
 such an animal, and many instances of a similar nature are known. A well- 
 known instance is at the time of the wedding of John Alden and Priscilla Mul- 
 l,ins, " On proceeding to the nuptials," it is said, " he covered his bull with a 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 73 
 
 handsome piece of broadcloth, and rode on his back ; but on the return he 
 seated his bride upon the animal, and walked by her side, leading the bull by 
 a rope fixed in his nose ring." 
 
 Mr. Blackstone " was also remarkable," says Mr. Baylies,' " for his love 
 of children." "When he visited Providence, he carried apples from his 
 orchard to give to children — the first they had ever seen,- and the first prob- 
 ably ever raised in what is now Rhode Island. At a centennial celebration 
 once held in Boston under the direction of the Massachusetts Historical 
 Society, a present of apples was sent to their table from Cumbei'land, said to 
 have grown on the trees which grew from the sprouts of those in Blackstone's 
 orchard. Some of the trees planted by his own hands were living a hundred 
 and fort}" years after they were set out. In 1646 there was an apple named 
 after him. In Historical Records, vol. 2, p. 332 : " Aug. 12, 1646, Black- 
 stone's apples gathered " ; perhaps propagated from apples whicb he had origi- 
 nated at Shawmut. Some writer says " he had the first of that kind called 
 yellow sweetings that were ever in the world, perhaps, the richest and sweet- 
 est apples of the whole kind." He was also said to be fond of roses, which 
 he grew at least in Shawmut. In 1836 three apple trees were standing in the 
 meadow near the site of Study Hall, and two of them bore apples. 
 
 The (juiet of Study Hall was unbroken for many years; but after a while 
 ts lonel}' dweller heard the distant footsteps of the nearer coming of the 
 approaching multitude. He suffered some encroachment from pioneer set- 
 tlers. His situation at the "Wading Place" on the Pawtucket River was a 
 pleasant one, and attracted the cupidity of men. John Allen laid claim to 
 some part of the " West Plaine," which Blackstone himself claimed as his 
 own, and occupied as a part of his territory on which he had settled. Allen 
 had probably laid out and enclosed a part of the occupation of Blackstone, 
 and the pulling up of his fence, etc., was to test the claim of Blackstone to 
 the title. Allen did not appear, probabh' not recognizing the jurisdiction of 
 the Court. 
 
 The following is a record of the complaint from the Old Colony Records, 
 B. 7, p. 155: — 
 
 John Allen Sen. of Swansey. complains vs. Mr. William Blackstone, in an action of the case, 
 to the damage of £20, for molesting him in his just rights. l>y spoyling of his grass, pulling up 
 of his fence, and destroying of hi?- hay, upon his laud which he had of the County, lying on the 
 westerly side of the Western Plaine. from the said William Blackstone, which was done in the 
 latter end of Xovember, in the year 166" — The Jury fined for the plf. six pounds damage, and 
 the costs of the suite. 
 
 Judgment was granted to the plf. according to the Verdict. 
 
 Blackstone, when he settled down at Wawepoonseag, on emigration from 
 
 ^ Memoirs of Ph/mouth Colony — which is a work of great interest, embodying a large amount of 
 liistorical information on tlie Old Colony. 
 - Callender's Disco7trse. 
 
74 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Shawraut, supposed be was within the limits of the Massachusetts Colony — 
 though on stating the boundaries it fell within the jurisdiction of Plymouth. 
 Such claimants disturbed him, and he complained to the government of Mas- 
 sachusetts that the inhabitants of Plymouth Colony were interfering with 
 his rights, and petitioned for protection against intruders. The difficulty, 
 whatever it was, was soon adjusted, for we hear of no further complaint or 
 interference, and the Plymouth Colony treated him with the utmost courtesy 
 and regard to his rights. They recognized his title to these lands he had 
 occupied, and divided them all among his heirs. 
 
 Blackstone had occupied more than thirty years before the Rehoboth 
 settlers purchased the Indian title to the Attleborough Gore in which he 
 lived, and this was about ten years previous to the settlement. It is reason- 
 able to suppose that he satisfied the Indians for his claim to his premises, as 
 that region was a frequent resort of the natives for fishing and hunting, and 
 was on the Indian path to the crossing of the Pawtucket or wading place of 
 the river. They appeared to be on friendly terms with him. 
 
 Just how soon settlers began to approach his seat and intrude upon his 
 solitude is not positively known, Init after the establishment of Seacuuke the 
 inhabitants of that place occasionally passed this way to Providence, cross- 
 ing the river near Blackstone's house. At a meeting held December, 1650, it 
 was voted " to have a convenient way four rods wide to be made by Edward 
 Smith, to be for the town's use, or an}' that shall have occasion to pass 
 from town to Providence, or to Mr. Blackstone's." The old Mendon road 
 also passed here, as at this place was the then only passable crossing of the 
 river. Previous to his death lands were laid out adjoining his estate, as the 
 names of several appear on the records. John Fitch and John Fitch, Jr., 
 had lands near and the former's grave is mentioned with other names, includ- 
 ing the '• Parson's Meadow." 
 
 The history of the stern realities of the old colonial times has now and 
 again a spicing of romance. It was long believed that Blackstone had an only 
 daughter who was borne away from the abodes of society, — educated In' her 
 father alone, — who had grown up in communion with nature and was graced 
 with the simplicity of nature's charms, a child of the forest and the field, a 
 flower of the wilderness ; and it was supposed she married John Stevenson. 
 This statement is erroneously made in the Massachusetts Historical Collec- 
 tion. This was a too tempting subject for the novelist. In a fictitious work 
 in two volumes published many years ago and called " Humors of Utopia," 
 a daughter of Blackstone was one of the principal characters. It seems 
 almost sacrilege to lay violent hands on such a picture. But in this matter- 
 of-fact world "■ the gay frost-work of fancy " must often be dissolved by the 
 light of truth. She had no existence except in imagination. In the old records 
 John Stevenson is called the son-in-law of Blackstone instead of stepson, and 
 that is the only foundation for the supposition regarding his daughter. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 75 
 
 Mr. Blackstone left one son, John Blackstone, who, it is supposed, " set- 
 tled finally somewhere near New Haven." Of him history says little or 
 nothing, but by diligent research I have ascertained a few particulars. He 
 was a minor when his father died, and had guardians appointed by the court. 
 On Old Colony Recortls for June 1, 1G75, is the following: " Lieut. Hunt, 
 Ensign Smith and Mr. Daniel Smith are appointed and authorized by the 
 Court to take some present care of the estate of Mr. William Blackstone 
 deceased, and of his sou now left by him ; and to see that the next Court he 
 do propose a man to the Court to be his guardian ; which in case he do 
 neglect, the Court will then see cause to make choice of one for him." 
 October 27, 1675, " Mr. Nathaniel Paine and Mr. Daniel Smith are appointed 
 and approved by the Court, to be guardians unto John Blackstone, the son 
 of Mr. AVilliam Blackstone deceased." Same records. 
 
 He lived on his inheritance till 1692, when he sold his lands to David 
 
 Whipple. 
 
 Deed i 
 
 To all to whom this deed of sale shall come, .John Ulaxtoii of Rehoboth in the Co. of 
 Bristoll, formerly in the Colony of Xew Plymouth — hut now of Mass. lu Xew England, 
 
 Shoemaker, sendeth Greetg. for a valualde of this County in hand, and paid to him Ity 
 
 David "Whipple, husbandman, iidiabitant of the town of Providence in the Xarragansett Bay 
 
 in Xew England, sells &c,his house and lands, (that is to say) his mansion house and on 
 
 the east side of the River, called Pawtucket River, and lying and being within the precincts of 
 Rehoboth aforesaid, 150 a. and is situated on the Plaine c. d the West Plaine, b. d to the 
 northward the land of Isaac Allen, to the southward the laud of John Stephenson, to the w. d 
 Pawtucket Rr. to the E. d part of it to the land of .John Stephenson, and part of it to the high- 
 way, and part of it the Undivided land, with 20 a. allowed for a highway, itc. &c. the latter 
 b. d Southward by a small run of water and 2 a. on the westirly side of the Country highway 
 next the house. 
 Dated Se])t. 10. 1692 Ack'd Oct. 26, 1692 .John Blaxtou (t) 
 
 Witnessed by Tho. Oliver, ) Before John Easton Gov. 
 
 Anthony Sprague J By Wm. Carpenter Town Clerk. Rec'd Dec. 7, 1692. 
 
 Soon after this sale John Blackstone removed to Providence, and for a 
 while contented himself Avith the humble occupation of a shoemaker. There 
 it is probable he married his wife Katherine, as there is no record of his 
 marriage in this town. He continued to reside there until 1718 when he 
 returned to Attleborough, and, with his wife, was legally warned out of town. 
 For what cause does not appear, but may be conjectured. He had probably 
 squandered his property, for tradition says he inherited but a small share of 
 his father's prudence, and this was a precautionary measure on the part of 
 the town against future liability for support — a customary proceeding in 
 those days. In Bliss' History of Rehoboth one John Blackstone appears 
 as a non-resident proprietor of that town in 1689. How this property was 
 
 1 The original deeds, with John Blackstone's signature, are still in existence. They were In the 
 possession of Mr. John AVliipple, of Cumberlaiul, R. I., but are now in possession of the R. I. 
 Hist. So. 
 
76 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 disposed of does uol appear, but doubtless it was wasted iu the same manner 
 as the rest of his inheritance. He is presumed to be the person mentioned 
 in the records, as no other of that name has been known in this part of the 
 country. 
 
 It was generally supposed by historians that the family was extinct, and 
 that the blood of Blackstone " runs not in the ciens of a single human 
 being." Recent research, however, has led to the belief that the son 
 removed to Branford, Conn., and settled on a neck of land not far from New 
 Haven, where several families of that name have lived for many years. As 
 John Blackstone disappeared from Attleborough, it is probable that he 
 removed and settled there. It has been said there was a family iu that vicin- 
 ity of that name, who lived in seclusion for many years — an additional 
 proof of the probable truth of the supposition as to the family. A John 
 Blackstone, supposed to be the grandson of William, died, and was buried 
 there January 3, 1785. 
 
 This supposition of the author is pretty thoroughly substantiated. Tliere 
 are a number of Blackstone's descendants living in Connecticut, and in the 
 State of New York, some of whom have been prominent men. One of 
 Branford has been a member of both branches of his State Legislature, and 
 his son has been mayor of Norwich, Conn., and is a leading man in that city. 
 The John Blackstone who died January 3, 1785, was "' aged 85 years, eleven 
 months, and 15 days." He could not, as the figures show, have been the 
 son of William Blackstone, and must therefore have been grandson. The 
 grandson of this John thus writes of him: "When he came to Branford, 
 he was entirely destitute of property of any kind ; and tradition says, that 
 he left his father's home in England in consequence of difficulty with his 
 parents about property, and that his father and mother were very partial to 
 a brother-in-law of his." This tradition, though doubtless attached to the 
 wrong person, yet proves quite clearly the fact that the Branford Blackstones 
 are direct descendants of William. As we have seen, the first John squan- 
 dered his property, and seems to have been a rather worthless fellow. His 
 step-brother, Stevenson, was, on the contrary, thrifty and industrious, and 
 devoted to his parents. Very probably there was trouble in the family or a 
 "difficulty" on his part over this fact, as one cause of the son's leaving 
 home. The son of such a man as he proved to be would naturally be desti- 
 tute of money until he had made it for himself, and the fact that the John of 
 Branford was poor is but another proof that he was really the grandson 
 of our first settler. Tradition cannot always be relied upon for exactness, 
 therefore it is not strange that facts relating to father and grandfather had 
 all been fixed upon the grandson. The latter, however, seems to have inher- 
 ited the thrift of his grandfather, for he became a successful man. 
 
 Soon after arriving at Branford he went to sea, following that occupation 
 for a number of years. He became master and owner of a vessel, and 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEB0E0U(4H. 77 
 
 carried on a trade with the West Indies, and finally owned several vessels which 
 he lost during the French War. He subsequently became a farmer at Bran- 
 ford, and the proprietor of a large landed estate which has been handed 
 down from father to sou for four or five generations. ^ It is scarcely possible 
 that two distinct families of the same name could have settled in the same 
 town at about the same date, both possessing such similar traditions, and 
 doubt as to the identity of the Branford Blackstones can now scarcely 
 obtain. 
 
 John Stevenson, as has been stated, came with his mother when she mar- 
 ried Mr. Blackstone. He was then about fourteen years old, and he lived 
 with them till their death. He came into possession of a part of his step- 
 father's ("father-in-law's") estate, as appears by the following order of 
 Plymouth Court, passed June 10, Kwo. about two weeks after Blackstone's 
 decease : — 
 
 Whereas the Court is ii\fonned that one whose name is John Stevenson, son-in-law to Mr. 
 William Blackstone, late defeased, was very helpful to his father and mother in their life- 
 time, without whom they could not have subsisted as to a good help and instrument thereof, 
 and he is now left in a low and mean condition, and never was in any measure recompensed for 
 his good service aforesaid, and if, (as it is said at least) his father-in-law engaged to his mother 
 at his marriage with her. that he should bo considered with a competency of land out of the 
 said Blackstone's land then livetl on. which hath never yet been performed; and forasmuch as 
 the personal estate of the said William Blackstone is so small and inconsiderable, that he the 
 said Stephenson cannot be relieved out of it; this Court, therefore, in consideration of the 
 premises, do order and dispose titty acres of land unto the said John Stevenson, out of the 
 lands of the said William Blackstone, and live acres of meadow to be laid out unto him by 
 Ensign Henry Smith, and Mr. Daniel Smith and Mr. Nathaniel Paine, according as they shall 
 think meet, so as it may be most commodious to him or as little prejudii^ed to the Estate of 
 Mr. William Blackstone as may be. By order of the Court for the jurisdiction of New Ply- 
 mouth. — Old Col. Bee. 
 
 The bounds of this grant are recorded in the Records of the North Pur- 
 chase, Book 1, p. 47. Extracts are made for the gratification of those who 
 may wish to know the situation of his lands : — 
 
 Imp. Fifty acres of upland lying upon Pawtucket Biver, most of it upon the South Neck, 
 being part of that land that was left for Mr. William Blackstone and granted by the Court to 
 John Stevenson : bounded to the eastward the land of John Fitch and the Common ; westerly, 
 Pawtucket River, and Southerly; to the northward, the land of John Blackstone; it being 106 
 rods long. 
 
 The five-acre lot of meadow mentioned in the grant is also recorded as 
 
 laid out b}^ the commissioners : — 
 
 1st, Two acres of meadow adjoining to the said lands lying in two pieces; one piece 
 within the former tract of laud, and the other by the river side upon the Southernmost end 
 of it. 
 
 2d. Three acres of fresh meadow lying at the northeast corner of the meadow commonly 
 known bv the name of Blackstone's Great Meadow,- from a white oak tree marked, and so 
 
 1 See a pamphlet called "The Blackstone Family," etc., published in Norwich, Genu., in 1857, by a 
 descendant, Lorenzo Blackstone, formerly mayor of that city. 
 
 2 Often called in the records " The Parson's Meadow." 
 
78 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 through the breadth of the meadow to the Run, the Run boundiiiff it to the northards; west- 
 ward, the meadow of John Blackstoue: eastward, the swamp; southward, the upland. 
 
 There is another tract which he probably purchased : — 
 
 Fifty acres of upland, more or less, bounded east the land of Ensign Nich. Peck and Rob. 
 Miller; north, the land of Sara. Carpenter; west, a highway four rods wide (between John 
 Blackstone's land and this lot) and a little piece of common land; south, coming near John 
 Fitch's grave.i to the Common. 
 
 There is to be taken out of this lot a highway 2 rods wide next to Sam. Carpenter's land to 
 meet with the highway at the east end of the said Carpenter's lot. 
 
 Likewise 10 acres of laud, allowed to John Stevenson by the king's jury, for land for 
 highways, taken out of his land, lying on the southerly side of Abbott's Run, etc. 
 
 Another record of land commences thus : — 
 
 Likewise two acres of land that I took up adjoining to my own land, at the southerly end of 
 it. which I had in exchange with my brother John Blackstone, etc. 
 
 To gratify the curious, the boundaries of John Blackstone's lands are 
 added, by which tlie precise location of his father's estate may be ascertained : 
 
 Imp. A hundred and fifty acres of upland, swamp, and meadow ground, more or less, 
 containing the West Plain (commonly so called) and land adjacent; bounded, to the north- 
 ward; the land of Isaac Allen; to the southward, the land of John Stevenson; to the west- 
 ward, Pawtucket river; to the eastward, the land of John Stevenson, the highway, and the 
 undivided land; there running a country highway through it to Pawtucket river, being four 
 rods wide. 
 
 Likewise a parcel of fresh meadow commonly known by the name of Blackstone's 
 Meadow, being eight acres, bounded to the eastward, the meadow of John Stevenson. &c. 
 
 Likewise twenty acres (laid out to John Blackstone, granted to him by the king's jury for 
 a way taken through his farm to Pattucket River,) running 76 rods X. W. and by W. and 42 
 rods S. W. and by S. bounded round by the undivided land; this tract lying near the new road 
 to Dedham. 
 
 Likewise two acres of land be it more or less, which he had upon exchange with his 
 brother John Stevenson, lying adjoiuing to his farm, being bounded to the Highway easterly, 
 and his own farm westerly, and southerly by a small run of water; this land lies on the 
 westerly side of the Country Highway next the House; and in consideration of it John Ste- 
 venson had two acres of wliat John Blackstone was to have allowed by the King's Jury for 
 the highway through his laud to Pro\ idence, and John Stevenson had this two acres at the 
 Southerly end of his first fifty acre lot. — Becords L'. X. Purchase, Book 1, page 153. 
 
 Stevenson acquired a taste for solitary life by living with Blackstone, and 
 resided here (it is believed alone) till his death. There is no evidence of his 
 ever having been married. His time was devoted to the cultivation of his 
 lands and the pleasures of hunting. He died September 1(), 1695. His 
 brother, James Stevenson, of Springfield, was appointed his administrator, 
 who returned an inventory October 11, 1695, from which it appears that his 
 whole estate was valued at £57 5s. 2d. " His house, lands, and meadows 
 1 50. His gun, cutlass, and cartouch box 10, 18, 0," etc. 
 
 1 John Fitcli owned a half share in R. N. P. Laid out early two fifty-acre lots. He was on a com- 
 mittee in Rehoboth, February 2J, IB.");. See H. N. P. liec, vol. 1, p. 45. "John Fitch was a volunteer 
 at ' Pierce's light ' in the spring of 1676, captured by the Indians and tortured at ' Nine Men's Misery ' 
 at Camp Swamp near Blackstone's homestead." 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 79 
 
 This is all the account which I can fiud of the first settler within the bounds 
 of the North Purchase. But his name will be preserved in perpetual remem- 
 brance, for it is inseparably attached to that noble river which flows past the 
 site of his ancient and solitary dwelling. His name is also transferred to 
 works of art and has been assumed by towns and banks, factories, and the 
 streets of our cities. He has become a prominent historic character in the 
 colonization of New England, and a striking figure on the canvas of its 
 history, with just enough mystery about his life to attract and interest the 
 reader. 
 
 The valley of the Blackstone has become celebrated as a manufacturing 
 district, and contributes by the advantages of its water power to the wealth 
 and industry of New England. Hardly could Blackstone — the lover of 
 undisturbed solitude — have dreamed when he forsook the peninsula of Boston 
 and built his lonely dwelling on the banks of this placid stream, that his 
 peaceful retreat would be so soon the scene of industry and the abode of 
 a numerous population, and its silence broken by the busy works of art ! 
 Were his spirit permitted to revisit the scene of his former enjoyments, he 
 would be obliged to penetrate a new wilderness, to form a new garden, and 
 plant a new orchard and to seek in a more distant region a spot congenial to 
 his taste. 
 
 Everything in relation to Blackstone is interesting to the public; I have, 
 therefore, been minute in this description. It could never have occurred 'to 
 him who, to avoid the notice of men, sought the shades of solitude, that 
 future ages would take so deep an interest in his history, that he would be 
 an object of minute research to the antiquarian, and that every circumstance 
 connected with his life which could be rescued from the hand of oblivion 
 would be sought out with so much avidity. 
 
 The place which he chose for his residence was a truly beautiful and 
 romantic spot, such as a recluse and a lover of nature would select. The 
 place where his house stood was a small hill the surface of which would make 
 an acre or more ; on the east was a gradual ascent, but on the west it rose 
 abruptly from the river to the height of sixty or seventy feet; there the 
 Blackstone wound gracefully at its base, forming a slight curve at a short 
 distance south of the hill. The margin of the river was formerly three rods 
 at least west from the hill, but the river has since then enlarged its channel 
 at this place, and it finally washed the very base of the hill, as if attracted 
 to the spot by a grateful remembrance of him who first sought its banks and 
 loved its stream and whose honored name it now bears. 
 
 The summit of the hill commanded a fine view of the "valley of the 
 Blackstone," to the distance of more than a mile on the south. On the east 
 was a delightful and fertile valley consisting of a few acres which opened to 
 the south on the borders of the meadow, and was l)ounded on the east and 
 northeast by a gentle eminence, on the top of which ran the " Meudon road," 
 
80 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 SO often meutioued in the ancient land records. This valley was cultivated 
 by the hands of Blackstone ; here was his orchard, where the author has seen 
 the stumps of apple trees, cut down within his remembrance, which were said 
 to have grown from the sprouts of the first trees planted by the hermit. His 
 well, too, was long pointed out at the southern border of this valley and long 
 after it was filled up with moss and weeds the pure water still bubbled up 
 from its fountains. His grave was also designated, though with less certainty, 
 in the orchard, about two rods east from the foot of the hill and north of the 
 well. The " Hat stone which it is said marked his grave," finally became 
 invisible, either from removal or from being buried under the surface. 
 
 One Alexander,^ who was drowned in the river, was buried, it is said, by 
 the side of Mr. Blackstone. Is it not probable that his wife was also buried 
 at the same place? 
 
 The spot on which he lived once again returned to its original state of 
 nature. Sixty years ago a heavy growth of thiiber trees was cut from this 
 hill and a few years later its surface was thickly covered with young and 
 thrifty wood. Oaks of a hundred years had grown on the garden of Black- 
 stone. 
 
 Some few years since an interesting paper- on Blackstone was read in 
 Boston, and the results of recent investigation, as then shown, have thrown 
 considerable new light upon the possible parentage and birthplace of our first 
 inhabitant, and the conjectures seem both reasonable and probable. This 
 pamphlet, and others from which facts have been given, never met the eyes 
 of the author of this work, and those of the editor only, as it w^ere, by chance 
 in a foreign land thousands of miles distant from the scenes of Blackstone's 
 homes in the Old Bay State. This accounts for the somewhat irregular 
 appearance of these facts in this chapter, which was previousiv nearh' com- 
 pleted by the author himself, and for the apparent discrepancies they cause 
 with some of his statements. 
 
 It was formerly conjectured that there might be relationship between our 
 Blackstone and the celebrated law commentator Sh- William Blackstone ; but 
 the descendants of both have so far been unable to find any connecting link. 
 According to Mr. Amory, until within recent years "• the only promising clew 
 to the parentage and birthplace of our first inhabitant (Boston) is a poAver, 
 in 1653, of Sarah Blackstone (Suffolk Deeds), to collect money advanced, 
 in which she is descril)ed as of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and which mentions the 
 name of Stevenson, that of the first husband of Blackstone's wife." Later 
 investigations have opened other clews to a possible solution of this question, 
 and whether true or not they are possessed of much interest. 
 
 ' Supposed to be the Thomao Alexander, mentioned by Savage in Gen. Diet., vol. 1, p. 26, as son of 
 Nathaniel. How he came here, and why. Is unknown. 
 
 -"William Blackstone," read before tlie Bostonian So(;iety, November 9, 1880, by Thomas Coflln 
 Amory and published in 1S86. He was the author of the pamphlet before quoted. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 81 
 
 Mr. Amoi'V, on good authority, makes our William Blackstone " a near 
 kinsman of John Blakiston, the friend of Cromwell, and one of the regicides 
 who died jnst before the Restoration. Some of the regicides' descendants 
 settled in Maryland, and a branch is believed to be there now." Mr. Amory 
 further says: "It seems reasonable to assume that all of the name descend 
 from the well-known stem in the palatinate of Durham, the earliest of whom 
 mentioned — Hugh — was proprietor of Blakiston, about six miles from the 
 episcopal city, as early as 1341." " Few families of private gentry," says 
 Surtees in his History of Durham, "have spread more widely or flourished 
 fairer than Blackstone ; but all its branches have perished, like the original 
 stock. One family alone remains which can trace its blood, without heredi- 
 tary possessions " — an uncertain kinship being claimed by a few others in 
 the south of England. 
 
 The house of Blakiston was one of great wealth and honors, and, according 
 to the history above referred to, reached the height of its prosperity during 
 the middle of the sixteenth century, under one John — probably the one men- 
 tioned elsewhere as of the time of Queen Elizabeth. He had fifteen children, 
 for all of whom he was able to make liberal provision. His eldest son was 
 vSir William, born in looS, and married to Alice Claxton in 1581. They had 
 nine children, and all of the six sons were living in 1G24. William was the 
 name of the fifth son, and he, it is supposed, is the same who subsequently 
 became our first settler. Through this Sir William and the son who inherited 
 the title, " the last sweepings of the great Blackiston estates " seem to have 
 been conveyed away, both father and son being somewhat wild and reckless in 
 character and life. Alice Claxton, however, brought to her husband a fine 
 estate, and upon it, in "the house at Wynyard " they seem to have lived 
 most of the time after their marriage, and here, probably, their children were 
 born. This estate is described as being very beautiful, and the house as 
 " one of the most convenient and handsome in the district." 
 
 To again quote Mr. Amory : " Knights and beneficed clergymen abounded 
 in the family and if, as suggested, our William was the son of Alice Claxton, 
 his declining, in the impoverished condition of the family, after having 
 obtained a collegiate education, to conform to the ecclesiastical requisitions 
 and be beneficed himself, may explain the tradition in the Connecticut line 
 that their first American ancestor left home from some misunderstanding with 
 his parents." 
 
 The name of Blackstone has been variously spelled : Blakiston, Blakeston, 
 and Blackstone being the most common ; but he himself adopted Blaxton, as 
 found both by his signatures on receiving his degrees at Emmanuel College — 
 called the Puritan College because many of our eminent divines graduated 
 there— and also upon his deed to David Whipple. This mode of spelling 
 makes the name identical with that of his supposed mother, Claxton, with 
 the exception of the initial letter, and certainly forges another link in the 
 chain of evidence relating to his parentage. 
 
82 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 His taste and skill in horticulture, woodcraft, and all accomplishments of a 
 similar nature, tend, as is said, to confirm the conjecture that he was brought 
 up on a large manorial estate, and the chase and field sports in which as an 
 English country gentleman's son he must undoubtedly have participated 
 " prepared his constitution to cope with the exposures and privations of forest- 
 life, and gave him the knowledge and experience required to obtain his food 
 and to take pleasure in its pursuit." 
 
 There were many fine old manor houses in the Blakiston family. That of 
 Blakiston proper, standing in an attractive situation, was taken down during 
 the last centur}^ ; but the most celebrated of all was Gibside, Avhich remained 
 in the name until the death of the last baron. Sir Francis Blakiston, in 1713. 
 It lies between Newcastle-on-Tyne and Ravensworth Castle, on the Derwent, 
 and historians speak " of the beautiful and magnificent scenery of the place," 
 rendered more beautiful from the bleak countr}' which surrounds it. The 
 park is four miles in circumference, and the drive to the " statelv banquet- 
 ing house, seated on a noble elevation," is described as winding " through the 
 bosom of a thick forest, sometimes on the brink of a deep ravine, and at 
 intervals descending on the easy inclination of the hill, Init still embowered 
 with venerable oaks." The gardens, the pasturage, the cultivated lands and 
 the mansion house itself are all in keeping with the magnificence of the 
 great park, and together form an estate and a home such as only a family of 
 wealth, cultivation, and distinction would possess and occupy. This place, 
 there are many reasons to believe, belonged to near kinsmen of our Black- 
 stone, and probably he was here a frequent and welcome visitor. 
 
 Such probably was the home, such the friends he left. The character he 
 ever sustained proves him to have belonged, we think, without question, 
 to a family of education and great culture, and these recent developments 
 only add to the interest and the mystery stiil surrounding the question of the 
 real underlying cause of his self-imposed exile. Powerful indeed must have 
 been the influence and urgent indeed the conscientious necessity which com- 
 pelled him to leave some of the fairest of earth's scenes and intercourse with 
 cultured friends for the deep solitudes of the American wilderness. 
 
 More than thirty years ago, on the one hundred and eightieth anniversary 
 of his death, an effort was made to arouse public interest in the raising of 
 funds to erect a suitable monument to the memory of Mr. Blackstone. A 
 few weeks later, on July 4, 1855, the anniversary of his marriage, quite a 
 number of people gathered at his grave, the spot being then " designated by 
 two small bowlders of semi-crystallized quartz rock." An association was 
 ormed called the "■ Blackstone Monument Association" ; officers were elected 
 and a constitution adopted. An}' persons, without regard to " age, sex, sect, 
 or color," by presenting their names and subscribing ten cents, were thereby 
 made members of the association. Appropriate exercises were held ; an 
 oration was delivered by a Mr. S. C. Newman — a lineal descendant of the 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 83 
 
 first minister of Eehoboth — and this was followed by the singing of an ode, 
 and impromptu speeches. 
 
 Considerable enthusiasm was manifested, and nearly the entire assembly 
 responded to the call for signatures and dimes. An aged man very aptly 
 suggested that the orator be the first to record his name, and his dime was 
 seized by a reverend gentleman present, who held it aloft exclaiming, — 
 " In this little coin behold in glistening embryo the future monument — a 
 granite volume with illustrations, which shall be read by distant coming gen- 
 erations of men with respect and admiration of their forefathers who met 
 here this day to perpetuate the character and memory of Blackstone." 
 
 The monument of this charming vision was but a shadowy mirage, — the 
 reflection not of a distant reality, but of a passing illusion, —and the grave of 
 the sage of Study Hill was still neglected and its site almost unknown for 
 many years. AVe who live in the rush and hurry of this nineteenth century 
 seem to think only of the future, and we almost forget the past ; but we 
 should stop long enough now and again to think on the men who gave us the 
 blessings of our land of freedom and prosperity, and, keeping green within 
 our hearts the principles they established, we should burn to perpetuate their 
 memories by rescuing their humble resting-places from oblivion ere it be for- 
 ever too late. 
 
 At last, however, a portion of the vision becomes real, but in place of the 
 quiet, beautiful surroundings the imagination prophetically portrayed, the 
 picture is framed by the noisy, homely environments of a bustling town. 
 The peaceful valley is there no longer, the river flows no more through those 
 fertile pastures. Study Hill has been entirely taken away, and in its place 
 stands a large cotton mill. 
 
 While this work of demolition was going on, the bones of Mr. Blackstone 
 were disinterred in the presence of Mr. Lorenzo Blackstone, of Norwich, 
 Conn., and President Gammell, of the Rhode Island Historical Society. 
 These were placed in an appropriate box, and again buried under the build- 
 ing, in which there will be a monument to his name. 
 
 How strange is what we term the " irony of fate " ! The would-be recluse, 
 disturbed in life, is disturbed also in death. Intruders coveted his pleasant 
 domains while he occupied them, and to-day the demon of manufacture 
 seizes upon them, even removing the soil in which his body was placed, deny- 
 ing him his own grave. Instead of the waving of branches above his head 
 and the gentle sighing of soft winds, is the tread of hurrying feet and the 
 noise of shouting multitudes. The "sculptured marble" rears itself, not 
 amid the giant trees of the forest, close by his peacefully flowing river, but 
 near the giant engine, by whose mighty power the hum of whirring spindles 
 sounds unceasingly. The spirit of the gentle sage could scarcely reconcile 
 itself to such a change, and must have passed saddened away from its 
 accustomed haunts forever. 
 
84 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 But this picture has its brighter side, for the former possessor of these 
 lauds is not forgotteu. Much honor is due to the gentlemen of the Lonsdale 
 Company, who, having probably no interest beyond their own present practi- 
 cal one in this spot, so filled to the historian with associations of the past, 
 have vet generously given place to the lettered stone, which, over its very 
 site, shall mark the lone grave and perpetuate the name and memory of 
 William Blackstoue.^ 
 
 iThe above suggested plans have been carried out with some modifications. When the grave was 
 discovered "fragments of a coffin and hammere<l nails such as were made in those days, and pieces 
 of bones, were found," and "the sides of the grave were also plainly visible." It was a " soUtaiy 
 grave," no indications of any other being visible, and it would seem that Blackstone must have 
 bui'ied his wife elsewhere. That the grave found was that of Blackstone there can be no reasonable 
 doubt, since now long ancient tradition has always pointed to that vicinity as his burial place. 
 "The monument stands a very few yards from the grave and in line with it. The precise spot is 
 covered by the Lonsdale Co.'s Ann and Hope Mill. The monument was erected by some of the 
 descendants of Mr. Blackstone, and the insci-iption was written by a member of the Lonsdale Co." 
 It is of granite, some ten or twelve feet high — the base five or six feet square, and the shaft a foot 
 or more smaller, tapering slightly. It is within the enclosed grounds of the mill, surrounded by the 
 vivid green of a beautiful lawn, the only object on it. Upon the southerly or front side, beneath a 
 cross cut into the stone, is the following inscription : " the grave of the keverexd william 
 
 BLACKSTONE, FODNDEK OF THE TOWN OF BOSTON AND THE FIRST WHITE SETTLER IN RHODE 
 
 island;" on the east side: "A student of em.manuel college, Cambridge, he took holy 
 
 ORDERS in the CHURCH OF ENGLAND, IN WHOSE COMMUNION HE LIVED AND DIED; " on the WeSt 
 side : •' COMING FROM BOSTON TO THIS SPOT IN 1035, HE DIED MAY 26, 1675, AGED OVER SO YEARS, 
 
 AND WAS HERE BURIED : " on the north side ; " erected by the lineal descendants of 
 
 WILLIAM BLACKSTONE, A.D. 1889." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 85 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 INCORPORATION. PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN. FIRST SETTLEMENTS, ETC. 
 
 THIRTY-THREE years after the purchase of territory — as described — 
 from AYamsutta, by Captain "\Yillett, and twenty-eight years after its 
 transfer l)y him to the Colony of New Plymouth and their conveyance of the 
 same to the proprietors, the number of settlers within its limits had so largely 
 increased as to render it proper and desirable that steps should be taken to 
 cai'ry out the original intention, wdiich was the formation of an independent 
 township. 
 
 The following petition to the Council and Representatives of the Province 
 of Massachusetts Bay was therefore presented by the inhabitants of the 
 North Purchase ; — 
 
 To his Excellency, Sir Wni. P/iipps Knight, Captain-General and Gov ernor-in- Chief 
 of their Majesti/s Province of the Massachusetts Bay in JYciv England, with the Honorable 
 Coimcil and Representatives thereof now assembled in General Court at Boston, Oct. 17, 
 1694. 
 
 The Petn. of the Subscriljers in behalf of themselves and the rest of the proprietors of the 
 lands herein mentioned and expressed. 
 
 Humbly Sheweth, 
 
 That whereas our ancestors and some of ourselves have formerly purchased a certain tract 
 of land commonly known by the Xame of the North Purchase, contaiuini? in length about ten 
 miles from Pawtucket River to Taunton Ijounds. and about eight miles from the Massachusetts 
 line between the two late Colonies, to Rehoboth bounds, being in our apprehension laud suffi- 
 cient for a township;! and we being now already above thirty families on the place besides 
 other proprietors that at present li\ e elsewhere. Doe humbly pray this Honble. Assembly to 
 make us a township endued with such privileges as other towns are : for these reasons follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 First and principally for the honor of God, and our chiefest good, in that our distance is far 
 to go on the Lord's days — some of us ten or eleven miles to Rehoboth to the public worship 
 of God. which in the winter season is very inconvenient for us to go, and especially for our 
 children — and also the great burthen we sustain in going so far to traine — attend Town Meet- 
 ings, and to work in their highways, and our own in the mean time neglected. 
 
 21y. In that if we were a township we should quickly (we hope) procure an able Orthodox 
 Minister to teach us, and also a schoolmaster to instruct our children, which would incite more 
 able and desirable inhabitants to come and settle among us, we having lands and other com- 
 modities for their encouragement. 
 
 3dly, In that we being as Frontiers in danger of the enemy between Rehoboth and other 
 places, should if we were a township be in a better posture of defence when we are compleated 
 with officers amongst ourselves, 
 
 4thly. We might further add the benefit might redound to their Majesty's service, there 
 being great store of ship timber, and Cooper's stuft" wh. might with more facility be conveyed 
 to the water side, were our hal>itatious settled nearer. 
 
 1 We fully agree with the petition that the tract of land then comprising the large towns of Attle- 
 borough and Cumberland was reasonably suflicient for a township. 
 
86 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 All which is humbly offere<.l to Your Excellcucy aiul Honors for acceptance by 
 
 Your humble Suppivauts 
 
 John Woodcock 
 Daniel Sheppisou 
 John Callender for 
 Oct. 17, 1694 and in the name and 
 
 That the above behalf of the rest of the 
 
 Petition is granted Proprietors of the said lands, 
 
 provided it do not 
 prejudice any former 
 grant. The name to 
 be Attleborough. 
 Die predict. Voted to be 
 drawn into an Act. 
 Fast in the atfirmative by the house of Representatives. 
 
 Nehimiah Quinet= 
 Oct. 19th 1G94 Speaker. 
 
 H. of R. Past and sent up. 
 
 The following is the Act of Incorporatio7i, Dated Oct. 19, 1694. 
 An Act for granting a township within the County of Bristol to be called Attleborough. 
 
 Whereas there is a certain tract of land commonly known by the name of North Purchase, 
 lying within the County of Bristol, containing in length about ten miles from Pawtucket River 
 to the bounds of Taunton,i and extending about eight miles in breadth from the line or bound- 
 ary betwixt the two late Colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth, to the bounds of the town 
 of Reholioth; being a convenient tract for a township, and more than thirty families already 
 settled thereupon; For the better encouragement and settlement of said Plantation : 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governor, Council, and Representatives in General Court assembled, 
 and by the authority of the same, That henceforth the said tract of land as above described, 
 and bounded by the townships of Taunton and Rehoboth, (no ways to intrench upon either of 
 their rights) be and shall be a township, and called by the name of Attieljorough ; and shall 
 have and enjoy all such inuiuinities, privileges, and powers, as generally, other townships 
 within this Province have and do enjoy. 
 
 Frovided, That it be not in prejudice of any former grant. 
 
 Provided also, That the Inhabitants of the said place do continue under the power and 
 direction of the Selectmen, Assessors, and Constables of Rehoboth (whereunto they were 
 formerly annexed) as well referring to any assessments and arrears thereof, as all other things 
 proper to the duty of Selectmen, Assessors and Constables, respectively; until they are supplied 
 with such officers among themselves, according to the directions in the law in that case made 
 and provideil. 
 
 The derivation of the name giveu to this new township is " At-le-burgh," 
 meaning at the borough, fort, or castle, " Atleburgh." It was named after 
 Attleborough, Norfolk County, England, which was formerly a city and 
 market town, and a celebrated place in English history. That place was 
 called ""The Borough," from its being the principal place in the vicinity of 
 Bungay Castle, the seat of the Mortimers — Pearls of March. Our Bungay 
 River — sometimes pronounced Bimgai/., accent on the second syllable — was 
 doubtless named after the castle of the Earls of March. ^ 
 
 1 Taunton North Purchase. 
 
 - See Globe Enajclopmlia, " Bungay," p. 531. The above was the opinion formed by the author. — 
 Editor. 
 
HIS Ton Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 87 
 
 Thomas Daggett and Johu Sutton and his wife and four children were 
 from that town. Sutton came to Hingham, Mass., and thence to Rehoboth 
 with his family, as early as the 4th mo. 1644, and it is believed that our towu 
 was named by them. 
 
 The boundaries described in the preceding act included the present towns 
 of Attleborough and Cumberland,^ R. I., embracing a very extensive tract of 
 land. It was inhabited in some localities by a few Indians. There was a 
 plantation of them in the North Purchase six or eight miles north of Mr. 
 Blackstone's at Sinnechitaconet, but it soon dwindled away. The number of 
 white inhabitants at this time could not much exceed a hundred and eighty. 
 They were mostly settled in the southerly and westerly parts of the town. 
 These families were scattered over a considerable space ; many had been here 
 from an early period. Of the early settlements more will be said hereafter. 
 
 The country was then mostly covered with forests, interspersed, however,, 
 with a good supply of natural meadow, which was considered the most valu- 
 able kind of land. 
 
 The inhabitants increased rapidly, and soon penetrated into various parts 
 of the town. 
 
 p:arly proceedings of the town after its incorporation. 
 
 A few extracts from the early records of the town, illustrating the charac- 
 ter of the times, will be interesting to the present generation. 
 
 The first town meeting on record appears to have been held May 11, 1696, 
 two years after the incorporation. There must, however, have been a previous 
 meeting, and a choice of officers — of which no record is preserved. At this 
 meeting the town chose Mr. Johu Woodcock and Mr. John Rogers,- late of 
 Bristol, as agents '' to manage our concerns in matters relating to that part of 
 our township commonly called the ]Mile and Half, according to our petition and 
 other copies which are in the hands of Mr. Henry Derens Clerk to the House 
 of Representatives, and did further appoint and impower Mr. John Woodcock 
 to agree with and impower said Mr. Rogers and take care to help him to such 
 papers as may most concern our business, for the promoting of matters relat- 
 ing to our township." 
 
 At the same meeting three assessors were chosen for the ensuing year ; 
 namely, Israil AV^oodeock, Thomas Tingley, and Samuel Titus. 
 
 The next town meeting was held November "iod, 1696, at which the town 
 authorized the selectmen to make a rate for pajing the town's debts, which 
 amounted to £5, 15s Id. At the same time several individuals engaged to 
 pay certain sums " by way of free gift towards the building of a Meeting 
 House," and desired their names and sums might be entered accordingly. 
 
 ' See Bradford for Bristol. [Attleborough before the division.] 
 ^See Order of Royal Corns., p. 156. 
 
88 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 £• ^- £• ^■ 
 
 Mr. John Woodcock . . . . 1. 00 Thonius Woodcock . . . . 0. 10 
 
 John Lane i 1. 00 George Kobiusou .... 1. 00 
 
 Israil Woodcock 0. 10 David Freeman 1. 00 
 
 March 22, 1G9G-97. The town, " taking into consideration who are by law 
 allowed to vote in tovvu meeting.s, and finding so few allowed to vote," 
 ordered that "all the inhabitants and town Dwellers " should have a right 
 to vote in said meetings. At this time town officers were chosen for the 3'ear 
 •ensuing ; namely, " Mr. John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Jenks, 
 Jonatliau Fuller, Thomas Tinglev, Selectmen ; Anthony Sprague, town Clerk ; 
 Israil Woodcock, Constable ; Nicholas Ide and Joseph Cowel, Surveyors ; 
 Heurv Sweet, Tithingman ; Thomas Tingley and Samuel Titus, Fence- 
 viewers ; John Woodcock, Anthony Sprague and Daniel Jenks, Assessors ; 
 John Lane, Grand juryman ; Benjamin Force for the Jury of trials in April 
 next at the Quarter Sessions at Bristol." 
 
 November 23, 169G, the town debt is recorded, the amount being £5, 
 .S.18, d.l. 
 
 May 10, 1697. At a town meeting for the choice of an "Assembly man 
 for the Great and General Court," the inhabitants voted not to send a man 
 " by reason the town was excused by law." 
 
 July 12, 1697. The town voted to have a Pound made according to law 
 upon a piece of undivided laud between the lands of Daniel Sheppersou and 
 James Jillson near the " Bay Road." 
 
 The inhabitants were often disturbed by Indians and others hunting and 
 strolling about the town and insulting the inhabitants. In relation to these 
 disturbances the town passed the following orders : — 
 
 Jan'v olst, 1697 or 8. At a town meeting legally warned for the making 
 of "some town orders or by-laws touching persons disorderly coming into 
 town who have no rights or lands in the same but are strangers and foreign- 
 ers," the town passed the orders as follows : — 
 
 The inhabitants then met did make two town orders, or by laws, for said town which are as 
 followeth. — it is therefore ordered and agreed npon l)y the inhabitants of Attleborough. and 
 voted in said meeting that no person that is a stranger shall be received as an inhabitant with- 
 out the Consent or approbation of said town or sutfieicut security given to the Town by him 
 or them that shall take in or harbor any person contrary to this order ; — moreover the Select- 
 men are appointed to take due care and sutticleut security in the behalf of the town of and for 
 all such persons as shall receive in or harl)or any stranger or foriner; or to give order and 
 warning to such stranger or foriner to depart the town according as the law directs, and that 
 with all convenient speed after knowledge or notice given of the same. So observing from 
 time to time that the Town be not charged with unnecessary charges. 
 
 The second order or by-Law was touching Indian foriuners and strangers that have been 
 complained of for uncivill carriages and behaviour towards some of the inhabitants of this 
 
 I John Lane, an early settler. Several of that name afterwards. (Ebenezer.) From him, .John, 
 descended Judge I^aue, of Ohio, a distinguished lawyer, and judge of the Supreme Court of that 
 State. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 89 
 
 town : for the prevention of which the inhabitants being desired to give their advice did meet 
 and agree and by Joint consent have voted and passed this act. that no forrin or Indian stranger 
 should be allowed to come into town being armed under hunting pretense nor suffered in the 
 same to abide in Driukings and Shotings [shootings] at unseasonable times of night and 
 threatinings to severall persons which is contrary to the laws of this province and disturbing 
 to severall of this town; neither is any person or persons whatsoever within this town allowed 
 to take in or harbour Indian or Indians armed other than such as hath been allowed or shall 
 be allowed without the unanimous consent of the inhabitants at any time hereafter, but every 
 person or persons transgressing aganst this order or by law shall pay a fine of five shillings 
 each day for the use of the poor of this town for every such offense. 
 
 March 4th, 1699 or 1700, iu town meeting Daniel Shepperson gave a piece 
 of ground to set a pound on ''at a place commonly known and called Red 
 Rock Hill ])y the rhoad-side by a pine tree, which pound is to be built 30 feet 
 square and finished by the last of June 1700." At the same time the house 
 of Daniel Shepperson was appointed " to be the certain known place for 
 Town meetings," he giving " free liberty and comfort" to the people, until 
 some other place should be provided. 
 
 March 13, 1700. Voted not to send a representative, for the same reason 
 that was assigned at the first meeting. 
 
 ]\[arch 25, 1701. In town meeting voted and appointed a "Training place 
 to 1)6 on the South side of David Freeman's house, between the two ways, 
 viz. the Bay road and the road that leadeth to Nicholas Ide's house." At 
 the same time the town " did by major vote appoint the last Tuesday iu 
 March at 9 o'clock A.M. to be their p:iectiou Day annually for choosing town 
 officers according to law, without any further warning, so to continue till 
 further order." This year no Assembly man was sent. 
 
 Feb. 9th, 1702-3. It was voted that Ensign Nicholas Ide and Anthony 
 Sprague with the selectmen be a committee to agree in behalf of our town 
 concerning the lines and bounds between Attleborough, Dorchester, and 
 Wrentham. It was also voted that the selectmen should make a town rate 
 for the payment of town debts, and that a quarter part of said rate be levied 
 upon the polls, and the rest upon the estates; and that said rate " shall be 
 paid in Indian corn at 2s. 6d. per bushel, or rye at 3s. fid. per bushel, or 
 oats at Is. fid. per bushel, or in money." 
 
 March 14th, 1703. Voted not to send a representative by reason they were 
 so few in number and excused by law. 
 
 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 The first settlement within the bounds of the present (1886) town of 
 Attleborough was in the neighborhood of the Baptist meetinghouse, where 
 Hatch's old tavern still stands. It was conmienced by Mr. John Woodcock, 
 his sons and their families, soon- after the first division iu 1669. Here he 
 built a public house on the "Bay Road," and fortified it as a garrison, and 
 laid out lands to the amount of about three hundred acres, which afterwards 
 
90 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 made an excelleut farm. At this time and subsequently he took up in 
 several parts of the town about six hundred acres, part on his own shares, 
 and the rest on rights which he purcliased of Roger Amidown, James Rede- 
 way, Andrew Willett, etc. A part of this six hundred acres was on Bungay 
 River, where Bishop's shop once stood, and this he conveyed to his son 
 Jonathan, with the " saw-mill thereon standing." 
 
 Woodcock's house was occupied for a garrison. It was licensed in 1670, 
 according to the following record : — 
 
 •' Julv 5th, 1670. John Woodcock is allowed by the Court to keep an Ordi- 
 nary at the ten mile river (so called) which is in the way from Rehoboth to 
 the Bay ; and likewise enjoined to keep good order, that no uuruliness or 
 ribaldry be permitted there." — Old Col. Eec. 
 
 His name first appears in the Rehoboth records " the 28th 4th mo. 1647," 
 when he bought the lands of Ed. Patterson. "The town gave to John 
 Woodcock the lot before granted to Pxlward Pateson." ^ He also had a 
 o-rant of land in May, 1662, for a small house near the church for •' the 
 Lord's day," and he was living in Rehoboth as early as July 28, 1662 — 
 probably for sometime previous — though the precise date of his settling 
 there cannot be ascertained. He came there from Roxbury, where he owned 
 real estate, but where he had previously lived is not known. He was 
 admitted a freeman of that town May 14, 1673. KiH^- V^""'^ K)^t^^^^-^s-^''' 
 
 Woodcock was a man of some consideration in those days, his name 
 frequently appearing in town otiices and on committees. June 2, 1691, he 
 was chosen "Deputy to the General Court" from Rehoboth, and at several 
 other times. He was shrewd, hardy, fearless and adventurous — a character 
 just suited to the times iu which he lived, and the circumstances in which he 
 was placed. 
 
 He held Indian rights in very low estimation. On one occasion he took 
 the liberty of iKiying himself a debt due to him from a neighboring Indian, 
 without the consent of the debtor or the intervention of judge, jury, or 
 sheriff, — for which achievement he received the following sentence from the 
 (^'ourt, — an example of the rigid justice of the Puritans : — 
 
 " 1654 John Woodcock of Rehoboth, for going into an Indian house and 
 takino- away an Indian child and some goods in lieu of a debt the Indian 
 owed him, was sentenced to set iu the stocks at Rehoboth an hour on a 
 Training day, and to pay a fine of forty shillings." — Old Col. Bee, Court 
 Orders, Book 8d. 
 
 Woodcock had two wives : Sarah, who died in May, 1676 (" Sarah ^ wife of 
 John Woodcock, buried lOth May 1676"), and a second one, Joanna, who 
 survived him. He had a large family of children, some, if not all, of whose 
 names I have ascertained, though no record of them is preserved on the 
 
 1 See Reh. His., p. 39. - See Reh. Rec. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 91 
 
 books. John, who marriecl Sarah Smith, Feb. 26th, 1G73 ; Israil ; Nathaniel, 
 who was killed by the Indians ; Jonathan ; Thomas ; and at least three daugh- 
 ters : one married to Thomas Esterbrook, one, Mary, 28th Nov. 1676. to 
 Samuel Guild, i and another, Deborah, to Benj'n Onion,- of Dedham or 
 "Wreutham, May 24th, 1683. There were also others of this name, daughters 
 of one William Woodcock, ^ viz. Alice, married 9th of April 1689, to Baruck 
 Bucklin ; Anne, married to Thomas Fuller ; Sarah, married to Alexander 
 Bolkcom; and Miriam^ (or sometimes Mary), who was single July 3, 1718. 
 She was said to have married Jonathan Freeman July 1, 1689. (Doubtless 
 he had died.) 
 
 John Woodcock, Sen., died October 20, 1701, having arrived at a very 
 advanced age in spite of the many attempts which had been made by the 
 Indians to destroy him. It is said that after his death the scars of seven 
 bullet holes were counted on his body. He was an inveterate and impla- 
 cable enemy to the Indians — the cause of which will hereafter appear in the 
 notice of some events in Philip's war. In encounters with them, on several 
 occasions, he ran imminent risks of his life. He was foremost in all enter- 
 prises the object of which was the destruction of the Indians. He was a 
 very useful man as a pioneer in the dangers and hardships of a new settle- 
 ment, being cunning in contrivance and bold and active in execution. 
 
 Woodcock's Garrison was a well-known place of rendezvous in the great 
 Indian war, and was probably for some years the only house, exceptino- its 
 immediate neighbors, on the " Bay Road," between Rehoboth and Dedham, 
 though this was then the main road from Rhode Island, Bristol, and Rehoboth 
 to Boston. The Bay road extended first from Rehoboth through what is now 
 '^ the city," to West Attleborough, north to Woodcock's, thence over Ten 
 Mile hill to Jacob Shepardson's in what is now Foxborough, thence through 
 Dedham and Roxbury to Boston. 
 
 This '^ Garrison " was one in a chain of fortifications extending from 
 Boston to Rhode Island. There was one in Boston, one in Dedham at 
 Ames' corner. Woodcock's in this place, one at Rehoboth. situated in the 
 centre of the ''Great Plain," on the borders of which the first settlements 
 were principally located, another at Newport on the Island, and perhaps 
 others in the intermediate spaces. It was a famous place on this road — a 
 convenient public house for travelers as well as a well-known station in 
 Philip's war. It witnessed many a military force on its march to the defence 
 of the colonists, and such often halted and encamped there on their route 
 overnight, and sometimes longer while waiting for additional forces. Com- 
 panies were sometimes ordered to rendezvous there to wait the arrival of 
 other troops who were to accompany them, and then the solitary places of 
 
 1 See Hell. liec. - Ibid. ' His name appears on I'rop'rs Hec, vol. 2, p. 25. ^ See 2d B., R. N. P. 
 nee, p. 25. 
 
92 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the wilderness were enlivened by the tread of armed men and the sounds of 
 martial music. 
 
 After the Indians had commenced the war by open hostilities, having killed 
 several persons in the settlements near Mt. Hope, " The government of Mas- 
 sachusetts," saj's Mr. Baylies, " promptly resolved to send assistance to Ply- 
 mouth," and on the 26th of June a company of infantry under command of 
 Captain Henchman and a company of horse commanded by Captain Prentice 
 marched for Mt. Hope ; and notwithstanding certain signs of ill omen which 
 they fancied they saw in the heavens, which had great influence over the 
 popular mind in that superstitious age, " they continued their march, and 
 reached the house of one Woodcock, (now in Attleborough) distant about 
 30 miles from Boston, before they halted. It was then morning, and they 
 resolved to wait there the arrival of Capt. Mosely with his company of 
 volunteers." Mr Baylies saj'S that" Mosely was a man of an intrepid spirit, 
 and an excellent soldier. He had been a buccaneer in the West Indies, and 
 had resided at Jamaica. The sounds of war revived his enthusiasm for 
 deeds of enterprise and danger." 
 
 Id the course of the day he arrived at the rendezvous at Woodcock's, with 
 a company of one hundred and ten men, volunteers, amongst whom were 
 ten or twelve privateersmen with dogs. This must have been a stirring scene 
 in the lonely situation at Woodcock's. On the second day the}' reached 
 Swansey. 
 
 On the Narragansett Expedition which was appointed for the next Decem- 
 ber, the three colonies of Plymouth, Connecticut, and Massachusetts united 
 in furnishing military forces to be uuder the command of Josias Winslow, of 
 Plymouth, as general. 
 
 Here again Woodcock's was a place of rendezvous for the ^lassachusetts 
 portion of the army. Her force consisted of six companies under the com- 
 mand of Captains Mosely, Gardiner, Davenport, Oliver, Johnson, and 
 Major Appleton, who commanded this portion of the force, and who, on the 
 " 9th Dec. 1676 marched with them from Dedham to Woodcock's, the well- 
 known place of rendezvous, 30 miles from Boston, and there encamped for 
 the night." His companies numbered four hundred and sixty-five foot, and 
 one company of horse uuder command of Captain Prentice, so that the 
 whole number must have been over five hundred. This was a large army for 
 the infant colony of Massachusetts forty-six years only after the settlement 
 at Boston. They marched over the " Oulde Bay Road." Here they rested, 
 and then marched on to Seekonk, where they met the army of Plymouth 
 Colony, under General Winslow, and where the two forces were united and 
 moved on their way to the great Narragansett fight. These same forces must 
 have rendezvoused at Woodcock's on their return. 
 
 While armies in their marches halted there and great men of the colonies 
 in their travels stopped there, this house is often mentioned by historians. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 93 
 
 The celebrated Judge Sewall relates in his " Diary" that ou his return from 
 Rehoboth he dined at Woodcock's with fellow travelers ou boiled venison, 
 which was probably just such a dinner as they chose in those days, and 
 would not be unacceptable at the present time. 
 
 Madame Knight in her famous journey from Boston to New Vork lodged 
 there overnight, and speaks of her fare. This was considered a perilous 
 journey in olden times, and required eight days to accomplish. 
 
 Madame Knight traveled on horseback with a servant, busmess of impor- 
 tance requiring her presence in New York. A sketch of this adventurous 
 journey would afford a better knowledge of the condition of the country and 
 its inhabitants than any formal description.' 
 
 This " Oulde Bay Road "' was the first main road laid out in this part of the 
 country, and all travel would necessarily pass by this " Ordinary" in those early 
 days, which might be called the dawn of the New P^ngland life and civiliza- 
 tion. It is a delight to go back in imagination and view the landscape that 
 surrounded the traveler, and the novel scenes of early colonial life. Mile 
 after mile of almost trackless woods filled with bears, deer, and the other 
 denizens of the forest, with here and there a gleaming lake or sparklino- 
 river glinting in the sunlight ; the plodding wayfarer on foot with his heavy 
 staff ; the rider on horseback clad iu the quaint costume of the time ; and 
 anon, a little opening in the wilderness with a single log house or a small 
 cluster of rude buildings, where rest and refreshment could be obtained for 
 man and beast. As one traveler dismounts, or another wearily shifts his 
 heavy burden to the bench by the open door, we can see the dwellers of the 
 hamlet slowly gathering one by one to hear the news from the outside world, 
 a faint echo of whose events just reaches these secluded places ; or the 
 women collecting about the pedlar to hear the latest fashions of the towns 
 described, and to barter for some of the contents of the pack by his side. 
 
 Woodcock had a large family, with a number of laborers and assistants ; 
 there must have lieen fully fourteen in the entire family. He had a smith on 
 his place, barns, a garrison house of large size, sons' houses, etc., so that his 
 place made quite an opening in the forest and furnished social relief to the 
 lonely and weary journeyers. There was on such a route more travel than 
 one would at first suppose, for emigrants were from time to time going from 
 town to town and settlement to settlement, seeking eligible situations or 
 locations, and messengers on business matters or the municipal and military 
 aft'airs of the colonies must have frequently passed to and fro. 
 
 This stand, so long owned and occupied by Colonel Hatch, and still called 
 by his name, is the oldest in the county of Bristol — a public house having 
 
 iManj' farewells were s.iid, and many prayers puldicly oflered for her safe return from such an 
 untried and awful journey, over hill and dale, through fleld and Hood. Such a tale brings a smile of 
 incredulity to the face of the present lightning age, when this journey can be so easily made in seven 
 hours, gliding over iron rails in a palace on wheels. 
 
94 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 been kept on the spot, without intermission, from July 5, 1670, to about 1840 
 — during a period of oufi liundred and secentii years. It is situated on the 
 Boston and Providence turnpike, now often termed " the old turnpike road." 
 I have been at considerable pains to ascertain the names of the several 
 owners in succession, and the times at which they purchased, some brief 
 notices of which may be interesting to the reader. 
 
 It was established by John "Woodcock, as already related, in 1670, the land 
 having beeu laid out and cleared by him for the purpose. He occupied it 
 about twenty-three years. 
 
 Feb. 17, 1693-94, John Woodcock, Sen., of Rehoboth (with Joanna ^ 
 his wife), for £390 money in hand received, conveys to John Devotion,- of 
 " Muddy River, formerly of Boston," a tract of land containing two hundred 
 and ten acres, being " at a place commonly called ten mile river, by a high- 
 way called Wrentham lane," etc., " with the mansion or dwelling house, barn, 
 and all other out-housing and buildings (the Smith's shop only excepted 
 standing on the river) ; " ^ also about thirty acres lying on the northwest side 
 of the country road formerly given to his son, John Woodcock, bounded by 
 Ten INIile River, etc., with his son's dwelling house and barn on the same. 
 " John Devotion took quiet possession of the same April 9th 1694, in presence 
 of Nathaniel Brentnall, William Chaplin." In this conveyance to Devotion 
 is the following curious item : "• Also, all the said John Woodcock, his right 
 to, and privilege in, a house and pasture at Wrentham for accommodation of 
 his family and horses on Sabbath days and other public times, as occasion 
 may be." As we have seen, he formerly had a house at Rehoboth for a 
 similar purpose. From this and other records it appears that Woodcock and 
 his family were very attentive to public worship. 
 
 Woodcock laid out the ancient burying-ground near his house. In the 
 above-mentioned conveyance is the following reservation : " Except a small 
 parcel of at least six rods square or the contents thereof, for a burying place, 
 in which my wife and several of m}^ children and neighbors are interred, with 
 libert}' for my children and neighbors to come upon and make use therof 
 forever as occasion may be." 
 
 John Devotion occupied the premises more than seventeen years. He left 
 no descendants here ; and after selling his estate removed to Wethersfield, and 
 afterwards to Suffield, Conn., where a brother, Ebenezer Devotion,^ was 
 settled. His wife's name was Hannah, probably Taylor. 
 
 July 10, 1711, John Devotion, for £400 money paid, conveys the said 
 
 ' Second wife, to whom he had been married some years. 
 
 -John Devotion was a graduate of Harvard CoUege, and lie had a son, John Devotion, who was a 
 schoolmaster living in Swansea in 171G. 
 
 ^ A shop now stands on the same spot. 
 
 ^Ebenezer Devotion was also a graduate of Harvard College. He taught school in Dorchester, 
 and went to Sutlield, Conn., in 1709, was ordained in 1710, and i-emained there till his death, which 
 occurred in 1739. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 95 
 
 fa mi contaiuiiig two hundred acres, more or less, to John Daggett, of Chil- 
 mark, in Dukes County, Martha's Vineyard (the first of that name who 
 settled in this town?), with twenty-five acres on "Nine Mile Run" (except 
 two acres, the barn and orchard on it later — in 1833 — in possession of 
 Penticost Blackinton). " Also, one whole share in the undivided lauds in 
 Attleborough." 
 
 April 16, 1722, John Daggett, for £550, sells the same to Alexander Maxcy, 
 " being his homestead, containing one hundred and seventy acres in two parts 
 on the Ten Mile River, &c. at a place called Mount Hope Hill." ' The said 
 Maxcy died in about a year after this purchase. At the division of his estate, 
 in 1730, the establishment passed into the hands of his oldest son, Josiah 
 Maxcy. After his death, in 1772, if not before, it came into the possession 
 -of his son, Levi Maxcy, who occupied it till al)out 1780, when he sold it to 
 Colonel Israil Hatch. 
 
 Mr. Hatch was born \\\ this town in 1754, and while he was a boy was " put 
 out to work," at Deacon Stearns' who lived in what is now Plainville. On 
 coming of age he commenced life for himself as a driver on a mail stage over 
 the old post road between Boston and Providence. Later he owned a stage 
 for himself, and carried passengers over the same road. He was engaged for a 
 short time in the war of the Revolution, was in Sullivan's expedition to Rhode 
 Island, iu Captain Alex. Foster's Company, in Colonel Thomas Carpenter's 
 Regiment. About 1780, as before seen, he purchased the old garrison house 
 of Levi Maxcy, and continued keeping a public house there until his death, 
 though he was also at different times proprietor of several hotels iu Boston ; 
 one on State Street — Exchange Hotel — from which many daily stages started 
 out ; one where the Adams House now is, and another on Tremout Street, or 
 perhaps Washington Street, where it is said he kept a hotel called the "• White 
 Horse." The following stanza on its bulletin board proclaimed the advan- 
 tages of this hostelry to travelers : — 
 
 From Attleboro' sirs, I came. 
 Where once 1 did you entertain . 
 And now shall here, as there before. 
 Attend you at my open door. 
 Obey all orders with dispatch, 
 I 'm sirs, 
 
 Your servant, 
 
 Israel Hatch. 
 
 During his sojourn in Boston, on June 8th, 1789, lie was appointed captain 
 in the first regiment, in the first brigade and first division of the militia of 
 the Commonwealth. September 26, 1789, he was appointed major in the 
 same regiment. He received these appointments from the governor, as may 
 be seen bv the original certificates now in the possession of a descendant. 
 
 1 So called to this day. 
 
96 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 which contaiu the bold signature of " His Excellency John Hancock, Esq. 
 Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." The certificate of his 
 taking the oath is signed •' Peter Green, Lt. Col. Comd'r." He resigned 
 April 20, 1790. 
 
 Though he resided in Boston for a number of years, he continued to keep 
 the tavern in the old garrison house, and about 1800 he returned to Attleborough 
 to live. 
 
 He was one of the chief projectors of the Boston and Providence Turn- 
 pike, was one of the contractors and himself built quite a portion of it» 
 March 24, 1801, a patent was issued to him for "' a new and useful improve- 
 ment in the mode of making and discharging chain and cleaver shot." This 
 shot was applicable to " ships, batteries, and all modes of warfare." This 
 patent, still in existence, is on real parchment, and bears the signature of 
 Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, and that of Levi Lincoln,. 
 Attorney General and acting Secretary of State. 
 
 During the war of 1812 Colonel Hatch took great interest in the harbor 
 defences. February 21, 1811, he was appointed Justice of the Peace, and 
 the commission was '■' for seven years or during good behavior," signed by 
 " Elbridge Gerry, Governor." He was the first postmaster appointed in the 
 town and he received the first appointment in 1789. His second appoint- 
 ment as "Deputy Post Master" was issued February 21, 1805, by •' Gid"- 
 Granger, Post Master General." 
 
 Colonel Hatch had in various ways, both as innkeeper and public 
 man, intercourse with many of the great men of his time. Among the 
 valuable papers he left is a letter, relating to some military affairs, from 
 John Quincy Adams, and another regarding his patent franked by James- 
 Madison. 
 
 He married Lois Holmes of the same family as that known still in the 
 Holmes neighborhood. They had six children : Israil, Sally, Lucy, Fanny, 
 George, and Joseph. Lucy married John Stephen Fuller, a native of this 
 town who kept the " Half AVay House" on the turnpike, in Walpole, called 
 " PollcN^'s." It was a celebrated and popular tavern in the days of stage 
 coaches from Boston to Providence, and everybody was anxious to dine there 
 on the passage. Fuller was the landlord who created its reputation, which 
 lasted till stage travel had ended. 
 
 Most of this family were remarkable for their longevity. Fanny, who 
 became Mrs. Washington Pearce, lived to be ninety-three. Israel died 
 December 18, 1875, aged eighty-four years, seven months, and twelve days ; 
 and his wife died ten da^'s later, aged eighty-five years, ten months, and fif- 
 teen days; Sally died October 11, 1854, aged seventy-five; George in 1872, 
 aged eighty ; Joseph, who was a prominent physician in North Attleborough, 
 died September 13, 1855, aged fifty-nine years, eleven months, the only one 
 of the family who did not reach great age. Five of the six children survived 
 

 1. "'Old Cooper House." 2. "Aunt Cynthia Hatch House"; addition to Wootleock's 
 Garrison, built between 1730-40. 3. "'Old Bhtckiuton House." 4. "Old Pierce 
 
 House." 5. "Old Walcott House," Water.y Hill, burned in 1892; over 200 years old. 
 6. Residence of Capron Wilmarth, built about 1819. 7. " Josiah Draper House," built 
 by Josiah Maxcy over 150 years ago. 8. Hatch House, built in ISOfi. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 97 
 
 both father aud mother, for 31rs. Hatch died January 23, 1831, when in her 
 seventy-ninth year. 
 
 Colonel Hatch had a long career of usefulness in various public capacities. 
 "In character he was extremely vigorous and enterprising, always seemed 
 anxious to take hold of new and extensive projects, and to see them carried 
 through. He was often engaged in large operations of various liiuds, and 
 w^as in his day a very influential man." During the days of his proprietor- 
 ship the Hatch House dispensed its hospitality to many famous persons. 
 Such illustrious men as Washington and Lafayette dined there ; such as John 
 Quiucy Adams, Commodore Hull, Commodore Bainbridge, General Wiufield 
 Scott, President Monroe, and Daniel AVebster. 
 
 The old garrison house was torn down in 1806, and a large and elegant 
 building erected on the spot, fifty-eight by sixty feet, and three stories high. 
 It thus appears that the first building erected on the place stood one hundred 
 aud thirty-six years. A great part of the timber was said to be perfectly 
 sound, pierced, however, by many a bullet received in Philip's war. A relic of 
 this house, it is said, was preserved in the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 It was the original building only that was taken down. An addition built at 
 an early period was moved a little back, where it now stands, " carved o'er 
 with many a long-forgotton name." Up to 1830 a small remnant, one room, 
 of the old garrison might be seen adjoining the wood house. The addition, 
 after its removal, was used as a storehouse for liquors, a place for their sale, 
 and also a barroom where friendly " spirits" could meet and drink and chat 
 leisurely together. This was finally arranged as a dwelling house, aud was, 
 until quite recently, occupied by members of the family. Its framework of 
 oak timber, twelve to fourteen inches square, is apparently in excellent pres- 
 ervation, and doubtless still strong enough to defy the ravages of time for 
 many years to come. 
 
 The new building had four rooms on the first floor, about twenty-four feet 
 square. A wide hall ran the full length of the house in the three stories. 
 The second floor contained five rooms and the third floor seven, while above 
 was a large open attic. The wing contained three rooms — the kitchen aud 
 a barroom with dancing hall above. The sign is still in existence and in the 
 possession of one of Colonel's Hatch's grandchildren. ^ It is about five feet by 
 four, with a strong iron frame above the top by which to hang it. The out- 
 side border of the sign is painted a vivid green with a narrow inside border- 
 ing of red. The centre is painted white with a stately looking steamboat on 
 it and a landscape in the background. At the top, in large letters, is painted 
 " Steam Boat Hotel " — for that was the real name of the famous old tavern ; 
 "I Hatch," below, and "painted by Barron, Pawtucket." It has swung in 
 many a breeze and buffeted with many a fierce storm without the ancient inn 
 
 > Mrs. W. H. Goodhue, who has also the interesting papers previously referred to. — Editok. 
 
98 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 door, but it anuouneed in all weathers the same abundant comfort and good 
 cheer within. It ought to be placed in some public place — a proper room 
 or building — and there carefully preserved as an interesting relic of those 
 *'good old times," now forever passed away. 
 
 Colonel Hatch died May 19, 1837, in the eighty-third 3'ear of his age. He 
 kept the tavern until about a year before his death, and his son, Captain 
 Israil Hatch, kept it until 1839 or 1840. Since then it has been used for 
 dwellings. Its pristine glory has departed. It is at present quite dilapi- 
 dated and fast falling to decay, and not a trace of the original old garrison 
 remains. After the death of Colonel Hatch the author was appointed 
 administrator of the estate. He collected, among other claims, the proceeds 
 of Colonel Hatch's five shares in the turnpike — sold the outlots, and after- 
 wards sold that part of the famous farm which was the main or largest part 
 of it, to " Draper and Tifft " (Josiah Draper and John Tifft), and divided 
 the spacious mansion among his heirs-at-law, three sons and two daughters. 
 It was finally owned by Mr. H. F. Barrows, Mrs. E. I. Richards, and Mrs. 
 W. H. Goodhue, the latter the only descendant who had a share in it for a 
 number of years. 
 
 Thus its career as a public house ended ; thus were closed up the records 
 of this old historic tavern, one hundred and seventy years after Woodcock 
 first opened its doors as an " ordinary" ; thus this venerable institution which 
 had watched the passing of six generations of men on the stage of life was 
 laid to rest in its grave. What changes it had witnessed ! First it was in the 
 domain of Massasoit, Pockanocket ; then a part of the Old Colony ; next in 
 the Massachusetts Bay Colony ; then in the Province of Massachusetts Bav ; 
 and last in the free, independent State of Massachusetts, under its own con- 
 stitution in the United States. Beneath that shelter may its grave remain 
 undisturbed forever.' 
 
 Several families settled near Mr. Blackstone's seat previous to the war. 
 John Fitch was one of these settlers. His grave is mentioned in the laying 
 out of the lands adjoining Blackstone's, and some others had lands near him, 
 
 ' On the morning of January iOth, 1893, a fli-e partially destroyed this building. A paragraph in an 
 article written at tlie time shows to what " base uses " the noble old structure had been subjected. 
 " For the last quarter of a century the house lias been falling into disuse and decay and has been 
 chiefly noted for the drunken brawls which have taken place in it. The great dining hall has been 
 a nesting place for birds and tramps, and the olil southeast room, in which some of the world's 
 great men had peacefully slept, was used as a cobbler shop. In this room the fire caught, and 
 the entire building is now Ijut little more than a shell. The lieavy timbers in the walls resisted the 
 fire, but the roof has fallen in, and the old barn-like structure which has attracted tlie attention of the 
 curious for the last decade, and been an unsightly place in the town, will probably be pulled down in 
 the spring." The truly unsightly ruin was left for several months, but at length what was left was 
 torn down. It is sad to record this the " untimely end " of the " Old Hatch House," and to anticipate 
 the speed}^ sweeping away of all visible traces of a place so famous in our early history. The atlja- 
 cent building on the south — the modernized "addition" to the old garrison house — is all that now 
 remains of this " ancient landmark," and when new buildings rise on the spot it will be difficult to 
 recall with any degree of satisfaction wliat once was here in " ye good old times." 
 
BISTORT OF ATTLEDOBOUGH. 99 
 
 and in one case a house is named. This is probably the one mentioned in the 
 following record — that of the laying out of highways, which it would seem 
 were among the earliest laid out within the limits of the town : — 
 
 Alexander Balkeoni, John Stevens, Eben. Tyler, Samuel Tyler. John Daggett, John Savage, 
 Avery ? Savage, Jury to lay out roads, Oct. 3d and 4th 1684. 
 
 Laid out the Country road towards Mendon and Dedham, viz. the R. to Ded. from the gate 
 at the N. W. end of the town, through the lane and 2d division and great Plaint' in the ancient 
 road, and along that road until it come to the heap of stones upon the ten Mile hill, to the 
 Massachusetts line; wh. way we have laid out 4 R. wide except it be between John Wood- 
 cock's land where it is laid out 40 feet or upwards. Likewise the s'd Jury laid out a country 
 highway to Medfield from the aforesaid Country highway to Dedham, viz. between John 
 Woodcock's laud 40 feet vvi'le to the line aforesaid. Likewise a way leading to Abbots Run 
 where the way comes that comes from Prov. that leads to Dedham, and along in that road 
 westerly until it comes to John Stephenson's lot; and through his lot and a part of .John 
 Blaekstone's land along until it comes to Isaac Allen's /iOMse, and by his fence straight betwixt 
 two hills to meet with s'd road. Moreover, s'd Jury laid out a road from Pawtucket river 
 40 ft. wide by the river in John Blaekstone's land to meet the way that leads to Mendon. 
 
 From Proprietors Records of Rehoboth 
 
 Wooster Carpenter, Clerk. 
 
 Another early settlement was at the Falls (so called), later Falls Factories, 
 now Attleborough Falls. The natural advantages of a fine fall of water 
 attracted the settlers to this spot. The banks of rivers were generally selected 
 by the first occupants on account of the "natural meadows" which they 
 afforded, and which were highly valued at a time when the face of the 
 country was largely covered with forests. 
 
 The first person who laid out lands at the latter place, as near as can be 
 ascertained from the records, was John Daggett, of Rehoboth, who, in Octo- 
 ber, 1677, sold fifty acres of them to his brother, Thomas Daggett, of 
 Martha's Vineyard. Edward Hall i also at an early period owned fifty acres 
 here, which he gave by will to his son John, and he sold it to John Stevensou'- 
 and Samuel Penfield ; the latter sold it in 1686 to Thomas Daggett, of Edgar- 
 town, and Joseph and Nathaniel Daggett, of Rehoboth, these last two being 
 sons of John Daggett the first, of that town, and first owner of lauds in this 
 place.^* This was the land immediately around the Falls, including the privi- 
 
 iThen of Relioboth, previously of Tauntou. Admitted a freeman of Massachusetts May 2d, 1638. 
 One John Hall was admitted May 14th, 1634, and another May 6th, 1(J35. Edward had seven children — 
 John, born before his father came to Rehoboth, Samuel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Preserved, Andrew, 
 Benjamin, from 1656 to 166S. 
 
 2 Was this John Stevenson son-in-law of William Blackstone? 
 
 3 This was John the 2d, son of John the 1st, of Watertown and Martha's Vineyard, and he was 
 born in England about 1625 or 16-26. He appears to have gone to Rehoboth (with his father on his 
 removal from Watertown about 1644), shortly subse(iuent to the settlement of that place. He was one 
 of the original shareholders in the North Purchase lands, and one of the early settlers of Rehoboth. 
 In 1651 he was married in Rehoboth to Anne Sutton, and they had five children. He appears not to 
 have lived up on all occasions to the rigid requirements of his times, but sometimes indulged in what 
 mav be termed " freedom of speech," as may be seen by the following record ; " June 1, 1663. Jolm 
 Doged of Rehoboth being by Capt. Willett convicted of 2 lyes, is fined 20 shillings." [See Doggett- 
 Daggett History.] Whether this was a deliberate or unpremeditated act must be left to conjecture, 
 
100 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 lege. The first mill built there was a " Corn Mill," owned or occupied by 
 the above-named Joseph Daggett, at what time is not known. This was 
 doubtless the first mill in town. March 30, 1703, the town voted that Joseph 
 Daggett, of Rehoboth, have tlie privilege " that the stream at the Tea Mile 
 River trails shall go free of all sorts of taxes until a Corn mill has the con- 
 stant custom of three score families ; and if a saw mill be built, that to bear 
 his equal share in public charges in said town." 
 
 Thomas Butler ^ also laid out lauds near the mill. 
 
 The southeast corner of the town was early inhabited by people from 
 Rehoboth. The borders of the Bay road, which passed through the neigh- 
 borhood of Newell's and " the cit}'," were occupied by some of the first 
 settlers. This was the main route from Bristol to Boston, and was the first 
 road in the town. It has been said that this road was not town built, but 
 was constructed by outsiders, simply passing through the town's territory, 
 and that the first highway laid out by those having an interest in the territory 
 itself was the one mentioned in the record above quoted — the Meudon road. 
 
 as the recor'is furnish uo clew to attending circumstances. As he subsequently held several town 
 •offices and was a man of some position in Rehoboth, — a place where the standard of respectaljility 
 was as high as in any other settlement, — he is entitled to the " benefit of the doubt." During King 
 Philip's war, when some advance of money was made, he contributed a considerable sum, the 
 •equivalent of perhaps four or live hundred dollars at the present time. He ilied in 1707. 
 ■ There were three of the name of Butler in town. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 101 
 
 CHAPTER lY. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROPRIETORS. INDIAN WAR. PROCEEDINGS OF 
 
 THE TOWN. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROPRIETORS. 
 
 ri^HE proprietors of the Reholwth North Purchase soon became a distinct 
 _L body from the town, aud kept separate books. Before proceeding to 
 other parts of the history of this town, it may be proper to detail some of 
 the transactions of the proprietors which will throw light on our early history 
 aud oive a view of the difficulties which tliey had to encounter in the 
 settlement. 
 
 The "Proprietors' Books" commence in 1672. Previous to this their pro- 
 ceedings were recorded in the Rehoboth town books. A certain company — 
 consisting of inhabitants of Rehoboth — purchased, as already appears, a 
 certain tract of land of the Indians, tlu'ough their agent, and the title was 
 confirmed by the government, ^ aud the tract was called the Rehoboth North 
 Purchase. There were eighty-two purchasers or shareholders, seventy-six 
 of whom had whole shares and six half-shares, making seventy-nine whole 
 shares.- What consideration was paid for the purchase does not appear, 
 but some idea of the amount may be suggested by that paid to Philip for 
 "six miles square or the quantity thereof," the territory now Wrentham. 
 Captain Willett negotiated for that tract, aud Philip received for it the sum 
 of £24. s.lO. 
 
 People from Wannamoisett (Swansea) and some residents of other places 
 soon purchased shares in the association ; some removed in the course of a 
 few years, and sold their rights to others, and thus the proprietors became 
 a distinct body from the town of Rehoboth aud conducted their business 
 
 1 No purchase of Indian lands was valid without the grant or confirmation of the government. See 
 Old Colony Statutes. 
 
 2 An error is apparent in tliis list of 1672, for 80)4 instead of 79 shares are represented. There were 
 82 purchasers, and of these 76 were interested in whole shares, but they held between them ll^i shares, 
 as may be seen by examination, which with the 6 half-shares additional makes a total of 80K- The 
 only explanation seems to be that in reckoning up tlie number of shares the three extra ones held by 
 the men owning two full shares each were allowed to oflset the three persons holding one share to- 
 gether. An entire share was thus lost in the count, and the extra half-share ascribed to John Wood- 
 cock was overlooked. This is not of vital importance, aud few would take the trouble to examine 
 the list, but as some curious person might do so, the apparent error is noticed. It is possible the 
 author might have made some mistake in figures in copying the list, but he was usually so correct in 
 such matters that we incline to the belief that the fault lay with the reckoning of the proprietors 
 themselves. — Editor. 
 
102 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 under a separate organization. They called their meetings by warrant from 
 a justice of the peace, and elected their own officers, moderators, recording 
 clerks, standing committees, and surveyors for laying out lands, and passed 
 by-laws for the regulation of their proceedings. The course of proceeding 
 was at a regular meeting of the proprietors called for the purpose to vote a 
 dividend of so many acres to a share. The proprietor would then, after 
 fixing upon his location, call upon the surveyor and committee to assign him 
 the amount of his dividend, and make return of it in writing to the clerk, 
 who would record it on the proprietors' books, and this would constitute his 
 title. A transfer of a share might be made by deed, a record of the sale 
 being entered in the proprietors' books, or a person might obtain a title to 
 lands by purchasing of a proprietor a right to lay out a certain number of 
 acres in a division already granted, which would be recorded to him in the 
 same manner as to the original owner. 
 
 The grant was first made to such inhabitants of Rehoboth as held a fifty- 
 pound estate and upwards, they having made the purchase; but in 1670 all 
 who were then inhabitants of that town were admitted as proprietors, by 
 entering their names, as appears by the following extract from a court order 
 passed October 7th, 1670 : — 
 
 " Whereas the lands on the northerly side of Rehoboth now sold by deed 
 and passed over to the proprietors of that town, viz., to all that hold lands 
 there from a fifty pounds estate and upwards ; yet b>/ mutual agreement 
 amongst themselves all the inhabitants were taken in to be joint purchasers, it 
 is determined that the names of such as were not comprehended in the above 
 mentioned deed shall be entered in their tow^n records and in the public 
 records of the colony, to be, if they desire it, as full and equal purchasers 
 and proprietors in those lands as the rest." 
 
 These lands were at first exempted from full taxation, " to accommodate 
 the poorer sort with land and yet so as not to oppress them as much other- 
 wise." The court ordered " that all the North lands, both farms and else," 
 should be taxed in a rate separate from the town of Rehoboth, and should 
 pay thirty shillings in a £40 rate to the colon}', and in the same proportion 
 in the ministerial and other charges, " until the Court shall see cause other- 
 wise to dispose concerning them, until which time they shall be and remain 
 within the Constablerick of the township of Rehoboth." October 7th, 1670. 
 
 The proprietors sometimes exercised legislative powers, which were, how- 
 ever, to some extent, authorized by statute : — 
 
 June 10, 1707. "Voted, that all who have lands laid out in the North 
 Purchase and have not renewed their bounds since the 1st of March last, 
 shall, between this date and the last of September next, renew the same, or 
 forfeit the sum of ten shillings to be recovered as a debt due : the one half to 
 the informer, and the other half to the Proprietors, any one of whom are 
 authorized to prosecute this act." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 103 
 
 At the Slime meeting it was ordered that all the timber cut on the undivided 
 lauds should be forthwith seized ; and a committee was appointed to hear 
 and determine by what right it was cat, and if found without good rights 
 then to take the methods of the law in that case provided. 
 
 September 16, 1707. ''Voted that the committee, with the surveyor^ 
 shall lay out all ueedful highways for the Proprietors in said Purchase, and 
 make restitution to persons whose lands are taken for this purpose in any 
 of the undivided lands." A large proportion of the highways iu this town 
 were laid out by the proprietors, accompanied by the selectmen. ^ 
 
 November, 1708." The proprietors chose a committee to look after the 
 northerly bounds of their purchase. At this time commenced the long and 
 tedious contest • about the northern boundary of the purchase which was 
 the Old Colony line. The subject was discussed at every meeting, and com- 
 mittees often appointed to devise means of protecting the rights of the pur- 
 chasers. Petitions were sent to the General Court, counsel were employed to 
 defend their rights ; and finally a petition and an agent were sent to England. 
 
 July 21, 1714. Voted, "that two acres of land on the hill before Mr. 
 David Freeman's, where the Burying place now is, shall be laid out for a 
 Burying place for Attleborough." This is the graveyard near the village 
 called " the city." 
 
 June 13, 1717. "Voted unanimously that Col. Nath'l Paine Esq. Mr. 
 Richard Waterman Esq. Lieut. Anthony Sprague, Mr. Dan. Jenks, and 
 Mr. Dan. Smith be a committee to see to the Northerly bounds, hereby giving 
 them full power to act in all respects in behalf of the whole Propriety con- 
 cerning running the line between Attleborough, Wrentham,"! and Dedham, 
 where it ought lawfully to be stated according to our purchase deed." 
 
 July 14, 1717. The committee were authorized to defend all suits of law 
 " that may be commenced by any person or persons against the Propriety, 
 and to empower any attorney or attornies that may be needful for advice ; 
 and further to commence any action or actions that they may think proper 
 for the benefit of the said Propriety." 
 
 November 2, 1720. Voted, "that the former Committee still proceed 
 with their Petitions even until they send to England about the right of our 
 northern line (if they cannot be heard in our own government), and that 
 the expense be paid by the proprietors according to their several interests." 
 
 1 See Ply. liec, Vol. 2, p3. 3-2, 36, 37, 38, 39, 62, 63, 77. 
 
 = Tlie first coinmissiou for settling the line or boundary between Plymouth and Massachusetts was 
 issued June 4, 1639. See Ply. Pec, vol. 1, p. 127. (Given at large there.) 
 
 3 The cause of the dispute was the erroneous running of the line by the commissioners in 1661-64, and 
 the acceptance of the line by them. From that time a controversy commenced and continued for 
 years at great expense. Taunton N. P. and Rehoboth X. P. uniteil in trying to rectify the line, but 
 Massachusetts held them strictly to the compact, though the error was evident. 
 
 « The Wampanoags' territory extended into Wrentham, etc., to Chickatawbat's lands. See Clarke's 
 Hist, of Norton. 
 
104 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Voted, " that one hundred acres of imdivided laud be sold to defray the 
 expenses of defending the northern line." 
 
 At a subsequeut meeting in 1752 the clerk was authorized to sell to any 
 of the proprietors seventy-nine and one-half acres of undivided land at eight 
 shillings Imcful money per acre. 
 
 Feb. 21, 172G-27. Voted " that any person or persons who will sue for our 
 rights in the land challenged by Doi-chester or Stoughton, Wrentham and 
 Bellingham, and to the South of Nath. Woodward and Solomon Saffray's line, 
 and on the north of the town, and all that part that lieth within their challenge, 
 shall have the fourth part of said tract if they recover it to the use of the 
 Propriety." Major Leonard, Esq., Captain John Foster, and Ensign Daniel 
 Peck appeared in said meeting and accepted the otfer. 
 
 It is not often that the dull, monotonous pages of a land record are enliv- 
 ened by the poetic effusions of a rhyraster, but the record books of the 
 Rehoboth North Purchase have one such specimen, constituting the founda- 
 tion of a land title. In these days there lived in town one Joshua Barrows,' 
 a very well known extempore rhjmister, said to be, however, entirely illiterate 
 — unable either to read or write. He was eccentric in his habits and quite a 
 poetizer, of whose productions many specimens were long remembered, and 
 of whose wit and eccentricity tradition long preserved numerous amusing 
 anecdotes. His productions were sometimes satirical and personal as well 
 ^8 humorous. He seems to have suffered the common fate of poets, poverty. 
 He appeared at a meeting of the proprietors, June 5, 1727, and presented a 
 petition in rhyme, begging for a donation for himself of some of the undivided 
 lands. The petition is spread on the records of the propriety at full length, 
 and is as follows : — 
 
 Your Honors now I do implore 
 To read my poor petition ; 
 I hope your hearts will open be 
 To pity my condition. 
 
 Ten acres of the Common Land 
 I pray that you would give ; 
 Then thankful I will be to you 
 As long as I do live. 
 
 Such a kindness, I must confess, 
 From you T don't deserve; 
 But when iu health, I freely work — 
 Why should you let me starve? 
 
 From day to day my daily bread 
 I get it by my sweat ; 
 But to my sorrow, I beg and borrow 
 When sickness doth me let. 
 
 'Son of .John BaiTows of PlymoutU, who had several sons, Beuaih, Joshua, etc. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 105 
 
 No more in rhyme here at this time, 
 No more I have at hand. 
 And so 1*11 end, your faithful friend 
 And servant to command, 
 
 Joshua Barrows. 
 Attlebokough, June 5th 172". 
 
 The prayer of this petition our good-humored forefathers could not refuse. 
 "Upon the hearing of the aforesaid petition of Joshua Barrows, there were 
 sundr}^ persons in said meeting, which were proprietors, which gave him land 
 to take up upon their rights — their names are as foUoweth," etc. — making in 
 the whole thirteen acres, which were laid out and recorded to him. 
 
 It appears from the report of a committee that an agent was actualW 
 employed in England to defend their boundaries. In their account are the 
 following items : — 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Paid for silver money to send to England 21 IT 6 
 
 Paid to Nath. Brown for carrying the money to Boston to send 
 
 to England .' 2 02 
 
 To expense at Providence when i>oth committees met there to 
 wait on Gov. Jencks, and writing to send to England 
 after his return from England, &c. &c 1 7 6 
 
 Jan. 3, 1750-51. "Chose Col. Thomas Bowen, Maj. John Foster and 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler a committee, fully empowering them to prepare a petition 
 praying the General Court that some effectual method may be taken for the 
 perfecting of a straight line from the middle of Accord Pond (so called) west- 
 ward to that station which is three English miles south of the southerniuost 
 part of Charles River, agreeable i to a settlement made by the Government of 
 New Plymouth and the Massachusetts in the year 1640."- 
 
 Sept. 26, 1751. "Made choice of James Otis,^ of Boston, and John 
 Foster of Attleborough, Esqrs. a committee in addition to Benjamin Day 
 and Nathaniel Smith (chosen at a former meeting,) to present a petition to 
 be heard at the General Court at their next session, and to pursue said petition 
 until it is fully determined by said Court ; and to petition anew if need be, to 
 have the line settled on the northerly part of our Purchase." 
 
 May 19, 1752. "Chose a committee and gave them full povver to eject 
 any person or persons out of the possession of those lands they have pos- 
 sessed themselves of, within the North Purchase Grant, without the consent 
 of the Proprietors, as also full power to sue and pursue any action brought 
 for the purpose, to final judgment and execution." 
 
 May 27, 1754. The committees of Rehoboth North Purchase and Taunton 
 North Purchase entered into an agreement to commence actions of ejectment 
 
 iSee agreenieut of Massachusetts and Plymouth on the boundaries, Ply. Col. Laws, p. 335. 
 
 2 For fuller descriptiou of coutroversy see Mis. chapter. 
 
 3 Was this James Otis the celebrated orator? 
 
106 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 against persons who had intruded upon their respective purchases, the costs to 
 be borne equally by the two proprieties. 
 
 Divisions of land in the North Purchase have been made among the pro- 
 prietors at different times, as follows : — 
 
 1 A divi-iou of 50 acres to ii slmre was granted March IS, 1G6S-9 
 
 2 
 
 
 „ 50 
 
 >■> 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,, ,, ,, 
 
 Feb. 18, 16S4 
 
 3 
 
 
 „ 50 
 
 acres 
 
 ill 2 
 
 parts 25 acres each 
 
 Oct. 81, 1699 
 
 4 
 
 
 .. 50; 
 
 iicres 
 
 in 2 
 
 lotments 
 
 1703 
 
 5 
 
 
 „ 50 
 
 acres 
 
 was 
 
 granted 
 
 June 10. 1707 
 
 6 
 
 
 „ 50 
 
 )? 
 
 • J 
 
 '» 
 
 July 21, 1714 
 
 7 
 
 
 „ 20 
 
 J) 
 
 »i 
 
 1) 
 
 Feb. 21, 1726-7 
 
 8 
 
 
 „ 10 
 
 >j 
 
 ,, 
 
 j» 
 
 April 14, 1735 
 
 9 
 
 
 ,, 3 
 
 ?> 
 
 •) 
 
 J' 
 
 April 4, 1760 
 
 10 
 
 
 2 
 
 „ 
 
 ,, 
 
 „ 
 
 1793 
 
 11 
 12 
 
 
 2 
 
 „ 1 
 
 
 M 
 
 ') 
 
 1801 
 1820 
 
 13 
 
 
 ., 1 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,, 
 
 ,, 
 
 May 10, 1833 
 
 The most valuable parts of this purchase were taken up by these divisions 
 many years since. A small but broken and unproductive fragment, and the 
 last remnant of this common and undivided land, still remained on Cutting's 
 Plain (so called) on the road from East Attleborough at the time this history 
 was first published (1834), but since that time it has all been divided. 
 
 From their records and the extracts which have been made, it appears that 
 the proprietors made their own regulations, gave their own titles to lands, and 
 in fact enacted all their laws relative to the ownership and the original con- 
 veyance of lands included in their purchases. 
 
 NAMES OF THE CLERKS OP THE PROPRIETY. 
 
 William Carpenter, Jr., chosen May 17, 1682 
 Daniel Smith ,, May 31, 1703 
 
 X< (All Carpenter „ April 23,1724 
 
 John Robbins, Jr. „ May 1, 1752 
 
 John Daggett ., Dec. 9, 1768 
 
 Ebenezeii Daggett ,, July 1,1793 
 
 He continued till his death, ]March 4, 1832. Lucas Daggett was chosen 
 May 10, 1833, and was the last of the clerks of the propriety. 
 
 The last record of the laying out of common or proprietors' land is by 
 Lucas Daggett, Clerk, March 15, 1839. He laid out to Hartford Ide "61 
 rods of land, more or less." 
 
 INDIAN war. 
 
 The few events connected with this war which occurred here should not 
 be omitted in the history of the town. 
 
 The peaceful regions which we now inhabit once resounded with the shrill 
 and terrible warwhoop of the Indian. These fields and woods, these hills 
 and vales were once trod by the wild hunters of the forest. Thev were the 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOIiOUGH. 107 
 
 domain of another race of men, who have long since passed away and are 
 known only bj' the brief histories and scattered relics which their conquerors 
 have preserved. But whatever relates to them is interesting. They were dis- 
 tinguished l)y many peculiarities. They liad their savage vices, but possessed 
 at the same time their savage virtues. Tliey were hardy, bold, and warlike. 
 
 The most important and critical period in the history of the colony was the 
 Indian war of 1675-76. This was a gloomy and fearful period to these 
 infant settlements. The hour of their destruction seemed to be drawing 
 nigh. They were a scattered people — spreading over a wide extent of 
 territory — peculiarly exposed in their lives and property to Indian depreda- 
 tions. The approaching contest required all the patience, fortitude, and cour- 
 age which men are ever called to exercise. They had to contend against fear- 
 ful odds. Nearly all the New England tribes, embracing many thousand 
 warriors, had combined for their destruction, guided by the matchless genius 
 of a chief versed in all the arts of savage warfare. It was a war of exter- 
 mination — a contest for victory in which there was no quarter, no mercy. 
 
 In April. 1676, the Indians, having suffered several severe defeats in a 
 body, adopted a new mode of warfare, and dispersed themselves in small 
 parties over the country, burning, killing, and destroying wherever opportunity 
 offered. Among other outrages they attacked Woodcock's garrison, " killed 
 oue man, and one of Woodcock's sons, and wounded another, and burnt the 
 son's house." Some circumstances connected with this event appear to have 
 been accurately preserved by tradition, from which and other sources are 
 gathered the following particulars : — 
 
 His sons were at work in a cornfield near the house. The Indians con- 
 cealed in a wood adjoining this field — now the meadow on the east of the 
 turnpike below the bridge — approached to its borders and suddenly fired upon 
 them. The workmen fled to the garrison, leaving the dead body on the field. 
 The Indians, to gratify their spite against the family, cut off the son's head, 
 stuck it on a long pole, which they set up on a hill at some distance in front 
 of the house, and in full view of the family, to aggravate their feelings as 
 much as possible. From this time Woodcock swore never to makepeace with 
 the Indians. He ever after hunted them like wild beasts. He was a man of 
 resolute and determined character, and tradition says that not a few fell vic- 
 tims to his vengeance and a sacrifice to the manes of his murdered son. 
 
 This attack was in April. The body of his son (whose name was Nathan- 
 iel) was buried on the spot where he fell, nearly in the centre of the yard, 
 which has ever since been reserved for a burying ground. This attack was 
 in all probability between the date of Pierce's fight, March 26th, and April 
 26th, 1676, and after the attack on Wrentham, when the town was burnt. 
 
 Woodcock's sou Nathaniel, as already mentioned, and a son-in-law were 
 killed, and oue of his sons was severely wounded by several bullets in both 
 shoulders. 
 
108 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 A detail of six soldiers had been sent to this garrison for its protection by 
 the Plj'moiith government, as may be seen by Woodcock's petition to the 
 General Court on this page. They had been temporarily withdrawn for 
 service elsewhere, leaving him dependent upon his own resources and in 
 great danger from these roving Indians. There were onl}^ fourteen persons 
 living in his settlement at the time, consisting of his sons and daughters and 
 sons-in-law, and including two or three others ; and probably a man by the 
 name of Rocket, whose signature as a witness appears on several instruments, 
 was one of them. 
 
 Under these circumstances Woodcock applies to the authorities for aid and 
 protection from both colonies. In his account he refers to his own losses 
 and to the damage which Wrentham had already sustained by an attack of the 
 Indians. His statements must be regarded as authentic and true, while they 
 correct some mistakes of early historians. (Ancient accounts fix the date 
 incorrectl}^ in May.) He entreats the government to send him a surgeon to 
 dress the wounds of his sou, and thinks it might be safe for him if he came 
 in the night time ; and he also begs that they would send him half a dozen 
 soldiers to man his garrison and supply the place of those who had been 
 stationed there before, but had been suddenly withdrawn. 
 
 The following is the petition : — 
 
 Honored Gover. and Council. 
 
 I make bold to inform your Honors how God's afflictive hand is upon me and my family. 
 God has been pleased to j^ive the heathen commission to break in upon us, who have slain two 
 of my family, and another of my sons sorely wounded, shot with several bullets in the 
 shoulders — but in the midst of these our afflictions God hath shown us Marcy — I was encour- 
 aged by our authority to keep my station, but of a sudden they were pleased to call otf my 
 garrison soldiers, not giving me any warning, and I am in a very great strait what to do — we 
 are but 14 of us and but six that bare arms — and most of us sick. I would intreat your 
 Honors to consider our afflicted condition to send me some assistance for the present till my 
 family is able to draw off — and as my house and family have been serviceable to the Country, 
 I desire I may not be forgotten by both Colonies, liut would intreat your Honors to send me 
 half a dozen men to relieve my family, for if I were able to go away I could not carry my 
 provisions away with me. I have near a hundred bushels of corn in my house besides other 
 provisions — and I bless God for it, and am very loth to go away and leave it to the heathen. 
 We do judge there is not above twelve or sixteen Indians that have done all this evil to our 
 neighbors at Wrentham — and I would intreat your Honors to send me a surgeon to dress my 
 wounded son. I hope there is no danger to come if they come by night. Not to trouble you 
 any further at present, begging your prayers, hoping God will move your hearts with 
 compassion speedily to send us some relief— so I rest Yours to serve in what I may 
 
 April the 26th John Woodcock 
 
 I hope I shall be able to satisfy what charge will come upon me. 
 
 It may be of interest to learn what effect this petition for assistance had 
 upon the honorable gentlemen to whom it was addressed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Council held at Boston, 17th of June 1676, at 8 of the clock — 
 The Council being informed that the Indians are skulking to and again about Wrentham, 
 Woodcock's, (or Mount Hope,) and have of late done mischief to the English. It is ordered 
 that the Major of Suftblk issue out his orders forthwith for such a party as he judgeth it fit 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 109 
 
 and necessary to repair to Dedham on 2d day next early, and range the woods to and again for 
 the discovery, distressing and destroying of the enemy where ere they tind them. — committing 
 the conduct of that party to whom lie sees mete, ordering it that each soldier be compleatly 
 armed with fire arms and ammunition and provisions for four days. 
 
 past by the council, 
 
 Edw. Rawson Sect'y. 
 
 instructions for capt. thomas bratts. 
 
 Ordered to take 20 of his troops with such officers as he may choose, and an officer and ten 
 troopers of Lieut. Halley's troope and march to Dedham. where are ordered to be an officer 
 and 18 foot soldiers mounted, from Dorchester, 6 from Koxbury, and 2i from Dedham with 
 an officer, all appointed to be at Dedham the rendevous this day at 4 P.M. 
 
 Sc. 
 
 You are to march with your troopers and dragoons to be at John Woodcock's by midnight 
 where you shall meet with an Indian Pylot and his file of musketeers, which pylot has engaged 
 to bring you upon Phillip and his company wlio are not above 30 men as he saith, and not 10 
 miles from Woodcock's. Be sure to secure your pilot to prevent falsehood and escape. In 
 case you meet not with a pylot at Woodcock's you are to send to Mr. Xewman at Kehoboth 
 and let him know of your being there. 
 
 Whether AVoodeock obtained the surgeou is not known, or the six men 
 permanently, bnt we may presnnie he did, from this prompt attention — for 
 those times of slow conveyance of news or needs — paid to his petition for 
 assistance against the " skulking Indians," at that special crisis. These 
 were certainly perilous times. 
 
 Piekce's Fight. — This town was the scene of one of the most severe, 
 bloody, and fatal battles fought during the war. It took place on Sunday, 
 March 26th, 1676, in that part which is now Cumberland, R. I., near the 
 Blackstoue River. The place is still pointed out. 
 
 The government of Plymouth, fearing that their settlements would be again 
 attacked, after so many outrages had been committed in Massachusetts, 
 ordered out a company for their defence, consisting of sixty-three English- 
 men ^ and twenty Cape Indians,- under the command of Captain Michael Pierce, 
 of Scituate. He immediately marched in pursuit of the enemy, who were 
 supposed to be in the vicinity. He rendezvoused at the garrison in Rehoboth 
 on Saturday night. The next day, "having intelligence in his Garrison at 
 Seaconicke that a party of the enemy lay near Mr. Blackstoue's, he went 
 forth with 6o English and 20 Cape Indians," and soon discovered four or five 
 Indians in a piece of woods who pretended to be lame and wounded, but 
 
 1 Fifty was tlie number ordered but tliey received some recruits while at Rehobotli. 
 
 2This account differs in some respects from that given by Church, who states that there were only 
 fifty whites and twenty Cape Indians. According to Newman's account there were fifty -two English 
 killed, so there must have bceu more in the battle. I liave relied, for the most of the particulars iu 
 this description, on a " Continued Account of the Bloody Indian War from March till August 1()76," 
 now in the hands of Mr. S. G. Drake, Boston. It was published in Loudon the same year, and 
 contains a minute and apparently accurate detail of this battle and many of the other important 
 events of the war. One volume (the al)Ove mentioned), containing three or four letters, has been 
 lately discovered, and was never reprinted in this country. This note has been almost unchanged 
 since 1S34. Therefore refers to that time. — Editor. 
 
110 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 proved to be decoys to lead the whites into ambuscade, for they soon dis- 
 covered five hundred more of the enem}'. The Indian force in this battle 
 •was commanded by Canonchet, a Narragansett chief, who was soon after 
 taken prisoner and executed. 
 
 Pierce, though aware of their superiority of numbers, courageously pur- 
 sued them when they began to retreat slowly ; but there soon appeared 
 another company of four hundred Indians, who were now able completely to 
 surround him. A party of the enemy were stationed on the opposite side 
 of the river to prevent the English crossing ; they were thus attacked in 
 front and rear by an overwhelming force. Thus all chance of retreat and 
 all hope of escape were cut off. This was a most trying moment. But there 
 w'as no flinching — no quailing. Each one knew that in all human proba- 
 bility he must die on that field, and that too under the most appalling circum- 
 stances, b}^ the hand of a merciless enemy who sought their extermination. 
 But bravely and nobly did they submit to their fate. Each one resolved to 
 do his duty and sell his life at tlie dearest rate. They were truly, " The 
 hopeless warriors of a willing doom." Wounds and death were alike in the 
 hands of such a foe. The wounded must be reckoned with the killed. At 
 such a time the awful warwhoop of the Indian would have sent a thrill of 
 terror to the hearts of any but brave men. 
 
 At this critical juncture Captain Pierce made an exceedingly judicious 
 movement. He formed his men into a circle, back to back, with four spaces 
 between each man, — thus enlarging the circle to its greatest extent, — pre- 
 senting a front to the enemy in every direction and necessarily scattering 
 their fire over a greater surface ; whilst the Indians stood in a deep circle, 
 one behind another, forming a compact mass and presenting a front where 
 every shot must take effect. In the words of the account just referred to in 
 the note, " Capt. Pierce cast his men into a ring, and fought back to back, 
 and were double-double distance all in one ring, whilst the Indians were as 
 thick as they could stand thirty deep." He thus made a brave resistance for 
 two hours — all the while keeping tlie enemy at a distance and his own men 
 in perfect order — and kept up a constant and destructive fire upon the 
 Indians. But no courage or skill could prevail in such an unequal contest 
 or longer resist such a force. At last, overpowered by numbers. Captain 
 Pierce and fifty-five English and ten Cape Indians were slain on the spot, 
 " which in such a cause and upon such disadvantage may certainly be styled 
 the bed of honor." ^ But this victory was gained at a great sacrifice. The 
 Indians lost as manj', not counting woineu and children, as in the great 
 swamp fight at Narragansett, whicli loss Avas computed at over three hundred. 
 Other authorities state the number as 140, wliich in all probability is more 
 nearly correct. 
 
 Accortling to Newman the numher slain was fifty-two English and eleven Cape Indians. 
 
HTS TOBY OF A TTLEB OB OUGH. HI 
 
 Hubbard states that when Captain Pierce found what danger he was in he 
 sent a messenger to Providence for assistance ; but the message not being 
 delivered at once, the needed aid could not be furnished in time. A tradition 
 in Seekonk savs a message was sent by Pierce before he left the garrison 
 there by a man who " attended meeting" in Providence. Not arriving until 
 after the service had begun, he failed to deliver his letter to the captain to 
 whom it was addressed, either from ignorance of its contents or " some other 
 unaccountable cause," and so Captain Pierce and his handful of men had to 
 fight their desperate and bloody fight alone. The captain, it is said, fell 
 *' earlier than many others," and Amos, "one of his friendly Indians," 
 bravelv and honorably stood by his commander's side and fought " until 
 affairs had become utterly desperate," and then made his escape " by 
 blackening his face with powder," in imitation of the enemy. 
 
 Bliss recounts the escape by strategy of several of these Indians. "One 
 being closely pursued by a hostile Indian, sought shelter behind a large rock. 
 Thus the two were watching in awful suspense to shoot each other. But 
 Capt. Pierce's Indian, putting his cap on the end of his gun, raised it to 
 the view of his enemy, who immediately fired at the cap, and the next 
 moment was shot dead by the friendly Indian. Another in his flight, pre- 
 tended to pursue an Englishman with an uplifted tomahawk, holding it in 
 threatening attitude above his head, and thus escaped. A third, being 
 closely pursued, took shelter behind the roots of a large tree that had been 
 lately turned out of the ground, and the hostile Indian, coming up upon the 
 opposite side, was lying in wait to shoot him on his deserting his station, 
 when the friendly Indian, boring a hole through his broad shield, unobserved 
 by the other, shot him dead." 
 
 An important letter, written the day after the battle, the original copy of 
 
 which is in the library of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, 
 
 gives some facts with regard to this fight which may be taken as authentic, 
 
 as it was written by the Rev. Noah Newman, the second minister of 
 
 Rehoboth, to the Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth. 
 
 Eeiiobotii, 27 of the first.i '76. 
 Beverend and dear Sir, 
 
 I received yours dated the 20th of this instant wherein you gave me a doleful relation of 
 wliat had happened with you, and what a distressing Sabbath you had passed. I have now, 
 according to the words of your own letter, an opportunity to retaliate your account with a 
 relation of what yesterday happened to the great saddening of our hearts, tilling us with an 
 mvful expectation of what further evils it may be antecedaneous to, both respecting ourselves 
 and you. Upon the 25th of this instant, Capt. Tierce went forth with a small party of his men 
 and Indians with Inm, and upon discovering the enemy fought him, without damage to himself, 
 and judged that he had considerably damnitied tlieni. Yet he, being of no great force, chose 
 rather to retreat and go out the next morning with a recruit of men. And accordingly he did, 
 taking pilots from us, that were acquainted with the ground. But it pleased the Soverign 
 <jod so to order it, that they were enclosed with a great multitude of the enemy, which hath 
 
 1 Old Style, March first month. 
 
112 ^4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 slain fifty-two of our Englishmeu, and eleven Indians. The account of their names is as fol- 
 lows. From Scituate, ei<;hteen, of whom fifteen were slain, viz. Capt. Pierce, Samuel 
 Russell. Benjamin Chittenden, John Lothrop, Gershom Dodson, Samuel Pratt, Thomas Savary, 
 Joseph Wade, AV'illiam Wilconie. Jeremiah Barstow, John Ensign. Joseph Cowen, Joseph 
 Perry, John Ilowse, [Rose] Marshfield, nine slain, —Thomas Little, John Earns, Joseph White, 
 John Burrows, Joseph Phillips, Samuel Bump, John Low, More , John Brawer. Dux- 
 bury, four slain. — John Sprague, Benjamin Soal, Thomas Hunt, Joshua Fobes. Sandwich, 
 five slain, — Benjamin Nye. Daniel Bessey, Caleb Blake, Job Gibbs, Stephen Wing. Barnstable, 
 
 — six slain, — Lieut. Fuller, John Lewis. Eleazer C [probably Clapp]. Sanmel Linnet, 
 
 Samuel Cliilds, Sanmel Bereman. Yarmouth, five slain, — John Matthews, John Gage. William 
 Gage, Henry (iage. Henry Gold. Eastham, four slain. — Joseph Nessefield, John Walker, John 
 
 M [torn oft'] , John Fitz, Jr. [Fitch] , John Miller, Jr.' Thomas Man is just returned with 
 
 a sore wound. 
 
 Thus sir. you have a sad account of the continuance of God's displeasure against us: yet 
 still I desire steadfastly to look unto him, who is not only able but willing to save all such as- 
 are fit for his salvation. It is a day of the wicked's tryumph. but the same word of God tells 
 us his tryumphing is brief. O that we may not lengthen it out by our sins. The Lord help u* 
 to joyuc issue in our prayers, instantly and earnestly, for the healing and helping of our Land. 
 Our Extremity is God's opportunity. 
 
 Thus with our dearest respects to you and Mrs. Cotton, and such sorrowful friends as are 
 with you, I remain 
 
 Your ever assured friend, 
 
 Noah Newmax. 
 
 It is astonisluDg to modern readers that the soldiers of the colonies, after 
 so much experience of Indian warfare, should suffer themselves to be so 
 often surprised and led into ambuscades. They had but little difhcultv in 
 subduing the enemy in anything like an open fight, which the enemy always 
 avoided, if possible ; but their principal losses occurred when and where they 
 incautiously marched into the Indians' ambuscades. It was a constant mode 
 of warfare, and yet hardly a captain who led out his forces against this 
 enemy did not suffer a defeat or great loss by a sudden surprise of his wily 
 foe. It seems to us at this distance of time that there was a constant neglect 
 of proper caution in this respect on the part of the colonists in their frequent 
 contests with the natives. 
 
 This was the sorest defeat which the colony of Plymouth suffered during 
 the war and caused great distress everj'where, for the numbers lost amounted 
 to about one third of its regular force. According to Church, not a single 
 white man returned from this bloody and fatal battlefield ; but according ta 
 Newman, fifty-two of the sixty-three were killed, so some must have escaped. 
 
 As soon as the Rehoboth people received information of the dangeroua 
 situation of Captain Pierce, they dispatched a company to his assistance, 
 who arrived in season only to perform the last offices to the dead bodies of 
 their countrymen. 
 
 The courage and resolution displayed on this occasion deserve commenda- 
 tion. These brave soldiers were entitled to the gratitude of the colony, for 
 
 ' These two were from Rehoboth. The letter doubtless contained two other names, John Read, 
 Jr., and Benjamin Bucklaiul, as they were eutered on Rehoboth records as slaiu on that tiay. 
 Fourteen names only are }?iveu from Scituate. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 113 
 
 whose defence they had thus sacrificed their lives. They were taken by sur- 
 prise and completely surrounded by a force ten times their superior in num- 
 bers. Pierce was a bold and adventurous man — fear formed no part of his 
 character. His men partook of his courage. They pushed forward, perhaps 
 imprudently — and thus fell into the snare which their enemy had prepared 
 for them. Considering the numbers engaged, it was doubtless the most 
 warmly and closely contested of all the engagements which took place during 
 that eventful period between the white and the red men. At the loAvest esti- 
 mate two hundred, and according to others nearly four hundred, were killed 
 on both sides. History has recorded with applause every feat of bravery 
 when performed on a more conspicuous station, whilst it has often over- 
 looked the humble though equally meritorious exploit. It requires more 
 true courage to die on such a field with such a foe than on the plains of 
 AVaterloo, amid ''the pomp and circumstance of glorious war." All his- 
 torians should call these men truly brave men, and laud them in no measured 
 terms, for this was a most fearful encounter, and they met their deaths like 
 heroes. 
 
 The following adventure, in which " Old Woodcock " was engaged, is 
 abridged from a communication in the Massachusetts Historical Collection, 
 furnished by the research of the late Dr. Mann, formerly of Wrentham. It 
 rests upon the authority of tradition, but appears to be well authenticated. 
 
 A man by the name of Rocket, in searching for a stray horse, discovered 
 a train of forty-two Indians, about sunset. From their appearance he sus- 
 pected they intended to attack the settlement at Wrentham the next morning, 
 after the men had dispersed to their work ; he therefore followed them 
 secretly till they halted for the night, when he hastily returned to the settle- 
 ment and gave notice to the inhabitants. A consultation was held, at which 
 it was agreed to attack the Indians early the next morning. A company of 
 thirteen, under the command of Captain Ware, was hastily collected from 
 Wrentham and the vicinity, who, having secured the women and children 
 and the infirm in the garrison, set out for the Indian encampment, where 
 they arrived just before daylight, and were posted within a short distance, 
 with orders to reserve their fire till the enemy began to decamp. 
 
 Between daylight and sunrise the Indians suddenly rose from their resting 
 places, when, upon a signal given, a general discharge was made, which 
 threw them into the utmost consternation. Some, in their confusion, while 
 attempting to escape, leaped down a precipice of rocks from ten to twenty 
 feet in height, and some of the fugitives were overtaken and slain. Two of 
 them, who were closely pursued, attempted to conceal themselves in •' Mill 
 Brook," where they were found and killed. It is related that one Woodcock 
 discharged his long musket, called in those days a buccaneer, at a fugitive 
 Indian at the distance of eighty rods, and broke his thigh bone and then 
 killed him. 
 
114 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The number of ludians killed was from twenty to tweut^'-four, and not 
 one of the whites. The place where this bold adventure occurred is in that 
 part of the ancient Wrentham which is now Franklin. The large rock where 
 the Indians were encamped is to this day called Indian Bock. The time is 
 not certainly ascertained ; but it was, without much doubt, in the spring or 
 summer of 1G76, when the Indian forces were dispersed in parties throughout 
 the country. Very probably it was soon after the attack on Woodcock's 
 house and by the same party. 
 
 This man Rocket, who was the means of obtaining this victory over the 
 enemy, was one of the witnesses of the original government deed of the 
 Rehoboth North Purchase. He used, it is said, to take his family to meeting 
 ten miles to Rehoboth or five miles to Wrentham, over the rough tracks — 
 they were hardl}' roads — of those earl}' days, but in what manner we cannot 
 be certain. January 5th, 1680, one Joseph Rocket married Mary AYilmarth, 
 in Rehoboth. If it was the same man, she must have been a second wife, as 
 this Joseph died July 27th, 1683. 
 
 We are glad to know of one occasion even when the mode of warfare so 
 continually practised by the red men was successfully adopted by our fore- 
 fathers, and a complete surprise obtained, followed by the total rout of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Nine Men's Misery. — This is the name of a spot in Cumberland, R. I., 
 where nine men were slain in Philip's war. This place is near the house of 
 the late Elisha Waterman, Esq., just north of "Camp Swamp" (so called). 
 The only circumstances of this event which I have gathered are these : A 
 company of nine men were in advance of or had strayed from their party for 
 some purpose, when they discovered a number of Indians near this spot, 
 whom they immediately pursued and attacked ; but a large number of the 
 enemy rushed out of the swamp and surrounded them. The whites, placing 
 their backs to a large rock near b}', fought with desperation till every one 
 of them was killed on the spot. The rest of their party, who were within 
 hearing of their guns, hastened to their succor, but arrived too late to render 
 them any assistance. Their bodies were buried on the spot, which is now 
 designated b}' a large pile of stones. 
 
 I have seen no notice of this occurrence in history, but as to the main fact 
 there can l)e no doubt. The bones of these men were disinterred (now many 
 years ago) by some physicians for anatomical purposes, and were found 
 nearly perfect. But the people in the vicinity insisted upon their being 
 restored, which was accordingly done. One of the slain was ascertained to 
 be a Bucklin, of Rehoboth, from the remarkable circumstance of a set of 
 double front teeth which he was known to possess. 
 
 The time when this happened none of my informants could tell, but there is 
 some reason for believing that it was at or about the time of Pierce's fisht. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOJiOUGH. 115 
 
 The above account of the existence of " Nine Men's Misery " (or '•'• Dead 
 Men's Bones," as it was sometimes called) was received by the author from 
 tradition, from intelligent persons living in the vicinity, who had been familiar 
 with the locality during their lives, and who were descendants of those who 
 settled and lived near the spot. As to the main fact, he felt there was no 
 doubt, for sucli an event as the slaughter of nine men in one spot during 
 the Indian war and their burial on tlie same spot would produce a deep 
 impression on the minds of those living in that locality, and would be trans- 
 mitted to succeeding generations, especially as some of the victims were their 
 own friends and neighbors. The incidents and circumstances attending the 
 event would be liable to uncertainty, but the existence of the large rock and 
 the artificial mound of small stones would tend to confirm the tradition and 
 indicate the place of burial. 
 
 Since the publication of the above account a most singular and remarkable 
 discovery has been made confirming the tradition as an historical fact. This 
 is the letter of Rev. Mr. Newman, quoted on a previous page, which gives 
 the names of the killed in Pierce's fight. The fact that the medical students, 
 from curiosity or to verify the tradition, or other motives, did visit the spot 
 and exhume the bodies, and prove their identity by that of Benjamin Buck- 
 land (or Bucklin), of Rehoboth, from his unusually large fi'ame and " double 
 set of teeth all around," has also been substantiated. What is still more 
 remarkable than the discovery of the letter, the author met a physician soon 
 after the publication of this history, in 1834, who took pains to state that he 
 had read the account of "' Nine Men's Misery," and was able to testify that 
 it was substantially correct, as he was one of the "medical gentlemen" 
 present, and aided in the exhumation and finally examined the bones. Hav- 
 ing this statement directly from his own mouth, it is personal knowledge of 
 the event, so far as this fact shows. 
 
 The questions arise — Who were the nine? and When were they slain? and 
 What was the cause? This also is solved. There were four men from 
 Relioboth killed in Pierce's fight, and their names are recorded on the 
 records kept for the Rehoboth North Purchase, as "• Slaine 26 March 1676." 
 Two of them, John Fitch, Jr., and John Read, .Jr., were entered first, and 
 at some distance on the page were entered the other two, Benjamin Buekland 
 and John Miller, Jr., ^ thus proving that they were a part of Pierce's men, 
 and were slain on the same day of the battle. This confirms my belief that 
 after the battle was lost these nine survivors attempted to escape and retreated 
 to this " Camp Swamp," in hopes of concealing themselves there from the 
 enemy, but were discovered, pursued, and overtaken by them, surrounded at 
 this rock, and there killed. They were probably not discovered at the time the 
 
 iRolievt Beers, an Irishman, and then an inhabitant of Rehoboth, was slain March 2Sth, and 
 Nehiniiah Sabln in June following. 
 
116 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Eehoboth people weut to the scene of the battle and buried their friends on 
 the field, but were afterwards discovered' by theui and buried on the spot 
 where they fell, which was properly called these nine men's misery, who had 
 so nearly effected their escape and were thus slaughtered. It is seldom that 
 such an event not mentioned by contemporary historians can be so well 
 established by subsequent evidence. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN. 
 
 The warrants for the early town meetings contained but few articles, 
 perhaps ten or twelve, while that of the year 1887 contained fifty-five, and 
 there have at times been more than that number. The most important 
 actions for a number of years were natural!}' those relating to the settling of 
 ministers — for the first candidate was apparently not more sure to please 
 then than now — and the building of a church with various arrangemeuts for 
 the support and comfort of the minister when obtained. These actions of 
 the town will be noticed in their proper department, such matters being 
 now in the hands of the separate parishes, not in those of the people " in 
 town meeting assembled." 
 
 As time went on the cause of education arose — a matter of constantly 
 increasing importance, until now it has assumed very great proportions, both 
 as to size and cost, but is thoroughly systematized and well managed. 
 
 Now and again, very early, votes are found relating to the laying out of 
 roads as they became needed to connect the various settlements scattered 
 over the territory. Now it is not the making of thoroughfares from part to 
 part of the town which claims the attention of the citizens, but the lighting 
 of the many already made, the laying out and curbing of streets in the 
 villages, and the laying of gas, water, and sewerage pipes. 
 
 The poor of the town soon appeared upon the books, being coexistent 
 with the establishment of every town, church, or social organization. At 
 first they were cared for by the selectmen or others receiving them into their 
 families, the town being responsible for their maintenance. At the town 
 meetinos their names were presented and they were auctioned off to those 
 willing to assume their care, and who made bids for the jyrivilege (?). It 
 would seem that at such a vendue competition could not be very great, since 
 prices must be in a descending, not ascending, scale over these articles — 
 which increased in expense as they decreased in value — and the forlorn 
 -creatures thus "as it were on sale," were knocked down to the lowest 
 bidder. 
 
 Action was often taken upon the cattle and swine then permitted to roam 
 at will everywhere about the roads, the former being marked in various ways 
 and the latter properly ringed. Every few pages during the records of the 
 earlier years the searcher of the books comes upon accounts of " perambu- 
 lating the lines " between this and the surrounding towns, these same 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 117 
 
 boundarv lines proving most uneasy of arrangement and a constant source of 
 controversy even down to tlie present time. 
 
 It is not possible in a work of this kind to give a complete account of the 
 measures taken by the town, but an extract quoted here and there from the 
 books will serve to show something of the questions arising year by year, 
 and of the modes of settlement adopted by our fathers — to show also some- 
 thing of the manners and customs as they have been made and clianged, and, 
 by contrast, the growth of the town, not only in wealth and population, but 
 in various other ways. 
 
 The North Purchase books contain the "laying out of the lauds," but an 
 occasional reference is made to individual lay-outs in the towai books : — 
 
 " Dec. ye 2G, 1704. Joseph Read, Negro," had a " lott" of twelve and a 
 half acres laid out to him ; also two other lots containing six and one fourth 
 acres in 1707. ''John Read, Negro" had lauds laid out November 17, 1719. 
 These may have been the lands occupied by such a family on the Daggett 
 farm, lying on what is known as the " New Boston " road. 
 
 Town debts were apparently sometimes fully paid with a surplus in the 
 treasury. 
 
 February 9, 1709. " Voted to hold town meetings at the house of Mr. 
 "William Stark until the town should be better provided." The meetings then 
 were at nine o'clock in the morning. For some years, at this period, the 
 town was chiefly occupied on the minister's house, lands, the church, etc., 
 and that work, with money accounts, largely occupied the meetiugs. 
 
 In 1714 it was voted that several persons, six in all, should build pounds 
 at their " own cost and charge." 
 
 The first mention of the poor on the books is among the accounts for 1713, 
 tlie entry being made October 5, 1714. " Memorandum, Eleven shillings of 
 the money that was received of Capt. Leonard for the poor went to pay 
 Hugh Gay's rate, and the other four remains in the town stock for the poor." 
 
 August 27, 1716. " The Town very Chearfully granted a Tax of a Hun- 
 dred and Ten pounds to Defray the Necessary Charges arising within sd 
 Town. Two thirds to be in money and the other third to be understood in the 
 species that use to be other years." 
 
 December 30, 1718, the town was divided into four quarters, and later the 
 consequent highways laid out are noted with descriptions of the same. 
 
 The first recorded account rendered to the town for care of poor persons 
 was one presented by Daniel Peck, under date, October 22, 1722, for care of 
 Martha Scot and her child, as follows: 8s. 6d. for Doctor; 10s. 6d. for 
 three weeks board in sickness ; 1£. Is. for board other seven weeks ; lis. for 
 the child for five weeks and four days ; total, 2£. lis. 
 
 There are yearly votes as to cattle and swine, with no variation up to April, 
 1828, when it was voted that horses and neat cattle were to be restrained 
 from running at large. So long as they roamed the public roads some mode 
 
118 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of recognizing his property was necessary to the owner, and many pages of 
 the books are filled with the descriptions of these animal marks. Two or 
 three are given as a curiosity : — 
 
 "The Ear-inark of the creatures belougino; to Thomas Butler is as follows — viz — A swal- 
 lows tail on the top of the near ear. Enterd Oct. 19, 1719, A.D.'" " The Ear mark of the 
 creatures of Benj. Ide, Jr. is as follows — viz.; two round holes in the right ear, being the ear 
 mark that was Sami Healys. Entered Nov. 12, 1750." " Where as the ear mark of the crea- 
 tures of John Kobhins. Jr. was a cut across the undersitle of the right ear, — It being often- 
 times not easily seen, it is altered — And i* two half }tennies on the underside of the left ear. 
 Entered Dec. 16, 1750.'' " The ear mark of the creatures belonging to Michael Sweet is a plain 
 crop of the top of ye left ear, and a slit across the under side of the same ear, — and was 
 formerly Benj. Butler's. Entered, Aug. 6, 1763." 
 
 In 1732 it was agreed to pay Captain Foster for his services to the General 
 Court six shillings per day. 
 
 In 174.5 Cumberland was separated from Attleborough by royal charter; 
 that is, by order of the " King in Council," which was assuming arbitrary 
 authority and measures over those distant colonies. The new boundaries 
 established by this charter took from Massachusetts and annexed to Rhode 
 Island a fine tract of land including all Bristol County, R. I., Tiverton, in 
 Newport County, and Cumberland, ^ in Providence County. 
 
 During the year 1747 a petition from several towns was presented to the 
 General Court, asking that Dighton be made the county town in place of 
 Taunton. Three men of this town were chosen as agents to look into this 
 matter and report. They reported: "They are of opinion that Tanton 
 will be most Benefitiall for the County." These men were chosen a com- 
 mittee to "draw up " the reasons of the town for voting against the petition, 
 and Captain Samuel Tyler was appointed to convey them to the General Court. 
 
 In 1759 there was an attempt made to keep a record of births, but the 
 book purchased that year for the town was the only one for many years, and 
 therefore those earlier records are very incomplete. In 1760 the town was 
 divided into twelve parts, and in 1761 £50 were appropriated for schools, and 
 the same amount for the poor. 
 
 1 Cumberland comprised nearly half of the original town. Its area is about 2S square miles, 
 and taken together is an excellent tract of land. It is good for grain and orcharding, and 
 especially for grass, which is cut in great abundance. Some parts of the town, however, are light 
 and sandy. It was incorporated in 1746. It was previously called Atrle. Gore. It is well adapted to 
 manufacturing purposes, having three streams, Abbott's Run, Mill aud Peter's rivers, besides the 
 Blackstoiie, which is its w"estern boundary. About 1830 it had eight cotton manufacturing establish, 
 raents, running 5,524 spindles, one woolen factory, two clothiers' works, six grain mills, nineteen 
 shops for building boats, in which were made annually about 700 boats, which were worth from $20 
 to $70 each. It had besides, 1 nail factory, 1 marble mill, 306 dwelling houses, 280 electors, 3 compa- 
 nies of militia, 1 rifle corps, and part of a company of cavalry. Its population in 1810 was 2,110. 
 But the town has since materially increased in population and amount of business. It had four 
 religious societies : two Baptists, one Methodist, and one Quaker. Taxable property in 1815 was 
 $528,2-20. 
 
 These are the statistics published in the earlier edition of this work. The editor was unable to 
 obtain the corresponding statistics for the present date, which would have been interesting by 
 contrast. 
 

 4- c. 
 
 5 W 
 
 01 = 
 
 a z. 
 
 2- ^ 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 119 
 
 In 176G the foUowiug iustructious were sent to the town's deputy : — 
 
 To Deacon Ebeuezer Lane, Rep. 
 
 Sir as we have made choys of you to represent us at the Grait an<l General Court of this 
 Province, we think proper to give sunie Tnstructtions. and first not to Give up any Priviliges 
 that we Enjoy Either by Charter or as Subjects Qf Grait Britton. 
 
 •21y to Be frugal of the Province's money and not to vote for any uncommon Grants perticli- 
 lerlv as to Loses that Sume has Sustaned in Boston in the year 17(35 By Rioters, though we 
 abhor all Rioters and tumultus Proceedings and are willing to Bear our testyniony against 
 them, yet we see no Reason why the Province should make up those Losses and thairfour 
 Instruct to vote against It. 
 
 September 12, 1768. '-Voted to Build a house tor Keeping the Town 
 Stock of ammunition in for the futer and proseaded to Chuse a comraety for 
 that purpos namely Capt. John Stearns, Capt. Daniel Read, Capt. Henry 
 Sweet ware chosen as comraety men for that purpos, and then the commety 
 went and looked a place to set s'd. house and they said that they found a 
 place in Jacob Newells Land which s'd Newell said he wold give the ground 
 to buld the hous upon." Jacob Newell, the giver of the laud, was town 
 treasurer at that time, and he made the following entry upon the book : 
 "Where as ye Town of Attleborough have agreed to Buld a Powder house 
 and set s'd house on ye High Hill eastardly from ye Meeting-House on my 
 Land I give liberty to set s'd House their, and also for ray Heirs and assigns 
 I agree ye People shall have Liberty to Pass to and from sd House to carry 
 their Powder or any other ammiuition and bring of again ye same at any 
 time or times so that they in Passing Regurly Not to Leve Down fence or 
 any Enclosen thing to Do Damage as witness my hand — 
 " Attleborough, Oct. ye 4th 1768 Jacob Newell." 
 
 The committee executed their commission promptly, as the building was 
 erected daring the months of October and November and the accounts for 
 cost of construction were settled in December. This old building is still in 
 existence and may be seen on a little eminence east of the church at West 
 Attleborough in the same lot or near the schoolhouse. It is circular in 
 shape, nearly twelve feet in diameter, with a cone-shaped roof. It was built 
 of brick, of which six thousand were used, as may be seen by the order of the 
 selectraen on the town treasurer. It was used as a storehouse for •' materials 
 of war" both during the days of the Revolution and the War of 1812, and 
 powder was kept there even up to recent tiraes. Colonel John Daggett took 
 his supply for the Assonett expedition from there, and the town voted to 
 replace the amount during the following year. The building is now dilapi- 
 dated and going to decay, ^ but it is full of old memories still. Had it 
 powers of speech every brick could tell some exciting or thrilling tale, for 
 three times since they were placed in their positions the war bugles have 
 sounded the call to arms, and three times the joy bells have rung in the days 
 of peace. In 1771 the General Court met at Harvard College. 
 
 1 It has been repaired, and at the present writing Is in good condition. It is now within the limits 
 Of North Attleborough. The repairs were made by individuals, and about 1872. 
 
120 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 
 
 IT appears from our records that the citizens of the town took au early 
 and active part in those proceedings which finally led to independence. 
 The spirit of the Revolution began to move the people as early as 1773. 
 Thev liegan to discuss the origin and foundation of their rights, and to pro- 
 claim, in bold language, their determination to maintain them. They strenu- 
 ouslv denied the claims of the mother country. This prepared the waj' for 
 that great contest which was approaching and which soon after commenced. 
 
 Pages might be filled with the spirited addresses and resolutions adopted 
 in town meeting, but the limits of such a work as this will permit only an 
 outline of the transactions of that day. 
 
 At a town meeting, January 18th, 1773, a resolute and patriotic atkli-ess 
 was adopted and sent to the committee in Boston. It is too long to quote 
 entire, but a few extracts will afford a specimen : — 
 
 "We His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects and freeholders of the town 
 of Attleborough, to the Committee of Correspondence in Boston." 
 
 After due professions of "honor and praise to George the 3d, King of 
 Great Britain," etc., and praying that the "golden chance of succession by 
 which the Protestant kings are held on the throne of Great Britain may 
 never be broken," etc., the address proceeds to say: — 
 
 Our present trials are very great. A wise king once said that oppression malietli a wise 
 man mad. AVe hope not to turn maniacs, but to keep the advantage of our spirits. We will 
 pray that all they that are like Gods on earth will remember that they must die like men, and 
 the lofty, towering heads of Kings and Princes must be brought as low as the meanest subject. 
 And here we will make a pause and inquire what we have done, what disloyalty there hath 
 been in us that hath incurred the displeasure of our Gracious Majesty, that could be the cause 
 of threatening the ruining of us his American sulyects. And to set things in a clearer light, 
 W'e may be justly entitled to a few notes of exultation. In the year 1745, when the British 
 trumpet sounded war from beyond the seas to the Americans, no sooner did our American 
 Parliaraeut understand the certain sound of the martial trumpet but instantaneously a political 
 convention is called, faithfulness and loyalty in every countenance. Like Babylon of old. one 
 messenger runs to meet another, and one post to meet another, to tell the whole Province that 
 the Kingdom was invaded at one end. Forthwith orders are issued out to the Colonels, and 
 from the Colonels to the Captains, and at the beat of the Drum, volunteers paraded the 
 ground like well harnessed soldiers with courage bold, and like the war-horse mocking at 
 lear, inarched with their commanders to the high places of Louisbourg — stormed their 
 entrenchments; made a discovery of their subterraneous mines and galleries; beat down the 
 strongholds; brake the jaws of the Gallic Lion, and made a conquest of the city to the crown 
 of (ireat Britain. And in the last war that hath been upon us, we have joined our British 
 brethren, warring and lighting through seas of blood until we subdued the Canadian Province 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 121 
 
 to the crown of our Sovereign Lord George the 3d. And after all this, shall we be conjugated, 
 enslaved and ruined? Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath lest they be discourao-ed 
 on the one hand, and encouraged on the other. We esteem our privileges tantamount to our 
 lives, and the loss of them death in consequence; and since there is no new discovered 
 America for us to flee to. we are almost ready to think that we will let go our ploughshares 
 and pruning hooks to be malleated on the anvil, and not give up our dear-bought privileges to 
 any Power on earth. 
 
 And now in a few words to say what our privileges are and wherein they are violated : We 
 think that our privileges take their rise merely from nature. As we emigrated from our 
 mother country at our own expense and without any charge to the Crown of Great Britain, 
 our subjection to the Crown of Great Britain must be considered as an act of our own election. 
 How far that subjection was made and in what manner the British government can possibly 
 reach over the Atlantic to have any influence at all upon us, is known only by the stipulation 
 between us and the king of Great Britain, expressed in our Charter. Although it be allowed 
 that any Plantation settled by the order and expense of any State remains naturally subjected 
 to that State, yet that not having been the case in our departure from Great Britain we utterly 
 disallow any right of government over us but what is expressed in our Charter. We have no 
 natural and necessary connection with the Crown in point of government but what springs 
 from our own choice, and that choice can be known but by the stipulation aforesaid which 
 both expresseth and limiteth the subjection which was our choice. This, we apprehend, is the 
 true and just state of our privileges, as they are interested in the present controversy. So 
 that, whatever act of government is exercised contrary to, or not expressly provided for in 
 the Charter, is an open infringement of our privileges. 
 
 The appointment of a Governor altogether independent on us, and who, according to the 
 present state of things, can be under no influence from our interest but whose personal interest 
 may naturally put him to the utter overthrow of our whole interest, — we apprehend this to 
 be an infraction of our Charter rights and privileges. The appointment of Judges from 
 home, if true, or the maintenance of them independent upon us and dependent entirely upon 
 the Crown, we think an infringement upon our Charter rights, and which tends to corrupt 
 and destroy the very essence of our privileges. — The parting our money among a set of men 
 of no use to us or the community, without our consent, is a bold and unjust infringement 
 upon our privileges. — The subjecting civil cases to trial by Court of Admiralty instead of 
 Juries, and especially the taking from us the right of trying capital cases in any articles, and 
 carrying our brethren, on suspicion of guilt, from all who are acquainted with their character, 
 or who can possibly do them justice, and ordering them to be transported, at almost infinite 
 expense three thousand miles for trial, is a most barbarous, unjust, and unconstitutional 
 attair, and as cruel as the ostrich. 
 
 Sept. 12, 1774. Tlie town chose a committee to joiu with the committees 
 of the other towns in this county " to consult the safety and peace and 
 prosperity thereof, as well as the whole government and continent, upon any 
 emergencj^" The committee consisted of five ; namely, Mr. Edward Richards, 
 Dea. Eben. Lane, Capt. John Daggett, Lieut. Moses Wilmarth, and Mr. 
 Elisha May. This was the first committee of safety chosen in this town. 
 The practice of choosing such a committee was continued till the close 
 of the Revolution. 
 
 Sept. 29, 1774. Captain John Daggett was chosen " Representative to the 
 General Court" at Salem, and Dea, Eben. Lane, as "a committee man to 
 join the Provincial Congress to be holden at Concord on the second Tuesday 
 of October next." 
 
 Dec. 6, 1774. The town established a " Superior and an Inferior Court to 
 hear and determine controversies that have arisen or mav arise in this town." 
 
122 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Five men were elioseu to serve as superior judges ; namely, Dea. Eben. 
 Lane, first justice, Col. John Daggett, second, Capt. John Stearns, third, 
 Capt. Moses Wilmarth, fourth, and Doct. Bezaliel Mann, fifth. Seven 
 were appointed inferior judges ; namely, Mr. Edward Richards, Lieut. P^lko- 
 nah Wilmarth, Capt. Jacob Ide. Capt. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Elisha 
 Mav, Capt. John Tyler, and Mr. William Stanley. At the same time it 
 was voted, " that we will comply with, stand to, and abide by the Resolves, 
 Instructions and Directions of the Continental and Provincial Congresses," 
 and that " all persons who refuse to comply with them shall be treated as 
 Infamous Persons.''' 
 
 It was also voted to choose " a committee of Inspection to inquire and 
 give notice of all persons who shall presume to make use of any India Tea 
 after the first of March next, and the names of the men chosen for said com- 
 mittee are as follows; viz., Ephraim Newell, Capt. Henry Sweet, Benjamin 
 Tingle}^ Mayhew Daggett, P^noch Robinson, Araunah Tingley, John Tyler, 
 Jr., Nath' Bishop, Alexander Foster, Wm. Atwell, Jabez Gay, Levi Maxcy, 
 Caleb Richardson." The " affair of the chest of tea at Capt. Richardson's, 
 was left discretionai'y with the Selectmen." 
 
 These were no halfway measures, and were supported throughout with 
 the same resolution. 
 
 January 2, 1775. Chose Colonel John Daggett "to represent us at the 
 Congress to be holden at Cambridge on the 1st of February next and to 
 serve in that capacity until the month of May next, or until the time fixed 
 for the dissolution of said Congress." At the same time a committee of 
 thirteen was chosen to procure " subscriptions for the relief of the suffering 
 poor in the town of Boston." ^ At a meeting lawfully warned for May 16, 
 1775, the warrant was issued " By request of the Provincial Congress." 
 
 May 24, 1775. Captain John Stearns was chosen to represent the town 
 at the Provincial Congress to be held in the meetinghouse at Watertown the 
 31st instant. The Committee of Correspondence this year were Deacon 
 Eben. Lane, Doctor Mann, and Captain Moses Wilmarth. 
 
 July 10, 1775. Captain John Stearns was elected representative to the 
 General Court to be held at Watertown the 19th instant. 
 
 March 19, 1776. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and 
 Safety were Deacon Lane, Edward Richards, Capt. S. Richardson, Lieut. 
 Alexander Foster, Ens. Noah Fuller, William Stanle}', Capt. Wilmarth, Eben. 
 Tiffany, Samuel Atherton, Thomas Starkey, Elkonah Wilmarth, Nathaniel 
 Bishop, and Capt. Jacob Ide. 
 
 May 22, 1776. Captain John Stearns, Representative. At his request, 
 a committee, consisting of Capt. Elisha Ma}', Capt. Stephen Richardson, Rev. 
 Peter Thacher, Levi Maxcy, and Lieut. Alexander Foster, was chosen to draw 
 
 Tbis was on the occasion of shutting the port of Boston hy ttie British Parliament. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 123 
 
 up instructions for the representative. They made a report, from which 
 extracts are given : — 
 
 Captain John Stearns, 
 
 iS'tr, — The town, reposing special confidence in your ability and integrity, have chosen 
 you their representative at the Great and (ieneral Court for this year. At your request 
 we take the lilierty to suggest the following things to your attention as matters of great 
 importance : 
 
 If the Continental Congress should think it best to declare for Independency of Great 
 Britain, we unanimously desire you for us to engage to defend them therein with our lives 
 and fortunes. 1 
 
 The fortifying and sufficiently providing for the defence of all our seaport towns, especially 
 the Metropolis of this Colony, is of such consequence as that parsimony or delay therein will 
 be the worst of policy. We apprehend that the raising of soldiers for the defence of the 
 Colony is retarded, and so rendered both more chargeable and less useful, for want of sutfi<Ment 
 bounty to encourage enlistments; that the raising fewer forces at such a time than is neces- 
 sary, which scatters the officers with whom whoever enlists will desire to be acquainted 
 is a like hindrance to a speedy raising of forces. 
 
 Having heard a motion hath been made for paying representation out of the Publick chest, 
 we think is unequal and expect you will oppose it. The charge of the selectmen in the service 
 of the public hath been unequal in respect of the poor of Boston, and other matters in ditler- 
 ent towns, and therefore ought to be born by the publick. If the Continental Congress should 
 declare for Independency wc desire in the new regulation the probate and register office be 
 lodged in each town. 
 
 Other things in general we refer to your wisdom and fidelity, unless some special difficulty 
 should occur, in which case you will please take our minds as occasion shall serve. 
 
 At the same time it was voted that the selectmen should order the money 
 out of the treasury to pay the minute-men who marched on the alarm occa- 
 sioned by the battle at Bunker Hill. 
 
 July 6, 1776. ''Voted to raise the Bounty from £3, to £12, for the sol- 
 diers this town is to furnish to go to New York." 
 
 Oetol)er 11, 1776. " To Mr. Ephraim Newell, Town Treasurer, Greeting. 
 This comes to order you to pay to Col. John Daggett twenty four pounds five 
 shillings for his attendance and travel at the Congress in ye year 1774-7.5 
 — ninety seven days at five shillings per day." Eighty-seven men were paid 
 six s'hillings each '• for marching on the alarm occasioned l)}- the battle at 
 Bunker Hill." Order dated July 5, 1776. 
 
 The warrant for this Octoljer meeting was for the first time " In the name 
 of the .Stat and People of Massachusetts Bay, in Newingland," and this or 
 " Government and People of Massachusetts Bay" was the form for some 
 years. Previous to this time the warrants had been issued in " His Majesty's 
 Name," or " Province of Massachusetts Bay." 
 
 January 27, 1777. Voted to raise the bounty for the soldiers who went 
 
 iThis seems to have been coneeiveil in something of that holy ardor, tliat sublime spirit of patriot- 
 ism and self-devotion, which — iu a few mouths after — dictated those ever-memorable words in the 
 closing sentence of the Declaration of Independence, — " We pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our 
 sacred honor," — immortal words, which sent such a thrill to the hearts of our countrymeu and 
 Inspired them witli such an unconquerable enthusiasm in the cause of freedom ! 
 
124 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to New York iu July last, to forty dollars for each man, "'to such as Avill 
 take it." 
 
 March 18, 1777. The Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and 
 Safety this year were Ed. Richards, Cyrel Carpenter, Samuel Tiffany, Jr., 
 Elisha May, and Nathan Tyler. 
 
 April 2, 1777. A meeting was held " to see if the town will give some 
 encouragement to the soldiery to enlist our proportion of the fifteen bat- 
 talions granted by this State to join the Continental army." A committee was 
 chosen to report upon the subject, and also to state what was an average on 
 the whole since the war commenced, who reported that the bounty and wages 
 given by Congress and our Court afforded a sutlicient encouragement for the 
 first year's service ; that for the second year the town allow two pounds per 
 month in addition to the wages, and the same for the last year. Twenty- 
 four pounds iu addition to the bounty instead of the addition to their wages 
 was offered to those who might prefer it. The committee also reported that 
 the eight months' men, or those who went into service in consequence of 
 Lexington battle, have no allowance ; that the six weeks' and two mouths' 
 men have no allowance ; that the year's men be allowed ten pounds per man ; 
 that the Dorchester men have no allowance ; that the men raised for two 
 months in September, 1776, be allowed seven pounds per man; that the men 
 raised for the northern or Canada expedition be allowed ten pounds per man ; 
 that the quarter men, or those raised for Rowland's Ferry, be allowed six 
 pounds per man. 
 
 May 22, 1777. Chose Captain John Stearns and Mr. William Stanley rep- 
 resentatives. Appointed a committee to prepare instructions to said repre- 
 sentatives ; namely, Rev. Peter Thacher, Capt. Elisha May, Col. John 
 Daggett, Capt. Moses Wilmarth, Mr. Levi Maxcy. Their report, it appears, 
 is not recorded. 
 
 " Excused Capt. May from serving on Committee of Correspondence, &c. 
 and elected Stephen Fuller in his room. Voted to enlarge said committee, 
 and added Zephaniah Bishop, Jacob Cushman, and John Sweetlaud." 
 
 The town expenses for this year were £1,922 old money. 
 
 January 12, 1778. A committee consisting of Rev. Mr. Thacher, Capt. 
 Elisha May, Col. Stephen Richardson, Deacon Stanley, Capt. Caleb Richard- 
 son, Lieut. P^lkanah Wilmarth, and Mr. John Wilkinson was chosen to prepare 
 instructions to the representatives of the town, relative to the Articles of 
 Confederation. They presented a report which was accepted. It shows 
 how perfectly convinced at that time our forefathers were of the value and 
 importance of a firm union of the States to the well-being of the whole 
 people. 
 
 To show the sentiments of the people a few extracts are given : — 
 
 The .xubscrlljers, l)eing choseu a committee " to consider what instructions it may be proper 
 for them to give their representatives relative to the Articles of Confederation and Peruetual 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 125 
 
 Union which :ire proposed to the consideration of the Legislatures of all the United States as 
 the basis thereof forever."' and also " relative to the Resolves of the most Honorable ('ongress, 
 of the 7th and •22d of November last." having maturely considered the said Articles and Resolves 
 do humbly otter the following to the consideration of the town on this very important subject: 
 
 To Messrs. John Stearns, and William Stanley Representatives of the town of Attleborough, 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 We shall rejoice at the arrival of the happy hour when the Independent States of North 
 America have a Union established upon equitable terms to continue as long as the sun and 
 moon endure. We are sensible of the utility and necessity of such a union to our present 
 exertions and the success of them, as well as for the strength and flourishing condition of these 
 States hereafter. We would, therefore, be as distant as possible from offering anything to 
 obstruct the speedy accomplishment of a thing so desirable; yet we are constrained to desire 
 explanation of the 4th paragraph in the oth Article which determines, that, in deciding ques- 
 tions in the United States in Congress assembled, each State shall have one vote, which, if it 
 exclude a voice in Congress proportioned to the number or estate of the difterent States, we 
 apprehend, would be very unequal and not to l^e by any means consented unto. etc. 
 
 After stating specific objections to some other articles, the report concludes : '' With the 
 foregoing emendations and explanations, we desire you to use your endeavors that the Dele- 
 gates in Congress be impowered to ratify the aforesaid Articles of Confederation and Perpetual 
 Union. As to the Resolves of the most Hon'ble Congress, we only observe upon the ."ith and 
 6th Resolves that the Regulating Bill formerly enacted and since repealed, though framed with 
 an honest and good design, yet was, as we apprehend, very injurious to the good and honest 
 people of this State, and was of no use to restrain oppressors and monopolizers, but rather put 
 an advantage of oppression into their hands, and was a great means of sinking the \ alue of 
 our money, and, therefore, we expect and desire you to oppose the carrying of the said resolu- 
 tions into execution. 
 
 At the same meeting a committee was appoiuted to draft a petition, which 
 was sent to the General Court, earnestly praying for the repeal of an Act 
 calling in the Bills of Credit, or State Money. In this petition tlie people 
 expressed their fears of the consequences which would result from that Act 
 to the interests of the poor, etc., in the following words : — 
 
 To the Great and (Teneral Assembly of the State of Massachusetts Bay. Gent'". 
 
 A petition by the inhabitants of the town of Attleborough most humbly sheweth,— 
 Though at the eleventh hour, we beg leave as friends to the good people of this State to 
 express our concern for an Act to draw in the Bills of Credit of the several denominations in 
 this State. Notwithstanding the address of the House of Representatives to the good people 
 of this State setting forth the necessity of calling in the Bills of Credit, and the difticuity of 
 calling them in any other way, and notwithstanding this and many other plausible pretences in 
 said address, we cannot but be concerned for a future day — the putting said money into notes 
 on interest is the least of our concern: but as it is the intention of the Assembly of this State 
 and the Continental Congress to bring down the price of labor and produce perhaijs five (or) 
 six parts; — Consequently said notes must double five times the value they were took for beside 
 the interest, — whether will it be easier for the poor to pay said money when a day's work will 
 pay eight shillings, or in a year or two when to have a day's labor pay two shillings — It seems 
 to be implied in said address, that the rich and ill disposed persons in this State have got such 
 advantage of the poor that there is no remedy the poor must sutler — Let that be granted it is 
 not policy in our opinion to crush the poor at this day if it be possible to avoid it till America 
 has obtained her freedom, for if this Continent must be defended and set at liberty by arms 
 the poor must do it for the lowest capacity must be sensible that a man that has by monopoly 
 got these increasing notes will never enter into the service of his country for the little or 
 nothing encouragement that soldiers have at present or if the Court intend to hold the levies 
 by draft from the Militia, as seems intended in the case a rich man does no more than a poor 
 man — his estate does nothing. 
 
126 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Our bumble petition is that said Act be repealed, or some amendment be made. 'We have 
 waited a long time in hopes that you would repeal that Act without our troubling you with 
 petitions but as we have hitherto been disappointed we are obliged in justice to ourselves and 
 to our posterity, earnestly to pray for a speedy repeal of that Act — Why might not the money 
 have been called in by degrees as it was put out, that is one emission at a time by taxing the 
 inhabitants of said State, until the whole was called in. 
 Attleborough, Jan. 19th, 1778. 
 
 Nathaniel Bishop. 
 
 Daniel Daggett. 
 
 William Bolcom. 
 
 Thomas Starkey. 
 
 Daniel Richardson. 
 
 John llichardson. 
 
 Moses Tyler. 
 
 March 17, 1778. The Committee of Correspoucleuce, etc., were Elkanah 
 Wilmarth, Ebeuezer Tiffany, and Ephraim Allen, Jr. 
 
 The declaration that all men are born '' free and equal " appears to have 
 had a speedy practical eft"ect in at least one instance in oiu- town, as may be 
 seen by the following extract from the records : — 
 
 "To all People to whom these Presents shall Come Greeting. Know all 
 men that for Divers Good Causes and Considerations I have seet at Liberty 
 and Given unto my Servant — Warrack a Negro man his freedom to be for 
 him self and Do hereby Certifie that I have no more Demands on him for 
 any Furtlier service — 
 
 Attleborough, March 17th, 1778 John Sweetland. 
 
 Signed in the Presence of us 
 Witnesses, Elisha May, 
 
 Richard Ellis, Jr." 
 
 May 12, 1778. "Voted to pay thirty pounds to each soldier who shall 
 enlist in the Continental army, to complete the number (thirteen) required 
 of this town, by a late resolve of the General Court." Also voted to give 
 thirty pounds more as a bounty. 
 
 May 21, 1778. The committee chosen at a former meeting to consider the 
 " Constitution" ' lately submitted to the people, not agreeing upon a report, 
 the town appointed another committee of seven ; namely, Rev. P. Thacher, 
 Rev. Habijah "Weld, Elder Job Seamans, Doct. Bezaliel Mann, Col. John 
 Daggett, Col. Stephen Richardson, and Capt. John Stearns, who finally made 
 a report. The vote in town stood 51 affirmative and 76 negative. 
 
 March 16, 1779. The Committee of Safety were Capt. Caleb Richard- 
 son, John Damon, Elijah Wellman. 
 
 April 5, 1779 there appears an order to Daniel Tiffanj' for the " sum of ten 
 
 1 This was the first frame of government submitted to the people of this State. It was framed by 
 a convention in 1778-79, and is commonly called the " Rejected Constitution." 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 127 
 
 pounds ten shillings, it being due to him for carting soldier's packs to How- 
 land's Ferr}' in Sept. 1777. it being thirty five miles." 
 
 May 1, 1779, the town was assessed £2083 17. 6d, and for the expenses for 
 the year £10,000 was to be raised — old money. 
 
 May 18, 1779. Elisha May, Esq., was chosen representative. '' Voted to 
 empower our representative to vote for the calling of a convention for the 
 sole purpose of framing a new constitution." 
 
 June 21, 1779. Voted to raise thirteen soldiers — to serve nine months — 
 as this town's proportion of the fifteen battalions furnished by this vState to 
 fill up the Continental army, and a committee of five was chosen to engage 
 these men on the best terms possible. On the question of having a new con- 
 stitution there were 121 votes in favor, and none in the negative recorded. 
 
 August 2, 1779. This town sent three members to the convention which 
 formed the present "Constitution of Massachusetts." 
 
 " Chose Col. John Daggett, Capt. John Stearns, and Major Elisha May to 
 attend the Convention ^ at Cambridge, on the first of September next for the 
 sole purpose of framing a new Constitution." 
 
 The town then took into consideration the proceedings of the convention 
 held at Concord for regulating articles of merchandise and country produce, 
 and voted unanimously to accept the doings of said convention, "and to 
 conform ourselves to the proposed regulations." 
 
 "Chose Col. Stephen Richardson, Mr. Levi Maxcy, and Mr. Edward 
 Richards members of the convention to be held at Concord, on the first 
 "Wednesday of October next." 
 
 March 21, 1780. The Committee of Safety were David Richardson, Capt. 
 Moses Wilmarth, and William Morse. 
 
 May 2, 1780. The new " Constitution " was referred to a committee. 
 
 June 14, 1780. "Voted to raise twenty-nine soldiers for six months, as 
 this town's quota, to re-inforce the Continental army, according to a Resolve 
 of the General Court of June oth, 1780." They were to be paid by a tax on 
 the town. 
 
 Sept. 4, 1780. " Voted to raise £12,000 pounds to defray the expenses of 
 the town the current year. Also voted to raise £1,400 hard money to pay 
 the soldiers who may engage to serve in the array for three and for six months, 
 according to resolves of the General Court of June 5th, 22d, and 2od." 
 
 Oct. 16, 1780, the town levied a tax of £24,000, to procure 14,000 weight 
 of beef required of the town by a resolve of the General Court. On the 
 24th the town had raised £16,800 — old money. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq., was chosen representative the two following years, 
 
 iThis convention met at the meetinghouse in Cambridge, September, 1779, continued till the 7th, 
 and then adjourned to October 2Sth; then met and continued till November 11th, and adjourned to 
 January .itli, 1780, at the Representatives' Chamber, Boston ; then met and continued till March 2d, and 
 adjourned to June 7th ; then met and continued till June 16th, when it was dissolved. 
 
128 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 which brings us to the close of the Revolution. There were no transactions- 
 of particular interest relating to the war during those two years, though the 
 few^ following extracts from the recoi'ds may prove worthy of notice : — 
 
 January ol, 1781. "Voted to class the inhabitants of said town for the 
 purpose of raising twenty seven men, for three years or during the war, agree- 
 able to the recommendation of the General Court, the vote of said town of the 
 24"^ of January to the contrary notwithstanding." This was reconsidered. 
 
 February 26, 1781. "Voted the sum of 3000 dollars hard money for the 
 purpose of raising men for three years ; then voted that the selectmen shall 
 give their notes to such soldiers as will be willing to receive them, and that 
 they hire money to pay the remainder." A transaction quite similar to many 
 of the present generation, and its soldiers of the civil war. 
 
 The warrant for the annual town meeting for 1781, bearing date March 
 20th of that year, is the first one found on the records in which the •' Greet- 
 ing " comes " in the Name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." Doubt- 
 less some of the warrants during the preceding 3'ear were thus issued, but they 
 are not recorded. As we have seen, three men from this town were members 
 of the congress which framed and adopted the State Constitution, with the 
 following introductory words: " The people inhabiting the territory formerly 
 called the Province of Massachusetts Bay, do hereby solemnly and mutually 
 agree with each other, to form themselves into a body politic, or state, by the 
 name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." 
 
 MILITARY SERVICES. 
 
 To furnish a full statement of the military services which the citizens of 
 this town rendered during the Revolutionary war is not, perhaps, possible at 
 this day. But some general accounts may be collected which will afford a 
 tolerable view of their services. 
 
 It appears from the following anecdote that they were not slow in acting 
 up to the resolutions which they had adopted. 
 
 In December, 1774, the Committee of Safety gave notice that one Nathan 
 Aldis, a tory, who lived in Franklin, Mass., was selling British goods contrary 
 to the resolutions of the General Court. Colonel John Daggett, of this 
 town, a determined and resolute patriot, immediately issued orders to the 
 several companies of the town to furnish a certain number of men, who being 
 collected, marched, in a bitter cold night, for the place of Aldis' residence, to 
 put a stop to his business. They were joined on the way by volunteers from 
 the neighboring towns. They arrived late at night, and surrounding his 
 house ordered him out. He and his associates who had assembled to de- 
 fend him at first attempted to resist with arms, threatening to fire upon them 
 from the window^s and, assuming a tone of confidence, ordered them to 
 depart. Upon this the besiegers were directed to point their guns towards the 
 house. Finding that his opponents were in earnest and tliat threats could 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 129 
 
 not intimidate them, Aldis at last came out. He was ordered to 2mll off his 
 hat, while in the presence of the people's soldiers. Here, before the whole 
 company, he was compelled to enter into an engagement not to " vend any 
 more British goods during the present unhappy controversy between the King 
 and his colonies." The prisoner was then released. The next morning he 
 fled to Boston, and was never after known in these parts. 
 
 The captains from this town who were engaged in this adventure were 
 Capt. S. Richardson, of the Northeast Company ; Capt. Moses Wilmarth, 
 Southeast Company; Capt. Jacob Ide, Southwest Company; and Capt. 
 Jonathan Stanley, Northwest Company. 
 
 From a " return of the several Militia t'oiiipauy's in the Fourth Regiment in the County of 
 Bristol," it appears that John Daggett was Colonel; Ephraini Lane, Lieut. Colonel; Isaac 
 Dean, First Major; and Elkanah Clapp, Second Major. There were in Captain Ide's company, 
 "fifty-three, including officers; forty-seven equipped according to law." In Captain Rich- 
 ardson's minute-company, "sixty-one including otticers; tifty-eight of w'hich are equipped 
 according to law; twenty with bayonets " (of the tifty-eight). In Captain Stanley's company, 
 " fifty-tive including otticers; whereof forty-seven are equipped according to law." In Cap- 
 tain Wilniarth's minute-company, " fifty-six, whereof forty-eight are equipped according to 
 law," making a total of two hundred and twenty-five men from this town, besides the com- 
 mander. The other captains in the regiment were Benjamin Mory, Abial Clapp, Job Hodges, 
 Jabez Ellis, ' and William Stone. These captains and their companies were from Mansfield, 
 Norton, and Easton. There were also " four companies of minute-men. including officers ; two 
 hundred and twelve : but not yet incorporated into a regiment." The names of the captains 
 of these companies are not given, but they seem to have been for a time in Colonel Daggett's 
 regiment, or under his connuand. 
 
 The " return " closes as follows : — 
 
 The number of training soldiers in the said regiment is six hundred and twenty-four; two 
 companies of which I have not as yet been able to obtain the returns of their reviewing, but 
 may soon be returned. 
 To the Honorable Provincial Congress at Concord assembled, 
 from your 
 
 humble servant, John Daggett, Col. of 
 
 said regiment. 
 ASSONETT EXPEDITION. 
 
 Information having been received from the vigilant Committees of Safety 
 that the British had made a deposit of arms and ammunition at Assouett vil- 
 lage — Freetown — for the use of the loyalists. Colonel Daggett, of this town, 
 on the 9th of April, 177.5, undertook an expedition for the purpose of seizing 
 these arms and breaking up the combination which had been formed to favor 
 the royal cause. He was accompanied by the several companies from this 
 town, with their captains, — as before named, except Elisha May in the room 
 of Jonathan Stanley, — and by some of the militia from Rehoboth and other 
 towns. How many others were concerned in the adventure is not known. 
 
 They discovered forty stands of arms and equipments in the possession of 
 the tories, together with a large quantity of ammunition, the whole of which 
 
 ^ Captain Ellis was doubtless from this town also. 
 
130 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 was taken by the patriots. All who were suspected of favoring the British 
 interest were required to swear uot to bear arms against their country. Nine 
 stanch tories, who refused to take the oath of fidelity to the colonies, were 
 made prisoners and put under the charge of the company from P'ast Attle- 
 borough, and forthwith marched to Taunton. Here their captors threatened 
 to convey them to .Sullivan's mines in Connecticut if they would not comply. 
 To avoid this alternative they at last submitted and took the oath of 
 allegiance to their country. They were then dismissed. 
 
 Tliis victory, it is said, was almost entirely bloodless. One stubborn tory 
 who refused to remove his hat out of respect to a liberty pole had it knocked 
 off by the butt end of some soldier's musket, and a gash cut in his head. 
 
 This expedition deserves commemoration from the circumstance of its 
 having been accomplished previous to the commencement of open hostilities 
 in an}' other part of the couutry. It preceded, a few days, the first scene in 
 the great drama which opened on the plains of Lexington. It was appear- 
 ing in arms, thougli on a comparatively small scale, against the royal govern- 
 ment. The patriots expected resistance, and were prepared with sufficient 
 force to meet it. 
 
 One writer says : " Reports at the time estimated the number of patriots 
 who then assembled at Assonett as two thousand men, but that was probably 
 an overestimate, and yet, whether overestimated or not, the stubborn fact 
 remains that at Assonett village in Freetown, instead of Lexington, the 
 great drama of the American Revolution was opened. Because Assonett has 
 suffered wrong in this matter for a hundred and ten years, is no reason that 
 this wrong shall continue to be done forever, nor will it, for truth is so 
 mighty that it will ultimately prevail." It is a matter in which we ma^^ j^stlv 
 take great pride — that our town took so prominent a part in this occurrence. 
 
 The company of minute-men, sixty in number, under the command of 
 Captain Jabez Ellis, — Enoch Robinson, lieutenant, — on the day of the 
 battle of Lexington received orders to march instanth' to Roxbury. 
 
 '•We set out at night, ^ stopped a short time at Maxcy's, now Hatch's 
 tavern, then went directly to Dedham, where we found two tables by the 
 roadside generously provided with food for the soldiers who might pass that 
 way, thus arranged to prevent any unnecessary delay. We snatched a hasty 
 breakfast and marched on, reached Roxbury about daylight, and were then 
 marched round and round Roxbury meetinghouse, to make as much show of 
 numbers as possible in view of the British. Our company remained there 
 seven or eight days, and then were permitted to return home." 
 
 Of one of these soldiers an anecdote was current among the survivors of 
 that day for many years. One Henry Richardson, of this town, a bold and 
 honest but heedless fellow, on his wav to Roxburv swore he would have one 
 
 ' The circuinstauces are given as related to the author by one of the survivor? 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 131 
 
 of the red-coats before he went back. Ou bis arrival at headquarters, the 
 moment he had opportunity he charged his long musket and, not thinking 
 with Falstaff that "discretion is the better part of valor," coolly marched 
 down in front of our lower guard and taking deliberate aim at the opposite 
 British sentinel discharged his musket and badly wounded him, as his com- 
 panions were seen to lead him off the ground and his place was supplied by 
 another. Much to his astonishment, our hero was immediately arrested 
 (for doing, as he thought, so good a service) and put under guard, but on 
 the representations of his friends was soon after discharged without further 
 punishment, in consideration of his good intentions. On meeting afterwards 
 one of his townsmen, he exclaimed with exultation : " There, I told you I 'd 
 have one of them 'ere British rascals ! " 
 
 The same company went down to Roxbury the day of Bunker Hill battle 
 and stayed about a fortnight. "While there a small party of us," said one 
 of them, " went round to the Cambridge side to look at the British, but soon 
 the captain of a fort called out to us, that we had better not go in company, 
 for the enemy would see us and fire at us ; and sure enough, in a minute or 
 two, a cannon ball came whizzing along close by us, and soon after, tliey sent 
 us a bomb." 
 
 May 1, 1775. A company of sixty-four men enlisted for eight mouths 
 under Captain Caleb Richardson in the Massachusetts line, so called, and 
 were stationed at Roxbury. 
 
 July, 1776. Another company, principally from this town, enlisted for 
 five months in the recruits called the " New Levies," under Captain Caleb 
 Richardson and Stephen Richardson (lieutenant), — both of Attleborough, 
 — in the regiment of Colonel Cary, of Middleborough, under Brigadier- 
 General Fellowes, and did duty in and about New York, and were at the 
 disastrous retreat from Long Island, etc. Captain Moses Wilmarth, though 
 he had served as a captain at home, yet from a spirit of patriotism entered 
 the service as a private soldier in the expedition to New York. He was 
 afterwards promoted and continued, much attached to the service, during the 
 war. Joel Read,^ of this town, was wounded at New York. Some of the 
 other members of this company were from the neighboring towns. 
 
 September, 1776. Another company was raised — part from Attleborough 
 and part from Norton — under Captain Elisha May, of this town, in the 
 regiment of Colonel Thomas Carpenter, of Rehoboth, and arrived at White 
 Plains before the battle. 
 
 1 He was a musical composer, published three " Singing Books," and was the autlior of several 
 tunes which still live in our churches. His works were published in connection with his brother, 
 Daniel N. Warren. See in Jiead Genealogy, p. 252, sketch of his nephew Ezra, who, in connection 
 with Alden Bradford, had the honor of first publishing the immortal works of Walter Scott, " the 
 great Wizard of the North," this side of the Atlantic. He was living in 1834 when the author's first 
 " Sketch " was published. 
 
132 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 In October, 1777, a whole company from this town marched to Rhode 
 Island under Captain Stephen Richardson and served one month in Spencer's 
 " Secret P^xpedition," so called. 
 
 Several men from this town were drafted in the expedition against Ticou- 
 deroga in 1776, who served also at Saratoga. 
 
 Some of our soldiers enlisted for three years, and others during the war. 
 
 The above accounts do not include the many individual enlistments into 
 the Continental army from this town during the war. 
 
 MILITIA. RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 The militia in this town and the vicinit}' were subject to frequent drafts of 
 men (more or less) from December, 1776, until after the evacuation of Rhode 
 Island. Drafts were made in January, February, March, May, June, July, 
 and August, 1777, and at many other times. The men were stationed the 
 most of the time at Rowland's Ferry (Tiverton) and at Warwick. 
 
 The British took possession of Rhode Island in December, 1776, and kept 
 the surrounding country in a continual state of alarm. They occupied it 
 above two years. 
 
 General Sullivan during his expedition to Rhode Island requested the gov- 
 ernment of Massachusetts to send him a reinforcement in consequence of 
 the French forces having abandoned him. In compliance with this request 
 the following orders were issued by the Council of this State, directing Colonel 
 Daggett of the Fourth Regiment (including then, as still in 1834, Attle- 
 borough, Mansfield, Norton, and Easton) to lake charge of the detachment: 
 
 State of Massachusetts Bay. 
 
 Council Chamber, Aug. 18th, 1778. 
 
 Whereas, Major General Sullivan has represented to this Board that by reason of the 
 absence of the French troops, which he expected would co-operate with him, he is in pressing 
 need of reinforcements, thei-efore. 
 
 Ordered, that the following colonels be and hereby are directed to detach from their 
 respective regiments the several numbers of men hereafter mentioned, and form them into 
 companies of sixty-eight men each, including one captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, four 
 corporals, one drummer, and one lifer, and see that they be equipped, armed, and accoutred 
 as the law directs, and order them to march immediately to the island of Rhode Island, and 
 there to do duty during the campaign on said island, — viz: From Col. Ilawes' regiment, one 
 hundred and tifty men, including officers, and one major; from Col. Carpenter's regiment 
 one hundred and fifty men, including ortice'\s; from Col. Daggett's regiment, one hundred and 
 fifty men, including officers, and one colonel; from Col. Hathaway's i-egiment, one hundred 
 and fifty men, including officers, and one lieutenant-colonel; from Col. Sproat's regiment, one 
 hundred and fifty men, including officers; from Col. Williams' i-egiment, one hundred and fifty 
 men, including officers. 
 
 And make return to the Council without loss of time. 
 A true copy. 
 
 Attest: John Avery, l)y. Sec'y. 
 
 In obedience to these orders a regiment consisting of nine hundred men 
 was formed out of the several regiments above named, which repaired to 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 133 
 
 Ehode Island, and served under the command of Colonel Daggett, of this town, 
 during the remainder of the campaign. The company furnished by this town 
 as its quota under this levy was commanded by Captain Caleb Richardson. 
 It was on the island at the time of the battle, and was partially engaged in 
 it. Two men from this town who had belonged to the Continental army w^ere 
 killed in that action; namely, Larned Hall and one John Dwyer (or Dyer), 
 formerly of Rehoboth. 
 
 Colonel Daggett also commanded the regiment (of which this town fur- 
 nished a portion) from Bristol county in Spencer's expedition. This regi- 
 ment was supplied by alternate drafts from the companies in the northerly 
 and middle parts of the county. 
 
 During the occupation of the island by the British, as before observed, the 
 militia from all the towns in the vicinity were frequently called upon to 
 defend the shore, as constant apprehensions were entertained that the 
 enemy would attempt to land. Attempts were indeed often made, but as 
 often failed. Orders would sometimes come for all the militia to appear at 
 some place near the island. All hands would accordingly muster (whether 
 by night or day), and make all haste for the scene of parade. They were 
 sometimes thus detained a week, three weeks, and even six weeks at a time. 
 On the appearance of a sufficient force the enemy would for the time relin- 
 quish their design, and the greater part of the militia ol)tain leave to go home. 
 But sometimes before they arrived home orders would come for their imme- 
 diate return. The yeomanry were thus often obliged to leave the plow in the 
 furrow, the mown hay untouched, and the harvest rotting in the field. 
 
 ANECDOTE OF FAYETTE. 
 
 While Sullivan was retreating from the island, Fayette, who brought up the 
 rear, just as he was leaving the field espied a pickaxe belonging to the 
 American army which had been accidentally left on the ground. He instantly 
 went back, dismounted, and picked it up, exclaiming in broken English as 
 he rode off with it on his shoulder, " They sha'u't have de pickaxe ! " ^ 
 
 The cannonade, which was heavy, between the two armies, was distinctly 
 heard and felt in this town, and produced extreme anxiety in every family. 
 
 The time of Bunker Hill battle was likewise a day of solemn feeling and 
 fearful expectation. The cannonade was distinctly heard at this distance 
 — thirty-five miles — and the occasion of it was fully recognized. It was so 
 heavy as to shake the windows in the houses and the plates upon the shelves. 
 The earth trembled as in the heaviest thunder. The town was almost 
 deserted by all able to bear arms. Women were in tears for the fate of 
 fathers, husbands, and brothers who had gone to the scene of action. 
 
 From the preceding account of the civil transactions and the military 
 
 1 This auectlote was told the author by Dr. Billings, surgeon in the Americau arnij-. 
 
134 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 services of this town, it appears satisfactorily that our citizens furnished their 
 full proportion to the ranks of the patriot army and did their duty faithfully 
 in the day of trial. 
 
 In reviewing the proceedings in that contest which agitated the country 
 previous to the commencement of the Revolution, one thing struck me as 
 worthy of remark (though not particularly noticed by historians) : that the 
 citizens of this State generally, the people as a body, felt a deeper interest, 
 took a more active part, and exerted a more direct influence in the transac- 
 tions of the day, than the people of any other State. The whole mass of 
 our citizens seemed to be acting in concert, animated with one spirit and in 
 pursuit of one object. Other States w^ere indeed as zealously engaged in the 
 great work, but it was rather through the legislature or the government than 
 by the direct influence of the people. But the citizens of this State entrusted 
 it not to a few leaders or to any body of men to vindicate their violated 
 rights ; they were willing to do their part and to bear the burden themselves. 
 Every town and almost every individual felt it a duty to put forth an effort in 
 the cause. 
 
 The following are the names of the men from this town who served in the 
 army during the Revolution. They are taken from the " Muster Rolls" and 
 " Pay Rolls of the Revolution," in the Secretary's Library in the State 
 House, Boston, and the lists comprise probably all who served. ^ 
 
 Muster Roll '^ for the company called on account of the alarm in April, 1775. 
 
 Moses Wilmarth, Captain, 
 Nathaniel Bishop, 1st. Ll. 
 Caleb Richardson, 2d. Lt. 
 Elijah Barrows, i 
 Thomas Sweet, I 
 
 Zephaniah Bishop, [ ® " 
 Obadiah Carpenter, J 
 Daniel Wilmarth, 1 
 Gideon Sweet, ) ° ' 
 Abial Dunham, Drummer, 
 Jediah Richardson, Fifer, 
 Comfort Moore, 
 Nathi Claflin, 
 Confider Brown. 
 Noah Cooper, 
 Thomas Cooper, 
 Daniel Claflin, 
 John Foster, 
 
 Joseph French, 
 Jonathan FoUet, 
 Achos ? Hunt, 
 Enoch Hunt, 
 Elijah Jones, 
 Abel Martin, 
 Isaac Perry, (Parey) 
 Eben' Robinson, 
 Arunah Shepardson, 
 Wm. Starkey, 
 John Tyler, .Jun. 
 Ephraim Tripp, 
 John Tyler, 
 Robert Titus, 
 Benoni Wilmarth, 
 Abisha Washborn, 
 Moses Pike (Piek), 
 Daniel Tiffany, 
 Peter Thacher. 
 
 9th Company in 4th Regiment, Col. John Daggett. 
 
 iThe editor deemed it best to place these names after the author's account of the war — leaving 
 that almost entirely as he had previously prepared it — insteail of attempting to give the companies, 
 or parts of companies, directly after the references to their services as made by him. 
 
 = See Mus. Rolls of Rev., vol. 13, p. 189. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 135 
 
 Caleb Richardson's Co.i in Col. Timotby Walker's Re^. April 24th to Aug. 1TT5 in service. 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Caleb Richardson, Captain, 
 
 Enoch Robinson, Lieut. 
 
 Solomon Standlj', Ensign, 
 
 John Robinson, ^ 
 
 Lenniel Whiting, 
 
 Daniel Richardson, f 
 
 .John Tyler, J 
 
 Joel Read. ] 
 
 Joseph Sterns, I 
 
 Gideon Sweet, [ 
 
 Eliphaz Healy, J 
 
 Stephen Richardson, Drummer, 
 
 Caleb Richardson, Fifer, 
 
 Henry Alexander, 
 
 Preserved Alger, 
 
 David Alverson, 
 
 Gideon Bishop, 
 
 Comfort Bishop , 
 
 Jonathan Blackinton, 
 
 Abial Brown, 
 
 Joseph Cummings, 
 
 John Daggett, 
 
 John Drown, 
 
 Elijah Daggett, 
 
 Abner Daggett, 
 
 Samuel Draper, 
 
 Jeremiah Everet, 
 
 Lemuel Everet, 
 
 Penuel Everet, 
 
 Ebenr Fuller, 
 
 Thomas Freeman, 
 
 Zel)ulon Freeman, 
 .James Freeman, 
 -Joseph Fuller, 
 Rufus Gary, 
 Daniel Huse, 
 Larned Hall, 
 J]uoch Hunt, 
 Henry Joslin, 
 Amos .Jilson, 
 Araaziah .Jilson, 
 .John Ide, 
 Wm. Luce, 
 Samuel Luscomb, 
 Comfort Martin, 
 George Xeal. 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 Benj. Richardson, 
 Benj. Stanley, 
 Nathaniel Sweet, 
 John Tiffany, 
 Noah Tiffany, 
 Peter Thacher, 
 James Tripp, 
 Ephraim Tripp, 
 Thomas Tiffany, 
 Ebenr Wilmarth, 
 Moses Walcot, 
 Wm. Woodcock, 
 Jonathan Woodcock, 
 Wm. Pilse, 
 Zephaniah Rose. 
 
 Men from town in Capt. Moses Ivnap's C0.2 Col. Joseph Read's Reg. 
 27th, to Aug. 1775. 
 
 Daniel Bolkcora, 
 Aaron Cutting, 
 Elijah Fisher, 
 Thomas Norton, 
 .John Stearns, (Searns) 
 Samuel Woodcock. 
 
 in service from Apr. 
 
 Benj. Capron, 2d. Lieut 
 Samuel Tiffany, 
 Seth Richardson 
 Elias Bolkcom, 
 David Bolkcom, 
 
 Cor. 
 
 In Capt. James Perry's Co.3 in service Oct. 6, 1775. 
 
 Allines Claflin, 
 Aruna Shepardsou, 
 
 Benj. Read, 
 John Sweet. 
 
 The following company of minute-men were called out Jan. 5th, 1770, and marched thirty- 
 five miles. 
 
 Jabez Ellis, Capt. Lemuel Everitt, 
 
 Samuel Robinson, 1st. Lt. (iHeg.) Fuller, 
 
 Elisha May, 1st. Lt. „ Fuller, 
 
 Enoch Robinson, 2d. Lt. „ Fuller, 
 
 'See Mus. Rolls, vol. 16, p. 12. 
 Rolls, vol. 5«, p. 192. 
 
 2 See Mus. Rolls, vol. 56, p. 113, and vol. 15, p. 47. = gee Mus. 
 
136 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Geo. Robinson, 2d. Lt. 
 Benj. Tingley, ^ 
 Daniel Daggett, 
 Lemuel Whiting, 
 Eli.sha Daggett, J 
 Aaron Barrows, •> 
 
 Jeze (Jesse?) Ingraham, I 
 Eliphalet Holmes, f" ^^^'■ 
 
 Joseph Sterns, J 
 
 Sam. Tingley, Drummer, 
 Henry Alexander, 
 John Alexander, 
 Preserved Alger, 
 
 Josiah Allen, 
 
 Phillip Allen, 
 
 Simeon Bates, 
 
 Sam. Bloise? (al. illeg.) 
 
 Stephen Barrows? (illeg.) 
 
 Sam. Blackinton, 
 
 Reuben Bates, 
 
 Nathan Bishop, 
 
 Oliver Blackinton, 
 
 Joseph Cummings, 
 
 Stephen Clafliu? (illeg.) 
 
 Amos Carpenter, 
 
 Reuben Carpenter, 
 
 Ezekiel Carpenter, 
 
 (illeg.) Carpenter, 
 
 Eben"" Draper, 
 
 Ichabod Daggett, 
 
 (illeg.) Ellis, 
 
 John Sweet, 
 
 Wm. Sweetland, 
 
 Solomon Stanley, 
 
 Gideon Stanley, 
 
 Samuel Stanley, 
 
 Bowen Sweetland, 
 
 Robert Swan, 
 
 Eben'' Tyler, 
 
 Nathan Tingley, 
 
 Arunah Tingley, 
 
 Jabez Gay, 
 Joseph Guild, 
 (illeg.) Roljinson, 
 (entire name illeg.) 
 Nathan Tyler, 
 David Hutchins, 
 Daniel Hews, 
 Resolved Healey, 
 Eliphaz Healey, 
 Jacob Ide, 
 Comfort Ingraham, 
 Amos Ide, 
 Timothy Ide, 
 Amaziah Jillson, 
 Wm. Lewis, 
 Hezekiah Lane 
 Samuel Liscome, 
 Benj. Maxcy, 
 Eben Maxcy, 
 Samuel Newell, 
 Josiah Pidge, 
 David Pidge, 
 "Wm. Pike, 
 Thomas Quindley, 
 David Read, 
 Hervey Richardson, 
 David Richardson, 
 Ezekiel Robinson, 
 Joel Read, 
 Jonathan Read, 
 Samuel Slack, 
 Eben Tiltany, 
 Nathaniel Woodcock, 
 Samuel Whiting, 
 David Whiting, 
 Moses Walcot, 
 Phineas Claflin, 
 Jabez Pitcher, 
 Abner Daggett, 
 Eliphaz Day, 
 Elijah Daggett, 
 John Draoer. 
 
 The following is Capt. Stephen Richardson's companv of minute-men. 
 tunes they served the muster roll does not show. 
 
 At what special 
 
 Stephen Richardson, Capt 
 Alexander Foster, Lieut. 
 Michel Sweet, Ensign, 
 Sheribiah Cobb, 
 Elijah Capron, 
 Abiathar Richardson 
 David Woodcock, 
 
 Ser. 
 
 George Hull, 
 Thomas Horton, 
 John Richardson, 
 Thomas Richardson, 
 Benj. Richardson, 
 Seth Richardson. 
 Zephaniah Rose, 
 
 1 See Mus. Rolls, vol. 12, p. S". 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 137 
 
 John Robinson, ^ 
 Joseph Foster, ! p . 
 
 Daniel Richardson, \ ^°^'* 
 Thomas Wilmarth, J 
 Nathaniel Robinson, Drunnuer, 
 Elijah Bolkcom, Fifer, 
 Win. Bolkcom. 
 Benj. Capron, 
 John Daggett, Jr. 
 Peter Fisher, 
 David Foster. 
 Rufus Gavy, 
 Comfort Martin, 
 
 Muster roll of Capt. Richardson's C0.2 that 
 of the militia of Attleborough — " to hold the 
 that purpose." It was completed Apr. 21st, 
 including time to travel home at twenty mile 
 
 Stephen Richardson, Capt. 
 Enoch Robinson, Lieut. 
 Benj. Tingley, Lieut. 
 Wm. Sweetlaud, 1 
 Amos Ide, 
 Noah Tiffany, 
 Isaac Perry, 
 Elijah Daggett, 
 Daniel Hews, 
 Hosea Tifl'any, 
 Thomas French, 
 Stephen Fuller, Drummer, 
 Benj. Willmarth, Fifer, 
 David Bolkcom, 
 Lamech Blauding, 
 Comfort Bates, 
 Jonathan Blackinton, 
 Othniel Blackinton, 
 Joseph Capron, 
 . Wm. Carpenter, 
 David Cooper, 
 Daviny 'i Daggett, 
 Solomon Dunham, 
 John Draper, 
 Joel Ellis, 
 Penuel Everit, 
 Levy Everit, 
 Wm. Tiffany, 
 
 > Ser. 
 
 Cor. 
 
 Benj. Starkey, 
 Nathaniel Sweet, 
 Hoseah Tiffany, 
 John Tiffany 
 Noah Tiffany 
 Samuel Tittany, 
 John Woodcock, 
 Ebenr Wilmarth, 
 Eliphalet Wilmarth, 
 Amos Wilmarth, 
 John Wilkinson, 
 Jonathan Woodcock, 
 Zachariah White. 1 
 
 marched into the State of Rhode Island — part 
 line till men could be raised for two months for 
 1777, and continued in service until May 25th, 
 per day. The private's pay was £1 13s. 4d. each. 
 
 Thos. French, Jr. 
 William Freeman, 
 Jabez Gay, 
 Isaac Ide, 
 Oliver Jillson, 
 Isaac Jackson, 
 Hezekiah Lane, 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 Jesse Richards, 
 Noah Robinson, 
 Benj. Read, 
 Daniel Read, 
 Gideon Stanley. 
 George Starkey, 
 Bowin Sweetlaud, 
 Abel Titus, 
 Zelotis Tyler, 
 Ebenr Tyler, 
 Ebeni- Tyler, Jr. 
 Hezekiah Tiffany, 
 Benj. Tripp, 
 James Tripp, 
 James Orn, 
 Silas Wood, 
 Jonathan Willmarth, 
 Amos Wilhnarth, 
 Benj. Woodcock. 
 
 List of Capt. Caleb Richardson's Co. in Col. Dauforth's. Reg. for the bounty granted by the 
 General Court June 27th, 1777, — the bounty being apparently £3 a month. 
 
 Noah Tiffany, 
 Lawrence M. South, 
 Samuel Munro, 
 Noah Robinson, 
 
 Nehemiah Brig; 
 Abiah Fuller. 
 John Caswell, 
 John Emerson, 
 
 1 See Mus. Rolls, vol. 13, p. 69. 2 gge Mtis. Rolls, vol. 3, ps. 89 and 92. 
 
138 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 TVra. Ho.«kiii.e, 
 Laraih ? Bla^dinl,^ 
 (illeg.) Liukoii, 
 David Fuller, 
 Simeon Cross mau. 
 John M. South, 
 Abel Tain, 
 Charles Fimlly, 
 Elisha Williams, 
 Richard Clark, 
 Theopbilus Clark, 
 Benj. Medberry, 
 Jacob Liukon, 
 Lewis M. South. 
 Matthew Macomber, 
 Thomas Andrews, 
 Ebenr Read, 
 
 Abel Medberry, 
 Aaron Goft", 
 Abel Gott', 
 Samuel Boen, 
 Hezekiah Titiany, 
 Jacob Cummins, 
 Elisha Hall, 
 Benj. Cummins, 
 Israel Jackson, 
 Caleb Richardson, 
 Abial Tripp, 
 Zelotus Tyler, 
 Sanuiel Freeman, 
 Boen Sweetland, 
 Paul Pratt. 
 Silvester Linkon, 
 Samuel Hoskins, 
 Preserved Hoskins. 
 
 A list of the company i that marched from this town on a secret expedition under the 
 command of Col. Geo. Williams, from Sept. 25th, to Oct 29tb, 1777, one month and six days, 
 including two days for return home. Captain's name not given. 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Joel Read, 
 Hosea Tiftany, 
 Eliphaz Heley. 
 Arunah Shepardson, J 
 Ebenr Dunham. Drummer, 
 Israel Bates, 
 Simon Barrows, 
 Comfort Barrows, 
 Thomas Barden. 
 Elias Bolkcom, 
 Ebenezer Bacon, 
 Oliver Blackintou, 
 Comfort Bates, 
 Daniel Blanding, 
 Jesse Briggs, 
 William Barrows, 
 Joseph Cushmau, 
 Joseph Capron, 
 Daniel Claliin, 
 Zebelon Cutting, 
 David Cooper, 
 Loammi Day, 
 - Wm. Carpenter, 
 Joab Daggett, 
 Nathaniel Drown, 
 Joseph Daggett, 
 Daviny Daggett, 
 Ephraim Dean, 
 Solomon Dunham, 
 Joel Ellis, 
 Noah Fuller, 
 
 Daniel Hews, ^ 
 Thomas Tifiany, (^ 
 Herbert Mann," f ^''^''• 
 Thomas French, J 
 Benj. AVilmarth, Fifer, 
 Nathaniel Jillson, 
 Daniel Lane, 
 Comfort Moore, 
 Job Martin, 
 James Orn, 
 David Pldge, 
 Jabez Pitcher, 
 Caleb Parm(en)ter, 
 Isaac Perry, 
 Wm. Pulling, 
 Daniel Read, 
 Ephraim Read, 
 Thomas Richardson, 
 Seth Richardson, 
 Zephaniah Rose, 
 Michel Riley, 
 Henry Richardson, 
 Jonathan Read, 
 Joseph Stearns, 
 Jeremiah Scott, 
 Amos Starkey, 
 Thomas Starkey, 
 Daniel Stanley, 
 Samuel Stanley, 
 Clark Sweetland, 
 Stephen Sweetland, 
 
 1 See Miis. Halls, vol. 3, ]). ill. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 139 
 
 Samuel Fuller, 
 Abial Fisher. 
 Ebeui- Fuller, 
 Jouathau Fuller, 
 Thomas Freucb, Jr. 
 Eheuezer Guild, 
 Amos Ide, 
 George Ide, 
 Isaac Ide, 
 Elijah Joues, 
 Oliver Jillsou, 
 
 Zebadiah Sweet, 
 John Tiffauy, 
 Ephraiin Tripp, 
 Benj. Tripp, 
 Philip Thare. (Thayer?) 
 Abisha Town. 
 Ebeuezer Tyler. 
 Elijah "Wellmaii. 
 Eliphlet Wilmarth. 
 Benj. Woodcock, 
 Jesse Ide, 
 Daniel Tiftanv. 
 
 Capt. Sam. Robinson's company i of militia raised for twenty-one days, for duty in Col. 
 Wade's regiment, from July 21st, 17TS. Other members of this company were from adjoining 
 towns. 
 
 Sam. Robinson, Capt. 
 Wm. Swoetlaud, Ser. 
 Jacob Frieze. \ 
 Daniel Clafliu. I Cor. 
 William Thomas, J 
 Benj. Wilmarth, Fifer, 
 PhiHp Allen, 
 Othuiel Blackinton, 
 David Bolkcom, 
 Benj. Barrows, 
 Nathaniel Bowen, 
 William Carpenter, 2d. 
 Asa Daggett, 
 Darius Daggett. 
 Abial Dunham, 
 Alex. Foster, 
 
 Lumy Foster. 
 Abial Freeman. 
 William Foster, 
 Ebenr Guild, 
 John Gooding, 
 George Ide, 
 Edward Richards, 
 Noah Robinson, 
 Obed Robinson, 
 Joel Read, 
 John Sweetland, 
 Bowen Sweetland, 
 Ebenr Tyler. 
 Jonathan Wilmarth. 
 Stephen Wilmarth, 
 Eben,r Wellman, 
 Machael Sweet. 
 
 Capt. Alex. Foster's company,- in Col. Thomas Carpenter's regiment from the Mass. Bay. in 
 the campaign at Rhode Island, from July 27th to Aug. 12th. IT'S, including time to return 
 home. Service for seventeen days, "Due for the time of service and travel, to each private, 
 £2. 16s. 8d.'" The Courts provided additional wages £5 per month. 
 
 Alex. Foster, Capt. 
 William Swetland, Lieut. 
 Daniel Richardson, Lieut. 
 Thomas Sweet, -v 
 David Woodcock, V Ser. 
 Eliphalet Holmes, J 
 Levi Stanley, Drummer, 
 Ephraim Allen, 
 Christopher Bowing, 
 Simon Barrows, 
 Jacob Bates, 
 Benjamin Blackiugton, 
 Noah Blanding, 
 Solomon Bates, 
 William Carpenter, 
 
 Joseph Foster. ^ 
 Daniel Willmarth, 
 
 Daniel Hews. 
 Samuel Guild, J 
 George Hely. Fifer, 
 rhillip Allen. Private 
 Philbrook Barrows, 
 Ichabod Ide, 
 Levi Gilson, 
 Levi Ide, 
 Joel Metcalf, 
 Herbert Mann. 
 Daniel 3Iartin, 
 James Orue, 
 Henry Peck, 
 
 ^ Cor. 
 
 1 See Mus. Rolls, vol. 3, p. 106. 2 See Mus. Rolls, vol. 2, p. 21. 
 
140 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Neheniiab Chiflaud, 
 Benj" Capron, 
 Joseph Capron, 
 David Cunimiugs, 
 Joab Daggett, 
 John Draper, 
 Amos Daggett, 
 Joel Ellis. 
 Daviil Fisher, 
 Josei>h Fuller, 
 Thomas French, 
 Eben"- Guild, 
 Samuel Holmes, 
 Israel Hatch, 
 George Tde, 
 Isaac Ide, 
 
 Isaac Perry, 
 Daniel Read, 
 Henry Sweet, 
 John Streeter, 
 James Sweetland, 
 Thomas Starkey, 
 Samuel Stanley, 
 John Sprague, 
 Eben'' Swan, 
 David Smith, 
 Joseph Sterns, 
 Zelotas Tyler, 
 Othniel Tyler, 
 Peter Thacher, 
 Robert Titus, 
 Eliphalet Wilmarth, 
 Jonathan Woodcock. 
 
 Capt. Sam. Robinson's Co.i in Col. Josiah Whitney's Reg. raised for six weeks, from July 
 29th, 1778. Beyond wages they were to receive a day's pay for every twenty miles on the 
 return home. There were doubtless men in this company from surrounding towns. 
 Sam. Robinson, Capt. Enoch Robinson, Lieut. 
 
 David Huchins (Hoskins), Ser. Jabez Gay, Cor. 
 
 Hosea Tittany, Ser. David Bolkcom, 
 
 Comfort Bates, Joseph Daggett, 
 
 Asa Dean, Abisha Town, 
 
 Jesse Ide, Samuel Tifl'any, 
 
 Benj. Stanley. Enoch Hunt, 
 
 Kathan Richards, Jonathan Woodcock, 
 
 John Fisher. 
 
 Capt. Elisha May's C0.2 in Col. John Daggett's Reg. from Aug. 23rd, 1778, to Sept. 2d, 
 following, and two days to return home. Discharged Sept. 2d, 1778. Amount of private's 
 wages, £2 per mouth, captain's, £12. 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Edmond Carpenter, 
 James Cobb, 
 Loamnii Day, 
 Daniel Daggett, 
 i Joel Fisher, 
 
 Solomon Stanley, 
 John Goding, 
 Hezekiah Round, 
 Ebenezer Robinson, 
 Benj. Richardson, 
 Amos Sweet, 
 John Tyler, 
 William Stanley. Ephraim Allen, 
 
 Soldiers from this town in Capt. Joseph Franklin's Co.^ in Col. Nathan Tyler's Reg', stationed 
 at Rhode Island for the four months, Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec, 1779. The pay of these men for 
 Dec. seems to have been £10. 13s. 4d. less than £2 per man. They were discharged Dec. 31st. 
 William Foster. Drummer, Seth Capron, Fifer, 
 
 Thomas Barden, Oliver Gillson, 
 
 Abial Dunham, John Pullin. 
 
 Elisha May, Capt. 
 Alex. Foster, Lieut, 
 Benj. Maxcy, Lieut 
 Zeplianiah Bishop, -] 
 Stephen Draper, 
 Andrew Bourn, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Ephraim Hall, Cor. 
 Peter Read, 
 Wm. Barrows, 
 Peter Blackington, 
 Joseph Cushman, 
 Oliver Whittaker, 
 
 'See Mus. HoUs, vol. 3, p. 307. 
 53,54. 
 
 'See Pay liolls, vol. 4, ps. 207, 208. ^See Pay Polls, vol. 4, ps. 51, 
 
HIST OB T OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 141 
 
 > Ser. 
 
 1 
 
 Cor. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Robinson's Co.,i Col. li 
 ton, R. I., on the morning of July 31st 
 
 Samuel Robinson, Capt. 
 Ebenr Tyler, Lieut. 
 Eliphazbay, Dit. 
 Peter Read, Clerk. 
 Jeremiah Tngraham, i 
 Andrew Bourn, 
 Noah Morse, 
 Jacob Ide, 
 Amos Ide, 
 David Pidge, 
 Daniel Lane, 
 Samuel Tingley, 
 Naamau Bishop, 
 Benj. Barrows, 
 James Bates, 
 Benaih Barrows, 
 Reuben Bates, 
 Abraham Cummins, 
 Amos Carpenter, 
 Ezekiel Carpenter, 
 Phinehas Claflen, 
 Loammi Day, 
 Abial Fuller, 
 Ebenr Fuller, 
 Wm. Freeman, 
 Darias Fuller, 
 
 laac Deane's Reg., that marched on the alarm, to Tiver- 
 , 1780. 
 
 Gilbert Grant, 
 Elisha Hall, 
 Ebeni" Hutchins, 
 Amos Humphrey, 
 •John Ide. 
 Daniel Gilson, 
 Levi Gilson. 
 Sanuiel Liscomb, 
 .Joseph B. Laland, 
 Samuel Read, 
 Epliraim Read, 
 William Read. 
 John Sweeting, 
 Nathan Tingley, 
 Simeon Titus, 
 Ebenr Tittany, 
 Walter Tyler, 
 Samuel Tyler, 
 Elisha Welman, 
 -John Welman, 
 Thomas Witherton, 
 Abial Brown, 
 Jupiter Free, 
 Joseph Fuller, 
 Oliver Carpenter, 
 Samuel Blackinton, 
 Wm. Everitt. 
 
 Members of a company '- 
 
 Wm. Bradford, 
 Timothy Freeman, 
 Levi Blackinton, 
 Levi Ide, 
 Silas Richardson, 
 Penuel Everitt, 
 Eliphalet Gay, 
 Abial Freeman, 
 Otis Robinson, 
 Josiah Bacon, 
 David Robinson, 
 Levi Chaftee, 
 Obed Robinson. 
 John Pull in, 
 Benj. Sweetlaud, 
 Phillip Allen, 
 
 raised in town in .July, 1780, for six months. 
 
 Wm. Newell, 
 Peter Blackinton, 
 William Tyler, 
 Hezekiah Tiffany, 
 Elijah Fisher, 
 Daniel Hewes, 
 Aaron Cutting, 
 Joseph Cushman, 
 Reuben Ide, 
 Nathan Hatch, 
 Abial Tripp, 
 Levi Maxcy, 
 Jonathan Wilmarth, 
 Thomas French, 
 Joseph Bishop, 
 David Dunnels. 
 
 The following is the fourth time that Samuel Robinson served as captain 
 during the war, in response to the many special calls for troops in this 
 vicinity. He was the only one from the town who served in that capacity 
 
 1 See Pay Rolls, vol. 3, p. 110. -' See Mus. Rolls, vol. 4, p. 11. 
 
142 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 SO many times. Three — ^Nlose.s Wilmartli. Caleb Richardson, and Stephen 
 Rieliardscjii — eaeli served twice, and tiie other named captains once. 
 
 Capt. Sam. Robinson's Co.' in Col. Isaac Deane's Reg. for service in R. I. in 1781. Man 
 March 6th, discharged 31arch llrth, " in the evening." Privates received 17s. 8d. each. 
 
 led 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Samnel Robinson, Capt. 
 
 Wni. TilTany. -i 
 
 Ilezekiah Tillany 
 
 Wni. Bradford. 
 
 David Robinson, 
 
 Obcd Robinson. Drummer, 
 
 "Welcome C'apron, Private, 
 
 Edniond Carpenter, 
 
 Otis Capron, 
 
 Phineas Claflen, 
 
 Calvin Freeman, 
 
 Ebeni- Read, 
 
 Wm. Blackinton, 
 
 Levi Blackinton, 
 
 BenJ. Daggett, 
 
 Benj. Barrows, 
 
 Ebenr llutcliius, 
 
 John Guild, 
 
 Leonard Daggett, 
 
 Daniel Richardson, Lt 
 Al)ial Tripp. -i 
 
 Otis Robinson. 
 AVm. Tyler, 
 Solomon Dunham 
 Seth Capron, Fifer. 
 Ephraim Gay, 
 Abiah Pitcher, 
 Ebenr Titfany. 
 William George, 
 James Bates, 
 Thomas Witherton, 
 Joel Robinson, 
 Beniah Barrows, 
 William 3[ay, 
 Josiah Bacon, 
 Walter Tyler, 
 James Cutting, 
 Daniel Daggett, 
 Samuel Daggett. 
 
 Cor. 
 
 Another company, under Capt. Enoch Rol>inson,- in Col. Isaac Deane's regiment, seems to 
 have marched on the alarm to Tiverton. They liad ten days service, from July 31st. to Aug. 
 8th, 1780. Privates' pay about 5s. per day. 
 
 Enoch Robinson, Capt. 
 
 Moses Walcot, -v 
 
 Benj. Sweetland, I Ser. 
 
 Joseph (Tuild, J 
 
 Roial (Royal?) Stanley, Drummer, 
 
 Josiah Allen, 
 
 George Blackinton, 
 
 Oliver Blackinton, 
 
 Zerial ? Bates, 
 
 John Demon, 
 
 Ephraim Dean, 
 
 Wm. Freeman, 
 
 Eliplialet Hohues, 
 
 Stephen Fuller, 
 
 Ebenezer Guild, 
 
 AVilliam Gay. 
 
 Kathan Tucker, 
 
 Abisha Town, 
 
 Penticost Walcot, 
 
 David Smith. 
 
 William Sweetland. 
 
 Daniel Daggett. Lieut. 
 Eben"^ Bacon, -j 
 Jesse Richards, > Cor. 
 Stephen Draper, J 
 Benj. Ide, 
 John Mulliu, 
 "William May. 
 Samuel Xewell, 
 Jeames Orn, 
 Jacob Perry, 
 James Pullin, 
 David Robbins, 
 Samuel Stanley, 
 Jesse Stanley, 
 Stephen Sweetland, 
 "William Sweetland, 
 David Whiting, 
 Tchabod Daggett, 
 Henry Alexander, 
 Benj. Maxcy, 
 (Written twice on list.) 
 
 > See Pay liolls, vol. 3, p. 103. = See Mus. Rolls, vol. 3, p. 108. 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEDOBOUGH. 
 
 143 
 
 Ser. 
 
 Cupt. Moses Wilmartli's Co.i 
 Thej- seem to have been in sen- 
 Moses Wilniarth, Capt. 
 Zephaniali Bishop, -j 
 Thomas Sweet, 
 Obailiah Carpenter, 
 Abial Dunham. 
 Elijah Barrows, Clerk 
 Noah Brown, 
 Comfort Bates, 
 Joseph Barrows, 
 Thomas Bartlen, 
 Noah Blaniliug, 
 Solomon Bates, 
 Stephen Briggs, 
 Josiah Carpenter, 
 Josiah Chu rebel, 
 Cj'rel Carpenter, 
 Nathaniel Clailin, 
 Daniel Claflin, 
 Noah Cooper, 
 Amos Daggett, 
 Daniel Daggett, 
 Ebenezer Dunham, 
 Aseph Daggett, 
 Peter Derry, 
 Ezra French, 
 Jonathan Follet, 
 
 who marched on the alarm to R. I. in Col. Isaac Deane's Keg. 
 ice from March to July 31st. or Aug. 7th, 178). 
 
 Nathaniel Bishop, Lieut. 
 
 Dan. Carpenter. -^ 
 Dan. Wilmarth. I 
 Paul Sanford, [ 
 
 Aruna Shepardson, J 
 Benj. Grover. 
 Abel Martin, 
 Job Martin. 
 Comfort More. 
 James Linkhorn. 
 John Pike, 
 Peter Parey, 
 Ichabod Parey. 
 Caleb Parnienter, 
 Caleb Richardson. 
 Gideon Sweet, 
 Wm. Starkey, 
 Peter Thacher, 
 Obadiah Thacher. 
 Robard Titus, 
 Ebenezer Tyler, 
 Eliphak't Wilmarth, 
 Abisha Washbou. 
 Stephen Wihnartb , 
 Samuel Willis, 
 Gersbom Wilmarth, 
 Noah Tiffany. 
 
 Cor. 
 
 In a Rehoboth company, under Capt. John Perry, one Comfort Caiiern, from this town, is 
 put down as " Mate." 
 
 In another company from that town, under Capt. Samuel Bliss, is found the name of 
 Comphort Robinson of this town. 
 
 In the regiment of Col. Asa Whitcomb. the company of Capt. Hasting, the name of John 
 Sweetland of Attleborough is found.- 
 
 The following is the onlv list of the dead found among the records : 3 
 
 Capt. Keth's (Keith?) Co. 
 David Hutchins, 
 Joseph French, 
 
 Consider Brown, 
 Reuben Daggett, 
 
 Simeon Daggett, 
 Noah Brown. 
 
 Beuoui Willmarth, 
 The last three were probably from some other company, and were either dead or missing. ^ 
 
 1 See Mus. noils, vol. 3, p. 258. 
 
 - See Mas. J!olls, vol. 56, ps. 136, 13S, 145. 
 
 •' See Mus. llolls, vol. 56, p. 190. 
 
 U have followed many of the irrej^ularities of spelling found on the above mentioned "Rolls," 
 thinking it may be a matter of curiosity to some people to see the changes some names have under- 
 gone, and also the varieties of ways of spelling the same name in which our fathers indulged them- 
 selves at that period. Tliese lists comprise all of the town enlistments, not individual enlistments of 
 certain citizens elsewhere, in which the town would have no monetary interest. — Editor. 
 
144 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 chaptp:r VI. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN, CONTINUED. DIVISION. 
 
 THE long war of the Revolution finally came to an end, and for some 
 time we find very little upon the records relating to enlistments, 
 bounties, pay of soldiers, etc. 
 
 The following, found on the ancient State Records of the General Court, 
 is of interest to every inhabitant of the Old Bay State : — 
 
 "The General Court begun and held at Boston, the 2.5"^ day of October 
 1780, being the first sitting of the General Court of the Commonwealth 
 OF Massachusetts." 
 
 Sept. 4, 1782. It was voted "to alow the constables for the year 1780, 
 for the Counterfit money they took in Colecting the taxes of said town." 
 The town expenses for that year were £300. 
 
 Some controversy regarding the ministerial land arose in 1783, and at 
 a meeting held October 8th, it was voted " that it is the town's property." 
 A committee of three was chosen " to take possession of the ministerial 
 Farm." These were Col. John Daggett, Capt. Ebenezer Tyler, and Mr. 
 Levi Maxc}'. " Instructed the committee to demand the money the minis- 
 terial farm rented for ever since Mr. Weld's, Discease ; then Disraist Capt. 
 E. Tyler, by motion made, and proceeded to the choice of an other, and 
 chose Capt. Ebenezer Tiffany in his stead. And then acted on the third 
 article respecting Doctor Mann, keeping a Publick House, and voted all but 
 five in favor of it." 
 
 Feb. 9, 1784, it was put to vote whether the town should give extraordinary 
 pay to officers in the Continental array, and passed unanimously in the nega- 
 tive. Among the orders upon the treasury for this year is the following : 
 "Pay to the widow Anne Newell for Bording Mary Fuller Black Child one 
 year to the 18th of November 1784, £5. 4s. and clothing said child, said 
 term, 19s." 
 
 In 1785, "Pay Capt. Moses Wilmarth, for taking another of Joseph 
 Woodcock's boys to bring up til he arive to the age of twenty one years, the 
 sum of £6." Board during this year ranged from Is. 6d. to 6s. — tliat is 
 from 37 cents to $1.50 — per week. Corresponding board to-day would 
 probably range from $2.00 to $6.00 or $7.00 per week. Another order for 
 1785, is as follows: "Pay to Abiathar Richardson for moving Kathiranah 
 Gorse to wrentham the sum of 5s. for moving Job horn to mansfield the sum 
 of 2s." In 1786, Caleb Richardson, one of the selectmen, received for two 
 and one half days' " sarvis " as one of a committee, 10s. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUQH. 145 
 
 March 21, 1786. "Voted thtit one third of the annual April meetings, be 
 held in the meeting-house in the east precinct for the future." 
 
 May 16, 1786. " The town vote to Chuse a committee of five men to Sarve 
 in county convention if the other towns in the county should see fit to meet 
 them in order to find out the Reson that circulating cash is so scarce, and so 
 harde to be got, and the Reson that taxes are laid so heavy upon us." We 
 of the present time can deeply sympathize in these tw^o grievances of our 
 forefathers, for to this day the mystery attending the poor circulation of 
 the former and the real reason for the weight of the latter are still unsolved. 
 The town chose Capt. Alexander Foster, Capt. Caleb Richardson, and Lieut. 
 Nathaniel Bishop this committee, and they were instrncted " to act according 
 to the best of their Judgment." 
 
 At a town meeting lawfully warned and held Nov. 6th, 1786, it was voted 
 to instruct the representatives at the General Court to endeavor to get a 
 redress of a number of "articles which we look upon to be grievances." 
 These articles were ten in number. One related to the large pay of the 
 "first magistrate of this commonwealth, and other officers of government;" 
 another to the neglect in the settlement of important matters pending between 
 this Commonwealth and Congress, and another upon " the present mode of 
 taxation," claiming that it acted unequally. Article 3d, as one of the griev- 
 ances to be redressed, reads : " The existence of that Order of men called 
 Law^yers." 
 
 Many complaints of taxes are recorded, and frequent abatements also, 
 one entry being made as follows : " To Mr. Abiathar Richardson, Constable. 
 This comes to order you to abate to Remember Ingraham his poll tax in the 
 state and town tax made Jan. 17, 1787, the sum of £1 9s., and his receipt 
 with this order shall discharge you so much with the town treasurer." Signed 
 by the selectmen. 
 
 March 20, 1787. "Voted that the powder taken out of the town stock 
 (in 1775) should be Replast." The following amusing entry was found 
 among those for the year 1788 : "Ear mark of Peter Thacher is a swallers 
 tail on the top of the right ear, and a slant cross on the upper side of the 
 left ear." Then as if suddenly realizing his l»lunder, the clerk adds, 
 " Creturs mark." 
 
 March 27, 1787, is found the following order on the treasurer: "This 
 comes to order you to pay Doctor Abijah Everet for keeping the town school 
 in the quarter where Caleb Richardson, Jr. lives, half a month, and boarding 
 himself for the year 1786, £1. 8d. More to said Everet for doctoring the 
 town's poor lis. and his receipt, shall be your discharge for so much." In 
 this same year the selectmen ordered certain sums of money to be paid to 
 widow Bethiah Bishop for the board, etc., of her mother Mercy Woodcock, 
 from a given date " to the day of her Deth." A further sum " for the cost 
 of rum and watchers for her mother in the later part of her sickness," was 
 
146 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 16s. '• and to David Pidge for digging a grave lo Ixirv the widow Mercy 
 Woodcock in tlie sum of 4s." At this period — from June, 1788, to Jau- 
 wary, 1789, — six montlis, — the town paid the sum of £3. (5s. 4d. for some 
 person's board. 
 
 March 17, 1789. "Voted to choose a committee to divide the town into 
 twenty quarters for schooling," the committee nuujberiug thirteen. Thes^ 
 reported they considered it best to divide into l)ut eight quarters. In tliis 
 3'ear tlie town appropriated £200, for the " sole purpose of mending the 
 highways." 
 
 In 1790-91 a number of persons were warned to leave the town, for not 
 having obtained permission to reside within its limits. One of these was the 
 Doctor Abijah Everet previously mentioned ; another was "Abraham Tucker- 
 man gentelman," another, Ezra Brown, of Rehoboth, " yeoman." Some 
 were called "transient persons," and one Moses Read "yeoman" of Reho- 
 both, was warned to depart within fifteen days. This town law was enacted 
 at an earl}' date, but in the case of desirable residents non-conformity to its 
 requirements was " winked at," or, more correctly, when respectable people 
 either through ignorance or carelessness neglected to apply to the proper 
 authorities for consent to become residents of the town on first coming here, 
 they were probably permitted to obtain this consent after being formally 
 warned to depart, as many so warned continued to live here. In the case of 
 the shiftless and shifting population, however, the warnings were doubtless 
 carried into effect. 
 
 February 25, 1791, tlie meeting was held in the meetinghouse in the second 
 precinct. " Voted that the selectmen should be a committee to sell the paper 
 money that belongs to the town." This was accomplished presently, for on 
 April 1st the treasurer was ordered to receive the money belonging to the 
 town from this disposal of the Continental money. Tiie amount of the paper 
 monej' is not stated, but it realized £77. 18s. 4i^d. In this year the town is 
 mentioned as in the " District of Bristol, Dukes County, and Nantucket." 
 
 Town meetings in the early days were often held at private houses ; that 
 for February 23, 1792, being " at the house of Zechariah White." 
 
 April 2, 1792. " Voted to give the powder to the souldiers that was deliv- 
 ered out of the town store, to the several Captains of companies for the 
 regimental muster in October last." Among the bills paid b}' the town this 
 year was one of 8s. for a cord of wood. 
 
 May 15, 1792. "Voted that the assessors go separately, and each one in 
 his own district to take in a valuation, and do it after haying." The follow- 
 ing is prolnibly the result of the above vote of the town : • 
 
 1 The original paper preserveil by Jacob IiJe, one of tliese assessors, was placet! in the author's 
 hands by a descendant, Mr. Hartford Ide. It is deemed of sutlicieut interest to give the valuation 
 entire. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOVGH. 147 
 
 A Count of tlie Valuation Taken and Completed tbis Tth Day November 1792. by E. Bacon, 
 A. Richardson. J. Ide. 
 
 Polls Rateable 16 years Old & upwards to 21 years 81 
 
 Polls Rateable 21 years Old & upwards 303 
 
 Male Polls not Rateable, not Supported l)y ye Town 85) 
 
 Male Polls not Rateable Supported by ye Town 5 
 
 Dwelling Houses 215 
 
 Barns 165 
 
 Amount of Funded Securites at Six per. cent £385 slO 
 
 Ditto at Three per Sent 277 4 
 
 Ditto not on Intrest 258 10 
 
 all Other Securites 874 16-6 
 
 Money on hand 169 10 
 
 Acres of Tihige Land 1282 
 
 Bushels of Rie 2666 
 
 Bushels of Oats 4^2 
 
 Bushels of Corn 9264 
 
 Peas it Beans HI 
 
 Acres of English and upland mowing 1860M 
 
 Tons of Ilav vearly produce of the Same 7365^ 
 
 Money at Intrest £1248 
 
 Acres of Fresh meadow 1944 
 
 Tons of Hay yearly produce of the same 1188 
 
 Acres of Pasturing 5288 
 
 Cows the same will keep 1069 
 
 Barrels of Cyder 1503 
 
 Acres of Woodland 4450 
 
 Acres of unimproved Land 1113 
 
 Acres of Land covered with water 215 
 
 Number of Horses 3 years Old & upward 138 
 
 Steers & Cows 3 years Old &c 861 
 
 Oxen 4 years Old &c 311 
 
 Swine (i months old 375 
 
 Stock & Trade [Stock in trade!'] £850 
 
 Common Land 697 (acres) 
 
 Highways TO8 (no explanation of tig.) 
 
 Xilage — E. mowing — F. meadow — pasturing — Woodland — Un. L. — Upl. — Water 
 No 1 173 - - 159 - - - - 198 - - - 482 - - - 262 - - - 581 - - 174 - - 21 
 No 2 249 - - 233 - - - - 328 - - - 657 - - - 600 - - 1005 - - 316 - - 43 
 
 422 - - 392 - - - - 526 \Vm - - - 862 - - - 1586 - - 490 - - 64 
 
 392 
 
 526 Attleborough, August lo'^ 1792 
 
 1139 
 
 g(j2 Number of Acres the Town of 
 
 15(^(5 Attleborough Measured when the 
 
 490 Town was Surved by the Selectmen, 
 
 (54 In Order for to take Map »tc is 
 
 28363 Acres in the whole. 
 
 5481 
 
 Sept. 4, 1792. " Voted to annex the county tax with ye town tax." In the 
 warrant for a meeting for October this year, an article was inserted to see if 
 the town would vote to provide " hospitals for ye benefit of ye town, or 
 those individuals who w^ould wish to have ye small pox by inoculation." The 
 
148 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 article was dismissed. AVe conjecture the demand for such a hospital could 
 not have been great. 
 
 Aug. 4, 1794, a meeting was hckl at the house of Mr. Ephraim Dean, 
 where a committee consisting of six captains — Ebenezer Tyler, Caleb 
 Richardson, Ebenezer Tiffany, John Richardson, Samuel and Nathaniel Rob- 
 inson, and Deacon Enoch Robinson — was chosen to see what encouragement 
 the town would give the soldiers. The meeting was adjourned to a later 
 hour of the same day, to give time for the deliberations of this committee. 
 They reported : "That the town give the soldiers such additional compen- 
 sation as with the Continental pay shall amount to 42s. per mouth (87.00, 
 a shilling 16f cents), while in actual service, if they are not called out of this 
 State, nor the State of Rhode Island. But, if called out of the aforesaid 
 States to duty 54s. per month, one half mouth advance pay when called to 
 march." This report was accepted. "Then voted to give the men 12s. 
 each, if called to muster in Company ; money to be paid on Muster Day." 
 On May 6th of this year, Doctor Bezaleel Mann informed the people at town 
 meeting that he had "taken into his house Abraham Babcock a molatto 
 man," who belonged to Westerl}', R. I. 
 
 179.0. Town expenses £170, and £200 for highways. At a town meeting 
 lawfully warned and held on Monday the sixth day of April, 1795, "Then 
 to the mind of the town upon the important subject of paying the Militia in 
 times of peace. — "Which votes are as followeth — viz — Not for paying the 
 Militia in time of peace — 138 — In favor of paying the Militia — 7 votes — 
 Then chose a committee to draft a petition to the General Court and lay 
 it before the town at their next town meeting for their approval." The 
 petition is as follows : — 
 
 To the Honi'ie the Senate and Hou.se of Rep. of the Commonwealth of Mass. in General 
 Court assembled, June 1795. 
 
 The petition and remonstrance of the inhabitants of the town of Attleboro" in the county 
 of Bristol sheweth that at the last session of the last General Court sundry petitions were 
 presented to your Honors by officers of the Militia from various parts of this Commonwealth, 
 praying for a revising of the Militia laws, and that the Militia in future may be put under pay 
 on training or muster days — that we acknowledge the responsibility of the Militia, and are 
 not unmindful of the many services they ha\ e rendered the Government and of the importance 
 of their existence, yet we never have been brought to believe, neither can we believe that the 
 paying of the Militia for mustering in time of peace can be for the interest nor safety of the 
 comnmnity, as it must tend to destroy that Militia pride and laudable ambition for which men 
 of that profession have hitherto been so remarkable, It will also in our opinion subvert the 
 order of things in its operation by establishing the Military over the civil, it will render our 
 republic forms of Government 7iiegatory nud introduce a standing army to be supported in 
 time of peace and destroy the essence of our freedom. Nor can we help being surprised at 
 the sudden alteration that has taken place only in consequence of a reverse of fortune, for 
 at the beginning of the late glorious Revolution our then patriots made use of the argument 
 against Great Britain, that they had unconstitutionally quartered large bodies of armed troops 
 among us in time of peace, which was then thought subverting the rights and freedom of the 
 people. Besides if there was no danger from such experiment we think it very unjust that 
 those Officers and Soldiers who have pi-eviously in rotation voluntarily done their town at a 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 149 
 
 time when they were called upon much oftener than at present without fee or reward agree- 
 able to the custom that had l^een in practice time immemorial, that they should now be taxed 
 to pay officers and soldiers for services not one half so burdensome as those they have per- 
 formed. We have no wish to injure the present Militia nor to detract from their responsibility, 
 but that your Honors would amend the Militia laws agreeable to their wishes so far as may be 
 consistent witli the public good. But we think ourselves bound in duty to remonstrate against 
 paying them as officers or Soldiers on training days, and humbly request that such parts of 
 their petition as pray for compensation may be dismissed and your petitioners as in duty 
 bound will ever pray. 
 
 At a town meeting lawfully warned and held at Attleboro" the sixth day of May 1795, the 
 inhabitants being assembled, the above petition was perfected and read, and the town voted 
 to accept it, and voted that it should be recorded and sent to the General Court. 
 
 A true entry, errors excepted. 
 
 Jacob Ide. — Town Clerk 
 Attleboro', May 6"i IT'Jo. 
 
 June 1, 1795. " Capt. Joel Read for taking a plan of the town iu part 
 sum o' £4. 7s. 6d., Jacob Ide for assisting iu this work and making bound- 
 aries etc. the sum of £2. 9s. 6d. Expenses of Ebeuezer Daggett for three 
 days surveying work 17s. 6d." This year one Noah Cole had his entire rate 
 for the previous year abated. It is to be regretted that the reason for this 
 action is not given, as it might l>e applicable at the present time in similar 
 cases. 
 
 Nov. 30"", 1795, iu an order upon the treasurer for board for ''48 weeks 
 at Is. 6d. per week," for Thankful Boweu, "for supporting herself" the 
 charge is " 12 Dollars." This is the first mention of dollars fouud with oue 
 exception,^ and from this time ou for several years there is a mixture of 
 dollars and ceuts with pounds, shillings, and pence in the town's accounts — 
 the natural result of the establishment of a new standard of money. 
 
 For the next twenty-five years there is comparatively little of special 
 interest relating to the history of the town to be found upon the clerk's 
 books. 
 
 Article 7, in the warrant for a meeting to be held Sept. 1st, 1812, reads as 
 follows: "To see if the inhabitants of said town will vote to make up to 
 the soldiers lately detached such sums per month as shall appear to be 
 reasonable compensation iu case they shall be called into active service." 
 
 Sept. 25, 1812. "Then voted to dismiss the 7th. article, and not act upou 
 
 iThis was ill February, 1781, when for some purpose the town were to raise "$3,000 hard money." 
 These must have been Spanish or Mexican doUars, which were in circulation at that time, and which 
 later became the standard of the American dollar, and there was no other until 1794. In 1785 Con- 
 gress decided that the dollar " should be the unit of money of the United States." The mint was 
 established in 1792, but no dollars were coined until 1794. The coinage was at first irregular, hence 
 the mixture of terms until the circulation became general. In the New Haven Register — July, 18S7 
 — it was said tliat dollar was the English for thaler, " the first of which was coined aljout 14SG, and 
 corresponds quite closely to our present American silver dollar." Thaler means coming from a 
 valley— Thai in German- and the first thaler was coined in a Bohemian valley. Under Charles Vth 
 the German thaler " became the coin of the world." It was probably introduced into Loudon by 
 North Germans, who would pronounce it as if spelled " dah-ler." By easy transition the Eno-iish 
 reach dollar. 
 
150 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 it." This same matter came u}) a^ain in l.Sl-i, and was a»i:\iii ilisinissed. 
 These two short records are all that the town books reveal relatinii' to town 
 action (lnrin<>- these years of war, and, as is seen, they amount to nothing. 
 Very proltahly some citizens of the town may have been in active service, 
 but the State archives ruiuisli the names of no contingent of soldiers sent 
 from this town, as a town. We ai'e told also that there Avas no volunteer 
 service. Two companies were levied from the four militia companies then in 
 existence. One company was sent to New Bedford, and here one of its 
 members was accidentally shot, but the c(mipany had no encounters with the 
 enemy. The other company was commanded by Elihu Daggett; Samuel 
 Cushman Avas its lieutenant, and Chester Bugbee its ensign. This company 
 went to Plymouth, but saAv no active service. We may he sure, however, 
 that had occasion offered, its meml)ers and those of the other company would 
 have fought Avith the same courage and determination Avhich have ever char- 
 acterized Attleborough soldiers. 
 
 During this period, or perhaps a little later, taxes Avere levied b}^ the 
 United States Government on many articles, and there was a specific tax of 
 $2.00 levied on every watch. As may Ite seen by some old tax bills in the 
 possession of our present toAvn clerk, if a man failed to paj- his tax of a 
 dollar or tAvo on some of these articles taxed, the northeast corner of his 
 farm would be set oft" for sale. In the event of a failure to meet such 
 demands, it l)ecame the l)usiness of the tax collector — then in our town 
 probably Mr. Jacob Ide — to look up a man's property, and levy thereupon. 
 We are not told the amount of land claimed per dollar, but in subsequent 
 years some of these "corners" were sold in this town, and the process of 
 redeeding, etc., which necessarily ensued, caused great trouble and expense, 
 pro1)al)ly many times the amount of the original taxes. ^ 
 
 During the above-mentioned period the State district to which the toAvn 
 belongs underAA^eut scA'eral changes. In 1812 it was in the "Bristol and 
 Norfolk District ; " two years later " Bristol District ; " in 1822 " Bristol and 
 Dukes County," and the folloAving year "Bristol District" alone. Subse- 
 quently the districts Avere numbered (in 1857) and this form of designation 
 is still used, in place of names. 
 
 Sept. 19, 1825. At a town meeting "held at the old meeting-house in the 
 west parish," it was voted that the clergy should become members of the 
 school committee. This committee in those days numbered fully three times 
 as many as now. At this meeting it was also voted "that the town grant 
 one hundred and fifty dollars for the support of a singing school the ensuing 
 
 'Taxes of this nature, — those on personal possessions, such as clothing, jewelry, etc., ai-e still 
 lawful in one of our neighboring States, but, like manj' other of her " Blue Laws " they are, as they 
 should be, practically overlooked, or rather, they should be theoretically as well as practically abol- 
 ished, and remembered only as curiosities. A double and continual tax upon jewelry and clothing — 
 as would be the case with imported arti(!les — is certainly unjust in times of peace. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 151 
 
 winter." " Chose Jesse Carpenter, John A. Read, Chester Bugbee, Artemas . 
 Stanley, Rev. Mr. Williams for a committee to superintend the Singing; 
 School." At this same meeting Al)ijah M. Ide, Jonathan Peck, and Abiathar 
 Richardson, Jr., were chosen ''to make a purchase of house and lands for 
 the poor." This is the first mention of a place where the poor should be 
 cared for collectively. 
 
 The town expenses at this period seem to have increased rapidly. In 1826 
 they were $2,500, with $1,500 for highways. In that year cattle, horses, and 
 swine were not permitted to run at large, and never generally after that time. 
 
 It required considerable time to find a suitaltle poor farm, for it was not 
 until Sept. 20th, 1827, that the town voted, " that the town and State poor 
 should be moved to the house purchased for the town for the purpose of a 
 house for them, as soon as may be convenient, and there supported under 
 the direction of the overseers of the poor," and not until this time was the 
 report of the purchasing committee accepted. This farm and house were on 
 Watery Hill. The house was subsequently Imrned down, and one or two 
 persons lost their lives. The fire was caused l)y hot ashes which were taken 
 up in a wooden pail. 
 
 At the above mentioned meeting of Sept. 20th, 1827, it was voted "that 
 the selectmen shall receive proposals respecting a building for holding town 
 meetings, from individuals if any should be made, and report at an adjourn- 
 ment of this meeting." At a meeting held on the third of the following 
 April (1828), the selectmen, with Noah Clatiin and Abijah M. Ide, were' 
 chosen " to Draught a plan of a Town house, and also a Cite, and report to 
 next meeting." May 5th following a meeting was held in the vestry of the 
 East meetinghouse, when this committee's report was accepted, and the select- 
 men were to attend to the building and have it completed '' l)y the first 
 Monday of Novend_)er next." The plan was of the simplest, the house being 
 about scpiare, with a peaked roof, and the site selected was the nearest 
 possible to the centre of the town geographically, and on the road leading 
 from the East village to the ''city," just opposite the residence of the late 
 Dr. Alfred Martin. It was built by " uncle" Jacob Capron, and he was paid 
 $80 for the work. It cannot be considered a credit to the town as a public 
 building, nor need there be any regret that it is a fast crumbling ruin.i 
 
 The trouble with boundary lines still continued, for during this and the 
 several ensuing years [committees were chosen to settle the same between 
 this and a number of the adjoining towns. 
 
 In 1830 the town appropriated $3,000 for expenses. In a warrant dated 
 March 29th of that year is found the following resolution : — 
 
 " Resolved that in the opinion of this town, the public good does not 
 require any license for retailers of spirituous liquors in the town of Attle- 
 
 II was entirely demolished some time since. 1893. 
 
152 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 borouiih, tiureealile to a petition for that jiiii-pose." This article was 
 dismissed. 
 
 April 7, 18;j4. "Voted to instruct the selectmen not to approbate nor 
 return the names of any persons to receive licenses to sell s])irituous liquors 
 the ensuing year." 
 
 In 1831 the records state that six tithing-men were chosen ))y the town, 
 and in 1836 four were chosen, and for the last time; for in 1837 that otfice 
 was omitted in the annual choice of officers. In that year auditors were 
 chosen for the first time. 
 
 April 1, 1839, the selectmen rei)oi-te(l liaving erected ''Guide Posts" 
 during the year as follows : " Two near Seuaca Said'oid's. one on the Boston 
 and Newport road on the plain," and recommended the erection of others at 
 the following places : One at George Foster's, one at the schoolhouse near 
 John Daggett's, one at the Abiathar Richardson ''Old Tavern House," one 
 near Elisha "Wilmarth's, one at the corner of J. and G. Bliss', two near Dr. 
 Fuller's old house, oue near the burying-ground near the city, one at the 
 " Rail Road House," one at Mr. Holman's, oue at tlie Falls, one at the Union 
 House, one at Samuel Guild's, oue at Luther Richards', one at Tully May's, 
 and one near Timothy Stanley's. Many if not all of these were placed, and 
 in some instances the fingerposts are still standing, which direct as before 
 along quiet country roads ; but in others the sparseh' settled roads have 
 become thicklj^-populated village streets, and the present generation could 
 not unaided find the sites of the old guideposts. 
 
 In 1845 town expenses were $4,000 and the appropriation for highways 
 $1,200. 
 
 A special meeting was called for July 12th, 1847, just subsequent to the 
 burning of the almsh(.)use, when it was voted to l)uild another '• suita1)le for 
 the use of the town," but not on the same site as the former. A committee 
 of seven was appointed to make the necessary inquiries both as to a new 
 location and the disposal "of the present Almshouse Farm" and report a 
 plan for a new Iniilding with probable cost. One of this committee, Mr. 
 Joseph W. Capron, is still living. This committee's first report relating to a 
 certain farm was not accepted, and later the selectmen were authorized to 
 sell the old farm, which was done April 29th, 1848, for §1,600.16. Some 
 time previous to this the town nuist have received a special gift or legacy for 
 its poor, for it was about this time voted that " when the almshouse farm is 
 sold, the E. Draper donation be invested in the purchase of another farm." 
 lu November the farm belonging to Colonel Ira R. Miller, containing 109| 
 acres, was purchased for $3,250 and is the one still used as the "■ ])oor 
 farm." 
 
 During the following year there were several incendiary fires in tlie school- 
 bouses, and the selectmen offered a reward of $500 for the apprehension 
 of the criminals, while the town resolved itself iuto a ' ' conunittee of the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. ] 53 
 
 whole " for the protection of proi)erty. There is no further record upon this 
 subject. 
 
 In 1855 the town expenses were SIO.OOO and those for highways $2,000. 
 
 Thirtv-two years before the final decision the question of town division 
 arose for the first time. In the warrant bearing date Oct. 'iOth, 1855, Article 
 5th reads as follows: "To see if the town will choose a committee to take 
 into consideration the propriety of making a division of the town, and report 
 at some future meeting." At the meeting " warned" by the above warrant, 
 a committee consisting of the live following gentlemen was chosen, namely, 
 George Price, Hervey M. Kichards, Lyman W. Dean, Joseph W. Capron, 
 Elk an ah Briggs. 
 
 During this year (1855) the Angle Tree line was remeasured. 
 
 April 7, 1856, the committee on division reported as follows : — 
 
 Your Committee, fhosen at the last >;oveml)er iiieetinu-, to take into consideration the pro- 
 priety of a division of tlie Town, liave attended to that duty, and submit the following- report 
 
 The town now contains over 5000 Inhabitants, and more than 1000 Voters, l^eing a larger 
 number than can conveniently assemble in one room for the transaction of business properly, 
 or so as to be understood by all. And should a division be made, each part would contain a 
 greater number of Inhabitants than the majority of the towns in the Commonwealth, and 
 also would be entitled each to a Representative in the General Court. The town house and its 
 location has ever been a subject of compluint, and now being out of repair, and insutlicient in 
 size, and surrounded by none of the accommodation desirable for man or beast; and believing 
 there is no immediate prospect of the Town in its present condition, agreeing upon a more 
 favorable locality for the erection of a new town House that will be convenient or satisfactory 
 to the whole Town. Should a location be selected further to the North, —thereby saving to 
 them a portion of their travel, — it would disconuuode the southerly and easterly sections, 
 more than it would benefit the North, therefore nothing would be gained by the whole people 
 in changing the present location, which we believe all agree to be unsuitable. 
 
 There is not now, and no prospect there ever will be a common centre to this Town, where 
 it will be convenient for the whole to meet, or for the safe keeping of the Town Records, or 
 for the convenient meeting of the Town Officers, for those having business to transact with 
 them, or for the school committees of the several School Districts, — subjecting them to much 
 time and trouble, owing to this want of a common centre, which would be avoided were a 
 division made, and then a place could l^e centrally selected for the safe keeping of the Records, 
 and the meeting of the officers, in each part, more convenient to all. 
 
 Your Committee, in order to bring the whole subject properly before the Town, come to 
 the conclusion to recommend a division by a line commencing on the west line of the Boston 
 and Providence R. R. where it crosses the Mansfield and Attleborough line, — thence running 
 westerly a strai(gh)t Hue, until it intersects the Cumberland line at Stone point northerly of 
 the house of the late John Carpenter deceased. This line will pass through a sparsely popu- 
 lated part of the town, and will least interrupt the present boundaries of the School Districts. 
 Such a line will leave on the North, about 2,800. and on the South about -2,600 Inhabitants,— 
 leaving a larger population on the north, and a larger territory on the south, — the greater 
 mechanical interest on the north, and the agricultural interest on the south ; — thereby insuring 
 a greater sameness of interest in each part, and more harmony in the management of their 
 .schools, and the transaction of their public business. 
 
 If the Town is ever to be separated, your committee believe now is the most favorable time, 
 
 as there is now no public building of much value to be sacrificed, or other property belonging 
 
 to the town. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 Attleborough, Apr. 5. 1856. J. W. Capron. 
 
 H. M. Richards, 
 L. W. Dean. 
 
154 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The two other memhers of the committee were not iu favor and would not 
 sign this report. At the meeting of April 7th, when this report was given, it 
 was voted " to have the moderator appoint a committee of three to present 
 a petition to the Legislature for a division of the town of Attleborough." 
 The committee appointed for this purpose were W. D. Whiting, James C. 
 Hidden, Lvmau W. Dean, and here this matter seems to have been 
 dropped entirely. 
 
 As has been seen, in 1857 names were dropped and our Senatorial Dis- 
 tricts were numbered. The " First Bristol District," as it then was, included 
 Taunton, Raynham, Easton, Mansfield, Norton, and Attleborough. Our 
 district is still the same, excepting only that Seekonk was added in 1876. 
 
 During the next two years the most important matters before the town 
 were connected with the schools and will be noticed elsewhere. On May 
 9th, 1859, $300 were voted to repair the town hall. A week later the town 
 decided to build a new town house '■'■to be located near Robinsouville," 
 appropriated $8,000 for the purpose, and chose a building committee, but 
 finally acted upon the first vote and made the old Imildiug do duty a little 
 longer. 
 
 A town meeting was called for February 25th, 1860, to see what action the 
 town would take regarding a new boundary line l)etween IMassachnsetts and 
 Rhode Island, the new line having been proposed by council in the suit 
 pending in the Supreme Court of the United States, which line conveyed 
 several hiindred acres of this town to Rhode Island. A series of resolutions, 
 prepared by Joseph W. Capron and John Daggett, were submitted to the 
 town and by them adopted at this meeting. They were as follows : — 
 
 Whereas — A controversy regarding the true boinulary line between Massachusetts and 
 Rhode Island has existed for a long time, and at every attempted settlement of this question 
 Rhode Island has made additional demands upon our territory until she has attained six towns 
 which rightfully belong to this Commonwealth, all of which except one are bounded on Narra- 
 gansett Bay, which thus far exclude the people of this State from said waters, — And whereas, 
 the council for the Commonwealth has submitted to the Governor and Council a conven- 
 tional line, which takes from us nearly all the remaining portion of said liay, and a line made 
 without reference to any material l>oundary, or a better and more convenient line for occupa- 
 tion, and without reference to tlie interest or wishes of the people affected thereby, — 
 
 Therefore Resolved — By the Inhabitants of Attleborough in Town Meeting assembled, that 
 we earnestly remonstrate and protest against the ratification of the proposed line, as the 
 boundary line between said States, for the following reasons: — 
 
 First, — Because by said line it is proposed to surrender a portion of this town to Rhode 
 Island, in addition to the one half she has already attained, without pretending to make a more 
 convenient line for occupation, or any other cause, — which is arldtrary and unjust to the 
 citizens of Attleborough, 
 
 Second, — Because as citizens of the County of Bristol, we are equally interested iu retain- 
 ing the Jurisdiction of the shore hue from Pawtucket Falls to Bullock's Xeck,. which is the 
 only portion of Xarragansett Bay to which we in this part of the county liave access. — being 
 as tine a bay as there is in the world, — and when desired capable of being made one continued 
 wharf bounded on navigable waters, — and where thousands of our citizens annually resort 
 for health, pleasure, and recreation. 
 
 Third, — Because Rhode Island claims and has exercised jurisdiction over more than 17,000 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 155 
 
 acres of land, embracing $4,000,000 of property in addition to the territory granted by the 
 decision of the Royal Commissioners of 1741. 
 
 Fourth, — Because it divides Seekonk, Attleborough, Swansey and AVestport, by an arbitrary 
 line, in such a manner, as greatly to injure those portions which remain in Massachusetts. 
 
 Fifth, — Because it appears to be a compromise made mainly for the benefit of Rhode Island 
 and Fall River, whereby valuable interest, and important privileges belonging to this State are 
 ceded away without any equivalent. 
 
 Sixth, — Because, — as this whole matter has been brought before the Superior Court of the 
 United States for adjudication, and attended !>y great ex])eiise, with the prospect of a speedy 
 settlement : — We therefore prefer that it should be disposed of by that tribunal, rather than 
 to accept the proposed line. 
 
 Seventh. — Resolved — That it is against the interest of the people of this Connnonwealth, 
 and particularly of this county, to make the exchange proposed, as it would not only deprive 
 us of valuable territory and of rights of fishery long exercised by the people of Massachusetts, 
 and without an equivalent; but would sunder long established relations, derange the propor- 
 tion between several of the Representative and Senatorial Districts of this County, and thus 
 violate the existing provisions of the Constitution. 
 
 In 1861 it was voted to appropriate the sum of .foOo for tlie purpose of 
 defeatiug tlie proposed conveutioual line between Massaeliusetts and Kliode 
 Island. From their settlement up to 1741, Plymouth Colony and Massachu- 
 setts — after their union in 1692 — "extended from the Atlantic to the 
 Narragansett Bay." The towns of Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, 
 and Little Compton, R. I., were then a part of Massachusetts. In 1741 
 Rhode Island laid claim to a portion of our State, and commissioners were 
 appointed by the British Crown "to iiear and determine the controversy." 
 They gave these five towns to Rhode Island and made some other changes 
 in the line, but did not make precise and exact Ijoundaries or set up any 
 monuments on them. They never saw the land, l)ut made the changes l)y 
 drawing the line on paper. This was the cause which led to the subsequent 
 disputes between the two States.^ The commissioners from the two States 
 disagreed in their special markings of the line. Th(ise appointed from this 
 State in 1844 "did substantially agree with the commissioners from R. I., 
 and so reported to the Governor and Council in 1848." Their proceedings 
 were, however, " Avith great unanimity, and no little indignation," declared 
 null and void by our Legislature, "and a special commission was appointed 
 in 1852 to prostrate the eighty-four stone monuments set up by the Mass. 
 officers." 
 
 The two States, though several efforts were made, failed to agree, and the 
 Legislature by its " Resolve of 1848 " directed the Governor to commence 
 proceedings in the Supreme Court of the United States, there to have this 
 matter finally determined. The bill filed in 1852 desired that Court to 
 appoint commissioners to run the line exactly as the Royal Commissioners 
 had run it on paper — as it was possible to do — and set up the necessary 
 monuments. This again would easily have settled the dispute, but before 
 
 'This was the Royal Charter tliat took from us the town of Cuinberlaud ceded to Rhode Island 
 In 1745. 
 
156 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 there had been a lieariiig' a proposition was made to abandon all efforts to 
 find the real line and to create an entirely new and arbitrary one " bv ceding 
 to Hiiode Ishmd tlie tlonrishin'j,' town of Pawtucket, and the more valual)le 
 poi'tiiMi of Seekonk, in exciuuiiie for the town of Fall River, R. I., and a 
 small portion of Tiverton." This seemed at the time an unfair and unjust 
 arrangement, the exchange being so unequal, as by it 3Iassachusetts lost 
 2,200 people, '.I21 voters, and 81.610,6',tl worth of property. 
 
 The people of this town did all in their power to prevent the yielding to 
 this — as they considered it — extortionate demand; but thi'ir efforts, with 
 those of all the others interested, were of no avail : the Uk^w line was run 
 with no apparent regard for equity or right. The line as run finallv made 
 no appreciable difference in onr town line, and what was done l)v our citizens 
 was done out of loyalty to the State and a neighl;»orly feeling for the towns 
 specially affected. The new boundary line was ratified by the authorities of 
 the two States, — not the Supreme Court, — and the monuments which define 
 it were all properly set. The result of this exchange has been different from 
 what was anticipated. Pawtucket and Fall River were the two localities 
 most largely interested and apparently at the time the most injured liy the 
 change ; but to Ijoth of these cities it has proved to be a benefit. 
 
 The chief actions of the town during the immediately succeeding vears 
 related to the Civil War and will be noticed in the following chapter. 
 
 April 4, 1864. •' Voted to instruct the selectmen to complain of all sellers 
 of intoxicating drinks, not licensed by the laws of the State, ami all persons 
 who rent buildings for that nefarious business, in this town." 
 
 In 1865 the appropriation for current expenses was Si 4,000. 
 
 May 2, 1871. the town voted not to allow the sale of "'ale, porter, strong 
 beer, or lager beer," the vote cast being 2[I6 opposed, 70 in favor. '• Voted 
 that the town lease the Agricultural Hall for three years, at $500 per annum, 
 for first, and second fioors if needed." The first town meeting held there 
 was on May 3d, 1872, and the meetings continued to be held there up to the 
 time of the division. 
 
 April 5, 1875. " Voted to appropriate the sum of S300, for the G. A. R. 
 posts, to use in decorating the graves of the soldiers and sailors of the 
 Union, to include all who have ever fought for the country." 
 
 November 22, 1875. "'Voted on motion of W. D. Wilmarth, that the 
 town consent to allow the formation of a district, under the name of ' Attle- 
 borongh Improvement District,' within the limits of the ' Attleborough 
 "Water Supply District,' by virtue of, and for the purposes set forth in 
 Chai)ter 332, of the Acts of 1870." At the same meeting, '"On motion of 
 E. Hunt, voted that the town do appoint a committee to procure exhibits for 
 the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, illustrative of the inter- 
 ests, progress, and present condition of AttleV)orough, as reciuested by the 
 Massachusetts Centennial Commissi(jn." It was voted that the committee 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 157 
 
 consist of nine persons, including the selectmen, " C'liose by nomination, 
 J. B. Savery, John Dago-ett, Esq., George B. Whitney, Henry Rice, Elisha 
 G. May, S. P. Lathrop, and the selectmen." The latter were G. M. Hortou, 
 D. S. Hall, and H. C. Read. For some reason the proposed plan was not 
 carried out. 
 
 In 1877 the appropriation for current expenses was $40,000 and $8,000 for 
 highways, an almost triple increase in the former in twelve years. The 
 appropriation for paupers was $4,500. 
 
 At the annual town meeting held March 17, 1879, the office of overseer of 
 the poor was separated from that of selectmen and assessors, and one only 
 chosen. At an adjourned meeting held April 7th of tliat year, it was voted 
 " to instruct the selectmen to have the Old Powder House repaired at an 
 expense not to exceed sixty dollars, and that the oUl shingles be placed 
 inside the building." This year the town voted to use the entire Agricultural 
 Building at a rental of $1,000. 
 
 May 19, 1881. •' Voted to subscribe to the Providence Telephone Com- 
 pany, and place an instrument in the Town Clerk's office." 
 
 An Act relative to the rights of women to vote for school committees was 
 approved by the State Legislature on April 9, 1881. Four ladies in this town 
 qualified and voted as soon as possible. They were Mrs. Lowell Brown, Dr. 
 Laura V. G. Mackie, Mrs. Wm. Thurber, and Mrs. .Samuel Holman. 
 
 The results of this Act of our Legislature, for good or ill. have not as yet 
 been manifested to any great degree. We do not speak with regard to the 
 motives governing the women themselves. Thus far we believe it to be quite 
 true that every woman who has qualified to vote in Attleborough has done 
 so intelligently and conscientiously, but it is not yet time to look for the 
 effects of so recent a cause. The coming generation must pass judgment 
 upon this great political change of the nineteenth century. 
 
 In 188o the own voted, " No license." One year after the Local Option 
 Bill was passed, the town voted in favor of license, and the selectmen 
 opposed the measure and prevented its being carried into effect. 
 
 March 17, 1884. "Voted to grant the use of the school houses in the 
 village of Attleborough for evening schools, to be maintained by the trustees 
 of the Richardson School Fund." 
 
 At this meeting the question of division was again brought forward. 
 
 "Voted that it is the sense of this meeting that it is for the best interests 
 of the town, that this town should be divided : 225 votes for, 168 against." 
 
 " ^'oted to commit the entire subject of the division of the town to a com- 
 mittee of thirteen, to be chosen by nomination as follows : five from the 
 north section of the town, five from the east section, and three from the 
 south section, with instructions to report at an adjourned meeting." The fol- 
 lowing named gentlemen constituted this committee : Francis S. Draper, 
 Oscar M. Draper, William H. Rogers, William H. Kling, .Joseph G. Barden, 
 
158 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 William P. Shaw, Edwin A. Robinson, Elisha G. May, Charles E. Bliss, 
 George A. Adams, Philip Brady, (xeorge N. Crandall, Everett 8, Hortou. 
 
 At this meeting a Board of Health was elected for the fi'-"^ time. 
 
 March 29 the committee appointed on the 17th instant reported in favor of 
 division, giving several reasons as to its expediency. One was, there being 
 two especially thriving sections in the town, their " municipal and Inisiness 
 interests" would be enhanced by division ; another, that the educational facili- 
 ties met the demand in each section ; and another that the large population of 
 the town could easily have a very nearly equal division. The report further 
 stated. — " That the municipal interests and prosperity of the town and the 
 public welfare of its inhal»itants on account of our greatly increased popula- 
 tion and diverse interests cannot now be as carefully guarded and intelligently 
 considered as in the past, therefore your committee find that the municipal 
 business and educational interests of the town and the public welfare of its 
 inhabitants demand that the town should, and we recommend that the town 
 be divided into two parts, one of which shall include, and be known by the 
 name of North Attleborough, and tli(i other or remaining part as Attle- 
 borough." The committee further recommended that the dividing line begin 
 •' at the division line between Norton aud Manslield, and running southwest- 
 erly in a straight line across tlie town to the point where the highwa^^ from 
 Adamsdale touches the Rhode Island line, said line passing near the resi- 
 dence of E. D. Parmenter, J. Crehan, W. Givens, and through the village of 
 Oldtown, crossing the turnpike at the intersection of said turnpike with the 
 highway leading to R. Esten's, and then passing near the house of H. Car- 
 penter north of Adamsdale to said point in the Rhode Island line." 
 
 The valuatiou of the town for 1883 was $5,367,099. By said division line 
 $(;6,720 would be taken from East Attleborough, $152,465 from South Attle- 
 borough. The valuation of North Attleborough was $2,465,995. With the 
 addition North Attleborough's valuation would be $2,685,180 ; that of East 
 Attleborough $2,681,919. The committee further recommended that real and 
 personal property rights of action, and public debt existing at date of divisioii 
 be divided between the two towns according to the valuation of property 
 within the limits of each, to be assessed by a Board of Appraisers, or in any 
 other way tlie town might determine. W. H. Kling, Charles K. Bliss, G. N. 
 Ciandall, E. S. Horton, W. P. Shaw, \V. H. Rogers, Geo. A. Adams, signed 
 in favor; F. S. Draper, O. M. Draper, E. A. Robinson, E. (x. May, J. G. 
 Barden, were opposed to those measures (and Philip Brady must have 
 opposed them, though his name was not found with these others). It was 
 voted that a committee of five be appointed to emi)lo3' a competent surveyor 
 to survey the boundary lines of the town and report with a plan of the pro- 
 posed new line. This committee were G. A. Adams, C. E. Bliss, E. G. May, 
 O. M. Draper, J. G. Barden. 
 
 May 17, 1884, this matter was brought before the citizens for their decisi(m. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 159 
 
 "Upon the question, ' Shall the town be divided?' ' No,' 225 votes, 'Yes,' 
 180 votes." The matter at this time, it is said, hinged more upon the pro- 
 posed line than upon division itself, and the unfavorable decision was because 
 the line was not satisfactory to the town. 
 
 March 15, 1886. Upon the license question the vote stood, "Yes," 382 ; 
 "No," 434. 
 
 Auo-ust 27, 1886. " Voted that the town instruct the selectmen to divide 
 the town into as many voting precincts as they deem proper." This arrange- 
 ment was for greater convenience in the election of State otfieers at the 
 autumn town meetings. The annual meetings for the election of town otfieers 
 and the transaction of town business continued to be held as before at Agri- 
 cultural Hall. At this same meeting in August it was voted " that the town 
 lio-ht the main thoroughfare between Attleborough and North Attleborough 
 (with electric lights) ; voted to appropriate therefor a sura not to exceed 
 nine hundred dollars." 
 
 September 18, 1886. The town was divided into three voting districts, des- 
 ignated as North, East, and South Districts. The appropriations for 1886 
 were, for paupers, $8,000; for highways and bridges, $23,000; for current 
 expenses : $8,000, and for incidental expenses, $5,000. The taxes have been 
 very heavy, and on the increase foi- several years, on account of the large 
 debt the town incurred for the construction of its waterworks, and the 
 expenses for repairing the damages caused by the Hood of Fel)ruary, 1886. 
 
 At the annual tow^n meeting in March, 1887, it was voted — 78 to 52 — to 
 authorize the construction of a tunnel under the Park Street crossing of the 
 Boston and Providence R. E. Nothing of special importance came up at 
 this meeting outside the usual affairs, such as acceptance of streets, building of 
 bridges over highways or railroads, school, appropriations, ordinary expenses 
 of the town, etc. The vote at this meeting on the license question stood, 
 "No," 561," Yes," 497. Appropriations were $90,000, and the entire amount 
 to be raised by taxation was $128,400. The town debt amounted to 
 $153,500. Of this sum, $25,000 was in notes for the balance of the loan 
 deposited in the year 1883, for the purchase of the School Districts' property ; 
 $30,000 Avas for a portion of the balance of the town's indebtedness not pro- 
 vided for by taxation; $65,000 for bonds; and $35,500 was borrowed in 
 anticipation of the taxes for 1886-87. 
 
 The following ladies qualified to vote, and registered in March, 1887, and 
 thirty-four of the number cast their ballots at the annual meeting. 
 
 Amelia E. Amos, Emily B. Fittz, Florence Nigbtiugale, 
 
 Anue F. Bardeu, Ellen A. Franklin, Emily R. Perry, 
 
 Cora F. Barden, Jennie F. Fuller, Louise K. Philbrook, 
 
 Emma L. Battey, Alice D. Graham, Angee M. Porter, 
 
 Pbebe E. Boomer, Ellen G. Gustin. Ellen E. Read, 
 
 Harriet A. Blackiutou. Deborah B. Hatch, Eliza A. Richardson, 
 
 Zemira Blackinton, Hannah F. Hatch, Mary K. Robbins, 
 
160 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Liiloni E. Briggs, 
 3Iarth:i A. Briggs, 
 Sophia G. Brown, 
 Rliodii P. Caiiron, 
 Rebecca M. Coombs, 
 Cora K. Coijelaiid, 
 3Iartha P. Copelaiid, 
 Sarah S. Draper, 
 Jennie E. Ellis, 
 Cornelia Everett, 
 Ilannab S. Fisher, 
 
 Eiizal>eth M. 
 
 Viola L. Hatch, 
 Christina A. Holman, 
 Eliza D. Horton, 
 Eli/a F. Johnston, 
 Betsey H. Jordan, 
 Elizabeth C. Lamb, 
 Ennina C. Lincoln, 
 Arabella L. Livsey. 
 Clarissa E. Luther, 
 Laura V. G. Mackit 
 Eliza J. Metcalf, 
 Thurber, 
 
 Florence M. Sweet, 
 Lucy B. Sweet, 
 Lucy C. Sweet, 
 Lydia L Sweet, 
 Elizabeth Stewart, 
 Mary E. Sweeney, 
 Ida B. Thacher, " 
 Julia M. Thomas, 
 Elizabeth G. Thurber, 
 Helen A. Wexel, 
 Ellie E. Whiting, 
 Lena F. Whitmore. 
 
 As may be seen by the last annual report previous to the division, the fol- 
 lowing officers were deemed necessary for the proper attention to the vai'ious 
 affairs of this town, and the transaction of its public business: Selectmen, 
 three, one from each district ; Assessors, five ; Overseers of the Poor, three ; 
 Treasurer, one ; Town Clerk, one ; School Committee, nine members ; Tax 
 Collectors, three, one from each district ; Road Surveyors, twenty ; Constables, 
 twenty-five; Board of Health, five members; Sinking Fund Commissioners, 
 three ; Treasurer of same, one ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, one ; 
 Fence Viewers, five ; Surveyors of Wood and Bark, ten ; Weighers of Coal 
 and Hay, ten ; Surveyors of Lumber, six ; Auditors, three ; Pound Keeper, 
 one; Truant Officers, three; Special Police, eleven; Fire Police, nine; For- 
 est Firewards, nine, three in each district; Board of Registrars, four mem- 
 bers ; Wardens, nine, three for each district. Total, one hundred and sixty. 
 
 During 18<S6 the vexed question of dividing the town again came up, and 
 for many months it Avas the tlieme for general discussion throughout the 
 entire territorial liiiiit. The movement in this matter started in East Attle- 
 borough. The first perhaps to agitate the question publicly was Lyman M. 
 Stanley, and he, liverett S. Horton, and Charles E. Bliss, were the chief 
 promoters of the movement in that part of the town. 
 
 A petition asking for a separation, or division, was circulated, and w^as at 
 first signed by about three hundred (300) persons. Later, this number was 
 increased to five hundred and ninety-seven (.')'J7). Of these .597 petitioners, 
 97 were not voters ; 1.58 were resident north of the proposed dividing line, 
 and represented $250,000 worth of property ; and those south of the line 
 represented $775,000 worth of property. 
 
 A remonstrance was also circulated, and signed by a large number disfav- 
 oring division. The property represented by the whole number of remon- 
 strants on both sides of the line was $2,081,887, and that of the whole 
 number of petitioners, $883,236 — less than half as much. 
 
 The petition — signed by Mr. O. M. Draper and twenty-five other citizens 
 of the town — asking the Legislature to provide for a division of the town 
 and to authorize the incorporation of the northerly portion as a new town, 
 was as follows : — 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 161 
 
 To THE Honorable Senate and House of Kkpresentatives of the Commonwealth 
 OF Massachusetts, in General Court Assembled: 
 The umlersigned petitioners, citizens of the town of Attlehorough, respectfully represent 
 that the convenience and best interests of the inliabitants demand a division thereof; therefore 
 we pray that that portion of the town lying northerly of a line commencing at a stone monu- 
 ment situated in the westerly line of the town of Attleltorough, on the northerly side of the 
 road leading westerly from the Polly Chace place, thence easterly in a straight line to a point 
 on the east side of the road one hundred feet southerly of the house of Howard E. Rhodes, 
 thence deflecting to the north and following a straight line passing midway between Leprilete 
 P. Fisher's house and the house of the late Tisdale E. Fisher, thence in the same course to the 
 Maustield line at a point about live thousand four hundreil and tifty feet northerly of a monu- 
 ment at the corner of the towns of Mansfield and Norton, be incorporated as the town of North 
 Attleborough : 
 
 O. M. Draper, Edwin Richards, F. A. Newell, 
 
 D. D. Codding, C. E. Smith, L. Z. Carpenter, 
 
 J. D. Richards, G. M. Horton, S. AV. Carpenter, 
 
 Geo. W. Cheever, John W. Luther, G. N. Crandall, 
 
 T. I. Smith, J. L. Wells, L. W. Dean, 
 
 O. B. Bestor, L. M. Stanley. G. T. Holmes, 
 
 Clias. W. H. Day, Chas. E. Bliss, A.M.Everett, 
 
 John P. Bonnett, E. S. Horton, James J. Horton. 
 
 E. B. Bullock. A. B. Carpenter. 
 
 Commonwealth of 3IassacJui.settt^. 
 
 Secretary's Department. 
 
 Boston. November 18. 1886. 
 
 I direct the publication of the above petition in the Attleborough Chronicle and Attle- 
 boro Advocate. Henry B. Peirce, Secrptartj. 
 
 After many delays and postponements which extended over a period of six 
 months, the matter w^as finally given a hearing on May 10th, 1887, h\ the 
 Committee on Towns, in the Blue Room of the State House. The following 
 citizens were present on that occasion : Ex-Senator F. L. Burden, Repre- 
 sentatives A. T. Wales and T. G. Sandlaud, C. T. Guild, Chairman of the 
 Selectmen, Randolph Knapp, Town Treasurer, Rev. John Whitehill. Post- 
 master P. E. Bi-ady, George N. Crandall. S. P. Lathrop, Charles E. Bliss, 
 Lyman M. Stanley, Francis G. Pate, Charles E. Smith, William H. Gould, 
 Philip M. Carpenter, Philip Brady, Oscar M. Draper, Henry Wexel, William 
 J. Luther, Lucius Z. Carpenter, Albert W. Sturdy, Charles H. Wetherell, 
 George Asa Dean, Dr. John R. Bronson, Edward R. Price, J. Lyman Sweet, 
 William M. Fisher, Henry F. Barrows, Everett S. Horton, John Thacher, 
 Handel N. Daggett, Elijah R. Read, Arthur B. Carpenter, Edgar Perry, 
 George Randall. 
 
 At that time the State had but one larger town than Attleborough, and 
 that was Pittsfield. A statement was made to the committee regarding the 
 prior actions of the town upon the division question, and various statistics 
 were also given relating to the size, population, etc., by the Attorney for 
 Division. Upon the first day the evidence was confined to tliose favoring 
 division, and the case was conducted by Attorney F. H. Williams. The first 
 
162 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 person called upon to give testimony was Charles E. Bliss. The hearing 
 extended over two days. The attorneys employed by the anti-division peo- 
 ple were Mr. Story and ]\Ir. Sherman Hoar. A large number of the citizens 
 above mentioned gave their testimony upon one side of the question or the 
 other, expressing their opinions as to the expediency or non-expediency of 
 a separation, furnishing statistics upon a variety of points, etc., but it is not 
 necessary to give their statements in detail here. Several expressed as their 
 reason for desiring division the firm conviction that economy in government 
 "would of necessity follow ; others as positiveU", with reasons, their conviction 
 that expenditures would be increased. One gentleman from East Attle- 
 borough, in speaking of a fellow-citizen, said : " He is from North Attle- 
 borough, which is four miles away, and which is connected with us geographi- 
 calh', and in no other relation ; " another, in reply to a lawyer's question as 
 to how the two sections were connected, said : '' Very much as the Siamese 
 twins were ; each does just as it pleases, but they are held by a ligament 
 which is very disagreeable ; " and his special reason for desiring separation 
 was in a word " Home Rule." On the other hand facts were brought forward 
 to show that there were many more bonds of union between the two parts 
 than those affected by geogra[)hical lines, those of business and social inter- 
 ests being especially strong in the estimation of many, and one gentleman, 
 a resident in East Attleborough for fifteen years, made the following state- 
 ment : " When I came to Attleborough there was no railroad to North Attle- 
 borough. I have seen Falls Village and North Attleborough become one vil- 
 lage, and Falls Village and Kobinsonville joined together. The two sections 
 fire connected somewhat as the Siamese twins, but let them alone and the liga- 
 ment will be larger than either." Thus the unity and diversity of interests 
 between the two chief villages was discussed until the end of the hearing. 
 This was concluded by the vote of the Committee on Towns to act upon the 
 suggestion of the attorney for division and visit Attleborough. 
 
 The vote was carried into effect on May 23, upon which day the meral)ers 
 of the committee with Mr. Fred. H. Williams, the attorney for division, and 
 Mr. Sherman Hoar, attorney for the opposition, arrived in town. They were 
 received by a committee of six gentlemen — Messrs. E. S. Horton, C. PL 
 Bliss, and O. M. Draper, representing the petitioners, and Messrs. J. L. 
 Sweet, John Whitehill, and Burrill Porter, Jr., the remonstrants. The two 
 town representatives, T. G. Sandland and A. T. Wales, with Messrs. G. N. 
 Crandall, L. M. Stanley, W. H. Gould, J. L. Wells, and a representative of 
 the Advocate, were also of the party, A large barge to which four horses 
 were attached was provided by R. D. Manchester, and the gentlemen were 
 very comfortably and rapidly conveyed over the selected route, which com- 
 prised the principal streets of East Attleborough, the drive thence by North 
 Avenue and Falls Village to North Attleborough, which was traversed, and 
 later in the day — Mr. E. R. Price having joined the party — the drive to 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. ] 68 
 
 West and South Attleborough, and from there through Hebronville and 
 Dodgeville back to the starting-point. It may interest future generations of 
 readers, should these lines ever meet their eyes, to know that at one o'clock 
 an interval of relaxation in the more active occupations of the day occurred, 
 and a dinner was served to the members of tliis party at the Wamsutta 
 House — a good one, the chronicler adds, who was one of the partakers. The 
 committee, after this visit to the town, reported unanimously in favor of 
 division, a rather unusual occurrence in sucli matters, it is said. They 
 further introduced a bill into the Senate providing for the requested division, 
 with an amendment which placed the expense attending the same upon the 
 entire town as it was before the change. 
 
 The following table of figures ' shows the relative size of the two towns, 
 and the advantages each one may possess in certain directions, as these were 
 estimated before the division was effected, though the two portions were to 
 be made as nearly equal as possible in every respect. 
 
 North Attleborough. Attleborough. 
 
 Acreage 10.1-t3 acres, 14,166 acres. 
 
 Population (estimated) 7,100 6,900 
 
 Valuation, Personal Estate !j!756,o95 #754,897 
 
 Valuation, Real Estate f 2,584,495 .$2,360,862 
 
 Polls 1,623 1,630 
 
 Voters (estimated) 972 900 
 
 Houses 1,186 929 
 
 High .Schools 1 1 
 
 High School Scholars 44 45 
 
 Schoolhouses 11 13 
 
 Scholars (excepting High) 1.258 1,265 
 
 Churches and Chapels 8 8 
 
 National Banks, Savings and Loan Fund Associa- 
 tions, AYater and Gas Companies. Fire Depart- 
 ments, Libraries 1 of each 1 of each. 
 
 Savings Banks 1 
 
 Hotels 2 2 
 
 Railway Stations 3 3 
 
 Postoffices 2 5 
 
 Public Property : — 
 
 Lock-ups 1 1 
 
 Almshouses 1 
 
 Stone-crusher 1 
 
 Schoolhouses 11 13 
 
 Towns in State having smaller valuation .... 284 278 
 
 Towns in State having smaller number of polls . . 296 296 
 
 Following is the Act of Division, with the exception of Section 11, 
 which provides that the act shall take effect before November 1, 1887, in 
 case a majority of the voters of the town accept it. 
 
 Section 1. All that part of the town of Attleborough comprised within the following 
 limits, that is to say, beginning at a stone monument situated in the boundary line between the 
 
 1 Taken from the Attleboro Advocate. 
 
104 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 town of Attleborough and the town of CuinherliUKl. in the state of Khode Island, and on the 
 northerly side of the roiid leading westerly from the Tolly Chace place, so called : thence run- 
 ning easterly in a straiirht line to a point on the east side of the road one hundred feet 
 southerly of the house of Howard E. IJhodes; thence deflecting to the north and following 
 a straight line passing midway l)etween Leprilete P. Fisher's house and the house of the late 
 Tisdale E. Fisher; thence in the same course to a monument in the boundary line between the 
 towns of Attleborough and Manstield live thousand four hundred and fifty feet northerly of 
 a monument at the corner of the towns of Mansfield and Norton ; thence northwesterly on the 
 boundary line as it now exists between the towns of Attleborough and Manstield till it comes 
 to a corner marking the boundary of the towns of Attleborough. Mansfield and Wrentham; 
 thence southwesterly by the boundary line as it now exists between the towns of Attleborough 
 and ■\Vrcntham to a corner marking the lioundary of the said towns of Attleborough and 
 Wrentham and the town of Cumberland in the state of Khode Island; thence about southerly 
 along the boundary line between the said towns of Attleborough and ('umberland to the point 
 of beginning, is hereby set ofl" from Attleborough and incorporated a town under the Name of 
 North Attleborough; and the town of North Attleborough is hereby invested with all the 
 powers, privileges, rights and immunities, and made subject to all the duties and liabilities of 
 other towns of the Commonwealth. 
 
 Section 2. The inhabitants and estates within the territory hereby set off and the owners 
 of such estates shall be holden to pay all taxes assessed and in arrears to the same persons, 
 and such taxes may be collected in the same manner as if this act had not been passed; and 
 until the next state valuation the town of North Attleborough. annually, in the month of 
 November, shall pay to the town of Attleborough the proportion of au\' state or county tax 
 which the said town of Attleborough may be re<iuired to pay upon the inhabitants or estates 
 hereby set ott", said proportion to be ascertained by the last valuation next preceding the 
 passage of this act; and the assessors of Attleborough shall nudie returns of said valuation, 
 and the proportion thereof in the towns of Attleborough and North Attleborough, respect- 
 ively, to the secretary of the Commonwealth and to the county commissioners of the county of 
 Bristol. 
 
 Skction 3. The towns of North Attlel)orough and Attleborough shall be liable, respect- 
 ively, for the relief and support of all persons now or hereafter needing aid as paupers, or 
 who may derive or acquire, or who have derived or accjuired, a settlement within their 
 respective limits. And the town of North Attleborough shall pay annually to the town of 
 Attleborough sui-h proportion of all costs for the relief and support of persons now or here- 
 after needing aid as paupers who may or have derived or acquired a settlement by i-eason of 
 military service as part of the quota of Attleborough, or who cannot be located on the site 
 whence their settlement is derived or whence it was acquired, as the valuation of the town of 
 North Attleborough bears to that of Attleborough as it is now bounded, according to the last 
 state valuation prior to said relief and support. 
 
 Section 4. Existing rights of action in favor of or against the town of Attleborough may 
 be instituted and prosecuted or defended by said town in the same manner and with like eflect 
 as before the passage of this act. and the amount recovered therein shall be paid or received 
 as the case may be by the town of Attleborough, and reckoning costs and expenses, including 
 counsel fees, shall be divided between the towns in the ratio of one-half to North Attle 
 borough and one-half to Attleborough. 
 
 Section 5. The corporate property of the town of Attleborough, both real and personal, 
 in being at the time of the passage of this act, and the town debts then existing, shall be 
 divided between the towns of Attleborough and North Attleborough according to the ^ abla- 
 tion of the property within their respecti\ e limits, as assessed May first, eighteen hundred and 
 eighty-six. The towns shall severally retain and hold all the real and i)ersonal projierty now 
 within their respective linuts, upon a valuation to be agreed upon by the boards of selectmen 
 of both towns in concurrence, and diflerences in valuation shall be equalized and Ijalauces 
 adjusted by apportionment of the town tlebt. In case of a failure to agree upon a valuation or 
 division of the assets and liabilities, the same shall be determined by a board of three commis- 
 sioners, neither of whom shall l)e residents of either of said towns, to be appointed by the 
 superior court for the county of Bristol in term time or vacation, upon petition of either town 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 165 
 
 with notice to the other. The commission so appointed shall sit and, after hearing both parties, 
 determine the matters of disagreement aforesaid, and return their award into said court, and 
 the award of the majority, when accepted by the court, shall be final; and said court may 
 issue any writ or make any order thereon necessary to carry the same into eftect. The award 
 may be set aside for fraud or manifest error, but for no other cause, and thereupon may be 
 recommitted to the same or other commissioners to be appointed for the same purpose, with 
 like powers and duties as aforesaid. 
 
 Section 6. The town of Xorth Attleborough shall, until otherwise provided by law, con- 
 tinue to be a part of the second congressional district, of the ,«.econd councillor district, of the 
 first Bristol senatorial district and the Mrst Bristol representative district; and at all elections 
 the inhabitants of the town of North Attleborough shall vote at polling places to be furnished 
 within the town. The selectmen and clerk of the town of Xorth Attleborough shall make 
 returns of elections as if the town had existed at the time of the formation of said districts. 
 
 Section 7. Any justice of the peace within and for Bristol county, i-esiding in the town 
 of North Attleltorough, may issue his warrant, directed to any inhabitant of said town, 
 requiring him to notify and warn the inhabitants thereof qualified to vote in town afiairs, to 
 meet at the time and place therein appointed, for the purpose of choosing all such oflicers as 
 towns are by law authorized and required to choose at their annual meetings, and said warrant 
 shall be observed by jiostiug copies thereof, attested by the person to whom the same is 
 directed, in three or more public places in the town of North Attleborough, seven days at 
 least before the time of such meeting. Such justice, or in his absence such inhabitant required 
 to notify the meeting, shall preside until the choice of a moderator in said town meeting. The 
 selectmen of the town of Attleborough shall, before said meeting, prepare a list of voters in 
 the town of North Attleborough qualified to vote at said meeting, and shall deliver the same 
 to the person presiding at such meeting liefore the choice of moderator thereof. 
 
 Section 8. The towns of Attleborough and North Attleborough shall bear the expense 
 of making the necessary surveys and estaldishing the lines between the towns of Attleborough 
 and North Attleborough. 
 
 Section 9. The town of Attleborough shall pay to the town of North Attleborough 
 a half part of whatever amount may hereafter be refunded to said town of Attleborough from 
 the state or United States, to reimburse it for bounties to soldiers or state aid heretofore paid 
 to the families of soldiers after deducting all reasonable expenses. 
 
 Section 10. All rights heretofore secured to existing corporations upon the territory 
 hereby incorporated shall continue as though this act had not passed. 
 
 The arguments ])rouiilit l)y the petitioners for a division were chiefly that 
 the size of the town was too great; that there was not one centre, btit two; 
 that these were practically the centres of two towns, as tliey were separated 
 both by distance and diversity of interests; that the inhabitants already 
 numbered too many to be properly managed by one official body, this body 
 having for some time been broken into sectional parts ; that the voters were 
 too numerous to be satisfactorily handled at one meeting-place for the trans- 
 action of public affairs; that the rivalry existing l)etween the two largest 
 villages had already caused much legislation for improvements, and that the 
 result of this legislation had been to impose burdensome taxes upon the 
 entire town ; that these and future similar burdens would be much lightened 
 by having two towns in place of one ; in fact, that economies impossible 
 with one town could easily be practised with two, etc., and it was the opin- 
 ion of some that the only alternative to division was municipal government 
 with all its attendant expenses in the not far distant future. To each of 
 these arguments those opposing division said in a word: " It is not so," or 
 
166 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 " It iciU not be true." They argued that there was no more reason for mak- 
 ing two towns on account of size than when Attleborough was a part of the 
 Rehoboth Nortli Purchase, its territory being in fact less than at that time by 
 the removal of the Gore, now the town of Cumberland, R. I, ; that voters 
 could be accommodated and town business properly transacted under the 
 existing conditions ; that the two more populous sections were not " united 
 only geographically," but that their interests were decidedly in many wavs 
 one and the same ; and so on to the end of the list. 
 
 The day appointed for deciding this long talked of and important matter 
 was July 30th, 1887. Previous to this time great efforts had been made by 
 each side to turn the tide of the popular vote in its direction. Party spirit 
 had run high, and party feeling was very deep. To both sides equally this 
 seemed a question of vital interest to the good of the town, and in the eyes 
 of the one side and of the other, whichever way the scales should turn, so 
 strong were the convictions and so bitter and pronounced was the partisan- 
 ship, it seemed as if the life of the town hung upon the balance, and its 
 whole future prosperity depended upon the issue. Such being the conditions, 
 it is greatly to the credit of our citizens that when the momentous day arrived 
 they conducted the necessar}' business in the most quiet and courteous man- 
 ner. One says: "In all the precincts it was very orderly and quiet. Otti- 
 cers were present to enforce order if necessary, but they had literally nothing 
 to do but to kill time." 
 
 In North Attleborough little if any opposition work was carried on during 
 voting hours. The voting was done in the old Universalist Church building, 
 and the polls in that precinct were closed at 4.10 p.m. At Attleborough 
 the gathering was a larger one. Several gentlemen opposed to division 
 did considerable "quiet work," while others were active upon the opposite 
 side. Here the polls were opened in the Engine House on South Main 
 Street and were closed at 4.30 p.m. At South Attleborough one man espe- 
 cially was very active in bringing opposition voters to the polls at Merry 
 Hall. The citizens there and in the west part of the town had been decid- 
 edly against division from the commencement of the last movement in that 
 xlirection. The polls there closed at 4 p.m., and the result was no uncertain 
 one. 
 
 We again quote the words of another: "It was noticeable at the polling 
 places that most every man who voted was decided in his mind, and while 
 attempts were made by Ijoth sides to influence, they were practically aban- 
 doned early in the day. Another pleasing thing to record is that the utmost 
 good humor prevailed. There was good-natured charting, and occasionally 
 some one was excited into a little louder tone of voice than common, but 
 considering the importance of the occasion and the earnestness on both sides 
 it was remarkably quiet, and highly creditable that it was so." 
 
 The official count stands as follows : — 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 167 
 
 Yeas. Nays. Total. 
 
 North Attleborough 234 371 605 
 
 East Attlt'borough 414 180 .o94 
 
 South Attk^lmrouKh IT 91 108 
 
 Total Yeas 665 
 
 Total Nays 6^2 
 
 Whole miinl)er of votes cast 1.307 
 
 jNIajority in favor of division 23 
 
 Thus by a small majority this great question was decided, and out of the 
 single town which had lived and prospered for almost two hundred years two 
 entire towns " fully armed and equipped " were called into existence. Ap- 
 parently the matter was settled, and it was generally supposed that it only 
 remained for the citizens of each section to assemble and in due form to 
 elect the several officers required, when the whole of two small but separate 
 governments would be set in motion. This was accordingly soon done. On 
 the tenth of August the new oflficers for Attleborough were duly nominated 
 at a meeting held on the evening of that day in Park Hall. On the following 
 evening the citizens of the new town assembled in Engine Hall and nomi- 
 nated the officers for North Attleborough. The first town meeting of the 
 new town was held in the old Universalist Church at ten o'clock a.m., August 
 thirteenth, and the officers previously nominated were elected with a few 
 chancres. In Attleborough the first meeting was held on the same day in the 
 South Main Street Engine House, when the officers already nominated were 
 elected by an almost unanimous vote. At this meeting on motion of A. T. 
 Wales the following vote was passed: "As the Agricultural hall, where Ave 
 have formerly held town meetings, has ceased to be within the limits of the 
 town of Attleboro, by reason of the setting off of part of the territory, the 
 selectmen are instructed to notify the Attleboro Agricultural Association that 
 the occupation of their property by the town of Attleboro, will be discon- 
 tinued from this date." 
 
 The new oHicers were not however allowed to commence their duties at 
 once. The result of the decision made on July thirtieth had scarcely been 
 announced when rumors of attempts to challenge the legality of the vote 
 were heard, and two days thereafter it was stated that the town treasurer 
 would decline to turn over the funds in his hands to any other official. It 
 was also stated that, should the citizens attempt to hold meetings for the 
 nomination and election of new officers, injunctions would be issued against 
 them. Nine gentlemen from North Attleborough and one from Attleborough 
 united in petitioning for an injunction against both the officers who proposed 
 to hold the meetings and those who were to serve the necessary warrants for 
 the same. A delay occurred, and the injunction was not obtained in time. 
 All that could then be done was to give formal notice of the expected injunc- 
 tion, and such notices were sent to the meetings in both places. As has been 
 seen, however, the meetings were held and the officers nominated and elected. 
 
168 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 After this the petition for an injunction was amended, and it was requested 
 that the new officers should V)e forbidden to act and the old ones directed 
 not to recognize them l)y transmitting any public funds to their hands. The 
 ten gentlemen who presented the petition were Edward R. Price, T. A. Bar- 
 den, H. F. Barrows, Lafayette Draper, C. B. Thompson, J. G. Barden, 
 E. S. Williams, John B. Curtis, John S. Follett, and H. M. Daggett; and 
 Officer Brown served notices upon F. I. Babcock, C. T. Guild, O. M. Draper, 
 Elijah Capron, J. T. Bates, and K. Knapp, summoning them to appear 
 before the Supreme Judicial Court, in Taunton, upon the first Monday in 
 October, 1887, to answer to the complaints preferred by the petitioners. 
 The hearing was given upon this petition by Mr. Justice Holmes of the Supreme 
 Bench, but he ruled it out of court on the ground that a few citizens were not 
 sufficient to bring an action under such circumstances. 
 
 Following this decision, Mr. Knapp petitioned as town treasurer " for a 
 writ of mandamus to compel the three collectors of the old town, who still 
 continued as collectors under the act authorizing division, to pay over to him 
 whatever public funds they might have in their possession." Messrs. Ben- 
 nett and Teel were tiie attorneys engaged for ]Mr. Knap]) by his supporters ; 
 and the collectors, though still nominally the defendants, "authorized 
 Messrs. Gaston & Fales, through the selectmen of the two towns, to act 
 for them." Mr. Gaston entered a demurrer to the effect tluit, the collectors 
 having given bonds not to any one person but to the town, legal proceedings 
 against them must therefore originate with the town, and JNIr. Knapp's 
 petition could not for that reason be legally granted. This case, Avith the 
 demurrer, it was decided should Ije reported to the full bench. 
 
 Finding a final decision thus still unreaclied satisfactorily, the gentlemen 
 who originated these steps toward undoing the action of the town made one 
 more attempt in favor of carrying out their project. They were gentlemen 
 whose motives were well understood. They saw only injury and no benefit 
 to their native town in division and honestly deemed it to be their duty to do 
 all in their power to prevent the action from going into effect. Their reasons 
 were respected, though their course may have been deprecated by many as 
 unnecessary' and unwise. Following the last-mentioned proceedings, a writ 
 of quo ivarranto Vi'as sued for in the name of the Attorne3^-(Teneral. The peti- 
 tion for this alleged that Mr. Knapp was acting illegally as Town Treasurer. 
 Messrs. Bennett & Fales were Mr. Knapp's counsel in this case, and F. B. 
 Byram was selected to represent the Attorney-General. The counsel, though 
 nominally opposed, were " in reality representing but one side." The attor- 
 neys agreed upon a statement of facts, which they presented to Judge Holmes 
 for a decision. One of the facts alleged was that some fifty or more persons 
 who desired to register were illegally deprived of their right to do so ; 
 another, that the meetings were not held at the "same time" in the three 
 precincts because they closed at different hours. Judge Holmes at once 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOliOUGH. 169 
 
 decided that this new presentation and the connection its counsel had with 
 the former petitions to the court involved complications, and he therefore 
 requested Mr. Gaston, also previously connected with it. " to enter into the 
 case for the Attorney-General." This he consented to do and proceeded to 
 dispute " the alleged facts," disproving the one in Avhich it was stated that 
 a certain number of voters were unlawfully deprived of their right. Upon 
 the suggestion of the judge that this was not material to the points in dis- 
 pute, Mr. Gaston '• finally assented to the proposition that that number 
 might have registered had the opportunity l>een given." This point was 
 immaterial because there was no means of deciding that the result would 
 have been changed had fifty or more other voters cast their votes. Testi- 
 mony was given to the effect that the two towns were then acting as such, 
 and it was admitted by one of the counsel that they were "two towns de 
 facto.'' The ruling of Judge Holmes was " that the provisions of the divi- 
 sion act were declaratory and not mandatory. That is, while certain things 
 were provided to be done the failure to do them did not render the division 
 invalid." The natural further ruling was therefore that the office of town 
 treasurer formerly held by Mr. Knapp was legally vacant, and this involved 
 a further ruling in favor of the collectors, who could not l)e ordered to pay 
 any moneys into the hands of a man thus unauthorized to receive them. 
 This decided the case " in favor of the respondents who thereupon appealed 
 to the full bench." 
 
 The ease was practicall)/ ended, and the work of tlie two towns went on 
 under the officers duly elected. Before it "was reached in the full court 
 the legislature intervened and )\v their act ratified the proceedings, and ren- 
 dered any further action by the court unnecessary." 
 
 Acts and Resolves. March, 1S88, Chap. 08. Au Act to confirm the proceedings of the 
 town meeting of the town of Attleborough, held on the thirtieth day of July in the 
 year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven. 
 
 Be it enacted, etc., as follows : 
 
 Sect. 1. Jhe proceedings of the town meeting of the town of Attleborough held on the 
 thirtieth day of July in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven for the purpose of accept- 
 ing the provisions of chapter four hundred and twelve of the acts of the year eighteen hun- 
 dred and eighty-seven, being au act to incorporate the town of North Attleborough, shall not 
 be invalid by reason of a failure to designate polling places in the several voting precincts of 
 said town of Attleborough. or of a failure to make any necessary registration of voters; and 
 the acceptance of said act by said meeting is hereby ratitied and confirmed. 
 
 Sect. 2. This act shall take eft'ect upon its passage. [Ap2)roved March 6. 1S8S. 
 
 Shortly subsecfuent to the decision of Mr. Justice Holmes on the division 
 question, the annual town meetings for the election of State officers occurred. 
 Attleborough continued the Republican majority so long maintained in the 
 community of East Attleborough, and the Republicans of North Attlebor- 
 ough were especially desirous of establishing the record of their new town 
 with a Republican stamp. The meeting there was a very lively one, both 
 parties being determined to score a victory, and the result was an unusually 
 
170 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 lar<ye vote, seventy-seven per cent, of the whole possible number of votes 
 beino- cast. The majority was a good one in favor of the Republicans, and 
 the whole party there was properly highly jubilant over their success. Red 
 fire and fireworks were displayed in great abundance; a band — White's — 
 was secured, and a torchlight procession was formed, which, under the able 
 marshalship of Mr. John B. Peck, pursued its brilliant and enthusiastic 
 march tln-ough all the principal streets of the village, which were well filled 
 with interested spectators. 
 
 When the result of the vote was made known, from all sides the new town 
 received cordial welcomes and hearty congratulations from sister towns, and 
 manv good wishes for a future of ever continuing prosperity were expi'essed. 
 So North Attleborough started on her new career under most fair and prom- 
 ising circumstances. We too wish her every measure of true success and 
 as honorable a record of her own as has been heretofore the record of the 
 mother town ; but most of all we wish she was still a part of the one old 
 town, and that the long talked of (juestion had been one of closer nnion, not 
 of (Jisiitemberment. 
 
 In telling the story of Division ^ve have endeavored to simply relate facts 
 as they have been presented to us, adding but few comments. It is not yet 
 time (1888) to pronounce upon the merits of this decision. All opinion, 
 even the most decided, upon resulting benefits or injuries is only conjectural ; 
 all prosperity upon the one hand, or all adversity upon the other, can be 
 equally only prophetic. From the nature of the case, it must be years before 
 the results can be accurately known and measured, therefore upon the next 
 generation will devolve the duty of pronouncing a correct judgment as to the 
 o-ood or ill of this act of their fathers. We cannot pretend, nor is it neces- 
 sary here, to express an opinion upon the arguments so strongly urged in 
 favor of a separation, but we have no doubt that the great majority on both 
 sides of the question were entirely sincere in the opinions they severally 
 held and in what they said and did looked to the good of their communities 
 and the town or prospective two towns. We bave no doubt also that many 
 in all parts of both the towns, while properly acquiescing in the decision 
 made by the citizens and yielding their allegiance honestly to the new town 
 or the old as it may be due, still wish most strongly and deeply that no 
 change had been made, and that Attleborough was still one in territory and 
 in name. 
 
 To record the fact of division is the one sad task that devolves upon us in 
 our attempts to complete this historical sketch commenced so many years 
 ago. We can but think somewhat of our own personal regrets in the matter, 
 but most of all we think as we write of the deep sorrow it would have caused 
 him whose work this book is. His efforts would have been tireless and 
 unceasing to prevent this act ; he would have seen in it no possible good, but 
 every possible ill. Had he lived until the day of its completion, that would 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 171 
 
 have been one of the saddest of his long life, and the fact that the house in 
 which he was born stands not in the old town, but in the new, would have 
 deepened and intensified his sorrow. He loved every inch of the great 
 town's territory as a ti^Uole, and to divide it asunder would have savored of 
 cruelty to him ; and though he would have been glad that the portion in 
 which he for the most part lived — where his personal interests were most 
 deeply centred — still retains the well-loved name, the fact could never have 
 brought to his mind any adequate compensation for the change which he 
 would have looked upon as one promising only irreparable deterioration and 
 loss. Since it was so to be, we can but rejoice for his sake that his hand, 
 which penned so many of these lines with pride and pleasure, was spared the 
 pain of making such an ending to his work, and that this deed was not done 
 until his voice, always raised in urging forward everything that would benefit 
 the town so dear to his heart, had been silenced in the grave. 
 
172 -i SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE CIVIL WAK. — PROCEEDINGS OF THE TOWN. EXPERIENCES AND 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SOLDIERS. ETC. 
 
 APRIL. 1861. saw the opening act of a great drama, the greatest of 
 modern times. Rebel gans opening fire upon Fort Sumter gave the 
 signal, and the curtain rose. Four years this plav was acting, one grand 
 scene after another forming itself upon the stage before the eyes of an 
 observant world. April, 1865, saw the closing act. The sword of one 
 great general, offered by him to another, gave the signal for the curtain to 
 fall. The awful tragedy was ended, and again, as before in the days of our 
 forefathers, all our people were free. Even the children of that day can 
 recall how the booming of those first guns startled the whole land. Through 
 its length and breadth the echoes rolled, sounding their evil tidings, and from 
 every section of the North and every station in life men hurried to offer 
 themselves both to do and to die for their imperiled country. As in the 
 days of the Revolution the men of our town were foremost in opposing 
 oppression and wrong, so now when danger threatened the Union they 
 responded promptly to the call for help. .Scarcely had the echoes of those 
 cannon died away when our citizens took measures to assist in maintaining 
 the existing government. 
 
 The selectmen of the town at that time were H. X. Daggett. A. H. 
 Robinson, and Lewis L, Read. They issued a warrant for a town meeting, 
 which bears date April 24th, 1861. in which one of the articles is to ascertain 
 whether the town will do anything for the men who may be called to enter 
 upon •• actual service in the defence of our country, in addition to what is 
 offered by the United States." A town meeting was held May 3d. and the 
 following article was passed : — 
 
 Article II. '• Voted that the treasurer of Attleboro' be authorized to 
 borrow the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars. (810.000) to be appropriated for 
 military purposes as far as required. That from the above sum those men 
 who enlist in this town and are called into actual service, shall be paid a 
 bounty of Fifteen Dollars, (S15.00) and Fifteen Dollars a month in addition 
 to the sum to be paid by the United States : and that each man who is 
 accepted for service shall be paid Ten Dollars a month while drilling, and 
 shall be furnished with such uniform as the military authorities require." 
 
 A warrant bearing date Mav 17th was issued, in which one of the articles 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROrrrH. 173 
 
 was to see if the town would appoint a committee to appropriate the military 
 fund which had been raised. Agreeably to the call a town meeting was held 
 May 25th. Among the votes taken at that time was the following : 
 
 Article V. •• Voted and chose the Selectmen a Committee to appro- 
 priate the Military Fund raised under a vote of the town on the third dav 
 of May, 18 j1." 
 
 In a warrant dated June 4th. 1861. were the following articles : 
 
 Article II. '• To see if the town will vote to furnish each volunteer in 
 addition to the gannents already furnished, one Flannel Blouse, Fatigue Cap, 
 a Havelock. Eye Protectors, and one pair thin Pants, agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article III. -'To see if the town will vote to furnish a drum and fife 
 for the musicians of the Company, agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article IV. '-To see if the town will vote to uniform the Commissioned 
 Officers, and furnish them with Regulation Swords. Pistols, and such other 
 equipments as they require for service, agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article V. - To see if the town will vote to instruct the Selectmen to 
 pay the Volunteers while drilling, agreeably to a vote of the town passed on 
 the third day of May last, agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article VI. •• To see if the town will vote to raise a committee to carry 
 into effect the foregoing provisions, and authorize them to draw upon the 
 Military Appropriations for the expenditures." 
 
 The town meeting was held .lune 12th. and the selectmen were instructed 
 "to furnish such additional items of uniform" as they could legally do under 
 the appropriation. Articles III and IV were dismissed. The selectmen were 
 further instructed to pay the men at the rate of ten dollars a month while 
 drilling, and they were the committee chosen to carry these votes of the town 
 into effect. 
 
 Previous to this time, in response to President Lincoln's Proclamation of 
 May 3d, 1861. a company had been formed in this town, the enlistment 
 being for three years — or more — from the time of being mustered into 
 service, which was June 1.5th. This was Company I. Seventh Regiment 
 Massachusetts Volunteers. For a month these men had been drilling, paying 
 from their own pockets for instruction, two '• Boston Cadets" being hired to 
 come to town for that purpose. The officers were : captain, John F. Ashley ; 
 first lieutenant, William W. Fisher ; second lieutenant, Charles B. Des 
 Jardins ; third lieutenant, Eben L. Sylvester ; sergeants, E. E. Kelly, Baylies 
 B. Richards. P. M. Whiting, William H. Wade ; corporals, John E. Paige, 
 John N. Hall. James M. Day. Charles W. Snell, and eighty-five privates, 
 only two of whom were from another town. 
 
 In August, 1861. a warrant was issued, in which it was suggested that the 
 town vote upon the question of aiding the wives, children, and parents of 
 volunteers, both in the militia and in active sei'vice, when they were in need 
 of such aid, also as to the propriety of extending such aid to other relatives 
 
174 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 in case of their dependence upon tlie volunteers. At the town meetino- held 
 September 5 th it was voted to authorize the treasurer to anticipate the taxes 
 to be levied and borrow a sum of money sufficient to aid wives and children 
 and others dependent upon the volunteers, both in the militia and in active 
 service. 
 
 In 1862 the selectmen were H. N. Daggett, A. H. Robinson, and J. A. 
 Perry. In July of that year a warrant was issued, calling upon the citizens 
 to meet and decide what bounty should be offered to encourage enlistments 
 to fill the quota of the town under the President's then recent call for more 
 troo])s, to decide upon the manner of furnishing these bounties, and " to see 
 if the town will vote to pay their Volunteers who enlisted in June 1861, to fill 
 up Co. I, 7th. Reg. agreeably to a petition." 
 
 The town meeting was held July 21st, when it was voted "• to adopt the 
 following Resolutions offered by Hon. John Daggett." 
 
 Resolved; — That we the iuhabitants of Attleboroiigh, fully appreciating the value of the 
 free iii^^titutions under which we have 80 long lived and prospered, and alive to the dangers 
 which threaten the existence and dismemberment of the Republic, are ever ready to do our 
 part in sustaining those institutions and transmitting them unimpaired to those who shall 
 come after us. 
 
 Resolved: — That we deem it our duty to take immediate measures to furnish the quota of 
 Volunteers for this town under the recent call of the President of the United States. 
 
 Therefore resolved; — That the Selectmen be, and they are hereby authorized and instructed 
 to pay from the Treasury of the Town a bounty of One Hundred Dollars (SIOO.OO) to each and 
 every jjerson who shall enlist in this town as a Volunteer in the Service of the United States, 
 under the late call of the President, and shall be duly enrolled and accepted as such. 
 
 Resolved; — That the Treasurer of the Town be, and he is hereby authorized to borrow the 
 sura of Six Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($6,300) for this purpose, and to give his notes 
 therefor. 
 
 "Voted to authorize the payment of Fifteen Dollars bounty to those who 
 enlisted from the town to fill up Co. I. 7th Reg. in June 1861, if thej' are 
 still in the service, or have been honorably discharged." It was also voted 
 that the treasurer should borrow a sufficient sum of money to cariy these 
 measures into effect, and that a committee of nine men, three from each part 
 of the town, should be chosen to assist the selectmen in recruiting. This 
 committee were the following gentlemen : Willard Blackinton, E. Ira Rich- 
 ards, Elisha G. May, L. ^Y . Dean, L. AV. Daggett, H. K. W. Allen, Ira M. 
 Conant, Stephen Richardson, Stephen A. Knight. 
 
 "Voted to request the Selectmen to extend aid to those sick soldiers who 
 have been discharged from service." 
 
 " Voted the thanks of the meeting to Hon. John Daggett, for his address 
 and services on this occasion." 
 
 "Voted that H. N. Daggett be a committee to have the proceedings of 
 this meeting published in the Union Gazette and Democrat.'' 
 
 It soon became evident that a higher bounty must be offered, to enable the 
 town to supply the necessary quota, aud a town meeting was called for 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUCrH. 175 
 
 August 6, 1862. It was then voted to offer a bounty of $200,000 and the 
 treasurer was authorized to borrow the necessary sum of money. This 
 bounty was to be paid to all who should eulist " on or before the 15th day 
 of Auo-ust." The selectmen were authorized to see that these measures were 
 effected, and instructed to pay no bounties later than the date appointed. 
 It was also voted "to choose a Finance Committee of three," and Ezekiel 
 Bates, L. W. Dean, and E. Ira Richards were the gentlemen chosen. 
 
 Auo-ust 14, 1862, the following warrant was issued : — 
 
 Article II. " To see if the town will vote to pay a bounty of One Hun- 
 dred Dollars to each inhabitant thereof who shall volunteer and enlist into 
 the service of the United States on or before the first day of September next, 
 towards filling up the quota of said town under the present draft of the 
 President for Three Hundred Thousand nine-months men; agreeably to a 
 petition." 
 
 Article III. "To see if the town will vote to pay a gratuity of One 
 Hundred Dollars to each inhabitant thereof who enlisted in Co. I., 7th Mass. 
 Eeg. and is now in the service of the U.S., or to his family if deceased before 
 or since his honorable discharge ; agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article IV. "To see if the town will vote to pay a gratuity of One 
 Hundred Dollars to each inhabitant thereof who has enlisted in any other 
 Mass. Reg. and to his family or those dependent upon him for support, if 
 deceased before or since his honorable discharge ; agreeably to a petition." 
 
 Article V. "To see if the town will vote to authorize their Treasurer 
 to raise sufficient money for the town, and to transact such other matters and 
 things as may be required to carry into effect the above articles." 
 
 At the town meeting held August 23d, it was voted to pay the men wiio 
 should enlist for nine months before September 1st, the bounty of $100. 
 Frank S. Draper and L. T. Starkey were chosen a recruiting committee for 
 these nine-months men. Article III was referred to the military committee 
 which had been chosen. Article IV was also referred to some committee to 
 report at some future time and place. The treasurer was authorized to bor- 
 row such sums of money as should be needed to pay the bounties for these 
 nine-months men and "to pay all bills for examining recruits, and charge 
 the same to the Military Account." Some resolutions presented by Mr. 
 Lyman W. Dean were adopted, and a copy of the same ordered to be sent 
 to the Captain of Co. I, and to be printed in the Taunton Gazette and Demo- 
 crat. These resolutions were as follows: — 
 
 Resolved ; That we the Citizens of Attleboro' in town meeting assembled do highly appre- 
 ciate the Military Services of the members of Co. I, 7th Mass. Reg.; that we remember with 
 gratitude that they promptly responded to the call of our country, when the shrill clarion of 
 war sounded to arms for the purpose of crushing out a wicked rebellion. 
 
 Resolved; That we hold in grateful remembrance the sacrifices which they made when 
 they left behind them the loved ones at home, and all the endearing associations that clustered 
 around the domestic altar, and exchanged these comforts and pleasures for the stern duties of 
 the camp and the battlefield. 
 
176 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Resolved ; That we hold said Co. iu grateful reniemhrunce and that we will do what we 
 can by our influcnfe and means to encourage their hearts and awaken in their bosoms the true 
 fire of patriotism which they rightfully inherit from a noble ancestry. 
 
 Kesolved; That a copy of those resolutions be furnished the Acting Captain of Co. I, and 
 published in the Taunton Gazette. 
 
 A warrant with various articles was issued September 11th. The questions 
 arose as to the number of men (if eighty-three) to whom the hundred-doUar 
 bounty should be paid, as to instructing the treasurer to arrange for the neces- 
 sary funds, and as to instructing the selectmen to pay the recruiting and other 
 necessary charges and collect the amount from the State. Several of the 
 articles of the above-mentioned warrant were dismissed, btit the town voted 
 "to instruct the selectmen to pay the bounty to the nine-months volunteers 
 to the number of thirty-five as the quota of the town." 
 
 During this spring and summer a company of nine-months men had been 
 forming in town. There were seventy-six members exclusive of commis- 
 sioned officers, and they were claimed by the city of Boston as a part of its 
 quota. This company went into camp at Boxford, this State, and there on 
 September 18th, 1862, they elected their officers: captain, L. T. Starkey ; 
 first lieutenant, F. S. Draper ; second lieutenant, E. S. Horton ; sergeants, 
 H. A. Burchard. J. H. Godfrey ; corporals, H. S. Adams, S. G. Bassctt.^ 
 Septeml)er 2od they were mustered into the service of the United States and 
 organized as Co. C, 47th Reg. Mass. Vol. Infantry. 
 
 The selectmen for 1863 were H. N. Richardson, A. H. Robinson, and 
 J. A. Perry. In July of thnt year came an order from the War Department 
 for a draft. This town was in the second district, and the draft took place 
 at Taunton. Attleborough was the first town called on the drafting for sub- 
 districts. Four hundred and four ballots were put into the box, and from 
 these one hundred and twenty-one were to l)e drawn. Of this number fifty- 
 three were exempted under the law\ The names of these men will be found 
 in the succeeding chapter. 
 
 A warrant for a special town meeting was issued July 27th, 1863, contain- 
 ing the following articles : — 
 
 Article II. "To sef what action the town will take with regard to reim- 
 biu'sement by the State of bounties paid to volunteers as provided iu 
 Chapter 218, of the Acts of the Legislature, approved April 29, 1863." 
 
 Article IV. " To see if the town will vote to aid the families of drafted 
 men, as provided iu Chapter 176, of the Acts of the Legislature, approved 
 April 23, 1863." 
 
 Article V. "To see what measures the town will adopt for rendering 
 assistance to such of our citizens as may be called into the service of the 
 United States under the Act of Congress approved March 3rd, 1863, in such 
 
 ' The remaining sergeants ami corporals were not fouml on the list of soldiers as from this town. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 177 
 
 luauner as may be deemed expedient, and also to their families while they 
 may be absent in said service. Also to take any legal measures that may be 
 deemed expedient to carry any vote the town may adopt in relation thereto 
 into effect ; agreeably to a petition." 
 
 The town meeting was held August 3d, and under Article III the follow- 
 ing resolution was passed : — 
 
 " Resolved ; That the town elect to raise and pay its proportion of the tax 
 provided in Chapter 218 of the Acts of 1863, in accordance with the 9th 
 section of said Act. 
 
 "Voted that the town furnish aid to the families of drafted men as pro- 
 vided in Chapter 176 of the Acts of the Legislature approved April 23, 1863. 
 
 " Voted to dismiss Article V from the warrant." 
 
 November 18th, 1863, Captain Everett S. Horton was appointed "Recruit- 
 ing Officer for the 58th Reg. of Infantry" (3d Veterans) by order of " His 
 Excellency, John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-Chief" of this 
 State. Forty-nine men enlisted in town in this regiment, thirty-seven of 
 them in Co. C, of which Captain Horton became chief officer. 
 
 The same selectmen were chosen for 1864. March 29th of that year a 
 town meeting was held, at Avhich it was voted to refund the money subscribed 
 by citizens for recruiting purposes, and that the treasurer should be author- 
 ized to borrow sufficient sums to carry the vote into effect. 
 
 April 4, 1864. At a town meeting lawfully warned it was voted " that tlie 
 town raise a sufficient sum of money by taxation, to be applied under the 
 direction of the Selectmen, in aid of, and to procure its quota of Volunteers 
 under the call of the President, dated March 14, 1864: Provided that the 
 amount of money so raised and applied, shall not exceed the sum of One 
 Hundred and Twenty Five Dollars for each Volunteer duly enlisted and 
 mustered into the service of the United States, as a part of its quota." 
 
 " Voted that the Selectmen be, and they are hereby instructed to cause the 
 amount of money so raised and applied, to be assessed upon the inhabitants 
 of the town in the annual assessment for the current." 
 
 " Voted that the treasurer be instructed to borrow a sufficient sura of nioney, 
 on temporary loan, (and issue notes of the town therefor,) to carry out the 
 foregoing vote, and hold the same subject to the orders of the Selectmen for 
 this purpose." 
 
 "Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to act as recruiting agents in 
 filling the quota of the town under the present call, and that they be author- 
 ized to employ such means as are necessary to accomplish the purpose." 
 
 At a special town meeting lawfully warned and held May 24th it was voted 
 to reimburse the subscribers to a recruiting fund raised after the call of the 
 President, February 1st, 1864, for 200,000 troops, and the treasurer was 
 authorized and instructed to take proper means to pay the necessary sums to 
 the citizens. At the same time the town took the following actions : — 
 
178 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 "Voted to choose a Kecruiting Committee of three persons to assist the 
 Selectmen in filling up the quota of the town. Chose H. N. Daggett, J. R. 
 Bronson, G. D. Hatch." 
 
 "Voted that the Recruiting Committee be instructed to fully investigate 
 the matter of the deficiency of the credits to the quota of the town." 
 
 " Voted that the Selectmen be instructed to cause the amount voted this 
 day to be reimbursed, to be assessed upon the inhabitants of the town in 
 the annual assessment of the current year, provided it can be legally done, 
 and not to exceed Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars, or the amount 
 reimbursed." 
 
 A warrant was issued June 6th, 1864, and the town meeting was held June 
 
 14th. At this time the joint committee appointed at the previous meeting 
 
 made their report as follows : — 
 
 The committee proceeded to Boston, and ascertained that the deficiency of our quota under 
 the three calls, was 25 men, according to the account as kept by the Provost Marshal, and that 
 a draft hatl actually been made for that number. After making up our account and comparing 
 it with the Muster Rolls at the Adjutant General's office, we discovered that the names of 
 eleven men had not been passed to our credit. We presented our account to the Provost 
 Marshal, claiming additional credits for that number, and succeeded in having the allowance 
 made, thus reducing the actual deficiency to 14 men. To cancel this balance and fill the quota, 
 the committee have paid the commutation of six men at $300 each, and of one man in part 
 $175, making $1975. out of the funds reimbursed to subscribers. The committee have also 
 recruited and obtained credit for 101-3 volunteers, which together with the 11 additional 
 credits makes 2S. leaving a surplus of 3 towards another call. 
 
 " Voted to accept report of committee." It was also voted that the town 
 should reimburse to the subscribers to the recruiting fund a sum not to exceed 
 Si 2.5 to each volunteer, provided the subscribers should order the sura to be 
 held by the treasurer subject to the order of the selectmen, to be used to 
 obtain volunteers, should future calls for troops be made. The selectmen 
 and treasurer received the proper authority to cause this measure to be car- 
 ried out, and the town also voted that the committee of three chosen should 
 be " a Recruiting Committee to act in conjunction with the Selectmen." 
 
 A legally warned town meeting was held August 2d, 1864. 
 
 "Voted that the town raise a sum of money not to exceed One Hundred 
 and Twenty Five Dollars ($125) per man, to procure the quota of the town 
 under the last call of the President of the United States, dated July 18, 1864, 
 for .500,000 troops." 
 
 "Voted that the sum of money necessary to carry the above vote into 
 effect, be assessed in the annual tax of 1864, and the treasurer be authorized 
 to borrow money in anticipation of receipts from the same." 
 
 A special town meeting was held November 19th, 1864, to hear a report 
 of the recruiting committee. The " majority report " was made by five of 
 the six gentlemen forming that committee, and following are some extracts 
 from it : — 
 
 " The committee finding it impossible to obtain recruits at home except at 
 
HI 8 TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUf^H. 179 
 
 most exorbitant prices, and learning that tliere was a prospect of obtaining 
 them at Washington and vicinity at very low rates, met and chose Mr. George 
 D. Hatch, and Dr. J. R. Bronson as a sub-committee and as agents of the 
 town to proceed to Washington at once, and recruit our town's quota, upon 
 the best terms possible." At this meeting it was voted ''to pay Messrs. 
 Hatch and Bronson their traveling expenses, and other proper expenses, and 
 a reasonable compensation per day for their services ; and Messrs. Hatch and 
 Bronson accepted the proposition and proceeded at once to Washington." 
 They met with but little success, as the Secretary of War had issued an 
 order forbidding agents from the States to recruit in the District of Colum- 
 bia, and Dr. Bronson returned home. Mr. Hatch, having learned that men 
 could be obtained at the front, secured the proper pass and proceeded to 
 the Army of the Potomac at Petersburg (on his own account), where he 
 engaged sixty men and had them mustered into service to the credit of the 
 town. Returning to Washington, he telegraphed for $9,000, which was 
 sent him by the committee. Then he returned home, subsequently, how- 
 ever, making three other trips for recruiting purposes. From this time 
 complications seem to have arisen as to the number of men, the charges 
 for them, etc., all of which matters are set forth at length by the committee. 
 Upon the presentation of Mr. Hatch's claim for enlistment bounties and his 
 services in obtaining the same, the committee agreed that it was exorbitant 
 in its amount and therefore in violation of his agreement with them, and 
 they referred the entire matter back "to the town for their consideration 
 and disposal." This report was dated November 19th, 1864, and signed 
 by H. N. Richardson. A. H. Robinson, J. A. Perry, H. N. Daggett, 
 J. R. Bronson. 
 
 The minority report was also presented to the towai at this meeting, and in 
 it Mr. Hatch gave an account of his work upon the trips made for the purpose 
 of recruiting soldiers, giving the number of men obtained, circumstances, 
 etc., detailing his reasons for actions taken, stating clearly the position he 
 had taken and his reasons therefor, and offering to submit the decision in 
 the matter to a committee of disinterested men or to a court of law. This 
 report was signed by George D. Hatch. This matter remained unsettled for 
 several years, but was finally adjusted. Further details would be of no 
 special interest, and enough has been said to explain the presence of " Reg- 
 ular Army" soldiers credited to our town, for whose services considerable 
 sums of money were paid. 
 
 December 19th, 1864, the President issued a call for 300,000 troops, and 
 a town meeting was called to take necessary action on the matter. 
 
 January 21, 1865. "Voted that the Recruiting Committee be, and are 
 hereby instiaieted, to use whatever money or moneys they may have in the 
 Town Treasurer's hands, subject to their drafts, to procure volunteers in 
 anticipation of a call from the President for men." 
 
180 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The selectmen for 1865 were AVillard Blackinton, A. H. Robinson, and 
 J, A. Perrv. The annual town meeting was held April od. 
 
 "Voted that the Treasurer be authorized to borrow money to continue the 
 payment of aid to families of volunteers. Voted to raise Three Thousand 
 Dollars (S3. 000) to be applied in part payment of the indebtedness of the 
 town on Military Account." 
 
 A town meeting lawfully warned was held April 2d, 186G. " Voted to con- 
 tinue the payment of state aid to the families of volunteers." A warrant 
 dated March "ilst, 1867, contained an article with reference to appropriating 
 money to pay men who were drafted and furnished substitutes for them- 
 selves. At the meeting held April 1st it was voted to discharge that article 
 from the warrant and to refer the continued payment of State aid to families 
 of volunteers " to the judgment of selectmen." 
 
 At the annual town meeting held April 6th, 1868, it was voted " to continue 
 to pay State aid to the families of soldiers in accordance with the provisions 
 of the Laws of the Commonwealth." A meeting was called during the same 
 month to see if tlie town would vote to pay a balance due to members of Com- 
 pany I who enlisted prior to May 23d, 1861, l)ut no action was taken. A special 
 meeting was called for May 4th, at which the following action upon this matter 
 was taken : " On motion of L. "NV. Dean it was voted : That the members of 
 Co. I, 7th Regiment. jNIass. Vol. who enlisted in the service of the United 
 vStates, and the widows, fathers, and mothers of said soldiers who died in 
 said service, who enlistetl prior to May 23d, 1861, be paid the l)alance due 
 each of them for their first three months service agreeably to a vote of the 
 Town, and the Law of the State passed May 23d, 1861. Amended as follows 
 and voted : That all lionorably discharged members of Com. I, .Seventh Reg. 
 Mass. Vol., who were or are citizens of Attleboro', and who enlisted in the 
 service of the U. S. prior to May 23d, 1861, and the widows, fathers, and 
 mothers of any of said soldiers who died in said service, be paid the balance 
 due each of them for their first three months' service, agreeable to a vote of 
 the Town, and the Law of the State passed May 23d, 1861." 
 
 "On motion of F. G. Whitney it was voted that a committee of three be 
 appointed by this meeting to ascertain who the members are, also the 
 amounts due them, and that Charles Faas and John C. Thayer be included 
 among said members. Voted that the committee be appointed by nomina- 
 tion. L. W. Dean, J. R. Bronson, and H. N. Daggett were nominated, and 
 by vote declared elected." 
 
 Annual town meeting for 1869, held April 5th, " Voted to pay State aid to 
 the families of disabled soldiers as last year." 
 
 Annual town meeting held April 4th, 1870, " Voted to pay State aid as last 
 year." 
 
 The following records may be of interest to some persons as reminders of 
 occurrences during the war, and thev are therefore given. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 181 
 
 We the undersigned who have subscribed and paid to the fund to aid in procuring the 
 quota of Attleborough under the call of the President for 500,000 additional troops dated Oct.. 
 1863, and Feb., 1864. herel)y authorize and order the Treasurer of the town, in case the 
 amount we voluntarily contributed to promote enlistments should be ordered to be reimbursed 
 to us by vote of said town, under a Statute approved March 18, 1864, to pay said amounts to 
 the Selectmen or other recruiting officer, or officers legally appointed for the town, to obtain 
 the quota of the town under the last call of the President for 200,000 more troops, and this 
 order with the receipts of the recruiting officer or officers shall l)e your vouchers therefor. 
 
 James H. Horton, Albert (J. Jillson, Geo. F. Knowles, 
 
 F. W. H. Knowles, 
 D. O. Stanley, 
 Arnold Jillson, 
 
 Albert (J. Jillson, 
 Albert A. White, 
 Eliphalet White, 
 AVilliam P. Shaw, 
 George W. Sadler, 
 
 J. Claxton AVMghtmau, 
 Isaac Draper, 
 John Dorau, 
 A. M. Read. 
 
 Another paper similar to the above, bearing date June 7 
 call of Oct. 17, 1863. for 300,000 troops only is mentioned, 
 treasurer to pay the money to the selectmen or recruiting 
 call. This was signed bv the following citizens : — 
 
 A. 31. Everett, 
 G. A. Dean, 
 O. S. Thayer, 
 
 F. Robbins, 
 A. F. Lee, 
 
 A. Robbins, 
 J. Sweet, 
 
 H. A. Capron, 
 Peter Nerney, 
 Nelson Smith, 
 Mace B. Short, 
 Frederic D. Bliss, 
 John Dennis. 
 George W. Curren, 
 George M. Leonard, 
 George W. Lee, 
 Charles E. Bliss, 
 Hiram Jones, 
 Horace G. Cutting, 
 David L. Tucker. 
 Nelson Carpenter, 
 J. B. Briggs, 
 Samuel Bromley, 
 Cyrus Briggs. 
 Joab Briggs, 
 Milton Freeman, 
 Joseph H. Witherell, 
 
 B. C. Ingalls. 
 
 G. J. lugalls, 
 James Mugg, 
 William Slater, 
 B. Harvey, 
 
 Addison M. Knight, 
 
 C. B. Des Jardins. 
 P. H. Short, 
 
 W. S. Lincoln, 
 H. S. Adams, 
 
 E. Bartley, 
 
 W. E. Robinson, 
 J. M. Cummings, 
 C. H. Sturdy. 
 George W. Handy, 
 
 D. Claflin, 
 
 B. A. Cummings, 
 
 F. L. Cummings. 
 S. E. Briggs, 
 Jacob Briggs, 
 Israel N. Williams, 
 Jonathan Fuller. 
 X. H. Bliss, 
 
 G. N. Bacon, 
 William Bow en, 
 
 A. E. Walton, 
 
 B. B. King. 
 G. R. Adam^. 
 Abner Witherell, 
 Darius Briggs, 
 G. H. Cummings, 
 G. D. Hayward, 
 H. N. Daggett, 
 A. Capron, 
 
 S. B. Staples, 
 Edwin E. Weaver, 
 Chas. A. Weaver, 
 Patrick Butler, 
 
 H, 
 
 , 1864, was prepared, in which tlie 
 and the subscribers authorize the 
 officers, in anticipation of a future 
 
 John Cooper, 
 E. Sanford, 
 James L. Briggs, 
 Albert E. Briggs, 
 A. S. Blackinton, 
 Wm. P. Shaw, 
 J. H. Sturdy, 
 E. S. Capron. 
 S. W. Carpenter, 
 N. J. Smith, 
 Caleb E. Parmenter. 
 Arthur B. Carpenter, 
 Z. B. Carpenter, 
 H. D. Parmenter, 
 Dexter Parmenter, 
 S. A. Knight, 
 A. Chatterton, 
 
 Michael Mc , 
 
 Edward Corbett, 
 Nelson Briggs. 
 ElishaE. Wnmarth, 
 Benjamin Bowen, 
 Seabury W. Bowen, 
 Simeon Baker, 
 Abner Witherell, Jr. 
 Jonathan Follett, 
 R. Thayer, 
 Geo. O. Dunham, 
 Wm. M. Fisher. 
 Ela Door, 
 Hiram Fisher, 
 Thomas Fuller, 
 M. Daggett. 
 
 Vouchers on file on account of Reinforcements of Bounty to Attleborough. 
 The number of men en.listed from the town in three years service is 320. 
 The aggregate bounty paid is $20,505. A bounty of $15 has been paid to 107 volunteers. 
 A bounty of fSOO has been paid to 63 — total 170. 
 
182 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The number of men enlisted in 9 months service is 51. Amount of bounty paid, fo.lOO. 
 
 The City of Boston has paid 20 of the no. $2,000. 
 
 No private associations have paid l>ounty in this town. 
 
 Signed. H. N. Daggktt, 
 
 Chair.' of Selectmen. 
 Attlel)nro'. Jan. 1st, 1863. 
 
 The wliole numl)erof men enlisting in the town of Attle'o' under call of the President for 
 
 troops for nine mouths service is sixty-five (65) prior to the 25th day of Sept. 1862. 
 
 Signed IT. X. Daggett, Selectmen of 
 
 J. A. Perry, Attleborouyh. 
 
 Attleborough. 
 
 Sept. 27, 1862. 
 
 Enli>ted in Co. " C."' -iTth. Regiment. 
 
 Mayor's Otfice. City Ilal]. 
 
 Boston, October 8, 1862. 
 
 Tliis certifies that there has been enlisted in the iTth Reg. —Mass. Militia — men whose 
 
 names are hereunto annexed belonging to the town of Attleborough (whose quota has been 
 
 duly tilled) for the quota of the City of Boston, under the draft, by order of the President. 
 
 for oOO.OOO Militia. 
 
 If another draft should be ordered, and these men claimed by the said town of Attle". for 
 their quota, it is understood and agreed that the said City of Boston shall be refunded any 
 bounty which may have been paid by the City of Boston, otherwise they shall remain a part 
 of the quota of the City of Boston. 
 
 Signed Joseph M. Wightman, 
 
 H. X. Daggett, Selectmen Mayor of Boston. 
 
 A. H. Robinson, of 
 
 J. A. Perry, Attleborough. 
 
 Mayor's Office, City Hall, 
 To the Selectmen of Attleboro' Boston, October 27, 1862. 
 
 Gentlemen ; It appears by the returns to the Adjutant General's office, that the City of 
 Boston does not receive credit for sixteen out of the forty-seven men reported as having been 
 transferred from Attleboro'. Please call at this office as soon as possible, in order that the 
 matter may i)e adjusted. I am etc. 
 
 James M. Bugbek, 
 
 Manor's Clerk. 
 
 City ok Boston, 
 
 Mayor's Office, City Hall. Nov. 25, 1862. 
 
 Sir: It appears by a statement from the Adjutant General that he has withdrawn 25 men 
 
 transferred by you to the quota of the City of Boston. Please furnish information to this 
 
 otlice forthwith, as to whether you propose to recall these men and refund the bounty paid by 
 
 this City, or make up the number by new enlistments. If any are to be recalled, you will 
 
 please designate them by name. 
 
 Joseph M. Wightman. Mayor. 
 To Chairman of the Selectmen. 
 
 Mayor's Office, City Hall, 
 
 Boston, Jan'y 27, 1863. 
 
 Received of ^\v. II. X. Daggett, Chairman of the Selectmen of the town of Attlel)orough, 
 
 twenty eight hundred dollars, being the amount paiil by the City of Boston for twenty eight 
 
 men, who are hereby re-transferred to the said town as a part of its quota, in conformity with 
 
 the agreement accompanying their original transfer to the quota of Boston, dated Oct. 8, 1862. 
 
 F. W. Lincoln. Jr. 
 Mayor. 
 
 The number of men in Company I to whom the sum of $23.75 was given as 
 additional pay, those who enlisted at an early date, was sixty-six. In 18GI 
 the number of families assisted was fiftv or fiftv-two. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUaH. 183 
 
 These records of the war are very incomplete, for they show only the out- 
 line of the work accomplished by our citizens at home and nothing of what 
 was done by our soldiers in the field. It must always be deeply regretted 
 that someone connected with the public work of the town did not realize the 
 importance of keeping full accounts of the actions of those stirring times 
 as thev were transpiring. Such accounts would be of great interest not only 
 to the actors themselves now at the close of a quarter of a century since 
 the events took place, but of ever increasing interest and importance to the 
 coming generations, who must learn by records or tradition of what their 
 fathers did to preserve the union of our great country. 
 
 We have seen how prompt our men were in avowing and proving their 
 patriotism in the days of the war, and tlie women of our town were equally 
 so. They freely gave of their best to their country, bravely bade C4odspeed 
 to husbands, brothers, and sons as they left tlieir homes, and then set to work 
 with willing hands, though aching hearts, to furnish such comforts as they 
 might to those who had gone to serve in the field. 
 
 At a town meeting held May 3d, 18G1, the following communication was 
 presented : — 
 
 The ladies of Attleboroiigh wait only an opportunity of testifying their deep interest 
 in the cause of freedom, and their earnest faith that our flag shall be kept unsullied. They 
 rejoice that the present crisis has proved beyond doul)t that brave, unseltish heroism still exists 
 in our land, roused by no pulse of passion, but beating with the calm, determined will that 
 treachery has roused, and only victory shall appease. Their wishes and sympathies are with 
 our brave troops, and in preparing clothing for those who go from their midst, they oflfer- 
 speedy, cheerful, and zealous hands. 
 
 Abby W. (apron, Mrs. Cberra M. Blackinton, 
 
 Molina S. Caprou, jMrs. Lydia S. Bliss, 
 
 Mary J. Capron, Mrs. Ann J. Hodges, 
 
 Mrs, Angelina Daggett, Miss Sabra C. Peck, 
 
 Mrs. Lucy F. Daggett, Miss Sally M. Peck, 
 
 Mrs. Sally Daggett, Miss Nancy M. Drown, 
 
 Mrs. Lydia M. Peck, Miss Sarah F. Drown, 
 
 Mrs. Uebecca C. Blackinton, Mrs. C. J. Holman, 
 
 Mrs. Mary D. Richardson. Mrs. M. Dean, 
 
 Mrs. Harriet A. Blackinton, Miss Mary A. Wheelock, 
 
 Miss Lizzie (J. Blanding, Mrs. Emily E. Cooper, 
 
 Miss S. J. Mann, Mrs. Clarissa Blackinton, 
 
 Miss Lizzie W. Martin, Mrs. C. E. Blackinton, 
 
 Mrs. A. Allen, Mrs. P. F. Blackinton, 
 
 Mrs. C. F. Bronson, Miss Belle Capron, 
 
 Miss Lizzie Thompson, Miss Sarah S. Kelly, 
 
 Miss Mary McClatchy, Miss Mary Nerney. 
 
 At the same town meeting the following vote was adopted : — 
 "Voted to present a vote of thanks to the Ladies of Attleboro, for their 
 kind assistance offered to prepare clothing for those who may leave this town 
 to serve their Country, and record the same with names attached." 
 
 Just as our men worked all through the war with unflagging zeal, so our 
 women were tireless in their efforts to supply some of the needs of sick and 
 
184 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 wounded soldiers in the liospitals or to add little comforts to brighten and 
 cheer their hard, dreary lives in camp and field. Sewing societies were 
 formed in various parts of the town : at the North, the South and West, and 
 at the P^ast villages ; at Dodgeville ; and doubtless iu other villages or neigh- 
 borhoods. These met at the churches or at the homes of some of the 
 ladies and were attended by those of all ages. Children helped to pick lint 
 or make bandages, the elders cut and made garments, '' and old ladies of 
 eightv years knitted socks at their homes." Unfortunately no records have 
 been kept of this work, but many barrels of comfortable, well-made clothing, 
 many thousands of yards of soft bandages, and many pounds of lint were 
 prepared by those clever, eager hands and sent to the front. 
 
 In the East village, as no doubt elsewhere, the society was called the Sol- 
 diers' Aid Society, and it met weekly in the vestry of the church. Mrs. 
 Belden, IMrs. Lyman Dean, Mrs. N. C. Luther, Miss Mcjlina Capron, Miss 
 Sallv Peck, and others were among the leaders in tiie work. The ladies here 
 arranged fairs, which were very successful, and several times a hundred and 
 fiftv dollars were made at these. A reading circle was in existence at that 
 time, which met once a week, and at this tlie ladies always busied themselves 
 with knitting stockings, the tops of which were red and white to form the 
 patriotic combination. 
 
 All the work done was not done in common at the frequent society gather- 
 inos. Many who could not leave their homes had work given them to do 
 there, and not the least earnest in this labor of love were those women upon 
 whom, iu the absence of husbands and sons, had fallen the chief burden of 
 the support of their families. Facts and figures may and should be compiled 
 and preserved, but the real history of such labors as these can never be 
 written by any human pen. Who shall say, however, that they are not iu 
 every such case important factors in working out the grand result? While 
 we honor our soldiers and citizens for their noble record of the War of the 
 Rebellion, we Avill honor our women also, for '• they did what they could." 
 
 REMINISCENCES, EXPERIENCES OF SOLDIERS, ETC. 
 
 A few reminiscences of the early days of the war have been obtained from 
 some of the ladies who were engaged in the fitting out of the soldiers who 
 first enlisted in town, and several old soldiers have kindly given us an outline 
 of their companies' marches and actions, adding some personal experiences 
 of their times of active service. 
 
 As has been seen, enlistments began very early. General Orders No. 8 
 was issued by Governor John A. Andrew on April 22d, 1861, and under these 
 orders Company I was formed in this town. Arms being supplied, the next 
 waut was proper clothing. "The town was very liberal iu furnishing all 
 that was required " iu the way of material, and the ladies agreed to make it 
 up. In North Attleborough they met in the hall of the Masonic building ; 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. ] 85 
 
 those ladies who were al>le to do so, and others, took work to their homes, 
 while the old ladies whose eyes were too dim for sewiug at ouce began to 
 knit socks. The uniforms were cut by a tailor. They were of gray cloth, 
 with short, close coats, and military buttons. They were to have been 
 trimmed with red, but that order was countermanded, as it was thought the 
 color " might be a mark for the rebels." Mrs. Benjamin Pratt was one of 
 those most active and efficient in that part of the town and held many meet- 
 ings at her house, w^here subsequently undergarments, lint, and bandages were 
 also prepared. 
 
 In East Attleborough the ladies met in what is now " Union Hall" ; Miss 
 Abby Caprou was the head of the committee, a position she was well quali- 
 fied to occupy, and upon her devolved the care of the undergarments. The 
 tailor came from North Attleborough to cut the suits, and ]Miss Angenette 
 Starkey took charge of the basting, which occu]Med her for eight days, even 
 with the able assistance, a portion of the time, of Mrs. Stephen Pierce, w^hose 
 efforts deserve special mention, because, as some may remember, it was with 
 great difficulty that she could get to the hall to work, owing to the disap- 
 proval of some members of her family. To this day Miss Starkey remem- 
 bers thankfully her "happy thought" in having the name of each soldier 
 pinned to the various portions of his suit, in order to insure the proper 
 coming together of the right legs, arms, and bodies. But for this, it is easy 
 to imagine the mixtures that would have resulted, mixtures which no shaking 
 — though as vigorous as that in the ''Valley of Dry Bones " — would have 
 been able to make right. There were several sewing machines in the hall, 
 one a Mrs. Wilkinson's, another Mrs. Dr. Sanford's, and, if the memory of 
 our informant is correct, the doctor himself helped to use it in the good 
 cause. Men, women, and children were all eager to work and " did with 
 their might whatever their hands found to do." Any work was man's work, 
 any work woman's work, that either could do. The ladies, it is said, brought 
 " spider web silk " to make the clothes with, and Major Holman went to 
 Providence to procure the proper kind, and " Alcott Hardin was press man." 
 The work went on here for over forty days with " the hall full in the after- 
 noons," and the story for North Attleborough would doubtless be much the 
 same, for nearly a hundred men had to be made ready. Besides his suit, 
 each soldier was supplied with two flannel shirts, two pairs of drawers, socks, 
 a havelock, and a bag "containing all the necessary articles for mending his 
 clothing." The ladies attended also to providing the blankets. Mr. Lyman 
 Dean presented the insignia for the caps, w^hich were raised gold letters and 
 were made in Taunton, and to each soldier he gave $1.50 worth of postage 
 stamps. 
 
 Of the one hundred and five men in Company I, only nine were not of our 
 town. The company's drill ground was on the " old Tom French place," as 
 it was then familiarlv called, on the road fi'om the Farmers to Robinsonville, 
 
186 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 where there was a racing track of a mile in length, and before leaving home 
 " the company could march around the track in fifteen minutes." This 
 shows the zeal with which our citizens went to work to make soldiers of 
 themselves when the necessity came, and the result was certainly credit- 
 able for a mouth's time with men wholly unaccustomed to such exercise. 
 Their gymnasium was in the basement of Whiting's new shop at North 
 Attleborough. 
 
 The day before they left town for camp, Sunday, Captain Ashley preached 
 to the company in the Baptist church, and the following morning they met 
 at four o'clock on the common in front of the church. Many can recall the 
 sad scenes of that early morning, for almost everybody in that part of the 
 town came there to say " good-by " and "Godspeed." The company 
 marched to East Attleborough, where in I'nion Hall they found a fine spread 
 awaiting them, " but the boys did not feel much like eating." The clerk, 
 Mr, Wade, was obliged to take charge of calling the roll, "the orderly ser- 
 geant not feeling it was his duty." No one can wonder at that sergeant's 
 feeling or blame him for shifting such a duty in such surroundings, for the 
 whole story is told in the simple phrase of the clerk himself, a man whose 
 bravery was unquestioned, and he says : " It was the hardest work I ever did." 
 
 The Seventh went into camp first at Taunton, where they remained for 
 a month — from June 12th to Julv I'ith, 1861 — and where on June 15th they 
 were mustered into the service of the United States, the regiment promising 
 " to serve for the war, or for three or five years." E'our of the companies 
 were stationed in the old Hxhibition buildings, I and K together, and just 
 opposite them Company E, who were called " the Dorchester Owls," because 
 they were always awake at night. The first night there was no sleep for any- 
 body. Boots flew here and there to the accompaniment of every variety of 
 catcall, and there was a general and lively " good time." Whenever officers 
 called for quiet, of course a few seconds sufficed to set every man snoring 
 lustily for the tune being. All this fun, however, did not make careless 
 soldiers, but quite the contrary. Indeed, only recently. Colonel Couch in 
 referring to the Seventh Regiment said that its discipline and attendance to 
 duty were the same during those few days in camp before it entered the 
 United States service as they were afterwards, and its reputation in those 
 respects is too well known to need comment here. 
 
 In July came orders to proceed to Washington. Very many can remem- 
 ber the twelfth day of that month. The hour whe-u the train bearing the 
 Seventh was to pass through the East village was known, and from all over 
 the town people collected at the station. The old depot platform was 
 crowded with pale-faced women and excited children, all eager for a hand- 
 shake and good-by with those who were now to go to the front and learn the 
 terrible lessons of real war. The train stopped some moments at a little 
 distance from the village and then rushed swiftly through it, and the waiting 
 
HI8T0BY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 187 
 
 ones had ouly the merest glimpse of loved faces, and the echoes of a hun- 
 di-ed voices mingled in parting phrases. This was the last seen of, alas ! too 
 many a dear one, for the Seventh reaped the reward of active service and 
 returned from that journey with sadly thinued ranks. 
 
 In passing through Baltimore " they were obliged to load up " and had 
 no opportunity to appease their hunger. Their first night in Washington was 
 spent in the Capitol, where rations were served them. One of the men says : 
 " We slept in marble halls, and did not need to dream of them." The first 
 permanent camp of the Seventh was Camp Kalorama in the hospital grounds, 
 where they remained until August 5th and then removed to Camp Bright- 
 wood, a temporary camp near Brightvvood, on the right side of Seventh 
 Street. Upon a certain occasion here one of the courses on the bill of fare 
 proved to be " meat rather lively." The regimental taste not being suf- 
 ficiently educated to enjoy that as an article of food, it was decided to make 
 another disposition of it, and the Fall River companies A and B got out 
 their drums and to the "Dead March in Saul," or something else, " buried 
 it with appropriate ceremonies." Later the camp was changed to a spot 
 between Seventh and Fourteenth streets, on which latter street was the 
 hospital, then a hotel, the place being now occupied by a race ground. 
 While here Company I had the measles and Henry Davenport died. 
 
 The winter was passed in this place and barracks had to be constructed. 
 The trees were found in the woods not far away. Trunks were dug out, 
 logs set down in them, and the chinks filled in with mud. Some of the ends 
 were run up together to form peaked roofs, and the tents were opened and 
 spread over these as a covering. The chimney to each barrack was built 
 with logs and mud, cobhouse fashion, and had a fireplace. Each company 
 had four buildings, and each squad had a sergeant and two corporals in it. 
 Before the barracks were erected the men had had A tents, but after leaving 
 camp they had only shelter tents, of which each man carried a portion. Even 
 these they were without for some time and were obliged to form shelters 
 for themselves as best they could by putting two of their rubber lilankets 
 together and fastening them with wooden pins. 
 
 In March, 1862, the regiment was sent to Prospect Hill, as a forward move- 
 ment was expected. Here they had " rain, mud, and no shelter " ; so our 
 men occupied themselves in building huge fires of whole trees and drying 
 one side while the other side was getting wet. The return march to camp 
 was through mud knee-deep, with a little variety in wading Rock Creek in 
 water waist-high. Company I, however, were most cheerfully welcomed at 
 their barracks with roaring fires, hot coffee, etc., prepared by Mr. Des Jar- 
 dins, who, being ordnance otiicer, had been left in camp and so " could look 
 out for his men." We fancy some of the Company I " boys " can feel the 
 warmth of those fires and smell the fragrant odors of that steaming coffee 
 even now. The last of March orders were received to start for the Peuiu- 
 
188 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 sula. These were obeyed so promptly that the regiment was at Columbia 
 College too soon, so after remaining in the grounds for a time it returned to 
 camp. The morning following their return, however, transports were taken 
 for Fortress Monroe and the Seventh quartered at Camp Smith, beyond 
 Hampton, near Big Bethel. The next camp was Warwick Court House, in 
 the woods, where picket duty was done until the evacuation of Yorktown. 
 Thence our men proceeded to the fight at Williamsburg, and the night 
 preceding tiiey camped in a cornfield, where the rain took a cheerful way of 
 announcing itself by trickling down their backs. 
 
 Xot long after this our informant, then the First Sergeant of Company I, 
 had to make a little digression. After an exposure to the rain of thirty-six 
 hours' duration, he was compelled to submit to a siege of toothache, and just 
 alxmt the time the southern army was evacuating its position several of his 
 hitherto reliable dental members were by order of their commander quitting 
 their stronghold, like the '' rebs," never again to become possessed of their 
 former fortifications. 
 
 The day following this battle of Williamsburg, which was a hard one, 
 though the number of troops employed was not very large, the regiment had 
 a march of twenty-five miles, a most severe one, for the day was intensely 
 hot and many fell out by the way on account of the heat and lack of water. 
 From this time on the regiment was actively engaged in the skirmishing line 
 all along the Peninsula. This line of drill had been that of the Seventh, 
 and our Attleborough "boys" were especially interested in it. Upon one 
 occasion, when two companies had been ordered out, and one of them was 
 too slow, it was with pride and pleasure that Company I obeyed an order 
 from their colonel to " go out and go faster." Company I took part in the 
 battle of Fair Oaks, which began May olst, 1862, and this was their first 
 experience of real fighting. At this time Lieutenant Des Jardins was com- 
 manding the company, and here Sergeant Faas lost his leg by being in what 
 would ordinarily have been another man's place. At this battle the regiment 
 was surrounded, and was released by General Sumner. At that time Lieu- 
 tenant Whiting was with the company, and as they were preparing to camp 
 for the night a man met him and inquired for some North Carolina regiment, 
 so Mr. Whiting at once took him to the colonel as a prisoner. This cam])ing- 
 place was a meadow where the men had to lie on their guns to keep from the 
 wet, and with only pants, shirts, and blouses. The summons to the battle 
 had come while they were preparing dinner, and being still a little new to 
 the usages of war they left everything as it was, taking only their guns. 
 The battle over, the}' were minus coats, blankets, food, and utensils, and 
 they had nothing to eat from Saturday morning until Sunday night, when 
 they received "one hard tack apiece." The day following this battle they 
 " had a chance to fight a little" from behind a railroad, and two of the com- 
 pany were wounded. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 189 
 
 Soon after this they returned to a camp near the former old one, and hav- 
 ing lost their clothes, equipments, etc., they had to be newly supplied. They 
 remained in this place until June 25th, when they went on to the picket lines. 
 This was the commencement of the seven days' fight before Richmond. 
 Company I had some skirmishing and was engaged in the battle of Malvern 
 Hill and in one cavalry encounter at Charles City crossroads. At Malvern 
 Hill their position was on rear ground, where they could overlook the battle- 
 field — a great plateau filled with men — and witness the fight. 
 
 After this our men camped for six weeks near Harrison's Landing in a 
 fine wheatfield, building breastworks several times as they moved about ; and 
 here many were ill from the effects of poor water. Next by transport to 
 Alexandria, and, horses being delayed, the officers had for a time to test their 
 marching powers on foot with the men. Directly after the second battle of 
 Bull Run, our company was among those who went back following Lee, but 
 between him and NN^ashington. They were in the battle of Antietam and lay 
 one night on the field, where Mr. Wade as orderly sergeant " tried to waken 
 a dead man." They followed the " rebs " for a while and finally went into 
 camp at Downesville, Md., where they remained until October. Being 
 ordered to move, they crossed the river at Berlin, where they had " to make 
 the muster rolls in the night on empty cracker boxes " with dew-dampened 
 paper, and then went on into Virginia, camping at New Baltimore. 
 
 November 9th General Burnside took command of the Array of the Poto- 
 mac and soon made a move down toward Fredericksburg, and Company I 
 was in the battle at that place on December loth, 1862, when ''Terrill was 
 killed and Snell wounded." During this year Colonel Russell left the regi- 
 ment, expressing at parting from his men manv regrets at I)eing obliged to 
 leave them. The regiment was rather unjustly treated in this respect, hav- 
 ing had five dift'erent colonels placed in command over it. This was one of 
 the times when jealousy waxed rampant over the eastern army, when the 
 chief fighting seemed to be over the question of a commander, who was no 
 sooner appointed and ready for action than he was superseded, and the 
 men were occupied in "waiting for orders" or trying to obev contradictory 
 ones. 
 
 The Seventh stayed near Falmouth all the winter of 1862-63 and were in 
 the famous " Mud March," as it was called, when the great Army of the 
 Potomac " marched up, and then marched down again." Its next fight was 
 the battle of Chancellorsville — second Fredericksburg. Here Company I 
 lost its captain, Prentiss M. Whiting, and the command devolved upon 
 Lieutenant Wade. Company D lost in this fight nineteen out of forty-one 
 men, and Company I suffered severely. A. Bartlett Keith, Alexander 
 Corey, Edward Dean, and Andrew Farrell were all wounded in the leg, the 
 former severely, the latter slightly ; Henry Graft', in the shoulder severely ; 
 J. Allen Tillson, in the hand slightly ; John A. Whaley, in the abdomen 
 
190 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 severely ; and James B. Tisdale, mortally in the feet. This was the largest 
 list of casualties in the company at any one time. 
 
 Marj'e's Heights was one of their battles ; another, Salem Church, where 
 we were repulsed. On this occasion Company I had " simply to stand still 
 and be fired at from three sides." Their orders were to attract the attention 
 and fire of the enemy, while others of our men should flaulv and surround the 
 same, and we ma}- be sure Attleborough boys stood their ground firmly. 
 During this light the entire regiment was surrounded and lost enormously. 
 During the day following — a Sunday in May, 1863 — the Seventh were cut 
 off entirely from our army. In the late afternoon a tremendous thunder- 
 cloud arose. Taking advantage of this circumstance and leaving a skirmish 
 line with a battery which opened fire upon tlie enemy in the dark, under 
 cover of this friendly cloud the regiment marched aAvay, and finally all suc- 
 ceeded in crossing a river in safety and reaching their own lines once more. 
 They returned to the old camp near Falmouth and from there marched fully 
 two hundred miles to get to Gettysburg for the famous July fights. 
 
 Their last march to reach the battlefield was one of forty miles. They 
 had finished the regular day's march, "pitched camp and just got to bed," 
 when the order to "pack and fall in" came, and by the mistake of the 
 guides they were taken in the wrong direction, marching forty for thirty 
 miles. This long march ended, they halted by the roadside, and had just 
 made coffee when the order was received to •' push on double quick for 
 Round Top," and they did speedily push on to its foot. The Seventh 
 belonged to the Sixth Army Corps, and the appearance of this corps " dis- 
 couraged tlie enemy, and saved the second day's fight." The next day our 
 company was in the reserve force, was here, tliere, and everywhere in tlie 
 midst of the fight, but not in the front. On the " Fourth" — the closing day 
 of the great fight — the}' were on the front line again, and on the fifth were 
 " after the enemy." Later they were iu Washington and still later went 
 into winter quarters at Brandy Station on the farm of the famous unionist, 
 J. Minor Botts. Wliile there they engaged in the fight at Stone Mountain 
 across the Rapid an. 
 
 In May, 1864, they were ordered from Brandy Station to the Wilderness 
 again, wliere heavy fighting was continually going on, and many were killed. 
 They were fighting day after da}' in woods so thick the enemy could not be 
 seen. It was continually — "March to-night, and fight to-morrow." At 
 Spottsylvania a charge was ordered without a skirmish line into a thick pine 
 wood across a wet meadow full of mud and slime. Here both Union and 
 Southern lines overlapped each other, and Company I lost several men. 
 Later a skirmish line was formed, and the next day the pickets had a little 
 encounter with the enemy. Our pickets at this time were kept on duty for 
 more than twenty-four hours. Lieutenant Wade and others from Company 
 I being among them. The former was frequently "detailed for special 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 191 
 
 duties," tlie performance of which one not a soldier could readily see re- 
 quired more than the ordinary courage and judgment. Several ''big fights" 
 occurred about this time at or near Cold Harbor and were the last in which 
 our " boys" of Company I were engaged, for on June loth, 1864, they left 
 the front for some point on the James River, whence they were transported 
 to Washington and New York. There they were greeted with au oration 
 and no doul)t the accompaniment of a generous meal. From New York they 
 journeyed by the Stonington Line and on to Taunton, their coming a sur- 
 prise, no telegram having announced it. Their discharge papers were not 
 received until July 5th, though they bore date June 27tli. 
 
 And now Company I was at home again ; and how proudly and heartily 
 they were welcomed after those three years of faithful service in fighting for 
 "the land we love so well"! Alas that, of the hundred who went forth 
 strong and hopeful, less than half came back whole and vigorous ! Had only 
 a half dozen returned, that would have been joy enough for the whole town to 
 make itself jubilant ; and from everywhere the people came to greet the thirty- 
 seven and give them a public ovation, even those whose loved ones slept 
 beneath southern skies or in the neighboring kirkyards joining in those 
 happy services for the comrades of their dead. 
 
 In true New England fashion, with procession and music and waving 
 banners, under the open sky, this glad reception was given. Brightly clad 
 school children, singing joyful songs, followed by their no less happy elders, 
 escorted "the returned soldiers" to "Pine Grove," where there w^as a 
 "bake." What else could there have been for men who had not tasted 
 a dam, for three years? The delicious fumes of that steaming coffee in the 
 Washington barracks at the end of the long day's march in the rain and 
 mud were forgotten as the appetizing odors of this weed-crowned bivalve 
 greeted their nostrils. What a contrast to their last meal together when they 
 left the old town ! Then no one could eat, now no one could help doing 
 it; but there w^as enough for all, even a feast; for Attleborough bakes 
 don't fail. 
 
 After the feast, toasts and speeches w^ere in order, on this occasion filled 
 with words of pride and joy, but always with a vein of sadness running through 
 them, as thoughts recurred to absent forms and empty places. Very often 
 during a long period of years the duties of toastmaster devolved upon the 
 writer of this book, and it was so upon this occasion. A few of his special 
 words of welcome to Company I have been found among his forgotten papers 
 and are given here because they may bring to someone a pleasant memory 
 of that now long-past happy day. 
 
 We have not come here to make formal speeches to you. but to give you a hearty welcome 
 home, — a welcome back to old Attleborough, this spot from which three years ago you took 
 your departure for the unknown scenes of an opening war. But how few of those who tilled 
 your ranks on that occasion, are here to-day. Is this Co. I ? How many have fallen on 
 the battlefields of their country, or died in its camps, your thinned ranks too painfully attest. 
 
102 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The memory of the brave dead who return not will be cbcrisbed and honored not only by their 
 friends, but the people of Attleborough tor years to eome. 
 
 How sleep the ijrave who sink to rest 
 With all their country's wishes blest! 
 
 You have fought iu a just cause, they have fallen in a glorious cause. Three years ago you 
 went forth from these homes and friends in the defence of your country, for the integrity of 
 its territory, — the perpetuity of our Union — for the security of our free institutions. This is 
 a cause that will survive, and ivill triumph. In the name of the people of this town we again 
 welcome you back to your friends. We thank you for the service you have done. Since you 
 left us we have watched your course.— we have followed the fortunes of the Army of the 
 Potomac — we are Iiappy to say that you have done honor to the town which you represented 
 in that army. The great battles in which you have been engaged, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, 
 Antietam. Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness. Spottsylvania, and Cold Harbor will be 
 forever remembered, — they are inscribed on the immortal pages of history. 
 
 Thus in this rural scene, amid sonnds of mirth and gladness, in the sun- 
 shine of a cloudless summer day, we leave Company I. It is our last olimpse 
 of them all together. Well is it for them and for us all that as we think of 
 their deeds we can say the prize for which they strove was won ! As long as 
 the great war is remembered, so long will the " 7th Mass." be remembered, 
 and we of Attleborough may speak with pride of our company's share in its 
 brave and brilliant exploits. 
 
 During the spring of 18(52, about forty-five men enlisted in tliis town as 
 members of Company C, Fort^^-seventh Massachusetts Regiment, and went 
 into camp at Boxford. Mr. Lemuel T, Starkey was commissioned its captain, 
 and Everett S. Horton one of its lieutenants. These gentlemen were occupied 
 during the summer recruiting for the regiment, joining it in the early autumn, 
 when it was regularly mustered into the United States service. There were 
 at the same time at Boxford some four or five other regiments called the 
 "Merchants' (xunrd of Boston." It required strenuous efforts on the part of 
 Mr. 11. N. Daggett, the chaii-man of the selectmen, and Mr. Starkey to prevent 
 Company C from being placed in the Fourth Regiment. At the time of its 
 enlistments the governor was very desirous of getting that regiment oft" to 
 the front at once, but these gentlemen urged the company's joining the 
 Forty-seventh, as by the delay iu so doing the matter of bounties could be 
 satisfactorily adjusted. Bounty had been promised to the men, but at one 
 time, a little later, the town voted not to pay any bounty money. By delay- 
 ing, an arrangement was made with the city of Boston to make these pay- 
 ments and later to transfer these men to the credit of our town, which, as has 
 been seen, was carried out. Had Company C joined the Fourth, not only 
 would the men have received no bounty, but, what is far worse, the com- 
 pany w^ould doubtless " have been cut to pieces, for the Fourth had a bloody 
 experience." 
 
 From Boxford the regiment went to Readville, where it remained about two 
 weeks, and then to New York, going into camp on Long Island at the bar- 
 racks on an old racecourse there. On December 21 the men took a trans- 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 193 
 
 port for New Orleans. They were eight days in reaching Ship Island and 
 from there went under sealed orders. Thev landed at Carrolltou, some seven 
 miles above the city, and went into camp at Greenville, where they had been 
 but a few days when they were transferred to the United States barracks, 
 seven miles below the city, and from there to the city itself, where they were 
 placed on provost duty. At Carrollton, where the first landing was made, all 
 the houses about were full of rebel sharpshooters during the first night, and 
 John Sullivan, having ventured out from shelter, was shot through the leg. 
 A little excitement occurred here, but not of a martial nature. One solitary 
 man, a Frenchman, had remained at Carrollton in charge of his own or some- 
 one's plantation, and he had two slave girls there. Hearing an outcry, some 
 of our soldiers entered his house and found he had whipped one of these 
 slaves with great severity. The colonel of the Forty-seventh sent him at once 
 to Tortugas. One can readily understand the indignation of a northern man 
 over such a deed, especially at that time, and his promptness in using his 
 authority to punish the offender. The dislike manifested by the people of 
 New Orleans for northern soldiers is well known, but we are told that "in 
 the French portion of the city — on the contrary — they were very hospi- 
 table." The Forty-seventh was kept for a number of months in New 
 Orleans, " because it was the best drilled, best dressed, and best appearing 
 regiment of any that went to that city." 
 
 Company C had no skirmishes in the city, but upon one occasion three com- 
 panies, C among them, went up the river to Baton Kouge under command of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Stickney, '' and there had a pretty hard skirmish." 
 Several men were wounded, but not severely. •' Hartshorn, Alger, and Bas- 
 sett died at New Orleans from fever, and one man left the regiment, and 
 has never been heard from since." Captain Starkey resigned in January, 
 1863, receiving from his company, and the band and line officers of the regi- 
 ment, testimonials regarding his care of his men and attention to their wants, 
 his interest in the regiment, etc., while he was a member of it. On returning 
 home he became again a recruiting officer. He was stationed at Providence, 
 where he had charge of raising and shipping off battalions. He com- 
 menced recruiting on the breaking out of the war. and during its continuance 
 he enlisted 1,084 men in the States of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. 
 
 Upon Captain Starkey's resignation, by a unanimous vote of the men 
 Lieutenant Horton became captain of Company C and soon received his 
 commission. Under his charge the company retained to the full its share in 
 the excellent reputation the Forty-seventh had gained. There were but few 
 casualties in Company C, because its term of service was almost entirely 
 occupied with provost duty. The regiment was ordered to Port Hudson, 
 but the fight was ended before its services were required. 
 
 These men enlisted for nine months, but they served for nearly a vear. 
 They were mustered into service September 23, 1862, and on August 5, 1863, 
 
194 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 they left New Orleaus for lioiiie via the Mississippi River. At Cairo thev 
 took cars and the entire journey east was a continued ovation. The}' were 
 met at every stopping-phice with enthusiasm and received the most lavish 
 attentions from the people everywhere. They were mustered out at Keadville, 
 September 1, 1863, and were received at home with the hearty greetings of 
 the whole town, which turned out to welcome them. 
 
 February- 20, 1864, fifty-two men from this town were mustered into service 
 in the Fifty-eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, the majority of them 
 in Company C. Several of these men were veterans, having served in the 
 Forty-seventh. They camped at Readville, leaving there April 28, and on 
 May 5 they reached the Wilderness, participating in that series of bloody 
 battles. During this time some of our ''boys" were taken prisoners, and 
 from one of them we have heard of some of the expedients resorted to in the 
 prison pens to keep up the spirits of the prisoners. Officers often clubbed 
 together to invent stories of battles in which the northern armies always came 
 off victorious. Such tales brought cheer and a little comfort to the privates, 
 and when one had been often enough repeated, a fresh one was made up. 
 Trapdoors were often cut in the prison floors, and when men wei'e attempt- 
 ing to escape some comrade left behind dropped through these doors from 
 room to room to keep up the requisite number in each at ration time to cover 
 the al)sence of the runaways. Some Attleborough men died in those horrible 
 prisons ; others were ena))led to conquer despair and live on through months 
 of that awful existence until release came. Some of those who survived 
 were completely shattered plwsically ; some regained a fair degree of their 
 former vigor, but all must carry through life the effects of those days of 
 terrible suft"ering and endurance. 
 
 The Fifty-eighth served until the close of the war and was mustered out 
 July 14, 1865. 
 
 In Companies I and H, Twenty-fourth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, 
 there were a number of men from Attleborough. They enlisted in the autumn 
 of 1861, going into camp at Readville and from thence to Fort "Warren to do 
 garrison duty "• while the regiment was filling up." They were in that place 
 when Mason and Slidell were brought there. On December 9 the Twenty- 
 fourth started for the seat of war, accompanied by Gilmore's band, of 
 Boston. They went to Annapolis and became a part of the Burnside expe- 
 dition. The men were at Roanoke and Newbern among the earlier battles of 
 the war, and later they were in North Carolina and its vicinity for some nine 
 months in the Department of the South under General Hunter. They par- 
 ticipated in the sieges of Forts Sumter and Wagner and were engaged all 
 through the well-remembered Morris Island Campaign in 1863. 
 
 Subsequently the regiment, much reduced on account of ill-health, was sent 
 to St. Augustine and Jacksonville, where we may hope the weary, war-worn 
 veterans drew in health and vigor from the balmy air and cool sea breezes 
 
?1 Si 
 
 w :^ 
 
 •7 M 
 
 oi 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEDOBOUGH. 195 
 
 and found themselves refreshed in courage for all coming encounters in that 
 atmosphere still tinctured with the memories of valorous deeds " in the brave 
 days of old." They were engaged in the OUistee fight, and there George 
 Horton and John Cummings were taken prisoners and had to experience the 
 horrors of Andersonville and Florence. At the latter place Mr. Cummings 
 escaped by tunneling and succeeded in getting out some distance, but his 
 attempt soon became known, and he was followed by men with dogs and 
 recaptured. The failure of one attempt, however, only made him the more 
 determined upon another effort to regain his freedom, even in the face of the 
 frequent penalty, death by the guard's musket. In these efforts he was 
 irrepressible and embraced every possible opportunity to effect his escape, 
 though in the end it was only effected by exchange. 
 
 From Florida the men of the Twenty-fourth went back to Virginia and 
 were attached to the Army of the James under Butler. At the end of two 
 years the opportunity came to reenlist for bounty, an opportunity which was 
 embraced by about half the men in the Twenty-fourth ; and the regiment 
 was re-formed in ^'irginia. Among those who declined reenlistment was 
 Charles P. Dirke, who had been a soldier of the Second Empire. He came 
 home ; but the habits of the soldier proved to be too firmly fixed to be easily 
 thrown off, and in a week's time he was in Hancock's Veteran Corps. He 
 was one of the guard at the gallows when Mrs. Surratt was hanged and was 
 among those who assisted to pick up the remains of the soldiers who are 
 buried at Arlington. 
 
 Our "boys" of the Twenty-fourth were in Grant's army and had the 
 experiences of those days of continual and brilliant fighting through the 
 " summer of '64." They had but little fighting during the following winter, 
 but in " the spring of '6.") " they were again with Grant in his last grand 
 campaign just before the close of the war, when from the White House to 
 the hovel the whole country watched with breathless interest for the issue. 
 The Twenty-fourth was among the first regiments to enter Richmond after 
 Lee's surrender and was ordered on provost duty there. 
 
 These few facts are enough to show that the services demanded of these 
 men were varied and sutticient to prove that they were "-true and tried" 
 soldiers. Some of these men — some of ours among them — served for five 
 years, for the Twenty-fourth was among the last, if not the very last regi- 
 ment, to return home. It did not reach Massachusetts until January, 186G. 
 Over one half — fifty-four men — of Company H, Fortieth Regiment 
 Massachusetts Volunteers, were from our town. They enlisted early in 
 August, 1862 (about the 7th), '' took the oath" at Boston on the loth, and 
 on the 18th went into camp at Linfield. They were " quartered in the old 
 meeting-house" with another company from Taunton and had straw to sleep 
 on. Attempts were made by many on this first night to get some rest, but 
 there was " too much noise to sleep." The next camping-place w\as Boxford, 
 
196 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 where they remained but a short time. They were regularly mustered into 
 the United States service September 1st, 1862, and on tlie 8th they left for 
 Washington. They reached their first camp there at Fourteenth and Allen 
 streets on a very hot day. The men " were marched fifteen miles with full 
 knapsacks, and many fell out." They lay down on the red clay, glad of any 
 sort of a resting-place, and in the night a shower came up. The men were 
 so tired that they slept; but in the morning guns, etc., had to be dug up out 
 of the mud, while the river running hard l)y, proving to be of the same 
 bright color as the cla}', gave no very encouraging prospects for immediate 
 cleanliness. 
 
 September 2.5th, says Mr. Everett B. Bliss' diary : " Detailed for wood 
 and water." The men had to fell big trees, rather unusual work for most of 
 them, learning to wield an axe not being quite so important a part of the 
 iiverage Yankee boj^'s varied education as to wield with great dexterity that 
 remarkable instrument, the jackkuife. The journal for the evening of that 
 day reads thus: "Ed. Crandall, Horton, J. Savery, are singing, 'We're 
 tenting tonight boys.'" 
 
 October 18th the regiment moved to Miners Hill, about fifteen miles out 
 of the city, and went into winter quarters in stockaded tents. December 
 27th came the first long roll, when "all fell in, every man to arms." They 
 had a quick march of sixteen miles in a snowstorm to Mile's Cross Roads to 
 ntercept some cavalry. They speedily fell in to the general army custom of 
 helping themselves to the shelter of any houses to be found. At this place 
 Mr. Crandall was injured. They remained for three days, and then, no 
 cavalry having been seen, it was concluded the alarm was false, and the 
 regiment returned to camp. Among the varied records of the journal is the 
 following: "Miners Hill. Called at midnight for drilUvy and picket duty." 
 March 30th the men went to Vienna, another trip of about fifteen or sixteen 
 miles, " carrying three days' rations." During this time they experienced 
 real New England weather — snow eight inches deep and " only shelter tents 
 for use " ; so the men resorted to seeking for shelter ''in every conceivable 
 place, from a hotel to a pigsty, but singing, ' We 're marching along. We 're 
 marching along.'" This expedition ended like the former one by a return 
 to camp. 
 
 On June 23d, 1863, the regiment broke camp and went to join the Army 
 of the Potomac at Yorktown. Here our "journalist" had a little personal 
 encounter and had to cry mercy to his foe. He told a Yorktown man he had 
 never seen an oyster too large for him to swallow and rashly, as the sequel 
 proved, intimated rather strongly his belief that such a one could not be 
 found anywhere. The old man accepted the challenge, took Mr. Bliss out in 
 his skiff, picked up and gave to him an oyster which was too large to be 
 swallowed whole ; so the soldier " had to give in." If the oyster was eaten, 
 it is certain that it was excellent. The quality of the large oysters of that 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOllOUGH. 197 
 
 reo'iou is only equaled by their quantity aud not excelled by those of corre- 
 sponding size anywhere else. This statement may be made Avith little fear 
 of its being challenged. 
 
 We find our men next at White House Landing on the river above York- 
 town, where they reamined a week or two, and then returning to Yorktown 
 they took transports for Washington. Reaching that city, they started at 
 once to join Meade's army at Gettysliurg ; l)ut on the way their train collided 
 with another, and this disaster delayed them for two days and made them too 
 late for the battle. They, however, reached Fredericksburg, where they were 
 ''within sound of the guns." From this place they were ordered to the 
 Potomac to lay pontoon bridges for the army to cross, crossing themselves 
 to Warrington Junction, where the Army of tlie Potomac went into winter 
 quarters. The Fortieth was soon ordered to Alexandria and thence on 
 to Foi'tress Monroe, landing at Newport News. The men were ordered to 
 prepare for a long sea voyage. Just as they had their washing hung out, 
 "• everything extra being left at Fredericksburg," the long roll sounded, aud 
 as no delays in answering that call are allowed, the result was " they were 
 an absurd looking crew." They were put upon a l)oat from which a thousand 
 prisoners had just been taken, ''and." the record adds, "it \vas not clean." 
 This boat was their abode for foui- days aud nights, when they reached 
 Charleston, S. C and lauded on Folh" Island. 
 
 The next day they were detailed to the front at Fort Wagner, where they 
 Biet the Twenty-fourth Regiment. At this place each Regiment had to be at 
 the front in turn two days iu every week. While here Mr. Bliss aud several 
 of his comrades of the Fortieth " called upon Ed. Dean," whom, as the cook 
 of his company, they found making doughnuts. It is perhaps superfluous, 
 in speaking of New Englanders. to add that " a feast ensued." The Twenty- 
 fourth at this time was in most excellent condition — completely equipped, 
 with good uniforms, all other necessary clothing, accoutrements, utensils, 
 etc. ; while the Fortietlj, as we have seen, had almost nothing. Naturally 
 boasting obtained, followed by a lively war of words lietween the mem- 
 bers of the two regiments, and particularly between our townsmen, whose 
 opinions upon the contrasts in appearance were expressed with the utmost 
 frankness and in most generous measure. About this time orders came to 
 the regiments on Folly Island to the effect that after three months' drilling, 
 etc., the best regiment among them should be mounted, as a compliment. 
 At the end of the stipulated time it was announced that the Fortieth had 
 *•' won the prize," and the}' were sent to Hilton Head, where they received 
 their horses, and soon after they went by orders to Florida, "to Camp Fin- 
 nigan, just out of Jacksonville." Before parting with their friends of the 
 Twenty-fourth, they took the opportunity thus given to 'return the compli- 
 ments which had been so freely bestowed upon them. This turning of the 
 tables was made the most of and all debts to the Twent^^-fourth paid with 
 
198 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 compound interest. Only about a week after the Fortieth had received their 
 horses thev stormed a 1)attery, captured three outposts, and surprised the 
 enemy, taking them in tlie night. This was their initial fight on horseback, 
 but being ordered to take the l)attery they proceeded to obey, though 
 thev had to ride over ditches, through woods, etc. Our narrator says : 
 " Good for first experience." Tiiey were at this time in the far-famed 
 " Everolades," and during the next day's march they came to Little St. 
 Mary's l\iver. Company H threw their guns over the river, and, being 
 infantry, were ordered to " dismount and dislodge the enemy." Crawling 
 through the swamp, they captured thirty-two horses and a number of men, 
 the whole thing having been ^' done very quickly." 
 
 The above affair occurred P^ebruary 12th, 1864. The next morning the 
 " bovs " cleaned their guns and exchanged them for Spencer rifles. The 
 following night they were in the saddle nearly all night. Arriving at Stark 
 the reo"iment halted, but a small squad, including sixteen men from Company 
 H, were detailed to go to Gainesville and capture an engine and train of 
 cars bearing a valuable load of cotton, about $1,000,000 worth. The 
 enemy retreated as they advanced, so they pressed forward and took posses- 
 sion of the place, fully expecting the regiment would be there at night. The 
 latter had been misled by the enemy, however, who announced that they had 
 captured our men. Thus the little squad of men was left to its own 
 resources in the enemy's country from eleven o'clock one morning to raid- 
 night of the following day. The few men were arranged to keep guard as 
 advantageously as possible. The enemy came up in the afternoon, and a 
 skirmish followed. Mr. Cummings was wounded and was taken to a hotel, 
 where he had to be left as prisoner. A lady was boarding there who for- 
 merly lived at Bear Swamp, and she kindly cared for him, though she could 
 not of course mention that she knew him. George Horton was taken pris- 
 oner there also.' During tlie night the enemy left. About five o'clock in 
 the afternoon of the second day our men were again charged upon, but they 
 met the attack gallantly and took some prisoners. They decided to evacu- 
 ate their position, however, and at midnight started for Jacksonville, ninety 
 miles away, foUow^ed by forty slaves, for whom they picked up mules here 
 and there. They had some skirmishes on their way, but they flanked the 
 enemy and arrived safely at Jacksonville on the 17th of February, where they 
 were rewarded for what they had done by receiving compliments from their 
 commanding general. 
 
 From Jacksonville these men, about fifty in number, went to join their 
 regiment, reaching it on the liith at Barber's Ford. The following morning 
 
 1 Mention has alreaily been made of these two men having been taken prisoners at Olustee. This 
 skirmish occurretl about the time of that fight. The facts as before related liave been allowed to 
 remain in the account of the Twenty-fourth, as they were given liy a member of that regiment, some 
 additions being made V)y others. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOjROUGH. 199 
 
 at seven o'clock, the Fortieth, with other regiments, started for Lake City, 
 but found the enemy on the way at noon, and then and there began the 
 battle of Olustee, "one of the stubbornest of all the l)attles," a real haud-to- 
 hand fight, where our soldiers wailed until the enemy were within ten feet of 
 them before they lushed forward to the encounter. The enemy were at this 
 time really victorious, " but did not know it." The Fortieth belonged to 
 what was called the " Light Brigade," Colonel (4iiy V. Henry commanding. 
 He was a leader who always said "Come," not " Go." At one time they 
 were in line of battle, which was a single line, and for a moment the men 
 seemed inclined to get nervous. Seeing this, Colonel Henry cool!}' stepped 
 out in the front and gave the cavalry some drill orders to relieve their nerv- 
 ousness. The men at once responded, and with cheers, which the enemy 
 mistook for greetings to reinforcements and so considered themselves 
 beaten. That this nervousness was but momentary and had no effect upon 
 the fighting qualities of our " boys " is well attested, for the Fortieth was 
 complimented for both coolness and bravery at this same battle of Olustee. 
 
 Our troops after this retreated to Jacksonville, and the Fortieth vv^ent again 
 to Camp Finnigan, where they remained until they were ordered to the Army 
 of the Potomac. The Twenty-fourth were with them on this journey. They 
 landed at City Point and for some days were occupied in marching up and 
 down from place to place to mislead the "rebs." JNLay 9th our record reads 
 thus : " Called at 2.30 to march, went to Chester Station ; tore up the track 
 and ruined the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond, stopping com- 
 munication." At this time the Eighteenth Corps went on toward Richmond, 
 getting between that place and Fort Darling, where the enemy were massed 
 in large numbers, and finally proceeded to Fort Darling, having several 
 encounters with the enemy on the way. In front of this place, on Mav 20th, 
 1864, Captain Jenkins of Company H was captured ; he was " wounded and 
 missing." John C. Wilmarth and some others were captured, F. B. Bliss, 
 Francis Doran, Edgar Freeman, and others were wounded, Parks and Slade 
 were killed, and John O. Wilmarth was wounded. He died subsequently at 
 Newport News. After this there came a day of both skirmishing and heavy 
 fighting, in which several of the regiment's officers were wounded, and the 
 command of Company H devolved upon its corporal. Job Savery. In a 
 skirmish that day " one hundred and fifty men went out, twenty were 
 wounded, and two killed outright." After the day was over someone said : 
 "We have had no rations" ; and John Bullock, with vigorous smackings of 
 his lips, exclaimed : " I wish 1 had a piece of custard pie." 
 
 May 29th the Fortieth left Bermuda Hundreds and went to City Point. 
 Arriving there the following morning they took transports for Fortress Mon- 
 roe. The boats ran aground the next night, but got back to White House 
 Landing. The men marched through the rest of the night, having only a' 
 short bivouac, and in the morning, as the}' were ueariug Cold Harbor, they 
 
200 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 met the Seventh. The order came to charge, " and the Fortieth opened the 
 ball." Hodges, Hamlin, and Elliot were wounded, and Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Marshall, formerly captain of Company H, was killed. "The regiment lost 
 sixty men from a squad," and our old soldier records this as " hard fighting." 
 The next day the fighting, continued, and Lloyd Hodges was wounded. 
 June 3d was "the heavy battle at Cold Harbor. It was short but very 
 severe." On that day James Short, M. C. Kent, and Everett Bliss were 
 wounded, and Lester Perkins was killed. 
 
 The Fortieth left Cold Harbor on June 13 and went to Fortress Monroe, 
 leaving there, however, almost immediately for Richmond, as was supposed, 
 but they "landed at Bermuda on the 14th, and went to Point of Rocks near 
 there." They were in the charge on the heights of Petersburg — a colored 
 regiment alongside — when two hundred prisoners, ten pieces of artillery, 
 and some cavalry were captured. In that day's fight Company H had ten 
 men on duty, and in the regiment there were seventy-Jive only, the numbers 
 were so much reduced by the long sick list. On June 15 " twenty one 
 guns' were captured, the 40th in advance." The following night they were 
 in line of battle all night and had some fighting. A little later they returned 
 to Bermuda Hundreds and to their old corps, the Tenth, and were given 
 a day of rest. At this time there was more or less skirmishing every day, 
 and on the 24th our " boys " of the Fortieth were in more fighting. During 
 that day some hundred and fifty prisoners were taken, " who seemed glad to 
 get into our lines." 
 
 The Fortieth was for ninety days at Petersburg and under fire the entire 
 time, never being out of range of the enemy's artillery. On June 30 our 
 men had the heaviest artillery fighting they experienced. Two hundred 
 pieces were belching fire for four hours unceasingly, and at the end of that 
 time a charge was ordered which resulted in many casualties, several to the 
 Fortieth. After this to Bermuda Hundreds again, and our men were allowed 
 to rest and recruit for two weeks ; then returning to the front at Petersburg 
 they once more took their turn " in being in line." On July 30 " Burn- 
 side's Pete" was charged and the fort blown up, causing a "horrible 
 slaughter." 
 
 The following winter the Fortieth was quartered at " Chapin's Farm " on 
 the James River, and the "boys" spent some quiet months there. In the 
 spring they received orders to take transports for Fortress Monroe, and they 
 went on to Yorktown, where they "captured a train of cars containing 
 tobacco and cotton." Then up the Potomac under the agreeable orders to 
 convey a little excitement into one of the enemy's camps. Accomplishing 
 this they returned to Fortress Monroe and later went to White House Land- 
 ing with transports containing rations for Sheridan's cavalry " when he came 
 around Richmond." The Fortieth marched with him to Deep Bottom and 
 from there went to the old camp at Chapin's Farm. " In a day or two came 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 201 
 
 that grand Monday, when our men marched into Richmond, and helped to put 
 out fires, and straighten out matters." The Fortieth was occupied in that 
 city, remaining until it started for home. The members were mustered out 
 June 16, 1865, at the expiration of three years of hard service faithfully 
 and valiantly performed. 
 
 There is no difficulty in reading much between the lines of even a scanty 
 report like the above ; but, find what the imagination will, or add to the story 
 as we may, the result will fall far short of the truth in showing the amount 
 of labor and suffering which fell to the lot of our devoted soldiers In this 
 war for the Union — a lot they accepted with a patience, a cheerfulness, a 
 courage unrivaled. 
 
 When our Attleborough '■'lioys" of the Fortieth reached the town, the 
 ladies of the East village were holding a festival. With what pleasure and 
 pride they invited Company H into the hall and how generously they treated 
 every member scarce needs to be told. Whatever our ladies undertake to do 
 is well done, and when we remember what this joyful occasion was, we are 
 sure fair hands heaped high the plates of refreshing ice-cream and culled 
 the choicest flowers for those blue-coated veterans. These were the last 
 decorations the old uniforms received, and to some we are sure they were 
 dearer far than sleeve-band or shoulder-strap, for, as dainty fingers fastened 
 those nosegaj's on the worn and faded coats, shy, bright eyes and smiling lips 
 told the tale of other victories won and other prizes gained than those of the 
 battlefield. There was never a true soldier, least of all an Attleborough 
 soldier, who would hesitate in his decision regarding the personal value of 
 these two rewards. Thus the story of Company H reaches its close. The 
 " bovs " are exchanging hearty greetings with old familiar friends in the old 
 familiar place, one sorrow only mingling with the universal joy — the thought 
 that many who went forth three years before did not return with their com- 
 rades to join in the happy congratulations and to receive the gladsome 
 "Welcome home." 
 
 Among the incidents connected with the war, a veteran of Company I, 
 Twenty-fourth Regiment, relates the following. He speaks of " a series of 
 war-meetings," which w^ere held in town when enthusiasm was roused to the 
 highest pitch, when men burned to show their love for their country and 
 threw themselves promptly "into the breach." At a meeting " held at the 
 old town house soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, John Daggett, 
 speaking from the platform, said: 'Who will be the first to enlist?' and 
 John Cole responded." We cannot be proud of every step in the sul)sequent 
 career of this our " first soldier," for he left his company, and many months 
 later the veteran met him in Virginia in the employ of the government, ])ut 
 as a wagoner, not a soldier, and under an assumed name. With the close 
 of the war and the disbandmeut of the army came the governmental pardon 
 for all neglect of dutv ; so this incident may safely be referred to, and we 
 
202 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 may hear it with a smile as we recall the noble record of the great majority 
 of our town's '' hoys in blue." 
 
 Another veteran recalls the friendly feeling manifested all through the con- 
 flict bv both '"the l)hies " and '-the grays." He says: "There never was 
 a war like that one. When tighting was over, if we had taken prisoners, we 
 sat down and chatted with them, and when ration time came, we shared our 
 meal with them, and it was so on the other side among the ordinary soldiers 
 if they had any rations to give us." Foes to the death at the woixl of com- 
 mand, they were brothers again when bayonets were stacked. 
 
 One after another the bitter memories of those days of strife are passing 
 
 awav, and the people remember only the common " land of the fathers." 
 
 The magazines and papers of to-day are full of reminiscences of those 
 
 times, and interesting relics are coming to light, some of which have been 
 
 brought to our town. One of these has recently been returned to Major 
 
 E. S. Horton in a very pleasant manner. During the spring of 1864 while 
 
 the Fifty-eighth Regiment — the Third Veteran — were in camp at Readville, 
 
 Major Horton, then the captain of Company C, was presented with a sword 
 
 and belt by iiis men. From camp the regiment went to join the Army of 
 
 the Potomac at Bristow Station, commencing their active service in the 
 
 '^ Battles of the Wilderness." The sword had been loaned to Sergeant Major 
 
 Smith, and at the Imttle of Peeble's Farm, near Petersburg, he was killed 
 
 while he was wearing it. Captain Horton was at that time wearing a sword 
 
 belonging to the enemy, and it vvas on the afternoon of the day of that same 
 
 battle that he was made a prisoner. He heard nothing further of the sword 
 
 until November, 1886, when a letter was received by Commander D. R. Pierce, 
 
 of .Tohn A. Andrew Post No. 15, of Boston, from Surgeon N. M. Ferebee, 
 
 U. S. Navy, i-elating to it. Commander Pierce wrote to Colonel John C. 
 
 Whiton, a former commander of the Fifty-eighth, now superintendent at 
 
 Deer Island, and through him the fact of ]\Iajor Hortou's existence, etc., 
 
 was made known to Mr. Ferebee. The inscription on the sword reads : 
 
 '^Presented to Captain E. S. Horton by the members of Company C, 58th 
 
 Reg. Mass. Vol " Its restoration after twenty-two years had elapsed adds 
 
 a thousandfold to its value and to its interest in the eyes of the generations 
 
 to come. One of the most pleasing features of the entire occurrence is the 
 
 letter which announced its return : — 
 
 Oxford, N. C. Nov. 30. 1886. 
 Col. E. S. Horton, Attleboro', Mass. 
 
 Dear Sir: I send by express today tlie sword and belt of which I have written. I regret 
 that I am unable to give you any history of the sword. My father was Colonel of the 4:tb 
 N. C. Cav.. C. S. A. I have heard him say that it, the sword, came into his possession at some 
 tight lumr tlie end of the war. The sword would have been returned before l)ut for my 
 father's bad health. He died during my absence in China, and on my return I found the sword 
 with a re(iuest that I would return it. It gives me great pleasure to do so, and should the 
 occasion ever arise your sword and his will be found side by side, with the points towards tlie 
 common enemies of our common country. Please notify me of the receipt of the sword. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 N. M. Ferebee. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUfiH. 203 
 
 The publication of the story of the sword led to Major Horton beiug made 
 the recipient of another war relic. This is a soldier's cup, on which are 
 roughly carved several letters, ''4 N. C." and l)elow these two others, one 
 "W." and the other apparently "I." ]Mr. Horton received it from Mr. 
 Fred. A. Fry, of Providence, with the following letter: — 
 
 You can send the cup to the parties that sent you the sword. As near as I can remember 
 the cup was giveu to one of the Pennsylvania Bucktail Reg. by one of the Fourth N. E. Reg. 
 when he was dying, for kindness shown him. It was given to me by the Penn. soldier, iu 
 Fairfax Seminary Hospital, for favors I had shown him. If the N. C. regi. have a relic room, 
 it may go to them, if not, you can keep it to remember that the hatchet has been buried. 
 
 The two grandest scenes of the closing of the war were witnessed and 
 participated in liy some of the Attleborough '' boys." One of the members 
 of Company I, Twenty-fourth Regiment, has most graphically described the 
 sights he witnessed as he stood one day on the Square iu Richmond and saw 
 the Army of the Potomac and Sherman's Army pass through with all the 
 accoutrements and paraphernalia of war. Artillery with shattered gun 
 carriages and roughly mended harnesses; infantry with lustreless bayonets, 
 torn garments, and knapsacks bui'sting with their hurriedly packed contents ; 
 cavalry with mud-splashed uniforms and dirt-begrimed horses ; blood-stained 
 stretchers, ambulance wagons, supply carts with cooking utensils, bummers 
 loaded with the varied results of their raids, and the ''motley crew" ever 
 hanging on the outskirts of an array — all passed before his eyes, as they 
 came from the long march or the battlefield, "showing what war really is." 
 Carried along with this heterogeneous, slow-moving mass were the bullet- 
 riddled flags and tattered ensigns that told of bloody fights and terrible 
 death struggles ; but, borne aloft as they were that day, they told too of the 
 cessation of strife and announced the joyful tidings of victory. 
 
 A few days later, and these same battalions with burnished arms and 
 freshened uniforms, lacking all the homely necessities of camp and field, 
 marched proudly and jubilantly, a hundred thousand men, through the streets 
 of Washington, saluting their commanders for the last time ere they put 
 aside the duties of soldiers and dispersed to their homes to assume again the 
 wonted and more congenial occupations of quiet citizens. 
 
 What we have been able to relate forms only "fugitive sketches" of our 
 military work, but, unsatisfactory as both the sketches and the town records 
 are, taken together they prove even to a superficial reader that Attleborough, 
 through citizens and soldiers, acted well her part in the War of the Rebellion. 
 
 Our record during the Civil War may be placed by the side of our proud 
 record of the Revolutionary War as an equally worthy one. We are justi- 
 fied in cherishing and expressing feelings of pride in the deeds of our town 
 fathers in both the former and the latter days, and we should possess the 
 deepest sense of gratitude to them for the noble services they performed in 
 the purchase of our twice dearly bought liberties. 
 
204 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SOLDIERS OF THE CIVIL WAR. 
 
 THE following list of Attleborough men who served dnring the war, with 
 facts of a certain kind relating to them as far as these conld ))e ascer- 
 tained, is taken from the record belonging to Major Everett S. Horton. This 
 record was prepared esi)ecially for him at the cost of mnch time and money 
 and is donbtless the only one of the kind in existence. All the readers of 
 this book are greatly indebted to him for this valuable resnlt of his interest 
 in the soldiers of onr town, for withont it neither the anthor nor the editor 
 wonld have been able to present here anything like a correct or complete list 
 of their names or a collection of facts such as follow. 
 
 SEVENTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS, COMPANY I. 
 
 John F. Ashley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Captain. Resigned August 1, 1801. 
 
 Alden H. Albko. Mustered into service June 15, ISGl. Corporal. Discharged June 27, 
 1801:, at expiration of service. 
 
 Harlan V. Bliss. Mustered into service June 15, 18C1. Discharged June 27, 18C4, at 
 expiration of service. First Sergeant. 
 
 William AV. Bishop. :\rustered into service June 15, 1S(;]. Discharged August 15. 1861, 
 for disability. 
 
 Samuel P. Bliss. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1804, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 -losEPH E. Blandixg. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died of wounds September 
 12, 1862. 
 
 Charles W. Bragg. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Joseph H. Buulingame. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Musician. Discharged 
 June 27, 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 William F. Carpenter. Mustered into service June 15. 1861. Corporal. Discharged 
 June 27, 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Albert F. Claflin. Mustered into service .June 15, 1861. Coriioral. Discharged elune 
 27, 18(!4, at expiration of service. 
 
 George A. Christy'. Mustered into service August 24, 1861. Discharged November 16. 
 1863, by order of the War Department to enter the Navy. 
 
 Henry- X. Cobb. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864. at expi- 
 ration of service. 
 
 HENRY' W. Cole. Mustered into service, June 15, 1861. Discharged October 15, 1862, from 
 disability caused by a wound in the leg, received in the battle of Fair Oaks. Kecnlisted Feb- 
 ruary 4, 1864, in Seventh Khode Island Cavalry, Company F. Discharged November 29, 1865. 
 Sergeant. 
 
 John Cole. IMustered into service June 15. 1861. Deserted October 10, 1862. Entered the 
 service of the government under another name. Subsequently reenlisted in the navy. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 205 
 
 William A. Ct»LK. ^Imtered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged March 4, 1863, from 
 disability. 
 
 Alexander Corey. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Transferred February 15, 1864, 
 to the V. R. C.i 
 
 Oscar B. Cummings. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27. 1864, at 
 expiration of service. Died February 10, 1866. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Charles B. Des Jardins. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Commissioned Second 
 Lieutenant July 15, 1861; First Lieutenant September 1, 1861. 
 
 Edward N. Dkan. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. In 1862 Sergeant Major; Novem- 
 l:)er 1, 1862, commissioned Second Lieutenant; December 7, 1862, First Lieutenant. Discharged 
 June 27, 1864, at expiration of service. Died October 24. 1873. Buried at Woodlawu 
 Cemetery. 
 
 James M. Day. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Wagoner. Discharged June 27, 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Benjamin F. Davenport. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged August 5, 
 1861, from disability. 
 
 Henry P. Davenport. Mustered into service June 15,1861. Died February 22,1862, at 
 Camp Brightwood, District of Columbia. 
 
 James Day, -Jr. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged .June 27, 18C4, at expi- 
 ration of service. 
 
 David S. Dean. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Service expired March 26, 1865, 
 when lie was exchanged prisoner of war. 
 
 William P. Donnell. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged February 17, 
 1863, from disability. 
 
 John B. Doran. Mustered into service June 15, 186L Discharged June 27, 1864, at expi- 
 ration of service. 
 
 Halsey W. Draper. Mustered into service .June 15, 1861. Discharged March 18, 1862, 
 from disability. 
 
 Lowell A. Draice. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged September 19, 1862, 
 from disability. 
 
 Henry G. Dunbar. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27. 1S64, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 William E. Dunham. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged September 26. 
 1863, from disability. 
 
 Nathaniel Emerson. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 William W. Fisher. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Commissioned First Lieuten- 
 ant. Resigned August 3,- 1861. 
 
 Andrew Farrell. Mustered into service .June 15, 1861. Discharged .June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Charles E. Fisher. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service.- 
 
 Ezra A. Fisher. Mustered into service .June 15, 1861. Discharged February 18, 1862, 
 from disability. 
 
 Lawrence Flanagan. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted April 29, 1864. 
 
 George H. Follett. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Henry Frawley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged August 10, 1861. from 
 disability. 
 
 Herbert N. French. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Isaac F. Giles. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. First Sergeant. Commissioned 
 Second Lieutenant May 8, 1863. Discharged June 27, 1864, at exi)iration of service. 
 
 1 Veteran Reserve Corps. -'Died at Cheyenne, Wyoming, May 10,1889. Buried at Mount Hope 
 Cemetery. 
 
206 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 GiLBKiir A. Goi-F. ]\riistered into service June 15, l!^()l. Discharged August 5, 1861, from 
 disability. 
 
 Fredkrick (iOTTSCHALK. .Mustered into service June 15. 1861. Dis(!liarged April 21, 1863. 
 from disaljiiity. 
 
 IlKNRY Graff. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1861:, at expira- 
 tion of service. Died October 26, 1884. Buried in the soldiers' lot in Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Hkxry Grefin. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted April 27, 1864. 
 
 Tetkr .'^. Grefin. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted December 11, 1863. 
 
 David E. Holman. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Commissioned Major of 
 Seventh Regiment. Resigned August 1, 1861. Died December 10, 1883. Buried in Old Kirk 
 Yard. 
 
 John N. Hall. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. First Sergeant. Discharged June 
 27, 1864. at expiration of service. 
 
 William H. Hill. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died of wounds May 7, 1864. 
 Wilderness, Virginia. 
 
 Henry L. Haywakd. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Corporal. Discharged June 
 27, 1864. at expiration of service. 
 
 Arthur C. Hall. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged .September 13, 1861, 
 from disability. 
 
 W^iLLARD E. Hat,l. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted November 3, 1862. 
 
 George L. Jillson. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Corporal. Discharged June 
 27. 1864. at expiration of service. 
 
 John Jack. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted June 18, 1862. 
 
 John E. Jewett. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Edward C. Knapp. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Member of Seventh Regiment 
 Band. Discharged October 17, 1861, from disability. 
 
 William H. Kingsley. Mustered into service June 15. 1861. Discharged June 14, 1862, 
 from disability. 
 
 Alfred 1. Kf:ats. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27. lS(i4. at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 P^NSiGN E. Kelley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged October 15, 1862, 
 from disability from a wound. 
 
 Hermann G. Krahe. Mustered into service June 15,1861. Deserted December 11,1862. 
 
 Washington B. Llufrio. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged August 22, 
 1862. ^Mustered into service September 23, 1862, in Company C, Forty-seventh Regiment Mas- 
 sachusetts Volunteers. Discharged September 1, 1863, at expiration of service. Subsequently 
 died and was buried in Old Kirk Yard. In 1885 his body was removed to W^oodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Bernard Loughlin. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Transferred June 1, 1863, 
 to Veteran Reserve Corps. Died at North Attleborough, September 30, 1885. Buried at 
 Plaiuville. 
 
 Ezra Lyon. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged March 27, 1863. Cause, 
 insanity. 
 
 John F. Mackinson. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. 3Ieml)er of Seventh Regiment 
 Band. Dis(^harged August 11, 1862, by order of the War Department. 
 
 James Mason. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at expira- 
 tion of service. 
 
 Joseph McManus. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Royal W. Moulton. Mustered into service June 15, 18(51. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Edward Nelson. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged August 5, 1861, from 
 disability. 
 
 John E. Raigk. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Transferred June 1, 1863, to Veteran 
 Reserve Corps. 
 
 John D. Peacock. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Killed May 5, 1864, Wilder- 
 ness, Va. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUf^H. 207 
 
 Charlks H. a. Percy. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted October 10, 1862. 
 Jamks N. Perry. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged January 24, 186-i. to 
 
 reeulist. 
 William Remlin'Ger. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died April 20. 1863. at 
 
 Falmoutli, Ya. 
 AXDRKAV J. Richards. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discliariicd July 20. 1862, 
 
 from disal)ility. 
 William A. Richardson. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Deserted September 
 
 1, 18()2. 
 Bayliss B. Richards. Mustered into service June 15, 18G1. Serjeant. Died at David s 
 
 Island, N. Y., October 4, 1862. 
 
 George W. Rollins. Mustered Into service June 15. 1861. Corporal. Discharged June 
 27, 1864, at expiration of service. Died January 19, 1885. Buried at Attleborough. 
 
 Stephen Stanley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Member of Seventh Regiment 
 Band. Discharged August 11, 1862, by order of the W^ar Department. 
 
 Dennis Shannon. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged October 27, 1862. 
 from disabilitv. 
 
 John N. Smith. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged October 9, 1862. from 
 disability. Died June 10, 1886. Buried by William A. Streeter Post at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Artemas W. Stanley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died October 7, 1862, at 
 Craucy Island, N. Y. 
 
 Eben L. Sylvester. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged September 13, 1861, 
 
 from disability. 
 
 Abraham B. Savery. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. First Sergeant. Died of 
 wounds December 16, 1863, at Brandy Station, Va. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Charles W. Snell. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Sergeant. Discharged June 27, 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Thomas C. Sweet. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Sergeant. Discharged June 27, 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Edward Seevy. Mustereil into service June 15,1861. Corporal. Transferred September 
 17, 1863, to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Frank Stanley. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Musician. Discharged July 20, 
 1862, from disability. 
 
 James W.Thompson. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Quartermaster Sergeant in 
 1861; commissioned Second Lieutenant December 7. 1862: First Lieutenant June 11, 1863. 
 Discharged June 27, 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Samuel Thompson. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Corporal. Discharged June 27. 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Charles F. Terrill. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died of wounds December 13, 
 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va. 
 
 John J. Thayei:. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged December 29, 1863, 
 from disability from wounds. 
 
 Frank H. Tisdale. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged June 27, 1864, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 James B. Tisdale. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died of wounds May 11, 1863, at 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Prentiss M. Whiting. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. First Sergeant. Commis- 
 sioned Second Lieutenant Septemljer 2, 1861; First Lieutenant July 21, 1862; Captain Novem- 
 ber 22,1862. Mortally wounded at Marye's Heights, Va., May 3, 1863. Died of his woumls 
 Mav 4, 1863. 
 
 William H. Wade. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. First Sergeant. Commissioned 
 Second Lieutenant October 25, 1862; First Lieutenant May 4, 1863. Discharged June 27, 
 1864. at expiration of service. 
 
 John F. Wilkinson. :ilustered into service June 15, 1861. Appointed Sergeant Major. 
 Discharged June 27, 1864, at expiration of service. 
 Henderson H. Watson. Clustered into service June 15, 1861. Discharged November 16, 
 
208 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ls(!3. by order of tlie War Department. Entered the Navy and served at Lexington on the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 John A. Whalkv. Mustered into service June 15. 1.^01. Discharged October 7. l.'-!G3, from 
 disability. 
 
 IlENUY M. AViiiTE. Mustered into service June In. 1S61. Discharged June 27. 1n«4, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Albkut G. Wilson. Mustered into service August 27. l!sCl. Discliarged March is. I«(i3, 
 from disability. Died October 3. 1886. Buried at Plainville. 
 
 Gkokgk H. Willis. Mustered into service June 15, 1861. Died July s, l.s(;2. at North 
 Bridgewater, Mass. 
 
 Forty-Seventh Kkgimknt Massachusetts Volunteei!S, Cojipany C. 
 
 Henry S. Adams. Mustered into service September 23, 1S62. Corporal. Discharged 
 September 1, 1863, at expiration of service. Died December 16, 18i»3. Buried at Woodlawn 
 Cemetery. 
 
 Jamks H. Aldrich. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged June 23, 1863, 
 from disability. Has subsequently died. 
 
 Henry A. Burchard. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. First Sergeant. Dis- 
 charged September 1, 1863, at expiration of service. Eeenlisted Feljruary 4, 1864, in Company 
 F, Seventh Rhode Island Cavalry. Commissioned Second Lieutenant. Resigned August 16, 
 1864. Died April 19, 1880. Buried at Medway, Mass. 
 
 Saml'el (t. Bassett. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Corporal. Died June 29, 
 1863, at New Orleans, La. 
 
 Thomas Bowen. Mustered into service Seiitember 23. 1862. Discharged September 1. 
 1863. at expiration of service. 
 
 Davis A. Burchard. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 
 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 William Carnes. Mustered into service September 23. 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 AiiAH R. Chase. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service.i 
 
 David Collar. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 1863, 
 at expiration of service. Mustered into service February 2, 1864. in Company C, Fifty-eighth 
 Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Subsequently killed. 
 
 Frank ^\^. Cole. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863. at expiration of service. Mustered into service February 20, 1864, in Company C. Fifty- 
 eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Discharged June 10. 1865, by order of the War 
 Department. First enlistment was May 26, 1862, in Tenth Rhode Island J^ight Battery. Mus- 
 tered out of service August 30, 1862. Eeenlisted in Massachusetts Infantry as above seen. 
 
 Loring Cole. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 1863, 
 at expiration of service. - 
 
 Frank S. Draper. Mustered into service September 23. 1862. Commissioned First Lieu- 
 tenant. August 4, 1863, Captain Second Louisiana Native Guards. Died August 15, 1886. 
 Buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
 Ouvii.r-E L. Dary. Mustei-ed into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Ben.jamin F. Evans. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 
 1, 1863. at expiration of service.3 
 
 Tisdale E. Fisher. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863. at expiration of service. Has died and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Henry Frawley. Mustei-ed into service September 23, 1862. Discharged Sejjtember 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Mustered into service February 20, 1864, in Company C, Fifty- 
 eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Discharged March 23, 1865, from disabilitv. 
 
 ■Died July, ls9."5. liuried at Mount Hope Cemetery. = tiled February 17, 1802. Buried at Wood- 
 lawu. •' Died February s, ISOO. Burled by G. A. R. Post, North Attleboroufrh. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 209 
 
 JoHX H. GODFRKY. Mustevcd into service September 23, 1862. Sergeant. Dead. Buried 
 Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
 Samukl N. Goff. Mustered into service September 23, 1S62. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Dead. Buried at Mount Iloi^e Cemetery. 
 
 Michael Gormax. Mustered into service September 23. 1862. Discharged September 1. 
 1863, at expiration of service. Reculisted in Company C, Fifty-eighth Regiment Massachu- 
 setts Volunteers. Killed at Petersburg, Va., in June, 1864. 
 
 Charles GOURDIER. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Edgar W. Guild. Mustered into service September 23,1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Everett S. IIortox. Mustered into service September 23. 1862. Commissioned Second 
 Lieutenant and Captain February 2, 1863. Discharged September 1, 1863, at expiration of serv- 
 ice. Reenlisted November 14, 1863, in (Company C, Fifty-eighth Regiment Massachusetts 
 Volunteers. Commissioned Second Lieutenant; February 10, 1864, Captain ; August 8, 1864. 
 Major; August 31, 1864. became Lieutenant-Colonel. Taken prisoner near Petersburg, Va., 
 September 30, 1864. Conlined at Salisbury, Danville, and Libby, and paroled February 22, 
 1865. Discharged -luly 14, 1865, at expiration of service as Major. 
 
 George Hartshorn. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Died July 11. 1863, at 
 New Orleans, La. Buried near Camp Parapet. 
 
 George H. Ha ttin. Mu>>tercd into service September 23, 1862. Discharged November 20, 
 
 1862, from disal)ility. 
 
 George S. Horton. Mustered into service September 23, 18112. Discharged Septemljer 1, 
 
 1863, at expiration of service. Died March 2, 1SS2. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Chaf^les Jackson. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Georgf B. Jackson. Mustered into service Septeml>er 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Dead. Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
 Dexter S. Jordan. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Dead. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 James Kelley. Jr. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863. at expiration of service. Mustered into service February 20, 1864, in Company C, Fifty- 
 eighth Regiment Ma>sachusetts Volunteers. Discharged May 31, 1865. from disability caused 
 by a wound in the liand. 
 
 Bartholomew W. Llufrio. See Washington B. Llufrio, Company I, Seventh Regiment. 
 
 George H. Norton. Mustered into service Septembei- 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Mustered into service February 20, 1864, in Company C, Fifty- 
 eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Died September 9. 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
 
 William A. Nye. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 William Oconnor. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Died November 30, 1892. 
 Buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Falls Village. 
 
 Edwai.'D D. Parmenter. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged Septem- 
 ber 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Horatio N. Perry. Clustered into service Septemljer 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Eugene C. Pike. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 George R. Read. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Lemuel T. Starkey. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Connnissioned Captain. 
 Resigned January 27, 1863, at New Orleans, La. 
 
 Thomas G. Sandlaxd. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. December 6, 1862, 
 detailed on extra duty in Quartermaster Department in Baidcs' Expedition, by order of Briga- 
 dier-General G. L. Andrews. Rejoined his company August 18. 1863. Discharged Septemlier 
 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
210 .1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Edwin G. Shepardsox. Clustered into service September '23. 18(i2. Disebarged Septem- 
 ber 1, 1863, at expiration of service. Dead. Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
 Joiix J. Solomon. Mustered into service September 2o. ISfi-i. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Amos C. Stanton. Mustered into service September 23, 1SG2. Dischar,<,'ed at New Orleans, 
 La., in August. 1863, from disal)ility. 
 
 William X. Stonk. Mustered into service September 23, 1802. Discharged September 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 Ephuaim H. Tappax. Clustered into service Septemljer 23, 1862. Discharged September 
 1, 1863, at expiration of service. 
 
 KoscoE L. TrCKEK. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Discharged Septeml)er 1, 
 1863, at expiration of service. Dead. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 LouENZO J. Thayer. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Died at Cleveland, Oliio, 
 August 16. 1863. His body was sent home at the expense of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Thacher, of 
 that city, the former a native of tliis town. Buried in the cemetery in Rehoboth, near the 
 church at Briggsville. 
 
 AfGUSTUs D. Yarran. Mustered into service September 23, 1862. Dead. 
 
 Fifty-eighth Regiment Massachusetts Yolunteers. 
 
 ('OMPANY C. 
 
 Sanford B. Adams. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Christopher Bai.louf. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Died May 10. 1864, at 
 Washington, D. C. 
 
 Charles H. Brotherton. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Missing September 
 30, 1864. 
 
 James A. Ballou. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Musician. Discharged July 
 14, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 David Collar. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 Frank W. Cole. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 Elljah T. Callan. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 186.5, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Hugh Carney. Mustered into service February 20, 1S64. Discharged August 10, 1865, 
 from disability. 
 
 Ma1!SHall J. Chaffee. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 
 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Willia:m Chapman, ^[ustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Albert Coffin. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. Dead. 
 
 John (i. Conly. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Jeffrey G. Davis. Mustered into service Feln-uary 20, 1864. Sergeant. Died Fel)ruary 
 25, 1865, prisoner of war at Danville, Va. 
 
 Adolph De Coupek. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Deserted April 20,1864. 
 
 Henry FPtAWLEY. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 ]\Iichael Gorman. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 l^EMUEL Gay. jNlustered into service February 20, 1864. Discharged May 25, 1865, by order 
 of the War Department. Prisoner of war, contined at Salisbury, X. C. ; paroled and returned 
 home, and partially regained his health. He was guidon-bearer. When captured, secreted his 
 flag and brought it home. This flag is now in possession of William A. Streeter Post, 145, G. 
 A. R. Mr. (iay died ]May 6, 1877, and was l)uried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Peter Gormley. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Killed July 30, 1864, at Peters- 
 burg, Va. 
 
 Henry C. Gross. Mustered into service Fel)ruary 20, 1864. Discharged May 22, 1865, by 
 order of the War Department. 
 
HISrOBY OF ATrLEBOllOUdH. 211 
 
 EvERpyiT S. HORTOX. See Forty-fieA-enth Regiment. 
 
 Chaklks Hackett. Mustered into service Feln-iiary 20. 1864. Transferred March I.t. ISO'i. 
 to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Patrick Holl.vxI). Mustered into service J'ebruary 20. 18(34. Discharged July 14. 18(15, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Welcome A. Irons. Mustered into ser\'ice February 20, 18(54. Discharged June 2(!. 1805, 
 by order of the War Department. 
 
 Charles H. Joiixsox. Mustered into service February 10, 1804. Second Lieutenant. 
 Commissioned First Lieutenant, March 8, 1804; Captain, August 8, 1864. Made prisoner of 
 war September 30, 1864. Died ol wounds October 27, 1864, at Petersburg, Va. Buried in a 
 schoolhouse yard in that city. 
 
 Daxiel L. Johnson. Mustered into service February 20. 1804. Sergeant. Commissioned 
 Second Lieutenant, Augusts, 1864; First Lieutenant, November 1, 1864. Discharged July 14, 
 1865. at expiration of service. 
 
 James Kelley, Jr. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 Turner Kennedy. Mustered into service February 20. 1804. Discharged — absent 
 wounded — July 14, 1865, at expiration ol service. 
 
 Otis H. Knapp. Mustered into service February 20, 1804. Dead. 
 
 James B. Knight. Mustered into servii-e February 20, 1864. Discharged July 14. I8(i5, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Benjamin Lewis. Mustered into service February 20. 1804. Discharged July 14, lS(io, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 George H. Norton. See Forty-seventh Regiment. 
 
 Charles Niles. Mustered into service February 20. 18(i4. Discharged July 14. 1865. at 
 expiration of service, prisoner. 
 
 George O. Peck. Mustered into service February 20. iMil. First Sergeant. Discharged 
 June .3, 1S(J5, by order of the War Department. 
 
 George R. Piei:ce. Mustered into service February 20. isdl. Discharged July 14, I8(i5, 
 at expiratiun of service. 
 
 Geoi!GE Smith. Mustered into service February 20. ls(;4. Discharged July 14, 18(i5. at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 George -TouRTELLOTTE. Mustered into service February 20. lS(i4. Discharged July 14, 
 18(i5, at expiration of service. 
 
 Horace N. Whitney. Mustered into service February 20. ls(i4. Corporal. Discharged 
 July 14, 1S()5, at expiration of service. 
 
 Herbert E. Whipple. Mustered into service February 20, 18(14. Discharged May 22, 
 18(55, by order of the War Department. 
 
 Henry AVil'liams. Mustered into service February 20, 1864. Deserted in March, 1864. 
 
 Company D. 
 Deane Nickerson. Mustered into service March 1. 1S64. Died prisoner of war at 
 Danville, Va., January 23, 1865. 
 
 Company E. 
 Robert Hall. Mustered into service March 1, 1864. Discharged — as absent — July 14, 
 1865. at expiration of service. Lost a leg at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va. Dead. 
 James Y. Williams. Mustered into service March 1. 1864. Deserted April 1, 1864. 
 
 Company G. 
 
 Asa Aldrich. Mustered into service March 26, 1864. Died June 26, 1864, at City 
 Point, Va. 
 
 William A. Hatiin. Mustered into service March 26. 1864. Discharged June 16. 1865, 
 by order of the AVar Department. Dead. 
 
 Charles Hoyle. Mustered into service IVIarch 26. 1864. Transferred February 21. 1865. 
 to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Edgar A. Morse. Mustered into service February 20, 1804. Musician. Discharged July 
 14, 1S05, at expiration of service. 
 
212 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 John II. Place. Mustered into service April 20, 18(54. Dischai-ged — absent sick — July 
 
 14, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Company H. 
 
 (iKORGE W. Ellis. Mustered into service April 18, 1864. Discbarged July 14, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Amos W. Farnsworth. Mustered into service April IS, 1864. Wounded in tbe eyes at 
 Petersburg, Va. Placed in hospital at Wasbiiigton. D. C. Discharged May 18, 1865, by order 
 of the AYar Department. 
 
 Charles E. Farrau. Mustered into service April 28, 1864. Died March 12, 1S65. at 
 Danville, "Va. 
 
 Company I. 
 
 John Barker. Mustered into service May 13, 1804. Died of wounds at Petersburg, Va., 
 June 27, 18G4. 
 
 Company K. 
 Allen L. Potter. Mustered into service May 3, 1864. Deserted June 25, 1865. 
 
 Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 
 Company H. 
 
 Charles H. Briggs. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Corporal. Commissioned 
 Second Lieutenant August 26, 1863; First Lieutenant June 4, 1864; Captain February 18, 1865. 
 Discharged June 16, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Everett B. Bliss. Clustered into service September 1,1862. Corporal. Discharged June 
 16, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Albert F. Briggs. Mustered into service Septeml)er 1, 1802. Wagoner. Discharged 
 September 22, 1863, from disability. 
 
 George W. Balcom. Mustered into service September 1, 1802. Transferred September 1, 
 1863, to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 Perry A. Ballou. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged May 20. 1865, 
 by order of the War Department. 
 
 Julius H. Blake. Clustered into service Septeml^er 1, 1862. Discharged Fel)ruary 23, 
 1863, from disability. 
 
 William A. Bradford. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Transferred December 
 
 15, 1864, to Veteran Reserve Corps. Dead. Buried at Woodlawu Cemetery. 
 
 John D. Bullock. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 10, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. Dead. Buried at Attleborough. 
 
 Lurad H. Chadwick. Mustered into service September 1, 1802. First Sergeant. Made 
 Second Lieutenant May 29, 1865. Discharged June 16, 1865, at expiration of service as First 
 Sergeant. 
 
 Frank E. Capim3N. Mustered into service September 1, 1802. Discharged June 21, 1865, 
 from disability caused by a wound in the knee. 
 
 John C. Cummings. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Corporal. Prisoner of 
 war at Andersonville and Florence. Discharged June 16, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Edwin L. Crandall. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Corporal. Discharged 
 July 16, 1864, from: disability. Died March 12. 1887, at Pasadena. Cal. Buried in Attle- 
 borough. 
 
 Charles E. (Jlapp. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Died December 5, 1863, at 
 Folly Island, S. C. 
 
 James Devixe. Mustered into service September 1, 1802. Discharged .January 27. 1803, 
 from disability.! 
 
 Francis Doran. Mustered into service Scptemljer 1, 1S02. Discharged June 9, 1863, by 
 order of the War Department. 
 
 Joseph Edgar. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Transferred August 1, 1863, 
 to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 1 Dead. Buried at South Attleborough. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 213 
 
 Charles L. Fuller. Mustered into service September 1, 1S62. Sergeant. Discharged 
 June 16, 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Jacob Goetler. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discliarged -June 10, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Edwin J. Horton. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Sergeant. Detailed in Com- 
 missary Department. Discharged .June 16, 1865, at expiration of service. Lost on steamer 
 Narragansett, June, 1880. Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Robert E. Harris. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged -June 16, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Albert W. H attin. Mustered into service Septeml)er 1, 1862. Discharged December 6, 
 
 1862, from disability. Dead. Buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. 
 
 Henry W. Hodge.s. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 7, 1865, 
 from disability. 
 
 Lloyd B. Hodges. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 9, 1865, 
 by order of the War Department. 
 
 George W. Horton. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 29, 1865, 
 by order of the War Department. Prisoner of war at Florence. 
 
 Isaac N. Johnson. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged May 18, 1865, by 
 order of the War Department. 
 
 Homer Metcalf. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. First Sergeant. Died at New 
 Yorlv January 22. 1864. 
 
 Saml'el a. Newcomb. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Died at Folly Island, 
 S. C. Noveml)er 30, 1863. 
 
 Nicholas Nerney. Mustered into service September 1, 1802. Transferred September 1, 
 
 1863, to Veteran Reserve Corps. Discharged June 30, 1865. 
 
 Wesner Park. Mustered into service August 15,1862. Commissioned First Lieutenant; 
 Captain June 2, 1863. Discharged .June 16, 1865. at expiration of service. 
 
 Edwin R. Paine. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Sergeant. Discharged July 
 15, 1864. from disability. Died at Pawtucket, R. I. 
 
 Henry M. Park. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Corporal. Died of wounds at 
 Bermuda Hundred June 6, 1864. 
 
 Lester A. Perkins. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Killed June 3, 1804, at Cold 
 Harbor, Va. 
 
 Eugene H. Richards. Mustered into service August 15, 1862. Commissioned Second 
 Lieutenant. Made First Lieutenant June 2, 1863. Resigned as Second Lieutenant July 5, 
 1863. 
 
 Edgar A. Richardson. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 24, 
 1865, by oi'der of the War Department. Dead. Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
 William H. Rogers. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 16, 1805, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Gershom R. Rounds. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged September 10, 
 
 1864, from disability. 
 
 William H. Smith. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged -June 13, 1865, 
 by order of War Department. Wounded at Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. 
 
 John F. Streeter. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Commissioned First Lieu- 
 tenant December 1, 1864. Discharged .June 16, 1865, at expiration of service as Brevet- 
 Captain. 
 
 Henry A. Streeter. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Sergeant. Commissioned 
 First Lieutenant September 7, 1864. Discharged June 16, 1805, at expiration of service. 
 
 Job B. Savery. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Sergeant. Discharged June 16, 
 
 1865, at expiration of service. Died October 3, 1886. Buried by William A. Streeter Post at 
 Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 John Slater. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. (Corporal. Discharged -June 16, 
 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 James Short. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged June 16, 1805, at expi- 
 ration of service. Wounded in the hand at Cold Harbor, Va., June 3, 1803. 
 
214 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Gideon C. Si.adk. Miistei-fil into service January VI. LsfJi. Killed May 20. 186i. at Ber- 
 muda Hundred, Va. 
 
 WiLLARi) E. Si.ADK. Mustered into >ervice Septeniljer I. 1SG2. Discbari^ed June 16. 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Gkanvim.k S. Sjiitii. ^Mustered into service September 1, 1S62. Discbar,i>ed June 16. 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Augustus A. Starkev. Mustered into service Septeml)er 1, 1862. Discliartred June 16, 
 1865, at expiration of service. (By order of War Department.)! 
 
 Abiathak II. Thayer. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Died of wounds Juue 
 8, 1864, at Cliesapeake Hospital. 
 
 Abi.tah T. AVales. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Transferred December 24, 
 
 1862, to Second Cavalry. Detaiknl as farrier. Discharged at Clouds Mills, Va., Juue 22, 1865. 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 ELi.iori' M. Wallace. Mustered into service September 1. 1862. Transferred April 10, 
 
 1864, to Veteran Reserve Corps. Dead. Buried at Woodlawu Cemetery. 
 
 CH.iRLES H. Weaver. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged August 18, 
 
 1863, from disability. 
 
 Otis White. Mustered into service Septend>er 1, 1862. Transferred May 31, 1864, to 
 A''eteran Reserve Corps. Discharged.- 
 
 SiLAS J. Whitney. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Discharged January 27, 
 1863, from disability. 
 
 Charles F. Williams. Mustered into service September 1, 18()2. Discharged June 6, 
 
 1865, by order of the War Department. 
 
 John O. Wilmarth. Mustered into service September 1, 1862. Died May 23. 1864, at 
 Chesapeake Hospital. Wounded at Bermuda Hundred, May 20. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Twenty-sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, 
 company' c. 
 
 Faranuus Bimetus. Mustered into service January 1, 1864. Discharged May 80, 1865, by 
 order of the War Department. [Reenlisted from New Orleans, La., to the credit of Attle- 
 borough.] 
 
 Henry A. Blackinton. Mustered into service September 28,1864. Discharged Novem- 
 ber 7. 1864. at expiration of service. 
 
 John Brown. Mustered into service January 1, 1864. Deserted July «, 1864. [Reenlisted 
 from New Orleans, La., to the credit of Attleborough.] 
 
 George W. Burt. Mustered into service May 6, 1864. Discharged August 26, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 RuFUS W. CowDiN. Mustered into service January 1, 1864.- Corporal. Discharged August 
 26, 1865, at expiration of service. [Reenlisted from Pawtucket, R. I., to the credit of 
 Attleborough] . 
 
 William H. Cowdin. Mustered iuto service January 1, 1864. Corporal. Discharged 
 August 26, 1865, at expiration of service. (From Pawtucket.) 
 
 Walter F. Cady. Mustered into service September 28, 1864. Discharged October 17, 1864, 
 from disability. 
 
 Francis Conlin. Mustered into service January 1. 1864. Discharged August 26, 1865, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 George W. Cowdix. Mustered into servic(; January 1. 1S64. Killed September 19. 1864, 
 at Winchester, Va. (From Pawtucket.) 
 
 Stephen A. Ferguson. Mustered into service October 4, 1861. Died at New Orleans, La., 
 June 8, 1S62. 
 
 George AV. Giles. Mustered iuto service October 4, 1861. Discharged November 7, 15*65, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Thomas J. Hood. Mustered into service January 1, 1864. Killed October 19, lt>64, at Cedar 
 Creek, Va. [He reenlisted in Pawtucket to the credit of Attleborough.] 
 
 ' Died February 11, 1894. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. = Died August 10, 1890. Buried at Woodlawu. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 215 
 
 Joseph S. Hunt. Miistci-od into service October 4. 1861. Tnuisferred December S-J. 1863. 
 to Signal Corps. 
 
 Ai.vix T. JosLix. Mustered into service October 4, 1861. Discharged Novemljer 7, 1864. at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Jame.s Kekxax. Mustered into service Fel)ruary 1, ls64. Discharged August 26, ise."). at 
 expiration of service. [Recnlisted from Pawtucket, R. I.] 
 
 JoHX McGuiP.E. Mustered into service January 1, 18(i4. Discharged June 19, 1865, from 
 disability. [Reenlisted from New Orleans, T.a.] 
 
 Thomas McKexxa. Mustered into service March 24. 1864. Discharged August 26, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. [Rei-nlisted from Pawtucket. R. I.] 
 
 Baiixey McTague. Mustered into service January 1, ls(i4. Discharged June 28, 1865, 
 from disability. [Reenlisted from Pawtucket. R. I.] 
 
 James O. Smith. Mustered into service January 1, 18(14. Discharged August 2(i, 1865. at 
 expiration of service. [Reenlisted from Pawtucket. R. L] 
 
 Thomas Swetlaxd. Mustered into service March 23, 18(14. Discharged August 26, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 APvTHUR W. Thorxtox. Mustered into service March 24, 1864. Deserted June 3. 1865. 
 
 COMPAXY I. 
 
 William Higoixs. Mustered into service September 1. 18(11. Discharged January 31, 1864, 
 to rei-nlist February 1, 1864, in the same company. Deserted July 11, 1864. 
 
 Compaxy K. 
 
 Spaldixg H. ABP.dT'i. Mustered into service January 5, ]8(J4. Corporal. Discharged 
 August 2(!, 1865, at expiration of service. [Reenlisted from Pawtucket, R. I., to the credit 
 of Attleborough.] 
 
 Fk.\:xk W. Staxi'ox. Mustere<l into service September 14, 1861. Died Octol)er 28, 1862, at 
 New Orleans, La. 
 
 Twexty-fouuth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 Edwin C. Bragg. Mustered into service September 14, 1861. Discharged January 3, 1864, 
 to reenlist -lanuary 4, 1864, in the same company. Lost April 28, 1865, on steamer General 
 Lyon . 
 
 Charles P. Dirk. Mustered into service September 16, 1861. Discharged September 16, 
 1864, at expiration of service. Reenlisted January 5, 1865, in Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 Mustered out January 4. 1S66. Died August 21, 1886. Buried at Mount Hope Cemetery by 
 William A. Streeter Post. 
 
 Altrieth Leonard. Mustered into service September 12, 1861. Discharged October 16. 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 Ernest Myer. Mustered into service September 12, 1861. Discharged September 15, 1863, 
 from disability from wounds. 
 
 James Sherman. Mustered into service September 16, 1^61. Transferred March 9, 1864, 
 to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 John Thomas. Mustered into service September 9. 1861. Killed March 14, 1862, at New- 
 berne, N. C. 
 
 Jacob Weis. Mustered into service September 12, 1861. Discharged January 3, 1864, to 
 reenlist January 4, 1864. Discharged January 20, 1866, at expiration of service. 
 
 James C. Windsor. Mustered into service February 8, 1864. Discharged January 20, 1866, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 De Witt C. Youxg. Mustered into service Septeml)er 16. 1861. Discharged September 10, 
 1864, at expiration of service. 
 
 COMP.\N\' H. 
 
 Edward E. Briggs. Mustered into service October 4,1861. Discharged October 8,1864, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
216 -I SKETCH OF THE 
 
 GK<tR<;r, W. Ci.AHK. Clustered into service October 28,1801. Killed August Hi, lS(i4. at 
 Deep Run, Va. 
 
 CiiAULKS F. Dkax. Mustered into service Octoijer 11), isijl. Discharged October 22, 18(>4. 
 Wounded at Newberne, N. C, March 14, 1802.1 
 
 Aliskut D. Dean. Mustered into service October 3, 1801. Made corporal August 22, 1802 ; 
 sergeant August 10, 1804. Discharged (Jctober 8, 1804, at expiration of service. 
 
 Jamks J. FiKLDS. Mustered into service October 4, is(;i. Made corporal August 11.1803. 
 Discharged January 3, 18()4, to recnlist January 4, 1804. Wounded at Deep Kuii, Ya., August 
 14, 1804. Discharged June 14, 1805. 
 
 RiCHAiM> Fields. Mustered into service October 4,1801. Died August 1, 1802. at New- 
 berne, N. C. 
 
 Bexjamjx F. FisHi'.i!. Mustered into service October 4, 1801. Discharged January 20, 1800, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Joel A. Fisukk. Mustered into service October 2,1801. Discharged January 3, 1804, to 
 rei'ulist January 4, 18(J4. ^lade corporal August 11, 1803; sergeant October 1, is04; tirst 
 sergeant November 1 , 1805. Ketunied to the ranks by request November 15, 1805. Discharged 
 January 20, 18()0, at expii-ation of service. Died September 8, 1883. Buried at Woodlawn 
 Cemetery. 
 
 William F. Gardner. Mustered into service October 29. 1801. Discharged November 
 1, 1804, at expiration of service. 
 
 William H. Goef. Mustered into service October 21, 1801. Discharged Januai-y 3, 1804, 
 to reenlist January 20, 1S04. Made corporal September 2, 1804; sergeant March 1, 1805. 
 Discharged January 20, 1806, at expiration of service. 
 
 William C. McKixley. Mustered into service October s, 1S(!1. Discharged October 28. 
 1802, from disability. 
 
 David N. Mills. Mustered into service February s, 1S()4. Discharged January 20, 1S00> 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 Daxiel H. Smith. Mustered into service October 7,1801. Sergeant. Made first sergeant 
 July 25, 1804. Discharged October 7, 1804. Wounded at Deep Run, Va., August 10, 1804. 
 
 William A. Streeter. Mustered into service October 15, 1801. Discharged January 3, 
 1864, to reenlist January 4, 1864. Made corporal September s, 1803; sergeant May 1, 1804. 
 Killed at Deep Run, Vu., August 10, 1804. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. Attleborough G. A. R. 
 Post named for him. 
 
 Thomas Thompson. Mustered into servic^e October 21, isoi. Made corporal May 10, 1804. 
 Discharged October 21, 1804, at expiration of service. Died July 3, 1884. Buried at Woodlawn 
 Cemetery. 
 
 Company I. 
 
 Leonard Joslin. Mustered into service September 25,1801. Discharged January 1, 1864, 
 to reenlist January 2, 1804. Discharged January 20, 1800, at expiration of service. 
 
 Elijah R. Read. Mustered into service October 18, 1801. Dischargetl Octol>er 18, 1804, at 
 expiration of service. Recnlisted. Discharged in January, 1800. 
 
 NatHjVN H. Read. Mustered into service (October 18,1861. Discharged October 18,1804, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 George F. Wallace. Mustered into service October 18, 1801. Discharged January 1, 
 1864, to reenlist January 2, 1864. Discharged as corporal January 20, 1806, at expiration of 
 service. 
 
 Eighteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 
 
 Company A. 
 
 Ray T. Reynolds. Mustered into service September 5, 1801. Died July 10, 1802, at Balti- 
 }iiore, Md. 
 
 1 Died April 24, 1891. Burled by William A. Streeter Post at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 217 
 
 COMTANY B. 
 
 Walter Keton. jMustered into service August 2-1, 18()I. Discharged December 31,18(32. 
 from disability. 
 
 Charles E. Ryonsox. Mustered into service August 1\, 18(11. Discliarged September 
 2, 18()4, at expiration of service. 
 
 COMl'ANY H. 
 
 Charles O. Wallis. Mustered into service August 24, 18(il. Discharged September 2, 
 18(34, at expiration of service. 
 
 Company I. 
 
 WiLLLVM A. Blake. Musteretl into service August 24. IStil. Discharged November 2!). 
 1S62, from disability. 
 
 Daniel K. Franklin. Mustered into service August 24. ISiil. Discharged ()ctol)er 20, 
 ISGl, from disability. 
 
 Epiiraim M. Knapp. Mustered into service August 24, 18<)1. Died October 27, 18(31. 
 
 Frank (1. Smith. Mustered into service August 24, is(;i. Killed at Bull IJun, Va.. August 
 30, 1S()2. 
 
 Thihteenth Kec^iment Massachusetts V<)LUNTEei;s. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 Charles Hill. Mustered into service July 29, 18()3. Deserted September 17, ]8(;3. 
 
 Company H. 
 
 George Swartz. Mustered into service July 27, 18(33. Discharged April 21, 18()4. 
 Ada:m W(»lfe. Mustered into service July 24, 18(33. Transferred July 14, isiil, to Thirty- 
 ninth Infantry. 
 
 TlIIRTY-EKiHTH liECilMlCNl' MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 Lewis (). Hawkins. Mustered out of service June 13, is(;n. Died July 15, 1885. Buried 
 at Woodlawn Cemetery by William A. Streeter Post. 
 
 Enlistments in Artillery, Cavaliiy, and Navy. 
 
 Reynold Arnold. Mustered into service Septeml)er 4, 18(34. in Company F, Second Massa- 
 chusetts Heavy Artillery. Transferred January 17, 18(3.5, to Seventeenth Infantry. 
 
 Michael Sullivan. Mustered into service August 23, 1S(>4, in Company F. Heavy Artil- 
 lery. Discharged June 2(3, 18(35, at expiration of service. 
 
 John Bracshaw. Mustered into sei-vice March 22. istif. in Light Artillery. Deserted 
 July 9, 18()4. 
 
 Third :Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 Comi'any a. 
 
 Varanus S. Bailey. Mustered into service January 5, isdl. Discharged September 25, 
 18(35, at expiration of service. 
 
 Company B. 
 
 Joseph G. Hodgson. Mustered into service February 25, IS(U. Discharged July 29, 1S(55. 
 at expiration of service; then inember of Company H. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 Adam Deru. Mustered into service February 4, 18(34. Deserted August 25, 18(35. 
 
 John Mitchell. Mustered into service January 4, 18(34. First sergeant. Discharged 
 September 28, 18(35, at expiration of service. 
 
 William Swift. Mustered into service January (i, ]8(;4. Discharged September 28. 18(35, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
218 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Com !■ ANY 1). 
 
 Fkank a. Richards. Mustered into service .lauiuiry 4, ISO-t. Discharged August 1. 1865, 
 •at expiration of service. 
 
 Timothy A. Stanley. Mustered into service January 1, lS(i4. Discharged September 
 •28. 18()5. at expiration of service. 
 
 Forinii Massachusetts Cavai.ky. 
 
 Company G. 
 
 .foiiN Fay. Mustered into service January 27. 1SG4. Discharged November 14, 1805, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Company II. 
 
 Baknky Ml'I.I-an. Mustered into service February 8, 1804. Deserted September 11,1805. 
 Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry. 
 
 C<»MPANY C. 
 
 Philip Shields. Mustered into service January 20. 1804. Died at Point Loolcout, Md., 
 September 12, 1804. 
 
 Lewis Walker. Mustereil into service January 2!i, 1804. Bugler. Discharged October 31, 
 1865, at expiration of service. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 \Vjlll\m II. Johnson. Mustered into service June 8, 1S04. Discharged October 31, 1865, 
 at expiration of service. 
 
 William Ransom. Mustered into service June s. 1S04. Discharged October 31, 1805, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Navy. 
 
 Geo1{<;e li. Adams. See Tenth Rliode Island Light Battery. 
 
 Akthui; F. BpUiCS. Mustered into service July 27, 1804. Assigned to gunboat Harvest 
 Moon, winch was destroyed by atorpedo. Discharged June 3, 1805. Died May 9,1871. Buried 
 at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 FiiEDEPiCK D. Bliss. Assigned to North Atlantic Siiuadroii. Dead. 
 
 William A. McDonald. Assigned to gunboat Sonoma in South Atlantic Squadron. Dis- 
 •charged at New York, June 25, 1805. 
 
 Mani'pkd II. Weaver. Assigned to gunboat Galena in Gulf Squadron. Enlisted August 
 27. 1804. Discharged June 12, ISOS. Died February 13. 1S77. 
 
 Samuel Tylek Read. Promoted to be Major iu Indiana detachment of cavalry. Com- 
 missioned. Died at New Orleans, La. 
 
 C. Frank Luther. Enlisted Octoi)er 7, isoi. in Company C, Twenty-second Regiment 
 Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (Henry Wilson's regiment). Discharged September 25, 
 1802. Appointed Lieutenant of Corps d'Africpie November 12, 1803. Assigned to Tenth 
 Infantry December 15, 18()3. Appointeil Aide-tie-camp December 17, 1803. Appointed Adjutant 
 Eighty-second United States Colored Infantry July 21, 1804. This regiment was designated 
 Fifth United States Volunteers, Tenth Corps d'Afrique, and Eighty-second United States 
 Colored Infantry. Mr. Luther was discharged Deceml)er 19, 1864. In 1876-77-78 served as 
 Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
 
 Charles F. Carpenter. Sergeant in Company E, Twentieth 3Iassachusetts Regiment. 
 Wounded in face. Lost part of jaw. Died Deceml)er 'JS, 1S92. Buried in soldiers' lot at 
 "Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 Enlistments in Rhode Island. 
 
 First Regiment. Company D. 
 
 Charles II. Bliss. Mustered into service May 2, 1861. Discharged August 2. IsOl. 
 Samuel G. Colwell. Mustered into service May 2, 1861. Discharged August 2, 1801. 
 Ts'. Justin Smith. Mustered into service at Washington, D. C, in April, 1861. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 219 
 
 Company E. 
 
 Henry C Brown. Mustered into service May 2, ISIU. Sergeant. Discharged August 2. 
 1861. 
 
 CdMI'ANY (t. 
 
 John S. Brown. Mustered into service ]May 2, 1S()1. Discharged August 2, 1801. Re- 
 enlisted December 14, ISiil, in Company B, First Rhode Island Cavalry, Corporal-Sergeant. 
 Killed in battle October 14. 18(i3. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Second Rhode Isf-and Regiment. 
 
 Com r ANY A. 
 
 Charles E. Crocker. Mustered into service July 8, 1S(;3. Transferred on reorganization 
 of regiment. Taken prisoner November (>, 1SG3. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 Daniel E. Ai>ams. Mustered into service June 8, 18()]. Wounded at battle of Salem 
 Heights May 3, 1803. Discharged June 17, 18(M. 
 
 George Hubbard. Mustered into service May 5, 1801. Wagoner. Discharged February 
 28, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. 
 
 Daniel L. Tucker. Mustered into service June 5,1801. Wounded slightly before Rich- 
 mond June 25, 18()2. Discharged December .30, 1802, on surgeon's certiticate. 
 
 James W. McKackney. Mustered into service 3Iay 5, 1861. Absent in Portsmouth Grove 
 Hospital September 1, 1862. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 Charles E. Kent. Mustered out of service July 13, 1S05. 
 
 Charles S. Kuce. Mustered into service June 6,1861. Wounded at Bull ]{un July 21, 
 1861. Discharged June 17, 18(54. 
 
 Thomas Sheridan. Mustered into service October 31, lso3. At new organization July 13, 
 1865, absent in hospital sick. 
 
 Alvin T. Sunderland. Mustered into service October 31, ls63. Discharged at new 
 organization July 13. isoo. 
 
 Com I 'ANY G. 
 
 Thomas Lambert. Mustered into service June 5, 1861. Wounded at Bull Run July 21, 
 1861. Discharged March 24, 1802, on surgeon's certificate. 
 
 Company H. 
 
 Ansel L. Sweet. Mustered into service (^ctouer 13. 1S02. Corporal. Discharged July 29. 
 1863. 
 
 Fourth Rhode Islaxd Rkisimknt. 
 
 Com 1 'A NY G. 
 
 AViLLiAM T. Thacher. Mustered into service August 15, 1802. Wounded. Served in 
 Commissary Department. Died in Boston July 15, 1S84. Buried in Old Kirk Yard. 
 
 Co.AIPANY 1. 
 
 George Crocker. Mustered into service October 31, isoi. Discharged October 15, 1864. 
 Darius I. Cole. Company I, Seventh Rhode Island. Killed at the battle of Spottsylvania 
 Court House, Va., May 13, 1865. Sergeant and Second Lieutenant. 
 
 Seventh Rhode Island Re(;iment. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 John Frawley. ]\Iustereil into service September (>, 1S02. Discharged April 17. 1863. on 
 surgeon's certificate. 
 
220 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 COMI'ANV K. 
 
 (tEORGE H. IIartshokx. Mustered into service Septeinl)er (>. ls(;2. Transferred under 
 new orgaui/atiou Octolier -il. lS(y4. Discbiir^ed June 9. ls(io. 
 
 Elevexth iiiioDE Island Ke(;imext. 
 
 CoMI'ANV C. 
 
 Roger L. Lincoln. Mustered into service Octol)er 1, is(i2. Discharged July 13. ISflS. 
 Eu<;ene a. Mott. Mustered into service October 1, 1802. Discharged July 13. 1S(;3. 
 Edwin Pki!i;v. Mustered into service ()ct.oi)cr 1, 1M(i2. Discharged July 13, 18()3. 
 
 Twelfth 11hoi>e Island IIeciment. 
 
 comtany k. 
 
 William F. Field. Mustered into service October 13, l.s(J2. Wounded at Fredericksburg, 
 Yd., December 13, 1S(;2. Discliarged July 29. isc,3. 
 
 Third Rhode Island Artillery. 
 
 Company A. 
 
 Thomas Cohcohan. Mustered into service February IT, ls(J2. Reenlisted March 21. ls(J4. 
 
 COMI'ANY C. 
 
 Edward E. Carrentek. Mustered into service October 5, 1801. First Sergeant. 
 Reenlisted January 20. lS(i4, in Company G, First Rhode Island. Connnissioned Second 
 Lieutenant Marcli 22, lS(i,5. and First Lieutenant May 13, IstiS. Discharged June 9, 180,5, at 
 expiration of service. 
 
 Allen W. Guild. Mustered into service December 21, 1801. Taken prisoner on Keawah 
 Island, S. C, December 4, 1803. Paroled. I )ischarged January 29, 1805. 
 
 Company H. 
 
 Thomas C. Hirreri. Mustered into service October 5, 1801. Corporal. Sergeant. Re- 
 enlisted -fanuary 25, 1804. Transferred to Company B September 15. 1804. 
 
 Company L. 
 
 Samuel Jackson. Mustered into service April 29, 1804. Transferred to Company D Feb- 
 ruary 24, 18()5. 
 
 Samuel N. Knapp. Mustered into service Feln-uary 14, 1802. Discharged February 2, 
 1S()3. on surgeon's certificate. 
 
 Company M. 
 
 Albert Atwood. Mustered into service March 17. 1802. Reenlisted September 10, 1804. 
 Transferred to Company D February 24. 1805. 
 
 FiiTH Rhode Island Heayy Artillery. 
 
 Company A. 
 
 Amos Eaton. Mustered into service Decendjer 10. i8(')l. Reenlisted January 4, 1804. 
 Taken jirisoner May 5, 1804, at Croatan, N. C. Died in August, 1864, at Andersonville, Ga. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 CiiAi'.LEs C. Greene. Mustered into service December 10, 1801. Sergeant. Reenlisted 
 January 2, 1804. Mustered out of service January 2(;, 1805. 
 
 Charles H. Smith. Mustered into service December 16, 1801. Sergeant. Transferred to 
 Company K March 2. 1863. Reinlisted January 2. 1804. Discharged June 20, 1865. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. '221 
 
 COmi'anv E. 
 
 William N. Brown. Mustered luto service December 16, 1S(!1. Mustered out November 
 29, 1864. 
 
 Ge()Ih;k W. Fkkxch. Mustered iuto service December Kl, ISdl. Rei-nlisted January 5, 
 lS64r. Mustered out of service June 20, ls6o. 
 
 C'OMI'ANY F. 
 
 Thomas Cassidy. Mustered into service May 27. 1862. Mustered out May 19, 1865. 
 
 Michael Devine. Mustered into service May 27, 1862. Sergeant. Mustered out May 19, 
 1865. 
 
 .Jt)HN Reynolds. Mustered into service .Fune 10. 1862. Mustered out June 10, 1865. 
 
 Company H. 
 
 Lavvkence Flanaoan. Mustered into service Decemljer 27, 18(i2. Sergeant. Transferred 
 April 12, 18('4, to Veteran Reserve Corps. 
 
 First Rhode Island Lkiht Autillery. 
 
 Comi'jVNy a. 
 
 Albert J. Jenckes. Mustered into service June (i, 1861. Transferred to Battery F 
 
 Octobers. 1861. 
 
 Robert Laughlin. Mustered into ser\ice March 18, 1802. Discharged in November, 1862, 
 
 on surgeon's certificate. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 Stephen W. Ballou. Mustered into service Septemljcr 4, 18(;i. Corporal. Mustered 
 out September 3, 1804. 
 
 Charles E. May. Date of enlistment or discharge not known. Musician. 
 
 Frank M. Tucker. Mustered into service September 4, 1861. Corporal. Reenlisted 
 January 31, 1S64. Sergeant. Commissioned Second Lieutenant June 12, 1S65, for gallant and 
 meritorious services during the war. Mustered out of service .July 17, 1865. 
 
 COMl'ANY F. 
 
 Charles H. Baker. Mustered into service October 29, 1861. INIustered out October 28, 
 1864. 
 
 First Rhode Island Lkhit Batteuy. 
 
 Allen W. Blackinton. Mustered into service May 2, isiil. Mustered out August 6, 1861. 
 Jeremiah Fitzgerald. Mustered iuto service May 2, 1861. Mustered out August 6, 1861. 
 William H. Walcott. Mustered into service May 2, 1S61. Honorably discharged June 
 7, 1861, to accept a commission in Seventeenth Infantry Regular Army. 
 
 Tenth Rhode Island Light Battery. 
 
 GeoR(;e R. Adams. Mustered iuto service May 20, 1862. Discharged August 30, 1862. 
 Reenlisted in navy. Assigned to gun-boat Sonoma in South Atlantic Scpiadron, flag-ship. 
 Discharged June 25, 1805. 
 
 Henry C. Bailey. Mustered iuto service May 20, 1802. Mustered out August 30, 1862. Re- 
 enlisted February 4, 1864, in Company F, Seventh Rhode Island Cavalry. Sergeant. Wounded 
 in the eye April 23, 1864, on Red River, La. Discharged September 5, 1864, on surgeon's 
 certificate. 
 
 William A. Bra(;g. Mustered into service May 26, 1862. Discharged August 30, 1862. 
 
 Gideon M. Horton. Mustered into service May 26, 18()2. Mustered out August 30, is(i2. 
 Died at San Antonio, Texas. December 16, 1886. Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 George P. -Johnson. Mustered into service May 20, LS62. Mustered out August 30, 1862. 
 Reenlisted, was on gun-boat Nipsic. Died at Anderson ville, Ga. 
 
 JoiLN L. Remlingeu. Mustered into service May 26, 1S02. Corporal. Mustered out 
 August 30, 1862. 
 
222 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Chakles H. Starkky. Mustered into service May 2G, 1S»J2. Corporal. Discharged 
 August 30, 1862. (Died in Boston.) 
 
 LiNscoiru C. Winn. Mustered into service May 2<i, 1SG2. Corporal. Mustered out August 
 30, 1S(I2. 
 
 Frank W. Cole. See Forty-seventli Massachusetts Regiment. 
 
 First Rhode Island Cavalry. 
 
 Company G. 
 
 Emmons D. Guild. Mustered into service December 9. 1S61. Prisoner of war at Rich- 
 mond, Va.. Audersonville, Ga., Savannah, Florence, Charleston, Willington, etc. Discharged 
 April 1, 1865. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 GEopciE L. Pearce. Mustered into service December 14. 1S61. Discharged April 1, 1862 
 on surireon's certificate. 
 
 Seventh Rhode Island Cavalry. 
 
 Company A. 
 
 Jahe/ S. Gay. Mustered into service .June 24, lS(i2. Discharged September 26, 1862. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 James McKay. ]Mustered into service January 9, ].s(;4. Corporal. Discharged November 
 29, IstJS. 
 
 Company F. 
 
 Albanus 1). Claelin. Mustered into service February 4, 1864. Corporal. Discharged 
 November 29. 1S(;5. 
 
 Company M. 
 
 John Reynolds. Mustered into service June is. is(i4. Deserted July 12, 1865. 
 Michael Rocjers. Mustered into service June is, l,s64. Deserted July 10, 1864. 
 Henry C. Bailey. Sec Tenth Rhode Island Light Battery. 
 Henry A. Burchard. See Forty-seventh Massachusetts Regiment. 
 Henry "W. Cole. See Seventh Massachusetts Regiment. 
 
 First Rhode Island Detached Militia. 
 
 Company C. 
 
 GeoR(;e L. Draper. Mustered into service May 2, 1861. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 JosiAH \V. Richardson. Mustered into service May 2, 1861. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 
 Company D. 
 
 CHAiiLEs O. Jackson. Mustered int(j service May 2, 18(;i. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 
 Company E. 
 
 Ira E. Miller. Mustci-ed into service May 2, 1861. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 Charles Smith. Mustered into service May 2, 1S61. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 Henry C. Wickson. Mustered into service :May 2, 18(il. Discharged August 2, 1861. 
 
 The following are the nfiiues of those soldiers who were obtained " at 
 the front," and were there enlisted to the credit of the town to fill several 
 quotas : — 
 
 Epln-aim Adams. John Aite, William II. Anderson, 
 
 Henry Bronkhurst, W. C. Bramhill, John Barber, 
 
 Julius Bacon, .John A. Bott, Ed. J. Bailey, 
 
 Thomas Callahan, Morris Carey, James D. Cavins, 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUOn. 
 
 223 
 
 Francis P. Clark, 
 Burton Cole, 
 Michael Dillou, 
 Thomas Eai,'an, 
 Patrick Finnegaii, 
 Michael Gorman, 
 John D. Hacknian, 
 Charles S. Hiilse, 
 John F. Kappel, 
 Michael Keltz, 
 Frederick W. Koring, 
 Jacob Laubenheimer, 
 Thomas Mathers, 
 Eilward McNaspey, 
 Bernhardt Miller, 
 Matthew Murphy, 
 Christian Proezelier, 
 George W. Steward, 
 Thomas TutTy, 
 
 James W. Clark, 
 George A. Crossman. 
 John Doisey, 
 Jacob Feathers, 
 John ^Y. Fitzpatrick, 
 George Gnderberlett, 
 Henry Hoffman, 
 William Irwin, 
 Michael Keegan, 
 Christian Kern, 
 Theodore Kramer, 
 James O. Lee, 
 John McCallon, 
 Adolph Metzer, 
 Leonidas G. Mock. 
 Thomas Murphy, 
 William J. Sweeney, 
 John Schlottman, 
 Frederick Voss, 
 
 Stephen R. Coffy. 
 John Davit, 
 John Dwyer, 
 Samuel Ferguson, 
 James Gorman. 
 Henry Higgins, 
 Thomas S. Hoover, 
 Robert Jones, 
 Edward Kelley. 
 Bernhardt Klien. 
 Oscar H. Lane, 
 William H. Martin, 
 Thomas McGoveru, 
 Thomas Mitchell, 
 Victor Mott, 
 Michael Newman, 
 Charles Siedler, 
 James Speugler, 
 Henry Weiss. 
 
 The above list is certainly a credita1)le one both in length and character. 
 At the time of the war our town numbered some 7,000 or H,000 inhabitants 
 and, in round numbers, sent four hundred men to the field, a number of 
 whom served more than once. Several families sent two members, and in 
 four instances three members enlisted and served, in every case brothers. 
 They were James W., Samuel, and Thomas Thompson ; Henry S., Daniel E., 
 and George G. Adams ; Everett S., Edwin J., and Gideon M. Hortou ; John 
 F., Henry A., and William A. Streeter. Of this unusual fact we may be 
 proud and of the further fact that all had an honorable record as soldiers. 
 It adds further interest to record that these twelve men were neighbors, all 
 of one village ; and the statement may still he made that they are, as they 
 were, from Attlehorowih, the places where they resided being still in that 
 town. 
 
 The following is a list of the men drafted for this town in Taunton, July 
 16, 1863, and may be of interest to some. 
 
 James McClatchy, 
 William Holly, 
 Robert H. Sherman, 
 Randolph Knapp, 
 Robert Laughlin, 
 William A. Knight, 
 Patrick Larry, 
 Gamaliel Draper, 
 William H. Tiffany, 
 Charles IL Ames, 
 Charles H. Wood, 
 David Knight, 
 Eustis B. Ingraham, 
 Frank B. Richards, 
 Peter Boyce, 
 John Dennis, 
 
 Seneca Cole, 
 William Worger, 
 Horace D. Cutting, 
 (Tcorge P. Johnston, 
 William H. Beebe, 
 Edward A. Wilson. 
 George Crocker, 
 George A. Dean, 
 George W. French, 
 George E. AVallace, 
 Reuben A. Dean, 
 Frederick Dahl, 
 William Walker, 
 John F. Mackinson. 
 William C. Brainard. 
 Patrick Nally, 
 
 John R. Blackinton, 
 Arthur B. Carpenter, 
 James J. Freeman, 
 < '. M. Rhodes, 
 Edward E. Honan, 
 Thomas S. Wheelock, 
 Augustus C. Hall, 
 Charles H. Bushee, 
 Sullivan Eaton, 
 Edwin B. Thurber, 
 Daniel Jacques, 
 Dennis Murphy, 
 John Dor an, 
 Raymond A. King, 
 Thomas Bride, 
 Charles Murray, 
 
224 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 John Buckler. 
 John Gretiii. 
 Johu Flaveu, 
 Thoina^s A. Cobb. 
 Edwai-'l Liiiiifhlin, 
 Calvin F. Braley, 
 J. Sheparil Richards, 
 Brainard T. Bruce, 
 Walter Ballon. 
 Albert Fairbanks, 
 3Iartin V. Corey, 
 Henry L. Joslin, 
 George A. Shepardson, 
 Henry Clemens, 
 Silas H. Manchester, 
 Albert M. Everett. 
 Williani M. Price, 
 Knssell B. Nye. 
 Charles B. Des Jardins, 
 Albert M. Sinnnonfe, 
 jMoses Harding, 
 Eben L. Sylvester. 
 Lucius Z. Carpenter, 
 Williani C. White, 
 
 John Doolint;. 
 Charles M. Newell, 
 Charles A. P. Co,<::f(eswell, 
 Frank Fairbanks, 
 David Jillson. 
 Thomas S. Mann, 
 Stephen Stanley. 
 Frank L. Cummings. 
 James Battersley, 
 Humphrey Murphy, 
 Joseph W. Perry, 
 Joseph Clough, 
 George Jillson, 
 Benjamin S. Chapin, 
 Silas F. Hall, 
 Frank Bartosch, 
 Charles W. Brockinton, 
 Albert A. Sweet, 
 David Killon, 
 John L. Baker, 
 Ruel Glidden, 
 Albert D. Sadler, 
 William W. Fisher, 
 James D. Tucker, 
 
 James H. Handv. 
 
 Jarvis W. Robinson, 
 Thomas Schotield, 
 Albert Howard, 
 Lyman N. Sayles, 
 Nathaniel B. Maxcy. 
 George H. Draper. 
 Warren VV. Wheeler, 
 James Handy. 
 Noyes J. Smith, 
 Lewis A. Newell, 
 Alfred Pierce, 
 Thomas S. Snell. 
 John L. Torrey, 
 Gilbert Luther, 
 Nicholas E. Gardner, 
 William B. Hodges, 
 Nelson Tinkham, 
 Slater Herring. 
 Everett L. Sweet, 
 Albert Ballou. 
 Timothy Perry. 
 D. Sautord Hall, 
 Frank W. Davenport, 
 George F. Green, 
 
 The following is a list of exemptions 
 
 William P. Holly, 
 Martin V. Corey, 
 Stephen Stanley, 
 Eben L. Sylvester, 
 George A. Dean. 
 John F. Mackinson. 
 Johu Dooling. 
 Slater D. Herring, 
 William H. Titiany, 
 Charles H. Ames, 
 Jarvis AV. Robinson, 
 George A. Shepardson, 
 Moses Harding, 
 Thomas A. Cobb, 
 Frank Bartosch, 
 Albert Ballou, 
 James J. Freeman. 
 
 Wil 
 
 Thomas S. Wheelock. 
 Peter Bois. (No. 33) 
 Franklin Cummings, 
 J. Shepard Richards, 
 John L. Torrey, 
 Thomas M. Snell, 
 Dennis Murphy, 
 Raymond K. King, 
 Charles B. Des Jardins. 
 Albert P. Fairbanks, 
 John Dennis, 
 Charles H. Wood, 
 John Beckler, 
 Nelson Tinkham, 
 Randolph Knapp, 
 George F. Green, 
 Sullivan Eaton, 
 Ham M. Price, Charles M. 
 
 Noyes J. Smith, 
 Henry W. Clemens, 
 Albert M. Everett, 
 D. Sanford Hall, 
 Humphrey Murphy, 
 John Doran. 
 Augustus C. Hall, 
 John Gretin. 
 George W. French, 
 Brainard T. Bruce, 
 John R. Blackinton. 
 George S. Barney. 
 Charles H. Bushee, 
 Edward Laughlin. 
 Timothy Perry, 
 Seneca Cole. 
 Thomas S. Mann, 
 Newell. 
 
 The following is a list, as nearly correct as could be ascertained, of the 
 pensioners in the town at the time of the division, with the amount paid to 
 them monthly : — 
 
 Charles White . . 
 William H. Smith . 
 William A. Sturdy . 
 John Sinnns . . . 
 George W. Jennison 
 
 $3.00 Charles S. Cummings 
 
 i.OO Charles Carpenter . 
 
 4.00 Lurad H. Chadwick . 
 
 4.00 Otis Williams . . . 
 
 4.00 James Baines . . . 
 
 !til(!.00 
 4.00 
 2.00 
 4.00 
 3.00 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 
 
 225 
 
 Daniel L. Tucker $12.00 
 
 George H. Tbraslier .s.OO 
 
 Lloyd B. Hod-es 2.00 
 
 John L. Thayer s.OO 
 
 Ensign E. Kelly 4.00 
 
 Thomas G. Hinton (i.OO 
 
 John A. Whaley 2.00 
 
 Martin Berry 4.00 
 
 Horace C. Brown 0.00 
 
 William E. Dunham 4.00 
 
 Thomas Panzera s.oo 
 
 John J. Rollins S.OO 
 
 Herbert E. Whipple 4.00 
 
 Edwin Whitney S.OO 
 
 George H. T. Alfred 2.00 
 
 Charles AV. Brown 2.00 
 
 Hiram L. Danforth 0.00 
 
 William Kintrslev 
 
 Thomas K. Gay $3.00 
 
 Jeremiah S. Rowe is. 00 
 
 Horace Miller . . . 
 Abbie R. Thayer . . 
 Enieline Wihnarth? . 
 Hannah Webb . . . 
 Lucy A. -Jackson . . 
 Caroline E. Llufrio . 
 Mary O'Xeil . . . 
 Mary A. Gritlin . . 
 Phebe T. Shepardson 
 >lary Flanagan . . 
 Ruth Burchard . . 
 Fannie Clapp . . . 
 William Field . . . 
 Frances A. Meserve 
 Alfred Fiske . . . 
 .f!(!.00 
 
 4.00 
 S.OO 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 S.OO 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 4.O0 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 Abel R. Block . 
 Daniel Crotty . 
 William H. Fisher 
 Benjamin F. Lincoln 
 Perry A. Ballou . 
 Dexter B. Freeman 
 Walter Katon . . 
 Henry W. Stearns 
 Helen M. Johnson 
 Jane F. Williams 
 Sarah Gilligan . . 
 
 Dollv Thomi 
 
 $0.00 
 
 John G. Dorau 
 
 4.00 
 
 Henrv A. Black 
 
 4.00 
 
 Eliza A. Clark . 
 
 4.00 
 
 Margaret Hatte 
 
 2.00 
 
 Kesiah Hall . . 
 
 I s.OO 
 
 Reltecca Clark . 
 
 4.00 
 
 Maria S. Allen . 
 
 2.00 
 
 Walter G. Clark 
 
 20.00 
 
 Telia Kent . . 
 
 s.OO 
 
 Vernal Stanley 
 
 s.OO 
 
 Silas G. Wood . 
 
 )son, 1S12 
 
 
 intoii 
 
 $2.00 
 5.00 
 8.00 
 S.OO 
 S.OO 
 8.00 
 8.00 
 4.00 
 S.OO 
 8.00 
 3.00 
 
 $8.00 
 
226 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CHURCHES AND THE MINISTRY. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 
 
 FOR almost fifty years the town constituted one parish, and was not 
 divided until April 7, 1743. For several years after its incorpora- 
 tion it was not ahle to support a preacher, owing to the small number of 
 its inhabitants. Soon after the organization of the town affairs, however, 
 steps were taken to obtain a pastor and arrangements made for a place of 
 abode for him. Extracts from the records detailing to some extent the early 
 proceedings relative to the first churcli and the settlement of the first minister 
 will be acceptable to the present generation. 
 
 March (!, 1704, the town ordered that twelve acres of land in the minister's 
 lot should be fenced in ; four acres were to be broken up and a house liuilt, 
 twenty-six feet long, twenty-eight feet wide, and thirteen feet stud ; and 
 there was to be a stack of three chimneys in the liouse, '' with a Cellar under 
 the bigest room," sixteen feet long and fourteen feet wide, and all to be com- 
 pleted by the last day of March, 170(). It would seem it was not completed 
 until after the specified date, for on May 16, 170(i, it was voted that the 
 money in the hands of the town officers should l)e used for nails, etc., for use 
 on the minister's house. 
 
 March 25, 1707. "The meeting then held was for the choosing of a 
 learned orthodox minister of good conversation to dispense the word of God 
 to us in Attleborough : voted to give Mr. Fiske a call to preach for us. 
 Likewise a committee of nine was chosen to procure a minister to settle. It 
 was likewise voted to empower the said committee to treat with the said Mr. 
 Fiske as to his dispensing the word of (lod amongst us, aud to settle him if 
 he may be obtained ; and if he may not, then any other minister that the town 
 shall call, being approved by the neighl)oriug ministers." 
 
 May 20, 1707. " Voted to give Mr. More a call to preach amongst us, 
 and to settle if he may be obtained." In June, 1707, it was voted "that 
 Hezekiah Peck and Jonathan Fuller be a committee to see and get a petition 
 written to the General Court for some help towards the maintenance of a 
 minister." ' The sum of eighty pounds had been granted by the town 
 November 22, 1705, towards building a minister's house, thirty-five pounds 
 
 'In 1710 the Mile and Half was reannexed to this town, which restored fourteen families .and 
 enabled tlie people to support a preacher witliout other assistance. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 227 
 
 of which had been collected, and on July 2, 1707, the town voted tiiat the 
 remaining forty-five pounds should be levied and collected. 
 
 June 15, 1708. " The meeting then held was for the choosing of an alile 
 and orthodox minister to serve us in the work of the ministry in this place. 
 It was voted that the committee should treat with Mr. Wiswell to dispense the 
 word of God to us if he may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Fisher, if he 
 may be obtained ; if not, then with Mr. Hunt, if he may be obtained ; if not, 
 then with Mr. Devotion, and if neither of them may be obtained, then they 
 may treat with any other that shall be allowed of by the neigh])oring minis- 
 ters, imtil they have settled one in Attleborough." ^ 
 
 July 27, 1710. "• Chose Mr. Ebenezer White for our minister, if he will 
 stay with ns, if not, then Mr. Myles." Mr. White, it appears, did not at 
 this time accept the invitation to settle. He, however, preached for the people 
 nearly a year. 
 
 October 9, 1710, the town chose a committee to see to the finishing of the 
 meetinghouse, and the 1st of " Januar}^ next ensuing" was the time fixed 
 for finishing it. " Voted to raise a tax of £60 as a fund for said work, £5 to 
 be in money, and the rest in corn, rye, beef and pork, or in materials for the 
 building." 
 
 November 20, 1710. " Voted that the house which is built on the minis- 
 terial lot should be given to the first minister that shall serve the town seven 
 years in the otllce of a minister, and so living and dying amongst us, then to 
 be his and his heirs forever."^' 
 
 October 1, 1711. At a meeting for the choice of an able, orthodox minis- 
 ter " to dispense the word of God to us in Attleborough," the town chose 
 Mr. Matthew Short for their minister. 
 
 November 5, 1711. "-Granted a tax of £25 towards paying Mr. Short; 
 £10 in money and the other £15 in grain, pork, beef, butter, cheese at current 
 price." 
 
 March 18, 1711-12. " Voted to build a pew for ti)e minister in the meet- 
 ing house, and also agreed that Mrs. Short shall have the benefit and privilege 
 of sitting in the same during her abode in Attleborough." 
 
 Rev. Matthew Short accepted the call of the people and became the first 
 settled minister in this town. He was the son of Henry Short, of Newbury. 
 He was born March 14, 1688, and graduated at Harvard College in the class 
 of 1707. He was quite a 3'ouno- man when he came here, twenty-three 
 years of age. He was chosen, as has been seen, October 1, 1711, and 
 ordained November 12, 1712. Difficulties soon arose between him and his 
 
 1 The inhabitants were so few, consisting of about sixteen families exclusive of the fourteen who 
 had been annexed to Rehoboth, that they were not able to aflord a competent salary, which was 
 probably the cause of their embarrassment in the settlement of a minister at first. 
 
 2 The second settled minister acquired the property of this house and also the ministerial farm, as 
 will subsequently appear, by having fulfilled the condition of the grant. 
 
228 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 people which, after many ineffectual attempts to reconcile them, finally 
 resulted in his dismission. The trouble related to his salary ; the matter 
 was compromised and he dismissed May 31, 1715. He continued in this 
 town only about four years, having preached one year before his ordination. 
 
 According to the articles of agreement made with Mr. Short December 
 20, 1711, he was to have fifty pounds a year for the first six years, one third 
 to be in money and " the other two thirds in grain, beef, pork, butter or 
 cheese, any or either of them at current price." ^ At the seventh year his 
 salary was to be raised to sixty pounds payable as above, and there to con- 
 tinue until there should be one hundred families in town capable of paying 
 public taxes, in the judgment of the selectmen foi- the time being, and then 
 it was to be seventy pounds per annum. He was also to have the use of 
 the ministerial house and lands so long as he should continue in his pastoral 
 otllce. 
 
 Mr. Short was married to Margaret Freeman, of this town, by Justice 
 Leonard, of Norton, December 27, 1711. They had two daughters while 
 residing here, Anna and Judith. Of the previous or subsequent history of 
 Mr. Short but little is known. He removed to Eastou and became the first 
 settled minister in that town, where he remained in harmony with his people 
 till his death. He died in the year 1731, aged forty-three, leaving ten 
 children, three sons and seven daughters. These were Matthew, Ebenezer, 
 Glover, Anna, Judith, Margaret, Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary, and Lydia. Judith 
 
 married Hunt; Margaret, Tingley ; Sarah, Orcut ; Elizabeth, 
 
 Noyes. It is said that Mr. Sliort " left a considerable real estate which 
 
 was divided among his children." - 
 
 The first meetinghouse was built in 1710. At a town meeting February 
 9, 1709-10, it was "voted to build a meeting house thirty feet square and 
 sixteen feet ])etween joints, and to set it upon a piece of land on the east 
 side of the country road near to the house of Christopher Hall, and to get 
 the timber for said house and to frame and raise it by the first of June next." 
 This building was not, however, entirely completed until 1714. It was, 
 
 3 These articles were theu valued as follows : Indian corn, '2s. 6(1. per bushel ; rye, 3s. 6d. per bushel ; 
 pork, 3d. per lb.; beef, id. per lb.; butter, 6d. per lb.; and ffood new milk cheese, 4d. per lb. The 
 following emphatic receipt was found upon the records : — 
 
 Attlel)oro' Feb. the T'h 1711 Received of iMr. Benjamin Crabtree, Constable, Thirtie and one 
 pounds six shillings and eight pence in full of what he was ordered for to pay to me on the account 
 of the town rate for the year 1714. I say 
 
 Received by me, 
 
 Matthew Short. 
 
 As this amount was more than the one-third money payment per year agreed upon, it would seem 
 that the produce portion may have fallen off in proportion. Little more regarding this matter was 
 found exceptin.u that on tlie date upon whicli this receipt was given a connnittee of fourteen was 
 chosen to confer with the church and make an effort to lieal the dissensions between the church and 
 Mr. Short, the cause of the troubles having been noticed. All such efforts seem, however, to liavc 
 been unavailing. 
 
 = Some of these facts relating to Mr. Short are from information furnished by the late Hon. Ellis 
 Ames, of Canton, Mass. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBUUGH. 229 
 
 according to the vote, thirty feet square nnd stood on the spot where the hall 
 of the Agricultural Society formerly stood, this lot having been given to the 
 town by Lieutenant Moses Read for public purposes. 
 
 In October, 1711, the town gave the committee "full power to finish the 
 meting-hous within and without, makeing of Dors Laying of a floore, 
 makeing of sects, makeing of a pulpit and glazing of the windows, and all 
 the finishing work except the galories." August, 1712, the committee was 
 empowered " to finish said meeting-hous, with gallories or any other finishing- 
 work, and Likewise at the same time agreed with Joseph Ingralmm to give 
 him ten shillings for one year to Look after the meeting-hous, to sweep it 
 and keep it clean." Four years later the price for this work had advanced to 
 thirteen shillings per year. • 
 
 In 171.5 a ministerial barn was built by order of the town. 
 
 The second minister in town was Rev. Ebenezer White. He was chosen 
 by the people July 18, 171.5. August 27, 171(), "the town very unani- 
 mously agreed /o?fr' pounds, and he himself to provide himself firewood, the 
 one half in money and the other half in grain or beef or pork or butter or 
 cheese all good and merchantable at current price with us. This to be 
 annually." 
 
 Mr. White was the son of James White, of Dorchester, Mass. He was 
 born July 3, 1P)8.5, and baptized July 12. He graduated at Harvard Col- 
 lege in 1704. He was ordained here October 17, 1716, having supplied 
 the pulpit for some time previous to his settlement. He was miuister of the 
 town eleven years and remained here till his death, September 4, 1726. 
 So far as appears, he gave general satisfaction. He married Abigail Paine 
 and had several children — Hannah, who married Joseph Guild, November 
 11, 1741 ; Martha, Edward, Experience, and Thankful, and two others who 
 died infants. 
 
 Besides his regular salary, Mr. White acquired a title to the ministerial 
 farm and house, so called, by having remained the town minister the length 
 of time required by the grant. 
 
 At a meeting of the proprietors of the North Purchase, September 16, 
 1707, it was unanimously voted " that the surveyors with the major part of 
 the committee should forthwith lay out a hundred acres of land within said 
 Purchase, which shall be the first settled minister's in Attleborough, that con- 
 tinueth to be their minister for the space of seven years ; said land to be said 
 minister's, and his heirs and assigns forever." — N. P. Rec. 2d Book, 2^- 3. 
 Laid out and recorded Ist Book, p. 197-199. 
 
 Several other grants and gifts have been made to the town for tlie use of 
 the ministry. 
 
 1 This sum is so small, the record must be erroneous. Probably the four should be forty, even then 
 a smaller salary than was paid to the former minister. — Editor. 
 
230 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The miuisterial lot, which has beeu a subject of so much controversy in 
 modern days, was granted at an adjourned meeting of the proprietors held at 
 Rehoboth June 29, 1686, in the words following: "It was likewise voted 
 and agreed upon (nemine contradicente,) that a hundred acres of laud be 
 forthwith laid out at the Seven Mile River, where Rice Leonard's lot was, and 
 as near adjacent as may be ; which said hundred acres of land perpetually to 
 be reserved for the Ministry." — Rehoboth Toivn Rec. 2d B. p. 48. Bounds 
 recorded N. P. Rec. 1st B. p. 197. Also see 2d Vol. p. 28. Miuisterial lot 
 laid out January '), 1727-28. 
 
 As before mentioned, the lot where the first meetinghouse stood was given 
 by Lieutenant Moses Read. 
 
 "Oct. 16, 1712. Laid out to Lieut. Moses Read two acres of land bv the 
 meeting house ; bounded south, the stated road ; east, the foot of the hill • 
 north, the laud of the heirs of Christopher Hall ; west, the country road. 
 The above said land the said Lieut. Read gave to the town of Attleborough 
 for public use forever, and ordered it so to be put on record, as is attest 
 by me. 
 
 "Daniel Smith, Clerk." 
 Pi. N. P. Bee. 1st B. p. 302. 
 
 "Allowance for a highway through said lot." 
 
 P. K. P. Pec. 2d P.p. 120. 
 
 November 1, 1734. " Noah Carpenter, Sen. and Caleb Hall of Attle- 
 borough, in consideration of love, good will and affection which we have and 
 do bear towards the church and congregation of the said Attleborough, called 
 by the name of the Presl)yteriau, have given, granted, conveyed etc. unto 
 them their heirs and assigns forever, that is to be understood for the esi)ecial 
 use, benefit and privilege of that society forever, a certain tract of land con- 
 taining about foi'ty-five rods, where the new meeting house now stands, 
 bounded by the said Carpenter's and the said Hall's lands and by the country 
 road," etc. — i?. N. P. Rec. 2d B. p. 126, and 129. March 15, 1725, 
 the town passed the following resolution : " Where as there is a Church Now 
 settled in ye Town of Attle. Commonly Called a presbeterian Church which 
 all Inhabitants of ye To^vu are by ye Law of this province obliged to support 
 and whereas there is sume of ye Inhabitants of ye Town that Do belong to 
 other Churches, who Differ from ye sd Church in Attleboro : in their priuca- 
 bles, and ye Inhabitants of sd Attleboro being Desirous to Treat them as they 
 themselves should lie willing to be Treated in such Like Cause, are freely 
 willing that all such persons as Now Do or hereafter shall belong to other 
 Churches of Diferent princaples as aforesd. Shall be freed from bearing 
 Cost & Charge with ye Rest of ye Inhabitants of sd Town Respecting ye Sup- 
 port of Ye Church in Attlebor', provided that all such persons Belonging to 
 other Churches as aforesd Do Make it api)ear to ye select Men of sd Town 
 in the month of August j'early as the\' shall be aded to any other Churches as 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOJROUGH. 231 
 
 aforesd : bv Bringing Certifieats from ye Elders or Teebers of ye Respectivily 
 belong to that they do belong to their Church or Churches and are in full 
 Communion with them ; and this voat is to be in force uutill ye Town by a 
 vote shall make Void ye »Same." 
 
 October 11, 1726. "And then ye Town voted that they would Choiize 
 some persons of ye Town to Joyu with such persons as ye Church in sd 
 Town should appoint to be a Committee to Take Care & provide a suitable 
 person to be a pasture or minister of ye Church & Town : that is to Take 
 Care untill such Time as a vote of sd Church t^- Town shall be Necessary as to 
 ye Resettlement of a Gospel minister in sd Town." Four persons were 
 chosen from the church, namelj^ : Deacon John Fuller, Deacon Mayhew 
 Daggett, Mr. Benjamin Slack, Mr. Samuel Tyler ; and four from the town, 
 namely: Captain Daniel Read, Captain ,Tohn Foster, Mr. Samuel Day, Mr. 
 Noah Carpenter. 
 
 " On ye Last Day of June Anno Domini, 1727. at a meeting held, the Town 
 Did unanimously Concur with the Churche's vote in ye Choice of ye sd Mr. 
 Habijah Weld to be their minister." He was to receive " one hundred pounds 
 in money or in Bills of paper creditt yearly During ye Term of his Natural 
 Life in ye Work of the ministry within sd Town, and Likewise ye ministerial 
 Lott the house & Barn and all other privileges to the same belongino- during 
 the above term — and for his further encouragement the town doth freely 
 agree and vote ; that they will give to the said Mr. Weld, two hundred 
 pounds in money, or one hundred and fifty pounds in money and fourty acres 
 of land lying on each side the road between the meeting house and David 
 Fullers, either of which he the said Mr. Weld shall ye cause to accept of and 
 it is further voted and agreed that the hundred pounds above said is all 
 wages to hold ye same in valine as it is this day. Allowing i)aper creditt at 
 fourteen shillings for one ounce of silver and so to rise or fall as paper creditt 
 shall rise or fall in proportion as above said " — 
 
 Just l)efore Mr. Weld came the town voted to choose a committee " to 
 repair ye ministerial house and fence." 
 
 Mr. Weld accepted the pastorate in the following manner : — 
 
 Attlebokough, September 2S, 1727. 
 To the Church and people of Church in Attleborough 
 
 Greeting, Whereas ye have manifested your Love to and Respect for me in Choosing me 
 for ye pastoriaj ottice among you, (Notwithstanding my unworthyuess of your Esteem, aud 
 of an employ in a work so Sacred and Honorable,) I Do now testify my Gratitude to you for ye 
 Respect shewn me and my Compliance with your Request to settle with you upon ye Terms 
 you have proposed : l)ut in Case my Necessities should increase upon me, so that my Salary be 
 insutficient for my Maintainauce I shall Depend upon you for ye addition of what shall be Con- 
 venient for my Comfortable and Honorable Subsistance During my Continuance with you as a 
 minister of ye Gospel, aud inasmuch as ye have Generously granted me 200 pounds money, or 
 a Hundred and tifty pounds in money and 40 acres of Land for a settlement, and have given me 
 ye Liberty of Chousing that which shall be most agreeable to me, I Do now Declare that I make 
 Choice of and shall Gratefully accept of Land with ye 150 pounds in money, and as ye have 
 made such provision for my Support while I shall Continue among you so I shall think it my 
 
232 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Duty to Lay out myself to ye utmost of my iihility to promote your spiritual and Eternal wel- 
 fare. I am sensible of ray own weakness and inal)ility to Discharge ye Duties of ye mini>tcrial 
 otlice; but my Dependanee is upon ye Gi'ace of God which I hope will be sutticient for me. I 
 beg an interest in your prayers that ye God of all grace would furnish me with all those Gifts 
 and Graces of his spirit as shall be sutticient to Render me an able as well as a faithful minister 
 of ye New Testament, and it shall be my Constant Request at ye Throne of Grace that God 
 will make Continual additions to this Church of such as Shall be Saved whilst 1 am yours in ye 
 Service of yc Gospel. Ilabijah Weld. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Weld was tlie third minister of Attleborough and was distin- 
 guished for his usefulness in the ministry and highly respected as a man both 
 at home and abroad. He united to an uncommon degree the affections of 
 his people for the long period of nearly fifty-five years during which he was 
 their pastor. He was a man of talents and respectable ac(iuirements and 
 was extensively known. His character deserves a more particular notice. 
 
 He was born in Dunstaljle/ Mass., Septemlier 2, 1702, the son of Rev. 
 Thomas Weld and iNIary Savage,' his second wife. He graduated at Cam- 
 bridge University in 1723 and was ordained ^ pastor of the First Church and 
 congregation in this towni, October 1, 1727. He died May 14, 1782, in the 
 eightieth ye.ar of his age and the fifty-fifth of his ministry. The follow- 
 ing notice '^ of his character is extracted from a communication in Dr. Dicight's 
 Travels., from the Hon. David Daggett, late Chief Justice of the Supreme 
 Court of Connecticut and Senator in Congress. 
 
 " Mr. Weld was above rather than below the middle stature ; he \vas 
 noble in form and dignified in his deportment, scrupulously polite, never 
 omitting small attentions to those about him, yet paying those attentions in 
 a manner that never lessened his own dignity." Dr. Daggett's account says : 
 " In the latter part of his life he w^as corpulent. His constitution was vigor- 
 ous, and his mind almost singularly energetic. The stipend which he 
 received from his parishioners consisted of an annual salary of two hundred 
 and twenty dollars,^ and the use of a parsonage lot, which furnished him with 
 wood, and a little pasture. With his patrimony he purchased a farm of about 
 seventy acres of moderately good land, and a decent house. He had fifteen 
 children, ten of whom were married during his life and one after his death. 
 The remaining four died -while young. This numerous family he educated 
 with the means which have been mentioned in a manner superior to what is 
 usuallv foinid in similar circumstances, entertained much company in a style 
 
 1 See Savage, Vol. 4, p. 47;i. 
 
 = She was the daughter of Habijali Savage, whose mother was Hannah, daugliter of the first Edward 
 Tyng. Mrs. Weld died .June 2, 1731. She is referred to as " aged mother." 
 
 ■< See Town Records, 3d 1?., p. 43. 
 
 * The description of his personal appearance is as given to the author by a great-granddaughter of 
 Mr. Weld. Her father intended to con-ect tlie errors in Dr. Dwlght's account, hut Uie intention was 
 not fulfilled. 
 
 5 It would seem that Mr. Weld's "Necessities," mentioned l)y anticipation in his letter of acceptance, 
 had increased and in cousetjuence liis salary also. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOVaH. 233 
 
 of genuine hospitality, and was always prepared to contribute to the neces- 
 sities of others. 
 
 "• For the regulation of his domestic concerns Mr. Weld prescribed to him- 
 self and his family a fixed system of rules, which were invarial»ly observed 
 and contributed not a little to the pleasantness and prosperity of his life. His 
 children, laborers, and servants sul)mitted to them with cheerfulness, and his 
 house became the seat of absolute industry, peace, and good order. Break- 
 fast was on the table precisely at six o'clock ; dinner, at twelve ; and supper, 
 at six in the evening. After supper he neither made visits himself nor per- 
 mitted any of his family to make them. 
 
 ''His observation of the Sabbath was peculiarly exemplary. He permitted 
 no acts to be done in his house on that day except such as were acts of 
 necessity and mercy in the strictest sense. 
 
 "Mr. Weld was naturally of a very ardent dis[)()sition. Yet, so entirelv had 
 he acquired an ascendency over his temper, that a censurable or imprudent act 
 is not known to have been done by him, nor an improper word uttered. To 
 vice and licentiousness in every form he gave no indulgence either in his 
 conversati(Mi or his public insti'uctions. On the contrary, idleness, intemper- 
 ance, profaueness, and all kinds of immoral conduct were reproveil In' him 
 with undeviating severity. His example in the practice of every virtue was 
 such as to create in all classes of men entire veneration foi' his character. It 
 is doubted whether any person ever uttered a reproach against Mr. Weld. 
 
 '•'• Nor was his piety less remarka])le. Since the days of the Apostles, it is 
 questioned whether his zeal, fidelity, and intrepidity in the cause of his 
 divine Master have )»een excelletl. During the long period of fifty-five years 
 he was never once detained from the pulpit by disease nor from any other of 
 his pastoral duties. His prayers were wholly formed by himself and adapted 
 with strict propriety to the various occasions on which they were made. They 
 were pertinent, solemn, and impressive. His sermons were written, and were 
 usually delivered without variation fi'om his notes. Yet at times he addressed 
 his congregation extemporaneously in a manner eminently forcible and 
 affecting. 
 
 "In his parochial visits he was accustomed to address the truths and 
 duties of the gospel to the hearts and consciences of the family and never 
 lost sight of the eternal interests of his congregation. And, while he admin- 
 istered the balm of life to the wounded spirit, he addressed the most solemn 
 alarms, as well as the most pungent reproofs, to stubbornness and impiety. 
 
 "Mr. Weld continued his laliors to the Sabbath before his death without 
 any visible decline in his powers either of body or mind. On that Sabbath 
 he preached two sermons from these words : ' He that l)elieveth, and is bap- 
 tized, shall be saved ; and he that believeth not shall be damned.' On the 
 Tuesday following he rode in his chaise to Providence, ten miles, returned 
 about four o'clock in the afternoon, walked into the house; told his wife that 
 
234 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 he w:vs unwell, lequesteil her to opeu u wiudow, as he fouud a ditliculty 
 in breathing-, sat down, and instantly expired of an Ai)oplexy. So well 
 were his secular concerns arranged for his departure that the settlement 
 of his estate cost less than five dollars. His excellent wife survived hiui 
 many years and died after she had jtassed the age of ninety, universally 
 lamented. 
 
 " At the death of Mr. Weld only one of his congregation was living, of 
 those who assisted in his settlement. His i)arishioners showed their sense of 
 the loss which they sustained in his death by a universal mourning." (The 
 town voted to assume the funeral expenses.) 
 
 •'The house of this gentleman was the resort of many distinguished 
 persons from Boston, Providence, and various other parts of New England, 
 and in no house were they received and treated with more hospitality. His 
 manners were at once dignified and polite, and every member of his family 
 was courteous and well hred. Nothing was seen among them Init harmony 
 and good will. 
 
 ''That with such an income IMr. Weld could support so large a family and 
 live in so hospitable a nuinner will certainl}' excite not a little wonder. The 
 explanation is found in his industry, regularity, and exactness in all his 
 concerns. Everything was managed in such a manner that almost in the 
 literal sense nothing was lost. 
 
 •' ' In my opinion,' adds Mr. D.. ' Mr. Weld was a more strict observer of 
 the divine law and more eminently holy than any man whom I ever knew.' 
 
 "' Permit me to subjoin,' says Dr. Dwight, 'that if all clergymen sus- 
 tained the same character and lived in the same manner the world would 
 speedily assume a new aspect and its inhabitants a new character.' " 
 
 Mr. Weld married ' Mary Fox, of Wohurn, who died January 7, 1799, in 
 th'j ninety-third year of her age. He had by her fifteen children, four sons 
 and eleven daughters, several of whom were married, as follows : Jonathan 
 Philbrook, of Boston, to Dorothy Weld, August 7, 17;')9 ; Rev. Oliver Noble, 
 of Newburyport, to Lucy Weld, May 15, 1760; Dr. Cardee Parker, of 
 Coventry, Conn., to Mary Weld, April 15, 1762. by Habijah Weld; Caleb 
 Puller, of Windsor, count}" of Ware, Maine, to Hannah Weld, October 28, 
 1762 ; Rev. Ezra Weld to Anna Weld. February 9, 1764 ; Rev. Oakes Shaw,- 
 of Barnstable, to Elizabeth Weld, July 19, 1764; Rev. Timothy Aldeu,' of 
 Yarmouth, to Sarah Weld, Noveud)er 20, 1770; Eliphaz Day, of Attle- 
 borough, to Eunice AVeld. 
 
 Mr. Weld was buried at South Attlel)orough within his own parish, and his 
 wife also. On his gravestone is the following inscription : — 
 
 > "Tlie Rev. Mr. Haljijah Weld of Attleborough, and Miss Mary Fox of \Vol)urii, Iiiteiitious of 
 nianiage entered Aug. 3(Jth, 17-28." 
 - Rev. Oakes Sliaw, grandfallier of Charles J. Sliavv. 
 ■' Rev. Timothy Aldeu was the author of American Epitaplia in 3 Vols. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOIiOUdH. 235 
 
 The Remain?; of tbe Rev. H:ibij;ih Weld 
 M. A. late tbe faithful, worthy and be- 
 loved pastor of the first Church of Christ 
 in Attleboroimh. 
 He was !)orii Sept. 2d, 1702 
 He was ordained Oct. 1st, 1727 
 He died May 14tb, 1782, in the SOth year 
 of his age, and the o5th of his pastorate. 
 Farewell, vain v/orld, as thou hast been to me, 
 Dust and a shallow — these I leave with thee. 
 The unseen vital substance I commit 
 To him that's Substance, Life, Light, Love to it. 
 
 The following is the inscription on his wife's gravestone : — 
 
 .January 7tb, 1799, 
 Departed this life, Mrs. Mary Weld 
 Relict to the late Rev. Habijali Weld 
 of Attleborough, in the 9od year of 
 her age. 
 
 Passenger, aspire to her age. 
 
 But to imitate her life 
 
 As a real ornament 
 
 To the Christian profession. 
 
 In 172S a new meetinghouse was built by the town. ]May 18, 1728, the 
 town voted to enlarge the meetinghouse by making an addition of twenty 
 feet to the north end. But in September following sixty-two individuals 
 engaged by subscription to advance the sum of £2:H 10s., in addition to their 
 proportion of the taxes, towards defraying tlie expenses of a new meeting- 
 house, if the town would agree to build anew, instead of enlarging the old 
 house. This money was to be paid within the space of one year and eight 
 months; and timber, boards, etc., these men would furnish at the marketable 
 prices, "All which when advanced as above sd. shall be for ye use of ye 
 Whole Town as absolutely as though the Town Ity a Tax ha<l done sd. work." 
 
 The town accordingly voted November 28, 1728, to build a new meeting- 
 house and ordered it to be fifty feet in length, forty feet in l)readth, and of 
 a suitable height for one tier of galleries, and that it *•' shall stand on a little 
 hill on the north side of the Pound, about fifteen or sixteen rods from the old 
 meeting house." It was also voted " that those parts of the town which may 
 be hereafter set off as a precinct or town shall have the money repaid to 
 them, which they now pay towards the new meeting house." 
 
 The town constituted one parish until April 7, 1743, when it was divided 
 into "two distinct and separate" parislies or precincts by an act of the 
 Legislature. The west constituted tiie Jirst, and the east the second precinct. 
 
 KXTRAOTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE FIRST PARISH. 
 
 The ministerial house and lands were sold in 1737. 
 
 September 18, 1744. The sum of £12 14s. was granted to the second 
 precinct. This was probably a part of their share in the meetinghouse. 
 
236 A .SKETCH OF THE 
 
 March "27, 1777.' The sahirv of theh' luinister. ^Ir. Weld, was £66 
 13s. 4d. September 21, 177'.'. Voted to raise Rev. Mr. Weld's salary to 
 6600. Pni)er curreuey was much depreciated. September 21), 177!i, voted to 
 doiil)le his salary for the yeai-. 
 
 March 2.S, 1780. A meeting was called " to see if the Precinct will 
 applv to some one to assist Mr. Weld, in the work of the ministry, under his 
 present indisposition of body," etc. " Voted that the two Deacous see that 
 the pulpit is supplied in case Mr. Weld is unable to preach." Any labors in 
 this direction were unnecessary, as has been seen. 
 
 .Tune 8, 1782. A meeting was held •• to see if the Piecinct will agree to 
 pay the funeral charges of the Rev. Mr. Weld, late of Attleborough. 
 deceased." This was done. 2d. '' To see if the Precinct will choose a 
 committee to seek a supply occasione^i by the death of our late Pastor." 
 
 From this time till the settlement of Mr. Wilder in 1790 — nearly eight 
 years — the parish was destitute of a settled minister. The people were very 
 much divided on this sul)ject. Many unsuccessful attempts were made to 
 settle a minister; numerous candidates were called, liut the people could 
 make no choice. They had been long united and harmonious under the 
 ministry of Mr. Weld ; some diversity of opinion and alienation of feeling 
 were to be expected after so long a calm. 
 
 August 27. 1782. Voted ''to hire Rev. Mr. INIorey six weeks longer." 
 October 30, 1782, a meeting was called '' to see if tlie Precinct will give Mr. 
 Morey a call to settle in the ministry." 1st. "Voted to give him a call." 
 2d. " Voted to re-consider it." 
 
 February 26, 1783. Voted '' to treat with a committee in second Precinct 
 relative to Ministerial Lands." There was a dispute between the two parishes 
 for a long time in regard to their relative rights to these lauds, which was 
 finally terminated. I believe, liy payment of a certain sum to the second parish. 
 At the same meeting, "voted to hire Rev. INFr. Bradford three months." 
 Voted '' to buy one hundred sermons, delivered ]»y Rev. Mr. Thacher,-^ on the 
 death of Rev. Mr. Weld." Voted "to apply to Rev. Mr. Spalding, of Kil- 
 lingly. Conn, to come and preach a few weeks." August 18, 1783. Voted 
 "to send to the President' of Yale College to send us a candidate." He 
 accordingly sent them a young man who, it appears, was not acceptable. 
 October 29, 1783. "Voted to choose a committee to consult lawyer Brad- 
 ford ^ concerning the Ministerial Lands." 
 
 > The last meeting umlcr the Provincial Government — March. ITTii - was warned as usual " in the 
 name of his Majesty, the Kins of England," etc.; hut the next one, 17th Septemher, was warne<l " in 
 the name of these States, and in behalf of the good people of tliis Province," etc. 
 
 ■■^The first settled minister of the second precinct. It was delivered before Mr. Weld's parishioners 
 the SabbaUi after his death, ami published. 
 
 ■ Kev. N'aplituli Daggett, of this town, which is the reason of their application to him. 
 
 * This Bradford was afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island, a man very popular at that 
 time in his profession. He was a descendant of Governor TSratlford. See Mr. Ryder's Biograi>hical 
 Notice. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATT LEU OB UGH. 237 
 
 December 15, 1788, Rev. Mr. Britt was preaebing as a candidate; subse- 
 quently Rev. Mr. Avery, then a Mr. March, Mr. Hart, of Preston, Conn., 
 Mr. Damon, Mr. PUim. " Voted to send for Mr. Huntington to preach for 
 us." Before the arrival of Mr. Wilder many other names of candidates 
 appear. So in-econcilable were the feelings or opinions, or both, of the 
 parish that it seemed next to impossiltle to make a selection. So great 
 was the distress of the people amidst their divisions that they at last 
 appointed a '' Fast on account of their present ditticulties." In this they hit 
 upon the right expedient, for it seemed to have a very happy effect, as they 
 soon after agreed on a candidate, the Rev. John Wilder, who at a meeting 
 January 4, 1790, gave an answer accepting the proposals of the parish, 
 which terminated tiieir long and troublesome contest. 
 
 Mr. Wilder was born in Templeton, Conn., March 12, 1758. His parents 
 were Jonas and Elizabeth Wilder, who removed to Lancaster (N. H.?) in 
 1770. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1784, studied theology with 
 Dr. Hart, of Preston, Conn., and was ordained here January 27, 179U. 
 The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Levi Hart, his theological instructor, 
 and was published September 2, 1790. Mr. AVilder married Esther Tyler, 
 daughter of Colonel Samuel Tyler, of Preston, Conn. She died January 
 19, 1811. His second wife w^as Mrs. EUzabeth Austin, of New Hartford, 
 Conn., sister of Dr. E. D. Griffln. She died at Austingburg in March, 1847, 
 aged seventy-two. 
 
 Mr. Wilder published several addresses: "A Discourse on the Federal 
 Fast," delivered May 9, 1798, printed by Nathaniel and Benjamin Heaton 
 at AVrentham ; an " Address to the Attleborough Agricultural Society," etc., 
 delivered February 22, 1805, printed at Providence by Heaton and Williams ; 
 a funeral sermon on the death of p:iisha May, Novenilx'r, 1811 ; "A Funeral 
 Discourse on the Death of Dea. Lane." 
 
 Mr. Wilder was dismissed Novem))er 28. 1822. He had been the settled 
 
 minister of the parish upwards of thirty-two years. He died February 12, 
 
 1836. He left numerous children. One daughter, ELliza, married Hon. 
 
 Lemuel May, of this town. She died in 1831, aged thirty-nine. Mr. 
 
 Wilder was buried in this town, and Rev. Elisha Fiske, of Wrentham, 
 
 preached his funeral sermon. The inscription on his gravestone is as 
 
 follows : — 
 
 Rev. John Wilder. 
 
 An able and devoted Minister 
 
 of Jesus Christ, and for 
 
 more than .33 years. 
 
 Pastor of the First 
 
 Congregational Chureh 
 
 in this town. 
 
 Died Feb. 12th. 1836, 
 
 Aaed 77 vears. 
 
238 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 To him succeeded Rev. Thomas Williams, formerly of Counecticut, who 
 was installed September 29, 1824. His connection with the parish was 
 dissolved December 11, 1827. 
 
 The next settled minister was Rev. Charles J. Warren, who was ordained 
 February 28, 1828, and dismissed July 9, 1830. He died in New York in 
 1888, aged eighty-six. 
 
 After the dismissal of Mr. Warren, Rev. Mr. Chapin became the pastor. 
 He was over the church from 18o0 to 1833. To him in the latter year suc- 
 ceeded the Rev. Samuel Colburn. He died in New York, December 19, 1854. 
 Rev. Mr. Ober was the pastor in 1837. 
 
 Rev. John M. B. Bailey was the next pastor. He was born in Duuljarton, 
 N. H., June .'), 1807, the son of William and Susannah Bailey. He spent 
 some years in the family of his uncle, Rev. Abraham Burnham, d.d., of 
 Pembroke. From an early age he earnestly desired to obtain a collegiate 
 education and to enter one of the learned professions. He prosecuted his 
 studies for a time under great dirHculties, both from ill health and restricted 
 means, and finally al)andoned the idea of a college course and entered a law- 
 yer's ofHce in Albany, N. Y. At the end of three years, instead of com- 
 mencing the practice of the law, he entered the Theological Seminary at 
 Gilmanton, N. H., to study for the ministry. He remained there four years. 
 He was licensed to preach ]»y the Suffolk North Association, April 23, 1839. 
 After a time he came to this parish to preach as a candidate and soon 
 received a call to become pastor of the church. 
 
 He was ordained liere December 30, 1840, Professor Warner, from Gilman- 
 ton, coming to preach the sermon. His ministry lasted but ten years, and 
 during all that time his feeble health was the cause of hindrances and inter- 
 ruptions in his work. At the end of the tenth year he resigned his charge, 
 the resignation being sent to the society from his sick-room. He died Feb- 
 ruary 24, 18.")1, after a protracted and painful illness. 
 
 He married in 1841 Sarah M., daughter of Deacon Caleb Johnson, of 
 Mauchester, N. H. She died at Wallaston, Maine, June 7, 188o, and was 
 buried in IVIount Hope Cemetery by the side of her husband. 
 
 Mr. Baile}' prepared an address for the consecration of Mount Hope Ceme- 
 tery, which took place July 2, 1850. This was read on the occasion, he 
 being too feeble to deliver it himself. After his death it was published. 
 
 Rev. ]Mr. Blodgett, of Pawtucket, in preaching Mr. Bailey's funeral 
 sermon, said: "He had done his work. And our wonder is, that he was so 
 long enabled to sustain at all the labors of the ministry, and to accomplish 
 as much as he did. He was a man of iui<Joahted piety. The most intimate 
 and familiar acquaintance has left the conviction undoubted, that he was a 
 man of deep religious experience, of ardent and thorough piety. 
 
 '' The deceased was candid, cautious, and conscientious in his judgment of 
 men, their opinions, character, motives and acts. Holding his own views 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 239 
 
 with a sutticient firmness and self-reliauce, he would tolerate a difference of 
 views in others, without severe reprehension, or cold repulsion. 
 
 " A favorite object with him. not only for the accommodation of his own 
 family, but for the good of the church and society, and the comfort of his 
 successors in the pastoral otJice, was the erection of a parsonage. This 
 object he lived to see accomplished very much to his mind, in the commodious 
 house, from which he was carried to the house appointed for all the living. 
 
 "His services, as a preacher, in all the pulpits (^f this vicinity, were ever 
 highly acceptable and creditaV)le l)oth to his intellect and his heart. In his 
 Association he was a ' Brother beloved ' and respected for Christian candor, 
 courtesy and benevolence, — for liis exhibition of so much of the ' meekness 
 and gentleness of Christ,' and for his attainments in Christian theology, and 
 religious experience." 
 
 Mr. Railey died at the age of forty-three, ''universally respected and 
 much lamented." He had taken an active interest in everything pertaining 
 to the welfare of the community, " especially in the cause of common school 
 education." As a man his character was appreciated and his laliors esti- 
 mated at their proper value. After his death the choice of a lot was offered 
 Mrs. Bailey by the proprietors of Mount Hope Cemetery. A subscription 
 was started, to which generous responses were nuide, sufficient to procure 
 a handsome monument. (Ju July 2, 18.')1, the anniversary of the dedica- 
 tion, liis remains were removed to the cemetery " and the monument erected 
 with appropriate ceremonies." 
 
 •'It is a shaft, seven feet high, of white marlile, and contains the follow- 
 ing expressive insci'ipti<^n : — 
 
 In Memory of 
 
 Rev. John M. B. Bailey, 
 
 Pastor of the First €on!,n-egational Cliureh in Attleborough; 
 
 Born in Dnnbarton, N. H.. June '>, 1807, 
 
 Ordained Dec. .30, 1840. 
 
 Died Feb. 24. 1851, aged 48 years; 
 
 Author of tlie Address for the Couseeration of this Cemetery, 
 
 July 2, 1850. 
 
 Which now opens its portals to enshrine his remains 
 
 among its earliest tenants. 
 
 This Monument is erected by the Citizens of Attleborough, 
 
 as a token of their gratitude for 
 
 his services in the cause of Education, their high 
 
 respect for the many 
 
 virtues of his ministerial and private life, their deep 
 
 regret for his early decease, and their 
 
 lasting regard for his 
 
 memory. n 
 
 ' Let me die the death of the Righteous, 
 And let my last end be lilce his.' "' 
 
 Rev. 8. B. Morly was ordained here July 9, 1851, and dismissed March 
 25, 1857. 
 
240 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Rev. B. C. Cliase, of Camden, Maine, was acting i)asl()r from August 23, 
 1857, to December 25. 1X02, and Rev. David lireed from March 1. 1863, to 
 March 1, 1866. 
 
 Rev. H. P. De Forest came to the church in .January, 18(i7, and was dis- 
 missed in Januar}', 1869. 
 
 The next was the present pastor, the Rev. .John AVliitehill. He was born 
 in Paisley, Scotland, August 11, 1.S33, and came to this country with his 
 father's family when he was eleven years of age. He fitted for college partly 
 under the private instruction of Rev. George A. Oviatt, of Chicopee, Mass., 
 and partly at Monson Academy, from which institution lie went to Amherst 
 College in 1854. He graduated in 1858 and went innnediately to Andover 
 Theological Seminary, graduating from there in 1861. 
 
 Before leaving the seminary he had been invited to preach at the Congre- 
 gational church in South Wilbraham, now Hampden, Mass. He commenced 
 his labors there as soon as his course of study was completed, and was 
 ordained and installed there December 11 of the same year, 1861. In 
 1867 he offered his resignation, but withdrew it at the solicitation of his 
 people and remained another year. In June, 1868, having been again pre- 
 sented, his resignation was accepted. 
 
 After this he preached for a few months in the Presbyterian church in 
 Liverpool, N. Y. (near Syracuse), l)ut his father's death in the autumn of 
 18()8 re('alled him to the east. His labors in this town began in the spring 
 of 1869, about March 28, a few months after his predecessor. Rev. Mr. 
 De Forest, had left the chui-ch. 
 
 Mr. Whitehill at once identified himself with the interests not only of his 
 church and parish, but with those of the entire town. He has been repeat- 
 edly elected to i)ositions of trust, and almost continuously since becoming 
 a resident, besides laboring faithfully and acceptably among his own people, 
 he has been actively engaged in public work for the town. 
 
 He was chosen a member of the school committee in 1870 and was chair- 
 man of the same until 1875, in which year he resigned the position. In 
 1883 he was reelected a memlier of the school committee, continuing until 
 November, 1885, when he again resigned. He was chairman of the build- 
 ing committee which in 1881 erected the two town High School Iniildings, 
 and held the same position when in 1884 three new buildings were erected of 
 a sufficient capacity to accommodate ten of the common schools. 
 
 In 1882 he was chosen Representative to the State Legislature and the 
 following year was reelected to the same office. The nomination to this 
 position was unsolicited on the part of Mr. Whitehill. It was entirely the 
 gift of his fellow-citizens, a proof of their conlidence and regard and worthy 
 of special notice in these days of vote buyers and pul»lic office speculators. 
 
 November 28, 1861, Mr. Whitehill was married to Clara J. Hunt, of 
 Sudbury, Mass. She died Noveml)cr 8, 1865, leaving one son, Edwin 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 241 
 
 Hunt Wliitehill, born October 30, 1865, and a graduate from Amherst 
 College in the class of 1887. May 4. 1869, Mr. Whitehill married Lizzie 
 A. Parinenter, of Siidlniry. Tlieir children are Clara, born June 14, 1870 ; 
 Florence, born June 1, 1872, died July ol, 1873 ; Robert, born May 5, 1874 ; 
 Alfred, born July 8, 1876 ; Miriam, born January 22, 1879 ; Walter, born 
 April 16, 1881 ; Hilda, born May 3. 1883; Philip, born February 10, 1886. 
 (Mrs. Whitehill died January 13, 1890.) 
 
 The present meetinghouse is the third in this society and was built in the 
 summer of 1828. the building liefore built, the second, having stood just 
 a century. It was dedicated January 1. 1-^29, and is uow substantially the 
 same as when first erected. F^xternally there have been no alterations, and 
 internally only slight changes, such as removing pew doors, lowering the 
 pulpit platform, inaking space for the large organ, and decorating with more 
 modern paint and paper, with carpets to correspond, sucli as the taste of the 
 present day demands. 
 
 Some of the oldtime customs of this church and society are still kept 
 up. Mr. Henry F. May, who has been chorister for many years, still leads 
 the singing " on the Lord's day," and Mrs. May presides at the organ. Tlie 
 annual, cheerful social gathering of friends and former residents of tlie 
 parish with the present dwellers therein still continues. The mere mention 
 of tiie clambake of Red Rock Hill will call a host of pleasant recollections 
 to many minds. One lady, a native of the parish, but a resident of the east 
 precinct for numy years, tells with pride that she has attended twenty-three 
 of these gatherings. May she be spared to attend yet more. 
 
 A curious fact is related of the old parsonage house in which Mr. Weld — 
 the pastor for above half a century — dwelt. Mr. Samuel Dunster, the 
 present occupant, when taking down the great squaie chimney some years 
 since, found in it part of a gravestone with the name AVeld inscribed upon 
 it. The conjecture is that ''the stone must have been spoiled in the mak- 
 ing " and then utilized by being built into the house chimnc}', a conjecture 
 entirely consistent with what we know of Mr. Weld and, indeed, of the 
 times, when of necessity the people literally fulfilled the scriptural injunction 
 to *' gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing Vie lost." 
 
 The Drapers still follow the time-honored fashion of having a family gath- 
 ering on Thanksgiving Day. Of the fourteen children in the present family 
 who lived to grow up, the youngest is over fifty years of age ; the oldest is 
 still living — as are several between — and is still prominent in this society. 
 
 There are no means of ascertaining the nunil)er of the original members of 
 the First Church. There were upwards of thirty families in the town at the 
 time of its incorporation. As a larger in'oportion of the inhabitants in those 
 days were church members than is the case at the present time, a conjecture 
 may be made as to the membership. Allowing but one and a small fraction 
 
242 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to each family, there may probably at the fonnatioii have been about forty 
 members ; and seventeen years later, when the first minister was settled, this 
 number may have been somewhat increased. 
 
 For thirty years this was the only church in town, and during that period 
 its membership doubtless increased considerably. Twice it has dismissed 
 quite a number of its members to form other churches in town, as will be 
 seen in accounts following. It is still the only church " within a radius of 
 about three miles," l)ut its situation prevents its having large additions to its 
 society. This is in a less populous part of the town than formerly. Few 
 occupations offer themselves there as means of livelihood or of success in 
 life, and therefore many of the young people emigrate. 
 
 The church has at present sixty-eight members, with an average congrega- 
 tion of one hundred and a Sabbath-school averaging an attendance of ninety- 
 five (1887). 
 
 BETHANY CHAPEL. 
 
 During the past thirty years religious services have been held in the school- 
 house at South Attleborough, it being dirticult for all living there who desired 
 to do so to attend the church at ■•' Old Town " on account of its distance from 
 the former village. In 1874 a Sunday-school w^as started by Rev. Mr. 
 "Whitehill, assisted by two young ladies of the village, and in LS82 it was 
 decided to commence raising a fund to build a chapel. 
 
 Early in the year 188() this fund amounted to Si, 500, and at that time land 
 was given by Mr. William Coupe. On October 15 of that year a society was 
 organized and incorporated by law% calling itself the "Bethany Chapel As- 
 sociation." Its president was William Coupe; vice-presideut, William P. 
 Shaw ; secretary and treasurer, Damon A. White ; and nine trustees were 
 elected, three of them being ladies. 
 
 Generous hearts have prompted l)nsy hands, and their earnest, continued 
 work has for its result an attractive and sufficiently commodious chapel 
 building. It is fifty-six feet long, thirty-five feet wide, contains an audience 
 room and a Sunday-school room, over which is a small gallery. It is well 
 finished, and furnished in good taste, with all the appointments modern 
 demands now make necessary, including a l)asement room '' for social pur- 
 poses," with a kitchen convenient, 'Mvell supplied with all that is necessary 
 in sucii a place." 
 
 The cost of the building, furnace, etc., was $3,900, of which amount all 
 but $1,000 has been paid. Gifts above this amount have l)een presented, of 
 fully S800 in value. Besides giving the land, ]Mr. Coupe gave the seats ; Mr. 
 A. A. White, a handsome chandelier of twenty lamps, and the wall lamps ; 
 the South Attlebor(jugIi Mission School presented the organ ; and Mr. Asa 
 Robinson gave the pulpit chairs. The puli)it, Bil)le, bookcase, and l)asement 
 furnishings are also gifts. The value of the chapel and laud is S5,000, and 
 the people of the village deserve great credit for their activity and earnestness 
 in the good work of obtaining the so much needed i)lace of worship. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOliOUdH. 243 
 
 The dedication took place on tiie evening of April 14, 1887, and a large 
 audience from all parts of the town, from Pawtiicket, Providence, and other 
 places, filled the Iniildiug. The exercises were interesting and included much 
 fine music. The dedication sermon was [)reached by Rev. H. P. De Forest, 
 of Taunton. An historical sketch was read by Mr. Damon White, in which 
 among other interesting facts it was stated that on the first Sal)l)ath in June, 
 1882, it was announced in the Sunday-school that fifty cents per week of 
 the contributions should be given to the Woman's Board of Missions, and the 
 remainder be kept toward the building of the chapel. On that Sunday the 
 contribution was fifty-two cents. The two pennies were compared to a snow- 
 ball, which ever increases as it rolls, until it finally becomes very large ; and 
 so the school had lieen adding pennies and dollars, until at that time the 
 ''chapel ball" amounted to $762.50, a large sum compared with the small 
 beginning and the length of time the jjall had been rolling. 
 
 So once again the old "First Chuix-h " sends forth another grouj) of her 
 children to work in the "good old way" for the world's welfare, but this 
 time — though they have a home of their own — she still keeps them, in a 
 measure, under her own fostering care, and they may still gather under the 
 old roof which has sheltered them so long, near the spot where our fathers 
 first gathered in Attleborough for the public worship of God. 
 
 EAST PARISH. — THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 This parish, by a division of the whole into two parts, was separated 
 from the other April 7, 1743, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. This 
 was done by an act of the Legislature. 
 
 The towns originally in this State constituted the religious societies, l)Ut in 
 the course of time, as population increased, these were divided territorially — 
 and by metes and bounds — and all the inhabitants within these minutely 
 descril)ed territorial limits who had been admitted freemen were members of 
 the societies. This was at a time when there were no religious divisions 
 among the people. But in the course of time religious distinctions arose, 
 and various provisions were made as they bectime necessary to meet these 
 exigencies. 
 
 The division of this town into two territorial parishes in 174o was not 
 made in consequence of any religious differences, none such having then 
 arisen, but wholly on account of the great inconvenience to many of the 
 inhabitants of attending public worship at such a great distance from their 
 homes. This will be readily understood when it is remembered that at the 
 time of its incorporation and up to this time, a period of almost fifty years, 
 Attleborough included what is now Cumberland, R. I., — an area of over 
 seventy square miles in all. — and the only meetinghouse within its limits was 
 the one at Oldtown, whose history has just been traced. 
 
244 .1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The following is tho Act ' of the Legishitiire by which the Etist Parish was 
 formed : — 
 
 An :ict of the (Tratc uikI (ieuaral Court of this his iiiajcstic's province of the niassaehusetts 
 Bay in Xew inghiml for nialiiug the Easterly part of Attleborough and the Northeasterly part 
 of Eehobotli in to a destinet and seperate precinct acording to the bounds as followetli — 
 Beginning at a lieep of stones being the westerly corner of the Town of Norton which stands 
 in the Town of Stougliton Township, from thence running westerly on Stonghton line till it 
 comes to the foot of the hill called Ten mile hill — thence southerly on a straight line two rods 
 to the west of John Sweets barn, thence southerly on u straight line to a rock in Ten mile 
 river — said rock being a bounds between the land of Henry Tollman and Jacob Ide — and 
 from thence southerly on a straight line till it comes to a grate rock and Blackoak Tree stand- 
 ing near said rock marked with the letter (R) which is East from the Dwelling house of IJobart 
 Titus in said Attleborough — from thence on Rehobotli line half a mile. Then turning and 
 running south one mile to a corner — Then turnirg and running East one degree North till it 
 meets or comes to the Easterly Bounds of the old Town of Kehoboth — then on a straight line 
 Northerly on said old Bounds to the South Corner of the Town of Norton Being a Cedar Tree 
 and then Bounding on said Norton line till it comes to the first mentioned Corner. 
 
 In the house of Representatives April ye 6: 1743. Red and voted that the Inhabitance of 
 the Easterly part of the Town of Attleborough with their lands and Estates lying within the 
 Boundaries mentioned in the petition Together with such of the Inhabitance and their Estates 
 Lying in the Northerly part of Rt.'hoboth as shall signitie their consent to go otf to said precinct. 
 To the parson to be apointed their Clerk within six months hereafter. Be and hereby are set 
 otf a distinct and seperate precinct and are vested with all priveledges and Innnnnities that 
 other precincts are by Law Intitled to : acordingly sent up for concurence : T. Gushing, 
 Speker. 
 
 In Council April ye 
 7th 1743 
 
 Read it Concur'd 
 J. AVillerd. Sect'ry. 
 Consented to. W. Shirley. 
 
 The first meeting of the parish Avas held June 6, 1743. It was called by 
 Ephraim Leonard and held at Thomas Cooper's house for choice of officers, 
 etc. Thomas French was chosen moderator, and Thomas Wilmavth clerk. 
 Thomas Wilmarth, Thomas French, and David Shepardson were chosen 
 assessors and standing committee. On the twentieth of the same month a 
 meeting was called " to consider and see what the parish will do in order to 
 placing a meeting house for the public worship of God." This is the first 
 record of an attempt to build a meetinghouse in this part of the town. At 
 the same time a committee was chosen " to agree with Mr. AVillis, or some 
 other man for the present." It was also voted "to choose a committee of 
 two who should apply, in the first place, to Rev. Mr. Willis, and if he cannot 
 be obtained, then to Mr. Head, and if he cannot be obtained, then to Mr. Peter 
 Thacher." 
 
 At said meeting it was voted to set their meetinghouse on the plain " where 
 the roads meet or cross each other." 
 
 'This Act is co)3ied from the " Town Records," and the use of capitals and punctuation followed 
 as there found, as also incorrect spelling. — Editor. 
 
HISrOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 245 
 
 It appears by the records of the next meeting that they had hired Mr. 
 Thacher for a time. He was the first minister who preached here. He com- 
 menced August 20, 1743, but was not ordained and settled till November 30, 
 1748, above five years later. 
 
 September G, 1743, "Voted to proceed forthwith to build a meeting house 
 for the public worship of God." The house was to be thirty-five feet square 
 and high enough for one tier of galleries. A connnittee was chosen "• to carry 
 on the Iniilding of said house," consisting of the following gentlemen, namely, 
 John Sweet, Joseph Capron, Stephen Wilmarth, Thomas Sweet, and Obadiah 
 Carpenter. At a subsequent meeting, October 18, 1743, "voted to recon- 
 sider the vote relating to the dimensions of the meeting house, and to build 
 one forty-five feet long, and thirty-five feet wide, and high enough for one 
 tier of galleries." This was the size of the house as it was afterwards 
 built. The meetinghouse was commenced in the autumn of this 3'ear, but 
 the interior was not finished till several years subsequently. One hundred 
 and fifty pounds was appropriated for the building. 
 
 On the 1st of November following, the parish made choice of Rev. Peter 
 Thacher for their minister "by a free vote" and agreed to give him for a 
 salary forty pounds yearly for four years, and at the end of four years to 
 give him fifty pounds per annum, " current money," and also, for a settlement, 
 three hundred pounds, " old tenor," to be paid in four years, that is, one quar- 
 ter part each year. 
 
 December 21, 1747, "Voted to give INIr. Thacher £000 old tenor for his 
 settlement ; and also 25 cords of wood yearly." 
 
 October 28, 1748. Settled Mr. Thacher's salary at four hundred pounds 
 per annum, old tenor, "reckoning silver money at fifty-five shillings per 
 ounce, and to rise and fall as silver shall rise and fall, so long as he shall 
 continue our minister." At the same time the parish " chose a committee of 
 five to see to the ordination of Rev. Mr. Thacher," which took i)lace the 
 thirtieth of the next month. He continued the pastor until October 20, 
 1784, when he was dismissed by vote of the parish. He had a few months 
 previous to his dismission suffered an attack of paralysis, which rendered 
 him unable to perform the duties of his station, and of this attack he died 
 September 13, 178.5, in the seventieth year of his age. He preached in 
 this town about forty-one years and was a highly respectable and useful 
 man. 
 
 He was born in Middleborougli January 25, 1715, and was the son of Rev. 
 Peter Thacher, of that place. He graduated at Harvard College in 1737 and 
 was ordained in this place November 30, 1748. 
 
 November 31, 1749, he was married to Bethiah, oldest daughter of Obediah 
 Carpenter, of this town, by Rev. Habijah Weld. He had ten children, seven 
 sons and three daughters, and several of his descendants are living in town 
 at the present time. 
 
246 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The following is an account of his coming to Attleborough to preach and of 
 his ordination by Mr. Thaciier himself. 
 
 " Aug. 20th, 1743, I came to preach to the Professors and others, inhabi- 
 tants of the Easterly Precinct in Attleborough, upon probation for the work 
 of a gospel minister among tlieui. Nov. 1st, they gave me an Invitation 
 to settle among them as such, — But the death of my Rev. and Hon'd. 
 Father, April 1744, at Middleboro', and a sad, unchristian separation from 
 the church at Attleboro' ' together with some discouragements of my own, 
 prevented me giving an answer in the atiirmative, till Sept. '2'i, 1748. 
 Nov. 30, A Council of six Churches, viz. The First Church of Christ 
 in Plymouth, the tirst and second of Wrentham, the Church in Attleboro', 
 the church at Taunton, and the first Church of Christ in Middleborough, 
 convened at the house of Mr. Obadiah Carpenter in the P^ast Precinct in 
 Attleboro' at the desire of the Brethren there for the purpose expressed in 
 their Letter of the eighth instant. The Council opened with prayer, half after 
 ten of the clock A.M. After which the Council proceeded to examine me as 
 to my religious principles, and experiences, and motives to the Work of the 
 ministry in general, and in this place particularly, which being gone through 
 I retired, and in a little time was informed by a messenger from the Council, 
 that they had voted to proceed to the Ordination. Immediately we went to 
 the Meeting house, a little before or about twelve. The meeting was opened 
 with Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Elias Havens. The Rev. Mr. Henry Messenger 
 at my desire preached a Sermon — from — [text not given]. The Rev. Mr. 
 Nathaniel Leonard presided in the iSolemn Emhodt/im/ of the Church declared 
 to be the Second regularly constituted Congregational Church of Christ in 
 Attleboro', and then Solemnly gave me the Charge of Them, while his own 
 and the hands of the Rev.s Messenger, Weld, and Havens were imposed. 
 The Rev, Mr. Weld gave the Right Hand of Fellowship." 
 
 "Rev. Mr. I'hacher descended from a pious and honored ancestry." 
 The progenitor of the family in this country was the Rev. Peter Thacher, of 
 Salisbury (Old Sarum), England, and it is said was prevented from emigrat- 
 ing to this countr}', himself, only by sickness in his family. He was pastor of 
 St. Edmunds church in that place from 1622 to 1640, the year of his death. 
 The epitaph on his gravestone in the old churchyard there reads thus : " He 
 was a laborious minister in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the 
 people of St. Edmunds, by the space of XIX years." An intimate friend, 
 one Francis Dove, added to this inscription : " Let not men move his bones. 
 F. D." 
 
 iThis must refer to a church which came into existence in tliis town, " with tlie name of the Separa- 
 tists, over whicli Mr. Daniel Shepanlsou was ordained, January 20, 1747." This reference, found in 
 a historical sketch of the church prepared by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Crane, for tlie centennial celebra- 
 tion, is the only one seen l)y the editor. Probably these Separatists had l)ut a short existence as a 
 society. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 247 
 
 This Kev. Peter Thacher's sou Thomas came to this country iu 1635 with 
 au uucle. He was theu fifteeu years of age. He was educated at Harvard 
 College aud subsequeutly became the first pastor of the Old South Church 
 iu Bostou. His son Peter became the pastor of the church at Milton, this 
 State. 
 
 Peter, the son of Peter of Milton, was the third minister of Middleborough. 
 He married Mary Prince, of Sandwich, and had ten children, of whom Peter, 
 the first minister of the second parish, this town, was the third child and 
 oldest son. A younger son, Oxenbridge Thacher, was " an attorney of emi- 
 nence " in Bostou. Of him President John Adams said : '• He was the second 
 who gave thej^rs^ impulse to the Ball of Independence, the first being James 
 Otis." 
 
 '• The descendant of such an honored ancestry, Mr. Thacher is the progeni- 
 tor of a list, reaching now to the third aud fourth generation of those who 
 profess the same faith, and some of whom are called to preach the same 
 precious gospel." 
 
 Mr. Thacher published a "Discourse on the Death of Rev. Mr. Weld," 
 which has been reprintetl. A small volume of his sermons, containing one 
 hundred and fourteen pages, was also republished iu 1798 (by his son), 
 entitled '^Select Discourses on Practical Subjects, by Peter Thacher, a.m., 
 late Pastor of the Church at Attleborough." It was printed at Leominster, 
 Mass., by John Prentiss & Co., under the superintendence of the sou, 
 Thomas Thacher.' In the preface to this publication was the following para- 
 graph : -' For this publication we are indel)ted to the pious generosity of the 
 author's son, who rejoices that he can, as he hopes, contribute something to 
 the good of his fellow-men, and, at the same time, perpetuate the memory of 
 the best of fathers." 
 
 Some brief extracts are here given from the sermon by Kev. Mr. Thacher, 
 which was preached May 19, 1792, to the people in the First Church, the 
 Sabbath after the funeral of their pastor, the Kev. Mr. Weld. 
 
 The prayers of your aged, reverend, and beloved pastor are ended. He hath done his 
 work. He hath fought a good fight. He hath finished his course. He liath kept the faith. 
 His house, his family, this Society miss him, and lament him. Neighbor societies, far and 
 near, (having been made partakers of his gifts, graces, aud fervent prayers,) are mourners 
 with you in the heavy loss you sustain. He hath been a zealous, faithful and successful 
 laborer in Christ's vineyard, for a great many years, occasionally with others iu other societies ; 
 but you my dear friends, were the happy people favored with his more stated labors. The 
 care of the churches was much upon his heart; to live and die with you, his peculiar care and 
 charge, — he studied for you, and for you he spent his time, his strength, his life,— teaching 
 and exhorting publickly. and from house to house, being instant iu season aud out of season, 
 reproving, rebucking and exhorting with all long suftering and doctrine. 
 
 You all know his zeal, his fervent mind, his care to [im] prove himself to his divine master as 
 faithful to his interest, and friendly to your souls. 
 
 'Supposed to be Rev. Thomas Thacher, of Dedham, who died October, 1812. He was a man of 
 learning and a prominent iireacher in his day. See History of Dedham, p. 118. 
 
248 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Tills desk and those walls, may witness for him, liuw faithfully and solemnly he warned, 
 how earnestly he persuaded you to be reconeiled to God, tlirous^h the blood of bis son, — witli 
 what light and power (throui^h the help of God) be bath continued to preach the gospel, the 
 laws and motives of the gospel, for many years among you. You are all witnesses bow be 
 hath visited you in your sickness, received your visits, directed your consciences, warned the 
 unruly, comforted the feeble minded, supported and encouraged the weak, — and with what 
 vigor anil pleasure be applied himself to all parts of bis work, especially when (through the 
 grace of God) be saw any fruits of his pious care and industry, and the hopeful etlocts of the 
 travel [travail] of the Kedeenier's soul among any, especially bis own dear charge. 
 
 His sermons were generally well studied, showing bow intent his mind and desire was so 
 to speak iu the name of God, and from His oracles, as might best inform your minds, strike 
 your attections, enter your i-onsciences. and impress your hearts, — and they were often 
 delivered with great pathos, energy and earnestness. 
 
 Hut wben be led you in prayer and supplication, in praise and thanksgiving to God. iu one 
 administration and another, especially on occasion of the administration of the sacraments of 
 the new testament, baptism and the Lord's supper, I speak from my own observation, as T bad 
 several precious opportunities to attend upon such occasions, — then his peculiar eminence 
 appeared in such a flow, propriety and fulness, as could but warm and move bis intelligent 
 fellow worshippers, and bear away the spiritual and truly devout towards heaven. He came 
 near to the throne. He tilled his mouth with argument. He was in bis element. He seemed 
 with uncommon freedom, to unbosom bis soul, and pour out bis soul to God, particularly when 
 for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom and glory. 
 
 In the pulpit, and out of it, you all know he was zealous for his God, a faithful and close 
 reprover of sin, not fearing the faces of men. God bath been pleased to honor him nuich in his 
 labors for the good of souls. I hope there are here to-day many that are the seal of [his] 
 ministry, in whom be bad uuicb satisfaction and joy; who not only had a high regard and 
 honor for him while be lived, luit retain a reverence for his memory. 
 
 In a word, you all know bis doctrine and manner of life; be having served God with his 
 spirit, in the gospel of His Son, in this place, nearly tifty-tlve years. — His prayers are ended. 
 
 In concluding his sermon Mr. Thaclier recommended one subject in par- 
 ticular to tlie consideration of the church. "■ One thing, my dear friends, I 
 most earnestly request of yon, — it is this, droj) all personal jars and 
 animosities." ' 
 
 Next to Mr. Weld, Mr. Thacher held liis pastorate longer than any other 
 minister in town, a pastorate that was prosperous and successful, at certain 
 times especially so. He was a man devotedly religions, of excellent theologi- 
 cal character and attainments, of good literary abilities. He was most faith- 
 ful to his charge, laboring to promote the intellectual as well as the moral 
 and religious good of his people, and " to his ministerial services in this 
 parish, are patriotism and education, morality and piety, greatly indebted." 
 
 The Second Parish, which was called the Precinct in those days, was estab- 
 lished in 1743, as appears by the act previously quoted. Keligious worship 
 was conducted under the direction of the parish, and meetings were held in 
 private dwellings mitil the meetinghouse was so far finished as to admit the 
 holding of religious services in it. The church itself was not constituted till 
 November 30. 1748, at the time of the ordination of Rev. IMr. Thacher, as 
 may be seen by his account of that occasion. 
 
 1 'Whicli advice tliey failed to follow, for, for i^ome uiiforiunate cause, a division in the church ensued, 
 wliich continued for eight years. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOUOU(rH. 249 
 
 After Mr. Tbacher and before the settlement of another minister, there 
 were several preachers here — Rev. Asahel Huntington, Mr. Laugliton, ]Mi . 
 Farringtou, of Wreutham, Mr. Mead, etc. 
 
 The next settled minister was the Rev. Ebeuezer Lazell, of Bridgewater. 
 He was a graduate of Brown University in 1788 and was ordained November 
 21, 1792. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, 
 pastor of the Second Congregational Church in Bridgewater ; the charge was 
 given by the distinguished Dr. Perez Forl)es (also spelled Peres Fobes), of 
 Raynham ; the right hand of fellowship, by Rev. John AVilder, of Attle- 
 borough. The sermon and addresses were published. 
 
 Not long after his settlement, in January, 1793, Mr. Lazell married Chloe, 
 daughter of Captain Abiathar Richardson, of this town. He continned here 
 about four years and was dismissed January 8, 1797. He removed with his 
 wife to the State of New York, where they both died. 
 
 His successor was the Rev. Nathan Holnian. He was born in Sutt<:)n, this 
 State, in tluit part which is now Milli)ury, May 17, 17G9. He was the third son 
 of David and Lucy Thurston Holman. He worked on his father's farm till 
 he was twenty-one years of age, but his strong desire for a liberal education 
 and the ministry induced him to use his best efforts to obtain a college 
 course of study. His fatlier, who had a large family of children, could render 
 him but little assistance. He was obliged to rely mainly on himself for the 
 means. By great economy and personal efforts he succeeded and graduated 
 at Brown University in 1797 with an honorable standing "and the reputa- 
 tion of a o-ood scholar.'' He then studied theology with Rev. P^dnuuid Mills^ 
 pastor in his native place, and tinished his theological studies in Wrentham, 
 being with Dr. Emmons there for a short period. 
 
 After being licensed, he preached in several places and received several 
 invitations to settle. Early in 1800 he commenced preaching here as a candi- 
 date and soon received a unanimous call to settle as pastor of this church 
 and parish. He was ordained October 1.5, 1800, and installed at the same 
 time. His former pastor, Rev. Mr. Mills, of Sutton, preached the ordination 
 sermon, which was published. ^ 
 
 Mr. Holman was a man of great tirnniess and perseverance. The church 
 increased in numbers, and the society prospered during his administration. 
 He was a man of dignity in manner and solemn in his style of preaching. 
 Some difference between him and his people in regard to the introduction 
 of instrumental music into the church service was the final cause of his 
 asking a dismission. '' With great reluctance on the part of the church and 
 parish, his request was granted, and he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical 
 Council" on Mav 22, 1821. He remained in town above forty years and 
 
 lit was printed by Nathaniel Heaton, Jr., ofWrentliam. Most of the sermons ami addresses pub- 
 lished in this vicinity were printed at that press, whicli continued there for qnitea number of years. 
 
250 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 supplied vacuiit piili)it« iu the vicinity for a uuinber of j'eurs after his 
 dismissal. 
 
 After a Ion*;- and useful life he died in this tovvu Oetol)er 28, 1844, at the 
 ao-e of seventy-five, in the house which he built near the church where he 
 preached, and where he had lived during many years of his life. He was 
 respected and venerated for his many virtues and his ministerial labors by 
 his numerous parishioners. • 
 
 Several of his sermons and orations were published — an "Oration" 
 delivered in his church July 5, 1802, at the "Anniversary of American Inde- 
 pendence," and a "Special Discourse" on tlie one hundredtli anniversary of 
 the birth of John Shepard ("the ancient"). 
 
 Mr. Holman married Lettice, daughter of Dr. Samuel Morey, of Norton. 
 She died March G, 1848. They had three children, Samuel Morey, David 
 Emory, and Mary Hodges Holman, only one of whom — the eldest — is now 
 living. - 
 
 To Mr. Holman succeeded the Rev. John Ferguson. He was born Decem- 
 ber 9, 1788, at Duuse, which was a market town in Berwickshire in the 
 southern part of Scotland. His grandfather came from the north of Scot- 
 land and was one of the Duke of Marlborough's soldiers, serving in the Scots 
 Grays, a regiment of heavy cavalry, in Queen Anne's wars. His father and 
 uncle emigrated to this couutrv and settled in Newport, R. I. During the 
 time of the Revolutionary war his father returned to Scotland, as he was 
 unwilling to fight against the mother country, but at the age of sevent}' he 
 returned with his wife and family to Newport. Mrs. Ferguson was Anne 
 Briggs, of Little Compton, R. I. 
 
 At the time of the family's return to tliis country, the subject of this sketch 
 was seventeen years old. He became converted at an early age and com- 
 menced fitting himself for the ministry. He studied for two years with Dr. 
 Tenney, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Newport, intending to 
 enter Yale College two years in advance. While residing in Providence at 
 one time, he studied under the tuition of Rev. Calvin Park, d.d., Professor 
 of Ancient Languages, and later of Moral Philosophy, in Brown University. 
 He was obliged to abandon his plan of entering college, had again to enter 
 business, assume the care of his father and the support of the famih'. For 
 ten years he continued this course and during all the time nevei relinquished 
 the hope of entering the ministry. He seemed to have a presentiment that the 
 desire of his life would be fulfilled, and the ten years proved to lie j'ears of 
 preparation for that kind of life, though of so different a nature from what he 
 would have chosen. 
 
 " His first sermon as a candidate for settlement was preached in this town. 
 
 • He had .a Ijiother, Rev. David Holman, who was settled in Douglas, Mass., tor many years. 
 - Mr. Samuel Holman has since died. 
 
HISTOJRY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 251 
 
 and his text, ' The Lord is a man of war.' The text and sermon were not 
 only characteristic of the man and liis theology, but characteristic of his 
 ministry, which to use his own expression, was 'warlike.' ^Ir. Ferguson 
 never shrunk from the defence of truth, never liesitated to sacrifice comfort, 
 reputation, or means of support, in the maintenance of principle. Like 
 other such men, he was often involved in controversy and conflict, and not 
 infrequently made bitter enemies; though he, at the same time, rallied about 
 him, more and warmer friends. Some may perhaps, have doubted the 
 wisdom or necessity of all his battles, but none ever questioned the entire 
 honesty or disinterestedness of his motives." 
 
 He was ordained here February 27', 1822, and dismissed March 25, 1835. 
 Speaking of his ministry here a writer says: '' It was of great value in the 
 administration of wise and judicious measures, and marked the commence- 
 ment of the svstem of support to the various benevolent enterprises of the 
 day, and of aid to the labors of parent and pastor by a judicious and careful 
 education of children in Sabbath Schools, and maternal associations." 
 
 After leaving Attleliorough, Mr. Ferguson was settled in Whately, Mass., 
 from [March 1C>, 1836, till June 7, 1840. He was called Father Ferguson 
 and was a man to whom churches looked for counsel and pastors for advice, 
 often when pastors and churches were involved in ditticulties. 
 
 " He was very often solicited to appear as advocate, before ecclesiastical 
 courts, and many a time, as he has done this, l)ave the coolness and shrewd- 
 ness, the wit and wisdom, with which he advocated the cause, extorted the 
 exclamation : ' What a lawyer he would have made ! ' " He almost always 
 defended the weaker party, his sympathies frequently inclining to the unpop- 
 ular side. " He was always ready to grasp bis shield, and poise his lance, for 
 the injured and defenceless. Li such eases he sniffed the I)attle. like the war 
 horse, and fought with all the chivalry, and I may add the courtesy of a 
 Christian knight," He became extensively known as the " champion of the 
 oppressed," though at the same time he was equally well known " as a lover 
 and maker of peace." 
 
 He preached for about two years at Lanesborougli and Whately, the place 
 of his former settlement, and in 1842 became general agent of the Ajnerican 
 Tract Association for the States of Vermont and New Hampshire, in which 
 position and work he was very successful. He really became the Congrega- 
 tional Bishop of those two States. 
 
 He died at Whately November 11, 1858. He was a man of vigorous 
 mind and vigorous body, a large-hearted man of keen wit, '' but his keenest 
 shafts were winged with kindness." He was social and genial in manner. 
 Realizing the defects of his own education, — having never graduated from 
 any college, — he labored hard and made many sacrifices to give his sons 
 college educations. Amherst College bestowed upon him the honorary 
 degree of Master of Arts, a proof that, although he had been denied the 
 
2'j2 a sketch of thk 
 
 advantage of a college course, he liad l)y his own exertions thoroughly 
 educated himself, and the compliment was a source of gratification to him. 
 
 He was married June 7, 1818, to Marv V. Hammer of Newport, R. I., by 
 wdiom he had two children. She died June 30, 1818. On April 28, 1819, 
 he married Margaret S. Eddy of Providence, R. I., by whom he had nine 
 children. 
 
 Mr. Ferguson ' published a sermon on the death of P^benezer Daggett, Jr., 
 which was deliv(;red December K!, 1831, and several other discourses. He 
 also pul)lished a " Memoir of Dr. Samuel Hopkins," the celebrated theolo- 
 gian, for the use of Sabbath-schools. 
 
 A parsonage house was built by the parisii in 1822. This is the house on 
 South Main Street now occupied by Mr. Josei)h Capron. Rev. j\Ir. Fergu- 
 son was tlie only clergyman who occupied it as a parsonage. After he left 
 town it was sold, first to Moses Wilmarth, then to Virgil Capron, then to 
 Thomas French, and finally to Otis Capron, from whose hands it passed into 
 those of its present owner. It has been altered and somewhat enlarged since 
 it was first built. 
 
 The second meetinghouse in tiie ''East Precinct" was built in 1825. It 
 was begun in the spring of that year and dedicated in Decembei' following. 
 It cost about $6,000. It has since been enlarged at a cost of several 
 thousand dollars additional. 
 
 The next pastor of the church was Rev. Jonathan Crane. He was born in 
 Schenectady. N. Y., in 1814. There lie passed his l)oyhood, and at the age 
 of fifteen he entered Union College, graduating in 1832 at eighteen years of 
 age. He entered the ministry when twenty-one, and on October 30, 1836, 
 when but twenty-two, he was ordained over this church. He remained here 
 for eighteen years and was dismissed June 12, 1.S54. He removed to Ncav 
 York, where he was settled over the Congregational Church on Twentieth 
 Street. He remained there three years, when he was invited to return to this 
 town, and it was during the time he Avas here that the church building was 
 enlarged and repaired. In 1860 Mr. Crane received a call from the Congre- 
 gational Church at Middletown. N. Y., which lie accepted, and where he 
 labored for eight years. Upon his taking char£e of that church tlie congre- 
 gation numbered only about forty families, but he lived to see it increase 
 threefold. 
 
 In 186'^ lie went west, where he remained for a number of years, laboring 
 in several places in Michigan and Missouri. He was principally at Kalama- 
 zoo, Mich., not settled over any church, but preaching and working in 
 various churches in that region. At St. Joseph, Mo., he was especially 
 successful, and larajelv throuo-h his efforts a new church was erected there.- 
 
 • lie was a relative of the celebrate'! Dr. Adam FerirusDii, the historian and professor in Eilinburgli 
 I'niversitv. See nial-;e's Mention Association. 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEDOROUGH. 253 
 
 lu 1.S75 Mr. Crane received a second call from his people in IMiddletown and 
 returned to bis charge there, remaining until his death, which occurred 
 December 25, 1877, at the age of sixty-three years. 
 
 In an obituary notice of him are these words: '• Throughout his entire life, 
 Mr. Crane was a conscientious and devout Christian, an honorable and high- 
 minded gentleman, the very soul of honor, and an enterprising, public spirited 
 citizen, always favoring and aiding any enterprise looking to the advance- 
 ment of the locality where he resided. 
 
 " Mr. Crane had a wonderful faculty for conducting the financial affairs of 
 chnrches, and many congregations throughout the country can thank him for 
 their present sound basis." 
 
 ]Mr. Crane was very successful in his ministry here, the church being pros- 
 perous and receiving large additions to its numbers while under his charge. 
 
 In l'S37 he was married to Anna H., daughter of N. W. Sanford, of 
 Brooklyn. N. Y. She survived him for nine years and died at Middletown 
 November 28, 1886. Four children are living, namely, Annie E. (Mrs. 
 George W. Fish), Sanford W., John, and Francis. 
 
 The next settled minister was Rev. Charles D. Lcjthrop. He was born in 
 Easton, Mass., in 1828 and graduated at Amherst College in 1849 and 
 subsequently at Andover Theological Semuiary. He was installed over this 
 church December 14, 18.54, and dismissed April 29. 1857, having been pastor 
 for about two years and a half. 
 
 From this time for about nine years there was no settled minister. Mr. 
 Crane in'eaclied here for several years, as has been stated, and, after he left, 
 the pulpit was supplied by a numljer of clergymen, hired by the week, the 
 month, or for a longer period. The one who remained the longest period 
 was Rev. Mr. Belden, who was here in " war times," and whose sermons and 
 addresses during that period will be remembered by many as most patriotic, 
 most stirring, and eloquent. 
 
 A most unfortunate dissension had arisen l)etween the church and parish, 
 commencing with some disagreement regarding the last settled pastor men- 
 tioned, which was increased over some questions arising when the church 
 building was altered. This continued for quite a number of years, finally 
 involving some legal questions. But though all differences were at length 
 set at rest, it seemed impossible to find the man who as pastor and preacher 
 should satisfy all the people. The right time came, however, when church 
 and parish ^' agreed to agree," and a call was extended to Rev. P'raucis N. 
 Peloubet. He was born in New York City, was a graduate of Williams Col- 
 lege in 1853 and of Bangor Theological Seminary in 1857. He was installed 
 here June 26, 1866, and dismissed at his own request October 10, 1871. He 
 removed to Natick, Mass., where he still resides. He had charge of a church 
 for some years, but at present has no pastorate, being largely interested in 
 the International Sabbath-school work. He is the author of the '• Peloubet 
 
25'! A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Series of Question Books and (Quarterlies," and of " Select Notes on the 
 International Lessons." Since leaving this town he has received the degree 
 of Doctor of Divinity. [He is now (1891) in Auburndale.] 
 
 To him succeeded the Rev. Samuel Bell. He was installed December 18, 
 1872, and dismissed October 28, 1878. 
 
 Tlie next pastor was Rev. William A. Spalding, of Lynn, ]Mass., and for- 
 merly, with his wife, a missionary in Armenia. He was installed September 
 11, 1879. He remained four years. Finally, failing health made it neces- 
 sary for him to give up ministerial work, and he requested a dismissal, which 
 was granted November 19, 1883. He returned to his native place, Lynn, 
 where he died very suddenly January 10, 1884. 
 
 Rev. Walter Barton is the present pastor of the church. He was born at 
 Granby, Mass., May 5, 1833. He fitted for college at Williston Seminary, 
 P^asthampton, and graduated at Amherst College in 18.5G. He then returned 
 to Williston as a teacher and remained two years, then entered the Con- 
 necticut Theological Institution at East Windsor Hill and graduated from 
 there three years later, in 1801. He preached one year each in Oxford, 
 Conn., and Grafton, Vt., and was then called to the Congregational church 
 in South Amherst, Mass., where he was ordained and installed February 
 17, 186-1. In ISCtC) he received and accepted a call to the Congregational 
 church in SutHeld, Conn., where he remained until called to the First Church 
 of Christ, in Lynn, this State, over which he was installed February 24, 1870. 
 This charge he held for eight years, when a call was extended to him from 
 the church in Attleborough. He commenced his labors here in March, 1884. 
 
 During his ministry in Suffield two hundred and twenty persons were added 
 to the church. The church of his charge in Lynn is called legally "The 
 First Church of Christ in Lynn," and is the oldest Congregational church, 
 occupying the same ground, in the United States. During Mr. Barton's 
 residence it celebrated the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its forma- 
 tion, the pastor delivering the historical address on that occasion. While he 
 was there one hundred and twenty-six were added to the church and a large 
 and burdensome debt was lifted. 
 
 Since his ministry here commenced there have been about seventy persons 
 admitted to the church. Mr. Barton has not been publicly installed over this 
 church for certain reasons relating to his own views upon the question of 
 installation, reasons which affect neither the harmony between himself and 
 his people nor the faithfulness and earnestness of his labors among them.^ 
 He married Mattie M. Smith, of North Hadley, Mass., l)y whom he has two 
 daugiiters, Mary L. and Minnie M. Barton (now Mrs. Thomas Foote) . 
 
 1 Mr. Barton resijjneil Ills pastorate here September 1,1833, and removed to Hyde Park. He has ,, 
 uot ceased preacliiiif;', but is not connected with any chui-ch. The last of November, 1893, a call was 
 extended to Ilev. Klwin L. House, then of Portland, Mnine, which was accepted. He preached his 
 first sermon here as iiastor December 17 following and was installed January 31, 1S94. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 255 
 
 As has been seen, this church was constituted on the oOtli of November, 
 1848, " by Rev. Mr. Leonard, pastor of the First Congregational Church at 
 Plvmouth, as the orgau of an Ecclesiastical Council, called for that purpose, 
 beino- a colony from the First Congregational Church in this town, then under 
 the pastoral care of Eev. Habijah Weld, its honored pastor, almost fifty- 
 five years." 
 
 This division was attended with the utmost harmony and good feeling on 
 the part both of those who removed and those who remained. The reasons 
 for the formation of this church may be found in a letter asking for a dis- 
 missal from the First Church and '•'• signed by 2() males and 24 females." 
 
 Having a prospect (through the mercy of God) that the Gospel Ministry and Ordinances 
 may be settled among us more conveniently than to attend with you, and for tlie more regular 
 carrying on of the Affairs of ("hrist's Kingdom among us, it is our desire and design (by the 
 help of God, and with your consent.) to Eml)ady into a Church State, etc. Following are the 
 names of those who signed this letter : — 
 
 Joseph Capron and Wife, Daniel Perry and Wife, 
 
 Jonathan Wilmarth and Wife, Henry Joslin, 
 
 Thomas French and Wife, Jonas Richardson, 
 
 Stephen Wilmarth, Bethiah Carpenter, 
 
 Mary French, Thomas Wilmarth, 
 
 Ichal)od Perry, Robert Martin and Wife, 
 
 John Wilkinson, Rebecca Brown. 
 
 Abraham Comming and Wife, William Bolcom and Wife, 
 
 Aaron < utting, David Perry and Wife, 
 
 Nathan Wihnarth and Wife, Sarah Jackson, 
 
 JoUii Tiffany and Wife, John Tyler and Wife. 
 
 Henry Joslin. Jr., Joseph Bishop, 
 
 Edward Foster and AVife, Daniel Wihnarth. 
 
 Elizabeth Lane, Hannah (the wife of Sam.) Jackson, 
 
 Abigail Powell, Thomas Sweet and Wife, 
 
 Obadiah Carpenter and Wife, Liddia (the wife of Wm.) Lane, 
 
 Joseph Barrus and Wife. John Sweet and Wife. 
 
 This letter was dated October, 1748, and the answer, dated November •_>(;, 
 1748, was signed ''Habijah Weld, Pastor: In the Nafue and with the Con- 
 sent of the Church." 
 
 That the relations ])etween the people of the two parishes had been pleas- 
 ant is to be seen by the following words of Rev. Mr. Thacher : "The most 
 of the time between Aug. 20, 1743, and November 30, 1748, I stood in the 
 relation of pastor elect to the brethren and people of God in the easterly 
 part of Attleborough, and preached to them on other Sabbaths ; yet with 
 mutual consent, we all attended the Rev. Mr. Weld's meetings, the Sabbaths 
 on which he administered the Lord's Supper." 
 
 In the course of a few weeks after the fortiiation of the new church its 
 membership had increased to seventy. Fifty-nine of the number were from 
 the First Church, and the remainder — four excepted — from East Provi- 
 dence, which was then a part of Rehoboth. As has been seen, lifty persons 
 formed this church. At the public and fortnal organization the following 
 
256 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 persons joined it : Peter Tliaclier, from tlic cluireb in Middleborough, Jesiel 
 Perry, Ji.. William Hnteliins, and David Hutchius, of Reboboth, and William 
 Dryer. At one time only were tbere fewer names on the books. This was 
 at the beginning of the present century. Some extracts from a sermon 
 preached in October, 1820. by the Rev. Mr. ITolman will show the reasons 
 for this declension, in the state of the community at that time. Says Mr. 
 Holmau : — 
 
 AVheii I came into this place the Chuirh and Society were considered as beinsr in a very low 
 state. Twenty years liad passed away without any special attention to relij^ion, and for 
 eighteen but nine members had been added. It might therefore Ije expected that tlie Cliurch 
 would l)e much reduced. This was found to be the case. Tliere were then hut forty-six 
 members, fourteen males, five of whom lived in Kehoboth, and thirty-two females. Four of 
 the male memt»ers had not for a number of years communed, or acted with the Church, and 
 never did afterwards. Among the remaining ten, none were under fifty years, and some were 
 very far advanced in life. Tiiree died in a short time, and some others within a few years. In 
 1800 sixteen meml)ers were added to the Church, and in 1801, twenty-seven more; making in the 
 two years forty-three. Twelve of tliese were males, and thirty-one; females. Deducting for 
 deaths and removals, the Cliurch at the close of the year 1802 could not consist of more than 
 eighty memljers. From this time to 18U, a period of twelve years, only twelve were added to 
 the church, three males and nine females. In these twelve years a considerable number died, 
 and a greater number removed into other places, so that in 18U there were but fifty memljers 
 in the Church, eleven males, and thirty-nine females. This was a period of great declension 
 ami abounding iniquity. Though under the ministry of the Kev. Mr. Thacher, this people 
 were applauded for the regidarity of their habits and the morality of their lives, yet for the 
 long period of twenty years after he was taken otf from his lat)ors, to the year 1800, immoral 
 practices hail sprung up and become very prevalent. Gambling of almost every kind was much 
 practiced. Profane swearing had become ((uite fashionable among a certain class of the 
 people, and the same class of people were seen so frequ(;ntly at the taverns and grogshops, 
 as to obtain the appellation of tavern-haunters; and although the revival of religion in 1800 
 and 1801 proved a check upon these practices, yet they were continued, in a greater or less 
 degree, and oi)position was felt and expressed by a number, through the whole of the revival ; 
 anil after the revival, as religion declined, ini«iuity abounded more and more. 
 
 The writer further says that in 1814 " it seemed as though the jilans of the wicked were 
 systematized and brought to perfection." Tlie church was small, but sinners were many, and 
 professors were almost in despair, and ready " to think that the mercy of God was clean gone, 
 and that religion would soon be removed from this place." More than a year had passed away 
 '• without a religious conference, or meeting for prayer." which " had not occurred before since 
 the revival in 1800." The " professors " were almost strangers to each other and all appeared 
 to be sleeping, but soon the work of the Lord became visible, and then it was found that many 
 hatl been praying for a reformation. Conference meetings were then held every week ; — '• For 
 several weeks, however, but few males attended, and the nrayers were all offered l)y the Pas- 
 tor. Conference meetings were, for a number of weeks, met with the assembling of the irre- 
 ligious the sa!ne week, and sometimes the same day. The day following one of them, there 
 was a horse-race in the same direction of the religious meeting, which drew together a large 
 number of mctn. The week following, the same day of the conference, there was a foot-race: 
 which it was thought assembled at least two hundred people, men and boys. This, however, 
 was a day of encouragement to the mourners in Zion. Five men, not all meml)ers of the 
 Church, attended the meeting. In about ten days after this, a large ball which had been contem- 
 plated, and which was to have assembled most of our dear youth together, with others from 
 the neighboring towns, was to have been attended. But seriousness was so impressed upon 
 the minds of many, and the suilden death of Dea. Thacher occurring, and his funeral being 
 attended the >ame day of the ball, influenced most of them to relinciuish their object. Others 
 attended the ball, but with the promise that they would never attend another, and it is to be 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUOH. 257 
 
 hoped tlu^y iu!\ er will, tor tiiey have l)eeii bopefully converted aud become regular members 
 of the ('liiireh. From this time all vain amiisemeuts, and as far as appeared, all gambling, 
 was discontinued. Tlie attention of all appeared to be more or less turned to the great sub- 
 ject of religion." This work progressed continually for about two years. " No unusual means 
 had been used, no new preachers had appeared among us, and no alarming providence had 
 occurred. Had this taken place a year before it might liave been thought to be caused by tlie 
 sickness and the deaths with which we were then visited. We had then more cases of fever, 
 aud more deaths occasioned l)y fevers, than we had had for thirteen years before. Five died in 
 one family. During tlie time of this sickness.' which was a period of about seven months, 
 more tlian thirty died in tliis parish; eight of whom were members of this church." In fair 
 weather and foul the meetings at this time were crowded, and frequently the meeting-house 
 could not contain the people. Many were con\erted. 
 
 '•The relations of those who hopefully experienced religion, were thought to be peculiarly 
 scriptural, and truly Orthodox. For two years, we had no comnmnion without one or more 
 being added to the Church. Twenty-seven is the largest numl)er added at any one time. The 
 wholle numlier added, since the conunencement of the revival is one hundred aud thirty-four; 
 thirty-nine males, and ninety-five females." 
 
 One su3'S : " This Clinrch we regard as the product of the great aw^akening 
 in 1740," aud " the year 1743, iu wliich this parish was formed, is memorable 
 iu tlie religious history of our country, especially of New England, foi- the 
 o-reat awakening under Edwards and his cotemporaries. This town shared 
 largely in that work, and a large proportion of the original members of this 
 Church, were among its sul\iects. Withiu the three years that preceded the 
 formation of this parish, the First Church iu this town, received 19-2 to her 
 communion." The Second Church has had other times of depression, but 
 none so serious as the one just mentioned, and since that time there seems 
 to have been a continual — if at times small — increase, until in 1<S,S7 the 
 membership was three hundred and eighty-six. 
 
 Many have goue from her midst to plant other churches in other places, 
 and many of her sons have entered the ministry. The revival of 1815 enabled 
 her " to give five of her youthful sons to the work of the gospel ministry." 
 and thirty-three years later four of these were living. 
 
 In 1800 a church was formed in Harford, Peini., a town colonized ))y 
 Attleborotigh people. There were seven original members and all had letters 
 from this church. "The Pawtucket Congregational Church" was originally 
 composed of but nine members, one male, and eight females. All these 
 were members of the church in Attlel)orougli, under the pastoral care of 
 Rev. Mr. Ferguson. In April 1829, they were dismissed from that church, 
 with Christian affection and commendation, for the purpose of being organized 
 into a distinct branch of the Christian Church, to be located in the village of 
 Pawtucket. That was effected by a regularly convened ecclesiastical council, 
 on the seventeenth of the al)0ve month." A numl)er of years ago a clergy- 
 man of New York State, a member of the Thacher family, thus wrote: 
 
 ■This must have been the coA? p'«^"<%else\\iiere mentioned, which occurred in L-Ki, hut Mr. Hohnan 
 phices the date a Uttle hiter. 
 2 The church of which Kev. Mr. Bloagett was for so many years the beloved pastor. 
 
258 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 "1 am acquainted with no C'iiuioh, fnjni which, considering its location, and 
 the number of its constituent members, so many sons and daughters have 
 emanated as from the Second Church in Attleboro'. Her descendants are 
 found in almost all the Eastern, Middle, Western and some of the Southern 
 States, active members of various Churches, which they have been either 
 instrumental in forming, or with which they have become connected." 
 
 The one hundredth anniversary of the church's formation was celebrated in 
 an appropriate and interesting manner. December 7, instead of November 
 30, 1818, was the date selected as a matter of convenience. Delegates from 
 several churches were present, and many letters containing pleasant remi- 
 niscences of her early days, sacred memories, and heartfelt congratulations, 
 were received. Numbers of clergymen from abroad were present to take 
 part in the varied services of the day, among them the Rev. Messrs. J. O. 
 Barney, C. Blodgett, Thomas Williams, J. Ferguson, and J. M. B. Bailey, 
 and there were two of the name of Tliacher, descendants of the first minister. 
 These otHciated at the communion service and were assisted by Deacon Peter 
 Thacher, of this town, and Deacon J. Tyler, of Harford, Peun., both grand- 
 sons of the first minister. At this time one person, Mrs. Mercy Everett, 
 was living in town who had l)een baptized by Mr. Thacher ninety-one years 
 before, and another, ]Miss Deborah Starkey, who had joined the church sixty- 
 eight years previous, in the revival of 1780. 
 
 On this occasion Rev. Mr. Crane, the pastor of ihe church, delivered the 
 historical address. In it he says of the church : •' Formed soon after 
 the bloody wars with the Indians, she passed through the American Revolu- 
 tion, and has witnessed a change almost miraculous, on the part of the col- 
 onies, a change from a state of colonial dependence, to that of an united, 
 fi"ee and independent repn])lic ; from a condition of great poverty and de- 
 pression, to one of comparative wealth, renown and honor." These words 
 were prophetic, for, while true of her past, they were true in a more marked 
 degree of her future. Could the writer have looked forward a few years he 
 Avould have seen the church witness a struggle darker, deadlier, bloodier than 
 the one before and presaging a change even more miraculous ; he would 
 have seen her freely giving her sons to the fight as before, and this time even 
 to the death ; and he would have seen the country rising from a state lower 
 and more degrading than that of colonial dependence — a state of slavery — 
 to one of true freedom and independence, and from a "• condition of compar- 
 ative wealth, renown and honor" to one of great wealth and ever increasing 
 importance and commercial prosperity and to a position highly honoi'able, 
 yea, even foremost among the nations of the earth. 
 
 SABBATH-SCHOOL . 
 
 Unfortunately, all records relating to the formation of the Sabbath-school 
 connected with this church have been lost, and memory and tradition can give 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 259 
 
 now but u few scattered facts or recollections. The school was formed iu 
 1825 during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Ferguson, who was no doubt largely 
 instrumental in starting this good work. It is known that the first sessions 
 were held in the Franklin schoolhouse, then occupjMug the lot where the 
 church now stands. They could not have continued there long, for during 
 that year probably the schoolhouse was moved. The vestry was not 
 finished until some time after the upper part of the new meetinghouse was 
 completed, and therefore the school may have occupied the main audience 
 room. The last Deacon Thacher was probabh' the first superintendent; 
 and among the earlier ones were Mr. Myers, Jesse Carpenter, Nathaniel AV. 
 Sanford, Deacon Atherton Wales, Emmons AValton, Edward Wilmarth, 
 and Deacon Harvey Claflin. Among the later ones maj' l)e mentioned 
 Zenas B; Carpenter and his two sons, L. Z. and A. B. Carpenter, 
 B. P. King, A. Vinton Cobb, Charles E. Bliss ; and others have held 
 the position.! 
 
 The following report, which is given in full, furnishes much interesting 
 information regarding the school a few years after its formation and is 
 especiallv valuable because it is the only known early record in existence. 
 
 Our school is situated in Attle. Co. ot Bristol. Our school has been in successful oi)eratiou 
 for fifteen years. During that period an increasing interest in its prosperity has Ijeeu mani- 
 fested. It is regarded as one of the most promising means of usefulness iu operation among 
 us. The cause of its increase during the 15 years is to he attributed to the increasing evidence 
 of its utility rather than to any special efi'ort to give it popularity. Our course has been silent, 
 uiiiforni. persevering, and we indulge the hope that its prosijerity will be lasting. Wq have 
 about 100 lietween 18 and 75 who are in Newcomb's book of Romans, aliout 60 in his 2d vol, 
 and a few in his first. A number in the other Catechism. We have a class of old ladies who 
 formerly sat as spectators. An elderly Brother by their request was invited to become their 
 teacher. He accepted the invitation & commenced I think with four; soon the class so much 
 increased that it became necessary to divide, and another brother was invited to be their 
 teacher. These scholars have ever been studious & constant attendants at the school. It 
 was mentioned by these old ladies that our grey-headed fathers should not be passed by. 
 Accordingly, one of our number went into the streets, and soon gathered a class which lias so 
 much increased that it has been divided and sub-divided. Our pastor always attends the open- 
 ing of the school when at home, and takes a lively interest in it. His wife too lends the helping 
 hand and has the charge of a class of young ladies. In short they have ever been the jjillar 
 and main spring from the commeucement.- Our teachers are for the most part punctual & 
 interested. Our lesson for the first Sabbath in each mouth is given out from the Assembly's 
 Catechism. At the close of the school questions are asked from this lesson, wliieh appear to 
 interest all. We liave had a s. s. celebration, 4"' of July, the two past years, and with a little 
 effort it has been made very interesting, — our meeting-house filled to overflowing. Our school 
 was visited the fore part of the year with the out-pouring of God's Holy Spirit, and a number 
 
 ' The school is now, 1891, under the most efficient guidance of Mr. Martin L. Chapman. On Febru- 
 ary 15 there was the largest attendance ever known, there being then three hundred and eightj'- 
 six persons present. 
 
 = It is apparent that Mr. Thacher here refers to Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, since they were no doubt 
 " the main spring " so long as they remained here, but Mr. Ferguson left town in 1835, and Mr. .Jona- 
 than Crane had been pastor of the church about three years and a half at the time this re[iort was 
 written. 
 
260 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of souls as we hope and trust were born anew, — but for some reason He has been pleased to 
 withdraw his Spirit from among us. All which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 Peter Thacher, Superintendent. 
 To 
 
 Rev. Asa Bullard. Secretary 3Fassachusetts Sabbath School Society. 
 Attleborough Manh 25, 1840. 
 
 Periods of deprossion have very probably visited tlie school since its 
 organization and lack of interest been at times manifested, but for a genera- 
 tion past it has certainly been prosperous and is at present in a most flourish- 
 ing and encouraging condition. The reports show that on January 1, 1887, 
 there were 47 classes with 11 officers and assistants. The total number on 
 the roll of both teachers and scholars was 516, of scholars 46*2 ; the largest 
 attendance during the year previous .S.ol, the average 314, and the aggregate 
 16,328, with a gain in the average attendance of 28 above the year preced- 
 ing. The home department numbered 1.32. The number of conversions 
 during the year was 32, and the collections amounted to 8268.06. This is 
 the largest Protestant Sabbath-school in town and the largest but one in the 
 conference to which the church belongs. 
 
 We have stated that the first meetinghouse in the second precinct was 
 commenced in 1743. The land upon which it was built was given to the 
 parish, and subsequently they purchased additional lots. The building was 
 thirty-five by forty-five feet, called a square building, and stood on what is 
 now the common, near where one of the large elm trees stands by the path 
 which formerly crossed to the residence of the late David E. Holman. It 
 faced the south and had three doors, one in the south front, one on the east, 
 and the other on the west side. Through the central, south door the minister 
 of the olden time always entered and with great dignity, uncoverino^ his 
 head as did his parishioners while he passed them. It was the custotn for 
 many to Avait outside to pay this mark of respect to the minister, and for 
 those who had entered the building to rise as he entered and remain standing 
 until he had taken his seat. The old meetinghouse had the then common 
 hipped roof,' and often these buildings w^ere surmounted with a belfry, wherein 
 hung the bell, but there is nothing to indicate the presence of such an appen- 
 dage here. In lieu of a bell in those days, "a drum w\as beat" or a conCh 
 shell blown to summon the " clockless people" to service, and sometimes a 
 flag was raised for the benefit of those who dwelt beyond the sound of drum 
 or shell. What special custom was followed here we do not know, but we 
 may be sure that some effective method was used, that the people every one 
 attended regularly, and that they were never late. 
 
 ' Opinions differ with regard to the appearance of this buildini,^ and, accordijig to the testimony of 
 several who claim to remember "just how it looked," the roof was peaked not hi))ped. The sides 
 were north and south, the roof sloping in those directions, tlie ridge pole running east and west; and 
 it had many windows with very small panes of glass, probably twenty-four to each window. A 
 memory picture which thus shows it has recently been made for Major E. S. Horton — the result of 
 the combined testimony of about half a dozen of the oldest inhabitants of the town. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 2(>1 
 
 The building of this meetinghouse must have lieen a great event, and it is 
 said "quite a crowd gathered to see tlie ground broken, and every male citi- 
 zen who could possibly leave his own affairs, attended the raising." The 
 structure must have been plain and primitive in the extreme, as we now judge. 
 th(^ugh it compared favorably with the majority of the dwellings of the 
 people. It was not finished inside for several years, but eventually it had a 
 " tier of galleries " on three sides, a high pulpit with huge sounding-board 
 no doubt occupying the other. It was nearly forty years before pews were 
 introduced here, and until that time probably the rudest of pine benches were 
 the only sitting accommodation afforded. In some of the churches a hundred 
 and fifty years ago it is said tliat the seats were so arranged that they were 
 raised when the people, as was then the custom, rose for the prayers ; and, the 
 amen being pronounced, they fell with a loud slam when the people prepared 
 to reseat themselves. This seems hardly com[)atible with the dignity and 
 propriety we have been taught to believe the early fathers maintained, and in 
 these *■■ unregenerate days" such a ceremony would not be considered " con- 
 ducive to the true spirit of worship." Whatever the style of seats first used 
 here, in 1780 the people were read}' for a change, for it is recorded that in that 
 year pews were introduced into the meetinghouse. "The room upon the 
 floor was divided and sold to pay the expense incurred for alterations and 
 repairs, amounting, according to record, to £23,000 ; but as if to save their 
 credit from a charge of wasteful extravagance, it is added that • one silver 
 dollar' shall be received for seventy-two dollars of the old emission.' " 
 
 Another custom which early prevailed was the one maintained bv the sect 
 called Friends : the men occupied one portion of the church and the women 
 another, families being thus divided ; and this fashion obtained in some places 
 up to quite a recent date. That it was followed here seems to be proven by 
 a record made in 1793, in which the " wimen's body of Seats below" is 
 mentioned. It is said that in many of the colonial churches there were two 
 ministers. These occupied the seats at the back of the inilpit, while the 
 ruling elders had their raised seats in front of the pulpit, and the deacons 
 also, only a step lower down. It is also said that social rank was some- 
 times a powerful element in the religion even of our forefathers, and that 
 seats in church were arranged by its standard. Sometimes the places were 
 assigned by the committee in charge according to the position of the men on 
 the tax list and sometimes by grading their liberality toward the expenses of 
 the church. The tithing-mau was an important factor in the old-time Sabbath 
 
 I These must of course have been Siianish dollars, then In circulation in this country and taken 
 fifteen years later as the standard of the first American dollars coined. It is ilittlcult to even approx- 
 imate the actual cost of these repairs. Twenty years previous it took over £-2,000 of Rhode Island 
 pnper money to make £100 sterling, and at this time much more would probably have been required, 
 for in 1780-81 the paper money issued Ijy Congress had become almost valueless. The true value of 
 the sum which sounds so large would therefore be very small. 
 
262 A .SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Day service, and be was busily employed in keeping mischievous urchins in 
 order, waking the sleepy fathers and mothers in Israel, and even in watching 
 stray dogs, who frequently followed their masters to the sanctuary. At first 
 a leader lined out the psalms, the singing of which must have been uumelo- 
 dious and wearisome to a high degree, since ''two breaths" were often 
 required in the prolongation of one note ; and later came the choir of " village 
 youths and maidens," who, according to a French gentleman, — a traveler in 
 this country, — actually "• sang three parts, and the women sustained a fourth." 
 For many years meetinghouses had no heating apparatus, the women alone 
 using footstoves, while the men sat in their ''great coats" and sometimes 
 their hats. The fate of the children is not deemed worthy of mention by the 
 writers; they must have suffered, but of course in silence. 
 
 Another early fashion was to build " Sabbath Day houses," to be occupied 
 by the families of the owners l)etween services and as places in which to eat 
 their lunches. John Woodcock had one in Rehoboth and another in Wren- 
 tham, and others may have had them in this town though no mention of them 
 appears to have been made. This fashion of going to church for the day 
 and of ])ringing lunches continued here until the second preaching service was 
 given up a few years ago. In one of the small vestry rooms, for many a 
 Sunday, a cup of tea was prepared to cheer and sustain some of the old ladies 
 of the congregation, and over this fragrant beverage conversation never 
 lagged, nor was it wholly confined to the merits of the sermon just heard in 
 the room above. 
 
 The old meetinghouse had its horse block "at the corner of the house" 
 and later its row of sheds. Up to about 1820 it may be conjectured no nmsic 
 but that of the voice had been heard within its walls, for at that time it is 
 recorded that the introduction of wind instruments into the services caused 
 trouble between Mr. Holman and his people, which finally resulted in his 
 dismissal. It ought, however, in justice to Ijc said that this was not the only 
 cause of dissension ; money matters entered into the dispute, for it appears 
 that the minister's salary was not paid as promptly as it should have been. 
 Tlie first l)uilding was occupied for a little more tlian eighty years and then a 
 new one was built a few rods west of it. 
 
 In the year 1807 a number of the members of this parish "shewing that 
 the said Precinct is possessed in their own right of a small lot of land, called 
 the Meeting-house lot, in said Precinct with a Meeting house thereon ; And 
 also of Eleven hundred and fort}' Dollars, as a fund for supporting a minister 
 of the Gospel in said Precinct," petitioned the Legislature to incorporate 
 them into a society. It was therefore enacted that Noah Blandin, Jacob 
 Bolkcom, Joab Daggett, Thomas French, Caleb Richardson, Jr., Nathaniel 
 Ro])inson, Henry Sweet, and Peter Thacher, — with others who had or should 
 join them, — and their successors, should be incorporated into a body politic 
 " with perpetual possession," and called "The Congregational Society in the 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 2()3 
 
 Second Precinct in Attleboro'." These gentlemen and their successors 
 were appointed trustees Avith the usual powers. It was provided that the 
 fund could be put at interest '' until the princii)al and interest, with what may 
 be added thereto, shall amount to Four Thousand Dollars," and then the 
 interest or annual income of the same was to be devoted to the paying of 
 whatever Congregational minister might Ije regularly ordained and settled in 
 the second precinct. In the event of any vacancy of a regularly ordained and 
 settled minister, interest could be added to principal, and if at any time the 
 interest of said fund should be more than suthcient to pay the minister, the 
 surplus could be applied to •' rel)uilding. enlarging or repairing their meeting 
 house, or any other purpose of pul)lic utility as the said society shall direct." 
 Compensation was allowed, if desired, to the officers of this society, but no 
 part of the principal of their fund was ever to be '^ expended for any purpose 
 whatsoever," etc. This act of incorporation was passed in February. 1807. 
 
 The first meeting of the society was held March 30, 1807, when Peter 
 Thacher, Jr., was chosen clerk, p:iiphalet Wilmarth, Jr., treasurer, and Joab 
 Daggett, Thomas French, Peter Thacher, Jacob Bolkcom, Nathaniel Rol)in- 
 sou, Noah Blandin, and Ezra Brown, trustees. The necessary l)y-laws were 
 duly framed and accepted, and signed by Joab Daggett, --Chareman " of the- 
 board of trustees. One of these by-laws is explicit : "It shall l»e the cUity 
 of the Trustees to notify at the meeting house door the Sabbath before they 
 meet for renewing the securities, and if any Person neglects to renew his 
 security at the time the Trustees meet for that purpose must expect to l)e 
 called upon by an Attorney." Members of this society are persons qualified 
 to vote in parish meetings, being supporters of the ecclesiastical society then 
 in the second precinct. 
 
 Apparently the first mention of a new church occurred at a parish meeting 
 held in March, 1819, and a committee of seven gentlemen was chosen to take 
 into consideration the (piestion of repairing the old church or building a new 
 one. Nothing further seeu:s to have been done for some time, but talk of a 
 new building no doulit continued, and soon the propriety of placing it upon 
 another lot must have entered into the discussions. The ''meeting-house 
 lot " contained about two acres, and while that was sufficiently large it was 
 decided for very good reasons to obtain more land. Aliout 1820 attempts 
 were made liy members of another faith to gain a foothold in the East 
 precinct. Parish limits being then territorial, freemen, no matter what their 
 peculiar forms of belief, would have rights in parish property. 01>vionsly 
 serious complications would be liable to arise under such circumstances, 
 whether the sect seeking establishment should be one with which the existing 
 one could coalesce or not, and some arrangement had to be made to meet this 
 threatened exigency. The ''Incorporated Cong. Society" presented itself 
 as the solution of this problem, and accordingly on February 4, 1824, the 
 parish voted to grant a petition made and transfer tlie meetingliouse and lot 
 
2(J4 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to tliat society. Present emergencies seemed to Ite met by this transfer, but 
 it might not avail foi' possible ones in the future, and it was deemed best to 
 get another lot by some form of purchase, and steps in that direction were at 
 once taken by the society. In May, 1824, the trustees of the Franklin School- 
 house leased their lot to the society for the term of nine hundred and ninety- 
 nine years under certain restrictions. This lot contained one fourth of an 
 acre and had been given to them, as will ])e seen elsewhere, by Dr. A])ijah 
 Everett for the purposes of education. In order apparently to make this 
 transfer good six heirs of Dr. Everett in October, 1S24, quitclaimed all their 
 ''■right, title and interest" in this laud. In January, 1825, there was a 
 purchase of al)out seventy-five rods of land made of Benjamin Bolkcom — 
 this lay north of a part of the schoolhouse lot — and in September, 1827, a 
 further purchase of about four rods was made of fxideon Sweet, and this also 
 lay north of the schoolhouse lot. These transactions were in the name of 
 Peter Thacher. who was trustee of the society. 
 
 In 182.") the new meetinghouse was built under the following conditions : 
 P>bruary 24, 1824, a number of the prominent men of the place formed 
 themselves into a company for the purpose of erecting a meetinghouse on or 
 near the meetinghouse lot in the second precinct for the use of the Incorpo- 
 rated Congregational Society. The expense of building was to be divided 
 into shares, in number not less than one hundred, tiud the price of each 
 share was not to exceed fifty dollars. When the shares should all l)e taken, the 
 company agreed to appoint a committee, who were to levy assessments on 
 these as necessary for the cost of construction, and the members of the com- 
 pany were to be reimbursed for the money thus advanced by the sale of the 
 pews in the completed house. All the terms of the agreement appear to have 
 been complied Avith, and all the shares taken. There were thirty-six share- 
 holders : Jacol) Bolkcom, Peter Thacher, and Jesse Carpenter each took ten 
 shares ; Jonathan Bliss, six ; Gideon Sweet and Elienezer Tyler, five each ; 
 live gentlemen subscribed for four shares each, nine for two, and sixteen for 
 one each. March oO, Jaco)) Bolkcom, Elijah Ingraham, Jonathan Peck, 
 Noah Clartin, and Peter Thaclier were chosen a committee to obtain plans 
 and submit them to the company. On April (J this committee were empow- 
 ered " to purchase a lot of Col. Bolkcom, and also the School house lot to sit 
 the meeting house on." and about a week later they were instructed " to take 
 the Nortli Baptist meeting house at the North end of Providence for a aampl 
 with some variations." In the autumn this original committee were directed 
 to make all the necessary arrangements for dedicating the new church, aud 
 that meeting was then desolved^ as during the former proceedings had fre- 
 quently been the case, to meet at "■ a filter time." In January, 1826, the 
 company decided to finish the vestry at once, and a little later they voted to 
 pay Jacob Caprou S105 to complete that work, materials to be found. Peter 
 Thacher was chosen to provide these matei-ials, while Amos Stai-key was 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUCtH. 265 
 
 instfueted ''to see that the work was done in a workmanlike manner." 
 Accounts show that the building cost, as before stated, about SG,000. 
 
 The society book furnishes a little further information. March 8, 1824, 
 thev " voted to Build a new meeting house provided the Subscription hejilcl 
 to $5,000 in agreement with a Subscription paper for that purpose." At the 
 same time it was "voted to dispose of the Old Meeting house," and further, 
 " to give up the pews in the Old meeting house free of any remuneration 
 provided there was a new meeting house built there being 20 in favour and 4 
 against (it being understood that all must agree to it or not any.)" A com- 
 mittee was chosen to make some arrangement with the pewholders if possible, 
 but this could not be done, and appraisers were chosen. These were Ben- 
 jamin Shephard, of Wrentham, General Shephard Leach, of Easton, and 
 Melitiah Everet, of Foxborough. November 1, 182.')', a committee of five, later 
 increased to nine, was chosen to dispose of the old building " at their dis- 
 cretion by taking it oft" of the lot in two months from date." It required 
 nearly twice as many men to dispose of the old church as to build the new 
 one, but they managed to complete the laborious task after some fashion. 
 The building was taken down, for it is known that some of its timbers were 
 used elsewhere, but not in what building.^ 
 
 Among all the organizations connected with this church it must have been 
 difficult at times to define duties. In the agreement of the building company, 
 however, a good bell was included, the first placed in the village, no doubt, 
 and the parish had to pay for ringing it. Very soon there was trouble with 
 the bounds around the new meetinghouse, and in 1830 it is recorded that 
 some villiit brok a window. '* Praise services " may not be of as recent origin 
 as most of us suppose, for in 1836 the parish '-voted to use the Meeting 
 house on Sunday evening for a sacred music" — concert probably the 
 clerk intended to write. It was in this year that the parsonage was sold, and 
 the society voted to put the proceeds into 1)ank stock. In May, 1838, it was 
 voted by the company to instruct Peter Thacher, " Trustee of the Proprietors 
 of their ^Meeting House and Lot," to give a deed of that estate to the society, 
 he having held it for some years previous in trust for them. This was accoi-^-, ■' 
 inolv done on the thirtv-iirst of that month, " upon the express condition that 
 
 1 The late Jonathau Bliss, who with liis brother George owned the Farmer's mill property, and who 
 built and occupied the large house on the west side of the roiid, opposile the residence of Mr. Homer 
 M. Daggett, purchased the entire building as it stood. There was some decided opposition to the 
 erection of a new meetinghouse, and tlireats were openly made to Mr. Bliss to the effect that if he 
 attempted to take ilown the old one it would be burned, as the opposition preferred burning and 
 total destruction to tearing down and further use. He paid no attention to these threats, however', 
 but had a gang of men in readiness and as soon as the bargain was made set them to work and the 
 task of demolition was accomplished without molestation. What became of the lumljer is not known, 
 but Mr. .Jonathan Bliss, son of Uie above and now resident here, is the authority for these statements, 
 and he says he had the old square pews to use for playhouses. These had turned posts all around 
 their tops for ornament. He has no recollection of ever hearing his father say what price was paid 
 for this lumber, a fact which would be of much interest at the present day it it could be ascertained. 
 
20 6 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the said society shall control manage and use the said lot and house as they 
 shall think proper i)rovidino; nevertheless the said lot and house shall be 
 exclusively used and improved for the worship of God by the Said Congrega- 
 tional Society, and 1)y their associates and successors," etc. 
 
 Nowhere were the dimensions of the new building found, but they were the 
 same as at present with the exception of the length. It was painted white 
 and so continued for man}' years and, after the Methodist church was built, 
 was often designated as " the white church." There was at first but one 
 gallery, that at the south end for the use of the singers, and the pulpit was 
 in front of and on a level with it. This pulpit was painted white and luid 
 pillars in front, between which sat the deacons, and, the stairs being Iiidden, 
 it was a source of great wonderment to small children how the minister 
 reached his seat. The pews then faced the south, but in 1888 this order was 
 reversed, the pulpit placed at the north end, and the side galleries put in. 
 Not long before the old white pulpit was taken away, the then youtliful minis- 
 ter of the parish, Mr. Crane, stood up in front of it to ])e married ; after 
 this it lay for a long time in the Bolkcom yard, now Dr. Bronson's, and finally 
 disappeared. The new pulpit was of mahogan}', ponderous and high, and 
 the sofa and chairs were of the same material and covered with l)lack hair- 
 cloth. The parsonage money seems to have been used to make these repairs, 
 arrangements being made to replace it. In 1826 the company voted to heat 
 the church " with a furnice or like the new meeting-house in Taunton." This 
 proposed method was certainly not then adopted, for two stoves at the south 
 end with long pipes extending under the galleries were for man}' years the 
 heating apparatus used. The music about this time, forty or fifty years ago, 
 consisted usually of six pieces. For years Daniel Clafiin played the double 
 bass-viol. Deacon Harvey Clafiin and William Carpenter the single bass-viols, 
 P^ben Smith the violin, E. Gardener Tripp tlie trombone, and, for a time at 
 least, a Mr. Hunt, of Taunton, the flute. The habit of facing the singers 
 had become so "firm fixed" that the people continued to indulge in it once 
 in each service at least for more than seventy-five years, and it was only 
 a few years ago that this awkward turning about was altogether abandoned. 
 In 1850 an organ purchased by subscription was presented to the society, 
 and the first organist, jMr. E. E. Fuller, commenced playing on the first Sun- 
 day in April of that year. A record of his full salary was not found, but 
 the previous year tlie chorister was paid $'25. Mr. William D. Wilmarth 
 became organist in 1854 and continued for a great many years. 
 
 In 1858 the parish began to talk of enlarging the meetinghouse, and in the 
 spring of 1854 the society appointed Zenas B. Carpenter a committee to con- 
 sult a lawyer and see how this could be done legally. As a result some 
 alterations in the act of incorporation seem to have been made, as the society 
 was not at first empowered to hold real estate. November 4, 1857, the parish 
 chose John Daggett, Jesse R. Carpenter, and Daniel Wilmarth a committee 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 267 
 
 to attend to repairs, etc., aud the report they duly made was accepted and 
 ordered to be sent to the church. This is all the parish records furnish relat- 
 ing to this matter, the society having it in charge chietly. In December, 
 1857, they chose these three gentlemen with Sumner E. Capron and Godfrey 
 Wheelock their committee for the same purpose. Alterations were accord- 
 ingly made. The meetinghouse was cut in two, and a piece set in, long 
 enough to contain seven pews, twenty-eight being thus added to the former 
 number. One or two pews were taken away just before the pulpit, which 
 was changed for a lower and smaller one, with proper attendant furnishings, 
 the old ones being sent to the vestry, where some of the chairs are still in 
 use. The gallery fronts were lowered, and pew doors removed. Furnaces 
 were put in, and it was at this time perhaps that, as has been said, " more 
 thunder was added to the organ." Various other changes were made, and 
 marked improvements were made in the vestry. 
 
 October 30, 1858, the building committee made their final report to the 
 society, and a few extracts from it are here given : "In the judgment of your 
 Coamiittee the House is now worth Twelve Thousand Dollars, ($12,000), that 
 a new one finished and furnished as this is could not ])e l)uilt short of that 
 sum. We have now a House of worship of which we need not be ashamed 
 either in its exterior form or interior finish," which ''has l)een much beauti- 
 fied l)y Fresco Painting and other ornaments. It is not like the old one offen- 
 sive to good taste. The Committee tliink that the greatest improvement, one 
 that will be the most often appreciated, is that of the vestry. It is now one 
 of the most convenient in its form and arrangements, pleasant and neat in 
 its appearance, and is not exceeded if equaled l)y any Room of the kind 
 known to us. Although it has cost something to make the alterations it is 
 now w^orth it. It presents a most striking contrast with the old one." Not 
 a word of this descrii)tion, excei)ting the last sentence, is true of the vestry 
 to-dav. These repairs cost $4,200. Citizens of the place subscribed $500 to 
 purchase and put up the clock ; the ladies had a fair which netted $300, which 
 with presents, etc., they increased to over $500. The society fund, which had 
 been increased to $4,000 or more, was used to pay for the new pews put into 
 the building, and these, still owned by the society, represent that sum. 
 The work was superintended by Mr. Jesse R. Carpenter with his usual energy 
 and finished promptly. On its completion appropriate dedicatory services 
 were held. 
 
 As stated, the parish in 1824 transferred their interest in the meetinghouse 
 and lot to the society. This was not a legal sale, as was afterwards ascer- 
 tained, but was confirmed l)y the Legislature, which gave further authority 
 to the society to dispose of the building. The society has no legal power to 
 raise funds for the care, repairing, or building of a meetinghouse, as the parish 
 has. and therefore much embarrassment has at times attended its proceedings 
 in connection with that organization, and many complications have arisen. 
 
268 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 It was therefore deeined i)ro|)er after due investigation and deliberation for 
 the society to transfer tliis property baclv to the parish, and this they accord- 
 inuly agreed to do December 17, 1860. 
 
 At a parish meeting held August 1, 1872, a committee was appointed to 
 report upon the question of buying or Imilding a parsonage, and it was at 
 length decided to purchase a house and lot on Peck Street, owned b}' Charles 
 I. Cobb, for the sum of So,OOU. Alterations and improvements have from 
 time to time beeii made, and it has been occupied by the several pastors who 
 have been over the church since its purchase. 
 
 During this year, 1887, the question as to the advisability of purchasing 
 another lot and building a new church has been much agitated, and some 
 steps in that direction have been taken, chiefly on the part of some of the 
 ladies of the parish, who have pledged themselves to do all in their power to 
 accomplish this desired object. Nothing definite has been done, however. 
 A meeting was held in which some propositions or suggestions were advanced, 
 and the ladies hoped the gentlemen would feel sufficient interest to secure 
 a lot which seemed appropriate and was then available. Enough interest 
 was not awakened, and, the lot being too expensive for the ladies to assume 
 the responsibility of its purchase alone, nothing further was done. Many 
 consider a change in location necessary, while others deem the present site 
 as agreeable as any in or near tiie centre of the village, and to build far from 
 the centre in any direction would be to benefit a few at the cost of the present 
 equal convenience to the many.' 
 
 1 Sluce the above was written, some further steps teiiding toward a new churcli have been taken. 
 A special meeting of the Ladies' Sewing Society was called for January 4. 18S9, and held at the house 
 of Mr. E. S. Capron on that date to hear and act upon a proposition to be made by Mr. G. A. Dean. 
 This related to " the Weaver estate " on North Main Street, consisting of a lot of laud 9'Jxl65 feet in 
 size, with a cottage and barn standing thereon, and then for sale by the administrator, Mr. D. H. 
 Smith. Twenty-seven ladies were present, and by a nearly unanimous vote it was decided to pur- 
 chase this property. The price paid was $4,GO0. A small portion only was paid at once, the society 
 assuming the remainder of the debt, which was to be paid as they should be able to earn or raise the 
 money to cancel it. The deed was passed January l.i, 1889, and signed by George A. Dean and 
 Everett S. Capron, trustees for the society, and Emma L. Battey, secretary of the same. The ladies 
 have been greatly prospered in their good work, and consideralde reductions of the ilebt have l)een 
 made. While many consider the situation of this lot unsuitable, no one apparently criticizes the 
 action of the ladies in making this purcliase, because the property is a good investment and should it 
 never be used as a church lot it could doubtless be sold at a considerable advance over the price 
 paid. Quite recently the gentlemen have been roused to take some action in this matter, and a 
 committee has been appointed, which has held some meetings, but nothing very definite appears as 
 yet to have been accomplished. 
 
 In September, \^%i, the society made an ailditional purchase of laud (100x163 feet in size) from the 
 Hay ward estate for §+,oOO. It has now -JOO feet front on North Main Street and 10:5 feet on the exten- 
 sion of Dean Street, a lot ample in size should the church ever decide to use it as a buililing site. 
 
 For a number of years the question of incorporating the church had been agitated, and at the 
 annual meeting held January 1, 1892, a committee (;onsisting of four gentlemen was appointed to 
 consider the matter and take such steps as should seem advisable. This committee was not<'alled 
 together until the latter part of January, 1893, when by unanimous action it was decided to call the 
 necessary legal meeting, which was held February 17, 1893. At that time the required action was 
 taken, and the matter was soon consummated. The parish up to that time was the legal body, as such 
 holding all the property and controlling all business affairs. It agreed to the desired change by 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 269 
 
 It would seem a pity that the h\nd upon which a house for religious worship 
 has stood for so many years, and which was given or (obtained for that special 
 purpose and no other, should be diverted, even if it could be, to Inisiness 
 purposes. Ought religious bodies or those immediately associated with them 
 to consent to such proceedings or ratify such transactions? There is diver- 
 sity of opinion as to the power of the parish to give a good title to this land, 
 some claiming that the meetinghouse stands on the schoolhouse lot, a title 
 to which might be very doubtful, and others that it is on the Bolkcom laud, 
 regularly bought by the parish. These are questions which need not be dis- 
 cussed here, but changes of some kind seem to lie inevitable either in a new 
 building elsewhere or a renewed one here, the vestry having become entirely 
 hiadequate to the demands made upon it, especially by the Sabbath-school. 
 The latter would be the plan the adoption of whicli would be urged by the 
 author — retain the ancient site, preserve the ancient landmarks because of 
 the hallowed associations which are clustered aliout this spot, with its old, 
 spired meetinghouse and its little ''city of the dead." And what object is 
 more pleasing and restful to the eye in any scene — whether it be in the 
 crowded city or the busy town, on the wooded hilltop, in the quiet valley, or 
 by the shining watej'S of the lake — than a pretty church in a setting of vivid 
 green, dotted with memorials to its own peculiar dead, peacefully " making 
 a Sunday where it stands"? Then let the " white church" still stand in its 
 wonted place, still hold within its honored walls the memories that passing 
 years have gathered there. Those years have witnessed rude shatterings of 
 some of its associations, but many aliide here still which would depart forever 
 should the church move elsewhere, and then the coming years would promise 
 only change after change. The quiet of the Sabbath is indeed often broken 
 by the shriek of engines and the rush of trains, and the people would fain 
 have a more retired spot in which to worship God ; but where in our busy 
 village is such a spot to be found, a spot into whose precincts the rattle and 
 clatter of activity will not dare to penetrate? Here as elsewhere, however, 
 the majority must decide, and perhaps the old church home will soon be 
 abandoned. Should this be, then let human ingenuity exert itself to the 
 utmost to devise new laws, if necessary, to prevent further disturbance of 
 the community's dead. Let the occupants of this "God's acre" slumber 
 quietly on ; no sound reaches their ears, no noise disturbs them ; they heed 
 
 selling its property to the church for a small sum in onier to make a good title, and the latter is now 
 its own governing body. The incorporation charter was granted March 1, isas, to "The Second 
 Congregational Church of Attleborough, Mass." Originally there were probably very few if any 
 members of this parish who were not also members of the church, and the interests of the two 
 bodies were then therefore one. With the increase of population this would naturally be changed, 
 many becoming members of the parish not being memljers of tlie churcli, under whicli circumstances 
 tlie affairs of the two bodies must at times inevitably clash. This was the fundamental reason for tlie 
 change. The parish still exists, as it holds the Richardson School Fund, the duties of which trust are 
 about all it now has to perform. 
 
270 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 not the loud hum of business or the roar and runiV)le of passnig trauis ; let 
 them sleep their deep sleep in peace until the last trumpet shall awaken 
 them.^ 
 
 . 'If it be judged that loo uiucli space has been devoted to the affairs of this particular churcli and 
 society, let it be remembered that, because of the situation of their property, tliese have at times 
 involve<l not only the entire community l)ut the town. Furthermore, details available liere awl pre- 
 sented are typical of all the ancient cliurches in the town and, no doubt, of most of those formed 
 ■during tlie early days of New England; and, again, in view of the prospect at the time of writing of 
 «u entire change — the possil)ilit.v of the complete alteration of the old cliurch Ijuilding or its removal 
 from its ancient site — it has seemed pardonable to the Editor to prolong the sketch. 
 
 It can hanlly be deemed out of place in Uiis note to mention the recent purchase of a fine large 
 organ for this church at a cost of over $3,000, wliich was raised by subscription, entertainments, etc. 
 It is certainly fitting to speak a word of high commendation of Mr. John Marsh, who has had the 
 chief responsibility in this enterprise, and who has worked with unwearied patience and untiring 
 zeal for its accomplishment. The new instrument lias been placed in the northeast corner of the 
 building, and a small room built in the opposite corner under the gallery and with an outside door 
 for the pastor's use. The choir gallery is between them and lichind the pulpit, which is moved for- 
 ward, necessitating the removal of some front pews and all formerly on cither side of tlie pulpit. The 
 old choir gallery is used for pews. The organ was used for the first time publicly at a concert on 
 July 5, li<94, given l)y Mr. s. B. Whitney and three members of the famous l>oy choir at the Churcn of 
 the Advent in Boston, where he is the organist. Tlic program was a most attractive one an<l rendered 
 with true artistic taste and skill, and was a musical treat sucli as Attleborough rarely has the pleasure 
 of liearing, and one long to be remembered. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 271 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CHURCHES AND THE MINISTRY, CONTINUED. NORTH BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 f^p^HIS ehureli was eoustituted in ITOf. Its existence, Iiowever, may be 
 J_ traced ])ack to a date more tlian twenty years prior to tluit — 1747. It 
 was at first and for many years afterwards of tlie Con*irei>ational order, 
 though differing from that denomination in some respects. "■ There being," 
 say the church records, " a considerable number of Christians in this place 
 that are dissatisfied with the Constitution of the standing order of Churches 
 in the land : they, Avith some others formed themselves into a society to 
 worship God according to His word and spirit." This was called " a cluirch 
 of New Lights, or Sepaj-atists," and it consisted of seventy-four members. 
 January 20, 1747, the cluirch proceeded "to set apart their esteemed 
 Brother Nathaniel Shepard l)y solemn ordination as their Pastor," and " the 
 day after, Joshuay Everett and AVilliam Carpenter were ordained Deacons." 
 Mr. Shepard was born in Norton, February 13, 1713. He was the son of 
 Isaac Shepard and a descendant of Jacob Shepard, of Wreutham (now 
 Foxliorough), who was a son of Thomas Shepard, of Milton. Till he came 
 of age he lived in different towns in the vicinity of Boston, and tradition says 
 he was a tailor. He married JNIindwell, daughter of John Woodward, of 
 Newton. After his marriage he settled in the town of Brookline and 
 became a mem]»er of a church there. It was some time later that he became 
 a preacher. He continued pastor of this church until his death, which 
 occurred April 14, 1752. He had the reputation of being an earnest 
 preacher. The house in which he died is said to have stood a few rods from 
 the one occupied by Ellis Blackinton. It is also said "a very large assembly 
 attended his funeral." A Mr. Carpenter, of Norton, preached the sermon, 
 and " his body was interred in the liurying ])lace nearly opposite to Col. 
 Hatch's tavern." His children were Jonathan, Nathaniel, Ebenezer. Mind- 
 well, Isaac, Elizabeth, Jacol», Hannah, and Samuel. 
 
 This church was from the commencement small and feeltle. It ''continued 
 public worship and brotherly discipline." but its "number l)ecame smaller 
 and smaller from year to year." For many years it was difficult to deter- 
 mine precisely the real standing of the church members and their doctrinal 
 points in regard to other denominations. For a long period they seemed to be 
 neither exactly Congregationalists nor Baptists. It struggled on "• through 
 many trials and discouragements " till the year 17(19, when by vole it changed 
 its constitution "• from a Congregational to a Baptist Church in what is called 
 
2 I "2 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 open eoniinunion." At this time tliere were six male ami rour female mem- 
 bers who agreed in doctrine, and '* they formed fellowship with the ehnrch in 
 Bellinghani. from whom they received aid." These six men were Josiah 
 Maxcy. Flhenezer Gnild, Joseph Gnild, John Spraone, Joshna Everett, and 
 John Cheever. June 5, 17(19, they applied to the Bellinuliam ehnrch. 
 
 Two years ])revions to this time, in April, 1767, Mr. Abraham Bloss had 
 moved from Sturbridoe to Attleljorongh to take charge of this church. He 
 was not installed, but preached here two years, till his death, Septemlier K!, 
 1769. During the previous year, 1768, the church had met together several 
 times to consult upon the possibility of continuing uptni the open commun- 
 ion ))lan, which they found to be impossible, and the result was the formation 
 of the little church of ten members "on strict Baptist principles." Having 
 thus settled down upon the Baptist platform, they soon united with the War- 
 ren Association, within whose limits the church was situated. This was in 
 1771, and the church remained in that association until 1837, when it joined 
 the Taunton Association. 
 
 From the time of the formation there was a gradual increase in numl)ers. 
 Once in three months Mr. Noah Alden preached for the people, and occa- 
 sionally they were visited by other clergymen, until Elder Job Seamans 
 "came among them." He was of •' Sackville, Cumberland county, and 
 Province of Nova Scotia," now in the Province of New Brunswick (18o4). 
 Mr. Seamans was 1)orn in Swansea, Mass., May 13, 1748. He removed to 
 Sackville,' New Brunswick, with Elder Mason's company, who emigrated 
 to that place from Swansea in 1763. He there became a preacher. After 
 preaching for a time to the satisfaction of the church there, he came to New 
 England to visit friends. He remained for a time in Providence with Presi- 
 dent Manning, of Brown University, who introduced him to the Attleborough 
 church. He was invited to become its pastor, accepted the invitation, and 
 in October, 1772, removed here with his famil3^ A place was found for him 
 with '■'• widow the Chloe Blackinton." Slie had a farm and offered to let him 
 take it on shares. 
 
 Elder Seamans was ordained December 15, 1773. The sermon was 
 preached by Elder Backus, President ^Manning gave the charge, and the right 
 hand of fellowship was given by Elder Charles Thompson. In 1779, he in 
 conjunction with Elder Biel Ledoyt, of Woodstock, Conn., was appointed by 
 the Warren Association a missionary to visit various parts of New Hamp- 
 shire. In the course of the same year he returned to Attleborough, where 
 he remained till 1788. He labored here very faithfully for about fourteen 
 years. On 'Slay 10, 1787, he requested a dismission from the church in this 
 place, wliich was reluctantly granted November 25 of the same year. In the 
 
 1 The pliice was then calleil Tantarramar by the French and was iiit lie Province of Nova Scotia. 
 See ISeneiiict's History. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEB0B0Uf4H. 273 
 
 first letter which he sent to the church regardhig his dismission occur these 
 words: ''Beloved brethren, I came to you in peace, and have served you 
 longer than Jacob served for his beloved Rachel and Leah. And, although I 
 have served with many imperfections, yet I can say with truth, that I have 
 strove to live in peace, and now I desire to depart in peace." When he came 
 to the church there were twenty-three members ; when he left there were 
 seventy-four. He removed to New London, N. H., where he had preached 
 during his mission, and was settled over the new Baptist church in that 
 place, which he established at the same time. Here he continued till his 
 death in 18.'30 at the advanced age of eighty-two. ]\L\ Seamans married 
 Sarah Easterbrooks, by whom he had, while in Attleborough, eight chil- 
 dren, four sons and four daughters. 
 
 Rev. AVilliam Williams,^ who was a member of this church, and the 
 respected pastor of the Baptist society in Wrentham, occasionally supplied 
 the pulpit during the vacancies which occurred after the removal of Mr. 
 Seamans. 
 
 November, 1789, Elder Abner Lewis came from New Bedford to Attlebor- 
 ough and continued the pastor of the church until September, 1795, when he 
 returned to New^ Bedford. After this Mr. Labeu Thurber preached here till 
 April, 1797, when he relinquished the office of a religious teacher and 
 removed to the east part of the town. 
 
 Elder James Read, who was then resident in Assonet village, Ereetown, 
 commenced preaching here in April, 1800, and was so well approved that in 
 December of the same year the church gave him an invitation to settle, which 
 was accepted. In February following he removed to Attleborough, and was 
 installed August 18, 1801. The sermon was preached b}' Rev. Dr. Gano, of 
 Providence, the charge given by Elder Pitman, of Rehoboth, and the right 
 hand of fellowship by Elder Baker. At the same time Edward Clark was 
 ordained as an evangelist. Mr. Clark died April 22, 1811, in the seventy- 
 second year of his age. 
 
 Elder Read was descended from John Read, one of the first settlers of 
 Newport, R. I. His son John married and settled in Freetown! in 1G67. 
 His children were Joseph, John, and Hannah. Elder Read was the son of 
 Joseph Read and Mary, his wife, but the date and place of his birth are not 
 known to the author. He was ordained in Tiverton, R. L, October 30, 1799, 
 
 ■He was a ce!el)rated instructor of youth. He comnieuceil a school for fitting young men for col- 
 lege near liis meetinghouse in Wrentham, which he continued for many years with distinguished 
 success. He educated upwards of one hundred students (Benedict's History of the Baptists), the most 
 of whom graduated at Brown University. Many of them became distinguished men. In the 
 number of his pupils were Dr. ^laxcy, Hon. David K. Williams, formerly governor of South Caro- 
 lina, and Hon. Tristam Burgess, the late elociuent memljer of Congress from Rhode Island, a cele- 
 brated lawyer in Providence and professor of oratory in Brown I'nivei-sity. 
 
 Mr. Williams himself was educated at Eaton's Academy, New Jersey, ami graduated at Brown 
 University in 1769, which was the first class in that institution. He married for his second wife Miss 
 Titus, the daughter of Deacon J. Titus, of Attleborough. 
 
274 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 though not over the cliurch in that phice. He continued in the ministry in this 
 town from the time of his instaUation until his death, which occurred Octol>er 
 21, 1811, in the forty-sixth year of his age.' 
 
 He was a worthy and useful minister and universally respected as a man. 
 The records of the church bear ample testimony of the estimation in which he 
 was held by his people. " In the prime of his life and in the midst of his 
 usefulness, the Lord, who doeth all things according to his good pleasure, 
 hath seen fit to remove him from the church militant to the church trium- 
 phant. Leaving the wife of his youth to mourn the loss of a kind husband, 
 and three children to mourn the loss of a kind parent, and this church and 
 society to mourn the loss of a faithful minister of the gospel, and one whose 
 faithful warnings will long be had in remembrance by many of them." His 
 funeral sermon was preached by Dr. (xano, and he was Iniried in the ceme- 
 tery at Plain ville. 
 
 Elder Read did not confine himself to labors in his own parish in this town, 
 but took frequent preaching tours into other places. It is said of him : 
 " He found much pleasure in i)reaching the gospel in the destitute places of 
 Southeastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut." He even went 
 into western New York and always and everj'where found a " welcome in 
 these then sparsely settled regions." One says : '' It is believed that he thus 
 laid tlie foundation of several churches. An absence of whole weeks on 
 these missionary tours was always at his own expense. He returned home 
 from them burning with a desire to be able to preach in other villages beyond. 
 His salary was not ample enough to allow him to give his whole time to the 
 church. There being no parsoiiage he rented a house and piece of land near 
 the church, and by the produce of five days labor of the week, added to the 
 support of his family." A memlter of his family says that his salary was 
 three hundred dollars per annum, a sum that did not suffice to support his 
 family even with the most rigid economy and industry. He had a small fund 
 — S'2,000 — which he had saved before he entered the ministry, and from this 
 fund he drew from year to year as necessity required. 
 
 He w\as a kind-hearted and self-denying man, "'an earnest, laborious 
 preacher of the gospel, and his preaching eminently scriptural." One says : 
 "■ Like Drydeu's faithful pastor he 
 
 ' Preached the Joys of Ileaveu, and pain?> of Hell, 
 And warned the sinner with becoming zeal. 
 But on eternal ]Mercy, loved to dwell.' " 
 
 He was held in high esteem by his lirother ministers, " and when God called 
 him from his earthly labors to come up higher," one of them writes: ''We 
 and the churches feel and mourn his loss." 
 
 1 He must have lieen born in 17(i8 or ITCO. — Editor. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEB01iOU(^H. 275 
 
 He delivered a •- Century Sermon" on the one hundredth anniversary 
 of John Shepard's (''the ancient") l)irth in Foxborough. This was about 
 ten years before his death, and the occasion was made one of ''great 
 attraction." 
 
 Mr. Read married Rebecca Burton, of Warren, R. I., who died in 1833, 
 ao-ed sixty-six years. Tliey had three children : Andrew B., who died in 
 1877; Samuel Stillman (the third son), who died about 1831 at the early 
 aoe of twenty-seven ; and James H. (the second sou), born August 30, 1801, 
 and who is still living at the period of this writing, having reached the very 
 advanced age of eighty-five.' 
 
 April 28, 1815, Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, who was then preachhig in Bell- 
 ingham, was invited '' to take the Pastoral care of this church." He was 
 dismissed in May, 1820. For one year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. 
 Jonathan Wilson, and the succeeding year by several ministers. 
 
 Rev. Silas Hall, of Raynham, came here in 1823 and remained four 
 years. He was subse(iuently pastor of the Baptist church in Taunton. He 
 was a veteran preacher in this part of the State, having sup[)lied numerous 
 churches in various towns. He continued his services as a preacher till near 
 the time of his death, which occurred at Raynham. 
 
 Rev. William Phillips succeeded Mr. Hall as pastor. He was ordained 
 here in February, 1827. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Benedict, of 
 Pawtucket. Mr. Phillips graduated at Brown University in the class of 1826 
 and attended the Theological Seminary at Newton. He remained over the 
 church here but two years, having received a call from the Thiixl Baptist 
 church in Providence to become their pastor, which he accepted. He con- 
 tinued there until 1842, when he resigned his charge and ever after declined 
 settling as pastor over any society, though he continued to preach in neigh- 
 boring churches till his death. 
 
 Mr. Phillips was born in Provincetown, Mass., August 24, 1801. He died 
 May 30, 1879, at his residence near Providence, aged seventy-seven years, 
 nine months, and six days. In 1827 he married Susan, daughter of Jere- 
 miah Cole, of Providence. His second wife was Roxalana, daughter of Ben- 
 jamin Edwards, of Charlestown, Mass. At his death he left a widow, five 
 sons, and one daughter. In 1830 he was elected a trustee of Brown Univer- 
 sity and held the office till his death. In an oliituary notice of him, pub- 
 lished soon after his decease, the writer thus speaks of his character as a 
 preacher: "In the pulpit Mr. Phillips gained attention by his rich and per- 
 
 1 Mr. Reail has Ijeen for many years a resident of Providence, R. I. He was a warm friend of the 
 author for a long period. He retains his faculties to a remarkable degree, has the vigor of intellect 
 belonging to mi«ldle life, and his penmanship might be the envy of many a youth, as a beautifully 
 written letter to the Editor, containing facts of much interest, bears ample testimony. Deacon Read 
 died June 5, 1893, aged ninety -one years, nine months, and six days. [" He enjoyed pretty good health 
 up to about a year Ijefore his death, ami retained his mental faculties quite clear until within a few 
 months when his mind seemed to fail some."] 
 
276 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 suiisive voice, uiul l»y his agreeable delivery. And his seriiious, clear aud 
 orderly in their method, aud full of thoughtful instruction, delivered from a 
 study of the word, and a living, progressive Christian experieuce, had a 
 charm ;ind force of their own, imparted by the gentle and gracious character 
 of the man, and the excellent s[)irit that was in him. He was a good man 
 and true, aud universally honored and loved." 
 
 Rev. Jonathan E. Forbush was received into the church aud chosen pas- 
 tor April 1, 1832, aud remained for four years. 
 
 Rev. vSilas Hall otiiciated a second time as pastor, commencing in January, 
 J 837, and remaining two years. 
 
 Rev. Reubeu Movvry was the next pastor. He came here in June, 1839, 
 aud continued a successful ministry for eight years till May, 1847, when he 
 requested a dismission to accept a pastorate in Homer, N. Y. 
 
 Rev. N. G. Lovell had charge of the church for three \ears, commencing 
 his labors in 1847 — being ordained June 23 of that year — aud remaining 
 until June, 1851. This was his last pastorate. He supplied a church in 
 Valley Falls, R. I., for a few months aud died there iu November, 18.51. 
 
 Rev. William H. Alden, now of Portsmouth, N. H., was ordained over 
 this church Septeml»er 1, 1852. He had supplied the pulpit for about a year 
 previously, while still a student at Newton Theological Seminary. He con- 
 tinued in the pastorate till April 2G, 185G, when he requested a dismission to 
 accept the call of the First Church of Lowell, this State. 
 
 Rev. G. F. Warren was next called. He accepted the invitation of the 
 church, and commenced his ministry October 1, 1857, when he was installed. 
 He was dismissed iu October, 1860, after a very successful pastorate. 
 
 Following Mr. Warren, Rev. J. F. Ashley, of Templetou, supplied the 
 pulpit three mouths and was here on the breaking out of the war in the 
 spring of 1861, when he enlisted. He was chosen captain of Company I, the 
 volunteer company that was formed. "Ma}^ 12th, the church unanimously 
 passed a resolution earnestly protesting against the action of the company 
 and the citizens, hoping he might be left to his duties at home." This action 
 was of no avail aud he led his company to the front. March 30, 1862, he 
 asked to be dismissed. This request was granted, and his pastorate ended 
 one year after its regular commencement. 
 
 Rev. Abijah Hall accepted a call October ID, 1862. In December, 1865, 
 his repeated resignation was accepted. To him succeeded Rev. George 
 Cooper for a few years. He was ordained here June 1, 1866, the regular 
 duties of the pastorate being assumed the following October. He was dis- 
 missed at his own request in December, 186'J, and went to Gloversville, N. Y. 
 He is now in Richmond, Va. In 1871 Rev. Lyman Chase, of Hightstowu, 
 N. J., received aud accepted a call from the church. He remained only 
 about a year, but was much esteemed. In 1872 Rev. William Fitz, of 
 Montpelier, Vt., became pastor, and during that year a commodious parson- 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUf^H. 277 
 
 age was built. He resigned iu 1873, Ijpcause the society was not able to 
 meet the obligation it had imposed upon itself as an inducement for him to 
 take charge of the church. 
 
 Id April, 1874, Rev. Samuel T. Fiost became pastor. His labors ceased 
 at his own request Jul}^ 1, 1875, After him the church called Rev. W. H. 
 Kling, of Wakefield, R. I., who became their pastor December 22, 1875. 
 His ministrations ceased in the autumn of 1881. In the spring of 1883 a 
 unanimous call from both church and society was extended to Rev. F. W. 
 Towle, of Rochester, N. Y. He remained until the spring of 1886, 
 becoming very much endeared to the people. At that time failing health 
 made it necessar}' for him to resign his labors and employ himself in a differ- 
 ent vocation. 
 
 In August of 1886 a unanimous call was extended to Rev. Charles H. 
 Wheeler. He was born in Wellesly village iu the town of Needham, this 
 State. He graduated at Brown University iu 1882 and at Newton Theologi- 
 cal Seminary in 1885. He commenced pastoral labors in Pittsfield, N; H., 
 and from that place came to this town. He was installed here October 6, 
 1886, on the anniversary of the yearl}' Associational gathering, and is the 
 present pastor of the church (1887).' 
 
 The first meetinghouse was not finished till 1784, though it was erected 
 many years previous, before the Revolutionary War, and meetings were 
 held in it during that time. Peter Blackinton gave the lot on which it stood. 
 The deed of gift was not made until some time after the house was Imilt. 
 It bears date ()ctol)er 13, 1783, and is given to " Daniel Daggett, Levi 
 Maxcy, Gent., Joseph Guild, -Tun., Yeoman," — the committee for the 
 church, — ''for the use of a meeting house lot, and that only forever." 
 P\irther, '"Said lot contains Ity estimation one third of an acre, l)e it more 
 or less. (Reserve to said Blackinton one apple tree on said premises), — and 
 said Society to maintain two thirds of the fence on said lot. With war- 
 ranty." The first building was finished "in the old-fashioned style, with 
 sounding-board, pulpit almost as high as the galleries, old men's seats fi'out- 
 iug the pulpit, square, high, upright pews, with railings through which the 
 minister was seen, no stoves, no window curtains." 
 
 The present meetinghouse was built in the spring of 1817 and is substantially 
 the same as when erected. The i)resent site " between the two roads, 
 was offered by Col. Hatch, to which an addition was made l)y William Black- 
 inton." The new building had at first no vestry and was twenty feet shorter 
 than now, and the church continued to use the old building, which stood 
 where the schoolhouse now stands, for its social meetings for a number of 
 years after this was built. About the same time a house was purchased of 
 the "Cotton Manufacturing Company" for a parsonage, which was used 
 
 1 Rev. S. Knowles is the present pastor (1893). 
 
278 -i SKETCH OF THE 
 
 until 1828. Daring that year a parsonage was built, it being the house later 
 occupied by Mr. Dexter Day. The present parsonage, as has been stated, 
 was built in 1872. 
 
 As we have seen, this church was formed in 17(59, with ten members. In 
 1793 this number had increased to seventy-four, and ten years later there 
 had been an additional increase of thirty. Tliere have been periods of 
 special revival under several of the pastors, notably Kev. Mr. Nelson. In 
 18i;5 there were one hundred and eleven members ; in 1816, about a year after 
 Mr. Nelson became pastor, the church had nearly doubled in size, there being 
 then two hundred and seven meml)ers. The following year, 1817, "'thirty- 
 three were dismissed to form the Baptist Church in Foxborough." At the 
 end of eight 3"ears from this time we find the numbers greatly reduced, there 
 being then one hundred and twenty-five members ; two years later we find 
 one hundred and forty-nine; and in 1842, while Rev. Mr. Mowry Avas pastor, 
 the largest number, two hundred and twelve. In 1844 quite a number were 
 dismissed to form another church, and for more than ten years ensuing there 
 seemed to be a stead}^ though gradual decrease, until under Rev. Mr. 
 Warren large additions were made, and under Rev. Mr. Cooper's pastorate 
 the number again exceeded two hundred. 
 
 Many have left this church and congregation to worship with other societies 
 in the vicinity, but the congregation is again increasing, and the present aver- 
 age is about two hundred, and the membership of the church one hundred 
 and fifty-seven. The Sunday-school has about one hundred and sixty mem- 
 bers, and the average attendance is about one hundred and forty. 
 
 "Connected with the Church is a legal Society, formed and organized 
 under the R. S. by Hon. John Daggett, Feb. lltli, 1854." This society 
 has the care of the property and the financial affairs of the church. Its 
 resources are the voluntary offerings of its members and the congregation, 
 as the sittings in the church are free to all who choose to attend the religious 
 services. 
 
 SOUTH HAPTIST CHrRCH. 
 
 This church, which is now extinct, was established as early as 1700. Its 
 records cannot be found. April 20, 1789, the first and second Baptist 
 churches in Attleborough met and agreed upon fellowship as sister churches. 
 Previous to this union there seems to have been some trouble over doctrinal 
 matters. Elder Isaac Backus, of Middleborough, writes to the ''Brethren" 
 of this church, referring to those troubles. He and two brethren from his 
 church were invited to be present at the ordination of some elder over the 
 South Baptist church, which occurred July 3, 1765. Upon examination it 
 was found that this church held to " communion with pedobaptists," there- 
 fore Elder Backus could not act with them. Other dissensions arose, but of 
 their settlement the author knows nothing. The doctrinal matters must have 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUCiH. 279 
 
 been satisfactorily arranged, or tlie imion above mentioned could not have 
 been consummated. 
 
 Elder Elihu Daggett was the first preacher. It is believed that he was 
 never regularly settled here. He occasionally preached at the North Baptist 
 church. He was the son of Deacon Mayhevv Daggett, of this town. His 
 wife was Rebeccah Stanley, daughter of Jacob Stanley, one of the first of 
 that name who came here from Topsfield. He had two sons, Ichabod and 
 Mayhew, in the French War.^ He was interred in the north burying-ground. 
 On his gravestone is the following inscription : " Sacred to the memory of 
 Elder Elihu Daggett, who died August 29th, 17G9. in the 60th year of his 
 age." "Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Rebeccah Daggett, (his widow) who 
 died September 20th, 179!», in the 85th year of her age. 
 
 "• What ve left behind us, others possess; 
 What v:e gave to the poor, v:e carried uith vs." 
 
 The next preacher was Elder Elisha Carpenter, Jr. He was settled 
 June 7, 1778, according to a certificate found cited on the town records. He 
 remained pastor of the church till about 1798, wlien he removed to Providence, 
 N. Y., where he died. 
 
 Elder Carpenter's connection with the church was evidently not entirely 
 dissolved until some years later than the above date, for in a letter to a sister 
 dated " Attleborough, Jan. 2(3, 1802," he mentions the business meeting at 
 which the church dismissed himself and his wife and were about to send them 
 "away in Peace, with recommendations as they thought best." He speaks 
 of having preached a few sermons and should preach what he could while he 
 stayed. From this letter it would seem that he was acceptable to the church, 
 and they were loth to part with him.'- He was a native of this town, a son of 
 P^lisha Carpenter, and was born August 17, 1745. His wife was Anna Free- 
 man, also of this town. 
 
 Soon after Polder Carpenter's removal the church was dissolved and the 
 members connected themselves with other churches in the vicinity. The 
 meetinghouse was taken down about 1810. It stood on the south side of the 
 road leading from what was known twenty years later as the late Thomas 
 Cooper's place to that of Captain Joseph Tiffany. 
 
 FIRST UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY. 
 
 The first meeting was held August 17, 1816. when the society was organ- 
 ized. The original compact states that " Daniel Richardson, Jr., Obed 
 Robinson, and forty others associated themselves together as the First Uni- 
 
 1 See Porter's Memoir of Colonel Jonathan Eddy, \>. 4. 
 
 2 He may have left town "about 1798," returning to preach sometimes, and tiie church may have 
 refused a final dismission until about the date of the letter quoted. The expression " preach what he 
 could " seems to imply feeble health. — Editor. 
 
280 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 versalLst Society in Attlcliorough." February 20, 1818, it was incorporated 
 by Act of Legislature under that name. The first religious services were 
 held in a hall belonging to Samuel Newell, of West Attleborough. He was 
 the proprietor of " Newell's Tavern" at that time, and this hall was no 
 doubt the one connected with his famous inn. 
 
 The first minister was the Rev. Richard C'arrique, who commenced preach- 
 ing here in May, 1817. A lot was purchased, and during the summer of 1818 
 a meetinghouse was built. It stood on the old post road a few rods south of 
 the First Congregational meetinghouse and opposite Newell's tavern. The 
 building was dedicated on December 29, 1818, at which time Mr. Carrique 
 was ordained (or installed?) and Rev. Hosea Ballou preached the sermon. 
 Very little is known of Mr. Carrique's previous or subsequent life. A 
 notice of the death of his sou in Pawtucket states that he was born in 
 Williamstown, this State, and from the dates given it would seem that the 
 father must have resided in that place previous to his coming to this town. 
 The same account speaks of the Rev. Mr. Carrique as "a much respected 
 clergyman," and he was doubtless a man of considerable ability. He 
 delivered an oration in the Baptist church upon a memoi-alile occasion, and 
 he seems to have been always connected with matters of public interest. 
 During his residence in tow^n he held meetings in the East village in 
 Bolkom's hall, and to these attempts to establish an interest in this denomi- 
 nation in that part of the town there was decided and marked opposition 
 manifested on the part of some at least of the "orthodox " residents. Mr. 
 Carrique's salary was four hundred and fifty dollars a year. He was dis- 
 missed in January, 1822. 
 
 The next minister was the Rev. Robert Kilhani, who commenced preaching 
 March 18, 1822, and was soon after installed. He was dismissed in April, 
 1828. To him succeeded the Rev. Nathaniel AYright, who was installed 
 during that same year, 1828. He remained for several j^ears — was here 
 doubtless in 1834 — but the date of his dismission could not be ascertained. 
 
 The church thus continued for quite a number of years at Oldtown, but at 
 length — and probal)ly not long subsequent to the last-mentioned date — the 
 society or some of its members commenced holding services in North 
 Attleborough. Where these were at first held is not known to the writer, 
 but after continuing them for a time sufficient interest was manifested to 
 warrant the purchase of a lot, which was accordingly done, and in 1841 a 
 new church edifice was erected on the site still occupied by the society. 
 This building was dedicated on the 3d of November, 1841, and the sermon 
 was preached by the Rev. William S. Balch, of Providence. The records 
 state : " The weather w^as fine, the house was full as we could seat and stand, 
 and some could not get in." 
 
 Meanwhile the church at West Attleborough dwindled away and finally 
 ceased to exist. "The building was sold at auction and bought by Mr. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUdH. 281 
 
 Bartholomew Cusbmau who hiter sold it to the Methodists at North Attle- 
 borough." They took it down and removed it to that village, putting it up ou 
 the lot where the high school building now stands. (This was the society, it 
 is said, many of whose members embraced the faith of the Millerites, and the 
 building was used by that sect for its religious services.) Subsequently Mr. 
 H. M. Richai'ds became its owner and removed it to the Union House lot, 
 joining it to that hotel, where it was used as a hall. When the hotel was 
 burned, the hall was also burned. 
 
 In March, 1841, Rev. Benjamin H. Davis assumed the ministerial charge of 
 the society, and succeeding him Kev. Mr. Lloyd and Kev. Mr. Coffin had 
 charge each for a short time, but at what precise dates is not known. 
 
 Rev. J. D. Pierce became pastor in 1845, but after three years, on account 
 of failing health, he was obliged to reliuquish his duties. After his resigna- 
 tion in 1848, Rev. Joseph S. Dennis accepted the charge and remained until 
 1852. He was followed by Rev. C. Craven in January, 1853, wdio remained 
 but a short time. 
 
 In May, 1855, Mr. Pierce was recalled to the pastorate from Claremont, 
 N. H., and accepted. P'or more than a quarter of a century he was the faith- 
 ful and devoted minister of this society, and was always ready for every 
 good work which he found to do, and interested himself in whatever con- 
 cerned the general interests and welfare of the town. He was particularly 
 earnest in. promoting the cause of common school education and was for 
 many years an active member of the school committee, as well as a teacher. 
 By his wise and judicious conduct and exemplary character he won and 
 justly deserved the respect and confidence of all denominations throughout 
 the town, and his death was regarded as a great public loss. 
 
 The following Memorial Record ^ was prepai-ed by a committee chosen for 
 the purpose and presented by them to the First Universalist Society. 
 
 "Joseph Dexter Pierce was born in the town of Scituate, Massachusetts, 
 Nov. 15th, 1815. Having lost his father in early youth, he was brought to 
 manhood by a mother's care. In early life he was apprenticed as a car- 
 penter, and for some time worked at his trade. He had, however, a taste 
 for intellectual pursuits, and, at his own expense, obtained a thorough 
 academic education in the public schools of his native town, and at the 
 Derby Academy in Hingham, Mass. He studied for the ministry with Rev. 
 Dr. Hosea Ballon, 2d, the first President of Tufts College at Medford, 
 Mass. 
 
 " While yet a student he preached his first sermon, Nov. 10th, 1839, in 
 East Boston, where he was ordained the same year. After a few months 
 labor in East Boston, he received a call to the Universalist society in Hart- 
 
 1 Copied from the Attleborough Chronicle of February 23, 1S84. The committee were B. Porter, Jr., 
 S. H. Bugbee, E. R. Price. 
 
282 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 land, Vermont, and was settled there Sept. 13th, 1840. This pastorate cou- 
 tinued nearly five years, nntil May 11th, 184.'). 
 
 " At the age of twenty-nine years he received a call to the First Univer- 
 salist soeiety in Attleborough, and preached his first sermon as pastor of 
 this society, June 29th, 1845. This ministry, after three years snccessful 
 service, he was obliged to resign on account of ill-health. He continued to 
 reside here, and on the recoveiT of his health, engaged in teaching in this 
 place, and did pastoral work in Wrentham until the spring of 1850, when the 
 First Universalist society of Claremont, New Hampshire, extended to him 
 a call to become their pastor. 
 
 " He accepted the call and commenced his labors March 17lh, 1850. His 
 ministry in that place continued five years, and was so successful, that, to 
 this day, there are people in Claremont who remember with grateful emotion 
 the words of truth and sympathy which fell from his lips. 
 
 " In May, 1855, he received a unanimous call to return to the First Uni- 
 versalist society at North Attleborough, and accepted it. His first sermon, 
 after his recall, was preached June 3d, 1855. Here he labored uuceasinglj^ 
 in the Master's vineyard until called to receive the reward of those who love 
 their fellowmen, Tuesday. Nov. Kith, 1880, at the age of sixty-five years 
 and one day. 
 
 " During this pastorate of more than twenty-five years he worked heartily 
 and suffered cheerfully, that he might advance the good doctrine in which he 
 firmly believed — ' that from the beginning, (rod had chosen all men to salva- 
 tion, through sanctification of the spirit, and belief of the truth.' He was 
 a constant attendant upon conventions and conferences, and interested in all 
 the work of the denomination. He served thirteen years as a member, and 
 most of the time as chairman, of the committee on Fellowship, Ordination 
 and Discipline. He was interested too, in all educational and benevolent 
 enterprises. But his chief work was in his pulpit, in pastoral work, and in 
 the Sunday School. As a sermonizer, a reasoner, he stood high in the estima- 
 tion of his brethren. As a pastor, carrying the faith he preached, and doing 
 his Master's work, wherever sickness and sorrow called him, in all the homes 
 of his own parish, and often in the homes of other parishes and denomina- 
 tions, he came as near the standard of the good minister of Clirist as it falls 
 to the lot of man to attain. When the church edifice was enlarged and im- 
 proved, his heart was cheered ; and the prosperity of the society assured, 
 when by his efforts the church was organized. And so much did he value its 
 influence that almost his last work was an effort to enlarge its membership 
 and secure its etiiciency. Such are the simple annals of the good minister of 
 Christ. 
 
 "Joseph Dexter Pierce had a natural gift of preaching, and his daily life 
 exemplified the spirit and teachings of the Divine Master. Of feeble health, 
 — he once said that he had not known a waking hour free from pain for 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 283 
 
 fifteen years, — yet he devoted his time and talents to the work he loved 
 with tireless zeal. He was in all the higher and grander elements of char- 
 acter au almost exceptional man. In him, living, this church and the workl 
 had a true exponent of tlie principles of Universalism, one. wlio by the daily 
 beauty of his life gave dignity and power to its teachings, and who, dying, 
 left his chai'acter to this society for their guidance and imitation, and his 
 memory as a sacred trust." 
 
 November 30, 18.55, Mr. Pierce married Martha S. Price, oldest daughter 
 and child of George and ^Martha Grant Price, of this town. Four daughters 
 of this marriage survive: Agnes, Mrs. John 1). Long; Bertha, Mary W., 
 and Helen, Mrs. Charles Esseltyu. 
 
 Mrs. Pierce was in every way eminently fitted for the position of a min- 
 ister's wife. She was a woman of superior intellectual endowments and 
 attainments and therefore an aid and an inspiration to her husband iu the 
 public duties of his office. She was possessed of a true, unselfish nature, 
 a pui'e and lovely Christian character, and was peculiarly adapted to be the 
 helpmeet of such a man as he was in all his faithful, unselfisli ministrations 
 among the suffering and sorrowing of his people. She survived him but 
 a few years and died December 14, 1886, not only universally regretted, but 
 mourned for with a real, heartfelt sorrow by all those who knew lier well. 
 
 Mr. Pierce was a man of rare character, and lie lived a rarely unselfish 
 life, endearing himself to all who came in contact with him to an unusual 
 degree. One recently testified to the truth of this statement and spoke of 
 hearing fre(]uent mention of his great wortli, while to tliis day many huml)le 
 persons repeat the story of his deeds of kindness and true charity to them 
 and with simple, earnest words touchingly tell tlieii' own sorrow for his loss. 
 Truly he was of such good men as tliey of whom the Master said: "They 
 shall have their reAvard." and when tliey '• rest from their lai)ors, their works 
 do follow them." 
 
 The church edifice, built and dedicated in 18-11, was twice somewhat 
 changetl, once in 18511 and again in 1865, when it w;is enlarged and im. 
 proved both externally and internally. From that time it remained wholly 
 unchanged till it wms abandoned, a period of nearly twenty years, though it 
 became in every way inadequate to the needs of the parish. 
 
 The members of the st^ciety who previous to 1840 removed from West to 
 North Attleborough retained the original parish organization, and the society 
 is therefore the one incorporated in 1818. With the church it is otherwise. 
 Its meml)ers for some reasoii declined to remove from (Jldtown and con- 
 tinued there for a time as a regular religious body, Init finally diminished so 
 that the church died away and the original organization was lost. Up to 
 1859 the only organization in North Attleborough was that of a societi/, but 
 on March 'J, 1859, when upon the ci)m|)letion of the alterations and repairs 
 the edifice was rededicated, a cJuircJi of al)out forty members was formed. 
 
284 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Tliis was the result largely of the zealous efforts of the theu pastor. Eev. 
 Mr. Pierce, who had been laboring continually for a long j)eriod with this end 
 in view. 
 
 The Kev. John S. Cantwell, d.d., was the pastor AA'ho succeeded Mr. 
 Pierce. He came here February 12, 1881, and was installed on the twenty- 
 seventh of the following May. Soon after this time a decided movement 
 Avas made in the direction of the much-needed new church building, and the 
 good work was so earnestly and etticiently pushed forward that sufficient 
 funds were subscribed in a short time. One of the original terms of the 
 subscrii)tion was that no debt should be allowed to remain on the completed 
 edifice. Plans were adopted and labor commenced In' removing the old and 
 laying the foundations foi- the new building, all of which was accomplished 
 by September, 1882, The old building was purchased bj' the Wamsutta 
 Hotel Association and placed on Elm Street adjoining the hotel, where it is 
 used as a hall, and where for some time the town meetings of North Attle- 
 borough have been held. 
 
 The cornerstone of the new building was laid September 18, 1882, and 
 the occasion was made very interesting. The exercises commenced with an 
 appropriate introductory address by the pastor of the church, following 
 which Avas the Scripture reading by Rev. Mr. Illman and a prayer offered by 
 Rev. C. W. Tomlinsou, d.d., of Pawtucket. The choir of the church sang 
 the hymn "■ O ! sing unto the Lord a new song " ; and a hymn, written for the 
 occasion by Mrs. Frank Mason, was snug by the entire concourse of people 
 to .the tune ''America." Then came the ceremony of laying the cornerstone 
 in its place with the impressive ritual of the Order by officers of the Masonic 
 Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The cornerstone is a large brown stone, 
 engraved on the front or eastern side with an inclined cross, on the north 
 side Avith the square and compass, and on the south side with the date 1882. 
 Sixty-eight different articles Avere placed in the cavity, such as photographs, 
 specimens of coin and scrip, copies of newspapers, a history of the society, 
 etc-, and some of these Avere special gifts for this purpose. As the stone 
 was lowered to its position, the Temple Quartet, of Boston, rendered the 
 anthem "Lift Thine Eyes" with beautiful effect. Then followed the special 
 ceremonies of the Masonic Order upon such occasions, during which more 
 music Avas rendered by the Temple Quartet, the final piece being " Keller's 
 American Hymn." As the closing notes of that beautiful song died aAvay, 
 fifty of the Sunday-school children came forward, and each one placed a 
 liouquet of floAvers about the cross upon the stone — a fitting service appro- 
 priately performed in laying the foundation for a sacred edifice. The 
 address of the day was delivered by Rev. A. J. Patterson, d.d., of Boston, 
 and was very eloquent. The singing of the Doxology l>y all the people 
 brought the exercises to a close, aud Rev. T. W. Illman, then pastor of the 
 Second Universalist societ}', pronounced the benediction. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 285 
 
 At the time work was commenced on the new building $31,000 had been 
 subscribed exchisive of the amount realized from the sale of the old build- 
 ing. The edifice was completed in less than two years and was dedicated 
 April 17, 18S4. It is of the Gothic style of arciiitecture, constructed of 
 red brick, the front especially being handsome and effective. The tower is 
 one hundred and forty feet high, its l)ase sixteen feet square, witli corner 
 buttresses, and the windows set in ornamental brickwork. The clock is fifty- 
 six feet from the base, and above this the tower becomes six-sided, tapering- 
 upward in a beautiful spire. On the corner opposite the tower is a porch 
 with a gable thirty feet in height, and connecting the two a cloister thirty- 
 eight feet long covered by a receding roof. Above this cloister " is the 
 most beautiful feature of the front, — a foliated window twenty feet across, 
 and sixteen feet to its keystone." The point of this window arch is sixty- 
 two feet high and is ornamented with brickwork, as are all the other windows 
 throughout the building. 
 
 On the north side of the edifice is the chapel, two stories high and con- 
 taining several rooms, with an L in the rear which contains the li])rary, infant 
 schoolroom, etc. Upon the west side is the parsonage, an attractive two- 
 story house. There are in the front of tlie church two vestibules connected 
 by the cloister and each opening into the main audience room, which is 
 " sixty feet either wa}'." This is a cheerful, well-lighted room, having 
 neither gallery nor ceiling. The pulpit is opposite the front entrance doors, 
 and the pews are arranged in semicircular form, with the choir gallery and 
 organ on tiie north side of the pulpit. Behind this gallery is the door of 
 communication with the chapel. The Sal)ljnth-school room on its first floor 
 is also a well-lighted room, thirty-four by thirty feet in size, and above it are 
 the parlor, tea room, and kitchen, all thoroughly appointed. In the rear of 
 the audience room is the passage leading to the parsonage, whose interior 
 quite fulfils the expectations raised by its exterior, for it is a pretty and 
 commodious house. The entire structure pleases and satisfies the eye and 
 presents a striking appearance. It is \evy handsome, but neither too much 
 so nor too imposing for its surroundings, — a country village, — but is appro- 
 priate to its position and a great ornament. It was erected at a cost of 
 $40,000 and is said to be the handsomest church of the denomination in this 
 State. The idea of placing no debt upon the Iniilding was carried out in 
 both letter and spirit, a fact we heartily wish could l)e recorded of every 
 church edifice of every sect throughout the entire land. 
 
 There are eight memorial windows in the audience room, placed there by 
 friends and relatives in memory of the following persons : Captain and Mrs. 
 Abraham Hayward, Mrs. Oscar M. Draper, Rev. Joseph D. Pierce, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Ira Richards, Mr. Stephen Richardson, Mrs. Helen D. Smith (wife of 
 C. E. Smith), Mrs. Juline Richards (wife of the late H. M. Richards), and 
 Mrs. Franklin. The memorial to Mrs. Draper, the beautiful central window 
 
286 ^4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 in the front of the cluiroh, is tlie largest and liandsoniest of llie number. 
 Tliat to ]\rr. Pierce is on the opposite end of the ehiirch, over the puli)it, and 
 the other six are placed three on either side of the building. 
 
 Dr. Cantwell resigned March 1, 1884. The following November the pres- 
 ent pastor, Rev. William F. Potter, came here and was installed in January, 
 1885.' He was born in Southbridge, this State, in May, 1843. He received 
 both his academical and theological education at St. Lawrence University, iu 
 Canton, N. Y., where he graduated in 1868. His first pastorate was iu 
 Merrimac, Mass., and previous to his coming to this town he had charge 
 of churches in Wakefield, Arlington, and East Boston respectively. This 
 is his largest charge. His wife was Miss Lotta Lord, of St. Lawrence 
 County, N. Y. 
 
 There is a prosperous Sabbath-school connected with this church. Much 
 attention is given to the music here, and the choir far exceeds in excellence 
 that of any other church in town. The service of song holds a far more 
 important place in the ceremonies of religious w^orship to-day than it held in 
 those of our early New England fathers, and the present standard of educa- 
 tion in this regard pronounces a liberal expenditure of money in the direction 
 of obtaining the l)est possiljle music in our churches a wise expenditure. 
 This large society has now a worthy and appropriate church edifice, one 
 adequate to its needs and almost perfect in its appointments. The only 
 regret possil)le in its contemplation is that the heart of him wdio worked his 
 lifework among this people could not have been cheered and encouraged by 
 witnessing this proof of earnest effort on their i)art, and that his eyes could 
 not have been gladdened by the sight of its beautiful completion — a reward 
 for his untiring zeal and the consummation of his dearest earthly hopes. 
 
 HEBRON CHURCH. 
 
 This church was gathered by Rev. Thomas Williams immediately after his 
 dismission from the west parish in 1827. On the 25th of December of that 
 year several meml)ers of the First Church who resided iu or near the village 
 now called Hel:»ronville (or Hebron) requested dismissal for the purpose of 
 forming a new church, and they "unitedly agreed, in order to their greater 
 usefulness in promoting the interests of religion, to become a new church, 
 under the creed of Congregationalism." A small but neat meetinghouse 
 was l)uilt at the same time on the line between Attleborough and Seekonk, 
 — half in one town, half iu the other, — to which and the neighborhood the 
 name of Helironville was given by the founder. 
 
 Rev. ]\Ir. Williams became the first pastor. He was the son of Joseph 
 and Luev Ritter Williams and was born in Porafret, Conn., November 5, 
 
 ' Mr. Potter resiiriicfi May 1, 1S89, on account of ill-liealtli. Rev. F. A. Dillingham is the present 
 pastor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOllOUGH. 287 
 
 1779. He entered Williams College in 1795. but in 1798 went to New Haven 
 and graduated at Yale College in 1800. During the three succeeding years 
 he was a teacher in Beverly and Boston, Mass., and Woodstock and Norwich, 
 Conn. In the year 1804 he studied theology with Dr. Emmons, of Franklin. 
 He was ordained as an evangelist at Killingly, Conn., May 16, 1804. During 
 the years 1800-4-.") he also acted as a home missionary in New York, in 
 addition to the other occupations mentioned. In 1806 he preached for a few 
 mouths in Branford, Conn., and during the nine years succeeding he was 
 acting pastor of the Pacific Church, in Providence, R. I. November 6, 
 1816, he was installed over the church at Foxborough, and was dismissed in 
 November, 1821, having meanwhile again become acting pastor over his 
 former church in Providence. 
 
 He was installed over the First Church in this town September 29, 1824, 
 and dismissed "by mutual consent, without council," December 11, 1827, 
 when, as has been seen, he became the pastor of the Hebronville church. 
 This connection was dissolved in 1832. From that time on he was largely 
 engaged in missionary service, especially in Providence and its vicinity. He 
 was for several years acting pastor in Barrington, R. I., resided in Hartford, 
 Conn., and East Greenwich, R. I., for a short period, returning from the 
 latter place to Providence, where he remained until his death. It is said that 
 during the period from April, 1840, to November, 1868, he preached not 
 less than 2,200 times. In 1814 Brown University conferred upon him the 
 honorary degree of Master of Arts. 
 
 On May 20, 1812, he married Ruth, the daughter of Isaac and Ruth 
 Jewett Hale, of Newbury, Mass., by whom he had seven children. She died 
 at Providence March 7, 1867. Mr. Williams died in the same place, of old 
 age, September 29, 1876, agea ninety-six years, ten months, and twenty-four 
 days. For several years " he had been the senior surviving graduate of Yale 
 College, and he was the last living graduate of an American college in the 
 eighteenth century." 
 
 Mr. Williams was a clergyman well known in this vicinity, and particularly 
 to the people of this town, in whose churches even for many years after he 
 ceased his pastorates he was a frequent preacher. Many will rememl)er 
 " Father Williams," as he was called in his later years; they will recall the 
 rather tall, spare form, clothed in garments of a somewhat quaint fashion; 
 the scanty, flowing white locks ; the broad forehead, prominent nose, sunken 
 cheeks ; the large, determined mouth and the piercing, liery eye ; they will 
 recall too the voice, which was low, almost indistinct at times, but which 
 when he became interested and animated in his preaching rose to a higher 
 pitch, growing louder and louder until its penetrating tones fell with perfect 
 distinctness upon every listening ear. His sermons and prayers both seemed 
 rather long to this generation, which demands its complete religion in a nut- 
 shell, the opening of which shall consume but a short space of even the Lord's 
 
288 • A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 day ; but both were couched in clear, well-defined terms, and the language 
 was forcible, often eloquent, and always easy to be understood, for his trum- 
 pet bore " no uncertain sound." He was, as someone has written, " a man 
 of vigorous and active mind, one who entertained decided opinions on all 
 subjects, religious a!id secular, and who was fearless in expressing them. 
 He was animated in tlie delivery of his sermons, and always secured the 
 attention of his hearers, not merely by his matter and manner, but bv occa- 
 sional use of strong and peculiar language. In preaching and sermonizing 
 he indulged largely in doctrinal subjects, and he adhered during his long life 
 to the theology of New Phigland." 
 
 He enjoyed peculiarly the power of Avit and sarcasm, which he used when 
 occasion required. He often engaged in discussions on public affairs and on 
 various subjects, ciiietty perhaps on religious doctrinal i)oiuts, and he never 
 failed to repel the attacks of his opponents with li:een repartee ; and he always 
 said something which they had reason to remember. Many anecdotes are 
 extant of his quick retorts in these discussions, which often completely 
 shattered the bolts of his adversaries, leaving them powerless and himself 
 the easy victor in the field. 
 
 He was a truly disinterested man, laboring often without hope of reward 
 and hardly reserving to himself sufficient funds to meet his own necessary 
 expenses on the journey of life. "He regarded himself as an instrument in 
 the hands of his Master," one says, and " he appeared t(> me the most disin- 
 terested laborer I ever knew.'" 
 
 He was the author of several volumes of sermons and numerous pamphlets, 
 and he furnished divers articles for various periodicals. A number of these 
 publications passed through several editions. They are too numerous to 
 mention all of them, but a few are given, as they show the character of the 
 man: "An Explicit Avowalof Nothingarianism, In a sermon by Demens 
 Egomet, " another sermon by the same writer, "The Greatest Sermon that 
 ever was preached," "Little Sermons on Great Subjects," "Jehovah; or, 
 Uni-Trini-tarianism, A Sermon," " A Discourse on the Battle of the Great 
 Day of God Almighty," " A Sermon on the Perfection of God, in the Imper- 
 fection of His People," etc. 
 
 His most interesting discourse was his funeral sermon on Dr. Emmons' 
 death, which occurred September 28, 1840, entitled "The Official Character 
 of Rev. Nathanael Emmons, d.d., Taught and Shown in a Sermon on His 
 Life and Death." It was understood to be the agreement between these two 
 some time before the death of either of them that the survivor should preach 
 the funeral sermon of the other. This discourse was prepared by Mr. Wil- 
 liams years before Dr. Emmons died, and he made a journey to Franklin to 
 read it to the subject. The good Doctor seemed to find it not wholly satis- 
 factory, for after a time he interrupted his friend and began to demur at 
 so much i)raise. insisting it was not deserved. "Tut, tut. Dr. Emmons," 
 
HI8T0EY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 289 
 
 sfiid Father "Williiims, "you must remember that you are a dead mau ;" aud 
 he weut ou with his reading, omitting we are sure not a jot or a tittle of the 
 prepared eulogy. 
 
 Mr. Williams was a man of very strongly marked character in ever}' 
 respect and of equally marked abilities. He was in a singular degree a man 
 of one purpose, and to that purpose he devoted himself entirely through his 
 long life. For more than tiireescore years and ten he labored actively aud 
 earnestly in many places in the work he was so signally called to do. The 
 good he did who can tell? He has gone, but his deeds remain. 
 
 Up to the year 1842 the Helwonville church continued to have Congrega- 
 tional ministers. In the spring of that year it became matter of conviction 
 to the members that there were good aud sufficient reasons for modifying 
 and changing tlieir creed. It w^as therefore voted to give up the creed of 
 Congregationalism as a test of church membersliip and to adopt a covenant 
 which should emlirace all Christians without regard to sect. They thus 
 became '• an independent Church of Christ," denominating themselves "■ The 
 Hebron Church, of Hebronville, Massachusetts." Their principles and 
 beliefs are such as are held by other sects, though they perhaps give wider 
 scope to individual beliefs or the expression of them than some others. 
 They hold each church wholly independent and recognize no synod, 
 presbytery, or conference ; that is, the}' " recognize no earthly authority 
 in church or state " over them, Init they '-believe on Christ's authority" ; 
 they have "the right and duty of self-government under the law of Jesus 
 Christ," and they " recognize the same right in every local Christian 
 church." 
 
 The following is a list of the successive pastors from the formation of the 
 church to the present time : — 
 
 Rev. Thomus William?!. Eev. J. C. Seagnives, 
 
 Eev. Charles Simmons, Rev. Gardner Clarke, 
 
 Rev. William H. Ilayward, Eev. Eeuben Allen. 
 
 Eev. Jobu W. Cakhvell, Eev. Solomon P. Snow, 
 
 Eev. Jo.sbua A. Stetson, Eev. Samuel Heath, 
 Rev. Junia S. jNtowry, , Eev. William B. Heath, 
 
 Rev. George W. Wallaee, Eev. Jolm Q. Adams. 
 
 The present pastor is Rev. Albert F. Remington, who commenced his 
 labors April 1, 1875.1 
 
 The original building was sold aud removed in 1870, and the new church 
 erected in the same year was wholly in Seeivouk. This edifice was burned 
 down in 1875, and another built and dedicated ou August 6 of the same 
 year. The membership is not far from one hundred, and the church has 
 a prosperous Sunday-school. 
 
 iMr. Remington died September 7, 1S8S. His successor was the Rev. s. F. Grady. The present 
 pastor is Rev. Joseph Forth (1S93). 
 
290 IIISTOIiY OF ATTLEBOHOUGH. 
 
 BRIOGSVILLE CHURCH. 
 
 October 2, 1777, a church was organized under the Free-Will Baptist order 
 with thirty-one members. The church building is a few rods over the line of 
 Rehoboth, and the original raembersliip was about equally divided between 
 that town and this. There was no settled pastor for three years, but at the 
 end of that time Rev. James Sheldon, of Piovidence, took the charge of the 
 church. He was ordained in 1780 and disuiissed in 1792. 
 
 A time of '-occasional supplies" followed, until in 17!»5 Rev. Jeremiah 
 Irons was ordained and settled. He remained nntil 1709. The church 
 received its name froui him, it being known in Rehoboth as "The Irons 
 Church." From the time of Mr. Irons' dismission until 1808, Elders William 
 Northrop, Daniel Hix, and others supplied the pulpit. At that time Elder 
 Samuel Northrop })ecame pastor, but the length of liis pastorate is not known. 
 After hira various " Elders" supplied the pulpit, some being active pastors, 
 until 1836, when Rev. David Steere was ordained. Following him was Rev. 
 John W. Colwell, ordained in 1841. His successor was Elder Joshua .Stetson, 
 who was ordained in 1845, Elder Gardner Clarke succeeded him and was 
 acting pastor from 1846 till 1853. 
 
 Mr. Clarke was born at Highgate, Vt., August 21. 1812. He spent his 
 childhood and youth at Bradford, that State, and he received a good academi- 
 cal education. He was ordained at Cabot, Yt., in 1843. His labors among 
 the people of the Briggsville congregation were very successful. At the time 
 of his resignation of the charge the church numbered seventy-five members, 
 a gain of nearly or quite a half during his stay. In 1837 Mr. Clarke married 
 Jane R. Deming, of Wethersfield, Conn., by whom he had three daughters. 
 He still resides in this town. He has had no particular charge for many 
 years, but has preached more or less. In years past he frequently took 
 charge of the services in the Second Congregational Church and sometimes 
 on only a moment's notice. He has long been familiarly known to people in 
 all parts of our town, both as a clergyman, a citizen, and a mnch-respected 
 man. He is among the few still remaining of the passing generation. ^ 
 
 His successor over the Briggsville church was Elder Lowell Parker. Elders 
 George W. Wallace and John Pratt and Elder Handy followed, and after 
 them for a number of years the pulpit was supplied by students from Brown 
 University. In the year 1875 the church had become greatly reduced and 
 numbered only seven active members. During 1881-82 Rev. Mr. Clarke 
 preached to the people for the second time "by the united request of the 
 community." 
 
 The former members of the previous or passing generation are mostly 
 dead ; some few have united with other churches, and what was once a tiour- 
 
 •Mi-. Clarke liied July 4, 1892. Had he lived a few weeks louifer lie would liave attained the ajre it 
 was Ills great desire to reach, that of eighty years. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 291 
 
 ishiDg little church is now nearly or quite extinct. For some years the only 
 service held has been one each Sunday, under the charge of the Methodist 
 denomination. 
 
 THE CENTENARY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 On November 26, 1865. Rev. D. H. Ela, a Methodist minister from Paw- 
 tucket, R. I., assisted by Mr. J. Davis, a layman from the same place, held 
 the first meeting, from which tlie society started, in Union Hall. East Attle- 
 borough. Rev. Mr. VAn preached at the morning service, held at half-past 
 ten. and Rev. J. J. Lansing at the afternoon service, lield at half-past two 
 o'clock in the same place, and Mr. Ela again in the evening. Thus Method- 
 ism began in this town, and meetings continued to be held during the fol- 
 lowing winter and previous to the organization of the church. December 
 10, 1865, the Sunday-school was organized, with fort}' members. J. Davis 
 was superintendent ; Ezra Arnold, assistant superintendent ; Freeman Rolibins, 
 librarian : and William B. Hammond, secretary. The first class meeting was 
 held on December 16, 1865, with thirteen persons present. 
 
 The church was organized March 10, 1866, by Rev. D. H. Ela. and the 
 following were the original members: Ezra Arnold, Anna Arnold, Delia A. 
 Arnold, Harriet A. Fuller, Delia R. Pierce, Edward D. Parmenter, Emily M. 
 Parraeuter, Mary A. Stone, Eliza A. Clark, Howard Drake, Augusta Drake, 
 and Ellen M. Hammond. At a conference held at Bristol, R. I., March "23, 
 1866, the first pastor was appointed. 
 
 The original memliership was composed chiefly of those who were profes- 
 sors of Metliodism and therefore had no church home in town until this time, 
 and a very small number came from the Second Congregational Church. 
 This church was organized under the name of " The Davis Centenary Meth- 
 odist Episcopal Church," but subsequently for good and sufficient reasons the 
 word Davis was dropped from th(3 name and is not used by the church at all 
 now. The word " centenary " was taken because the church was formed just 
 a century from the time Methodism was started in this country. In the j-ear 
 1766 a few persons who had belonged to " the Wesleyan connection " in Eng- 
 land formed themselves into a society. This was done in a carpenter's shop 
 on Barrack Street, in New York, near the site of the present city hall. This 
 was the small beginning of this Protestant denomination, now the largest in 
 the laud. 
 
 The first building, on the site of the present one on North Main Sti-eet, was 
 commenced in 1866, ground being l)roken in the autumn of that vear, and 
 the cornerstone being laid on October 26. The vestry was occupied 
 for the first time on the first Sunday in June, 1867, and the completed 
 church building was dedicated February 23, 1869. The sermon upon that 
 occasion was preached by Rev. Mark Trafton. This Iniildiug was erected at 
 a cost of $17,000, $7,000 only of which was provided for. leaving a debt 
 
292 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 upon the society of S10,000. At the end of four years, in 1873, one half of 
 that large debt had been raised, and the other half in 1883. In November 
 of that year this happy event was " celebrated with a grand jubilee," a re- 
 union of all the former pastors of the church and many friends, and tlie occa- 
 sion was one of great thankfulness and rejoicing. 
 
 On Sunday morning, December 23, 1883, within a montli of the time the 
 debt had been lifted, the church was totally destroyed by fire. A fine new 
 organ had just been placed in the building at a cost of $1,700, and this was 
 also burned. The Roman Catholics of the East village, then worsiiipino- 
 in Union Hall, on the very day of the fire offered the use of that room to the 
 unfortunate congregation for certoiu hours of the day; the Second Congrega- 
 tional Church made a similar ofter, and Mr. J. M. Bates a room in one of his 
 jewelry shops. This last offer w; s accepted, and the society continued to 
 worship there until the vestry of th3 new church was ready for occupancy. 
 The room was occupied for nearly a year, and Mr. Bates generously declined 
 to accept any remuneration for its use. 
 
 " The ashes were not cold on the site of the burned edifice, l)efore measures 
 were taken for erecting a new church buildiiig." p]arly in the spring follow- 
 ing the fire work was commeuced, and December 1, 1884, the vestrv was 
 completed and occupied. About three months later the entire church was 
 finished, and was dedicated in March, 1885. It is a much handsomer and 
 more commodious building than tiie first one and more convenient and com- 
 plete in its arrangements. It contains audience room, vestry, infant Sabbath- 
 school room, and ladies' parlor on the ground floor, and a large kitchen, 
 dining-room, and various small rooms in the basement. This building cost 
 nearly $20,000, and the fund in the liands of the society at the commence- 
 ment was $12,000, the amount of the insurance on the old Iniilding. 
 
 Though the people of this church have had to labor under many discour- 
 agements in their very midst and to make many sacrifices to secure their 
 present substantial and attractive house of worship, tliey have not forgotten 
 to manifest the true spirit of Methodis raby doing outside missionary Avork. 
 In May, 1873, Rev. E. D. Hall, with Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Luther and Mr. 
 and Mrs. F. Robbins, formed a mission at Chartley, in Norton. A Sunday- 
 school was established, and a church very soon organized, consisting at first 
 of nine members. A chapel costing $1,500 was built and dedicated on 
 February 3, 1876, free of debt. The present membership of this little church 
 is about thirty, with a congregation of sixty or seventy. 
 
 The following is a list of the pastors of the Centenary ^Methodist Church, 
 
 with the dates of their appointments : — 
 
 Kev. Alexander Aiulersou .... 18(56-08 Rev. -John W. Willett 1877-78 
 
 Rev. Henry 1). Robinson .... 1869-70 Rev. A. AV. Seavey 1879 
 
 Rev. W. H. Starr 1871-72 Rev. George W. Ballon 1880-81 
 
 Rev. E. D. Hall 1873-74 Rev. J. A. L. Rich 1882-84 
 
 Rev. John C. (iowan ls7.)-76 Rev. Warren A. Luce 1885-87 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 293 
 
 Rev. Walter Ela is the present pastor. He commeuced his hxbors in this 
 town in April, 1887.^ 
 
 In the little more than twenty years of its existence, this church has in- 
 creased from twelve or fifteen members to nearly if not quite two hundred 
 and fifty. Its Sunday-school is a very large and flourishing one. It has 
 upon its roll about three hundred and fifty names, and the average attendance 
 is two hundred and fifty. 
 
 THE HEBKONVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized April 4, 1875, in Hebron Hall, where it con- 
 tinued to worship for sevei-al years. In 1881 the pastor in charge seemed 
 especially to recognize " the necessity of :i new church edifice, and eai'ly in 
 the year set himself at work to secure it." In a short time quite a sum of 
 money was subscribed and work commenced, and the cornerstone was laid 
 in October of the same year. It required strenuous exertions on tlie part 
 both of pastors and people to complete the church building, which was 
 erected at a cost of about $12,000. They were however very successful and 
 on April 5, 188o, the pretty edifice was dedicated, " virtually free from debt." 
 
 Tliis church has had nine pastors, only one of them remaining three years. 
 At the time of its formation there were twenty-seven members, and at pres- 
 ent there are about fifty. The society holds regular services in Dodgeville 
 as well as in Hebronville and has a Sabbath-school in both places, each num- 
 bering over a hundred scholars. 
 
 The first pastor, in 1875, was Rev. John Q. Adams, who remained but one 
 year. In 1876 Rev. J. H. Sherman was appointed, and he continued three 
 years. Rev. Robert Clark, 1879 ; Rev. George W. Wright, 1880 ; Rev. 
 Charles S. Neetler, 1881 ; Rev. Eben Tirrell, 1882; Rev. S. M. Beale, 1883 ; 
 Rev. J. Q. Adams, 1884. Rev. Charles W. Hinckley was the pastor in 1887. 
 [The present pastor (1893) is Rev. W. B. Heath.] 
 
 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 This church was established about 1871, and in that year land was pur- 
 chased of Dr. J. M. Solomon on the "plain" between the Boston and Provi- 
 dence and the Attleborough Branch railroads. The committee of the church 
 at that time were Isaac R. Johnson, John Williams, and Israel Jackson. The 
 first building was a small house purchased by the society. It stood where 
 Murray Church now stands and was used by Mr. Staples as a shop. This 
 building was burned down. Since that time some additional land has been 
 purchased and a new church edifice erected, larger and more convenient than 
 the former. The entire property is valued at $2,500. 
 
 iRev. A. McCord was the successor of Mr. Ela, assuming the pastorate in the spriug of 18S9. To 
 him succeeded the Rev. Richard Povey, and to him the present pastor, Rev. George E. Brightman. 
 During tliis year, 1893, a parsonage has been built on Sanford Street, just in the rear of the cliurch. 
 
294 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 This church belongs to the New England Conference of African Churches. 
 The original number of members was about twelve ; the present number is 
 sixty-six. There is a Sunday-school connected with the church, which num- 
 bers over fifty scholars. The pastors are as follows : Rev. R. H. G. Dyson, 
 Rev. James H. Anderson, Rev. Charles C. Ringold, whose terms extended 
 over two years each. Rev. Daniel Bradley, Rev. Robert Peaco, Rev. E. 
 George Biddle, whose terras continued for three years each. Rev. George 
 H. Simmons came here June 14, 1886, and remained al)ont a year. In 1887 
 Rev. M. A. Bradley was appointed pastor. [Rev. C. D. Hazel is the present 
 pastor, 1893.] 
 
 GKACE CHURCH. El'ISCOPALIAN. 
 
 The first service in town under the auspices of the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church was held at North Attlel)orough about September 1, 1858. This 
 service was "by request, about two hundred being present." The officiating 
 clergyman was the Rev. Julius S. Townsend. He had been rector of Trinity 
 Church, Pawtucket (then in Massachusetts). Regular services were held in 
 both the North and East villages, in the latter place in Union Hall in the 
 evening : and on March 30, 1859, " a parish was duly organized under the 
 name of Grace Church," with Mr. TownseiKl for its rector. The double serv- 
 ices were continued, and it was the rector's desire and plan to have a church 
 building in both of the above named villages. He labored very earnestly 
 and faithfully for a year and a half, but was then compelled to resign the 
 work because of his ill-health. This was in March, 1860. 
 
 During the four succeeding months the services were conducted b}^ several 
 different clergymen, and then Rev. Edward Cowley became rector. He 
 resigned at the end of a year. While he was in town the services were held 
 at the Falls instead of at North Attleborougli. From this time — about 
 June, 1861 — until March, 1864, services were discontinued. Then for three 
 months Mr. (now Rev.) Samuel H. Webb took charge at the Falls as lay 
 reader. 
 
 In June, 1864, Rev. A. C. Patterson, "a missionary at large," became 
 rector, and while he had charge the land upon which the church is built was 
 purchased. Up to this time services had Ijeen held in four different places in 
 town ; namely. Union Hall, East Attleborougli ; Union and Odd Fellows 
 halls. North Attleborough ; and at the Falls schoolhouse. Mr. Patterson's 
 rectorship was a short one and closed by his resignation, and from the time 
 he left town until 1871 the interest in the work of this denomination seemed 
 to subside. Occasional efforts were made to resume services, but they were 
 unsuccessful. 
 
 In 1871, however, "a united and decided effort was made to revive the 
 parish." A subscription i)aper was started to raise funds for building a 
 church, and $2,000 were pledged. Services, too, were held at Mr. W. D. 
 Whiting's and in the Free EvangeUcal Church. In September of that year 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 295 
 
 Rev. J. 8. Beers became the rector, ami regular services were resumed and 
 held in Templars Hall. October 17 the ground was brolcen for the church 
 edifice. A few months later Mr. Beers commenced soliciting aid in Boston, 
 in which work he was very successful, and the cornerstone was laid 
 June 14, 1872. This ceremony was performed V)y the Grand Masonic Lodge 
 of this State, and the religious services were conducted by the Grand Chap- 
 lain, Rev. E. M. P. Wells, d.d., of Boston. 
 
 Meanwhile an additional lot of land had been purchased, and two months 
 after the laying of the cornerstone the rectory was commenced. It was fin- 
 ished in June, 187o. The church was finished and opened for its first service 
 March 12, 1873. It has sittings for two hundred and eighty-four people 
 and is valued at $11,000. The rectory is valued at $4,500. These figures 
 show that in a very few years a large amount of work was successfully done 
 bv this small parish. The church w^as not consecrated until over a year after 
 its completion, for in the Episcopal denomination no church edifice can l)e 
 consecrated until it is entirely free from deitt, a provision in the church 
 polity that all denominations might well adopt. 
 
 The number of members in the churcli in 18(30 was eleven ; when the reor- 
 ganization took place there were eighteen ; and the present number is one 
 hundred. There are more than a hundred families connected with the par- 
 ish. The Sunday-school was reorganized Octoljcr 1, 1871, and it now num- 
 bers one hundred and thirty, with an average attendance of about ninety. 
 
 The consecration occurred on June 18, 1874, and there were special 
 services during two days. A large number of the clergy from Boston, 
 Providence, Taunton, and many other places were in attendance. The con- 
 secration sermon was preached by the Rev. Phillips Brooks, of Trinity 
 Church. Boston. 
 
 Grace Church has had four rectors since its reorganization. Rev. J. S. 
 Beers was the first of these. He was. born in Fairfield County, Conn., and it 
 was not until he had attained the age of twenty-one that he decided to enter 
 the ministry. Previous to that time he had for some years been employed 
 in some business liouse in Bridgeport, Conn., and it was there, doul)tless, 
 that he formed the habits and gained the knowledge which enabled him to 
 manage successfully the business and financial matters of the churches over 
 which he was subsequently placed. The fact that he had reached his majority 
 before beginning the special preparations for his lifework showed that he 
 had weighed the matter carefully in his own mind before making his decision 
 and that he thoroughly understood its purport aud requirements. As has 
 been said, he acted from judgment, not impulse, aud devoted himself thor- 
 oughly and entirely to his work, laboring for the temporal good of his 
 charges aud their higher spiritual good with equal zeal and fidelity. 
 
 Mr. Beers was a man of great energy, for, notwithstanding his lack of 
 early education and mental training, he graduated from the Episcopal Theo- 
 
296 A i^ KETCH OF THE 
 
 logical Seminarv ill PliihuU'lpliia -'with an lioDorable standing." lie accom- 
 plished a great work in this town in the building of the church and rectory 
 and in doing much toward extinguishing the debt of the parish. He re- 
 signed in the autuni of \HH] and removed to Towanda, Penn. He remained 
 there until 1.S8."), when he received the appointment of general missionary of 
 the Episcopal Church in this State. After turning his attention to books he 
 became quite a student and found recognition as a scholar of ability, for in 
 1886 Trinity College conferred the degree of Master of Arts upon him. 
 After his appointment as a missionary he took up his residence at Natick, 
 this .State, and continued there until he died in iSovember, 1886. at the end of 
 a life not long in years, for he was but tifty, but complete in much work 
 well done. One says of him: " His consecration to the Christian ministry, 
 thorough knowledge of business methods, and indomitable energy, gave him 
 success in this field of labor," that of a missionary. 
 
 Rev. Frederick A. Fiske was the rector who succeeded Mr. Beers. He 
 was the son of Rev. Elisha and Margaret Shepard Fiske, of Wrentham, where 
 he was born April 15, 1816. He was fitted for college at the well-known 
 Day's Academy in that town and graduated at Amherst College in 1836. 
 After this he took the full course at Yale Theological Seminar}- and then at 
 once entered upon ministerial work. He was a Congregational minister for 
 nearly or quite twenty years and settled in some pastorate during the greater 
 part of that time. For some three or four years previous to 1865 he had 
 a private school for boys in Newton, this State. He had been a teacher 
 between the time of his graduation from college and his entering the theo- 
 logical school, and he gained a wide reputation as a successful educator. 
 
 The results of a severe illness compelling him to seek the benefits of a 
 milder climate, he accepted the position of superintendent of education in 
 North Carolina in 1865. He continued in this otHce for three years and 
 filled it most acceptably. He was, however, always possessed with a strong 
 desire to return to New England and resume the duties of the ministry there, 
 counting the days spent in that work the pleasantest of his life ; and therefore 
 in 1868 he resigned his position at the south and returned to the north. 
 It was about two years subsequent to this time that he entered the Episcopal 
 Church. He became rector of Trinity Church in Great Barrington, this 
 State, and later of St. Paul's in Brookfield, Conn., and from the latter 
 place came to this town in 1876. After two yeai's' labor in and for this 
 church, death called him, for his work was done. 
 
 The words of others most fitly describe the character and life of this 
 singularly devoted man. Says the Attleborongh Chronicle: ''Mr. Fiske 
 was a man of scholarly attainments, irreproachable character, genial, social, 
 and kind in all his intercourse with the church and world. His rectorship 
 among us has been abundantly blessed, and his departure so unexpected, has 
 elicited the most profound grief and heartfelt sympathy. Bishop Paddock, 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 297 
 
 at the funeral services, made a feelini;- triljute to the departed, speaking 
 of the great loss all had sustained, — of his unselfish devotion to his work 
 and people. He loved to minister as one that serveth. It was his highest 
 honor, the basis of his life. His service has been ver}- faithful. Wherever 
 his work, that work was lionorably performed and his reward w^as with God." 
 
 In the convention address delivered in May, 1.S79, is the following notice, 
 a beautiful tribute from the pen of Bishop Paddock : ''In the modest 
 rector V, that, with the Church at its side, crowns the little kuoll of an ample 
 lot in a pretty village of Bristol County, one of our best rural pastors lay 
 down to die soon after he had given God thanks for the good example of 
 dear Dr. Wells, (a loved city missionary of the Episcopal Church in Boston.) 
 This man, coming to his parish two years before, had found the wise and far- 
 sio-hted work and outlays of his valued predecessor burdened with such 
 honest, but partially unexpected indebtedness as changed times have brought 
 upon many of the parishes all over the land. The time came, last autumn, 
 when about $2,000 of this indebtedness inufit be raised, to avert disaster. 
 He did not create the obligation ; but it was Christ's cross that lay right 
 athwart his path, to remove it. First letting it cost hhuself more, i)erhaps, 
 han he would expect of any one else, he then roused the hearts of all, even 
 to the children, of his Hock, and they all responded uol)ly. Then strengtiiened, 
 as he supposed, in his gentleness and modesty, by a statement and commen- 
 dation from his Bislioi), he went from door to door in Boston, to let others 
 bear the burden with him, and so fulfill the law of Christ. From a few he 
 received refusals which pained him, from a few good advice against parishes 
 getting into debt, from others modest offerings towards his longed for getting 
 out of debt and saving a valuable prc^perty. Twice he broke in his weary 
 rounds ; but at last he succeeded and Avent home with the church's property 
 saved, and his life given for it. After a few weeks of exhaustion and suffer- 
 ing, the Rev. Frederick Augustus Fiske, Rector of Grace Church, North 
 Attleborough, died Dec. lo, 1878, and was buried l)y myself and other 
 brethren amidst a town full of mourners. He was a man of manly and 
 strong piety, clear and hapi)y in his convictions, and of willing and unweary- 
 ing labor." 
 
 January 5, I8G9, Mr. Fiske married Avlin W. Woods, a granddaughter 
 of the Rev. Dr. Leonard Woods, of Andover, one (^f the founders of the 
 theological seminary in that place. She survives him, and one son by a pre- 
 vious marriage, Mr. F. E. Fiske, of Taunton. 
 
 The next rector of this church was- Rev. George R. Wheelock, who 
 remained but one year. He came in September, 1879, and resigned in 
 September, 1880. 
 
 The church was without a rector until January 23, 1881, at which time the 
 Rev. George E. Osgood, the present rector, assumed its charge. He was 
 born in Boston June 6, 1854. He was educated at the Waltham High 
 
298 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 School and under privfite instruction for two years, ending with a four 
 years' course at the Episcopal Theological School at Cambridge. lie then 
 became assistant for Dr. William R. Huntington, then rector of All Saints' 
 Church at AV^orcester, now of Grace Church, New York City. He was at 
 the same time rector of St. Matthew's Church at South Worcester. He 
 remained in these positions for two years and a half, when lie came to this 
 town. 
 
 October 2, 1880, Mr. Osgood married Helen F. Read, of Hamden, Maine. 
 They have two children, Phillips E. and Edith E. Osgood. 
 
 Up to the autumn of 1887 there was a debt upon the rectory amounting to 
 about S2,!)00. During that season the necessary sum was raised by subscrip- 
 tion among the people of the parish, and the entire church property thus 
 wholly freed from oliligations. The church is constantly increasing in 
 prosperity. 
 
 There is one memorial window in the church, placed there in memory of 
 Miss Adeline Bowers, who was bt)ru Novem))er 2o, 171)'.), and died Octolier 
 18, 1868.1 
 
 THE FREE EVAKGELICAL OIIURCH. 
 
 The beginning of this church dates back to 1843-44. At that time "■ a 
 body of earnest christian workers " left the Baptist Church because they 
 had embraced the doctrines of Millerism. They built a chapel at Plainville, 
 where they worshiped for some time. April 30, 1854, the}' organized 
 themselves into this church, their basis of organization being "'The Doc- 
 trines on which E^vangelical denominations are agreed," their creed and 
 practice l)eing that of open conununion Baptists. Naturally the accepted 
 rule of admission to membership in this church is baptism by immersion, but 
 meml)ers of other churches are admitted who have not been so baptized ; 
 hence doubtless their peculiar name. 
 
 During the first year there was no regular [)astor, the pulpit lieing supplied 
 liy twelve different ininisters. On March oO, Lsfjl), Rev. Cyrus Cunningham 
 ])ecame the settled pastor, and from that time the church received recognition 
 from the other churches in town and elsewhere. At the organization there 
 were twenty-four members, and at this time there were seventy. 
 
 Mr. Cunningham was born in Newton, this State. He received a high 
 school education and made his preparations for the ministry with a clergyman 
 in Salem. This was his second pastorate, the previous one having been in 
 Westborough, this State, where he remained for four years. His wife was 
 Mary Daggett, and while they resided in this town they had one son, who is 
 a Baptist clergyman. Mr. Cunningham remained here seven years, and 
 
 1 In the autiiinii of 1S!)1 a new building on tlie church lot was begun, ami finished in the spring ol 
 1892. The second floor Is for tlie use of the Sunday-school, and the first floor contains parlor, dining- 
 room, kitchen, etc. Its cost, incluiling furnishings, was about $0,000. It is called the Parish House. 
 
HlSrOBY OF ATTLEBOBOVGH. 200 
 
 during that time tlie ehureli services were conducted in Barden's Hall. He 
 is now pastor of the " Shawmut Avenue Messias Church " in Boston. 
 
 Rev. John A. Heagy was the sncceeding pastor. During his stay the 
 church edifice was bnilt. Tt w^as commenced in 1867, l»ut not entirely com- 
 pleted for three years. The lecture room was finished and used for fully 
 two years before the entire building was completed. The dedication occurred 
 February 24. 1870. 
 
 The third pastor was Rev. Cx. H. Childs, who remained here only two 
 years, from 1870 till 1872. In the latter year Rev. H. Canfield accepted the 
 charge. At that time the church had one hundred and thirty members and 
 the Sunday-school one hundred and fifty. 
 
 To Mr. Canfield succeeded Rev. John Wood, who remained several vears. 
 He was much interested in all public town matters, educational work, etc. 
 During the summer or fall of 1885 he resigned and with his family went to 
 California the ensuing winter. In Octolier, 1886, Dr. E. M. Levy became 
 pastor, but he remained only about a year, when he resigned. .Some time 
 after this Rev. W. L. Lockwood received a call from the church after having 
 supplied the pulpit for a while. 
 
 The church edifice in this society was erected at a cost of from $8,000 to 
 610,000, and repairs to the amount of some $7,000 have also been made. 
 This entire sum has been paid. In 1^88 the parsonnge at the rear of the 
 church was Iniilt. The present membership is over two hundred, and the 
 Sunday-school, formed very soon after the organization of the church, has 
 a membership of prol)ably between one hundred and fifty and two hundred.' 
 
 CENTRAL CONGUE(iATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 The people of Attleborougli Falls were for many years compelled to go 
 either to North Attleborough or Oldtown for public worship. The need of a 
 chuiX'h orgauization and a church building had long been felt. Attciupts 
 were from time to time made to have some permanent organization, and a. 
 clergyman once came to town and labored for al)out a year, and then the 
 attempt fell through from opposing obstacles which arose. Finally in 3Iarch, 
 1866, a Sal)bath-school was estalilished with Welcome Aldrich as superin- 
 tendent. The late Job Savery took a great interest in this work and did 
 much to advance it. The school held its sessions in the basement of the 
 schoolhouse in the village, where other religious services were also held. 
 These latter were conducted in turn liy various pastors of different denom- 
 inations in town. As this arrangement did not prove wholly to meet the 
 demands of the surrounding community a canvass was made and sufficient 
 money sul)scribed to insure a regular Sabbath supply of preachers. The 
 committee having this matter in charge was composed of representatives 
 
 ' ISi'J. Present pastor, Kev. A. R. Paull. 
 
300 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 from several denomiuations, each one of which was to have a specified 
 portion of the year for tlie setting forth of its "•particular views." 
 
 This plan at first promised great results, but it failed completely before 
 the end of a single year. The previous arrangement was again adopted, but 
 with little success, and every prospect looked very discouraging. A newly 
 settled pastor in another part of the town had his attention called to the then 
 state of affaii'S and made efforts to renew the enterprise. Not much could 
 be done at once, l)ut the Massachusetts Home Missionar}' Society had begun 
 to look after tlie spiritual needs and interests of this community, and at the 
 meeting of the Taunton Conference held in Octo)»er, 1873, at North Middle- 
 borough, this matter was presented to the members present, and a day was 
 appointed for the conference committee to visit the town and look over the 
 ground. This was done with the result that the Home Missionary Society 
 Avas instructed to send a permanent preacher to this comuuuiity as soon as 
 it could find the right man. 
 
 Among the different ones sent was a young man under appointment as a 
 foreign missionary, and it was at once decided that he was "the one looked 
 for." and he was urged to remain until he should be called to his foreign 
 service. George H. Tilton's first Sabbath at the Falls was January 4. 1874. 
 He is the son of William Wells and Sarah Ann (Morrill) Tilton and was 
 born in Nashua, N. H., January .'51, 1845. He lived in Concord and Hop- 
 kinton, that State, while a child, his parents having removed to those places. 
 He attended district schools, the Contoocook and Hopkiuton academies, and 
 for a term the Kumford Grammar School at Concord, under a very faithful 
 teacher, TNIr. James W. Webster. He then entered Williston Seminary, at 
 Eastiuunpton, this State, where he graduated in 1866, ready for college. He 
 graduated at Amherst College in 1870 and at Andover Theological Seminary 
 in 187;-!, and on June 4 of that year he was ordauied at Hopkinton, N. H. 
 He then took a course of medical instruction in New York City, having his 
 missionary work in view. Soon after finishing that course he came to this 
 town, " was cordially welcomed by the people, and was promptly offered 
 8600 to come and preach for them six montlis," and at the end of that time 
 was given a renewal of the offer for an indefinite period. Mr. Tilton took 
 hold of the work liefore him in earnest and very soon found there was 
 sufficient interest in the coinnuuiity to justify the formation of a church, 
 which was done. He continued here, working with and for this people until 
 the new church building was completed. He resigned in May, 1875. 
 
 He preached for fully a year and a half after this in Wolfborough. N. H., 
 marked success following his labors there. He had meanwhile been obliged 
 to relinquish his former plan of becoming a foreign missionary, and as a 
 result of overwork he was compelled to resign all active work for some 
 months at this period. He commenced preaching in the Congregational 
 Church in Kehoboth village in October. ls77, and took up his residence there 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROU(rH. 301 
 
 January 1, 1878. He continued to preach there for five j-ears and on 
 November 2, 1882, was regularly installed as pastor. On June 6, 1870, he 
 was married to Ella Minerva, a daughter of Thomas and Minerva Wheaton 
 (Freeman) Mann, of this town. They have three children. 
 
 Mr. Tilton still continues in this pastorate, a pleasant and successful one.' 
 He was the projector of the enterprise which has given to the town of Reho- 
 both its beautiful '' Memorial Hall," and to his earnest efforts the satisfactor}'^ 
 result of the enterprise is very largely due. It is pleasant to praise the 
 generosity of those who contributed their money so liberally in this cause 
 and to record the fact that Mr. Tilton's labors have been appreciated. 
 Entirely without his knowledge friends procured an excellent portrait of 
 him, and upon the day of the dedication of Goff Memorial Hall this was 
 pul)licly presented to him w'ith well-deserved words of praise and with the 
 request that he would permit it to remain in the hall, that future generations 
 may see "the good man " who so faithfully labored for their good in pro- 
 moting the interests of the town. 
 
 Rehoboth and old Attleborough were so long and so closely allied that 
 what interests the one town has a more than common interest for the other, 
 and the old Orthodox church of the older town and the new Orthodox church 
 of the younger town have a special tie between, in that both have been 
 benefited by the laltors of the same earnest and faithful minister. 
 
 As was stated, soon after Mr. Tilton commenced his work here, sufficient 
 intei-est was manifested to warrant proceeding in the movement towards a 
 church organization. A meeting was held March 19, 1874, and a Congrega- 
 tional church was formed, calling itself the Central Congregational Church 
 of Attleborougli. The first deacons elected were Edwin Shepardson and 
 Welcome Aldrich, the first treasurer William F'isher, and the clerk H. N. 
 Daggett. A council for the recognition of the new church was held in 
 Agricultural Hall on the thirty-first of the same month. Dr. Blake preaching 
 the sermon. Meetings continued to be held in the sclioolroom, but the place 
 was entirely inadequate to the wants of the congregation, and simultaneously 
 with the formation of the cluircli a movement in the direction of a building 
 was made. 
 
 This enterprise, once started, was " pushed forward witli gi-eat energy, both 
 by the pastor and H. N. Daggett, and some other stirring men of the village." 
 It took just five weeks from the formal recognition of the formation of the 
 church for these energetic men to perfect their ari'angements and commence 
 the contemplated work of building. The old burying-ground was the site 
 selected for the edifice, and it was necessary to reujove some of the bodies 
 interred there. It was with considerable difficulty in some cases that the 
 
 iln 1891 Mr. Tilion rosigiieil his pastorate in Rehol)Oth, preatrliing- liis last sermon to his |ieople 
 there on November 2S ot that year. He went to Lancaster, X. H., where he still is located. 
 
302 .4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 consent of the reliitives was obtained, but all such obstacles were finalh' 
 overcome. The building committee were Handel N. Daggett, John F. Sturdv, 
 and Edwin Whitney. They began work on May 5, IST-i, and on June 16 
 the cornerstone was laid. The pastor, Rev. ]Mr. Tilton, made the historical 
 remarks, and Rev. J. J. Woolley, of Pawtucket, delivered the address upon 
 that occasion. The exercises were participated in by Rev. Samuel Bell, Rev. 
 John Whitehill, Rev. H. Canfield, of this town, and Rev. Dr. Blodgett, of 
 Pawtucket. In the cornerstone were placed the names of the members of 
 the church, a copy of its creed and covenant, a copy of the order of exercises 
 of the day, two copies of the Chronicle containing editorials on the establish- 
 ment of the church, specimens of scrip and specie, and the business card of 
 Mr. Ji F. Sturdy. The stone was laid in its place by Mr. Daggett. 
 
 The work of building went rapidly forward under the etticient supervision 
 of the committee. Mr. Daggett arranged with much forethought and had the 
 masons, carpenters, and painters on hand when their special work was readv 
 for them, " and they did not leave it till it was done." Early in December, 
 1(S74, services were held in the vestry, and '"by the untiring etforts of the 
 committee the structure was completed in less than a year." The building is 
 of wood, with a brick basement, is about forty-one bv sixty feet in measure- 
 ment, and of Gothic design, with a spire whose top is one hundred feet from 
 the ground. The clock was the gift of the village and cost S500, and the 
 bell was presented by Mr. John F. Sturdy. The lecture room will seat al)out 
 three hundred people ; there is also a library room and a kitchen department 
 with all necessary arrangements. The audience room above seats about four 
 hundred. 
 
 It is forty-four feet high to the peak of the roof and is well finished and 
 furnished. It has eight side windows of colored glass and three rose 
 windows, the largest and smallest in the front end, and the other opposite, 
 over the chancel. The chancel contains the pulpit and choir seats, with the 
 organ at the right or west side, and there is a small gallery at the opijosite 
 end of the church. At the left of the chancel is a tablet containing several 
 texts of Scripture, and the date of the organization of the church, the laying 
 of the corner-stone, and the names of the several pastors. This church 
 cost between Sl6,000 and $18,000. The largest contributors were H. N. 
 Daggett, J. F. Sturdy, and the late Willard Robinson ; and several others 
 among the business men of the village were very liberal in their donations. 
 The ladies of the congregation also did their full share of the work. The 
 fruits of one young lady's industry purcliased the beautiful communion 
 service : "a group of young ladies " gave an antiquarian supper and raised 
 SlOO for settees and organ for the vestry; and the older ladies by a series 
 of fairs raised ^.'jOO towards furnishing the church. The work was a great 
 one to accomplish in so short time, for exactly one year by date from the day 
 the ground was broken, on May o, 187."), the completed church building was 
 dedicated. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGIL 303 
 
 There was a large congregation present on that occasion, and several 
 clergymen of prominence took part in the exercises. Rev. S. M. Newman, 
 RevTH. B. Hooker, d.d., Rev. William Barrows, d.d., and Rev. M. Blake, 
 D.D., among them. Rev. Mr. Bell, then pastor of the Second Congregational 
 Church, made an historical address, and the dedication sermon was preached 
 by Rev. J. M. Manning, d.d., of Boston, from 1 Kings 8: 27. Fine music 
 was rendered by musicians from Providence, and a dedication hymn com- 
 posed by Mrs. L. B. Sweet was sung by the congregation. This was the 
 closing event of Mr. Tilton's pastorate, and his labors here terminated at 
 that time, greatly to the regret of the people of the church and the 
 community. 
 
 The next minister in charge was Rev. F. E. Marsten,' and he was followed 
 by Rev. F. D. Kelsey, their pastorates together covering a period of five 
 
 years. 
 
 In August, 1880, Rev. George O. Jenness commenced his labors here. He 
 was born in Methuen, this State, April 14, 1887. He was educated partly at 
 Atkinson Academy in New Hampshire and at tlie Baptist College in Rich- 
 mond, Va. He pursued his theological studies with Rev. Ebenezer W. 
 Bullard, of Hampstead, N. H., now of Stockbridge, this State. He was 
 ordained in 1869 and commenced preaching in Virginia. Subsequently he 
 modified some of his views and became a Congregationalist and had his first 
 pastorate as such at Wakefield, N. H. While there he accepted the call to 
 this church. Mr. Jenness was married January 13, 1872, to Mary A. Merrdl, 
 of Hampstead, N. H. They have two children living, Annie M. and Manora. 
 
 The Central Church organized with twenty-four members and at the 
 present time it has sixty-two and a congregation averaging about one 
 hundred. The Sunday-school, organized in ^larch, 1866, has upon its roll 
 one hundred and fifty names and an average attendance of ninety.- 
 
 MURRAY UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 
 
 The first attempts made by this denomination to establish religious services 
 in East Attleborough were not far from 1820, or during the pastorate of the 
 Rev. Richard Carrique over the First Universalist society in Oldtown. 
 There was, however, at that time great opposition manifested against these 
 attempts by some of the leading Congregationalists of that part of the town, 
 who were very decidedly opposed to the doctrines of Universalism. How 
 long the meetings continued is not known, but it is certain that no permanent 
 foothold was gained at that time, and that no further efforts were made for 
 
 1 In June, 1877, Mr. Marsten married Ida M. Freeman, daughter of tlie late Joseph J. Freeman, of 
 AttieborouLh Falls. The ceremony took place in the church and was performed by Rev. Mr. Kelsey, 
 his successor. Mr. Marsten is now settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he is pastor of a large Presby- 
 terian church. 
 
 -Mr. Jenness' successorwas Rev. Walter T.Taylor. The present pa.sior (1^93) is Rev. J. H. McLaren. 
 
304 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 nearly or quite half a century. There were then probably very few of tliis 
 denomination in the East village, but. as with the succeeding years population 
 increased, people of this faith in larger numl:)ers became residents, and some 
 twelve or fifteen years ago they were numerous enough to think of having a 
 church and parish of their own. 
 
 In the initial work no one was more earnest than the late Charles E. Hay- 
 ward. The first decisive public step was taken on June 19, 1875, when the 
 organization of Murray Universalist Parish took place. The services were 
 held in Union Hall from this time until December 16 of the same year, when 
 Murray Chapel, the upper part of the late Edwin J. Horton's building on 
 North Main Street, was dedicated to the purposes of religious worship. 
 Services continued to be held there for nearly ten years. The society was 
 incorporated May 11, 1881, as Murray Universalist Society. The name was 
 given in honor of Rev. John Murray, the founder of the denomination in 
 this country. He came from England in 1770, and oiie says: "The cir- 
 cumstances under which he landed at Good Luck, New Jerse}', and preached 
 in the old Potter Meeting-house, which Thomas Potter had built in the faith 
 that 'God would send a preacher,' read like a romance. He was the John 
 Wesley of Universalism." 
 
 The first pastor of Murray Church was Kev. Franklin C. Flint. He was 
 here but a few months, from November, 1875, until his death, which 
 occurred Marcli 2o, 1876. The second pastor was Rev. Alphonso E. White, 
 ■who remained neai'ly two years, from Sei)teml>er, 1<S76. to July, 1878. 
 
 In the September following. Rev. Thomas W. lUman received a call from 
 the cliureh, which was accepted, and he commenced his labors here October 1, 
 187'^. He was })oru in Philadelphia, Pe nn.,- January' 29, 185o ; he went 
 through the course of instruction in the public schools of his native city, 
 graduating from the Central High School in July, 1870. The folloAving year 
 he entered the Divinity School of Tufts College, this State, took the regular 
 four years' course there, and then renuiined another year for special study. 
 He was settled first in Saugus, this State, at which place he was ordained 
 September 12, 1876. 
 
 Soon after his settlement here the matter of a church building began to be 
 talked of and special efforts in that direction to be made. Mr. Illman 
 labored with great faith and earnestness in this cause, and he was ably sec- 
 onded by all the people of his parish. In May, 1881, the society decided to 
 buy a lot on South Main Street, just below its union with North Main Street, 
 for 82,000. Efforts were redoui)led and,l)efore the pastor resigned, sutlicient 
 money was pledged to assure the desired result and to warrant beginning the 
 work of building the etlifice. 
 
 Mr. Illman resigned this pastorate May 1, 1884, to take charge of the 
 Third Universalist Church of New York City, on West Eleventh Street. He 
 remained there until June 1, 1887, when he accepted a call to Brattleliorough, 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUiiH. 305 
 
 Vt., to one of the largest churches iu the deiiomiuation.' August 15, 1877, 
 he married Maria Louise Poole, of Philadelphia, by whom he has had three 
 daugliters. Helen Louise, Adelaide Poole, and Florence Sweet Illmau. 
 
 Rev. Hiram A. Philbrook succeeded Mr. lUman as pastor of this church. 
 He was born in Bradford, Vt., in October, 1834. He was educated at Green 
 Mountain Listitute and finished with tlie divinity course at Tufts College. 
 His first charge was at Calais, Maine, and lie remained there thirteen years, 
 with the exception of some time spent in the array, where he served as cap- 
 tain iu the Eighth Maine Regiment. After leaving Calais he Avas over a 
 church in Nashua, N. H,, then in Pawtucket, R. I., and still later in Rock- 
 land, Maine. He commenced his ministerial labors in this town September 
 14, 1884, and a mouth later, on Octol)er 28, the ground was bi'oken for the 
 foundation of the new church ))uildiiig. 
 
 In 185.S Mr. Philbrook married Louisa King, of Clareraont. N. H. They 
 have two daughters, Laura Mary and INLiria Pliilbrook. He resigned in 
 1888, to take charge of a church in Boston. 
 
 The cornerstone of the new church building was laid December 11. 1884, 
 with appropriate ceremonies, and the vestry was completed and ready for 
 occupancy in .July, 188,'). The remainder of the work was rapidly pushed 
 forward, and the main audience room was finished and occupied for the first 
 time on November 1."), 1X8;"). The I)uilding committee early appointed were 
 J. Lyman Sweet, chairman. Rev. 31 r. lllman (his place subsequently being 
 occupied by Rev. ]Mr. Philbrook), W. R. C()l)b, the late Charles E. Hayward, 
 L.J. Lamb, and E. O. Richardson. Each and all of these gentlemen were 
 most faithful and etHcient, as the result testifies. 
 
 The church is of Queen Ani:e style and very pretty l)oth in design and 
 finish. The audience room has a seating capacity of three hundred and 
 twenty-five, and the Sunday-school room below seats two hundred. There are 
 also parlors, kitchen, etc., conveniently and a})propriately an-anged, accord- 
 ing to the requirements of the present day. The pulpit furniture was 
 presented to the society by Mr. Charles F. Lamb, of Waltham, a former 
 parishioner of Mr. Philbrook, the communion table l)y Mr. N. J. Smith, 
 and the ciiandelier by Mr. R. F. Simmons, of this town. 
 
 It was at first proposed to build a chapel only, at a cost of perhaps 35,000 
 or 86,000, but it was finally decided to have a church, though that meant a far 
 larger outlay. The present building with the land has cost ^16.000 ; and the 
 end aimed at, a paid for church, has not lieen attained without gi'eat effort 
 and even personal sacrifice on the part of niariv of the people. Large sums 
 of money have been contributed by a few, notal)ly by Mr. Hayward, Mr. 
 Sweet, and Mr. Laml). and many others have given of time and money pro- 
 portionally perhaps as generously as they. Though a great work had been 
 
 ' Attlie present time (1893) Mr. Illmau is p.-xstor of tlie Uiiiversalist church in Coiiconl, N. H. 
 
306 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 accomplished by his predecessor. Mr. Philbrook found much waiting to be 
 done when he came to the parish, and he labored perseveriugly with his peo- 
 ple until the consummation was reached. Most wisely, it was decided not to 
 dedicate the church till every dollar of the society's obligations was paid, and 
 too much credit cannot be given to the ladies, who for two or three years 
 worked unceasingly to cancel as much as possible of the debt which remained 
 when the building was finished. Early in the year 1887 about S800 was still 
 unpaid, and Mr. J. L. Sweet very generously offered to be responsible for 
 $500 of that amount if the ladies would raise the remainder by a certain 
 date. This by no moans small task was accomplished, chiefly by a series of 
 very pleasant entertainments, and tlie entire del)t thus liquidated. 
 
 The dedication services were held ^lay 11, 1887. They were i)articipated 
 in by many friends of the society from home and abroad and by several emi- 
 nent clergymen. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. Y.. H. Capen, 
 D.D., president of Tufts College, and an address to the parish was given by 
 Rev. Mr. Potter, then pastor of the First Universalist Church of this town. 
 Rev. Dr. George H. Emerson, of Salem, Rev. W. A. Start, Mr. H. (1. Dun- 
 ham, of this town, a student in Tufts Divinity School, and the pastor also 
 took part in the exercises, and the sermon was preached V)y Rev. ^Ir. lUman, 
 the former pastor. 
 
 We cannot better close this sketch of Murray Church than l)y quoting a 
 few sentences from Mr. lUman's discourse at its dedication. He says: 
 " As one who was with you at the beginning of the building movement, and 
 who has watched it with interest in all its stages, I would be qualified to 
 speak of the sacrifice and generosity which this little temple represents. 
 Every such movement reveals the souls of people ; and I can bear testimony 
 that free-hearted loyalty and devotion, in no stinted measure, have been 
 shown to abide in the souls ot the people of this church and of this town. 
 I restrain myself. 1 cannot be amiss, however, to mention the name of 
 Charles E. Hayward, as one whose wholesome li))erality made this church 
 possible, and whose spirit lingers near it, although, in life, he was not 
 permitted to enter its doors for a single service. It is a monument to the 
 devoted spirit and unselfish labors of many faitliful men and women, both 
 living and dead. Believing that to truly generous hearts, such as yours, a good 
 work well done is itself praise enough, 1 will content myself with extending 
 to you all most hearty congratulations that your labors have been crowned 
 with success, and that you can offer to the service of (^od and His children's 
 highest welfare so beautiful and so complete a gift, and offer it, too, free from 
 everv shadow of encuml)rance." ' 
 
 ' The next pastor, Rev. .Tahez Xewton Emery, at tlie time lie was called of Bellows Falls, Vt., came 
 here in 1S8S, commencing his labors on the lirst Sabbath of September in that year. He left Septem- 
 ber 30, 18!il, to accept a pastorate in Briilgcport, Conn. To him siicceedeil Rev. Daniel L. Fisher, 
 who came in Febrnary, 1892, and left August 31, 1S!I3. During his pastorate a parsonage was built liy 
 the society on County Street, he being the lirst to occuj)y it. October 1, IS!)3, the present pastor, Rev. 
 A. Francis Walch, commenced his labors. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 307 
 
 ST. Mary's church (roman catholic). 
 
 St. Maiy's Parish dates back nearly forty years, to 1850, during which 
 year it was organized by Rev. Joseph McNamee, of Pawtucket, R. I. 
 There were very few Roman Catholics in the district at that time, but a suffi- 
 cient sum of money to purchase a lot of land was raised by subscription. 
 The only obtainable lot was the rocky spot on the main road between the 
 Falls and North Attleborough, just west of the elevation called "• Peck's 
 Mountain." In 1852 Father jNIcNamee died, and Rev. P. G. Delany. also of 
 Pawtucket, had charge of the people of this faith in town for the following- 
 two years. His successor was the Rev. Philip Gillick, of Greenville, R. I. 
 He continued his residence in that place, but he devoted the larger portion of 
 his time to this parish, and under his administration more active work was 
 connnenced and much was accomplished. 
 
 Up to 1857 the religious services had been conducted in private houses or 
 in Burden's Hall, but during that year a church was jjuilt on the site pre- 
 viously purchased. This was a plain, inexpensive structure, but it answered 
 the actual needs of the people at that time and for some years. At the 
 time the church was built Father Gillick took up his residence in North Attle- 
 borough, living in various places there and for a time even in the basement 
 of the church, until finally he built himself a house by the side of the church. 
 He did a great and arduous work, for, besides accomplishing much in this 
 town, " he built or purchased places of worship in Franklin, Wrentham, Wal- 
 pole. Foxboro', and Mansfield, all of which he attended to regularl}' until 
 advancing years and increasing numbers of Catholics obliged him to seek 
 the assistance of another priest." He had, in all, three assistants, the Rev. 
 Fathers Conaty. Foley, and Ryan. In 1874, on account of his advanced age 
 and feeble health. Father Gillick resigned "• the post he had so long, so ably, 
 and so well filled," giving it into the hands of the Right Rev. T. F. Hen- 
 dricken, Bishop of Providence. It was in February, 1874, that Father Gil- 
 lick ceased his active labors here, and he removed to the State of New York, 
 where he died on the 10th of the following May. 
 
 He was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Edward J. Mongan, and his 
 first assistants were Rev. Andrew Brady and Rev. P. F. Doyle. Father 
 Mongan is still the incumbent of St. Mary's parish, and the present assistant 
 is Rev. John T. Lynch (1887).' He has worked zealously and successfully 
 during the fourteen years of his administration. A debt resting upon the 
 church when he came here has been paid off, and the parish has been in a 
 very prosperous condition. At the time he came here the church had far 
 outgrown its accommodations, and in 1877 the present site and liuildings 
 
 1 Since the above was written Father Mongan's assistant lias been removed. The work in Mansfield 
 having so increased as to require a resident pastor, he ceaseil his labors there and coufiueil himself 
 to the requirements of his own special parish in North Attleborough. 
 
308 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 were purchased. These were the old Tifft property on Washington Street, 
 North Attleljorough, the dwellhig well known to the people of the town as the 
 " Round house." This house is occupied as a residence l)v the officiating 
 priests and the stoue barn has been remodeled and converted into a place of 
 worshii). About S20,000 was the price (jf this propert3% and in two years 
 from the time the church took possession it was entirely paid for. In addi- 
 tion the building fund for a new church edilice already amounts to $10,000.^ 
 There are from eight to nine hundretl members of this church and parish, and 
 the congregation at the regular services averages from six to seven hundred. 
 The Sabbath-school niimbers two hundred. There is here an insurance 
 organization under the guardianship of the church, called the Catholic 
 Forester's Association ; this numbers about fifty members. Besides attend- 
 ing to his own parish, Father INIongan has charge of the services of his church 
 at Mansfield [see note]. 
 
 ST. .lOHX's CHURCH AND PAKISH. 
 
 In 1883 the portion of St. Mary's jjarish comprised in the east part of the 
 town was set apart by Bishop Hendricken and organized by him as St. 
 John's parish. For some time previous to this date, it having become more 
 difficult for the people of the East village to attend church on account of the 
 removal from the Falls to North Attleborough. Father Mongan had regularly 
 celel)rated mass in Dean's or Union Hall. The first pastor appointed over the 
 new parish was the Rev. John J. O'Connell, then curate of the Church of the 
 Immaculate Conception in Providence. He came .January 6, iss;!, and still 
 remains in charge. 
 
 Services were continued in Union Hall up to December, 188o, l)ut the people 
 had for some time been desirous of having a more suitable place. At the 
 time the parish was organized quite a sum of money had already been collected 
 with that object in view, and work was at once commenced. Laud was pur- 
 chased on North Main Street of the family of the late F. D. Bliss, including 
 the house standing thereon and now used as the priest's residence. 
 
 The cornerstone of the new edifice was laid September 17, 1883, the ser- 
 mon being delivered by the Rev. J. C Walsh, of the Holy Communion Church, 
 Providence. Pastor and people were earnest and zealous and the work of 
 building went rapidly and vigorously on toward completion. The church is 
 one hundred and ten feet long, fifty feet wide, and built after the Gothic 
 style. It is a handsome structure and makes as a whole a fine effect. The 
 lofty spire is an especially noticeable feature, and the top of its surmounting 
 cross reaches to the height of one hundred and thirt^'-eight and a half feet 
 from the ground. The auditorium is of excellent proportions, finished and 
 
 'The new buililing lias been conimenceil. The cornerstone was laid in tlie spring of 18S9, and the 
 work of construction is going on. It is estimated that it will cost $75,000, and it will be a large and 
 handsome structure. The basement is occupied for worship, but the room above is not yet completed. 
 
BIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 309 
 
 furnished well, the style of finish used in the roof being particularly pleasing. 
 The colors used in the decoration are soft and agreeable to the eye, and the 
 stained glass windows add much to the general effect of the entire room, 
 which is harmonious and in good taste. The beautiful window over the high 
 altar is the gift of Rev. James Murphy, of St. Teresa's Church, Providence, 
 and represents the patron saint of this church. The side windows are also 
 gifts from various members of the church. The high altar was presented l)y 
 the congregation, and the side altars by friends of the parish. A large organ 
 occupies the choir gallery, which is over the vestiliule, and the only gallery iu 
 the church. The Sunday-school room or vestry, a large room, occupies the 
 basement of the building. The church seats seven hundred people. The 
 members number six hundred, and the average attendance at mass is four 
 hundred. The Sunday-school numbers one hundred and twenty-five. The 
 entire property is valued at $25,000.' 
 
 The dedication took place September 22, l-s.So, the Right Rev. Bishop 
 Hendrickeu conducting the services, which were very imposing and impressive. 
 
 Father O'Connell has accomplished much since he entered upon the work 
 of this parish, and he has not only endeared himself to his own people, Init 
 has gained the respect of the community by his courteous and friendly l)ear- 
 ing towards those with whom he has in various ways, both public and private, 
 come in contact. 
 
 ST. Stephen's church. 
 
 The eneroy of Father Mongan was not satisfied even when he had thor- 
 oughly established a church in the East village, and he turned his attention 
 to another portion of the town. At least ten or twelve years ago he com- 
 menced holding services in Dodgeville. For many years a large proportion of 
 the people residing in the villages of Dodgeville and He])ronville have been 
 foreigners, they having almost entirely superseded natives in mill work. Very 
 many of these inhabitants are French Canadians or of that extraction and 
 were born and bred in the Roman Catholic faith. As their numbers increased 
 they needed more and more attention and at length a church and pastor of 
 their own. 
 
 We have not been alile to ascertain the exact date, but about eight or ten 
 years ago (1877-78) a church was built and called St. Stephen's. It stands 
 on the road between the two villages and at no great distance from either. 
 
 The congregation numliers about six hundred, and there are three hundred 
 and fifty communicants, fully two-thirds of whom are French Canadians and 
 the remainder probably chiefiy Irish. There are about eight marriages and 
 thirty baptisms annually, and about thirty persons in the parish have taken 
 the pledge of total abstinence. 
 
 1 A lot opposite the church was purchased by Mr. P. M. Carpenter, and a commodious and pretty 
 rectory was built upon it, which was finished during 1891. The cost was some $6,000. 
 
310 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Tlio pastor at present in charge is tlie Rev. Patrick 8. McGee, formerly of 
 Canada. 
 
 Tiiere have been various religious societies which have held meetings in 
 town at different times, continuing in some iustances for quite a long period 
 and having considerable numbers of attendants. These meetings have been 
 held in halls or small rooms hired for the purpose, none of the organizations 
 having attained sufficient success to enable them to own Iniildings for them- 
 selves. Among these may be mentioned the Mission of Glad Tidings, in 
 existence for quite a period and holding its regular services in a hall on 
 North Main Street, Attleborough. Episcopal services were hsld for some 
 time in the same village under the care of Rev. Mr. Osgood. Now the society 
 called All Saints' Mission has a rector of its own, Rev. I. T. Bagnall. A 
 Congregational church has recently been formed in North Attleborough, 
 calling itself Trinity Congregational Church, of which the pastor is Rev. 
 E. L. Warren. 
 
 Al)()ut 1870 the American Millennial Association, of Providence, R. I., 
 bought some land in the extreme southern portion of the town and every year 
 since that time have held camp-meetings thei-e for people of their peculiar 
 beliefs. Among the i)rominent men connected with the association in various 
 places and leaders in these meetings may l)e mentioned Elder Lemuel Osier, 
 Father Shipley, as he was called. Rev. Cvrus Cunningham, from the West, 
 J. Pierson, of Newburyport, this State, J. Orrock, Mr. Bundy, Josiah Litch, 
 J. L. Litch, Robert Knowles, and a Mr. Stewart, of Franklin, Mass., who is 
 treasurer of the association. Of the several leaders in organizing these camp- 
 meetings. Elder Osier is the only one now living. 
 
 The grounds consist of a pretty grove lying on the south side of the road 
 which runs from the road between Dodgeville and Hebronville to Briggsville, 
 just east of the Boston and Providence railroad. The original purchase was 
 five acres, since increased to ten. There are at the present time (1893) 
 some sixty cottages on the grounds, and the place has come to be in a small 
 way quite a summer resort. A keei)er resides there all the year through, and 
 the owners occupy their cottages during the summer months, certain trains 
 stopping at the adjacent crossing to accommodate such of the gentlemen as 
 do l)usiness in Providence. 
 
 The Adventists generally hold their camp-meeting some time during 
 August, though it has l)een held as early as June and as late as September. 
 Their services continue for ten daj's. There are representatives of associa- 
 tions from many parts of the country, some of the Middle and Western States, 
 and from Canada, though the greater number are from New England. 
 
 For four v'ears Methodists of the vicinit}' have held camp-meetings con- 
 tinuing for five days, and for two years the society of Christian Workers have 
 had meetings which have continued for ten days. These services attract large 
 numbers of people from the surrounding country in all directions. 
 

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niSTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 311 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 OUR New England pioneer settlers were in many respects like all others. 
 They had first of all to fell the trees of the forests and to build for 
 themselves habitations, then they had to subdue the land and compel it to 
 furnish the means of subsistence ; but the ideas of our forefathers went 
 further and higher than simply to supply themselves with shelter and food. 
 All those things they left behind them in abundance ; Init they came here to 
 found free institutions, and their commonwealth must be built upon a basis 
 both religious and intelligent. 
 
 At one of the first meetings of the proprietors of Rehol)oth, or the 
 " plantores of Seacunk," held probal)ly within a few months of tlie settle- 
 ment of that town, it was voted " that the meeting house shall stand in the 
 midst of the town," and very early the schoolmaster's lot was set apart. 
 This was usually near the meetinghouse lot. The church and the school 
 stood side by side. 
 
 November 13, 1677, at a town meeting it was voted " that Daniel Smith 
 should write to tlie young gentleman at Dorchester, to signify to him, that it 
 was the town's desire that he would be pleased to come up and teach a school 
 according to those former invitations that our Reverend Pastor made to him." 
 
 May 18, 1680, the tow^n was notified by the selectmen that one Mr. Edward 
 Howard had engaged to teach school, and his terms w^ere " twenty pounds a 
 year in country pay, and his diet, besides what the court doth allow in that 
 case" ; and the following year the selectmen were directed to " endeavor the 
 utmost to re-engage Mr. Howard to keep the school another year." In 
 December, 1683, the selectmen "did fully agree" with a Mr. Taylor to 
 keep school for one year, his pay to be " £5, in money, £10. as money, and 
 his diet." 
 
 In Octoljer, 1GVI8, it was voted "that a school-master, as the law directs, 
 should )»e attained," and when the selectmen had procured one they were to 
 "agree with him, for his encouragement to keep school." At this time the 
 schoolhouse had to be repaired " and made fit for to keep school in." There 
 seems to be no mention of the date of its construction. 
 
 March 1.5, 1699, the selectmen made an agreement with Thomas Robinson, 
 of this town, to keep a reading and writing school for the term of three 
 months, " to begin the first or second week in April, at the farthest," and for 
 his labor " he is to have three pounds, half in silver money, the one half of 
 
312 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 it when he has kept half the term, and the other half when his quarter is 
 expired: the last part of his i)ay in corn equivalent to money." 
 
 Up to this time it is conjectured that lioys only had had the benefit of 
 public instruction; Init in December of this year, KV.i;), ''the selectmen 
 agreed with Mr. Kobert Dickson to keep school in Rehoboth for six months," 
 he engaging to do his utmost endeavor " to teach both sexes of boys and 
 girls to read English, and write, and cast accounts. In consideration of 
 said service, the said selectmen, in the town's ])ehalf, do engage to pay him 
 thirteen pounds, one half in silver money, and the other half in good luer- 
 chantal)le boards, at the current antl merchantable price ; the boards to be 
 delivered at the landing place, at Samuel Walker's and Sergeant Butter- 
 worth's pier." ^ "All these votes were in accordance with the law of 164:7, 
 providing for the taxing of the people of the towns for the support of free 
 public schools, to which every child might have access, — the first legislative 
 act in the world affording free public instruction, through a general taxation 
 of all the people, to the children of all the people." 
 
 In 1708 the course of study was enlarged, the schoolmaster then •' agree- 
 ing to instruct in reading, writing, grammar, and arithmetic." Early in the 
 year 1712 it was "voted to raise thirty pounds annually, for the support of 
 schools." One "neighborhood" was to have ten pounds, and " l)e obliged 
 to maintain an English school," and other portions of the town were to have 
 " the remaining twenty pounds, and be obliged to maintain a grammar school." 
 
 Up to this time there is no mention of separate schools for Attleborough ; 
 therefore those of our town, if indeed there were any, must have been iden- 
 tified with or included in those of Rehol)oth. The first records found on our 
 books are for 1716, over twenty years after the incorporation of the town. 
 On March 20 of that year, by those who were " by the providence of God 
 inhabitants of Attlel)orough, it w-as voted and agreed upon that Deacon 
 Daggett should be schoolmaster." Later in the year this record is found : 
 "At a town-meeting Lawfully warned the 17th of December, 171f), for to 
 Consider and Resolve what they will do with Respect to the Hireing of A 
 School-master and see whether they accept of Mr. Josiah Jacques as school- 
 master on an}^ of those terms Mr. Freeman has agreed for him, the said 
 Jacques, it was voted to hire Mr. Jacques of Mr. Freeman for one year for 
 a School-master, and to pay Mr. Freeman twenty pounds in current money 
 of this province, or proportionally for less time, if he should not stay so 
 long." This man of whom the town hired the schoolmaster was Mr. David 
 Freeman, who lived near the South Attleborough cemetery ; therefore there 
 seems to be no doubt that our first schools were kept in that part of the 
 town. At this time there were no school buildings here, and for almost a 
 hundred years the schools were kept in the houses of different inhal)itants. 
 
 "This was at Seekouk Cove, at the iiioutli ot the Ten Mile River. 
 
BIS TORY OF ATTLEBOEOUirH. 813 
 
 For the year 1717 one Thomas Cathcart, of JNIartha's Vineyard, was the 
 town schoolmaster, his sahiry being thirty pounds. The closing words of 
 his receipt for this salary leave no doul)t as to his reception of the money or 
 its full equivalent : " I say received by me, Thomas Cathcart." 
 
 At this time Attleborongh included the Gore, now Cumberland, R. I., and 
 the population did not probably exceed five hundred people. This territory 
 was all one district, and only one school was kept, as may be proved by the 
 earlv records, where the >icliool and the ,schoolina.^fer are invariably mentioned. 
 Under date I)eceml)er 5, 1718, is found the following record: '-The 
 meeting then held to consider what may l)e done respecting the school, to 
 see where the town will place it ; whether ))y a committee that may then and 
 there be chosen to manage that affair, or any other way that may be thought 
 proper. The Town voted and agreed that ye scliool should l)e liept seven 
 montlis in one quarter of ye Town at a time, and that (Quarter shall liave 
 power to place the school as they shall think most proper and convenient." 
 At this time a cmnmittee of the five following men was appointed to make a 
 division of the town into four quarters ; namely, H. Peck, Ensign Whipple, 
 Ensign Head, .lohn Lovell, and ^Sauulel Day. It was part of the duty of tliis 
 committee to order the quarter in which the school should first he kept, which 
 should follow, and so on until each (juarter had had its proportionate seven 
 months of schooling. No records are extant of any reports from this 
 committee, and for alxmt twenty years succeeding this date it is probal)le 
 that ''the method of public instruction" remained about the same. 
 
 In 1737 there was a division of the town into four disfricfs. or (piartei'S, 
 " Northeast and Southeast, Northwest and Southwest." 
 
 On the records are found orders on the town treasurer showing that George 
 Allen held the position of schoolmaster in 1 72-l-2(i-2.S and 17;)2, and he was 
 paid from thirty to fifty pounds a year. These salaries were always or 
 nearly always exclusive of ''diet," and the inference is that the teacher 
 was also entitled to conveyance to and from the school when necessary, as 
 Mr. Ebenezer Tiler was several times paid liy the town for " horse hire 
 going to fetch ye schoolmaster." Sometimes in the earliest days the records 
 show that persons offered to be responsil>le for the teacher's maintenance for 
 a certain portion of the year; but later this matter was more frequently 
 adjusted at town meeting, the warrants for the meetings stating that one of 
 the questions to be decided by the town was " to see if they will do anything 
 towards boarding the schoolmaster." 
 
 The records do not show what studies were pursued, as sometimes is the 
 case in those of Rehoboth ; Init it is natural to suppose that they were, as in 
 that town at first, the elementary ones of reading, writing, and arithmetic, 
 or "casting accounts." and those only. 
 
 During some years there was no school at all, such being the case in 1735 
 and 1736. The record states: "In ye first place, it was put to vote to see 
 
314 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 wlit'llaT tlio town will hire ii sehool-niuster. and the vote passed in the 
 negative." IJiit whether this decision was from a temporary hick of interest 
 or lack of funds does not appear, no reasons or explanations ])eino; given. 
 "The teachers at this time, as far as known, were John Gratrax. Benjamin 
 Ide, and .John Robbins, .Ir. The hitter was evidently a prominent man in 
 his generation, as he heUl the oftice of town clerk and selectman several 
 years." 
 
 In 1744, the Legislature passed an act '' authorizing the division of towns 
 into school districts," and those towns which numbered fifty families were 
 compelled by this act to provide for proper instruction in all the English 
 branches, and those which numbered a hundred families must add to these, 
 instruction in Latin and Greek. 
 
 The records for the following year, 1745, show that progress had ])een 
 made in this town. '•• At a town meeting lawfull}' warned and held ye 14th 
 day of January, 1745, voted to choose a conunittee to divide the town into 
 live parts and the Gore to be one part, ^'oted also that the school be kept in 
 two places, six months eacli in each i)art, during the next two years and six 
 months." In the words of another: '^'This committee made the division 
 and named the houses where the school should ))e kept. This was the first 
 step towards the district system, though its inception was still in the future. 
 By this plan the school ' amlndated ' from quarter {o quartei', and iiouse to 
 house, and when one quarter had had its six months' schooling — three months 
 in each of the two places — it waited two years and six mouths before its turn 
 came again to drink at the fount of knowledge." 
 
 Besides this new arrangement of districts another change of importance 
 occurred at this time. " A new impetus" was given to the cause of educa- 
 tion in our midst, though its source cannot now l)e traced. It would cer- 
 tainly be very interesting to know what person or persons first suggested the 
 new departure. The records say that the warmnt for tlie above-mentioned 
 meeting in January, 1745, contained an article as follows: "To see if the 
 town will vote any money to be expended in keeping women schools." That 
 so important an innovation might have due consideration, the article was laid 
 over to an adjourned meeting, when it was voted to raise thirty pounds old 
 tenor money, " to encourage ye keeping of women schools." Whether this 
 appropriation was put to innuediate use cannot now be ascei'tained. It was 
 more than twenty years after schools were started in Rehoboth that they 
 were, according to the records, open to children of both sexes ; in our town 
 it was almost thirty years ])efore girls vvei'e admitted to the i)rivileges of 
 public education, and it would seem that at first they had separate schools. 
 In Rehoboth the same teacher agreed to teach both ]>oys and girls ; here the 
 distinct appropriation would seem to indicate a distinct school for " women." 
 What the ideas of our forefathers really were on this question must be left 
 to conjecture. Perhaps they deemed women in general incapable of learning 
 
HISTOllY OF ArTLEBOBOU(rH. 315 
 
 or regarded " reading, writing and ciphering," as aeeomijlishnients and 
 unnecessary to the riglit performance of their then, in some senses, rather 
 limited duties. Certainly the pleaHnrpK to l)e derived from education would 
 not enter into the discussions or decisions of the stern men of those I'igid 
 and exacting times ; but, whatever their ideas or motives, tliey determined to 
 try the experiment. They could scarcely have foreseen the consequences of 
 such a step or have realized to what it would lead ; for had this l)een possible 
 they might have been appalled at the effects produced by the now exten- 
 sive higher education of women and have withheld their favorable vote for 
 the initial departure in that direction. 
 
 We who read the history of this movement liack wards can see that it was 
 sure to come, and we have reason to be proud and grateful that it was left to 
 our (jwn time, ''the enlightened nineteenth century," and eonsiMciiouslv to 
 our own land, to interpret in its highest sense the name tirst given to woman, 
 by planting schools and colleges where she may be prepared for her proper 
 position in life as the helpmeet for man to-day. Against great op[)ositiou, 
 rational public opinion seems finally to have accepted and set its seal of 
 approval upon the idea that the li1)eral education of women is, or is destined 
 to be, a benefit, not an injury, and that the better the courses of iustructi(Mi 
 given them in almost all departments of knowledge, the better are they fitted 
 to act well their part and to fulfil the duties of their sphere in life, whether 
 that word " sphere " is considered in its narrowest or widest sense, according 
 to the standard of yesterday or to-day. The results of the equal education 
 of men and women have already been stupendous, and the possible conse- 
 quences for good no one can calculate. Our town has kept pace step by step 
 with other towns in the coeducation of her children. It would be of great 
 interest to ascertain what was the cause of the change in public opinion here, 
 and we can but deeply regret tliat the records upon the subject are so 
 meagre and unsatisfactory. 
 
 For several years after the changes mentioned but little can be found upon 
 the town books relating in any way to schools, and during some years no 
 appropriations were made, or at least no records of any were made. In 1771 
 it is recorded that in the east part of the town there was " one week's addi- 
 tional schooling," no reason for the addition being mentioned. About this 
 time the item of " diet " disappears or rather ceases to be decided by the town 
 separately, the salary of the teachers being doubtless sufficiently increased 
 to include that item, and they allowed to attend to the matter on their 
 own account. A vote taken by the towi\ in November of the year 1771 
 shows ''that increased facilities for educational advantages were required,' 
 the natural consequence of increased population and increased amounts of 
 territory occupied. 
 
 It was voted at that time to choose a committee " to divide the town into 
 twelve parts, and appoint the places where the school shall be kept." The 
 
316 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 committee examined the territory, considered the needs as to space and num- 
 bers, and after due delil:)eiatiou decided to make thirteen divisic^ns. Haviucr 
 completed tliis work they pi-esented their report, recommending the voters of 
 the town to assemble and decide upon it. This was done, the previous vote 
 was rescinded, a vote approving of the thirteen divisions was taken, and the 
 houses where the school was to be kept were named. About this time men 
 of considerable prominence in the town held the position of schoolmaster. 
 Conspicuous among tliese was Elislia May, an account of whom appears 
 elsewhere, his name appearing on the records as early as 176H and again in 
 later 3'ears. There can be uo better proof of the high estimation in which the 
 ottice of instructor was held in those times than to find sucli a man occuinMng 
 the position. 
 
 In 1769 we find Ephraim Starkweather teacher of the " Grammar School" 
 for a year. He was a man of prominence in Rehoboth, where he was born. 
 His name apjjears on the Committee of Correspondence during- the early part 
 of the Revolution. In the years 1775 and 177S he was representative 
 from his native town to the General Court and served as senator for three 
 years. 
 
 In 1776 it was " voted to (livifJe the school money, that each one may have 
 his equal part. Voted that no person shall send out of his own quarter. 
 Voted that any cjuarter that neglects to improve Jn'.s money within the year 
 shall lose it. Voted that each (juarter shall draw one thirteenth of the 
 money raised for schooling." The amount of raone}' raised at that time for 
 this purposi' is not stated. 
 
 In the yeai' 1782-83 one Ebenezer Bacon was schoolmaster for a time. 
 The records state that he received £2 8s. for keeping school two months in 
 '' Lt. Bulkcom's quarter." 
 
 At a meeting held Se[)tenil)er l-'S, 17^4, among other tilings it was " voted 
 to Ddhle the School money," a consummation greatly to be desired. During 
 that year Samuel Tingley received €2 Is. 4d. for keeping school one month 
 and boarding himself. 
 
 In 1787 the town voted to divide into twenty quarters. For some reason 
 this was not done, and at the next meeting it was ''voted and agreed to let 
 the quarters stand as they be, and the money shall be divided among the 
 quarters according to the number of children in said town from four to six- 
 teen years old." This is the first mention of the apin-opriation of school 
 money according to the numl)er of children. Freviously each quarter had 
 had the same amount without regard to the size of the school. This method 
 of dividing the money — per capita — contiinied in a general way, though 
 subject " to some interruptions and various modifications" for almost a cen- 
 tury, until the district system was abolished. 
 
 About 1781), when towns were l.ty law authorized to divide their territory 
 into school districts, the law met with strenuous resistance. There was a 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 317 
 
 strong popular opposition to it, chiefly on tiie ground that as the town raised 
 the money it should retain the right and power to see to its appropriations 
 and expenditures and not leave this to the discretion of irresponsible dis- 
 tricts. This opposition continued for soine time. Under a later law it was 
 left to the discretion of the town to appoint a committee to make appraisals 
 of district property, and it was the commendable practice of some towns 
 to select a committee for that purpose from adjoining towns to insure 
 impartiality. Now ]\v the enactment of other laws these matters are again 
 voted by the town. This town did not immediatel}' carry the new law into 
 effect. 
 
 March 17, 178i». " \^)ted to choose a committee to divide the town into 
 twenty quarters for schooling." The committee numbered thirteen. March 
 13, just previous, is found the following entry : " This may certify that 
 William May is appointed In^ the selectmen to keep a Gramer school in the 
 town of Attleborough. Ebenezer Tyler, Town Clerk." 
 
 In 1S08 the town fully complied with the above law, chose a committee and 
 divided the territorv into eighteen districts, and the committee's report, 
 exactly and carefully describing their '' metes and l»ounds," is copied verbatim 
 on the town records over the names of the committee. 
 
 It is probable there were no schoolhouses up to 1804, as the records make 
 no mention of any previous to that time. In that year the town gave the 
 districts authority to raise money and build houses, '• to select a si)ot where 
 to build and to act upon an}' other matter that may be deemed beneficial to 
 said districts, and not contrary to law." The district of Oldtown seems to 
 have been the first to act upon this privilege granted by the town, and the 
 Falls was next in order to take the necessary steps towards a building, bv 
 virtue of a warrant signed by the selectmen. After 1SU8 all the districts at 
 different times received similar autliority. For over twenty years the town 
 elected the prudential committees, who received and expended the api)ropria- 
 tiou moneys and also made the ari'angements with the teachers. Committees 
 were also chosen by the town, one or two from each district, ''to view and 
 inspect the schools," l)ut reports of their work are not extant. 
 
 It was in the year 1804 that a counnittee was first cliosen to decide upon 
 and select textbooks to be used in common in all the schools. The gentle- 
 men composing this committee were Rev. John Wilder, Kev. Nathan Holman, 
 Rev. James Read, P^benezer Bacon, John Richardson, Jr.. Dr. William 
 Blauding, Joel Read, Elijah Ingraham. and Peter Tliacher. and the majority 
 of them were reelected several times. 
 
 In 1789, as before stated, the first mention is made of the school money 
 having been divided per capita, but the amount is not given. The numl»ering 
 was generally done about November 1 each year. In 1798 the sum allowed 
 to each child was determined Ijy town vote to be fifty-eight cents ; in 1801 
 this sum had increased to seventy-five cents, and in 1807 to one dollar per 
 
318 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 child, which sum continued to be the amount allowed until 1820. The year 
 181") was the only exception to the general rule, as then for some reason one 
 half of the appropriation was c(pially distrilnited between the districts, and 
 the other half according to the number of scholars. The amount of money 
 distributed or the changes in the number of weeks of schooling is not 
 recorded. 
 
 During the next few years there were not many changes of any kind. 
 About 1829 it was voted that the prudential committees should be elected by 
 each district, instead of l)y the town, as had been the case previously. 
 Novembei' 1, 1830, it was " voted to appropriate the school money by dividing 
 it among the several districts in the manner following, to wit, all districts 
 numbering oO scholars and upwards shall be intitled to one dollar each ; 
 otherwise those districts if any they be numbering less than oO shall be 
 intitled to two cents in addition to the dollar in the same proportion as the 
 number falls short of r>0. Example, a district numbering 2;") scholars, 
 draws Si. 50." 
 
 April 2, 1.838, " Voted to make the superintending scliool committee a rea- 
 sonable compensation for services." Up to this time probably those services 
 had been gratuitous. The same year it was voted that the Massachusetts 
 School Fund should be appropriated as was other school money. '•'Tiie 
 Revised Statutes, Chap. 11, Sect. 13, provide that all moneys and stocks in 
 the treasury on the first day of Jan. 183o, which shall have been derived 
 from sales of the Commonwealth lands in the state of ]Maine, and from the 
 claim of the Commonwealth on the government of the United States for 
 military services, and which shall not ])e otherwise appropriated, together with 
 one half of the moneys thereafter received from the sale of the lands in 
 Maine, shall constitute a permanent fund, to be called the Mass. School Fund, 
 for the encouragement of common schools, provided, that said sum shall 
 never exceed one million dollars." These lands were a part of the domain 
 of this State when Maine was a portion of it, and the title remained vested 
 in the Commonwealth after Maine l)ecame a separate State. The military 
 claims were those made by this State upon the United States government, for 
 expenses incurred in calling the militia into service in defence of the country 
 during the War of 1812. The original claim was for $800,000. This was 
 resisted and there was a conflict of authority between the State and national 
 governments because Massachusetts did not fully comply witli all the requisi- 
 tions and did not place the militia furnished under full control of a military 
 officer of the United States. For these reasons only a portion of the claim 
 was paid to the State. The fund is placed in the hands of the secretary and 
 treasurer of the Board of Education as commissioners, and new investments 
 must be made with the governor's approval. The income only is to be used 
 for the benefit of the schools, and is to be distributed in the following 
 manner : — 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 319 
 
 One-balf of the annual income of the fund shall be appropriated and distributed without 
 a specific appropriation for the support of public schools, and in the uiaiuier foUowini;- : to wit. 
 every towu complying with all laws in force, relating to the distribution of said income, and 
 whose valuation of real and personal estate, as shown by the last returns thereof, does not 
 exceed one million dollars, sliall annually receive two hundred dollars; every such town, whose 
 valuation is more than one million, and does not exceed three million dollars, shall receive one 
 hundred and fifty dollars; and every such town, whose valuation is more than three million, 
 and does not exceed five nu'llion dollars, shall receive one hundred dollars. The remainder of 
 said half shall l)e distributed to all the cities and towns whose valuation does not exceed ten 
 million dollars, in proportion lo the number of persons l)etween fi\e and fifteen years of age 
 belonging to each. All money appropriated for other educational purposes, unless otherwise 
 specially provided, shall be paid from the other half of said income. If the income in any 
 year exceeds such appropriations, the >urplus shall be added to the principal of sai<l fund. 
 
 Towns which do not maintain at least one liigh school and who do not raise 
 by taxation at least three dollars per capita for the children between five and 
 fifteen receive no apportionment from this fnnd. It is provided that the 
 school committees of the varions cities and towns shall receive and apply the 
 portion of this income accruing to them to the benefit of the schools, and 
 that they may, if they so deem best, appropriate any sum not exceeding 
 twenty-five per cent, of the amount received for books of reference, maps, 
 and apparatus for the use of the said schools. The valuation of this town 
 for 1887 exceeded $6,000,000. The appropriation must therefore be accord- 
 ing to the number of children between five and fifteen years of age. The 
 amount is not far from $100. 
 
 From 1838 till 1850 school affairs seem to have run on smoothly in their 
 fixed groove, but in the latter year there were incendiary fires at several of 
 the schoolhouses. The selectmen offered a reward of $500 for the apprehen- 
 sion of the criminals, and the town resolved itself into a "committee of the 
 whole," for the protection of property. There is no record that the reward 
 was claimed, that any person was arrested, or that there was any further 
 trouble of a similar nature. 
 
 The following report of the school committee for 1845 was found among 
 the author's papers. It is presented entire, not only because as coming from 
 his pen it will give pleasure to some readers, but because of some facts and 
 statistics contained in it, which will interest those concerned in the progress 
 of the cause of public schools in the town and the State : — 
 
 During the past year the schools in this town have generally been prosperous, and useful; 
 and have contributed in some degree in educating the youth of the town in knowledge and vir- 
 tue; in making one step in advance in that long path of improvement in education, so nnich of 
 which remains unattaiued. In saying thus nuich in their favor, we do not intend to convey 
 the impression, that we should rest satisfied with the condition to which they have already 
 attained. They are tar from what they ought to be and might be. There is no institution, 
 planted here by our fathers, which is susceptible of such indefinite improvement as our com- 
 mon school system. There is no conceivable end to its advancement. There are some institu- 
 tions of human origin which seem to reach their maturity at once, and ever after to remain 
 stationary. But here is a most useful and excellent system of education intended to enlighten 
 the whole people, in which the most expanded benevolence may have room for an unlimited 
 exercise of its powers. In improving the means of universal instruction phiIauthroi)y may 
 
320 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 find a gloriou.s field for the gratification of its desire^, and without any danger of attendant 
 evils. No one need fear too nnicli improvement in the iuteilectual resources of a Repubiiean 
 yeiiple. In other parts of the world, under other systems of jiovernmcnt, the advocates of 
 arbil raj-y power may fear the march of iuiman improvement — the effects of tiie general diffusion 
 of knowledge among the people. They may dread a free school as an enemy to their govern- 
 ment. Hut with us, the reverse is true; the friends of Republican government dread the igno- 
 rance of the people as the source of our greatest danger; and regard the general intelligence 
 of the people as our surest safeguard and best snp;>i)rt. In fact, it has l)ecome a maxim of 
 admitted truth, that the foundation of a I'epublican government rests on the intelligence and 
 virtue of the i)eople. 
 
 We again commend our free schooN to the guardian care of the inhabitants of the town. 
 Be not niggardly in your appropriations for their suitport. Whatever sum you expend for the 
 education of the rising generation — for those who are soon to succeed you in the various and 
 important duties which you have assembled here to discharge, will return to you with tenfold 
 interest — not. indeed. in perishable gold and silver, but in that which is of nuich more value,— 
 in the increased knowledge, virtue, and hapi)iness of your children. It will not, indeed, return 
 to you. in kind, but It will come back to you in the richest blessings. You will receive your 
 own with usury. Education is not merely an embellishment — an ornament — which can be 
 dispensed with, l»utit is a necessity in a free gov't. All experience in civil affairs, all history, 
 all reason teaches us with one voice;, that an enlightened education of the people is necessary 
 to the i)ernianence of our civil institutions, to guard and guide the people in the exercise of 
 their rights. True liberty can never flourish among a i)eoi)le enveloped in mental darkness. 
 Deprived of the sunlight of knowledge it will perish like a plant in the shade. An ignorant 
 or illiterate nation are sure to degenerate into anarchy and despotism. Let every friend of 
 free institutions use his best endeavors to promote the cause of universal education; let him 
 cherish our system of free schools. If our town is somewhat distinguished for agricultural 
 improvement — for manufacturing industry— for the enterprise of its inhabitants, and their 
 general competency as to the means of living, — let us be equally solicitous to maintain as 
 respec-talile a standing in our appropriations for the cause of education. Let us be, at least, 
 just to ourselves — if not liberal in the amount which we bestow, or rather loan, for this noble 
 oljject. If we have been as a town blessed with a good measure of success in our business 
 pui-suits and the means of wealth, let us manifest our gratitude for the blessing by an increased 
 interest in the intellectual and moral culture of the rising generation. An I'nlightened self- 
 interest would prompt us to this course. Mere at least " true self love and social are the same." 
 
 Tiie Conunittee would call the attention of the Inhabitants of the town to the great evil of 
 the irregular attendance of scholars upon the schools. This freejuent non-attendance is not 
 unavoidable, but, in a great measure, results from a want of jiroper care, or from indifference 
 on the part of parents. The average attendance in most of our schools, during the winter, 
 has been more than 20 per cent, less than the whole number of scholars. This is an evil which 
 ou^ht to l)e remedied. There is one remarkable exception to this remark in District No. 20, 
 Hebronville, where the average attendance during the whole school has Ikhju almost e(|ual to 
 th(; whole number attending from week to week. This presents an example which deserves 
 our commendation, one which we hope will induce an imitation in the other Districts. 
 
 From statistics given in the last Report of the Secretary of the Board of Education, we 
 learn one fact whi(;h will surprise the public — an evil the exposure of which will, we trust, 
 excite the community to a remedy. W'v refer to the great numljer of children in the (_'om'i> 
 who do not attend school. In that Report it is stated that the whole number of children in the 
 Sttite, between the ages of 4 and l(i, in the year 1S43, was 192,027: that the whole number of 
 scholars of all ages attending school during tliat winter was l(i9,191; leaving a balance of 
 22.s3<;; iiut deducting the uumljer over Kl and under 4 who attend school included in the whole 
 number al)ove mentioned, it leaves a balance of 42,312 who did not attend school during that 
 yeai-. anil proltably the same jn'oportion continues at the present time. The community may 
 w', II ask. can this be true in the State of Massachusetts, where more attention is given to the 
 suliject of education than in any other State; here where we have taken so much satisfaction 
 in the belief that provision had l)een made by law for the education of all, and of which all 
 had partaken;- But if such is the ca>e here, in the enlightciued State of Massachusetts, where 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 321 
 
 piiljlic opinion and law l)oth t:ivor tlie cau^e, what must it l>e in tbo^^e States where no piil.lic 
 provision has Ik'CU made tor the education of youth ! 
 
 The ^■reatest glory of a Keiniblic is the general ditfusion of useful laiowledge among its 
 citizens". Their^national renown should consist— not in military victories and conquests, l)Ut 
 in the intellectual pre-eminence of the people. 
 
 If the people of this country wish to preserve and perpetuate their civil riglits and Repub- 
 lican form of government, and transmit them for tlie enjoyment of future ages, they must 
 insure it by giving a liberal and constant support to our common schools. As our schools are 
 intended as nurseries for those who are to take the control of public atfairs, nurseries wliere 
 the great majority of the peoi)le obtain the only means of education which they ever enjoy, we 
 think it obvious, that the instruction given in them should be adapted to their situation and 
 duties in society, not only in the connnon branches which will tit them for the ordinary busi- 
 ness of life, l)Ut also in such studies as will qualify them for the responsible duties which they 
 have to perform as members of civil society. Boys of a suitable age should be instructed in 
 a knowledge of the State and National Constitutions, an<l in the general principles of the 
 government, and in the civil history of the country. 
 
 It should 1)6 one great object of our gov't and people to extend to all the blessings of edu- 
 cation. This is the great niission of a free people. Let us in this respect present a contrast 
 with the monarchies of the old world. Let it l)e our great object to form men. Let the old 
 world have their splendid palaces, their sublime cathedrals, — their courtly retinues, their titles 
 of nobilitv, and all the pomp and pageantry which attach to Royalty,- let them have their 
 standing armies and their bloody battletields — but give us the fruits of peace, universal educa- 
 tion, the emancipation of mind, the freedom of the soul. Let tliem display their wealth 
 accunuilated for ages, where the intellects of the many poor are darkened and enslaved in tlie 
 midst of the luxuries and the grandeur of the noble few. When the enlightened traveller 
 comes from other lands to examine the condition of our country, and in(iuires for tlie monu- 
 ments of our national renown and exploits, we would be a)>le to point liiin to our colleges and 
 academies, and our free schools scattered all over the land, where the minds of all can have 
 free access to the fountains of knowledge. — as tlie best exhibition of our national character 
 and the proudest monuments of our national glory. We would point him. not to our great 
 and populous cities where vice enervates— (not to our accumulated wealth — ) but to the inil- 
 lions ot minds which we have enliglitened and improved and blessed by the means of education. 
 
 Per order of the Conimittee 
 Attleborough. April 7. is4:j. -T- Dacoett. Sec^y. 
 
 April 7, iS.'il, tiie matter of a hiiili school came before the town and was 
 referred to the following committee of six gentlemen : Rev. Joseph S. 
 Dennis, Lyman W. Daggett, Caleb M. Paine, Dr. Phineas Savery, A. M. 
 Ide, and Rev. Jonathan Crane. The school rates had by this time largely 
 increased, for at the alxive-mentioned meeting it was voted to raise $4.50 per 
 scholar and apportion it as had previously been done. On November 24 the 
 high school committee made a report in which they snggested the advis- 
 ability of at once establishing high schools, agreeably to the law which 
 demands the maintenance in towns of at least one school '' whose teachers 
 shall !)e qualitied to instruct in the history of the United States, bookkeep- 
 ing, surveying, geometry, algebra, general history, rhetoric, logic, and the 
 Lathi and"(ireek languages" ; or, if a central place cannot be found, two or 
 more schools can be kept whose terms together shall equal twelve months. 
 This not l)eing done the town is liable l)y the provisions of the law to a 
 heavy fine ; namely, twice the amount ever raised in one year for schools. 
 Three fourths of this amount would be returned, but one fonrth would be 
 
322 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 paid into the county treasury. At this time §4,1. ")0 had been raised for 
 school })urp<)ses iu this town. This couimittoe further recommended the 
 estal)lishment of three schools, one each in the east, west, and north dis- 
 tricts, to be maintained by each district, and, if either district refused, that 
 its portion of the appropriation should be ecpially divided I)etween the other 
 two. The town at this meetin^i; voted to establish hisih schools and referred 
 the matter to the town school committee to make incpiiries and arrange- 
 ments and rep(»rt. 
 
 No further action seems to have been taken by the town until April ">, 1853, 
 when the sum of SGUO was appropriated to carry out the vote of the town 
 regarding the establishment of high schools. The committee of inquiry 
 and arrangements made a report describing a division of the town into thi-ee 
 high school districts. 
 
 A warrant dated 3Iay 7, ISoo, contained the following article: ''To see 
 if the town will instruct their school committee to cause the common English 
 version of the Bible or the New Testament of said Bible to be used in the 
 Public Schools of this town at least once per day by all the scholars of suffi- 
 cient intellectual attainments in the opinion of the teachers to read the 
 same." May 23 it was voted to adopt the above article. 
 
 There were further delays over the establishment of the high schools, and 
 it was not untd June .">, 1856, that action was again taken by the town in 
 regard to them. At that time a committee of nine, three each from the east, 
 north, and south districts, was appointed to consider, receive propositions, 
 etc. At an adjourned meeting held June 28 this committee reported. The 
 town accepted the report and voted to establish two instead of three high 
 schools, one at North Attleborough and one at East Attleborough. " Voted 
 that the sum of §12,000 be, and the same is hereby appropriated for con- 
 structing suitable school houses, and purchasing lots to locate the same ; One 
 moiety thereof to be expended upon each building and lot." The committee 
 at North Attleborough were Samuel J. Ladd, Stephen Richardson, 2d, Abiel 
 Codding, Jr. ; at P:ast Attleborough, J. C. Hidden, V. H. Capron. L. B. 
 Carpenter. These committees met l)ut could not agree upon locations. 
 
 In 1858 the school districts were resurveyed. There were nineteen dis- 
 tricts and those in charge of this matter made report of some changes in the 
 lines, which were accepted b}- the town. 
 
 In 1859 $5 per scholar was appropriated and divided iu the usual manner. 
 The following year it was voted to divide one seventh of the school appropri- 
 ation between the districts equally and six sevenths between the scholars 
 equally, after paying for the services of the school committee. 
 
 In 1865 the school appropriation amounted to S5,500. 
 
 April 1, 1867. " Voted to establish one High School at East Attleborough, 
 and one at North Attleborough, and that three thousand dollars be appropri- 
 ated for their support." A committee of five was chosen to provide suitable 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 323 
 
 places aud make neeessarv arraugements. These five were Heiiiy Rice, 
 F. Ct. Whitney, J. R. Brousou, J. W. Caprou, William P. Shaw. 
 
 Ill 18()'J the school property was taken possession of by the town and an 
 api)raisal committee appointed. Their subsequent report placed the total 
 appraisal at $33,230.74. 
 
 In 1872 the appropriation for schools was $9,000. April 1, 1872, 
 ''Voted that the Dog Fund be appropriated to the use of Common Schools." 
 In 1877 the appropriations for school purposes were " $13,000 for Common 
 Schools, and S3,.")00 for High Schools." 
 
 Fourteen years after the establishment of the high schools by vote, build- 
 ino- sites were finally selected. No undue haste in action had followed upon 
 the town's decision to erect suitable buildings ; time was taken to give the 
 matter meet and proper consideration and delil)eration, and finally affairs 
 were in such condition as to admit of further action. 
 
 At a town meeting held April 4. 1881, $25,000 were appropriated and the 
 following named gentlemen elected a building committee : Joseph U. Harden, 
 Cxeorge N. Crandall, Charles E. Bliss, Henry Rice, Charles E. Hayward, 
 Edward R. Price, and Rev. John Whitehill, the last named being chairman. 
 March 20, 1882, a further appropriation of $G,0()0 was nu\de to complete the 
 two high school buildings, and $500 for necessary apparatus for the two 
 schools. 
 
 By an act of Legislature approved May 12, 1.S.S2, to take effect January 1, 
 18H3, school districts were abolished in this State. When this law took effect 
 the towns assumed the expense of text-books, and since that time these have 
 been furnished to the scholars free of charge, that is, for their use so long as 
 they are required in the various grades and classes, but they remain the prop- 
 erty of the town. In this same year, 1.S.S2, a second appraisal of the school 
 property was made. On January G a nominating committee was ai)i)ointed, 
 and Handel N. Daggett, George A. Dean, George N. Crandall, Frank B. 
 Richards, William P. Shaw, Joseph (4. Barden, and Elisha G. May were pro- 
 posed by them and accepted by the town to make the appraisal. These gen- 
 tlemen accomplished the proposed work and made a detailed report. The 
 total valuation was $3(),5;)5.44. 
 
 March 17, l.S.s4, a third appropriation of $242.92 was made for the high 
 school buildings, making their entire cost $31,242.92. These buildings are in 
 both instances pleasantly situated. The one in East Attleborough stands on 
 the corner of Bank and Peck streets ; that in North Attleborough on High 
 Street and on more elevated ground. They are built on the same plan but 
 have some changes in their towers, entrances, etc. They are well built and 
 well finished both outside and in and are furnished with the appliances nec- 
 essary to the proper carrying out of the course of instruction required. 
 Each contains an especially useful and important laboratory, large school- 
 rooms, necessary recitation rooms, anterooms, offices, etc., and they are 
 
324 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 eoinfortalily ami convi'iiiently lultMiuatc for tlie purposes for wliicli they were 
 constructed. Tliey are palaces of l)eauty and luxury, physically and intel- 
 lectuallv, when conii)ared with the homely, comfortless buildings of early 
 davs. 'IMicre are three excellent courses of study pursued iu these schools, 
 the classical, the generjiji a-nd the English, the first two extending over four 
 vears, and the latter over three. They furnish a good education to those 
 who do not desire or cannot have a longer continued school life, and a good 
 foundation for those in town who intend to pursue higher courses elsewhere. 
 
 Enouoh facts and figures have been given to show something of the great 
 orowth of the town in the important matter of general education, and some 
 Idea may be obtained of the proportions the work of the school committee 
 had assumed. Not only liad the increase both in the number of schools and 
 scholars added materially to their labors, but the additions required year by 
 vear in the directions of advantages to be given and improvements to be 
 made in the courses of study pursued and the places where they were to he 
 pursued had also constantly augmented the demands upon their time. It can 
 readily be seen that the work of a school committee must always be in some 
 measure " district " in its natui'e, especially in a town so large as ours had 
 come to be. Its members could not separately become thoroughly conversant 
 with the workings of every school in detail, including the performance of the 
 other duties devolving up(»n them, without devoting their entire time to the 
 business. The need of a superintendent of schools had become obviously 
 great, and in their report for the year 1882 the school committee wisely 
 recommended the town to make an appropriation for that purpose, for, as 
 thev considered, such an officer was indispensable "to the highest welfare of 
 our schools." 
 
 The town acted upon this suggestion, and at its annual meeting, March 1'.), 
 1883, made the necessary appropriation. In May following a superintendent 
 assumed the duties of this office. 
 
 It having come to the ears of the present (1887) incumbent, Mr. Maxson, 
 that it had been a matter of conjecture and comment among some people 
 what could engage a superintendent's time, he in his report for the year 
 endino' Fel)ruary 28, 1886, enumerates in the following words a few of the items 
 that engage such an officer's attention : " Under the free text-book system 
 much time is taken in the purchase and distribution of the supplies. He 
 must buy everything needed in the schools, from shoe-pegs for the primary 
 to chemicals for the high schools, considering iu each case the questions of 
 price, quality, and suitability. Ink must be carried to this school, a broom 
 to that, and books to another. Good teachers to fill vacancies must be hunted 
 up, requiring much time and the writing of innumerable letters. The schools 
 must be frequently visited, and the work examined. Truancy must be inves- 
 tigated, cases of discipline considered, misunderstandings between parents 
 and teachers removed, school surroundings studied, pupils classified and 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 325 
 
 promoted or degraded, uniform examinations prepared, teachers advised and 
 directed, changes in the system considered, text-books examined, teachers' 
 meetings and grade meetings lield, and regular otiice hours observed at each 
 village two days in the week. Having done all these things, and by personal 
 inspection informed himself of the wise, faithful and full execution of the 
 school system, he must in his spare moments acquaint himself with the school 
 system in other towns and cities, and with advancement in educational matters 
 in the world at large, that he may improve his own system." The superin- 
 tendent further states that in the discharge of some of the duties thus enu- 
 merated he had, during a little more than live months prior to his report, made 
 five hundred and sixty-three calls at the different schoolrooms and ridden on 
 an average nine miles a day. The question might better be not " What does 
 he have to do? " but " How can he do so much ? " 
 
 In 1884 it was voted to expend $20,000 on enlarging and repairing school 
 buildings ; S27,900 was the appropriation for the schools, 82,000 for incidental 
 educational expenses, and $1,500 for text-books, stationery, etc., all of 
 which, under the present system, are supplied at public expense. 
 
 In 1885 $600 was appropriated for carrying children from outlving terri- 
 tories to their various schools. 
 
 Since its first appropriation for the purpose in 1.S72, the dog fund has con- 
 tinued to l)e used for the benefit of the schools. This is a yearlv increasino- 
 fund and in 188(i-87 amounted to $1,084.(37. In the same year the appro- 
 priation for schools was $80,000; for incidental expenses, $1,500; for text- 
 books and supplies, $2,500; for the conveyance of scholars, $(iOO ; for 
 repairs, $3,000 — a total, including the dog fund, of $38,(534.67. To this 
 must be added the money obtained from the several school funds, to determine 
 the entire sum at the disposal of the town and of some special portions of 
 it for the public schools. 
 
 The records give no clew to the number of pupils in the early schools, and 
 it is not until a recent date, 1850, that any approximation can be formed. 
 About that time it was stated that $4,150 had been raised for schools, and the 
 cost per child was $4.50. There may probably have been then some nine 
 hundred children, with an average attendance considerably less; l)ut no 
 positive figures can be given, as the records furnish only the two above. For 
 later years more exact figures can be given. In 18,S0 the average member- 
 ship was 1,541, with a daily attendance of 1,359, and the cost of teaching 
 per capita $11.39. 
 
 The change from the district to the municipal system marked itself at once 
 as advantageous, for the first report from the superintendent showed an increase 
 of pupils and presented many encouraging features. A comparison of the fio- 
 ures for 1880, two years preceding the change, and those for 1885, two years 
 succeeding, show great improvement. In those five years there w-as an increase 
 in both membership and attendance of thirty-three and a third per cent, and 
 
326 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 a decrease in the cost per pupil of thirty-nine cents on membership and fifty- 
 four cents on attendance. These facts speak for themselves and need uo 
 comment. This increase has been continuous. The report for the year 
 ending February, 1887, gives the number of pupils within the required ages 
 as 2,616, with an average attendance of 1,89 i..s. There are twenty-four 
 school buildings and sixty teachers, three of whom are males. The cost of 
 teaching has largely increased since '' ye olden time " and during 1887 was 
 $12.91) per capita, based upon the average attendance of pupils, and over 
 one dollar more per capita for text-books and sui)plies. These figures are on 
 a basis of thirty-eight weeks as a school year, though this varies in length 
 from thirty-six to thirty-eight weeks according to circumstances. 
 
 A number of years ago drawing was introduced into the schools, and for 
 some time a special teacher was employed. Now text-books are used in this 
 department, and the regular teachers have charge of this branch of instruc- 
 tion. Formerly singing was almost entirely optional with teachers, and the 
 result was naturally irregularity and inaccuracy. The present custom of 
 employing a regular instructor in music proves highly l)eueficial both in a 
 practicable and enjoyable sense. Children are taught to read music as they 
 are taught to read their primers and, as they advance in this direction, to 
 assume at will the different parts of songs or choruses. This knowledge will 
 at least give pleasure to themselves and others and in many instances maj' 
 prove to l)e of great value. Our schools have already attained considerable 
 proficiency in this section of their prescribed courses of study, and the yearly 
 report of the professor of music shows continual advancement and improve- 
 ment. The training in this department is left largely to the regular teachers, 
 it being the work of the special instructor's to have the oversight and direction 
 and to instruct as to the best methods of accomplishing the desired results. 
 
 A certain amount of physical exercise is demanded in all the grades. 
 Twice a day the pupils have a " marching or calistheuic exercise." and in 
 some of the higher grades there is a regular drill in light gymnastics. In 
 many of these exercises the light dumb bells used add greatly to the effect, 
 and the ''drills" are made more elaborate by musical accom[)aniuient. This 
 enhances the enjoyment of the pupil, rendering the exercise desirable from 
 that point of view and helping to make it perhaps among the most service- 
 able in the school life, hi buildings where fire escapes are necessary the 
 children are taught to use them, going through the routine frequently. This 
 knowledge has not fortunately thus far ])een put to a practical test in our 
 town, though it has in some of our large cities and has proved of the great- 
 est use. From constant practice children have been through their drill with 
 mechanical precision at the teacher's command, while fire was raging near 
 them, the regularity with which they moved preventing a panic and enabling 
 all to escape, thus saving many lives. Much more attention is paid to the 
 health of children in the schools than formerly. It has been proved that 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUOH. 327 
 
 well warmed, equally well ventilated, aud comfortably furnished rooms, by 
 ensuring better physical conditions, ensure consequently a higher standard of 
 excellence in intellectual progress and development. 
 
 The North High School has had four principals ; namely, Burrill Porter, Jr., 
 from May, 1867, to July, 1.S79 ; Henry M. Maxson from September, 1879, 
 to October 1, 1885; F. S. Hotaling from October 1, 1885, to April, 1886; 
 George W. Lyman from April, 188G, to the present time (1887). This 
 school has had seven assistants: Lucy L. Holden, Mrs. Sarah Austin, Mary 
 I. Hinckley (now Mrs. E. A. Hall), Elizabeth K. Goss (now Mrs. Albert 
 Dodge, of Minneapolis. Minn.), Agnes Pierce (now Mrs. John D. Long), 
 Bertha Pierce, and Mary W. Pierce. The average membership has been 
 about fiftv, and the graduates number about one hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 The East High School has had six principals : Calvin G. Hill, William 
 Wilkins, A. F. Wood, Jr.. J. Osmond Tiffany (who served thirteen years, 
 from 1872 till May, 1.S85, when he resigned), J. H. Lord from May, 1885, 
 till December, 1885, and W. C Hobbs, who took the position in January, 
 1886, and still continues. The assistants have been seven in number ; namely, 
 Mrs. C. G. Hill, Emma Tonks (now wife of Rev. John Baxter, of England, 
 and for a time a missionary in East Africa). Miss Kelton, M. C. Shettield,' 
 Miss Hawes, Annie Rice, Helen W. Metcalf, and Emma C. Lord. Miss 
 Metcalf is now serving the second time, and Mary W. Pierce, of North 
 Attleborough, teaches here for a stated number of hours as well as in that 
 village. The average membership of this school has been about forty-five, 
 and there have been proljably about one hundred and fifty graduates. 
 
 The town has had three superintendents of schools : Francis E. Burnette, 
 Andrew W. Edson, and Henry M. Maxson, who was elected October 1, l.SMS, 
 and continued to serve until after the division. The instructors in music are 
 J. H. Whittemore and his daughter, Mary E. Whittemore, who have held the 
 position for several years. The school committee for 1887 w-ere George Yj. 
 Osgood, J. O. Tiffany, Byron R. Hill, Henry S. Kilby, George Randall, 
 Harvey Clap, Mary A. Mathias, Lidora E. Briggs, Leda J. Thompson. 
 These officers are elected for periods of two and three years, so a portion only 
 of the terms expire annually. At the annual meeting of 1886 Mrs. John 
 Wood and Miss Briggs were elected to a position on the school board, 
 the first women in town to hold that position, and the latter received a 
 reelection. 
 
 There are three school funds in the town, the largest of which is derived 
 from a legacy of Abiathar Augustus Richardson, who died in 1843. The 
 portion of his will relating to this legacy is hej-ewith quoted. After ordering 
 his executors to pay his debts and two bequests of household furniture and 
 clothing, he devises as follows : — 
 
 ' Wife of G. E. Briglitman, now (1893) pastor of the Methodist Church. 
 
328 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Item, — The rej^idue and remainder of my estate, both real and personal I dispose of as 
 follows: I first direct that the same shall he converted into cash or its eiiuivalent, as soon a^ 
 mav be convenient after my decease, which shall forever constitute a school fund to be used 
 and the proceeds appropriated as herein exyiressed; the principal (no part of which is ever to 
 be expended) shall be loaned out at lawful interest, with good security on real estate, and the 
 interest thereof oidy shall be annually taken and appropriated to the use. support or mainte- 
 nance of the common free schools in the Second Precinct or Parish in Attleborough, in which I 
 live, for the benefit of all the schools in said I'arish, which fund shall be managed by twelve 
 persons belonging to said Parish as a board of trustees, who are to be chosen once in three 
 years, — and any vacancies which may occur, whenever said parish shall deem jiroper, may be 
 filled by said parish. 
 
 Lastly I do nominate and appoint John Daggett, Esquire, of said Attleborough. to be the 
 executor of this my last will and testament, who is hereby directed to sell and deliver over the 
 proceeds as aforesaid. 
 
 Witnesses, Dated July 9, 1S42. 
 
 John Daggett, Signed 
 
 Harvey Claflin, Abiathar A. Richardson. 
 
 Phineas Savery. •!• W. ('ai)ron. Clerk. 
 
 Codicil, dated Jan. ;il. 1S43. 
 
 I hereby order and direct that the income of the school fund mentioned in said will, shall be 
 distributed to the schools, meaning the school districts, whose school-houses are located within 
 the present territorial limits of the second parish mentioned in my said will in manner follow- 
 ing, to wit: One-half of said income, shall be distributed equally to each and every of said 
 School Districts, and the other half shall be distributed to them in proportion to the number of 
 scholars in each district, and if ever in the course of time, the said Parish should be dissolved, 
 abolished or discontiiuied. or should fail to elect a Board of Trustees, as provided in said will, 
 or the said Trustees should by any means be incapable in law of holding said fund, in that case 
 I direct that such fund be managed by trustees chosen by one from each School District legally 
 chosen : and if ever the present School District System should be abolished or discontinued, in 
 that case I direct that said income shall be appropriated to the support of such free school or 
 schools as the trustees for the time being shall establish in said limits. 
 
 My will is that the Board of Trustees mentioned in my said will may be selected by said 
 parisli from any of the inhabitants within the territorial limits of said Parish, and in any case 
 of any failure of a Board of Trustees to hold said fund, I direct that said fund shall be managed 
 by Trustees appointed as the Supreme Court shall prescribe. 
 
 January "io, 1840, John Daggett, executor, notified the standing committee 
 of the .Second Parisli of liis being ready to pay into the hands of the trustees, 
 when chosen, the fund accruing from this estate, it being then in his hands. 
 March 2H, it was voted ])y the parish to choose the following persons to act 
 as trustees of this fund : .Samuel Carpenter, John Daggett, committee at large, 
 Lucas Daggett, Willard Blackinton, Seba Carpenter, P^lias Fuller, Daniel 
 Carpenter, t^lkanah Briggs, Noah Blanding, Forrist Forster, Draper Par- 
 menter, and Gardner Dunham. On May o, 1850, these twelve trustees were 
 incorporated by Act of Legislature, under the title of Trustees of the Richard- 
 son School Fund in Attleborough. They were vested with full power and 
 authority to fill vacancies in their board, make all necessary regulations and 
 by-laws for their government and the security and management of the fund, 
 and with power to hold both real estate and personal property. They had 
 power to receive, invest, and manage the estate of the fund, and to take 
 charge of the income, paying it over to the schools, as directed by the wilL 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 329 
 
 The corporation was empowered to appoint officers according to its by-laws, 
 and to establish I'ules and regulations for the distrilnition of the income of the 
 fund, "provided, the said rules, regulations and by-laws do not conflict with 
 the purposes of said will or the laws of the Commonwealth." 
 
 At the time of Mr. Richardson's death, or when paid over to the trustees, 
 this gift amounted to $11,000. Since that time it has nearly doubled in 
 value. In 18<s7 its value was given as $20,250.58. It is invested, according 
 to the tenets of the will, in real estate loans and chiefly in this town. Up to 
 this time there has been a six per cent, interest obtained. In the more thau 
 forty years since the legacy was given there have been but two presidents of 
 the board of trustees. John Daggett, the first appointed, held the office from 
 184(5 till his death in 1885. The present trustees are Everett S. Horton, 
 president ; Frank I. Babcock, secretary ; Charles E. Bliss, treasurer ; Shep- 
 hard W. Carpenter, James H. Sturdy, John Thacher, Everett S. Capron, 
 Hartford S. BaDcock, (leorge F. Bicknell, Joseph M. Bates, William H. 
 Smith, J. Lyman Sweet. 
 
 South Attleborough, or what was formerly District No. S, has the benettt 
 of a bequest made to it by " tlie Frenchman," Joseph A. Richaud, so long a 
 .resident there. He kept a store, made some money, and as he never married 
 he made this district the heir to his entire little ])roperty, provided it should 
 not be called for within six years after his death, by a nephew who was 
 supposed to be living in France. Richaud was a deist and his will, which he 
 himself dictated, " disavows a belief in the divinity of Christ, and the Chris- 
 tian religion." In this same document he declared his disbelief in Mahomet, 
 and asserted that he had a reliance on the "• only living and true God," and 
 to him he commended his spirit. Tliis property amounted originally to about 
 $700. It has probably increased, but we have not been able to ascertain 
 exactly its present value, how it is invested, or the amount of income it 
 yields annually. 
 
 The third fund is that of the Holmes neighborho(jd. This is from a legacy 
 of Milton Holmes, which consisted of a dwelling-house, some woodland, and 
 some money, and the fund was established in 1.S6;!. The income was used 
 up to 1878. About that time the institutions where the money was invested 
 ceased to pay interest, and for some time there was danger that the principal 
 would be lost. Happily this misfortune was averted, and the money lias been 
 restored. This fund is managed by trustees. H. K. W. Allen and Joseph 
 L. Holmes were the tlrst appointed. The latter resigned in 1878, and A. F. 
 Underwood was chosen to take his place. He and Mr. Allen are still in 
 charge. The fund now (1880) aiuounts to about $2,100. 
 
 FRANKLIN SCHOOL. 
 
 This appears to have been the first private school in town. On February 
 5, 1800, Peter Thacher, Abiathar Richardson, Gideon Sweet, Nathaniel 
 
330 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Robinson, Ebeuezei- Tvler, second. Daniel Carpenter, Jr., Eliplialet Wilniartli. 
 Daniel Carpenter. Caleb Richardson, Jr., Benjamin Bolkcoiu, Henry Sweet, 
 Jr., Elijah Ingrahani, Dexter vSweet, Gideon Sweet, Jr., John Wilraarth, 
 Noah Blandin, Noah Tiffany, Jonathan Robinson. Joshna Bassett, Otis 
 Capron, Elijah Capron, Abiathar Richardson, Jr., Nehemiah Bourn, Jona- 
 than Peck, and Abijah Everett, met at the house of Benjamin Bolkcom and 
 agreed to build a schoolhouse " nigh the meetinghouse." It was also agreed 
 that Jonathan Peck should Iniild the house for $82S, and he was to complete 
 it by Septeml)er of the same year. ''Then agreed that Each Proprietor that 
 doth not improve the House may receive annually in Money his proportion 
 of the rent." 
 
 Comniomvoaltli of Mass. A.I). 1S0"2. 
 
 An Act to Establish A School in the S. Parisli in the town of Attlcboro": by the Name of 
 Franklin School and for Ineorporatiiii,' the Trustees of said School into a Ijody politic. 
 
 Whereas the Education of Youth has ever l)eeu considered by the wise and good as an ol>ject 
 of the hi,i;liest consequence to the Safety and happiness of a free people. And Whereas Abijah 
 Everett of Attlel)oro': in the County of Bristol physician and Abi,a:ail his wife by their Deed 
 made and executed on the tenth Day of April A. D. ISOO gave granted and conveyed unto 
 Peter Thacher and those herein Named and to their heirs forever a certain piece of land Situ- 
 ate in the 2d Precinct or Parish in said Attleboro' : to be hoklen in Fifty four rights or shares to 
 the use and upon the trust that the rents and profits thereof be forever appropriated to the 
 Support of a School in the said 2d precinct forever for the Instruction of Youth in Such 
 languages and in Such branches of Science as are usually taught in Schools. And AVhereas 
 the Execution of the Generous intentions of the Donors towards the said institution may be 
 attended with iinbarrissmeiils unless by an Act of Incorporation the Trustees and their Succes- 
 sors shall be Authorized to Connnence and prosecute actions at law and to transact such other 
 matters in their Corporate capacity as the interest of the said school may require. 
 
 It was further enacted that the school should be established •' for the pro- 
 motion of virtue and the instruction of Youth of Each sex in such languages 
 and such Branches of the Arts and Sciences as the said Trustees may from 
 time to time think Exi)idient and within the Income and funds of said School 
 to support." These trustees could " sue and be sued," and they and their 
 successoi's iiecame perpetual supervisors and "true and Sole Visitors, Trus- 
 tees, and Governors." They w^ere to appoint a president, secretary, treasurer, 
 preceptor, and such other ofHcers as they deemed necessary : wci-e to make 
 rules with adequate penalties for tlie breakage thereof, prcniiled tlie rules, 
 etc., " he in nowise repugnant to the laws of the Commonwealth." They 
 were empowered to hold real estate, — land, tenements, etc., — provided that 
 the annual income did not exceed the sum of ^;')U0, and personal property to 
 the same amount. Tliey were not to receive anything which should compel 
 them to act in any way contrary' to the designs of the donors of the land. 
 This act was approved by the governor June '23, 1802. 
 
 The lirst meeting in the new schoolhouse was held October 4, 1802, when 
 Peter Thacher was elected jjresident, Joshua Bassett secretary, and Noah 
 Blandin treasurer. Elijah Ingraliam, Ebenezer Tyler, 2d, Peter Thachei', 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEliOROUdH. 331 
 
 Caleb Richardson, Jr., and Ilenr}' Sweet were the committee chosen to draft 
 by-laws, and these were accepted at an adjourned meeting hekl the " <S"' of 
 November at five o'clock in the afternoon." At this same time it was "• voted 
 that the rent of the School House be at the rate of 24 Dollars per year." 
 The officers were to rent under direction of the trustees, were to have the 
 management of the house, keep the keys, but use their own discretion as 
 to the length of rental; and the secretary was directed to '* make a fair and 
 impartial record of all the several meetings," etc. December 13, 1802, the 
 first preceptor, Mr. Israel Day, Jr., was chosen, and it was voted to let the 
 house for the purpose of singing. Mr. Day appears to be the only preceptor 
 chosen by the trustees, but it is known that Rev. Nathan Ilolman had a 
 school in this l)uilding, and Moses Thacher and Preston C'ummings also 
 taught here. They probably rented the house and obtained scholars by 
 their own efforts. In the summer of 1803 there seems to have been a 
 " Woman's School," and among the records for that year was a vote to pay 
 the secretary twelve and a half cents a page for recording transfers of 
 shares and certifying the same. 
 
 February 10, 1804, by act of Legislature the word "South" in the act 
 of incorporation was changed to "East," because that part of the town was 
 universally known as the *' East Precinct." No other record has been 
 noticed where the word south is used. October 14, 1805, '' Voted that a 
 singing school may be kept in said house provided that it does not Interfere 
 with the school usually kept." The following year it was mentioned that 
 the rent was relinquished to whoever liad had the building, the "Arts and 
 Sciences " apparently not flourishing at that time. In 1815 it was voted to 
 use the schoolhouse for conferences, if it was wanted, at one shilling a 
 meeting, and the rent in summer seems to have l)een then one dollar a 
 mouth. Peter Thacher was president of the organization from the com- 
 mencement until 1815, when Jonathan Peck was chosen to the office, and 
 he retained it as long as the organization had an active existence. 
 
 May 26, 1824, it was " voted that the President Secretary and Treasurer 
 of Franklin School be impowered to leace their Scthool house lot to the 
 Incorporated Congregational Society in the Second Precinct in Attleboro 
 foi- the term of Nine hundred and ninety nine Years for a meeting house lot 
 the rent to be paid annually. Voted that if the aforesaid Officers do leace 
 their lot as aforesaid they are then impowered and requested to sell their 
 school liouse at Publick auction. Voted to adjourn to June 13"^." The last 
 record in the trustees' l)Ook reads as follows : " June 13"^ Know meeting." 
 
 This auction no doubt took place, for the building became the propertv of 
 District No. 18. It was removed to South Main Street, to a spot on the 
 west side of the road just below where the railroad now crosses it, and 
 stood about where the small house north of the residence of Mrs. L. B. 
 Sweet now stands. It is spoken of as a "little building, painted yellow." 
 
332 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 It was a s(iuare hip-roofed structure, primitive in style and finish, and several 
 people can recall its appearance after it became a district schoolhouse. The 
 teacher's desk was opposite the entrance door and was raised two or three 
 feet above the floor, while the scholars' seats were " in four tiers, each one 
 higher than the other ; the 1)oys' on one side, and the girls' on the other." 
 These seats were no doiilH long wooden benches like those of other school- 
 houses in earlj' days, and the room was heated by " the oldfashioned box 
 stove." There was great excitement, it is said, among the children gathered 
 here when they saw the first railroad train pass through the town, and the 
 teacher warned them to keep their heads inside the building lest otherwise 
 they might be " taken olT bj' the cars." 
 
 Among the district teachers here were the Misses Susan and Polly Mes- 
 senger, i\Iiss Harrington, Miss Lydia iNIann (sister of Horace Mann), Miss 
 Caroline Porter (now Mrs. Harlow and living in Brooklyn. L. 1.), and Mr. 
 Lyman W. Dean. Strict attention was paid to the manners of the- scholars 
 in those early days, no girl l>eing allowed to leave the room without making 
 a courtesy and no boy without making a bow. Strict attention seems also 
 to have Ijeen paid to discipline, especially to punishments, and our present 
 deputy sheriff will perhaps recall an agonizing day there when one of the 
 above-mentioned teachers sat by his side during the longest, soberest hour 
 of his then short life, holding up before him her sharp-looking penknife, 
 which he momently expected to be put to its threatened use of cutting off 
 his ear. It meant something to be caught in mischief when our elders were 
 boys ; perhaps that is the reason why there was so much " fun " in it. 
 
 About I808, when the Sweet house was built, this schoolhouse was 
 removed to a site farther down the street, on the same side. It was pur- 
 chased by a Mv. Holman Fuller and converted into a dwelling-house, and it 
 still remains on that site. The body of the present house is the original 
 structure, Init its roof is no longer hipped ; it has a wing, long, low windows, 
 l)iazzas, and ornamentation enough to shock the plain, homely taste of the 
 fathers who built it. In 1842 the house was bought by Mi'. Nathan C. 
 Luther, who occupied it for some time. Later it was owned and occupied 
 b}' Mr. .Toel Moore, and later still by Mr. William Thompson, who made 
 extensive alterations and improvements. It is now owned and occupied by 
 Captain William H. Goff. Built for the i)urpose of training youths in the 
 "■ arts and sciences" of intellectual knowledge, it does not lose its ancient 
 prestige by l)ecoming the home of an excellent trainer of men in those '' arts 
 and sciences " which pertain to good soldiership. 
 
 Early in this century there seems to have been a private school in South 
 Attlel)orough, called a " Classical School," kept at one time by a Mr. 
 Wheaton, a graduate of Brown University, the only fact found regarding 
 him. The only fact known of the school is of its existence previous to 
 1820, as the author mentions his personal attendance at such a school and 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. OOO 
 
 one of his mates in it. It probably opened later than 1805, V)ecause pre- 
 vious to that time Rev. Jacol) Ide came to the east village to Mr. Holman 
 for instruction in the classics, a journey he would naturally have avoided had 
 the necessary facilities offered themselves nearer his home. This " Classical 
 School " probably had only a short existence. 
 
 Between 1832 and 1836 a private school was kept in North Attleborough 
 by Miss Lurinda Forbush, daughter of the then pastor of the Baptist church. 
 She was for some time previous to her death, which occurred a few years 
 since, well known both throughout this State and the country as Mrs. 
 Barrett, the faithful, devoted laborer in the temperance cause. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH ACADEMY. 
 
 In 1833 an association was formed for the purpose of founding an academy 
 in tlie north part of the town. In that year Josiah Draper, Ira Richards, 
 B. I. and H. N. Draper, Richard Robinson, and their associates purchased 
 a tract of land of Samuel Guild on what is now the corner of Washington 
 and Orne Streets, and here a building was soon erected. The contractor 
 for the mason work was John Hamilton, and for the carpenter work Samuel 
 Guild. The building was two stories high. The entire first floor and one 
 half of the second were used for school purposes, and the remaining part of 
 the upper story was occupied by Bristol Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. 
 The lodge, as may be seen from its early records, purchased some shares in 
 this academy association and were therefore to have the use of a certain 
 portion of its building. 
 
 The first principal of the school was Isaac Perkins, who had previously 
 held the same position over the once famous '"Day's Academy" in Wren- 
 tham. His house stood on the site now occupied by Codding's Block. 
 While he tauglit here he took pupils to board, and the house was known as 
 the " school boarding house." He remained from the time the school opened 
 until 1844. when he removed to Faston to take charge of a high school there. 
 Under his administration the school here must have been in a very flourishing 
 condition, as he sometimes had more than one assistant. 
 
 The next principal was John C. Boram. who came to the school from the 
 East Attleborough Academy in February, 1845. His assistant was Henry F. 
 Lane, who became the third principal in 1846 and remained some two or 
 three years. In 1848 or 1849 Rev. J. I). Pierce succeeded him. In 1850 
 Mr. Pierce resigned the position and left town, having decided to resume 
 his pastoral work, which had been laid aside for a time. He was succeeded 
 by Henry Rice, who taught two years, and this ended the existence of the 
 academy as an educational institution. The building remained unoccupied 
 for several years, but not far from 1855 it was purchased by H. M. Richards, 
 and he moved it to its present site, which is south of the former one and 
 adjoining the Masonic Building. Mr. Henry L. Leach and others have 
 
334 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 since occupied it :is a hardware store and H(jlnies tV; Clieever as a grocery 
 store, and it has also l)een occupied by other parties. Thougii it was used 
 for its original i)nri)ose only a few years, numbers doubtless of the elders of 
 the present generation in its vicinity can look back to pleasant schooldays 
 passed within its walls, and among the recollections will come some perhaps 
 not wholly confined to the cultivation of the mental and moral faculties. 
 There was a good deal of a certain kind of physical education in the schools 
 of the olden time, though its pursuit was not mentioned in the catalogues of 
 studies; it, however, inured boys to some degree of a Spartan-like firmness 
 in bearing pain and was not perhaps altogether useless in its results ; and 
 around every institution of learning there cluster memories of ''fun and 
 frolic" and of boy and girl good times the like of which never come to any 
 one again, memories often ciierished as the dearest which can be recalled in 
 after life. 
 
 EAST ATTLE150R0U(;H ACADEMY. 
 
 'Slave than fifty years ago Mr. Nathaniel W. Sanford, of New York State, 
 bought a large amount of land on the north side of North Main Street, from 
 near where Dean Street is to the centre of the village, or about to the site of 
 the Opera House. Not far from 1840 it would seem he must have made an 
 offer of a gift or transfer of land under conditions to be used as the site of a 
 building for higher educational purposes than the town schools then afforded. 
 This was the land still known as the academy lot. In consequence of this 
 offer an association was formed for the purpose of erecting a suitable build- 
 ing. The question of building in connection with the district arose, and 
 among those chiefly interested in this matter Mr. John C. Dodge and JNIr. 
 Jonathan Bliss were resolutely opposed to such a course, while on the other 
 hand Dr. Seba Carpenter and Mr. Amos Starkey were as decidedly in favor 
 of joining with the district. It was finally decided, however, not to make 
 the proposed union, but to erect a building by private subscription, the sub- 
 scril)ers of course to ])ecome stockholders in the association. Mr. Joseph W. 
 Capron was considerably interested in obtaining the necessary subscriptions, 
 and Mr. John C. Dodge was among tlie largest contributors to this laudable 
 enterprise. The original number of stockholders is not known, but there 
 were 108 or 110 shares. These were sold for $12. .oO each, and the money 
 thus obtained l)uilt the academy. At a meeting iield in January, 1842, the 
 trustees reported that .$1,45.3.55 had been expended and $1,417.05 sub- 
 scribed, leaving a deficit of S88. 5U. They stated that a further subsci'iption 
 of $250 was necessary for the proper completion of the building, and this 
 appears to have been granted to them by the association. 
 
 The building was completed and a school opened in 1842. It was an 
 oblong square structure, two stories high, with a piazza in front supporting 
 Grecian columns, like so many academies and dwelling-houses of its day, 
 and contained two large halls with an entry to each. In its palmy days it 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 335 
 
 presented quite an imposing appearance, standing as it did in a consi)ieu()us 
 position in the centre of ample grassy grounds elevated considerably above 
 and some distance back from the street since named for tlie then owner of 
 the land. The academy had 1)een finished and used for its legitimate pur- 
 pose nearly a year before a deed of tlie land was given to the association. 
 The following extracts are from a copy of the original deed: "Know all 
 Men by these Presents, That I Nathaniel W. Sanford, City of Brooklyn, 
 State of New York, ^Merchant, in consideration of three hundred dollars to 
 me paid I)V Jonathan Crane, John C. Dodge, Jonathan Bliss, Samuel Car- 
 penter, W. Blackinton, P. Savery, O. S. Balcom, John Daggett, and J. W. 
 Capron, Trustees of Attleborough High School, the receipt whereof I do 
 hereby acknowledge, do hereby give, grant, sell and convey unto the said 
 Trustees of the Attleborough High School, or their successors in said OtHce, 
 to hold in trust for the Proprietors of said High School while they maintain 
 a building thereon for the purposes of education," a certain lot of land con- 
 taining 2oO rods, more or less, the bounds, etc., being given, and the owner 
 repeats that the lot was given to these trustees and their successors " to hold 
 in trust for the benefit of the Proprietors of said High School, while they 
 occupy the same for the purposes of education, and no longer." The deed 
 also provided that the proprietors should l>uild and maintain all the fence 
 adjoining Mr. Sanford's land so long as they should occupy the same under 
 the deed, etc. This document was dated May 27, 1843, and was not 
 recorded until December 2.'>, 1859, subsequent to which time other deeds 
 relating to the lot were passed. The reason for this manner and date of 
 transfer cannot now be given nor would it be necessary to go into such 
 details here ; suffice it to say that the history of this piece of land has in 
 nowise differed from that of other lands like it devoted for any time or in 
 any way to public or semi-public purposes, its 'Mnetes and bounds" and 
 rights of proprietorship having given rise to no end of discussion and con- 
 troversy. Such lands everywhere, it would seem, yield abundant crops of 
 nothing but unanswered if not unanswerable questions and fat lawyers' fees. 
 Something near a score of years ago the Academy Association voted to 
 lease this property to District No. 18 for a term of ninety-nine years, thus 
 giving authority to remove the old building from its position to make room 
 for a new and large public schoolhouse on that site. In 188o, when districts 
 were abolished, the town bought the new building with other district proper- 
 ties and also the rights of the association lease. [The academy's first move 
 was to the west side of the lot, and in 1889 a second move was made to the 
 east side, where it now stands (1891).] For a number of years two of the 
 public schools have held their sessions in it. A straggling sort of existence 
 is about all that is now claimed by the association, which results in the calling 
 of meetings at rare intervals for the choice of otflcers, but little else remains 
 to be done. The treasurer, John Thacher, has in his hands a fund of eight 
 
3o6 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 or uiiie hundred dollars, the proceeds of the transfer of the property to the 
 town, and the continuance of an organization will be necessary until some 
 disposition is finally made of this sum. 
 
 The first teacher in the academy was Zwinglius Grover, and following him 
 within the space of two and a half years were Rev. William M. Thayer, 
 Philip C. Knapp, and John C. Boram, the latter going to North Attle- 
 borough. Leonard "Walker, of Seekonk, had a select school here much later. 
 He came here from Wrentham, having taught in the academy there. The 
 teacher who remained the longest time, and who was probably the most suc- 
 cessful, was James M. Baile^^ Under him tliere was a very flourishing 
 school, which continued for a number of years. He was a severe taskmaster, 
 but he seemed to incite in his pupils a desire for knowledge and to imbue 
 them with enthusiasm in the pursuit of it ; and many no doubt iu looking 
 back will acknowledge that some at least of the success of their after years 
 has been the result of the hard mental work he exacted of them. The 
 school never attained the same prestige under any other instructor, and at 
 times no school whatever was maintained in the building. At one time two 
 of the districts maintained what was called the Union High School here, 
 their pupils being admitted free of charge, but those who attended from 
 other portions of the town were charged for tuition. Under this arrangement 
 George Allen and a Mr. Thompson taught, and later J. O. Tiffany and Elliot 
 Sanford. 'At another time George M. Read had a select school, and a Mr. 
 Rice, assisted by one or two sons, also ; and there were perhaps others before 
 the building passed wholly into the hands of its district and finally the town. 
 
 There have l)een other small private schools at various times in town, but 
 these have not lived long or had marked success, the excellent condition of 
 the public schools having in recent years done away with the necessity for 
 piivate schools of an intermediate or even higher grade. The only school of 
 tiiis kind in town at the present time is the one on .South Main Street, 
 Attleborough, which has been kept there for a number of years by Miss 
 Lizzie Blanding. It is chiefly for quite small children. 
 
 Compared with the schools of a century ago, those of our day are models, it 
 might almost be said, of perfection. It would seem that the highest limit of 
 excellence in many respects had been nearl}' reached. Certainly the superi- 
 ority of the present systems of instruction, as a whole, over previous ones 
 has been thoroughly demonstrated. Scarcely too much can be said that is 
 favorable to our methods, and comparatively little that is censurable. One 
 question has, however, recently arisen, which is being more or less discussed, 
 relating to the amount and variety of work attempted in the public schools. 
 There is an opinion that our system as at present developed has in it a too 
 decided forcing element, that the variety and extent of the work required in 
 a given time maintain a constant pressure which, if not carefullj'^ regulated, 
 will prove to be injurious to growing minds and bodies. This question is 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 337 
 
 applicable in some degree to teachers as well as pupils, because the acquire- 
 ments demanded of them are becoming more and more extensive and com- 
 prehensive. If this opinion proves to be well founded and our common 
 school system has any such defect in its construction, the bad results will of 
 course manifest themselves unmistakably, and the appearance of real disease 
 will be followed by the application of such measures as may be necessary to 
 eradicate it ; those in charge of the education of the masses will set them- 
 selves to search out the cause, and effect the cure, and our town will not be 
 the last to take such remedies as may be prescribed. With all the ambitious 
 strides forward in the cause of free and general education in our common- 
 wealth Attleborough has kept pace, and she may look back over the work 
 accomplished with much satisfaction ; and justly she may to-day feel proud 
 of her public schools, their buildings, their pupils, their teachers.' 
 
 1 Some interesting facts relating to one of the old church liuilillngs ami a district schoolhouse have 
 recently come to the writer's knowledge. They are given here because they could not be placed 
 where they rightfully belong, in the account of the South Baptist Church in the preceding chapter. 
 When that building was taken down the great solid oak timbers and beams were purchased by the 
 town and reincorporated into another building which stood very nearly on tlie site now occupied by 
 Saint Stephen's Church, wliich was known as "the yellow schoolhouse." Subsequently this building 
 was either torn down or removed bodily to a site near where the church formerly stood, and then it 
 became " the red schoolhouse." When the districts were abolished and their property sold this little 
 schoolhouse was purchased, moved across the road, and converted into a dwelling-house, which it 
 still continues to be. It is the third house on the right side going from the Dodgeville and Hebron- 
 ville Road to County Street, and passing by the " oM Tiffany place." 
 
338 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 MANLKACTUKES. — THE BLOOMKHV. COTTON MANLFACTOKIKS, ETC. 
 
 ,^ N interesting niannfucture was established in tiiis town previous to the 
 
 ^ 
 
 Revohition. It was called in those days Bloouiery, tiud consisted 
 of furnaces for the manufacture of iron. Similar manufactories had been 
 erected under the care of the Leonards, of Taunton, soon after the settlement 
 of the country. Iron ore was found in the Old Colony in abundance, and 
 the primeval forests of the country supplied cheap and abundant fuel for the 
 use of such manufactories. Furnaces were founded in Taunton, Dighton, 
 and Raynham, and the earliest in Braintree. The Leonards were iron- 
 mongers in Pontypool. Wales, before their emigration to New England, and 
 were familiar with all the processes of the manufacture. In 1(595 two of the 
 name, Thomas and James, Jr., sons of the emigrant James, established the 
 manufacture in Taunton North Purchase, in that part which is now Norton, 
 on a stream called by them Chartley, and the furnaces were known as the 
 Chartley Iron Works. These furnaces were run for over a hundred years, 
 and by father and son through four generations. This establishment, which 
 was near our territory, may have turned attention to this town as a suitable 
 place for a similar establishment. 
 
 Be that as it may, a manufactory of this kind was established here, and 
 located in that part of the village of East Attleborough called Mechanicsville, 
 now Mechanics. Its history seems to have passed almost from the memory 
 of the neighborhood. One building, however, remained for a long time after 
 the discontinuance of the works, and is within the remembrance of a number 
 of persons now living. 
 
 The first person who owned a forge on this spot, as far as known, was 
 Robert Saunderson, a merchant of Boston. Previous to the existence of the 
 iron works, a saw and grist mill had been standing on the premises. These 
 works were occupied and carried on at one time by Thomas Baylies, probably 
 as overseer or superintendent, as there is no evidence of ownership on his 
 part. In a deed from John Sweet to Robert Saunderson of a small tract of 
 one and one-half acres of land adjoining these premises and bearing date 
 February 22, 1742, "in the sixteenth vear of the king's reign," Saunderson 
 is called " Forge Master," but there is no trace of the date of his original 
 purchase of these premises and the establishment of the iron works. 
 
 Saunderson 'was said to be an English emigrant; possibly he had been con- 
 nected with iron business in his native country and naturally turned his 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUCtH. 339 
 
 attention to it in this. He built a dwelliug-liouse, it is said after the English 
 model of that day, where he lived in fashionable style. How successful 
 the forge proved in his hands, or what was the cause of his selling it, does 
 not transpire, but on June 26, 1742,' it passed from his hands into those of 
 Robert Lightfoot, also a merchant of Boston, " for the sum of £2000 current 
 money of the province." The property sold to him consisted of " about fifteen 
 acres of land, including the Forge Pond, together with a forge containing three 
 fires, and a cole house, Pigg house, two dwellings and granary, a stable on said 
 premises standing, and all the utensils belonging to and proper for such a 
 forge in good going order, the whole being under ye occupation of Thomas 
 Baylies." 
 
 This seems to have l)een onl}- a part of Sauuderson's property ui this 
 place, for on July 1, 1750, he made a further purchase of John Sweet, a 
 small tract of land containing about one fourth of an acre, for five shillings, 
 and subsequent sales are also recorded. 
 
 " Robert Saunderson of Attleboro, to John Merrit of Providence, merchant, 
 a certain tract of land in Attleborough, one half of a certain tract of land 
 twenty acres, on Ten Mile River, together with one half of a forge, coal 
 house, dwelling house, barn and sundry other buildings. April 25, 1752. 
 Witness 
 
 Henry Sweet. Before Dan'l Carpenter, 
 
 Jon. Capron, Justice of the Peace." 
 
 *• Rol)ert Saunderson, Iron Master of Attleboi'o' £oOO, to John Merrit, a 
 certain tract adjoining my house lot. twenty five acres, another containing 
 twenty four acres." This is dated April 25, 1752. Also a tract was 
 sold containing sixty-five acres, and another containing thirteen acres, five 
 tracts in the whole. Saunderson seems therefore to have retained a part 
 interest in the works for about ten years after the sale to Lightfoot, but 
 how long he continued his residence is not known. There is no further 
 mention of him, but the facts above given are sufficient to show that he was 
 a. man of substnnce, and that the iron manufactory must probably have 
 been a considerable one. 
 
 Lightfoot retained his ownership here al»out seventeen years, until 175!). 
 Previous to that time, however, he had left town, and removed to Newport, 
 R. L He seems not to have attended personally to his business here, for it 
 is supposed tliat Mr. Thomas Cobb was conducting the works, either by lease 
 or as superintendent, as early as 174.S, and the previous overseer, Thomas 
 Baylies, may have continued until that time. It was probabl}' through the 
 
 ' The date of this transfer is also given as .Tainiary 5, 1743. The Editor is unalile to say which is the 
 correct one. 
 
340 -^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 influence of his fatlun-iii-law, James Leonard, .Jr., of Norton, tiiat Mr. Cobb 
 turned his attention to this occupation, and later became the purchaser of 
 these wor]\S. 
 
 May 22, 17")9, Robert Lightfoot, of Newport, R. I., "' Iron Master," con- 
 veyed to Thomas Cobli, of Taunton, these premises, or his share of them, 
 which then inchided "fifteen acres of land, together with a forge, consisting 
 of three fires, a coal house, three dwelling-houses, a stable, and all the other 
 buildings standing on the said land ; and all the utensils belonging to said 
 forge and premises; all which premises aforesaid, with the appurtenances 
 are to be taken and received by the said Thomas Cobb, in the perfect state, 
 quality, and condition, they are now in." In addition to these properties, 
 which are nearly identical with those sold by Sauuderson to Lightfoot. there 
 were added the *' remains of an Air Furnace, and Boring Mill, with scales for 
 weighing, and weights thereto belonging." This deed was dated May 22, 
 "^ in the 32nd year of the reign of his most sacred majesty Cxeorge the Second, 
 by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, and soforth, and in the year 
 of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty nine." At the same time 
 John Merrit, of Providence, and Margaret Merrit, his wife, convey their 
 portion of this property to Mr. Cobb. 
 
 For six or seven years after these purchases Mr. Cobb evidently continued 
 to conduct the works, but on January 22, 1765, it is recorded that he con- 
 veyed his entire property in this town to his son Jonathan Cobb. It is also 
 evident that notwithstanding this transfer he continued to reside here and 
 occupy the " mansion house " included in the conveyance, as it is known he 
 was here in 1770. What this arrangement was can only be conjectured. 
 Perhaps it was like some firms to-day, where one member supplies the capital 
 and becomes a " silent partner," and the business is conducted in the other's 
 name. 
 
 No record appears of the date of the sale of the property by Jonathan 
 Cobli, but it was probably not far fi-om 1800. The purchaser was Nathaniel 
 Robinson, who worked the forge for a time, but finally converted the estab- 
 lishment into a blacksmith's shop, gristmill, etc. He sold either on July 26 
 or August 4, 1809, to Elijah Ingraham, of PaAvtucket, Ezra and Jabel Ingra- 
 ham, and Henry Sweet, of this town — it is said for the sum of So, 000. His 
 property was described as "land, containing a dwelling-house, barn, corn- 
 crib, grist and saw-mill, trip hammer shop, and all buildings thereon," and 
 there was a resei'vation of a watering place " one rod wide," in favor of one 
 Richardson. 
 
 The first cotton mill here was ei"ected in 1811, and the first firm was 
 Ingraham, Richardson & Co. This firm also put up the first tenement 
 house on the place. The members were Elijah and Ezra Ingraham, Abiathar 
 Richardson, Jr., Henry Sweet, Moses Richardson, Daniel Cobb, and Josiah 
 Whitaker. Daniel Cobb owned a one-sixteenth share, which he sold to 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 341 
 
 Whitaker September 3, 1821, and on June 18, 1821, Whitaker also purchased 
 .label Ingraham's share of the property. Whitaker was from Providence. 
 
 The second firm was Whitaker, Richardson & Co. The next took the 
 name of The Mechanics Manufacturing Co., the firm being Samuel and 
 Jesse Carpenter. Some two years su])sequent to the erection of this mill 
 the factory just above on the river was built, and from the fact that the 
 neighboring farmers had supplied a large proportion of the money for its 
 construction it was called ''The Farmers' Factory," though at the same time 
 it was also known as '' The Bliss Factory." The one of which we are writing 
 had been called " The Ingraham and Richardson," and later "• The Carpenter 
 Factory," but mistakes occurred, names and factories frequently got "mixed," 
 and therefore the name of " Mechanics" was given to this factory in order 
 to clearly distinguish it from the other. The mistakes are easily accounted 
 for by the fact that Samuel and Jesse Carpenter, Jonathan, George, and Zeba 
 Bliss bought the two mills conjointly, and if they were called by the names 
 of the owners, either might be meant and confusion ensue. A division was 
 finally effected, and the Bliss ])rothers took the "Farmers'." This wasMiot 
 far from 1830, it is said, and then prol)ably the name was chosen. 
 
 While owned and conducted by the last-named firm, the Mechanics estab- 
 lishment had about forty looms, ten hundred and thirty-six spindles, Patterson 
 machinery, and manufactured annually of calico prints. No. 27, about 291,000 
 yards. The number of hands employed was thirty-eight, twenty-seven of 
 them females. The building was eighty-four feet long by thirty-two wide, 
 and three stories high. Connected with it were the old trip hammer shop 
 and gristmill. 
 
 The village formerly constituted the school district No. 22, and in 1834 
 there were thirty-five scholars in families belonging to the establishment, and 
 a school was kept from six to eight months during the year, with an average 
 of twenty-four in attendance. Twenty-three years previous to that time the 
 village numbered one child. 
 
 There were formerly many joint owners of this propei'ty, and for several 
 years changes were frequent. Dates of some of these have been ascertained. 
 April 1, 1825, Moses Richardson and Josiah Whitaker sold their shares to 
 Jesse Carpenter, Samuel Carpenter, Jonathan, Zeba, and Martin Bliss, of 
 this town, and Pretate Ingraham, of Pawtucket, and on July 1(3, of the same 
 year, they bought Henry Sweefs share. August 12, 1821), Martin Bliss sold 
 to Samuel Carpenter; June 30, 1831, Jesse Carpenter sold to him; and 
 October 31, 1831, Jonathan and George Bliss also. February 17, 1834, 
 Samuel Carpenter sold a portion of -the property to Albert Carpenter, and on 
 November 26, 183.S, he bought A. A. Richardson's ' share. Some time during 
 these vears an addition was built to the mill, and eight looms added. At 
 
 Son of Abiathar Richardson, a previous owner. 
 
342 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 length the compauy came to consist of Samuel and Albert Carpenter, and hi 
 1?S51 they were obliged to suspend operations. Their affairs were placed in 
 the hands of Robert Sherman, Esq., of Pawtucket, and the author of this 
 work, the late John Daggett. They sold the property at auction, and S. and 
 W. Foster, of Providence, became the purchasers. 
 
 They ran the mill until 1871, whei] a stock company was formed, which 
 enlarged the mill to carry one hundred and fifty looms. The officers of this 
 company were Samuel Foster, president, Chester A. Dresser, treasurer, and 
 N. Hicks, agent; the latter assuming his position in December of that year. 
 This corporation sold out in October, 1878, to the present owners, Foster & 
 Nightingale. Since 1871 there have been several additions made to the mill, 
 which is now three hundred and eighty feet long, forty-eight feet wide, and 
 three stories high with an attic. It has three Ls, one eighty feet by forty- 
 five, another sixty by thirty, and the third sixty-five by forty, each two stories 
 high. There are now one hundred and seventy looms, and eight thousand 
 and eight spindles, and about one hundred and forty hands are employed. 
 There are 400,000 pounds of cotton consumed aumially, and about 2,800.000 
 yards of cloth woven. Print cloths, shirting, twills, and crinkle, or seer- 
 sucker, are made here. Connected with the mill are thirty-three tenements, a 
 superintendent's house, two storehouses, a barn, office, etc. During Mv. 
 Hicks' superintendence, which embraced the period of strikes, it is a remark- 
 able fact that one never occurred here — a fact that speaks well for his 
 management. He continued in charge for nearly sixteen years, and resigned 
 in the early spring of 1887. He left town in April of that year, and at the 
 same time his successor, Mr. Edward Chandler, took charge. He still retains 
 the position.' 
 
 Statistics show that at the close of the year 1801) there were eighty-seven 
 cotton mills in the United States. The prospects of prosperity were such 
 that many more were being erected, and one result of the war of 1812 was 
 to increase and extend this branch of manufactures. Our town had its share 
 in this increase of the cotton industry. The Bkavkk Dam Factokv " which 
 stood on the race-way of Whiting's pond," became a cotton mill in l.S(>'.». 
 This mill was erected before 1800. It was at first in Wreutham, but the 
 change in the town lines brought it within the limits of Attleboroiigh. It was 
 used as a nail factory for several years by George Blackiuton and John Rich- 
 ardson, with probably John Fuller and William Blackinton — John Richard- 
 son being agent. The building was forty feet long, twenty feet wide, and 
 one story high, and built of wood. All kinds of cut nails were made, and 
 tliree or four heading tools and two cutting machines were run. Tiie original 
 owners sold to Captain Chester Bugbee and Mr. Haven. 
 
 ' Decemberli, 1891, this mill was partially destroyeii by lire, causeil in the usual way — someacciileiit 
 to a kerosene lantern or lamp. It was soon reliuilt, but tlie owners have ceaseil operations, and it has 
 been unowupied for .some time. The building is now partly brick. Rumors of its purchase and 
 occupancy by jewelry flrnis have been lieard, but no detiuite facts. 
 
HIS TOUT OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 343 
 
 Captain Bugbee formed a company with John Richardson, George Black- 
 inton, David Shephard. Ebenezer Draper, Lemuel May, and Samuel Tift't. 
 Thev added a story to the mill and thirty feet in length at one end. Their 
 manufactory had about twenty looms and five hundred spindles, and about 
 a thousand yards of cloth were made per week. Captain Bugbee sold his 
 interest to AVilliam Blackinton in 1.S12. The others continued some five 
 years longer. The business was a prosperous one until the occurrence of a 
 panic in 1817. Aftei- that the factory was purchased by Lemuel Ma}' and 
 Daniel Cobb, who carried on the same business for about ten years, or until 
 1828. Early in that year Captain Bugbee and William Haven ' owned and 
 occupied it. Blnally, in the summer of 1832, it was burned. 
 
 The Falls Factory, so called, was built by The Falls INIanufacturinCt 
 Company, which was incorporated February lo, 181o. There has been a 
 mill on this spot almost since the time the history of the town, as a town, 
 began. Joseph Daggett put up a " corn mill " here, at what exact date is 
 not knoAvn, but it must have been previous to 1708, How long he held pos- 
 session or to whom he sold the premises is not known. There was also a 
 sawmill here ver^^ early. In the time of the Revolution the property was 
 owned by Lieutenant Jonathan Stanley, an officer in the Continental Army. 
 It descended to his son, Artemas Stanley, who, in 1809 or I.SIO, sold the 
 privilege to the "Stock Company" in which Artemas, Stephen, and Jacob 
 Stanley, Edward Richards, Otis Blackinton, and "Squire" Cheever were 
 the largest stockholders. This company, as above stated, was incorporated 
 in 1818. About that time, or a little later, Artemas Stanley withdrew from 
 the company, and still later there were other changes ; but beyond the fact 
 itself little is known, Hon. Ebenezer Daggett was at one time a one-fourth 
 owner in the company, but at what date cannot now be ascertained. The 
 privilege here has about thirty feet fall and, as has been seen, was the first 
 mill seat occupied in town. 
 
 The first factory was commenced in the fall of 180'J. In February, 1811, 
 after having been in operation onh' about a year, it was burned down but 
 was immediately rebuilt. In this factory at first cotton yarn was spun and 
 "the weaving was done on hand looms in neighboring families."- One of 
 these old looms has been kept till the present time in the Stanley family — 
 descendants of those of the name who were owners in the first cotton mill. 
 A part of the original building still remains and is now in use as a jewelry 
 shop. At one time there was a gristmill in the basement of this building, 
 
 1 It would seem Uiat Bugbee and Haven purchased for the second time, or that they had owned the 
 property from 1809, and the purchase by May and Cobb included only the business, or still again that 
 the original owners sold to Bugbee alone, and Haven became part owner only in 18-28. The various 
 accounts, which are probably taken from memory partly, seem to differ. 
 
 = This was the case with all the New England cotton mills up to 1814, their work being confined to 
 the spinning of yarn, and all the weaving being done " in the homes of the people," on the ponderous 
 hand looms of the day. 
 
344 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 and it is said that the grinder took his toll in a ratiier dark corner of the 
 apartment. 
 
 The business prospered and increased and about 1880 the establishment 
 was employing forty hands, twenty-five of them females. It consumed about 
 a hundred and fifty bales of New Oi'leaus cotton per year, and manufactured 
 •2")0,0U0 yards of cloth, light calico printing. No. 20. The ])uilding was 
 of wood, seventy feet l)y thirty-four, and three stories high. A new resei'voir 
 was raised here in 1881, which covered an area of one hundred and twenty- 
 five acres. Connected with this establishment were a machine shop, a saw- 
 mill, a blacksmith's shop, and a gristmill. In addition to this factory, a 
 new, handsome, and durable building made of stone procured in the neighbor- 
 hood was erected in 18ol. This was sixty-eight feet by thirty-eight, four 
 stories high, with a projection of fifteen feet, and was filled with new and 
 improved machinery. It was run by Jonathan and George Bliss, who, some 
 two or three years later, employed about forty hands. 
 
 The Bliss brothers continued here a number of years. In 18411 H. N. and 
 H. M. Daggett formed a partnership to enter the cotton manufacturing busi- 
 ness. They first '' bought out the Browns,"^ who were then operating a part 
 of this mill, and subsequently they purchased both the mill and the village. 
 They continued here until 1855 or 1.S5('), when H. M. Richards purchased the 
 property by exchange. In 1857 he built the large stone mill standing on the 
 site of the cotton mill, intending to use it as a jeAvelry manufactory, but 
 owing to the depression in business at that time he was obliged to relinquish 
 the idea. Not long after this time H. N. Daggett repurchased the property, 
 and a few years later it was converted to its present use, that of a braid 
 manufactory. 
 
 The Farmers' Factory was established in 1818, The water privilege 
 belono-ed to what is now known as the Babcock farm, which was then owned 
 by William Richardson, and of him the Farmers' association made the pur- 
 chase. Previous to this time it is said a nail factory and a gristmill stood 
 on the borders of the pond, which was then only about half its present size. 
 The association which built the mill was known as the ''Farmers' Manu- 
 
 1 These Browns were John and Henry, brothers. Tliey were, it is saiil, masons Ijy trade, and them- 
 selves Ijuilt the first stone factory on this site, whicli tliey operated for a time. Of John an amusing 
 story is told which is auUientic, and may l)e found in Benedict's History of tiie Baptists. The inci- 
 dent occurred while the town constituted the two earliest parishes, tlie " First " and " Second," and the 
 churches were supported by public taxes levied on all voters. Mr. Brown being a Baptist preferred 
 to assist the church of his own faith and not tlie two Congregational churches for which tlie citizens 
 or freemen were taxed. Upon one occasion, when asked by the proper authorities for the amount of 
 his Ux, he declined to pay it. He was told if he continued of that mind his property would be 
 attached, but tliat did not move him. Not long after he started to drive to Providence on business. 
 On reacliing Oldtown he was told if he did not pay his dues his horse and wagon would be taken. 
 " Very well," he replied, " you can take the horse and wagon ; I sha'n't pay ; " and he left them there 
 and walke<l home. In due time they were sold at auction, and being of a mind to regain his property 
 Mr. Brown sent a man to the sale to bid them in for him. We may liope his conscience was eased by 
 this mode of procedure. 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 345 
 
 facturing Company." Not far from 1830 it came into the possession of the 
 Bliss Brothers, — its purchase of the Farmers' Company has been previously 
 referred to in the account of the Mechanics' mill, — and in 1834 it was owned 
 by Jonathan and George Bliss, who carried on cotton manufacturing there. 
 The number of hands employed at that time was twentj^-three, of whom 
 seventeen were females. The number of bales of New Orleans cotton con- 
 sumed per year was about seventy-five, and the number of yards of cloth — 
 calico printing No. 30 — manufactured 13."), 000. The privilege there has 
 about thirteen feet fall. 
 
 The business after a time proved to be unremunerative and was abandoned, 
 and in 1854 the property was sold at auction and struck off to H. M. Rich- 
 ards. About a year later it was purchased by II. N. and H. M. Daggett, by 
 exchange of the Falls mill property. They made shoestrings at one time. 
 Mr. H. N. Daggett occupied the mill for the making of certain kinds of 
 braid, chiefly those for hoopskirts : and subsequently Mr. H. M. Daggett 
 used it for the making of thread and knitting cotton. 
 
 For some years after the various forms of cotton manufacturing were 
 given up the mill was used as an iron foundry. Bishop & Gavitt first 
 occupied it for this purpose. They made Attleborough, Queen, Victory, and 
 Eclectic ranges. New Golden Eagle furnaces, many kinds of hollow ware^ 
 and a new kind of hot-air furnace, invented by Mr. Gavitt. This firm re- 
 mained several years, and were followed by Spicers, who carried on the same 
 business. The building is at present unoccupied, and has been so for several 
 years. It is owned by Mr. H. N. Daggett.^ 
 
 The City Factory, situated on the Seven Mile River, the only cotton 
 factory on the river, was built in 1813. It was incorporated by Act of 
 Legislature, February 7, 1818, under the name of '•' The Attleborough City 
 Manufacturing Company." The members at first were Joel Read, Lemuel 
 May, Carlos Barrows, Squire French, Ebenezer and Nathaniel Allen. It was 
 burned in 1.S2G and rebuilt immediately. The second building was forty feet 
 by thirty-four and three stories liigh. The number of hands employed seven 
 or eight years later was seventeen, of whom twelve were females. It ran 
 seven hundred spindles and twenty looms, consumed fifty bales of New 
 Orleans cotton, and produced about 1,800 yards of cloth per week, or at the 
 rate of 93,600 yards annually. In connection with it was a machine shop 
 which employed twelve workmen, and a grocery store. The firm owning and 
 running the mill at this time was called Daniel Read & Co. Of the sub- 
 sequent history of this mill property but little has been ascertained. It has 
 
 1 Mr. Daggett purchaseci the property of his brother, H. M. Daggett, and sold it to the North Attle- 
 borough Steam and Electric Company, which used it as a power-house. January 2, 1S94, the power- 
 house was destroyed by tire. This was an addition to the old factory building proper, which latter 
 escaped even serious damage from the fire, the greatest damage being sustaine<l by tlie costly 
 electric machinery. The mill has been destroyed, and a new power-house built. 
 
346 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 passed through various hands aud ))eeii used for various purposes. It is 
 now occupied by tlie Nottingham Knitting Co., and owned by Mr. James 
 Orr, Mr. Orr purcliased the proi)erty about twenty years ago of Barton 
 Cushraan. During iiis ownershij) tlie mill was for a time run by his son-in- 
 law, My. Henry May, and at one time Read <^ Grittin rented it and manu- 
 factured cotton yarns. 
 
 The knitting company have seven hand-machines, and their manufactures 
 have consisted of ladies' jackets, leggings, and mittens. At present they are 
 making only the latter, and al)Out forty dozen per day. With one of these 
 macliines a man can turn out from ten to twelve dozen a day. Mr. Orr does 
 iilso a dyeing and bleaching business, and about three thousand pounds of 
 yarn pass through his hands each day. Orders for this work from all over 
 the country are filled. 
 
 Lanesville Factory, situated on Abbott's Run, was built in 1820. It 
 was seventy feet long, thirty-six wide, and sixty feet high, including four 
 stories and the garret, and generally employed about 70 bauds, of whom oO 
 were females. It consumed four bales of New Orleans cotton per week, and 
 manufactured 400,000 yards of calico printing cloth, No. 25, per year. 
 The mill ran two thousand spindles and fifty looms. The privilege had then 
 about twelve feet fall. Connected with the mill were a gristmill, sawmill, 
 machine-shop for repairs, and a variety store. In 1834 it was owned by 
 Milton Barrows and others, and it is supposed that he built it. The estab- 
 lishment created around it a neat and handsome little village, like many of 
 the New England factory villages.' 
 
 The first mill erected here was burned. The second one on the site was 
 built about 1847, by John Kennedy, and in 1852 or 1853 it was purchased 
 bv Gideon L. Spencer, of Pawtucket, and was leased by him to various 
 parties, as follows : from 1853 till 1856, to Jonathan Chace ; from 1856 till 
 1862, to Timothy Karle and James H. Chace; from 1862 till l.s64 to 
 Timothy Karle and Rufus J. Stafford; from 1864 till 1867, to John F. 
 Adams. On July 22, 1867, Mr. Adams purchased the estate. The mill and 
 village are now called Adamsdale. In 1<S72 the owner enlarged the mill, 
 about doubling its former capacity. On October 26, issi, it was destroyed 
 bv fire. In 18.S2 the present mill was erected. Mr. Adams had previously 
 manufactured print cloths and some yarn, but since the opening of the new 
 building lias confined himself entirely to the making of fine numbers of 
 cotton Yarns. The mill contains five thousand and forty spindles of ring 
 
 1 This little stream, Abbott's Uiin, which rises and terminates in Cuinberlaiul, its whole course not 
 being more than eiglit online miles, is able to furnisli water-power for several factories and other 
 mills. At the period when this worlc was tirst published there were four of the former. The first was 
 Walcott's, in Cumberland; the next Lanesville, in Attleborough ; the third, French's factory in Robin 
 Hollow, so culleil ; and the fourth Abbott's Run mills, which inclu<led two factories. On this stream 
 above Lanesville were then also several gristmills, sawmills, machine shops, etc. On a branch of 
 this stream near its junction with the Blackstone was Carpenter's factory. 
 
O i'- 
 
 5 — 
 
 
 •F ^ o 
 
 •+ I- 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 347 
 
 frames and preparations, besides twisters, reels, chain and beam warpers, 
 etc. About fifty hands are employed, and all Init seven are of foreign 
 birth or extraction. The consirmption of cotton is about five hundred bales 
 annually, and about one hundred and eighty thousand pounds of yarn are 
 produced. These 3'arns are made in chain Avarps, skeins, or on beams, 
 and are sold largely in the New" York and Philadelphia markets. 
 
 Says a writer : "The embargo of 1807-8 benefited manufacturers at the 
 expense of commerce, and much of the capital and effort engaged in 
 the latter were directed to industrial channels." Its etfect is proved by 
 the statement made that previous to the embargo there were only fifteen 
 cotton mills in the United States, and furthermore that, according to statis- 
 tics, at the end of less than a year and a half that number had swelled to 
 nearly a hundred. Of that number of establishments in operation our town 
 had two, the Beaver Dam factor}-, before mentioned, and the one at Dodge- 
 ville. 
 
 Dodge's Factory was established in 1809. by Ebenezer Tyler, Escj., of 
 Pawtucket, Nehemiah Dodge, Peter Grinnell & Son, and Abner Daggett, 
 of Providence, Elias Ingraham, Edward Richardson, and Daniel Babcock, 
 of Attleborough, under the firm name of The Attleborough Manufacturing 
 Company, Ebenezer Tyler, Agent. The building at first was <S.s feet by 81, 
 and three stories high, including the basement story. During the war of 1812 
 and until the early part of the year 1815, it is s;iid that "manufactures 
 throughout the country continued to progress with unprecedented activity," 
 and this mill was greatly lienefited by this increase of business. In 1820 it 
 contained thirteen hundred and twenty spindles, when .Tosiah Whitaker and 
 John C. Dodge, of Providence, purchased one half of it. In the spring of 
 1812 the name was changed to tliat of the Tyler Manufacturinc; Company 
 under the agency of J. C. Dodge. In 1822 Nehemiah Dodge and John C. 
 Dodge, his son, purchased the remainder of the factory, and continued tiie 
 business under the style of N. & J. C. Dodge. In 182'.) they l)uilt an addi- 
 tion to the factory of ninety-six feet, making it 184 feet by .'51. It then 
 contained four thousand spindles and ninety-two power looms, and gave 
 employment to one hundred and thirty hands. 
 
 The author's words as written about 1834 are : '' It is the largest establish- 
 ment of the kind in town. The village, which is known by the name of 
 Dodgeville, has lieen recently very mucli improved under the superintendence 
 of the present agent. It contains a population of two hundred and sixty 
 persons (all connected with the manufacturing establishment), one machine 
 shop, one picker house, one store, one blacksmith's shop, four l):irns, and 
 fifteen dwelling-houses, many of them new. It forms district No. 23, and 
 has a new, commodious, and uncommonly well-finished school house, where a 
 school is kept the greater part of the year." Some at least of all this is 
 true at the present time. There is no larger establishment of tlie kind in 
 
348 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 town. the Hebron mill beiug only its equal, — the village is certainly pretty 
 
 anil well eared for under the present superintendence, and it has the new 
 schoolhouse, of which may be said quite all that was said of its predecessor 
 of liftv years ago ; but most of the figures must be enlarged. The last-named 
 partnership continued until about 1840, when the sou purchased the father's 
 interest and continued the business alone. He made further additions to the 
 factory and increased the number of looms to one hundred and thirty-six. 
 Subsecpiently reverses came, and in June, 1.S54, the property was sold at 
 auction. 
 
 Messrs. B. 1^. and K. Knight became the i)urchasers and sul)sequently 
 Stephen A. Knight, another brother, was admitted to the business. In 1870 
 these owners were incorporated, with a nominal capital of $100,000, under 
 the name of Heuuon Manufacturing Company, to which the mill here and 
 at Hebronville lielong. The mill building here, which is of wood, is three 
 hundred and eighty feet long, sixty feet wide, and four stories high with two 
 wings. It contains twenty-two thousand spindles, five hundred looms, and is 
 ruu by both water and steam power. About two hundred and thirty hands 
 are employed, sixty per cent, of whom ai-e males. There are used here 
 yearly 1,250,000 pounds of cotton and 2,500,000 yards of cloth are made. 
 This is the well-known and favorite '-Fruit of the Loom." There are a 
 hundred tenements connected with the mill besides other buildings, including 
 offices, etc. The number of spindles and looms has increased over fivefold 
 since the date of the figures given above, and dou))tless the consumption and 
 production in a similar ratio, but the number of hands employed has not 
 quite doubled, which shows the Avonderful improvement in machinery during 
 the [)ast fifty years. 
 
 A short time since a fire broke out here which for a time threatened entire 
 destruction to the mill and its contents. Owing to the vigorous efforts of 
 air. Charles O. Merrill, the superintendent, which were ably seconded by the 
 hands, who refrained frou) causing a panic and fought the fire, the danger was 
 hapi)ilv averted, and the damage done to the property was comparatively 
 small. [Present superintendent (181»3), Mr. W. H. Garner.] 
 
 The Athkrton Factory was established about 1812 at what is now Hebron- 
 ville. and was incorporated June 14, 18 in, ''for the purpose of manufactur- 
 ing cotton and woolen goods," by the name of The Atherton Manufacturing 
 Company. The spot was anciently known as " Chaffee's Mills," where a saw- 
 mill and gristmill were early built. This establishment was owned and im- 
 proved by several different companies. An addition was made to the factory 
 in 1828, making the building ninety-eight by thirty-two feet. It had then 
 sixteen hundred spindles and forty-two looms and employed sixty hands, 
 forty of whom were females. The cloth manufactured was Nos. 2(; and 28 ; 
 about two hundred and fifty bales of New Orleans cotton were consumed per 
 vear, and about four hundred thousand yards of the print cloth made. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 349 
 
 Thomas Harkness and Thomas J. Stead were the owners of this property at 
 this time — successors to the Athertons. They were Quaker merchants of 
 Providence. They were probably the ones who made the above-nrentioued 
 additions. They continued here until 1848, at which time the Knights pur- 
 chased the property. 
 
 The present mill, built l)y the Knights, is of liriek, and has been much 
 enlarged since it was first erected. Tlie main buildings, No. 1 and No. 2, 
 are respectively one hundred and six and one hundred and twelve by fifty- 
 four feet, with a wing one hundred and two by forty-six feet, and they are 
 run by both steam and water power. There are connected with the establish- 
 ment a boiler house, waste house, blacksmith's shop, picker, lapping and 
 cloth rooms, offices, and seventy-six tenements. The figures given here are 
 almost identical with those of Dodgeville : twenty-two thousand spindles, 
 four hundred and ninety-eight looms, two hundred and thirty-seven employees, 
 wqth about the same amount of cotton consumed annually — 1,250,000 pounds 
 and 2,250,000 yards of cloth manufactured. Unlike the sister mill, however, 
 in this one several kinds of cloth are made— chiefiy five, four, and three leaf 
 twills and plain sheetings. The superintendent here is Joseph H. Anil. 
 
 A large amount of business is done in these estal)lishments, as may be seen. 
 No approximation of the payrolls could be given, however, or of the value 
 of the cloth made yearly, as Itoth are fixed and changed by the fiuctuations of 
 the market, the employees being paid less or more according to the prices the 
 cloths fetch in the market (1887). [Present superintendent (1893), Mr. 
 Adam ^leWhinnie.] 
 
 HUTT( )N :M ANU I- ACTOUI ES . 
 
 The first actual manufacture of metal l»uttons in town was begun on a ssmall 
 scale by Edward Price, an emigrant from Birmingham, England, who came 
 here and settled in 17'J3. He had been engaged in this business previous to 
 his emigration, and l)rought machinery with him to this country. He carried 
 on the work alone for a numl)er of years, making principally the large out- 
 side buttons in fashion at that time. He occupied a small shop near the 
 present residence of John T. Bates, and continued in the east part of the 
 town until bsOO, when he removed to North Attleborough. He continued the 
 business there for a number of years with some success. 
 
 The second manufacture of metal buttons was commenced in 1812 by 
 Colonel Obed and Otis Robinson. In the establishment of their business 
 they were aided by the skill and experience of Mr. Price. This was the first 
 company formed for this manufacture in the United States. ^ 
 
 The manufacture of glass buttons was commenced in 1823 l)y Richard 
 RoBiNsox & Co., the firm consisting of Richard Robinson, Virgil Blackintou, 
 and Willard Robinson, the ingenious machinery they used being chiefly of 
 their own invention. The original company began the business on a small 
 scale and met with manv embarrassments and discouragements in its early 
 
35U A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Stages, but after liecoiiiiuii' thorouglily established it began to increase, grad- 
 ually at first, and finally became very extensive. Richard Robinson appears 
 for a time to have had sole charge of the business, l)ut whether the other 
 partners had retiied or what was the cause is not known. In 182() a new 
 company was formed under the same style of Riciiahd R(jniNsox & Co. 
 for the term of five years, which expired in May, 1831. 
 
 At that time the firm of Robinson, Jones & Co. was formed, consisting of 
 Richard and Willard Robinson, William H. Jones, and H. M. Draper. They 
 commenced business in a small shop about 3.5 by 22 feet in size. An addi- 
 tion to tliis building had been made in the summer of l.s2(!, and its machinery 
 was carried by horse-power. 
 
 It was in the latter part of the year 1<S2() that the lirm then conducting the 
 business began to work on the gilt button, theirs being the first manufactory 
 of that button in the country. In 1.S27 the company erected a brick factory 
 two stories high, GO feet long by 20 wide, and in 1<S2<S the business required 
 an addition of twenty-five feet in length. The machinery was carried by 
 water power from the Ten Mile River, and the improvements in it were largely 
 the result of Willard Robinson's inventive skill. The rolling mill connected 
 with the establishment and built in 1822 was 60 feet by 25. In 1832 the new 
 company built another shop of wood, one story high, and 60 feet by 2.5. 
 The number of hands employed about that time was seventy-five, of whom 
 thirty were females, and the number of buttons manufactured was about one 
 hundred gross a day. At different times various kinds of buttons were pro- 
 duced. From 182(5 to 1832 the common gilt button had been manufactured, 
 which competed in a good degree with the English. Subsequent to 1.S32 the 
 conjpany made all the varieties which the market demanded — the common 
 button, the navy, the military, the fancy, and sporting buttons, which were 
 acknowledged superior to any others in the market in the beauty, finish, and 
 durability of the work. 
 
 The following paragraphs are transcribed from the first edition of this book, 
 printed in 1.S34 : — 
 
 •^ This company has Itrought the manufacture of this article to such perfec- 
 tion, 1»y various impi'ovements and the skill of the workmen, as to compete 
 fully with all others in the market whether domestic or foreign, — indeed if 
 ])i'(;per iMicoui'agement should be given by adequate j)rotection to this branch 
 of industry, it would soon l)e sutiicient to supply all our home denuinds, and 
 exclude the foreign entirely from our markets. Tliis company have received 
 all tiie contested premiums which have been offered by the Institutes of New 
 York, Philadelphia, and P>oslou, — sometimes jointly with otiiers. They have 
 in their possession three medals (silver) and two diplomas. 
 
 •' Several important improvements in the mode of manufacture have been 
 made by one of the firm. 3Ir. Willard Robinson, for some of which patents 
 have been secured. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 351 
 
 "A common gilt button which appears wheu linished so simple, undergoes 
 in the course of being manufactured over thirty different processes, some of 
 which require great skill and experience. Eacli Initton is separately handled 
 twenty-one times. 
 
 " Some of tlie females mentioned as connected with this establishment are 
 employed principally in drying, sorting, papering and packing, and others in 
 edging, cramping, placing the eye and preparing it for soldering. It fur- 
 nishes for females a neat, agreeable and profitable occupation. 
 
 •' The capital employed by this establishment is about S.")0,000. They use 
 in gilding about $15,000 worth of pure gold generally obtained in its uatui-al 
 state ; and consume forty tons of Lehigh coal annually. 
 
 ''The luimber of tenements occupied by those employed in the factory is 
 thirteen. Several new dwelling houses have been lately erected for their use. 
 " Agencies for the sale of this article have been established in all the prin- 
 cipal cities of the Union. Some of the articles have Ijeen exported to foreign 
 countries,— to South America, Hayti, and several of the West India islands. 
 The button now manufactured is equal in every respect to the English, and 
 perhaps superior in durability." 
 
 In 183.5 the firm was employing about one hundred hands, and a pretty 
 village of comfortal)le houses, named from the owners, Robinsonville, sur- 
 rounded the factories. In lS4o the fashion in buttons changed, and the 
 unrivaled success of this firm was brought to an end, and Mr. Willard 
 Robinson, who was at that time conducting the business, was obliged to 
 suspend operations, though that branch of the business consisting of army, 
 navy, and police buttons was taken up not long after this time and is still 
 continued near the original place of manufacture. 
 
 Mr. John Hatch, a mechanic employed by the Robinsons, had thought out 
 a curious invention, a machine to make suspender buttons, and by the com- 
 bined efforts of Mr. Willard Robinson and himself this machine was per- 
 fected. It was patented February 20, lS4.o, in Mr. Robinson's name. This 
 was the justly famous "Button Machine." Six machines were made, and 
 subsequently one of them was sent to Germany. No others have been made, 
 and the five in town are the only ones of their special kind in existence in the 
 country. They are automatic, cut and completely make the buttons from 
 tin plates, each machine making about twenty-t4iree buttons a minute, or 
 13,800 in a day of ten hours' length. These buttons came rapidly into use, 
 the great advantage they possess in not cutting the thread used in fastening 
 them being speedily recognized. They were made by millions, and used for 
 various purposes. Large contracts were filled for the government during the 
 Civil War. 
 
 Messrs. Robinson and Hatch became partners for the manufacture of these 
 buttons. The patent and its extensions covered a period of twenty-one years, 
 and for that length of time this special manufacture almost controlled the 
 
352 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 market. INIr. Hatch died in 1849, only four years after the partnership was 
 formed ; but Mr. Robinson continued the business until his death, which 
 occurred in 1879. It is now conducted by Arthur B. Robinson, who on 
 Marcli 1. 1880, bought the business of his father's estate, and carries it on 
 under his own name, as the only manufacturer of " Hatch's Patent Metal- 
 lic Pantaloon Buttons." [Mr. Ro)>inson has since died.] 
 
 These l)utton machines are very curious and intricate in their construction 
 and reipiire the nicest and most careful adjustment to ensure perfect work. 
 The adjustment being right, the work is excellent, and the result a button 
 unequaled of its kind. The first machine made has been running over forty- 
 five 3'ears, is running to-day, one of the best, if not the best, of the five. It 
 is evidently a favorite with the long-time foreman of the shop, for he speaks 
 of its capabilities with assurance and admiration. Various other trowsers 
 buttons are made at the present time, and as they can be put into the market 
 at a cheaper rate they have somewhat superseded these, Imt they do not com- 
 pare with them in appearance or durability. 
 
 D. Evans & Co. succeeded tlie Rol)insons in the malving of metal ttuttons, 
 about 1<S48. This firm manufactures both plain and fancy army and navy 
 buttons, all kinds of military and livery gilt and silver-plated buttons. 
 During the war this was a very extensive and profitable business, as many 
 large contracts were filled directly for the govei-nment, or for those supplying 
 uniforms for our soldiers in both the army and navy. The Inisiness has 
 always been conducted at Rolnnsonville, now' a part of Attleborough Falls. 
 So much competition has arisen in this as in other branches of manufacturing 
 that the business here has been much reduced, and at present very little is 
 being done. 
 
 Another manufactory of buttons was established in Octolter, lSo2, by a 
 different firm, under the name of Robinson, Hall & Co. The shop was 
 situated on the Seven Mile River, near Newell's Tavern in West Attleborough, 
 and quite near the residence of Elisha G. May. The first shoj) was oO feet 
 by 20; another, built in 188;3 or 1834, was 35 feet by 25, and three stories 
 high. This establishment employed nineteen hands, of whom ten were 
 females, and when the new one was completed some twent^'-five to thirty 
 were i)robably employed. This company made plain metal buttons, for both 
 coats and vests, and of three different prices. They at one time produced 
 about seventy-five gross per day, and subsequently probably this amount was 
 increased. 
 
 This old shop and its predecessor had a varied experience. There was 
 first of all a blacksmith's shop ; this was converted into a cotton mill run 
 by a Mr. Sibley, and then into a button factory. In one of these buildings 
 INlr. Elisha G. May learned the button trade. That business here came to 
 a close about fifty 3'ears ago, for it is said AV. H. Robinson commenced 
 manufacturing jewelry about 1837 in the shop the Itutton-makers had built. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 353 
 
 He was followed by others iu the same business. J. H. Hodges and J. T. 
 Bacon started in company here in 1843, and while here — among the first to 
 (lo it — they " introduced power" into their works. Mr. Hodges, it is said, 
 was the first in town to make brass jewelry and have it electro-plated. This 
 firm was here until 1847. After this it was for a time a pattern-making 
 establishment. At length it became a dyehouse and bleachery with quite 
 a large business, and finally in 1881 or 1.S82 it was burned down. What- 
 ever remnants of its ruins may have l)een visil)le were all washed away by 
 the flood of 1886, which acted its wild will on this spot, changing its appear- 
 ance so completely that not a trace of the old shop remains to mark its 
 former site. 
 
 LEATHER MANUFACTOKY. 
 
 In the centre of the village of South Attleborough, on the site now occu- 
 pied by the leather works of William Coupe & Co., the same kind of 
 business, though of various branches, has been carried on for over a hun- 
 dred years, a fact which can be stated of no other spot in town. So far as 
 known, Isaac Draper was the first to have a tannery here ; but the precise 
 date of his starting it is not known. His son Ebenezer continued the Inisi- 
 ness, then George and Halsey, grandsons, and finally Isaac Draper, a great- 
 grandson and still living (in 1887), owned and conducted the concern. It 
 began in a small and now considered a very old-fashioned way, but it was 
 conducted with profit, a by no means exclusively old-fashioned consideration. 
 " Many who pass the spot now, can remember the small buikling standing 
 back from the road, and remember, too, the old horse that slowly moved the 
 mill that ground and softened the hides." The tannery continued moderately 
 prosperous for many years ; but finally larger firms monopolized the business, 
 and the Drapers were obliged to discontinue. 
 
 When they suspended business could not l)e positively ascertained or to 
 whom they first transferred the property ; but in 1865, which we think could 
 not be very long subsequent to their giving up the business, the building was 
 owned by Henry Knowles, who was doing a small business ])y himself. In 
 September of that year William Coupe came from Pawtucket to do what is 
 called "green sliaving" for Mr. Knowles. He was a thorough and expe- 
 rienced workman, " had learned the tanning trade in all its branches," and 
 from varied experience was ready to enter business and make it a success. 
 About three weeks after coming to town lie saw his opportunity, as he 
 judged, made a proposition to take a share of the business here, which was 
 accepted, and the firm of Coupe & Knowles was formed. This partner- 
 ship continued only alwut three months, for Mr. Coupe was not satisfied 
 with the then state of affairs. He made an offer to his partner to either 
 buy or sell, which resulted in his becoming the buyer. His property was 
 valued at $700, his capital was 6l,."tOO, and at the end of six months he had 
 cleared $1,000. 
 
354 .1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Page's patent process for tanning leather appeared about this time, and 
 Mr. Coupe bought a right to manufacture by it ; but more capital was neces- 
 sary, and in June, 1M66, Edwin Evans, of Central Falls, became associated 
 with him under the name of William Coupe & Co. The needed assistance 
 was thus obtained, and the business increased prosperously. An improve- 
 ment on the Page patent was discovered and made by Mr. Coupe, whicli 
 gave decided advantage to this firm ; but competition was increasing as well 
 as business, and further additions in the way of capital, enlarged and 
 increased facilities, etc., became urgently necessary. Up to this time, about 
 1867 or 18(58, the firm's goods had been sold "upon their merits"; that is, 
 no efforts bad been made to enlarge and extend its trade. Mr. Coupe deter- 
 mined to experiment in this direction, and he was so successful that the 
 alterations which had been made in the works were at once proved to have 
 been essential. 
 
 In the spring of 186'.) ]Mr. Coupe again proposed to I)uy out his partner, 
 and Mr. Evans concluded to sell ; but this time Mr. Coupe was not the 
 purchaser. P^dwin Burgess, of Providence, bought ]Mr. Evans' share of 
 the business for $14,000, and the new firm was organized, the same name 
 being retained. Both these present partners are men of enterprise, and 
 despite the opposition of competition the firm has been eontinualh' prosper- 
 ous. In July, 1872, the entire works were destroyed by fire, with a loss 
 to the company of S6,000. The fire was hardly out when the process of 
 rebuilding was begun. The new shop was one hundred and five by forty- 
 five feet, and three stories high, and was very quickly ready with necessary 
 machinery for business. In the autumn of 1878 an addition was made, and 
 the Iniilding is now two hundred and ten feet by forty-live, three stories 
 high, and has a wing forty feet scpiare. There is an engine and boiler-house 
 forty-four by thirty feet, separate from the main building. There is a fifty- 
 horse-power Harris Corliss engine, which supplies the necessary power, and 
 the l)oiler is large enough to furnish all the heat requii-ed for the entire build- 
 ing, including the dry room. This manufactory is furnished with a full set 
 of belt-manufacturing machinery, several of i\w machines and their improve- 
 ments being the result of Mr. Coupe's ingenuity and skill. 
 
 These w^orks employ from fifty to sixty hands, and they prepare and make 
 ready Un- the market in one form or another about 2."), 000 hides yearly. The 
 greater proportion of these hides are made into lace leather, and this is one 
 of the largest, if not the largest lace leather manufactory in America. It 
 has been constantly growing and adding new departments of work for a 
 numl)er of years. Coupe's leather is known everywhere and is considered 
 in the markets ''equal to any and superior to most makes." The hides 
 used here are of domestic and East India slaughter chiefiy and must be put 
 through several processes before they are ready for use, though these are 
 fewer and simpler than by the old methods of preparation, owing to the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 355 
 
 introductiou of mechanical improvements. They are first thoronghly washed 
 and cleaned, then put into a preparation of lime, which expands the skin 
 and loosens the roots of the hairs so they can be easily removed ; then the 
 hides are bone dried, then ''one tenth" moistened, and finally they are 
 subjected to the rawhide machines to be softened, which operation makes 
 them like Inickskin. Tliis process makes them altogether more flexible and 
 durable than by tlie old "tanning" process. Machinery plays a far more 
 important part now than it did by the old methods, and besides producing 
 better results is a great economizer of time and labor, many less hands 
 being required to accomplish the same amount of work than was formerly 
 the case. 
 
 A list of the goods manufactured liy this company is suI)joined : C'oupe's 
 Patent Excelsior Raw Hide Belting of all widths from one to fortv-eight 
 inches, made under the " Schultz Patent"; Coupe's Patent Excelsior Raw 
 Hide Lace Leather, prepared ])y a '' mechanical process invented and 
 patented by Mr. Coupe " ; Coui)e's Patent Excelsior Raw Hide Picker 
 Leather, of four or five different weights ; Excelsior Green Hide Picker 
 Leather, also made by a process of Mr. Coupe's invention ; Excelsior 
 Tanned Lace Leather ; p:xcelsior Tanned Picker Leather, with all lengths 
 and kinds of straps ; Coupe's Patent Excelsior Raw Hide Cut Lace, of six 
 widths, from one fourth to three fourths of an inch ; Excelsior Tanned 
 Cut Lace in the same variety; and "Dry Flint Raw Hide" is furnished 
 if desired. This firm are in receipt of testimonials from many customers 
 iu various parts of the country, which show the superiority of the goods 
 they manufacture and the satisfaction these give to purchasers. This is not 
 the only l)usiness done in the village of South Attleliorough, but it is the 
 largest and most extensive. 
 
 SHUTTLE MANUFACTORY. 
 
 Among the earlier manufactures was that of power-loom shuttles. This was 
 commenced in the fall of 1827 by Colonel Willard Blackiuton at the little vil- 
 lage since often familiarly called Blackintonville and now forming a part of 
 East Attleborough. A few years later Mr. Blackiuton was employing twelve 
 journeymen. About twenty-five dozen shuttles were produced per week in 
 the establishment at the rate of $6 per dozen. He also supplied a large 
 amount of shuttle mountings for the use of other shuttle makers. The whole 
 amount of the manufactures of this establishment was then about $10,000 
 per annum. The work had an extensive sale throughout the United States — 
 in Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, 
 and in all the New England States. Agents for the sale of this article were 
 established: at Pawtucket (then in Massachusetts), George Mumford ; at 
 North Adams, S. Burlingame ; at Providence, R. I., Peter Grluuell & Son: 
 at Norwich, Conn., Smith, Goddard & Coats; at New York Citv, C N. 
 
356 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Mills; at Troy, N. Y., J. Menitt it Co.; at Philadelphia, PeuD., W. 
 Almond ; at P>altimoro, iMd., Wells & Chace, etc. 
 
 Subsequently the business largely increased, and in 1842 a firm was organ- 
 ized under the name of AV. Blackixtox & Soxs. It is said that when Mr. 
 Blackinton first began this manufacture he employed but one man and the 
 shuttles sold for a dollar apiece. Before the late war they were reduced as 
 low as twenty-tive cents apiece, but during that time the price advanced to 
 $4.50 per dozen. At first the greater part of the work was done by hand 
 and prices were therefore high ; later, when machinery was introduced, work 
 could be much more cheaply done. Most of the wood for the making of 
 shuttles is persimmon or boxwood and comes from Georgia or North Caro- 
 lina. They have also been made of apple-tree wood, but the quality of such 
 is inferior. While in the beginning it required twelve men to make twenty- 
 five dozen shuttles in a week, after machinery came into use fifteen men 
 could turn out two hundred a day, or a hundred dozen in a week. The pro- 
 cesses for making this article are varied and numerous. 
 
 Four of Mr. Blackinton's five sons were at one time together engaged in 
 this business with their father. William was the first to retire from the firm 
 to take up another occupation, and the death of Willard, Jr., in 1871 made 
 a second change. John sold out his share of the business at the time of his 
 father's death in 1877, and since that time Charles, the remaining brother, 
 has carried on the business alone. There are constant orders, but they are 
 much smaller than in former years. 
 
 THE WHITIXG MANUFACTURING COMPANY. 
 
 We must go back nearly a half century to find the embryo which has 
 developed into this large interest. In 1840 Albert C. Tifft and William D. 
 Whiting organized the firm of Tifft & Whiting which was for many years 
 W'CU known and among the most prominent in town in the jewelry business. 
 They began in a very small way in a room in a blacksmith's shop on the 
 turnpike in North Attleborough. In eighteen months' time they needed more 
 space, and therefore they erected a building which was 40 feet by 25, two 
 stories high, and cost $8u0. They were by this time employing thirty or 
 forty men. In 1847 still larger quarters were demanded hy their business 
 and they purchased the site and privilege of the old Beaver Dam factorv for 
 $2,000, and erected there a stone factory 90 feet by 40 and three stories high, 
 which comprises a portion of the present company's building on the same 
 spot. When work was commenced in this new factory seventy-five hands 
 were employed and soon that number was doubled. Subsequently an addi- 
 tion of forty feet was made to the length of the factory and in one corner 
 a strong stone safe was built, 8 feet l)y 12 and the entire height of the build- 
 ing, with doors in each story, and this was used as a place of secure deposit 
 for ffoods. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. . 557 
 
 This firm's manufacture was of gold goods — at first hearts and crosses 
 and finger rings for both ladies and gentlemen. At the end of thirteen years, 
 on January 1, 1853, Mr. Tifft sold out his interest to Mr. Whiting for nearly 
 S100,000, so lucrative had the business become. Tifft & Whiting were the 
 first among the jewelers in town to open an office in New York, and they 
 and Sackett, Davis & Potter, of Providence, took offices there side by side. 
 Mr. Whiting continued for some years under his own name, and later the 
 firm was W. D. Whitinu & Co. The business became a very large one 
 and offices were opened in Boston and Philadelphia in addition to the one in 
 New York. 
 
 Not long after the stone building was completed and occupied, the manu- 
 facture of ladies' silver combs was commenced and to these were added other 
 articles in silver, until finally this branch of the business became a large 
 industry in itself and the result was the formation of The Whiting Manu- 
 FAQjURiNG Company. This was accomplished by Mr. Whiting in 18(3G and 
 incorporated under the laws of the State of NeAV York " for the manufacture 
 of standard silver-ware." The capital at the organization was $100,000, 
 and it was afterwards increased to $17.5,000. This company continued its 
 manufacturing in the stone building erected by Tifft & Whiting, and for ten 
 years they employed as many as one hundred and fifty hands. They pro- 
 duced the finest quality of solid silverware, and the amount made during 
 some years is said to have been $1,000,000 in value. 
 
 The company was burned out in 1875 but they immediately rebuilt their 
 factory and one of larger size. This building is the present one, and is 
 215 feet in length. January 1, 1876, the company opened a large manufac- 
 tory in New York City, and its establishment is located at Broadway and 
 Fourth streets there. It has also a large retail store in that city. 
 
 THE GOLD MEDAL BRAID COMPANY. 
 
 The manufacturing interest which this company represents is one of the 
 largest in town outside that of jewelry, and its founder is one of tlie pioneers, 
 if not the real founder, of this special branch of industry in the country — 
 the production of "first class domestic braids." In 1815 hand-looms, up 
 to that time universally used in the manufacture of cotton fabrics, began to 
 be abandoned and replaced by power looms, and a few years later the 
 braider was invented and introduced. The latter is said to be a " creation of 
 the brain " of a native of this town whose name was Thorpe.^ 
 
 After Mr. Daggett gave up the manufacture of cotton cloth he engaged 
 in that of shoelacings, stearine caudle-wickings, and later of covering hoop- 
 
 1 He appears to have been quite an inventive genius. A valuable machine for making loom har- 
 nesses was also the proiluct of his skill. This machine was in use for many years and probably may 
 be so still. 
 
358 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 skirt wires. He took up this business about 1855, making use of the Amer- 
 ican braiders invented by Thorpe, and kept on until about the time the war 
 broke out, when he turned his attention temporarily to another occupation, 
 thonoh the idea of making braid was ah-eady beginning to work itself out 
 in liis mind. Up to this time — the commencement of the Civil War — no 
 braids of good quality had been produced in the country. Those used were 
 imported from England and Germany, and to the amount of over S;3, 000,000 
 worth yearly. The manufacturers who had attempted to make them in this 
 country had found it almost impossible to place their goods on the market. 
 Jobbers were very unwilling to purchase them, and in order to effect an}- sales 
 the manufacturers were compelled to practise a deception, in making use of 
 foreign tickets and labels. The war, however, cut oft" importations and then 
 the demand came for domestic wares. Seeing that a great opportunity was 
 offering itself, Mr. Daggett began to experiment and soon found himself 
 able to produce a good braid. Some years previous to this time he had 
 repurchased the Falls property, and during the first year of the war, or a 
 little later, he formed a copartnership with John C. Morse, of Boston, 
 placed his braiders in the stone mill, and commenced operations. Mr. Morse 
 supplied material and attended to the sales, while Mr. Daggett supplied 
 machinery and attended to tlie manufacture of the braids. The business 
 soon became very successful and profitable, and at the close of the war this 
 firm was largely supplying the consumers of the country. For eight years 
 the profits were equally divided between the two partners. In 18G9 Mr. 
 Morse failed in his private business, which was that of a dry-goods jobber. 
 Mr. Daggett found himself involved in this catastrophe and for a time, he 
 feared, rather serioush' ; 1)ut he soon extricated himself from these difficulties 
 and commenced business again. 
 
 During the same year he associated with himself Austin Dunham, of Hart- 
 ford, Conn., and George S. Moultou, of New York. These two gentlemen 
 furnished capital to the amount of $50,000, and at the end of four years, 
 when the firm was dissolved, they received over 8100,000, with seven per 
 cent, interest on the capital besides — a fact which tells concisely 3'et com- 
 [)letely what the success of this business had again been. At that time ( I-S73) 
 INIr. Daggett l)ought the entire interest, and remained sole owner and man- 
 ager of the entire concern for seven years. In 1880 a stock company was 
 formed, with the title of The Gold Medal Braid Co. It has a capital of 
 $65,000 which is divided among seven stockholders. Mr. Daggett has the 
 largest interest, and is treasurer and manager. Mr. Harvey Clap is the only 
 other person in town holding stock ; the remaining five stockholders being 
 residents of Boston and New York. 
 
 The mill is 160 feet long, 45 feet wide, and five stories high. It is run l)y 
 both water and steam power. It is furnished with a turbine horizontal wheel 
 eighteen inches in diameter, and of one hundred horse-power, and is lighted 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUCUJ. o59 
 
 by electricity made in the building. The office is a separate building. The 
 employees number a hundred and twenty-five, and a large percentage are 
 women. Atone time, and for quite an extended period, Mr. Daggett was 
 obliged to keep the mill running night and day, with two full sets of work- 
 men, to enable him to fill his large orders. The company manufactures 
 worsted dress braids, alpaca braids, mohair coat bindings, and silk, linen, 
 and cotton braided fishlines. These are all of the best quality and have an 
 extensive sale in all parts of the country. They give entire satisfaction to 
 all consumers, the fishlines especially being pronounced of the very best in 
 the market. This is a thoroughly well-established manufacture, and while it 
 has had periods of remarkable prosperity, it has had no long periods of 
 depression or dullness, but has at all times been steadily successful. The 
 company has at present an annual l)usiness of about 6250,000. 
 
 BOX MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 The manufacture of paper boxes was begun in town about thirty-six years 
 ago, by Hartford Rabcock. He commenced in Mansfield about 18.51, and in 
 the following year he came to this town. He had his place of business for a 
 time in the Steam Power factory, but subsequently removed to the little shop 
 which his father, Daniel Babcock, had used as a carpenter shop. It stood 
 opposite his house, where it now stands, forming a portion of the present 
 establishment, near the Farmers, on the road to the " city." In 1873 the busi- 
 ness required more room than the small building afforded, and Mr. Babcock 
 put up an addition to it. At first all the work was done by hand, even the 
 cutting, the only machines used being bookbinders' shears. Now the entire 
 process is performed by machinery, with the exception of the finishing, which 
 here is still done by hand. The machines run by Mr. Babcock put the paper 
 on to the outside of the boxes, and there are machines capable of doing the 
 entire finishing, but they are very expensive, and the requirements of the 
 business in this factory are not sufficient to warrant their purchase. Jewelers 
 boxes in all sizes and styles have been and are still the specialty. Th 
 business is carried on under the name of H. S. Babcock, though one of his 
 .sons, Abbott Babcock, is connected with it. It amounts to "about 62,000 
 worth per year." [Abbott Babcock has since purchased the business. The 
 shop has recently Ijeen moved nearer the railroad, and stands nearly opposite 
 the place where the " old company house " stood. Its former site and a con- 
 siderable portion of the adjacent land has been purchased by Mr. William E. 
 Cobb, and probably for residence purposes.] 
 
 C. W. Babcock, another son of H. 8. Babcock, also took up this same 
 business. He began February 1, 1879, on East Street, North Attleborough. 
 He has since moved to No. 25 Elm Street, in the same village, and is now 
 employing six hands. He makes all kinds and styles of paper boxes, and 
 has a specialty for those used by jewelers. 
 
360 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CARRIAGE MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 September '22^ 1858, John Stanley commenced the business of a carriage 
 manufacturer. There was little to encourage him at first, but he finally suc- 
 ceeded in l)uilding up quite a large business. He built business and express 
 wagons mainly, but gave attention also to the repairing and remodeling of 
 other vehicles. He employed at times fourteen men, and used steam-power 
 in his shop. This same line of lousiness is carried on still at North Attlebor- 
 ough by W. H. Stanley, who makes a specialty also of jewelers' forging, and 
 there are several shops of a similar nature in various parts of the town. 
 
 A number of years previous to the war Enoch Bailey established a 
 carriage manufactory in P^ast Attleborough, which came to be quite extensive, 
 and handsome vehicles, chiefly light double carriages and buggies, were made 
 there. Mr. Bailey continued for quite a period in the business, and several 
 members of his family were during the time associated with him in one 
 capacity or another. He built the large brick factory which E. A. Robinson 
 now owns. This was, we think, the first large brick structure in the East 
 village. The final result in this establishment was disaster financially, and 
 the business was entirely closed up. 
 
 COFFIN TRIMMING MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 John R. Bronson and William D. Wilmarth formed a partnership October 
 15, 1864, as Bronson it Wiumarth, to manufacture coffin trimmings. They 
 commenced operations at North Attleborough, but shortly removed to the 
 East village to a shop on County Street, by the bridge, where the business 
 has continued ever since. On April 4, 1808, Dr. Bronson withdrew from the 
 firm, and Mr. Wilmarth conducted the business in his own name until his 
 death. March 6, 1882, the firm name of W. D. Wiljeartii it Co. was 
 assumed, the members being the heirs of William I). AVilmarth and Louis J. 
 Lamb. The business grew to be quite large and continues to be so still- 
 The firm employs twenty-five hands, and its payroll amounts to $1,250 a 
 month. The manufacture consists of sheet-metal and gold and silver plated 
 coffin trimmings." 
 
 Smith, Carpenter & Co. established a similar business in 1S70. They 
 are at present in one of the Bates factories. They make sheet-metal coffin 
 trimmings finished in gold, silver, or black enamel. The present members of 
 this firm- are Granville B. and Earl B. Smith.- 
 
 'After the death of Mrs. Wihiiarth, which occurred in October, 1893, Mr. Lamb sold liis share in 
 this business to the heirs of the estate, and it continues under the same firm name and under the 
 management of two of the sons, Messrs. William H. and Henry D. Wilmarth. 
 
 2 This business has recently been purchased by Mr. Louis J. Lamb. Mr. Earl Smith established a 
 business of manufacturing electrical apparatus under the name of Smith Electric Company, 
 building a shop on Sixth Street, but continued his interest in the above Company until its business 
 was sold. In the autumn of 1893 he accepted a position in Lexington, this State. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 361 
 
 THE ATTLEBOROU<iH DYE WORKS. 
 
 The founder of these works was Robert Wolfendeu, who was l)oru in Hud- 
 dersfield, Yorkshire, England, December 12, 1824. Huddersfiekl is one of 
 the chief seats of the woolen manufactures of England, and has also cotton 
 factories, breweries, chemical works, and dye-houses. In one of the latter, 
 and one of the largest dyeing and bleaching establishments in the country, 
 he served an apprenticeship with one Samuel Routledge, at its expiration 
 becoming the head dyer in the w^oolen and worsted department of the house, 
 a position he retained until he came to this country. 
 
 He held several positions at first after his arrival, but finally settled with 
 Hayden & Saunders, of Haydenville, this State, in a position which he held 
 for five years. He then went to the Valley Worsted Mills, of Providence, 
 R. I., where he remained about the same length of time, and when he left 
 his position there was assumed by his oldest son, .John W. Wolfenden. 
 
 At that time he came to this town, and on February 22, 1868, he started 
 '' The Attleborough Dye Works, Robert Wolfenden, Proprietor." He had 
 doubtless at first the usual experience of persons starting a business, dis- 
 couragements as well as encouragements meeting his efforts ; but he was a 
 persevering man, and his close and steady application lo business and rule of 
 sending out nothing but good work reaped their due reward, so that in a com- 
 paratively short time he had established an assured and profitable trade in 
 his line. He increased his works from time to time as the exigencies of 
 his business demanded, and at the end of ten years, on January 1, 1878, lie 
 associated with himself his two sons, John W. and Oscar, as equal partners. 
 The firm name became R. Wolfenden & Sons, but no change in the works 
 occurred at that time. The business of the new firm had soon increased so 
 largely as to require the building of additions to the works, and in a sliort 
 time they had become a thoroughly well-established house. 
 
 ]Mr. Robert Wolfenden, the senior partner, died on May 2U, 1883. This 
 caused no change in the firm name, the brothers continuing the business 
 under the same title. During the autumn of that year a considerable portion 
 of the old building was torn down, and a larger and more convenient one 
 erected in the same place. A new eighty horse-power boiler was added to 
 the works, which at that time had a capacity of about four thousand pounds 
 a day. The work done includes the dyeing and bleaching of "■ woolen and 
 worsted yarns, also braids, tapes, hosiery, plush, webbing, etc., for all pur- 
 poses," the dyeing embracing all the new and fashionable colors which a con- 
 stantly changing market demands. 
 
 In 1887 the capacity of the works amounted to some five thousand pounds 
 per day. These include the main luiilding, 150 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 
 two stories high, of which the lower floor is used for preparing, dyeing, and 
 bleaching, and the upper fioor for stock, drying and packing. An addition 
 to this main building contains boiler and pump room, and there are other 
 
362 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 buildings, such as store and bleach houses, etc., with also upon the place a 
 " well-supplied spring of the best water that can be produced for this special 
 business." The establishment is situated just east of County Street, on the 
 low lands near the Ten Mile River, about half a mile from the centre of the 
 village of Attleborough. The business continues to l)e prosperous without 
 abatement, and has at times required the employment of as many as tw^enty- 
 one hands. 
 
 There is but one other similar establishment in town, that of James Orr, 
 whose location is the old '' City Factory." 
 
 SUSPENDEI! MANUFACTORY. 
 
 A few years ago, two enterprising young men in P^ast Attleliorough con- 
 ceived the idea of starting an entirely new undertaking in town, and after 
 several months of experimenting R. P. Marble and C. A. Smith decided to 
 commence the manufacture of a new kind of suspender. They formed a 
 copartnership under the name of The Durable Suspender Company, and 
 on March 1, 1886, began this business in their present location on the upper 
 Hoor of " Bates' new shop." Some months previous, these gentlemen had 
 taken out a patent on their contemplated article, " The Adjustable Durable 
 Suspender," of which they are ''the inventors, patentees, manufacturers and 
 sole owners." 
 
 A description of this suspender, written by some one who had tried it 
 and not found it '' wanting," is quoted : — 
 
 The Durable consists of two ordinary web bauds which are attached to nickel-plated trim- 
 mings, which consist of buckles in front and a buckle behind with strong, tasty chains of 
 adjusted lengtlis and peculiar pattern, and a patented device in the form of a spring button 
 loop. One of the main features wherein the Durables differ from all others is in the method 
 of fastening in the back, without sewing or riveting, in such a way that the webs are adjustable 
 and intercMngeable. This can be said of no other suspender in the; world, and these points 
 alone make it worth the cost. The webs are connected at the back by a specially designed 
 buckle, and cannot possibly pull apart, and the angle at which they are adjusted can be changed 
 to tit any width of shoulders. There are other advantages over suspenders of familiar pattern 
 and we think they will be readily seen and admitted by all who will carefully examine the 
 Durable. They are easily l)uttoned and unbuttoned; they will not soil the clothing, the tem- 
 pered loops have a peculiar elasticity which takes the strain from the buttons in cases of 
 sudden stooping or any unusual movement. The webs can be reversed or changed if desired. 
 The trinnnings can quickly and easily be adjusted to the webs of old suspenders. They feel 
 more comfortable than the old styles. For laboring men who have to buy suspenders fre- 
 (iuently,it will be a real economy to purchase the Durable, while those who are looking only to 
 style or comfort, will find their wants fully met by its use. The chains are of a style that 
 fairly entitles them to the name Durable. The buttoning loops are made of tempered wire 
 which is cut the desired lengths by a machine, and them bent just the required shape by 
 another ingenious machine constructed particularly for the purpose. At each end of the 
 loops which extend upwards is a small ball, which prevents the points, which would other- 
 wise be exposed, from wearing the clothing. They also serve as convenient helpers in button- 
 ing and unbuttoning. The webs are made especially for the company, which at present is 
 manufacturing only the trimmings. i 
 
 1 From an article in The Attleboro' Advocate. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUffU. 363 
 
 These suspenders are more expensive to make than any others, because 
 unlike others the trimmings and not tlie webs are the most costly portion. No 
 iron or steel is used in their composition, and in their manufacture skilled 
 labor is absolutely necessary and to five times the amount required in the 
 making of ordinary trimmings; but as they are adjustable to any web "in 
 one moment's time and with no appliances except the fingers," they would be 
 from this fact alone, if from no other, a superior article. They are made in 
 three grades ; namely, No. 1 at $4.50 a dozen, which is a corded web of 
 twenty-three strands of rubber, in white modes and fancy stripes, also in 
 "Jacquard" loom web; No. 2 at S6 a dozen, also a fine corded web of 
 twenty-eight strands of rubber of different patterns ; and No. 3, a finer web 
 of imported stock, with thirty-six strands of rubber and six different patterns, 
 sold for $7 a dozen. These latter retail for a dollar a pair, and this enables 
 the dealer to make an excellent profit. For a still higher price — $H a dozen 
 — the company will furnish this article with '' a hand made, curb link chain, 
 with every link hard soldered." In this the chain is made "exactly like the 
 best watch chains, and is very finely finished." 
 
 Like most inventions ''of merit," this at first met with great opposition, 
 but the members of the firm had enough of the necessary perseverance, :ind 
 what is now termed "' push," to overcome the obstacles in their way, and they 
 have already reached a position which assures them an established reputation 
 and success. They have twice been obliged to increase their facilities for 
 production, and orders are increasing in a highly satisfactory numuer. A 
 patent has been taken out in England, as well as in this country, and orders 
 from there have been received. These have also come from France, South 
 America, Mexico, West Indies, and Canada. As yet the manufacture has 
 not become very generally known in the Western and Southern States, but it 
 doubtless soon wall be, for under date of December, 18«7, one (^f the partners 
 writes: "We have to-day received orders from dealers in Alabama, North 
 Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Maine, New York, 
 and last but not least our own Old Bay State." At the time of tlie above 
 writing the company were engaged in putting new machinery into their shop, 
 and they expected after January 1, 1.S88, to be able to turn out 2,000 dozen 
 pairs of suspenders per month. 
 
 It is needless to enlarge upon so patent a fact as the great importance of 
 introducing, to at least some extent, new interests requiring skilled artisans 
 into the now two towns of Attleborough. The success which has so speedily 
 followed the commendable efforts of this firm may and should stimulate and 
 encourage other young men to make similar efforts, though in varied direc- 
 tions, for in that way only does it seem possible that the future prosperity of 
 the two towns, in so many ways still one, can be assured to a degree in any 
 way commensurate with the remarkable prosperity of the past. 
 
 There has alvvavs been a varietv of manufacturing carried on in town on a 
 
364 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 lai-o-er or smaller scale, but niauy of the establishments have had only a brief 
 existence, and have then disappeared entirely — in the case of the older ones 
 leavino- little more than a memory behind. About 1800 there was a small 
 shop on the site later occupied by the Union House, and here twelve Scotch- 
 men conducted a eotton-weavino- business. They made apron checks and 
 bedtickins on hand-looms. This must have been the earliest manufactory of 
 cotton o-oods in town. These men were all from Scotland or the north of 
 Ireland ; one of them, William Riley, father of James Riley, of North Attle- 
 borouoh, and another, Hugh ]MacPherson, father of Daniel MacPhersou 
 and grandfather of the late Daniel Pherson, as the name has latterly been 
 called. 
 
 There have been at least four nail factories, and all on the Ten Mile River, 
 and it would seem all in operation at the beginning of this century. There 
 was one in Plainville, — then a part of Attleborough, — the Beaver Dam 
 factory already mentioned ; one at the Falls, and the other the Deantown 
 factory where Ephraim and Asa Dean made all kinds of nails. From, per- 
 haps, 1803 or 1804 until about seven or eight years later, these appear to 
 have been the industries of the town, and the manufacture of nails became a 
 considerable one. Ephraim and Asa Dean built the factory at Deantown. 
 and after it passed out of their possession it was converted into a cotton mill 
 by the late Dr. Alfred Martin. Still later H. M. Daggett rented it for the 
 purpose of making yarn and knitting cotton, and after that it remained 
 unoccupied as a manufactory for some years. Recently it has been occupied 
 by O. P. Richardson & Co., manufacturers of shuttle iron. Mr. Richardson 
 and his son, O. P. Richardson, Jr., composed this firm, which was engaged 
 in the business up to the time of the former's death. The business was never 
 a large one. [Its latest use has l)een that of a public laundry. The once 
 attractive little village surrounding it has almost passed out of existence. 
 The old mill tenement house, the old Barney house, and recently the Dorrance 
 Dean house have been destroyed l)y fire. The picturesque prettiness of the 
 place is now gone, and of its former oldtime peaceful beauty little but 
 unsightly ruins remain.] 
 
 It is said the nail factory at the Falls stood near the upper end of the 
 pond. At the same jjlace gunbarrels used to be polished, and among those 
 said to be interested in that work were Sylvester Everett, Jonas and James 
 Richardson, and Dr. Thomas Stanley. There w\as formerly a tannery on the 
 north side of Elm Street in North Attleborough, and the vats occupied the 
 low grounds near, by the river. The exact date of its existence is not known, 
 or anything of the amount of business it had. Near this tannery was " the 
 first shop built on the company's privileges," and it was used by David 
 Whiting for turning hubs and wheels. 
 
 Some distance farthei' do\vn Elm Street iron ore was found and quarried 
 very early in this century. It was carried to some adjoining town to be 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOIiOUGH. 365 
 
 smelted, but to which one is not told. This iudustiT did uot continue long, 
 and nothing seems to be known regarding its size. Combs have been made 
 at times, the largest manufacturers having been Tifft & Whiting. In 
 addition to their jewelry business E. I. Richards & Co. made hooks and 
 eyes for a number of years. This became an occupation of considerable 
 amount and gave employment to many girls and women in fastening the 
 hooks and eyes upon the cards. These were carried out from the shop and 
 distributed in the houses about the town, and the w^ork was done there. For 
 a long time many ladies and some children were very industrious braiders of 
 straw, and some of them sewers also. This work was in some instances a 
 means of livelihood and in many others as an adjunct to the daily household 
 labor (for it was done in the homes) it proved a convenient and agreeable 
 method of earning "pin money." Straw manufacturing was also carried 
 on in East Attleborough in what used to be called the " Straw-shop," now 
 Briggs' Hotel, on South Main Street, and in another shop across the rail- 
 road. It continued for some years and for a time was quite flourishing, but 
 ended in failure. 
 
 Bricks have been made in several places, it is said. From LS60 to 1870 
 Joseph E^ldredge carried on that business, making some two hundred thou- 
 sand annually. They could scarcely have found a very ready sale in town, 
 as at that time there were very few buildings constructed of brick, and the 
 number is very limited even now. The manufacture of glass buttons and 
 steps was commenced about 1828 by Richard P^verett, and a few years later 
 he was employing four hands. Virgil Blackinton was also manufacturing 
 glass steps at the same time and employed two hands. Jesse F. Richards 
 and Edwin Ellis about the same time began the business of making brass 
 butts and castings and other kinds of brass works. How long any of these 
 establishments continued is not known. For some years hoopskirts were 
 made in East Attleborough by Ira M. Conant in a wooden building on 
 Railroad Avenue, near where the old depot stood. This was at a compara- 
 tively recent time, probably " about war times" or later. 
 
 There are other industries represented in town, but those mentioned com- 
 prise the largest. There are fifteen or sixteen blacksmiths, a brush and a 
 bracket manufactory, one confectioner, and one cigar-maker. There are 
 two gristmills and a grain elevator, four harness and saddle makers, two 
 makers of knit goods, three machinery manufacturers, — all makers of 
 jewelers' tools, — two picture-frame makers, three printing and publishing 
 houses, two wood-turners, one washing-machine maker, three cider and 
 vinegar makers, two of which make native wines from the grapes of their 
 own vineyards, and two establishments where monumental and cemetery 
 work is done. The largest of these wine and cider makers are H. K. W. 
 Allen and G. W. and A. L. Allen, of the western part of the town. The 
 former has been engaged in this business for many years, and his is one of 
 
366 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 considerable extent. He has also paid special attention to the making of 
 communion wine. This is sent to mission stations in Egypt, British India, 
 China, etc. There is an agency at the Board of Foreign Missions in Tre- 
 mont Temple, Boston, and another in Providence. This is called an unfer- 
 mented wine, and Mr. Allen makes also a fermented wine. This is much 
 used in sickness. A silver medal and diploma were awarded him at the 
 Farmers and Mechanics Association fair in October, 1883. Mr. Allen had 
 at one time quite an extensive vineyard ; but a few years since he lost some 
 thousands of his vines, and these have not been replaced. He has never 
 made over seventy whiskey barrels full of wine in one year, and recently 
 he has been making about half as much and about one half as much (or a 
 little more) of the unfermented wine as of the other. This business has 
 long been locally very well known. 
 
 The mere mention of the smaller enterprises serves to show that some of 
 our citizens are kept occupied in making other things besides jewelry, and 
 recent efforts to introduce still further varieties of occupation on a larger 
 scale than for some time previous give fair promise for the future should the 
 chief business begin to show signs of failure. Although jewelry is beyond 
 all comparison the industry of our town, the scanty record here given is 
 sufficient to show that other and large industries have had and still have 
 a firm foothold here, and without that immense business by which we are 
 chiefly distinguished tiie manufactures of the town could not be called wholly 
 unimportant. 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOROUGII. 367 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MANUFACTURES, CONTINUED. JEWELRY MANUFACTORIES, ETC. 
 
 THIS great enterprise, which has assumed enormous proportions and given 
 Attleborough a world-wide reputation, had its commencement with the 
 very earliest manufactures in town. It was in the year 1 780 that a Frenchman 
 began to make jewelry in North Attleborough, but of what kind tradition 
 appears to say nothing. His factory was the brick forge which stood ou the 
 site of the old shop on the premises of the late Jesse F. Richards. This 
 little factory, where, in connection with jewelry, it is said lie made brass 
 butts, was taken down in 1810. Very little is known of this Frenchman, 
 not even his name. He was called " the foreigner," but for what reason no 
 one seems to know. It must have been his universal title, since his name 
 has been entirely forgotten, and very probably was bestowed upon him 
 because that name was difficult of pronunciation. The existence at that time 
 of a strong sympathy between America and France, which nation was deeply 
 interested in the birth of our new republic, would naturally prevent any tinge 
 of opprobrium from being attached to the epithet, as has been the case in 
 many instances. This man was perhaps with one exception the only " alien " 
 m town at that period, the other being the Frenchman Richaud, living in 
 South Attleborough. 
 
 To this no doubt deft and clever stranger we must look as the founder of 
 our greatest industry. His hand planted the tiny seed which grew and multi- 
 plied until it has become a grove of giant trees, with wide extending branches 
 whose blossoms adorn not only unnumbered thousands in our own laud, but 
 in many other lands as well. This business is the bone and sinew of our 
 town's growth, the backbone of her prosperity, and in the century of its 
 existence the one small manufactory has increased more than a hundredfold. 
 As some one suggests, Lafayette's espousal of the cause of the colonies may 
 have turned the attention of his fellow-countrymen to America, for it was 
 during the days of the Revolution that the Frenchman came here and began 
 to work. For the first fifty years the progress of the industry thus begun 
 was very slow. Its marvelously rapid growth has been in the second fifty 
 years, and notably during the latter half of the second half-century. 
 
 To show what advancement had been made at the end of fifty years, the 
 account prepared for the author's previous work on the town is transcribed 
 verbatim : — 
 
 "Manufactory of Jewelry — Draper^ Tifft & Co. — commenced in 1821. 
 Thev now manufacture, annually, to the amount of $15-20,000 worth. 
 
368 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 They einplov from 12 to 15 bauds — part of them females. Tlie building 
 oeeupied for this busiuess is two stories high, 40 feet 1)y 22. Sales of the 
 manufacture are made principally at New York and Philadelphia. They 
 formerly carried on to a large amount the manufacture of Patent Brass Door 
 Ketches or Fasteners. The establishment is located on the Turnpike near 
 Hatch's Hotel. 
 
 '' Ilervey M. Richards has established a Jeweh-y Shop near thie Union 
 House on the Turnpike, — manufactures a variet}^ of articles, watch keys, 
 finger rings, guard chains, breast pins. &c. — commenced in 1831 — employs 
 12 hands — 3 females. — Amount of manufacture about $8,000 per year. 
 The building is 2 stories, 32 feet by 16. He rents another shop on the same 
 road, which employs 5 workmen. 
 
 " Samuel Phillips' Jewelry Shop, near the city, — employs about 6 hands — 
 manufactures the usual variety. Alfred Barrows has also established a work- 
 shop of the same kind. 
 
 " Richards & Price have a Jewelry Shop — commenced in 1830 — employs 
 6 hands —situated between the Turnpike and the P^alls Factory. 
 
 " Dennis Everett's Jewelry Shop — commenced business in 1831 — employs 
 now 4 hands." 
 
 After the Frenchman the first tirm was formed — that of Colonel Obed 
 Robinson, at Robinsonville. His shop was the first one ever erected ex- 
 pressly for this manufacture in town. It was " the little yellow house," still 
 remembered by many, which stood opposite the present residence of Mr. 
 R. F. Simmons, and is now remodeled into a French-roofed cottage. There 
 seem to have been several members in this firm, l)ut whether all at the same 
 time is not known. Besides Obed Robinson there were Otis Rol)inson. his 
 brother, Milton Barrows, grandfather of Mr. H. F. Barrows, and Mark 
 Baldwin, — prominent in the famous rifle corps, — who were connected with 
 it. This firm commeufied operations about 1807, and made chiefly carbon 
 jewelry. In its employ was oue David Brown, who was called " a skilled 
 workman in that art." Perhaps he had been taught the trade by " the 
 foreigner." 
 
 The next establishment was that of Manning Richards, who, about 1810, 
 built a little shop on his farm " at the head of the Cumberland Road." He 
 conducted business alone, and was successful for a number of years. 
 
 Next comes the firm of Draper, Tifft & Co. Tiie original members 
 were Josiah Draper, John Tifft, and Ira Richards, and as has been stated 
 the firm was formed in 1821. The account above given shows that in a few 
 years quite a degree of success had been attained. During the year 1834 
 Ira Richards withdrew from this firm to form another with his son and nephew, 
 and he was succeeded by George Horr. The same name continued until 
 1850. In that year Mr. Horr withdrew, and Joseph T. Bacon took his place. 
 The name was then changed to Draper, Tifft & Bacon. In 1851 John 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 369 
 
 Tifft died, and soou after a new firm was formed with Frank S. Draper, 
 Frauk L. Tifft, and James D. Lincoln as partners, under the original name 
 of Draper, Tifft & Co. The next change was in 1859, when F. S. Draper 
 went out of the firm and the name became Lincoln, Tifft & Bacon. 
 Previous to this time the business had been moved to Plaiuville. In 1862 in 
 order the better to comply with the internal revenue laws, the Plaiuville name 
 was changed to J. F. Bacon & Co., and the New York name became Lin- 
 coln, Tifft & Co. This arrangement continued until 1877, when Frank L. 
 Tifft died. No change of names was eft'ected. however, until three years 
 later, in 1880, when Harland G. Bacon, the son of J. T. Bacon, and Dan. 
 Schofield, formerly salesman in the New York office, were admitted to the 
 firm, which then assumed the name of Lincoln, Bacon & Co. This name 
 it still retains, and continues to conduct its business in Plaiuville. 
 
 The original firm was the first notable one in town, and it became one of 
 the largest, if not the very largest of its day, in the country. It may be 
 said to have had an existence of fifty-six years, from 1821 till 1877, when, 
 by tiie death of Mr. Frank Tift't, the last representative of the original 
 founders was removed, though, as has been seen, his name, one of the old 
 familiar ones, was retained until some years later. 
 
 Richards & Price, already mentioned, was the next firm to organize. 
 The members were Calvin Richards and George Price. They continued but 
 a few years. The shop they built in 1830, opposite the residence of Mr. 
 Price, was a very large one for that date, and was the third one erected in 
 town. S. S. Daggett was a later partner, Imt the old firm entirely ceased to 
 exist with the retirement of Mr. Price in 18.">6. Mr. Richards after his 
 retirement built a shop where Mr. Abiel Codding now lives, and continued 
 there in the same business. 
 
 Next in date was Dennis Everett, who began in 1831 at South Attlebor- 
 ough, with Otis Stanley for a partner. They made watchchains and keys. 
 After a short time this firm removed to North Attleborough, and took a room 
 in Calvin Richards' shop. Wlien Mr. Stanley retired is not known, but about 
 1836 Mr. f^verett built a shop for himself, had Isaac Bailey for a [)artner 
 for a time, and finally changed his business to the making of eye-protectors, 
 and glass steps for cotton frames. This business has no representative in 
 existence. 
 
 E. Ira Richards & Co. is the oldest firm in town, though it exists at 
 present under a name of comparatively recent date. It began in 1833, when 
 Hervey M. and Pxlmund Ira Richards formed a partnersliip under the name 
 of H. M. & E. I. Richards. In 1834 the name was changed to Ira Rich- 
 ards & Co. by the entrance of Ira Richards. In 1836 H. M. Richards 
 retired, and George Morse and Virgil Draper became members, the name 
 remaining unchanged. In 1841 the two last-named gentlemen withdrew, and 
 Abiel Codding entered the firm. The original building erected bv this firm 
 
370 A SKETt'H OF THE 
 
 not long after its establishineut stood about where the present one stands. 
 The second one was bnilt on to the first about forty years ago, and the present 
 one, probably not far from twenty years old, is as large as any, if not the 
 largest, in town. 
 
 In 184.'), on the death of Mr. Ira Richards, .T. D. Richards became partner 
 in his father's place. This firm, consisting of the Richards brothers and 
 Mr. Codding, continued unchanged for thirty years, and it was during their 
 copartnership that the great business of the concern was built up. In 1875 
 this firm was dissolved, but a new one was at once organized, consisting of 
 E. I. Richards. F. B. and Charles I. Richards, and E. I. Richards, Jr., 
 under the name of E. Ika Richards & Co. Since the death of Ira 
 Richards the familiar name has always been, and often is still, E. I. 
 RrcHAKDs & Co., though the present title gives the second name of the 
 former chief partner in full. 
 
 In 1882 C. I. Richards retired and the death of :Mr. E. Ira Richards 
 occurred. In 1883 Lucy ]M. Richards became a member of the firm. In 
 1887 F. B. Richards retired, and the firm now comprises E. Ira and Lucy 
 M. Richards. Five of the gentlemen formerly connected with this firm are 
 dead ; namely, Messrs. Ira, H. ]M., and E. I. Richards, and Messrs. Morse 
 and Draper. [Mrs. Richards has since died.] 
 
 This company has always conducted its manufacturing upon the same 
 spot in North Attleborough. It has otiices in New York, Philadelphia, and 
 San Francisco. It has had no specialties, but since becoming thoroughly 
 established has manufactured a complete line of rolled plated jewelry. For 
 many years the firm was the largest in town and for a long period far 
 outranked all others, as it employed an average of from two hundred to two 
 hundred and twenty-five hands. These figures refer to a periotl when firms 
 were much fewer in number than they are now ; and they are, therefore, 
 comparatively much larger, though even at the present time there are but 
 one or two establishments that give employment to so large a number of 
 workmen. The superiority of its goods is unquestionable, and combining 
 variety and good qualit}^ these have never been excelled in any of our 
 manufactories. From the very first it has been prosperous, its first suc- 
 cesses almost unprecedented, and its prosperity has continued through fifty 
 years without serious interruptions. Its Avidespread and high reputation has 
 been well earned ; it holds a most important place in the business history of 
 this town, and so long as jewelry is connected with the name of Attleborough, 
 so long will the fame of " E. I. Richards & Co. " be remembered. 
 
 Stephen Richardson & Co. In 183(5 or 1837 this firm was organized, 
 Stephen Richardson and Abiel Codding being its members. Their first shop 
 was a little building on the south side of YAm Street, near the Ten Mile 
 River, put up by Mr. Richardson at a cost of S400, and they employed 
 ten hands. Mr. Codding left the firm in 1839. In 18-10 Mr. Richardson 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 371 
 
 moved to Calvia Richards' shop, on the site where Mr. Coddiag's house 
 now stands, and the workiug force was doubled. Three years later he 
 made another move : to Draper, Tifft & Co.'s shop near Hatch's tavern. 
 Previous to this removal David Capron had become his partner under the 
 style of Stephen Richardsox & Co. ; but at this time he retired and 
 Samuel R. IMiller took his place, and the name was changed to Richardson 
 & Miller. 
 
 At that period it was the custom for someone to take the goods 
 manufactured and travel about the country to sell them and this firm was 
 very successful in that way. Their quarters soon became too limited and 
 in 1848 Mr. Richardson built a new shop 40 feet by 30, and two stories 
 hif^h. Here fortv hands were employed and the business done became so 
 large as to soon demand a doubling of facilities. Many of the firms used 
 to exhibit their goods in the rooms of the old Western Hotel in New York, 
 but in 1854 Mr. Miller opened an office for this one at No. "21 Maiden 
 Lane. He withdrew in 1856 and Mr. Richardson was alone for two years 
 or more. In 1859 his son Clarence H. Richardson became his partner, and 
 the name became Stephen Richardson & Son. The New York office was 
 changed to No. 177 Broad v. ay and one opened in Philadelphia. 
 
 In 1870 the factory was burned and another built immediately and much 
 larger, where a hundred and thirty-five hands were employed. A large trade 
 with Cuban and European ports was established. Mr. Richardson's death 
 occurred in 1877 and since that time the son has continued the business 
 under the same name. In 1882 the firm was again burned out and room 
 for the manufacturing was found in Whiting's building. For about twenty- 
 five years this company has made a great variety of articles — chains and 
 novelties in gold, silver, copper, or brass — anything the market called 
 for. This was the first of our firms to ship goods to Europe and a few 
 years ago it began to ship to Japan, the first and only one in town to send to 
 that country. This has l)een a very large and exceptionally successful 
 establishment. [Has passed out of existence.] 
 
 About 1837 W. H. Robinson l)egan his career in this vocation in the old 
 button shop at West Attleborough. During the same year he built a brick 
 shop upon his own farm in that vicinity. S. L. Daggett had become 
 a partner at that time, and the firm name was Daggett & Robinson. 
 When Mr. Daggett retired is not known, V)ut William Guild became a 
 member in 1840 and in 1850 the name became Robinson & Co. This firm 
 at one time had quite a large business and employed as many as forty hands. 
 Mr. Robinson remained a partner until about the time of his death. In 
 1868 the firm consisted of his three sons, D. H., E. A., and W. H. 
 Robinson, Jr. 
 
 Edwin A. Robinson retired in 1870 and went to Providence. He came 
 from there to East Attleborough in 1875, bought " the Bailey property," 
 
372 ^1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 and built a large brick factory five stories high, including the basement. 
 He occupies one tloor himself and makes a variety of specialties, such as 
 plated rings, chains, collar buttons, scarfpins, studs, lacepins, etc. He 
 has within a few years built another large factory. 
 
 Daniel H. Robinson still continues the manufactory under the old name 
 of Robinson & Co., and in the same brick shop built by his father, one 
 of the oldest in town. His specialty is fine '' foil stone " scarfpins, studs, 
 and drops. 
 
 Haywakd & Briggs, now Hayward & Sweet. This is one of the 
 oldest companies extant. The senior member of the former firm, the late 
 Charles E. Hayward, was among the pioneers in jewelry manufacturing 
 in East Attleborough. In 1851 he came from North Attleborough to the 
 Mechanics, where with Archibald Thompson, S. M. Lewis, and S. N. 
 Carpenter he started a company under the name of Thompson, Hayward 
 & Co. This was after the Carpenters had suspended operations in the 
 cotton mill and while their affairs were in process of settlement. The two 
 last-named gentlemen retired in al)out four years and Mr. Thompson at the 
 same time or soon after, for in 1855 Mr. Hayward associated with himself 
 Mr. Jonathan Briggs, they together forming the well-known firm of Hayward 
 & Briggs, the name and partnership continuing for thirty years. 
 
 In 1859 the firm was burned out in the Steam Power building fire. This 
 fire, which burned four shops, occurred in the night, and before morning 
 Mr. Hayward had hired a place to which he removed the business tempo- 
 rarily, until the new Steam Power Company's building, immediately erected, 
 was in readiness. In 1873 the firm erected the large shop known as 
 Hay ward's building, a part of which they occupied, and where their suc- 
 cessors still remain. No firm in town ever gained a better reputation than 
 this one, and that good reputation has been steadily maintained. Fine 
 plated goods in great variety have been made by them and their quality 
 can be best described by the statement that only 18 k. gold was used 
 in their production, the goods proving always and strictly what they 
 purported to be. Theirs was for many years the largest and most important 
 business in the East village. It gave employment to one hundred and 
 twenty workmen and supplied an extensive market with both handsome and 
 substantial goods. These were sold in New York under charge of Mr. 
 Briggs, who resided there, while ]Mr. Hayward had entire supervision of 
 the manufactory here. 
 
 In July, 1885, the old firm was dissolved and Walter E. Hayward became 
 associated with his father, under the name of C. E. Hayward & Co. 
 In 3Iay, 188G, Mr. Hayward died and the son continued alone, until in 1887 
 George L. Sweet became his partner and the present name of Hayward 
 & Sweet was assumed. 
 
 Hayward &, Briggs trained a generation in the art of jewelry making, 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 373 
 
 and the name will be remembered as a synonym of justice, honesty, and 
 probity in mercantile transactions in the annals of our great industry through 
 many a coming generation. 
 
 B. S. Freeman & Co. The first name of this firm was Freeman & 
 Bro., its members Benjamin S. and Joseph J. Freeman, and their busi- 
 ness was established in 1847 in a portion of their father's house at the 
 Falls. They began with twenty-five hands, or thereabouts, and continued 
 for several years in that place and then moved into the shop next the Falls 
 mill, which had been built for them. About 1855 Virgil Richards became 
 a member of the firm and Co. was added to the name. In 1858 property 
 was purchased at Robinsonville and at once occupied, and at the same time 
 the brothers bought out Mr. Richards and resumed the former name. They 
 began soon, and among the earliest in town, to make rolled plated goods, 
 vest chains being one of their specialties. After moving to Robinsonville 
 they commenced the manufacture of curb-chains. 
 
 J. J. Freeman bought an imported curb-chain and after making many 
 experiments he reached the desired result in constructing machinery to 
 make rolled plated curb-chains successfully. These were the first made in 
 Attleborough and were known as ''Freeman's curb-chains"; they were 
 made in large quantities and sold extensively. In 1860 the firm became 
 Freeman & Co., and soon after a temporary change was effected in the 
 kind of goods manufactured, a change wdiich was demanded by the war. 
 Articles were made which were needed for soldiers' use, such as war badges, 
 brass chains, and even military buttons. 
 
 In 1879 Joseph J. Freeman died, and the name was changed to the present 
 one of B. S. Freeman & Co. Mr. Freeman was an ingenious man, pos- 
 sessing many ideas of his own and naturally an inventor. He was clever 
 in making designs and had the mechanical skill necessary to execute them. 
 Much of the credit for the large measure of success attained by this com- 
 pany is due to him. B. S. Freeman, Jr., was admitted to the firm in 1882, 
 and no further changes have occurred. Solid rolled plate goods is the make 
 of this firm, chiefly chains and bracelets, and prosperity has attended it 
 from the beginning. When business is brisk from fifty to sixty hands are 
 employed, and sometimes a larger number. Its New York office is at 194 
 Broadway . 
 
 J. F. .Sturdy & Co. started soon after Freeman & Bro. Mr. Sturdy 
 had previously been in business in Providence, first as a maker of dies and 
 later of jewelry, with his brother, James H. Sturdy, and while they were 
 together there they discovered the process of making what is now called 
 rolled or stock plate. They came to Robinsonville, and on September 7, 
 1849, the company was organized as Draper, Sturdy & Co. and consisted 
 of J. F. and J. H. Sturdy and Herbert M. Draper. They introduced the 
 manufacture of rolled gold plated stock and jewelry into the town of Attle- 
 
374 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 borough. They also generously imparted to certain other jewelers a knowl- 
 edsfe of their process of making this rolled plate, which was speedily acted 
 upon, and the result has heen a very general adoption of their method. 
 
 September 6, 1850, J. H. Sturdy retired, and September 16, 1851, James 
 A. Mason entered the firm. Some further changes took place, and finally 
 J. A. Perry and F. Doll became associated with Mr. Sturdy under the 
 present style of J. F. Sturdy & Co. They in 18G1 began manufacturing 
 curb-chains of rolled plate. This partnership ended in about a year, and 
 Mr. Sturdy remained in the business alone for thirteen years. In 1875 his 
 son Frederick E. became associated with him, and in 1879 his two other 
 sons, Herbert K. and Frank M. Sturdy, continuing the name assumed in 
 1861. These four gentlemen are still the members of this firm, which, 
 througli its continuance of almost forty years at what is now the Falls, has 
 done a fair business and been steadily successful. 
 
 F. G. Whitney & Co. F. G. Whitney and E. AV. Davenport formed 
 this firm in 18-49 and began operations in a building now standing on East 
 Street, North Attleborough. In 1852 they built and occupied the shop 
 which later became the carriage-shop of John Stanley & Son. Henry 
 Dunster subsequently entered the firm, and in 1853 Mr. Davenport with- 
 drew. In 1859 new quarters were taken in E. I. Richards' factory, and 
 Eliakim Rice was admitted to partnership, remaining till 1871, when he 
 retired. About that time the present firm name was adopted ; but what 
 its pi-evious titles were the writer does not know. In 1873 the business 
 was moved to the Company's factory, and it became very flourishing, the 
 employees numbering all the way from one to two hundred. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Whitney built a large factory for himself at Davis' bridge. 
 Chestnut Street, one hundred and fifty feet by thirty-five, and three stories 
 in height. This was subsequently burned and immediately rebuilt. The 
 business is at present conducted by George B. and Edwin F. AVhitney. sons 
 of the founder of the firm. The goods of the old firm were of brasswork, 
 every kind of fancy goods and novelties called for by the caprices of the 
 market. The manufacture at present is oxidized and silver-plated articles 
 — lacepins, cuff-buttons, clasps, buckles, bracelets, hairpins, and collarettes, 
 and also a great variety of articles in fire-gilt and electro-plate. This was 
 among the earliest establishments where inexpensive jewelry was manu- 
 factured, and it supplies both a foreign and domestic market. It has an 
 office on Broadway, New York. [This firm has ceased to exist.] 
 
 White & Shaw. This is the oldest representative of the jewelry trade 
 in South Attleborough. The firm was organized in 1852 and is the oldest 
 in town bearing a never-changed name. At first the manufacture was of 
 brass jewelry, but for some time has been that of jewelers' findings. The 
 shop is a little out of the centre of the village. In the ordinaiT good con- 
 ditions of business the employees here number ten to twelve. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGB. 3/^3 
 
 H. F. Barrows & Co. This tlrni bears the name it bore orioinally. the 
 addition of "Co." excepted, and during the thirty-five years of its existence 
 has had but one othei- change. It is one of the oldest and largest in the 
 town. The senior member, Henry F. Barrows, began for himself in 1853 
 in the old shop near the Braid mill, or Falls factory. The following year 
 James H. Sturdy entered into partnership with him under the style of 
 Barrows & vSturdy, and in 1856 they removed to the Richards factory in 
 North Attleborough. In 1857 Mr. Sturdy withdrew, and Louis A. Barrows 
 and E. S. Richards entered the firm, which took the name of H. F. Barrows 
 & Co. Louis A. Barrows died in 1860. In 186-2 or 1863 Mr. Richards 
 retired and for more than twenty years thereafter H. F. Barrows, Sr., con- 
 stituted the firm, though his two sons as they became old enough became 
 connected with the business. On January 1, 1887, they were l)oth admitted 
 to the firm, whose members now are H. F., Ira, and H. F. Barrows, Jr. 
 
 About 1862 the firm removed to their own manufactory on Broad Street, 
 where they still remain. Mr. Barrows commenced with from six to ten 
 workmen, and now the average number in his firm's employ is one hundrexl 
 and twenty-five, with sometimes an increase. With the association of the 
 last-named partners the old custom of monthly payment of wages was 
 changed to semi-monthly, a custom adopted frequently at the present time. 
 Mr. Barrows began among the earliest to make rolled plate, — doubtless 
 from his association with Mr. Sturdy, — and no change has since been made 
 in the character of the manufacture, which is the best of its kind. Great 
 varieties and many patterns of goods have been made to respond to the call 
 of the market from time to time, and at present the specialty is chains. 
 The New York office of this firm is at 177 Broadway. It is in the charge 
 especially of Ira Barrows, who has a residence in that city. 
 
 H. D. Merritt ct Co. In 1855 H. D. Merritt and J. B. Draper started 
 in Ijusiness together in the Richards factory as Merritt & Draper. In 
 1870 they removed to Mansfield, and while the business was being con- 
 ducted there Mr. Draper retired from it. John Shepardson took his place 
 and the firm its present name. In 1872 the business was brought back to 
 its former place, where it increased and prospered. Mr. MerritJ died in 
 1878, and Mr. Shepardson took as a partner C. H. Miller. The firm con- 
 tinues under the same name, making rolled plate and silver goods. [Mrs. 
 H. D. Merritt and W. W. Sherman are present partners.] 
 
 C. E. ^Y. Sherman & Son. As we have seen, a Frenchman established 
 the manufacturing of jewelry in town, and it was l)y means of a Frenchman 
 also that jewelers here were first enabled to get their clippings and sweep- 
 ings refined. One used to "stop over" in North Attleborough on his way 
 to Boston, and going from shop to shop make collections of these infinitesi- 
 mal fragments in a handkerchief and take them to that city for the necessary 
 process. Later, these materials were sent to New York, and this continued 
 
376 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to be the custom until .luly, 18')4, at which time Mr. Sherman and George 
 K. Davis, as George K. Davis & Co., began operations in this branch 
 of the jeweh-y business. Their shop was near the Davis bridge on the Ten 
 Mile River. This copartnership was dissolved in two or three years. Mr. 
 Sherman then built himself a shop on Elm Street, where the firm now is, 
 and transacted business for himself till the autumn of 187.5, when his sou, 
 William W. Sherman, became associated with him under the present name. 
 The fact that ten years ago from SoO,000 to $G0,000 worth of gold was 
 annually obtained by this firm from clippings, etc., shows the size and 
 importance of its special work, und within a few years this amount has 
 probably about doubled. 
 
 To the work of gold and silver refiners the firm add that of assayers and 
 smelters and manufacturers of blue vitriol. Mr. Sherman's was the first firm 
 of its kind in town, and for a long period it continued to be the only one. 
 
 Within a few years an establishment of a similar kind has been started 
 in East Attleborough, that of Barher & Burlinghame, who also deal in 
 various supplies for the trade. [Not in existence.] 
 
 Bates & Bacon. The origin of this firm dates back to the well-remem- 
 bered year of 1857, the time of a general depression and prostration of 
 business and of widespread financial difficulties. On September 10 of that 
 year the firm of Skinner, Viael it Co., of which J. M. Bates was a mem- 
 ber, started in a room over Blaekinton's shuttle-shop. At the end of a year, 
 in wdiich the business had not been large even for those times, Mr. Bates had 
 come to the conclusion that more '* push " was required to satisfy his ambi. 
 tion. He therefore sold out his interest in the above-mentioned firm and 
 formed a new one, that of Bates, Capron & Williams, and located in the 
 Falls factory, now that of the Gold Meoal Bijaid Co. Two years of 
 prosperity followed this new organization and then, Mr. Bates' partners 
 desiring a change of location, he sold out to William Sherman. This com- 
 pany removed to Mansfield but was unfortunate, and after a few years relin- 
 quished business. Such also was the experience of Mr. Bates' original 
 partners ; they were not successful and therefore retired from the jewelry 
 business altogether. 
 
 On leaving the Falls Mr. Bates returned to his old place in the shuttle- 
 shop and did a moderately good business there for three years. Then he 
 removed to the East village and occupied the lower story of the Steam Power 
 Company's building. The effect of the war was favorable to Mr. Bates, for 
 not long after it commenced his business began to increase, for 18(33 w^as 
 a year of mai'ked prosperity, and this continued until 1867. At that time a 
 very large trade had been built up and Mr. Bates deemed it " wise to take a 
 partner." George M. Bacon entered into partnership with him, and together 
 they still form the firm of Bates & Bacon. Mr. Bacon at once proved a 
 "valuable assistant." He has been the salesman of the concern and has 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 377 
 
 always filled that difHcult position with remarkable success. He greatly 
 enlarged and extended the sales of the firm's goods, and during the twenty 
 years of this partnership so far an increase has been continually maintained. 
 
 In these days of almost unlimited competition, not only in this but in 
 almost every branch of trade, the office of salesman is no sinecure but 
 one of varied and difficult requirements. Nerve, activity, determination, a 
 pleasing address, agreeable manners, the power of adaptation to all places, 
 circumstances, and people, a thorough knowledge of his own line of traffic, 
 and about as much of his neighbors', are some of the characteristics needed. 
 The complete salesman must be ever alert, quick to see and seize chances, 
 and conversant with every phase of the entire market; he must be endowed 
 with a great amount of diplomacy — indeed be able to turn refusal into 
 acceptance, either by his own "power of persuasion" or by the medium of 
 an open purse and a generous hand. In a word, his state must always be 
 that of " up and doing," lest another step in before him and win the prize. 
 "What he has accomplished for his firm proves Mr. Bacon to be the happy 
 possessor of at least a goodly share of these requisites. 
 
 The specialty of this firm has always been rolled-gold jilated bracelets, 
 although it has made jewelry of almost every description. It employs a 
 large number of hands — in the busiest seasons as many as two hundred. In 
 1882 Messrs. Bates and Bacon made an innovation by introducing into Attle- 
 borough the maiuifacture of watchcases. They make these both filled and 
 of 14k. gold. The venture proved a good one, for the growth of the busi- 
 ness has been constant and they now turn out one hundred and fifty cases a 
 day. A few years ago additional space was required, and in 1884 Mr. Bates 
 built a shop 200 feet long, 35 feet wide, and four stories high, which the firm 
 now occupies. The paydays here are monthly — on the fifteenth instant. 
 This is the largest firm in East Attleborough.^ 
 
 G. A. Dean & Co. In January, 18.37, A. M. Everett, G. A. Dean, 
 S. L. Morse, E. S. Capron, and R. Bliss organized as Everett, Dean & Co. 
 S. L. Morse left the firm in November, 1858, and E. S. Capron in May, 1859. 
 In January, 1860, B. B. Day became a partner and the name was changed to 
 FLvERETT, Day & Co. A. M. P>erett's withdrawal in July, 1<S67, necessi- 
 tated another change in name and that of Day, Bliss & Dean was taken. 
 Mr. Day died in January, 1871, and the business was then continued in the 
 name of Bliss & Dean, Rodolphus Bliss and George A. Dean being the 
 partners. Mr. Bliss died in August, 1883, and in the following January the 
 present name was adopted. Mr. Dean, its present representative, is the only 
 one of the five original members left in the business. Of the six gentlemen 
 associated in it during its existence three are dead and the other two, Mr. 
 
 ' Messrs. Bates ami Bacon have dissolveil partnership by the withdrawal of Mr. Bacon from Uie 
 firm. Mr. Bates continues the business and retains the old firm name. 
 
378 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Everett and Mr. Cupron, have for iiuuiy years lieen engaged in different 
 vocations. 
 
 At the organization nine hands were employed. As with other llruis, tlie 
 number of hands has iiad a vai-ying increase. l)Ut during the past fifteen 
 years the average has been about seventy-five. Though several changes of 
 name have occurred, none have taken place in the nature of the goods 
 manufactured. These have been always of rolled plate, and for many years 
 ■chains, charms, and bracelets, though formerly lockets were also made. 
 This tirm has made an excellent class of goods and met with an abundant 
 measure of success. It has long been one of the most solid and substantial 
 firms in its part of the town. Its New York office is at 194 Broadway. 
 
 Blake & Claflin, successors to Sturdy Bros. & Co. July 1, 18.)9, 
 Charles H. and Albert W. Sturdy formed a partnership under the name of 
 Sturdy Brothers, both having previously had practical experience in jewelry 
 manufacturing. They located in one of the Steam Power Company's build- 
 ings and were burned out within three months in the great fire which 
 destroyed all that Company's shops. They saved some tools and moved tem- 
 porarily to Mansfield. The Steam Power Company immediately rebuilt — if 
 we remember rightly, a large new shop was completed in sixty da3's after the 
 foundations were laid, under the efficient management of the late Jesse R. 
 Carpenter, and in the autumn of 1861 Sturdy Brothers returned to town 
 and located in this new building. 
 
 Meanwhile during the summer of that year A. W. Sturdy had enlisted and 
 through the two years of his service C. H. Sturdy carried on the business 
 alone. The early days of the war were '••dull times," but in 18(33 "business 
 throughout the country revived under the impetus of the paper mone}^ issued 
 by the government," and about that time Mr. Albert Sturdy received his dis- 
 charge on account of a severe wound which unfitted him for further service, 
 and returned home. Like many others at that period this firm took a " new 
 lease of life." Between 1868 and the close of the war they made gold, 
 silver, and rolled plate army badges in very large quantities, and also vari- 
 ous emblems for the use of soldiei's, such as regimental badges for their 
 identification, etc. 
 
 When the demand for these articles ceased. Sturdy Brothers turned their 
 attention to the making of ladies' jewelry in rolled i)late. These goods were 
 of the best quality, and the firm soon acquired an enviable reputation for 
 producing Hrst-class work and for many years carried on an extensive busi- 
 ness in tliis line. C. II. Sturdy retired in July, 1871, and E. G. Webster, of 
 Brooklyn, L. I., took a place in the firm and Co. was added to the old name. 
 For fifteen or twenty years the nund)er of employees varied from forty to 
 eighty as the demands of the market warranted. The payroll averaged 
 nearly $4,000 per month, and the sales during many years reached $100,000. 
 For twenty years all the goods manufactured were sent to the Company's 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 379 
 
 office at No. 14 jMaiden Lane, New York, hut since l'S82 they have been 
 •sliipped from the factory here to their various destinations direct. 
 
 January 1, 1885, botli partners sold out, and after a prosperous career of 
 fully a quarter of a century the old name of Stukdv Brothers ceased to exist. 
 The new firm consists of James E. Blake, who was for a long period a sales- 
 man for the preceding firm, and Edward P. Claflin, for many years in their 
 employ as foreman. Though he has relinquished all active participation, 
 Mr. Albert Sturdy still retains a financial interest in the concern as a special 
 partner. The prosperity which followed the course of the old firm still 
 attends the new. Tiie youthful element introduced has given new impetus to 
 the former activity, and the future has a promising outlook. Some additions 
 have been made to the previous line of goods, and certain lines of solid gold 
 jewelry are now being manufactured. None of the members of this firm 
 have died. One of those who retired is engaged in an entirely different 
 occupation and the others are " enjoying the fruits of their labors " 
 
 Two years prior to the formation of the above-mentioned firm — in 18r)7 
 — -V. H. Blackinton purchased the old schoolhouse at Robinsonville and 
 made it over into a manufactory. His first essay was in jet goods, in a line 
 for ladies' use. This proved successful, the business increased, and additions 
 were made to his shop. On F'ebruary 15, 1860, it was burned, but rebuilt at 
 once, and the same line of goods manufactured — jet, with the addition of 
 novelties, military goods, society emblems, etc. Mr. Blackinton still con- 
 tinues in the same place, but his shop, instead of being as formerly in Robin- 
 sonville, on the "road to North Attleborough," is on Commonwealth Avenue, 
 Attleborough Falls. 
 
 Short, Nerney & Co. This firm has an existence of a (juarter of a 
 century. In 18()2 Mace B. Short, Peter Nerney, and Ephraim Adams 
 associated together as Nerney & Co. The last-named partner remained only 
 about nine months and Messrs. Nerney and Short continued until 187(). 
 They began with the production of horn goods, then took up electro-plating, 
 and, b}^ general license, of all sorts and kinds of jewelry. In the autumn of 
 1876 James J. Horton entered the firm, which took its present title. At that 
 time the electro-plating business was sold to Nerney & Lincoln, and tlie 
 company took up the manufacture of all kinds of stock plated chains. For 
 several vears the "• Nerney Patent Swivel" has also been made. This is an 
 invention of Mr. Nerney, and he took out a patent on it in 1884. 
 
 The average number of workmen employed in this establishment in ordinary 
 times is fifty, but this number is frequently increased to seventy-five and 
 sometimes more. For 18'S6, which was a light year, the payroll amounted 
 to over S20,000. This firm has had a steady success for a number of years, 
 and none has a better reputation. It has changed its location — is at present 
 in No. 13 Mill Street, East Attleborough. It has no out-of-town office. 
 [Changes have been made by the admission of some young men to the firm, 
 but the name remains the same.] 
 
380 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 T. I. Smith & Co. Antedating the last-mentioned tiim by a few years, 
 another large firm had its beginning : Theron I. Smith and David D. Cod- 
 ding were the partners and the name Coduinc; & Smith. Like the majoritv 
 these gentlemen began in a small room and in a small way. At the end of a 
 3'ear they removed to Mansfield Centre. The war entirely broke up their 
 business and they were obliged to discontinue it, and added to this misfortune 
 the building where their tools were stored was totally destroyed by fire in 
 May, 1801, and they "lost everything." They were not, however, perma- 
 nently disheartened, and with the close of tlie war determined to try again. 
 In July, 1865, they, together with C. H. Ames, commenced the business for 
 the second time in North Attleborough, under the style of Codding, Smith 
 & Co., locating in Stephen Richardson's building. At the end of two 3'ears 
 of moderate prosperity Mr. Ames left the firm and A. E. Codding entered, 
 no change occurring in the name. At this time a complement of fifty hands 
 was employed. 
 
 In January, 1867, the business w^as removed to the Dennis Everett factory, 
 and in 1H71 another move was made to the new factor}' erected by Mr. Rich- 
 ardson, where it remained about three years. While located there Mr. 
 Smith bought out his two partners and carried on the business alone for a 
 year. At the end of that time D. D. Codding purchased a one-half interest, 
 and the present firm name was taken. The business was transferred to the 
 E. I. Richards l)uilding in 1880, and in January, 1881, Henry H. Curtis, a 
 former salesman, was admitted as a partner in the firm. He subsequently 
 withdrew, and E. A. Crawford has been admitted, and the present members 
 are Messrs. Smith, Codding and Crawford. Though its earlier days were full 
 of difficulties and discouragements, sufficient even to annihilate it for a time, 
 it has overcome them all and its later days have been filled with a highly 
 satisfactory degree of prosperity. This firm ranks among the largest in 
 town, as it has employed generally from ninety to a hundred and ten hands. 
 Its specialties have been bracelets, pins, charms, etc. At present these are 
 cuff-buttons and bracelets. 
 
 .1. J. & J. M. RiCHAKDS. In April, 1804, the firm of E. S. Richards 
 & Co. started in the Company's building at North Attleborough. Its mem- 
 bers were E. S. and J. M. Richards. E. S. Richards died in October, 1865. 
 and his two brothers, J. J. and J. M. Richards, bought his interest. In 
 January, 1866, they assumed the present firm name. In February, 1871^ 
 they moved their manufactory to Stephen Richardson's building, and five 
 years later, in 1876, J. J. Richards, Jr., succeeded to his father's share in the 
 business. The Richardson building was burned in April, 1882, and in the 
 following July a location was found in Totten's building, and this is still 
 retained. Of the three brothers formerl}- in this firm but one remains, for 
 J. J. Richards died in August, 1882. In the l)eginning twenty hands 
 were employed — now double that number, with an average weekly paj-roU 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 381 
 
 of $700. The specialty here is gold front goods, and the firm has ahvays 
 been distinguished for the superior quality of its productions. There is a 
 New York office connected with it. 
 
 J. W. LuTHEK & Co. James W. and John W. Luther, brothers, started 
 in January, 1865, in the Steam Power building. They remained there 
 for ten years, and then took their present situation in the basement of 
 
 E. A. Robinson's shop. They are lapidaries, and besides cutting and 
 preparing real stones they also manufacture imitation stones for jew^elers' 
 use. They have at times done quite a large business in their line, employ- 
 ing fifteen to twenty workmen, and having a payroll of some $500 per 
 month. In this as in all other lines there are frequently temporary dull 
 times, and this special branch of the trade is more affected by the changes in 
 style than some others. Patterns in gold and silver goods may be readily 
 changed, and profitably ; but if the caprices of fashion demand neither real 
 nor imitation gems, the worker in these must be comparatively idle — though 
 there is always something to be done. This firm is one of excellent repute, 
 and the Messrs. Luther are considered skilled workmen in their art. 
 
 F. S. Draper & Co. This firm was formed in 1865 by F. S. Draper, 
 
 F. S. Bailev, and F. G. Pate, as Draper, Pate & Bailey. The business was 
 at first established in the Richards factory, and sultsequently removed to the 
 stone factory of the Whiting Manufacturing Company. Mr. Pate left the 
 firm in 1875, when the present name was adopted. About this time the Com- 
 pany were burned out, and Mr. Draper soon purchased a shop on Broad 
 Street, to which he made additions, and where the Ijusiness was carried on up 
 to the time of his death. In 1877 he l)0ught the interest of Mr. Bailey, his 
 remaining associate, and continued alone but under the same name as before. 
 Draper, Pate & Bailey had a remarkably successful career. In two years 
 their business grcAv so rapidly that the number of workmen increased from 
 twenty-five to a hundred and twenty-five. After assuming its conduct alone, 
 Mr. Draper employed sixty-five hands in the making of plated charms and 
 fire-gilt chains, and his annual payroll amounted to $55,000. 
 
 Mr. Draper's death occurred in August, 1886, and on September 1 follow- 
 ing the business was purchased by Miss Annie Meader, who had for a long 
 period been the bookkeeper of the concern, and for several years had had 
 charge of the buying and selling and the general oversight of its affairs. 
 Miss Meader has recently removed the business to East Attlel)orough, but 
 conducts it under the old name of F. S. Draper & Co. She has no partner, 
 and is the only woman in town who attends personally to manufacturing. 
 Another, Mrs. E. I. Richards, is represented in a firm, as has been stated, 
 but in that case the affairs are conducted by the other partner, her son, Mr. 
 E. Ira Richards. 
 
 The New York office of F. S. Draper & Co. is at 194 Broadway, and the 
 specialty is German silver, fire-gilt, and nickel-plated chains, rolled plate 
 
382 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 charms, etc. The present luanagement proves to l)e successful, a fact of 
 interest to ladies wlio may be incline<l toward a mercantile life. [Firm has 
 ceased to exist.] 
 
 A. BusHEK i& Co. Albert A. Bushee and Ebenezer Bacon were the origi- 
 nal members of this lirm, and they commenced operations January 18, 1868, 
 in an old two-story house then standing in the rear of the Steam Power Com- 
 pany's shop, occupying only the first floor. For a few years they made cheap 
 goods, with finger-rings as a specialty, and their workmen averaged from 
 fifteen to twenty-five. In the early part of 1.S70 the firm was enlarged by the 
 entrance of Charles H. Bushee. Two years later — in the spring of 1872 — 
 they erected their large shop on County Street. This is a wooden structure, 
 100 feet by 3.0, and three stories high, with a wing in the rear. Of this 
 building the firm themselves occupy the first floor. They have taken up 
 anothei" specialty called '•'The Original Separable Cuff and Collar Buttons," 
 which are made in the best quality of fire gilt. In this they have been very 
 successful for a number of years. At present their employees number 
 al)out seventy-five, and their payroll some $30,000 a year. Mr. Bacon 
 withdrew from the firm on December 12, 188(j, and no subsequent additions 
 have been made. The Bushee brothers carry on the business, and the name 
 has been unchanged from the beginning. 
 
 This firm has been especially enterprising and its trade a lucrative one. 
 Mr. Albert Bushee has always attended to the entire portion of its out-of- 
 town affairs, and has traveled extensively in its interests. Being a man of 
 energy and the necessary " push,'' he at once established it upon a firm 
 basis, and possessing as he does many of the characteristics and accomplish- 
 ments essential in a perfect salesman, his efforts liave been attended by most 
 gratifying results, so that the name of A. Bushee & Co. has become very 
 well known. The New York otflce is at 2;57 Broadway. Room No. 24. 
 
 W. & S. Blackinton. This firm was formed in 18(3;», with W. S. and 
 William Sumner Blackinton, father and sou, as partners. During the twelve 
 previous years the father had lieen doing something in the jewelry line, but 
 it was not until the formation of this firm that he met with anything more 
 than very ordinary success. After the organization they conunenced making 
 plated chains, and Mr. Blackinton introduced new lines of tiiese goods, of 
 his own origination. They attracted attention, became popular, and the 
 ultimate success of the firm was assured. The rather small beginning was 
 made at the shuttle-shop, with fifteen hands. For a time subsequently a 
 portion of Bushee's shop was occu[)ied, when about eighty-five hands were 
 employed, and then the pi'esent quarters in one of the Bates buildings were 
 taken, and the usual complement of hands increased to a hundred and thirty. 
 This complement has sometimes reached a hundred and sixty-five, when the 
 business would represent an annual sum of several hundred thousand dollars. 
 The payroll here is monthly, and reaches at present $7,500. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 383 
 
 In 1880 Louis A. Blackintou, another son, was admitted to partnership ; 
 but tlie name remained as before. This iirm uses only solid rolled gold plate, 
 and confines itself exclusively to chains. These are made after an almost 
 innumerable number of patterns, and of every style, from the heaviest 
 "cable chain," usable as a gentleman's watcliguard, to the most delicate 
 infants' neck chain, of a texture almost as fine as hair, are all well finished, 
 and present a handsome appearance. Indeed an adept would be required to 
 detect the difference between many of these and solid chains of the same 
 patterns. Mr. Blackinton has insisted upon good workmanship, taking pride 
 in the quality and durability of his manufactures, and their popularity has 
 been well earned and well sustained. The firm is one of the largest in the 
 east part of the town. The otHce in New York has always been at No. 11 
 Maiden Lane.^ 
 
 Sadler Bros. George W. Sadler first started in business at South x^ttle- 
 borough in 1863, in partnership with Daniel O. Stanley, as Sadler & Stan- 
 ley. Subsequently Mr. Stanley left the firm, and in 1869 the business, now 
 that of Sadler Bros., began. The name was assumed when in 1870 
 Albert D. Sadler joined his brother. He died in 1875, and from that time 
 until 1884 the founder of the business conducted it alone. His death 
 occurred during that year, and the business was then taken up by Charles E. 
 and Herbert A. Sadler, who constitute the present firm. It has always been 
 located in ''the city," and since the commencement has manufactured all 
 grades of brass and plated jewelry. 
 
 HoRTON, Angell & Co. This widely known firm was organized in 1.S70, 
 by Edwin J. Horton, Benjamin J. Angell, and Gideon M. Horton, who at 
 once styled themselves by this name. They began in a small room in 
 Bailey's shop, now Robinson's — hiring only a few hands. By 1873 their 
 trade had so much increased that they were able to hire half a floor in their 
 present shop, that of A. Bushee & Co. The increase continued, and about 
 1876 an entire fioor became necessary, and in January, 1881, another, so that 
 now the firm occupies the whole of the second and third floors. Their aver- 
 age number of operatives ranges from one hundred to one hundred and fifty, 
 quite a percentage of these being women, as is also the case with A. Bushee 
 & Co. Among their employees are many who have never worked in any 
 other shop, and many who have continued with them for years. Their pay- 
 roll is about SI, 000 per week, and they still maintain their old office in Room 
 24, No. 237 Broadway, New York. 
 
 Edwin J. Horton was lost in the collision between the Sound steamers Nar- 
 ragausett and Stonington, which occurred June 12, 1880. Though compara- 
 tively young both in years and in commercial afl:airs, he had lived long 
 
 1 Mr. Blackinton, Sr., has die 1. Tlie two brolliers, W. S. and L. A. Blackinton, continue the busi- 
 ness under the same name, and it may be said with the same reputation and success. 
 
384 A SKETCH OF THE' 
 
 enoiigli to make " luauy friends in the trade." He was the traveling meml)er 
 of the lirm, and lie began at the very first with an inflexil)le determination to 
 make his business a success, and this was accomplished during his lifetime. 
 Everett iS. Horton, an older brother, took the place in the firm thus made 
 vacant. On October 14, 188(j, B. J. Angell was thrown from his carriage 
 near the Agricultural Hall, and died in a few hours from the effects of the 
 injuries sustained. Gideon M. Horton, the third and last of the founders of 
 the firm, died December 16, 1886, in San Antonio, Texas. The experience 
 through which this firm has passed is most singular and unprecedented. In 
 less than twenty years from its formation the three original members had 
 died, all of them suddenly, two of them violent deaths — but its copartner- 
 ship affairs were so well arranged that no interruptions followed these acci- 
 dents. The business went on smoothly, without a jar, though the vacant 
 places were such both in the firm and in the community as cannot easily 
 be filled. 
 
 The unusual and sudden calling away of his partners, added to his own 
 failing health, had doubtless turned ]Mr. Gideon Horton's attention to the 
 future career of his firm to a far greater degree than ordinary circumstances 
 would warrant in a man of his years. There were three young men in whom 
 he felt peculiarly interested ; two of them had been in the employ of the 
 firm from ten to fourteen years, and the other for a somewhat shorter 
 period, but all had proved themselves to possess worth and ability. A full 
 understanding was had between Mr. Horton and his brother, the then only 
 other partner previous to his leaving home shortly before his death, with 
 regard to the probable future admittance of these young men to the firm. 
 Partial arrangements having thus been made, it was comparatively easv to 
 mature such others as were necessary, when the anticipated time arrived. 
 Pearly in 1887 the present partnership was entered into, under the first and 
 only name the firm has ever held. These partners are E. JS. Horton, T. 8. 
 Carpenter, M. K. Rowe, and H. A. Clark. 
 
 The chief article of this firm's manufacture — known everywhere as its 
 specialty — has been the "Original Separable Sleeve Button, Collar Button, 
 and Stud." This is the best and most convenient button, it is said, that is 
 made at the present time. It is easily adjusted, and from its real merits 
 claims to be the best. These merits have been thoroughly tested, and though 
 there have been many^ attempts to infringe upon and " improve" upon them, 
 they still, it is stated, ''bear the [)alm." Meanwhile every improvement that 
 could lie devised has been adopted to facilitate this manufacture, and many 
 important articles of machinery have been made, and large sums of money 
 expended for that purpose. These sleeve-buttons, etc., are made of rolled 
 gold plate, stamped H. A. & Co., and are warranted by the firm to ])e 
 " exactly as stated in each and every particular." Their durability may be 
 shown by the statement that the office possesses some, which may be seen 
 
HISTOItY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. ^385 
 
 there, wbich have been in constant use for eight years, and are still in good 
 condition. Unlike man}' enterprises, the high standard set in the lieginuiug 
 has in this instance been strictly maintained during all the ensuing years. 
 These goods are sent all over the world, and •' the best," Ave are told, is the 
 universal verdict pronounced. Besides this specialty a large line of initial 
 sleeve and collar buttons, a new line of initial scarf pins, and in great quan- 
 tities other patent buttons, besides ladies' sleeve-lnittons and cuft'-fasteners 
 coml»ined, are made 1>y this firm. Its make includes probably over two 
 thousand styles of collar-l)uttons, sleeve-lnittons, studs, etc. These facts 
 will give some idea of what is done in one of Attlel)orough's large jewelry 
 establishments. • 
 
 This firm was the first to adopt the custom of weekly payments to 
 employees, a custom its members consider advantageous to both employers 
 and employed, in an establishment where work is paid by "the hour" as 
 well as by ''the job." Here every Monday each employee is paid in full to 
 the Saturday night previous, and from the first payday to the present time 
 *'the firm have never missed one." Horton, Angell & Co. began with 
 the motto of an " honest and straightforward manner of dealing." and 
 though the founders have all passed away, the new members in retaining the 
 old name propose to maintain the old principles and the same old good 
 reputation. 
 
 Young & Bennett. The organization of the Company l^earing this name 
 took place in 1870, its members being Charles P. Young, Alonzo F. Bennett, 
 and Edgar Sargar. In 1873 the latter retired. They located first on Wash- 
 ington Street, North Attleborough, and are now in Whiting's building. 
 They make solid rolled gold plated chains and trimmings. They have 
 adopted the weekly payday system. Their out-of-town ottice is in Chicago. 
 [Now Young & Stern.] 
 
 E. Whitney & C<>. Edwin Whitney and AVilliam A. Read were the 
 originators of this firm, and they commenced manufacturing in the old shop 
 at the Falls with ten hands. At the present time, when business is good, 
 they employ about forty. They occupy a fioor in Daggett's building to which 
 thev removed in 1882. They began at first to make album and Bible clasps, 
 later made a line of chains and novelties, and now make bar pins, brooches, 
 earhoops and drops, bracelets, scarfpins, cuff-buttons, etc., in rolled plate. 
 There have been no changes in the name or membership since the formation, 
 and there is no office except the one at the factory. [No firm of this name 
 in existence.] 
 
 Stanley Bros. Stephen and Benjamin Stanley and E. C. Knapp asso- 
 ciated themselves together May 1, 1871, under the above name. At the end 
 of four years, in 1875, Mr. Knapp withdrew from the partnership, and since 
 then the two brothers Stanley have conducted the business with no further 
 chanoe in the firm. Thev are in the same location they have always occupied 
 
386, A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 in the old shop nt the Fulls, but thev have made several additions in the way 
 of space, and their business has greatly enlarged. They use rolled gold 
 plate, nothing else, and manufacture chains of many kinds, for men, women, 
 and children's wear. The average number of hands enn_:>loyed is about thirty- 
 five, sometimes increased to fifty, and monthly payments are made. This is 
 a steadil}' prosperous firm, and it has an oHice at '20 Maiden Lane, New 
 York. 
 
 CuMMiNos & Wexkl. The original firm name was E. N. Cummings & Co., 
 E. N. and J. C. Cummings and Nelson Carpenter constituting the same, 
 and it was formed in 1871. Mr. Carpenter retired in 1873, and Mr. E. N. 
 Cummings in 187G. at which time Henry Wexel became a partner with John 
 Cummings, and the firm took its present name. At first its manufacture was 
 fine sets and buttons ; at present its specialty consists of separable and non- 
 separable sleeve and collar buttons, in both rolled plate and fire gilt. Mr. 
 Wexel possesses great ingenuity and mechanical skill, and is constantly at 
 work inventing new designs, making all those used in the works of this con- 
 cern. This firm has been a fortunate one, and for a number of years has 
 emploj'ed quite a large force of workmen. Its office in New York is at 176 
 Broadway. 1 
 
 P. E. WiTHERELL, successor to Haywaru & WiTiiERELL. (Ju January 1, 
 187;), Henry L. Hayward and Nelson Carpenter formed a copartnership 
 under the style of Hayward & Carpenter, and commenced operations in 
 the Hayward factory. Proctor E. Witherell purchased Mr. Carpenter's 
 interest, and on October 21, 1879, the firm name was changed to Hayward 
 & Witherell. Mr Hayward retired December 19, 1880, and since then i\Ir. 
 Witherell has had entire charge of the business. On February 9, 1887, he 
 bought the interest of the Charles E. Hayward estate, and thus became sole 
 partner and proi)rietor under the above name. There has always been a 
 variety in the goods produced by this firm, and Mr. Witherell continues the 
 several lines ; namely, cuff and collar l)uttons, bar, lace, bib, and scarf pins, 
 sets, drops, etc., in rolled plate. The employees range in number from 
 twelve to forty, according to the dictation of the market in the direction of 
 his manufacture. Mr. Witherell maintains no office in New York but has 
 a salesman at 115 Worth Street there, a traveling agent, and the expectation 
 of opening an office in Chicago 
 
 R. F. Simmons & Co. About 1873 Mr. Simmons began as a mainifactur- 
 ing jeweler, and remained alone something over a year, making rolled plate 
 chains. In Januarv, 1874, he took E. L. Hixon, of North Attleborough, as 
 
 'This ()avtuershii) has been <lissolvc(l by the witlnlrawal of Mr. Cummings from the flrni. Mr. 
 Wexel has associateil some young men with himself, and eontinues the business uniler the name of 
 H. Wkxel & Co. Mr. Cummings purchaseil tlie business known as tlie Bates BurxoN Co , an 
 enterprise started by Mr. .T. M. Bates, in IfS'i. His partner is Mr. .Joseph G. Hutchinson, i)revionsly 
 connecteii wiUi the Button Co., and the firm name Is J. C. Cummings & Co. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 387 
 
 ix partner, thus creating the present firm name. They took the second floor 
 of the old Daggett jeweh-y shop, just south of the stone mill at the Falls. 
 In March, 1875, J. L. Sweet, then of East Attlel»orough, entered the firm as 
 an e^ual partner, but the name underwent no change, and in the following 
 June the firm moved to Robinsville and established their manufactory on the 
 first floor of the Freeman building. Since then several additions have l)eeu 
 made to this building in order to keep pace with the rapid growth of the 
 firm's business, and it now occupies " something over 10,000 square feet of 
 tloor." 
 
 The growth of this enterprise has been remarkable. Twelve years ago it 
 was by comparison insignificant, requiring but eight or ten hands to produce 
 the goods made ; to-day it is a large industry in itself, furnishing employment 
 to over two hundred people, and distributing among them for a month's 
 wao-es from $8,000 to §9,000. This firm confines itself entirely to the manu- 
 facture of rolled gold plated chains in great variety, and only of the very 
 best quality. The figures given show something of the proportions the pro- 
 duction has assumed. The New York office is in the new Knapp Building, 
 41 and 43 Maiden Lane, and the firm is " represented " in a number of foreign 
 cities; namely, Rio Janeiro, Buenos Aj^res, Montevideo, Berlin, Barcelona, 
 and Sydney, New South Wales. There have been no changes since the 
 organization, either liy death or withdrawal. 
 
 The course of this firm has been a brilliant one, and its sudden though 
 permanent success almost unprecedented. This good fortune has been 
 largely due to the fact that it at once established a reliable character for 
 itself as a manufacturing house that invariably produced goods which prove 
 what they purport to be, and that its members were possessed of the needed 
 sagacity, foresight, and energy. R. F. Simmons & Co. probably have in 
 their employ more people than any other firm in town.^ 
 
 Bliss Brothers & P>erett. This partnership continued for about four- 
 teen years. In 1873 Charles PL and P^verett B. Bliss and R. L. F. Everett 
 organized a firm under this name. They first located in the Steam Power 
 Company's building, but moved from there February 1, 1876, to their pres- 
 'ent location in the Robinson Building No. 2. They have an office in Room 
 18, No. 176 Broadway, New York, and Mr. Everett has attended to the 
 interests of the business there. They commenced with the manufacture of 
 ladies' sets, but as fashions have changed they have gradually changed their 
 style of work, and at present are making gentlemen's and ladies' charms, 
 bar and cuff pins, collar-buttons, and a variety of other articles of orna- 
 mented jewelry. From the commencement they have used a good quality of 
 
 1 During 1892-93 they erected a large factory at Blackintouville, between the Bungay River and the 
 Attleborough Branch Railroad, east of the crossing. The building, including the offices, is -255 feet 
 long, about 3H feet wide, and three stories high. The owners occupy the second floor, and Bliss 
 Brothers and C. A. Wetherell & Co. tlie third floor. 
 
388 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 rolled plate and have always maintained the good reputation their goods 
 gained for them. They employ from thirty to fifty hands, which proves 
 them to have been successful. The original firm has recently been dissolved 
 by the withdrawal of Mr. Everett, but the business will be continued by the 
 other two members under the name of Buss Brothers. 
 
 Watson, New'ell & Co. November 1, 1874, Charles J. Cobb, Sanuiel 
 Gould, Clarence L. Watson, and Fred. A. Newell formed a partnership under 
 the style of Cobb, Gould & Co.' Mr. Cobb left the firm February 29, 1879, 
 and Mr. Gould on January 10, 1880, when the name became, after the two 
 remaining partners, Watson & Newell. January 1, 1887, Joseph F. Ripley 
 entered tiie firm, which then affixed Co. to its name. The number of hands 
 at the beginning was twelve, and there are now a hundred, the average nuu)- 
 ber for some years. The weekly payroll is $1,000. Solid, rolled plate jew- 
 elry is the manufacture of this fii-m, and at present a specialty is made of 
 sleeve and collar buttons. This has in former years been varied by the 
 making of several styles of pins, such as lace, cuff, and shawl pins. The 
 location has always been on Union Street and there is no out-of-town office. 
 This is a substantial as well as enterprising firm, as its well-sustained position, 
 after an existence of less than fifteen years among the largest and most 
 prominent of the East Attleborough companies, amply testifies. 
 
 R. B. Macdonald commenced business for himself January 1, 1874, in 
 the Steam Power Company's building. He began to manufacture chain 
 swivels, and soon built up quite a large and lucrative business. Mr. Mac- 
 donald moved in January, 1881, to his present location, the ground floor of 
 Bates' new building on Union Street. At that time he made a change in his 
 style of manufacture, and took up the making of fine plated chains, subse- 
 quently adding specialties in charms, brooches, pins, etc. He generally 
 employs from fifteen to twenty workmen, and his monthly payroll ranges 
 from S()00 to $1,000. He has never had a partner, and his success is due to 
 his own efforts. I. W. Lucas lias charge of the sales for this manufactory. 
 
 Joseph J. Doyle took his present location on the " Taunton road," 
 Hebronville, in 1875. He manufactures enameled wood goods, and is also 
 a japan enameler, etc. His present working force is about ten hands, with 
 a payroll of $250 per month. [Mr. Doyle has left town, and his business has 
 passed into other hands.] 
 
 John Etzensperoer began business in July, 1876, alone. In 1880 W. A. 
 and O. C. jNIiller became associated with him, but they remained his partners 
 for only three years, as in February, 1883, he bought them out, and since that 
 time has been again alone. He carries on his business in the E. I. Richards 
 
 1 For some time (luring the earliest days of tliis firm's existence Mr. W. A. Battey was connectetl 
 with the business, though not as an active partner in tlie concern. Since the above notice \vas written 
 some clianges in partnership, l)y ailmission, Iiave occurred, but the well-known name remains 
 unchanged. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 389 
 
 factory, and employs from twenty to forty hands in the making of rolled 
 gold plated chains and chain bracelets. 
 
 Nerney & Lincoln. Iu 1876 William Nerney and Fred. W. Lincoln pur- 
 chased the electro-plating business which had for some years previous been 
 carried on by Short & Nerney, and established this firm. To the business 
 of electro-plating they add that of coloring jewelry, but ai'e not manufac- 
 turers. They are located in Bates' Building No. 1. Their employees are 
 boys, and at present the number is not large.' 
 
 W. T. Chapee, formerly of the firm of Chafee & Ballou, General 
 Engravers, continues that occupation at Anawan Block, North Attleborough, 
 in connection with a repairing business. He employs two or three hands. 
 
 8. E. Fisher & Co., with 8. E. and W. W. Fisher and E. D. Sturtevant 
 as partners, succeeded to the firm of Demarest, Fisher & CV). on July 1, 
 1887, and this partnership has continued till now unchanged. The basement 
 of Stephen Richardson's factory was their first place of business, and on 
 January 1, 1881, they moved to the place they now occupy iu the new 
 Union Power Company's building. The}^ started with twenty-five hands, 
 have sometimes employed a hundred, and now have about sixty. Their 
 monthly payments for labor have been as much as S6,000, and now average 
 about $3,000. These figures place them among the large firms of their 
 vicinity. They make rolled plated goods of the finest grades, and specialties 
 of ladies' lace pins, drops, sets, bangles, bracelets, lockets, etc. They have 
 an office at 41 Maiden Lane, New York. 
 
 G. K. Webster is located in Whiting's shop. The first firm name was 
 G. K. Webster & Co.; but in 1883 the ''Co." was dropped. The first 
 location was iu the Company's shop, where from ten to fifteen hands were 
 employed; at the present time from forty to fifty are employed, a satisfac- 
 tory increase for four or five years. This is a manufactory of solid rolled 
 plate goods, — collar and sleeve buttons, — and they are sold through the 
 New York office at 176 Broadway. 
 
 Codding Brothers. January J, 1878, the three brothers — Arthur E., 
 James A., and Edwin A. Codding — formed a partnership under the above 
 name. Their business is conducted at North Attleborough, and their New 
 York office is at 194 Broadway. They employ about twenty hands in the 
 manufacture of rolled plate bracelets. There have been no changes in this 
 firm since its organization. ^ 
 
 Marsh & Bigney. This fii-m started under its present name and with its 
 present members, Charles A. Marsh and Sidney O. Bigney, at North Attle- 
 
 > Messrs. Xcrney ami Lincoln dissolveil partnership November 1, 1888, ami on the same day entered 
 the firm of C. A. Wethekell & Co. which had been formed previously. The specialty is novelties 
 in silver. 
 
 2The present name of this ttrm is Codding Brothers & Heilborn and their location in Codding 
 Brothers' building on Jay Street near Elm Street. North Attleborough. 
 
390 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 borough on Deceml)ei- 15, 1879. They began operations in the Richardson 
 factor}' with about ten workmen. In April, 1882, they were completely 
 burned out, and they then removed to East Attleborough and located in 
 oue of E. A. Kobhison's buildings there, where they still remain. Their 
 workmen now numl)er thirty, and their payroll amounts to about $1,500 a 
 month. They are manufacturers of rolled plate goods, and their specialties 
 are the " M. & B. Patent Neck Chain," vest chains for gentlemen, and 
 ladies' chains. They have no out-of-town office, but Mr. Marsh attends to 
 the sales which are consummated largely in New York and Chicago. This 
 firm has had a very satisfactory career, and with the exception of its mis- 
 fortune from fire has l)een steadily prosperous. [Dissolved partnership in 
 July, 1894.] 
 
 S. W. Gould & Co. This iirm has been in existence since January, 
 1880, when Messrs. Samuel W. and William H. Gould, brothers, associated 
 themselves together as a manufacturing firm under this style, beginning in 
 one of Robinson's buildings. They subsequently moved to Bates' building 
 on Union Street, where they now are. Their specialties are ladies' bar })ins, 
 buttons, brooches, etc., of rolled plate and wiuit is called gold front manu- 
 facture. Since the first the firm has averaged a working force of fifty hands, 
 which shows that the business is a steady and successful oue. There is an 
 office at 10 Maiden Lane, New York. Mr. George L. Sweet, of the firm of 
 Haywakd & Sweet, formerly acted as salesman for this firm. The present 
 salesman is William W. Middlebrook, formerly employed in that capacity for 
 C. E. Hayward & Co.^ 
 
 J. M. Fisher & Co. The original firm, formed January 1, 1880, was 
 Harris & Fisher, J. M. Fisher and C. R. Harris being its members. 
 They occupied quarters in Robinson's small brick building and now occup}^ 
 the upper floor of his new building. In February, 1885, Mr. Harris left 
 the firm and S. A. Briggs entered it, and the present name was adopted. It 
 had a very small beginning, with only five hands ; now it employs from forty 
 to fifty. It has adopted the system of weekly payments. The manufacture 
 is chiefly charms and lockets in solid rolled plate. The only office is at the 
 factory in town. 
 
 John P. Bonnett started in business with George W. Cheever, as Ciieever 
 & Bonnett. in the rear factory of the Company's l;)uildings in North Attle- 
 borough. In December, 1880, this firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. 
 Bonnett then commenced on his own account in a very small shop on Elm 
 Street, near " Foster's bridge." In 1885 he moved into his present quarters, 
 a shop seventy feet long by twenty-five wide, just beside the old one. His 
 business is that of electro-plating, electrotyping, and coloring of jewelry. 
 
 > The ori!?lnal flrm was dissolved; but another under the same name has been formed, the members 
 of which are Messrs. S. W. Gould and Frank W. and Oliver P. Bliss. [This firm has dissolved.] 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 391 
 
 and he also Avorks on silvenvare. He employs from ten to twelve hands, 
 and his monthly payments to the same range from $600 to $700. Mr. 
 Bonnett does quite a large business and. considering the amount of capital 
 invested, a very profitable one. [Now in Richards building.] 
 
 L. E. Sadler began in 1<S80 in Kolnnson's building to manufacture a 
 "specialty" in rolled plate goods. This embraces lace and scarf pins, 
 brooches, bracelets, studs, and collar-buttons. He keeps from ten to 
 twenty-five hands employed, according to the conditions of business. [Now 
 foreman for F. H. Sadler & Co.] 
 
 W. G. Clark & Co. March 1, 1881, Walter G. Clark and Johu F. 
 Mackiuson started this firm, locating in F. S. Draper's building at North 
 Attleborough. There has been no change excepting that of removing the 
 business to B. S. Freeman's building at the Falls. The specialty of this 
 firm is sleeve-buttons for both ladies and gentlemen, of rolled gold plate. 
 It has an oltice at li)6 Broadway, New York. 
 
 D. F. Brigos began on July 23, 1882, at the Falls, where he still con- 
 tinues to manufacture solid gold, silver, and rolled plate swivels ; also, spring 
 rings, bars, and chain trimmings, and vest and eyeglass chains, with findings 
 and watch materials. His specialty is gold, silver, plate, and jet eyeglass 
 chains. Mr. Briggs commenced with one employee and has now twenty- 
 eight, his monthly payroll averaging about $700, an encouragiug inci-ease 
 for five years. He has no out-of-town office. [Later Mr. Briggs associ- 
 ated with himself two partners, as the D. F. Briggs Company ; still later 
 he sold out and is now connected with W. F. Briggs & Co., Attleborough 
 Falls.] 
 
 Daggett & Clap. In August, 1882, Harvey Clap and H. M. Daggett, 
 Jr., commenced manufacturing at Mansfield in the Kingman & Hodges 
 shop. At the end of three days a failure of water-power occurred there. 
 They immediately hired shop room of H. N. Daggett in the original old 
 cotton mill at the Falls, moved their machinery and tools in the night, and 
 were ready to go to work in the morning. In September, 1886, they made 
 another move, to the third floor of Bates' new building in East Attle- 
 borough. The firm have already met with a gratifying measure of success, 
 as they employ about sixty hands, to whom they pay weekly over $500. 
 During 1886 they melted nearly $10,000 worth of gold in the making of 
 heavy plate for the manufacture of a variety of ladies' goods, such as but- 
 tons, bracelets, initial goods, novelties, etc. There is an office belonging to 
 this firm at 41 and 43 Maiden Lane, New York, and another at 82 Madison 
 Street, Chicago. 
 
 H. H. CuRTLS & Co. Henry H. Curtis and George H. Coggsill are the 
 partners in this firm, and they organized in May, 1883, and located where 
 they now are, in the Company's building at North Attleborough. They 
 began with twenty hands, have now about thirty-five, and when business is 
 
392 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 brisk their orders require about sixt_v-five. They have a specialty of sleeve- 
 buttous for kulies and gentlemeu, in rolled plate. There have been no 
 changes in this firm and it has no out-of-town office. [Now in E. I. 
 Richards' bnilding.] 
 
 Riley & French. The organization of this firm dates from June 1, 
 1888. There have been no changes in the firm and but one in location. 
 They occupied a portion of the Dennis Everett factory on East Street in 
 the beginning and are now in that of the Totten Brothers. The increase to 
 be noted here is from fifteen to seventy-five employees in four years. The 
 present weekly payroll is S60U to $700. This firm makes both solid gold 
 and rolled-plate jewelry and a special ladies' sleeve-button with pin and 
 chain attachment, of which manufacture it is the patentee. The members 
 of this enterprising company are G. Herbert French and William H. Riley, 
 Jr. They maintain an office at 178 Broadway, New York. [Present name 
 Riley, Hekfron & Fkench.] 
 
 F. S. Gilbert. In October, 1884, the firm of F. G. Pate & Co. sold 
 out their tools, fixtures, etc., and these were purchased by Mr. Gilbert. 
 He at once started work in the Union Power Company building with four 
 hands and at present, when '' running full time," employs thirty. His 
 manufacture consists of both gold and gold-plated goods in articles for both 
 ladies and gentlemen and in assorted lines. Mr. Gilbert has an office at 202 
 Broadway, New York, and his business is gaining steadily in size and extent. 
 
 C. R. Harris on retiring from the firm of Harris & Fisher in February, 
 1885, at once opened for himself in a new line of business. He began with 
 charms, lockets, and emblems, and to these soon added a full line of chains, 
 all being made of fine rolled plate. His manufactory and office are both on 
 Union Street, P]ast Attleborough. [Mr. Harris has left town.] 
 
 J. N. Hugo & Co. The firm of Knight & Berry was organized June 1, 
 1885, and it began to carry on business in the wooden building in the rear of 
 Whiting's stone factory, where the present firm is still located. September 
 1, 1885, George Brownicker entered the firm and Co. was added to its name. 
 November 1 of the same year Mr. Knight withdrew, but the name remained 
 unchanged. December 1, 1885, John N. Hugo became a partner, and 
 the name was then changed to Hugo & Berry. October 25, 1886, Mr. 
 Brownicker withdrew, and January 1, 1887, Mr. Berry also. At this time the 
 name underwent another change, becoming as above, with John N. Hugo 
 and John P. O'Connor as partners. The number of operatives varies from 
 ten to thirty in different months. Lace, scarf, and shawl pins, brooches, 
 bracelets, and eardrops are made, with a specialty of sleeve-buttons, in 
 rolled gold plate and solid gold front work. The only office is at the factory 
 on the third floor of the building before mentioned. [This firni is not in 
 existence.] 
 
 T. J. Halliday & Co. A firm under the style of Bennett & Halliday 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUdH. 393 
 
 orunnized February 1, 1885, and began work in G-uild's Block, North Attle- 
 borough, subsequently removing to the quarters occupied by the present firm 
 in Robinson's building, p]ast Attleborough. January 1, 1886, Mr. Halliday 
 bought Mr. Bennett's interest and continues under the above name. As yet 
 the number of hands lias never exceeded twelve. The special manufacture 
 is lace and scarf pins and eardrops in solid rolled plate, and there is no 
 out-of-town office. [Mr. Halliday has left town.] 
 
 C. A. Shepardson began about two years ago at room 7, Crandall's 
 Block, an engraving and chasing 1)usiness, and he is also a jewelry design 
 maker. He usually employs about five men, and pays them an average of 
 $2.50 per day each, or S75 a month. He is still located in the same place. 
 [Not in the business.] 
 
 Wheaton & Richards. This is one of the most recently organized firms 
 in town. Mark O. Wheaton and J. Shepard Richards formed a copartner- 
 ship on November 15, 1886. They are located in Robinson l)uilding number 
 1, and their specialty is lever collar and sleeve buttons made of fine rolled 
 o'old plate. Beyond this little can as yet be said of this firm, as when our 
 information was received there had only been sufficient time after the organi- 
 zation to get samples into the market. [Present name Wheaton, Richards 
 & Co.] 
 
 Oscar M. Drajier started in business in 1862, under the name of O. M. 
 Draper & Co., E. I. Richards being associated with him. In 1868 the 
 name became O. M. Draper alone. In 1876 he took and has since occupied 
 an entire floor in the new Richards factory. He began and has continued 
 with a specialty of patent fire-gilt and nickel chains, and he also makes charms 
 and swivels. He was the first in town to manufacture what are known as 
 " swedged goods," and his machinery is the most comiilete and ingenious used 
 in the production of this line of goods. His business is a large and profit- 
 able one, and he gives employment to about eighty hands. 
 
 R. Blackinton & Co. dates back to 1863, wiien the firm was organized 
 with R. Blackinton, T. 8. Mann, and Walter Ballon as members. They 
 began at the Falls, where, in 1867, Mr. Mann withdrew. In 1878 Messrs. 
 Blackinton & Ballon, then and still the only members of the firm, moved 
 to the Richards building, and subsequently to F. G. Wliitney's factory, where 
 they now are. This has been an especially successful firm, it having at times 
 employed as many as a hundred and forty hands. Solid gold and all kinds 
 of plated jewelry are manufactured in this establishment, and at present 
 there is a specialty of bracelets. 
 
 E. I. Franklin & Co. is among the large firms. It began in 1874 with 
 Elton I. Franklin, Hiram S. Somes, and Clarence W. Fisher as its partners. 
 Messrs. Franklin & Fisher purchased the interest of the third partner, and 
 continue in the 1)usiness together under the original name. They have been 
 in both the Richardson and Draper shops, and are now in Whithig's. They 
 
394 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 linve given employment to eighty liands in the making of gold front and 
 plated goods of various kinds for ladies' wear. [Now in Whitney's building.] 
 
 Sandland. Capkon & Co. started in the Richards "back factory" in 
 1876. and removed in 1881 to the Union Power Company l)uilding. They 
 make a general line of plated goods for both ladies and gentlemen and furnish 
 <3mployment to about seventy-five workmen. 
 
 C. E. Smith & Co. do quite a large business in solid jewehy, and they 
 also make both real and imitation diamond jewelry. [The name of this firm 
 
 is nOAV BUGBEE & NiLES.] 
 
 De.mauest & Brady. The present firm dates from 1877. Five years 
 previous Mr. Demarest organized a stock company having nine associates, 
 whicii carried on business in Wetherell's factory, at Plainville. In 1874 he 
 sold out there and organized another stock company of five associates, under 
 the style of Demarest & Fisher, which had its manufactory in the Richard- 
 son building, North Attleborough. In 1877 Mr. Demarest sold out here and 
 formed a partnership with Mr. Biady. Cieorge Demarest and B. B. Brady 
 are the only members of the firm, which is located in the Whiting Manufac- 
 turing Company building. It has a special make of sets, drops, studs, and 
 scarfpins. Mr. Demarest originated the stock plan which has l)een followed 
 by others with success. 
 
 Mason, Draper & Co. is another large firm, and is located in the Free- 
 man shop at the Falls. It commenced manufacturing in 1870. It has in its 
 employ about seventy-five men, and has a line of specialties in rolled stock 
 plate, such as patent bracelets, ladies' sets, bar pins, etc., and has an office 
 in New York at 176 Broadway. The members are M. H. and S. D. Mason 
 and C. F. Draper. [This firm dissolved partnership and two firms subse- 
 (]ueutly formed are an outgrowth of it ; namely. Mason & Robbins and the 
 Mason Jewelry Co., both at Attleborough Falls. J 
 
 Smith & Crosby are also among the larger companies in the east part of 
 the town. The firm was established in 1872. with three members, AV. H. 
 8mith, A. R. Crosby, and C. E. Smith. The latter has since withdrawn, and 
 the two f(n-mer are the only partneis. The firm makes a specialty of solid 
 gold front goods, of which it produces a great variety, employing when busi- 
 ness is good fifty hands and fifteen engravers. 
 
 W. H. Wilmarth ifc Co. is still another large firm in East Attleborough, 
 and began its existence in 1872, with W. H. and J. C. AVilmarth, forming 
 the then firm of Wilmarth Brothers, which began business in Robinson's 
 old shop. In 1873 J. W. Luther was admitted to the firm, whicli was then 
 «tyled Luther & Wilmarth J^rothers. Shortly after Willard Wheeler 
 became a partner, and the name Luther, Wilmarth Brothers it Wheeler. 
 Messrs. J. C. Wilmarth, Luther, and Wheeler retired in succession, and in 
 1876 the entire business became vested in W. H. Wilmarth. The original 
 manufacture was rolled plated chain ; this was changed to brass and fire- 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUdH. 395 
 
 gilt chain ; then l)uttons were taken up ; and then again chain in electro- 
 plate and also sleeve-buttons, with perhaps other varieties. Tiiis firm has at 
 times given employment to a hundred and thirty-six hands. 
 
 [In May, 1890, Edwin B. Bullock bought tbisi bu>iiuess, which he has continued inuler the 
 same name, and for some years in the same building — Rolnnson's — where he occupied three 
 floors, 45 by SO feet in size, and employed from 160 to IT') operatives. The machinery in this 
 establishment is very complete in all departments, " including steam power, rolling mills, 
 presses, etc., a noticeable feature being the electro-plating apparatus, which is of the latest and 
 most approved style." Mr. Bullock is tlu; ]iossessor of the curious chain-making machines 
 formerly owned by F. G. Whitney & Co. A large variety of rolled gold jewelry •• of all kinds 
 and in all grades" is made liere, but the principal specialties are " lever and separable sleeve 
 and collar buttons, curb, rope, Geneva and fancy link ladies' and gents' chains, etc., in the best 
 quality electro rolled plate."' It is said " fifteen hundred styles of buttons are made here con- 
 stantly, three hundred old being discarded and three hundred new and popular styles substi- 
 tuted each year — that is, about one fresh novelty for each working day." Among the most 
 popular collar-buttons may be named the •' Dandy," the " Daisy" and the "Crescent," and at 
 tines one hundred gross of each of these has been manufactured daily. Mr. Bullock uses 
 many brilliants in his manufactures, and by a peculiar process of his own these are " made 
 from glass canes," and a very large proportion of them are sft by skilled lapidaries in his 
 employ, thus materially reducing both cost and price of the goods and benetiting both producer 
 and consumer. The traile of this firm extends to Europe, Australia, and Central and South 
 America, and many of the manufactures are for foreign trade specially, never being exhibited 
 in this country. The sales for the year 1890 or 1891 amounted to some §2()0,000. The New 
 York oftice is at 170 Broadway, Room 11. In 1893 Mr. Bullock built a large shop on the 
 corner of Hazel and School streets in the east part of the village, conunencing operations there 
 the first of September. Tt is three stories high, the main building 200 by 40 feet, the L TiO by 
 25 feet, and the office front 52 Ijy 20 feet. The firm uses two floors, the upper being unoccu- 
 pied. In .January. 1894, a stock company was formed under the name of "The AV. H. 
 Wilmarth & Co. Corporation."] 
 
 Streeter Brothers made their first venture in the autumn of 1867 in the 
 Steam Power Company factory, and later moved to the factory of W. D. 
 Wilmarth on County Street, where they still are. They manufacture gilt 
 jewelry with a specialty of chains, and employ some twenty-five or thirty, 
 hands. The members of the firm are Henry A. and Jolm F. Streeter. 
 
 Daniel H. Smith was in the jewelry business for about twenty years. — 
 beginning not far from 186(3, — some of the time in connection with otiiers, 
 but for a number of years by himself. He was for some time located in 
 Hayward's building making plated goods of several kinds, gentlemen's lock- 
 ets being a Specialty. He has recently made an entire change in his occupa- 
 tion and become an undertaker. He has rooms in Watson's Block, which are 
 supplied with everything necessary for the proper conduct of that business. 
 Mr. Smith is well fitted for this occupation and will fill a long-felt want. 
 
 Nelson Carpenter, since his withdrawal from the firm of Hayward & 
 Carpenter, has conducted business for himself. He was at first in D. H. 
 Smith's shop, and removed from that to his present location in the Bates 
 building, 13 Mill Street. His employees number over thirty, and he makes 
 chiefly pins, earrings, and scarfpins. 
 
 A. E. Dean began as a chaser about twenty years ago, and has always been 
 
39('> A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 in the same location, at 270 Washington Street, North Attleborough. He has 
 at times employed nine or ten men in this line of work, but at present, owing 
 to the depression of business, is alone.' 
 
 E. V. Jennev, successor to the lirni of C. W. Chase & Co., has been 
 located in the Richards building since February 1, 1882. He makes a 
 specialty of rolled-plate and fire-gilt rings. Just at present, business not 
 being brisk, he is engaged in buruishing work. [He has since left town.] 
 
 Daniel Crotty is also located in the Richards factory, where he employs 
 about ten hands in the making of electro-plate sleeve buttons. [He has gone 
 out of this business.] 
 
 J. N. Thomson & Co. are in the same factory — manufacturers of fine 
 gold plate jewelry. This business has been recently established. [One or 
 two changes were made in this business, but it had only a short existence.] 
 
 Thomas Totten & Co. have now a factory of their own near the depot in 
 North Attleborough. They were among the firms burned out in 1882 in 
 the Richardson factory. Their goods are rolled-gold plated chains, chain 
 trimmings, and chain bracelets. They have also been very successful in the 
 making of flat plated chaius. They furuish w^ork for about sixty employees. 
 
 Many other companies have beeu organized during the hundred years since 
 this industry began its existence here that are no longer in any way repre- 
 sented. Some have been merged into others, and some have ceased to exist 
 by beiug dissolved — such for instance as The Union Jewelry Co., formed 
 in 1855 or 1856, changed later to TiiOMrsoN, Richardson & Co., and finally 
 in 1861 terminated by dissolution. There are also many others at present in 
 existence of which no special mention is here made. It should be said that 
 recent facts have been furnished in a rather dull time, and the figures in many 
 instuuces, therefore, are to be taken as something of a discount upon the true 
 average. 
 
 For many years this trade has furnished employment for women as well as 
 men. They were first employed in the offices in putting the goods on to 
 cards and packing them in boxes, and for quite a long period occupation was 
 given at various homes in the making of chain. Both these are pleasant and 
 moderately lucrative occupations. At the present time women are employed 
 by soiru! firms quite hirgely in other departments. It is said they are (|uicker 
 in some kinds of work than men, and they do not comn^and as high wages, 
 wiiich is of course an advantage to the employer. Several firms also employ 
 women as bookkeepers. 
 
 vSome years ago the Chronicle gathered some statistics relating to the condi- 
 tion of the jewelry business at that time. These were published in its issue 
 of November 15, 1879. The statements are from fifty-three firms and are 
 
 ' The " at pi-escnt " — " now," etc, tlirouglioiit tliis cliapter refer to the spring of 18S7 — previous to 
 the rti vision of the town. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 397 
 
 said to iuclude the larger portiou of the manufactories then in town, with the 
 exception of those in South and West Attleborough, which would give an 
 increase of only four or five. The figures given were for the month of 
 September, 1871). The fifty-three firms were employing 2,081 hands with 
 an aggregate payroll of $101,461. The goods shipped during that month 
 were worth the large sum of $31)8,210. Several firms declined to give statis- 
 tics, and the Chronicle made an estimate of these as emploving 372 hands 
 with a payroll of S19,750 and a shipment of $83,000, which makes a large 
 addition to the above given figures. The average rate of wages was '•'just 
 about " $2 per day. The largest number of hands employed in any one shop 
 was 125. There were five firms that together employed 525. The largest 
 payroll was $6,100, and the five largest aggregated $24,1)00. The largest 
 shipment by any one firm amounted to $32,500, and five firms shipped in the 
 month to the amount of $123,314. To-daj' there are one luindred manufac- 
 turing establishments in town, and to carry out some of the above figures 
 there should be now about 3,1)00 employees, and, the proportions being the 
 same for a given month, a payroll of $191,435 and a shipment amounting to 
 the sum of $751,339. Large as these figures appear, they are probably less 
 than the true aggregate. To the hundred manufactories mentioned above 
 must be added twenty establishments now in existence, engaged in other 
 branches of the trade — enamelers, engravers, chasers, refiners, makers of 
 jewelers' findings, etc., but all directly connected with and a part of it. 
 There is no other foivn in the country where so large a business of this nature 
 is done. Providence, R. I., and Newark, N. J., are largely interested in the 
 manufacture of jewelry, but no comparison with them can be made, as they 
 are both large cities. 
 
 In what has been said of this great enterprise no attempt has been made 
 to trace its growth in any one portiou of the town as compared with another. 
 At the present writing no division has been effected ; we are still the town of 
 Attleborough. To the outside world certainly the credit due any part is due 
 the whole. Whatever the near or the far future may have in store, the first 
 century of our chronicles of jewelry belongs to the good old single town of 
 Attleborough ; therefore in the preceding sketch no sectional lines have been 
 drawn, but from the material at hand the facts have been arranged chiefly 
 by date — though with some irregularities — and without much regard to 
 locality. Only a mere sketch of this business has been attempted, not a 
 history — that complete would of itself fill the pages of a very large volume. 
 Rut if some little idea of its rise and progress has been given, and any at all 
 adequate conception of its magnitude can be formed by people whose personal 
 knowledge of it may be limited, the desired purpose will have been fully 
 iiccomplished. 
 
 [During the yeiirs since the above chapter was written many changes have taken place in 
 firms and their locations, and such of them as have been ascertained have been mentioned with 
 
398 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the particular notit^es. New firms have also been fornietl, but such obviously canuot with 
 propriety have si)ecial mention, as the division made an end to the history of Attlel)orough 
 proper. New buildings have been erected by several firms, such as Codding Brothers, who 
 have built a shop on Jay Street, near Elm, in North Attleborougli, and an addition has been 
 made to the J. E. Draper & Co. building in the same village. J. M. Bates has also built 
 another shop at East Attleborougli, and other buildings there have already been mentioned. 
 
 Many changes have occurred in the style and kind of goods produced as the demands of a 
 fickle, Huctuating market require. Sometimes this change is simply an addition to the original 
 production, which is continued, as in the case of O. M. Draper, who, besides his original spe- 
 cialty of fire-gilt goods, makes a line of rolled-plate chains; again there may bo a cessation for 
 the time being of the old productions for lines entirely new, as with II. H. Curtis & Co., who 
 are coutining themselves to novelties — though of a large variety — in silver goods. Such, too, 
 is the case with Blake ii^: Claflin, who make now very little of their old style of jewelry, but are 
 manufacturing a great variety of sterling silver articles, such as individual butter plates, salt- 
 cellars with spoons, ladies' combs, fancy hairi>ins, bor net-pins, l)elt-buckles, and many other 
 small things, such as pai)er-cutters, penholders, umbrella tags, etc., for both ornament and 
 use; while for gentlemen especially suspender clasps, key-rings, knives. iMgar-cutters, and 
 pocket niatchsafes may be mentioned, t'le latter being their specialty and numbering several 
 hundred ditterent styles and patterns in shape and finish. These and some other articles are 
 made also in soli<l gold. Watson it Newell have for some time been making a great many 
 spoons of varied shapes and decorations, specimens of which may be bought in cities all over the 
 coimtry as souveiurs of each place. It is said that thousands of the souvenir spoons sold in 
 every department of the World's Fair, from the Midway Plaisanee to the Liberal Arts Building, 
 were made by dilierent firms here, while a great many articles of jewelry sold as specimens of 
 the production or handicraft of the country oft'ering them —whether Egyjit, Bulgaria. Turkey, 
 or Spain — were made in the shops of our Eastern States, and no doubt their full pro!)ortioii 
 in our towns. 
 
 .\ new line of manufacture has recently been taken up by French .t Franklin, of North 
 Attleborough, in silver filigree, which much resembles and apparently equals the famous deli- 
 cate Genoese work of that description.' The specimens seen by the writer were extremely 
 pretty; a little grand piano two or three inches long i)ut quite perfect in proportion and finish, 
 a tiny street car with windows of real glass, and <iinte small enough for the most diminutive 
 fairy horse to draw, with chairs, tables and sofas all fit for the use of the daintiest elfin queen, 
 in (juaint and beautiful designs. Examples of this nature might be nndtii)lied almost indefi- 
 nitely, and to none would the variety and number of articles of excjuisite design and beautiful 
 workmanship manufactured in the two towns be more of a surprise than to a large number of 
 our inhabitants themselves. One may purchase in many of the leading jewelry and silverware 
 estaljlishments of our cities articles of elegance and price, bearing the trademark of the firm 
 selling them, whirh were made within the limits of what was so long known as the town of 
 Attleborough. 
 
 A mere glance at statistics or facts serves to make the proportions which this business has 
 assumed seem amazing. Its products have penetrated to the " ends of the earth," and gained 
 for our territory a wide reputation. It is true that this is often referred to by the applica- 
 tion of that familiar and rather derisive epithet of " cheap jewelry town,'' and indeed we might 
 l)e very well content, if nothing further was done, with the reputation that same chea]) jewelry 
 deserves, — for a great deal of cunning, skill, and ingenuity have been required in the develop 
 nient of tint branch of the trade, and the goods are in every respect exactly and only what 
 they claim to be, — but we know that our manufacturers are capable of a much higher grade of 
 work than those goods exhibit, and that they are constantly conceiving and producing articles, 
 cleverly (•ombining in new and pleasing fashion both ancient and modern forms of beauty, 
 which need not fear competition with others of their kind anywhere for real artistic merit in 
 >tyle. workmanship, or iloign.] 
 
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HISTORY OF ATTLEBOIWUGH. 399 
 
 chaptp:r XIV. 
 
 SOCIETIES, ORGANIZATIONS, ETC. 
 
 IN the eiirly part of tliis century two social societies were formed in town, wliich flourished 
 for a ninnber of years. One of these was called "The Attieboro' Society for the 
 Encouragement of Agriculture, Arts, and Social Intercourse." The constitution of this 
 society was ratitied February 22, 1804, witli forty-nine members, many of them men whose 
 names were familiar to the town records, as they were prominently engaged in the public 
 alfairs of their day, and like names are familiar to the ears of the present generation, — as 
 Elisha May, Joel Ellis, Joseph Tirtany, Carlos Barrows, Joel Read, Noah Clafliu, etc. 
 The constitution contained eight articles, and in all some forty-tive sections. Its provisions 
 were certainly ample and " covered the entire ground.'' It seems to have been constructed 
 somewhat upon the plan of the sermons of its date, especially in the number of "heads" it 
 comprised. The requirements of membersiup were as follows: •' The (pjalitications necessary 
 in order to be admitteil a member of this society are, adult age, a good moral character, 
 a satisfactery knowledge of this Constitution, and mental endowments competent to understand 
 and promote the designs of this institution." Honorary members were also elected. 
 
 The society's annual meetings were held on February 22, as an expression of veneration 
 to Washington, "the patron of order, and the friend of man." On this date in 1805 an 
 address, a copy of which has been presented i to the library in East Attleborough, was 
 delivered before the society by the Rev. John Wilder, a. ivi., his subject being "Man and his 
 Intellect," etc., ending with a fine peroration upon Washington. The other regular meetings 
 were held "on the Monday next preceding the full moon in the months of October, 
 November, December, January, March and April," and sometimes a meeting was held in 
 July, should the society so appoint. This society was incorporated in 1816. Its library 
 contained about three hundred volumes. The l)ooks were of a very substantial character, 
 such as Burke's Works, in four volumes, Adams' Defence of the Constitution. Belknap's 
 History of New Hampshire, Robertson's History of Charles the Fifth, etc. Our grandfathers 
 knew little of novels and romances, and fortunately they were fewer then than now. This 
 society had a hall in connection with the schoolhouse in AVest Attleborough where its meetings 
 were held. Before 1800 Moses Read gave a lot of four acres for a training field and later this 
 building was erected on the lot, the same on which the "Old Powder House"' now stands. 
 The building was the district schoolhouse and the cost of its erection was shared by the 
 association, which occupied the upper floor for its books and meetings. At these debating 
 gatherings the order, it is said, was to have addresses of an hour's length, followed by tne 
 social part of the evening — the tapping of the liquor kegs and the discussions on politics, etc. 
 
 The other society was called " The Social Library and Farmers' Historical and Geographical 
 Society." This was estal)lished in 1805, founded, it is said, by Dr. Capron. The library 
 contained about two hundred volumes, and in it might be found such books as Bunyan's 
 Pilgrim's Progress, Watts' Hymns, Baxter's Saints' Rest, and others of a similar nature, with 
 doubtless geographical, historical, and agricultural works. At the annual meetings addresses 
 were delivered by such eminent men as Tristam Burgess. Somewhere about 1835 these 
 libraries were divided among the members by auction and the societies were dissolved. 
 
 A Lyceum was established in 1830. Nothing beyond this fact is known of that organization. 
 
 An agricultural library was formed in East Attleborough many years ago, which contained 
 some useful works on farming. It was started by a Boston man, who sold the shares at five 
 dollars apiece. In the course of a few years this was united with a more miscellaneous library, 
 having alxjut one hundred and fortv volumes. 
 
 By ilr. .Joseph W. Capron. 
 
400 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ATTLKHOKOUGU LIBRARY ASSOCIATIOX. 
 
 Ill the autumn of 1857 Mrs. Ilandel N. Dagj,'ett brou,;;ht from " western New York" to this 
 town the idea of '• Mite Societies." The first meeting of the kind held here was in November 
 of that year at the residence of John Daggett, from thirty to forty jiersous being present. 
 A hat was passed among them for a contribution of " mites," and the amount raised was 
 $1.3.5. This small fund was the nucleus of the association. Meetings took place occasionally, 
 and during the following year some books were purchased. Mr. C. J. Thompson had these in 
 charge in his periodical store, on the site now occupied by Briggs" Block. The early records 
 are very meagre. The first known I'eport bears date March 10, 18(30, and during that year, at 
 least, John Daggett was president of the association, and the library numljcred one hundred 
 and thirty-seven volumes. 
 
 The approaching war naturally at this time absorlied the attention of everybody and 
 interfered with literary organizations. The next record known is of a meeting held January 
 (i, ISGo, when it was voted that the association should unite with the Agricultural Library 
 Association. The exact date when this union was cousnmmated is not known, but it was 
 some time during 1864. On March 30 of that year the then president, Dr. J. R. Bronson, with 
 L. M. Stanley, A. M. Everett, and John Daggett, were chosen a committee to revise the 
 constitution and by-laws. In a warrant for a meeting to be held March 19, 18(;5, was this 
 article: •' To see what measures, if any, the association will take with regard to those holding 
 shares in the Agricultural Lilirary." This article was laid on the table and two ditierent 
 meetings were adjourned without action being taken upon it. 
 
 Just previous to this time, in .January, 1805, the idea of l)ecoming a library corporation had 
 been started. A petition for a warrant to call a meeting, signed by ten gentlemen, was 
 presented to Mr. Joseph Capron, who called a meeting for February 6, when it was voted to 
 organize and become a body corporate. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up and 
 adopted on February 11, and on March (i the following oflicers were elected: J. W. Capron, 
 president; Charles E. Bliss, vice-president; A. M. Everett, secretary and treasui'er. It was 
 also voted at that time to transfer the property of the "Association" to the "Corporation." 
 This proceeding was somewhat irregular, but is explained by the fact that the members of the 
 one body transferred themselves as well as the property to the other. Mr. Capron held the 
 office of president until 1874; then George N. Crandall until 187(3, when Amos Ide was elected. 
 He did much for the Ijenetit of the society. In 1878 George P. Fittz was elected to this office, 
 and in 1880 G. F. Bickiiell. 
 
 After the books were removed from Mr. Thompson's store they were jilaced in charge of 
 Mr. A. M. Everett, who was then occupying a store on North Main Street. In 1872 they were 
 in Miss H. N. Capron's store on the same street, just above Park Street. On January 1, 1874 . 
 3Ir. and Mrs. W. R. Cobb bought some of the books and opened a library in the last-mentioned 
 store on their own account. This circulating library consisted chiefly of novels and books of 
 travel, and reached some five hundred and fifty volumes in size. They relinquished this 
 library after some years, but what disposition they made of their books does not apijcar, 
 ur.less, as is probable, they came into the hands of the association. A Mr. Stetson had charge 
 of the library for some time, first under Union Hall and later in Briggs' Block, to which place 
 he reinovetl, and still later Miss Mengel had charge of it there. The purchase of new books 
 was nominally in charge of officers of the association, but was at times delegated to ladies. 
 
 For a short time, from March. 1884. till July, 18S5, when the affairs of the association seemed 
 to be at a rather low ebb, a private circulating library, containing two hundred and five 
 volumes, was kept by Geoi"ge H. Ilerrick at his jewelry store. He still has the books in his 
 possession, but after the other library started up again it ceased to pay for keeping it open. 
 
 ATTI.E15UROUGII I'UliLIC L11U:aI:V. 
 
 The desirability of ha\ ing a free library estalilishcd upon a permanent basis had long been 
 felt and talked about, and the preliminary steps in that direction were taken January 15, 1885. 
 At that time a committee was chosen to appoint another committee, which should, as soon as 
 possible, report upon the best method of arranging a permanei t organization. This work was 
 done and on February 2, 1885, an association was formed and called" The Attleborough Public 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOjROUGH. 401 
 
 Library. ■■ By-laws were adopted at that time and the committee recommended that eighteen 
 ilirecturs should be chosen. The following orticers wei-e elected: President, E. S. Hortou; 
 Vi(^e-Presideut, Miss Mary J. Capron; Secretary and Treasurer, Dr. C. S. Holden, all ot 
 whom still hold these ottices. Sal)seriptions were at once solicited and also gifts of books and 
 other things and in every way the responses were generous. The largest single gift in money 
 was :si00 and the smallest gift 50 cents. At the time of the opening of the library there were 
 one hundred and seven persons who had paid the necessary two-dollar membership tax. 
 Over $1,600 had Ijeen expended and near $100 more pledged. 
 
 In 1S7S the old library catalogued 708 volumes, which number had so increased that the new 
 association received from it 8-25 volumes. Some of these were, however, worthless and many 
 had to be rebound. At the opening the present library had 1,700 volumes, and at present 
 there are 3,025. It has two rooms in Horton's block which are open on Wednesdays and 
 Satui'days from two till nine o'clock r.M.. under the charge of the librarian. Mrs. M. A. 
 Mowton. (1887.) 
 
 The association is at present entirely dependent upon voluntary subscriptions, with the 
 exception of the trifling sum obtained from tines; but an attempt has recently been made to 
 obtain the income of the Richardson School Fund for its benefit. This fund, as has been 
 seen, was limited to the use of a few districts, and as these are now al)olished and the town is 
 abundantly able to provide for all the needs of the public schools, it has been deemed 
 advisable, as it certainly is desirable, to expend this income in such a manner as to do the most 
 good possible and to the largest number. The consent of the majority of the heirs of the 
 Richardson estate to the carrying out of the suggested plan has been obtained and the 
 following report presented to the Supreme Court of the State for legal adjustment: — 
 
 " Ths first board of Trustees of the Richardson School Fund were elected by the second 
 Parish or Precinct of Attleboro at a parish meeting held jNIarch 28<ii 1846.— 
 
 "• At a parish meeting held March 25, 1848, * The Trustees of the Richardson School Fund 
 reported that they had received of John Daggett, Esq. executor of the estate of Abiathar 
 A. Richardson $11,000, on the 22d. day of Feb. a.d. 1847 and had loaned the same on real 
 estate securities, and on the 22d of Feb. A.i>. 1848 had divided among the school districts in 
 said parish nine and one half months interest, viz: $529.90 agreeable to said will of Abiathar 
 A. Richardson, which report was accepted.' 
 
 " The tirst apportionment of the income of fund to the school districts as apjjears from the 
 records was made Feb. 22, 1848 amt $539.00. 
 
 •* The last apportionment was made Feb. 22, 1882, amt $710.04" 
 
 The decision of the court being favorable, the library will be placed upon a thoroughly sub- 
 stantial footing, and no longer subjected to the vacillations of general charity. The greatest 
 remaining need of the association will then he a suital)le Iniilding of its own. It is to be hoped 
 that before very long as beautiful a Memorial Hall will be built in this part of the Rehoboth 
 North Purchase as has recently been erected in Rehol>oth old town.' 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBURUUGH PUBLIC LIBKAUA'. 
 
 Some liffcen years ijrior to the formaiion of the last-mentioned association a similar one was 
 formed in North Attleborough. A meeting of the citizens of that village was held Octolier 24. 
 1870, in the vestry of the old Universalist church •' to consider the feasibility of establishing 
 a Public Library." A committee was at that time chosen to mature a proper plan. i)ut no 
 record of its members' names appears to have been made. There were present at this meeting 
 Rev. J. D. Pierce, Simeon Bowen. Esq., B. Porter. Ji\. John Thompson, Henry Rice. John 
 
 ' The matter of the requested dispositiou of the " School Fund " has not yet been decided hy the 
 «ourt, but at the annual spring- meeting in 18SS the town voted to assume the support of the library, 
 and therefore without the income of this fund its flnan<;ial status for the future is assured. The 
 aflairs of the liljrary are in the hands of nine trustees appointeil l)y the town, tin-ee being appointed 
 eacli year for a term ot tliree years. This board Is composed ot botli ladies and gentlemen. The 
 present quarters of the library — the two rear rooms on the tirst floor of Sturdy's Block — are more 
 convenient and commodious than those in Horton's Block. The lilirarian is Mrs. Nellie A. Black- 
 inton (1894). 
 
402 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Stanley, and a few others. The tirst recorded committee was an executive committee 
 appointed at a meeting' held shortly .subsequent to the altove-mentioned date, and consisting 
 of the foliowini; i^entlenien : Rev. J. D. Pierce, Simeon T$owen, B. Porter, Jr., Henry Rice, and 
 Felix G. Whitney. The first ottt'cers chosen were: President, Rev. ,1. D. Pierce; Vice-Presi- 
 dent, S. S. Giiuiodo; Treasurer, F. G. Whitney; Secretary, O. C. Turner. It was agreed that 
 the amount required to constitute life membership should be twenty-tive dollars, payable, if so 
 desired, in instalments within two years from the date of the first payment made, and annual 
 dues were placed at one dollar. These were afterwards raised to two dollars, but in 1ST2 ai;uin 
 placed at the original sum. 
 
 The library was first opened in Willanl IlailV house. At that time five hundred mendjers of 
 the association had paid one dollar each. The number of life raeml)ers, if any, is not known, 
 but the number of volumes was five hundred, purchased at a cost of about $000, and selected 
 by B. Porter, Jr., and Henry Rice. The number of volumes was soon increased to six hun- 
 dred, and this increase was largely due to the efforts of Mrs. (Jharles E. Smith, who was 
 ai'tive in raising the sum of $100 to procure another hundred volumes " to add to the first pur- 
 chase, she naming the books to be purchased." Financial ditticnlties arose after a time, and it 
 was proposed that these be met by securing ten persons to become life members by the pay- 
 ment of the necessary sum, s;25, and this was done some time during the second year of the 
 existence of the association. To the eftbrts of those present at the first meeting held in ISTQ 
 the library association owes its existence, and to the ten persons who in 1872 became life mem- 
 bers, its continuation. 
 
 In December, 1ST3, it was voted to hire a room in Kendall's Block and oi>en a reading-room, 
 wliich was done, and the suggestion made by Mr. F. G. Whitney that twenty-five gentlemen 
 be asked to subscribe i$25 each met with a generous number of responses and the funds were 
 thus (-omfortably increased. At this time the number of volumes, exclusive of public docu- 
 ments, was 760. This association continued under voluntary support for five years, at tlie end 
 of wliich time, in October. 1875, it was unanimously voted "that the property of the associa- 
 tion be transferred to the Union Improvement District, subject to the indebtedness of said 
 association, and in accordance with the vote of said district." The property was all to be given 
 to the district, which in turn voted to support the library by the payment of a sum not to 
 exceed s.iOO per annum. 
 
 The library was for a time in the Odd Fellows Building, but is at present again in Kendall's 
 Block. There are 3.000 volumes and all the leading nuigazines are subscribed for by the asso- 
 ciation. There is no special reading-room, but there are accommodations in the library room 
 for visitors desiring to read there. A new card catalogue has recently been issued which is 
 a great improvement upon the previous catalogues. It gives the names of authors and such 
 of their publications as are in the library, and also describes these books so that any person 
 giving a writer's name can at once ascertain which of his books are to be found in the library, 
 and also of what they treat; or, knowing only the subject or title of any work, can easily learn 
 the author of the same. This catalogue, which is manifestly a great convenience and an econo- 
 mizer of time, was arranged with great care and at a cost of much time and trouble by Mr. 
 Maxson. and to him are due the sincerest thanks, not only of the librarians, but of all those 
 persons throughout the entire village who make use of the contents of the library. The books 
 here are accessible to the public on two afteruoons and three evenings during the week and are 
 in charge of a librarian and three assistants. 
 
 Rev. J. D. Pierce held the office of president during the Wve years of the existence of the 
 association as a separate organization; S. S. (iinuodo, F. G. Pate, and Rev. J. S. Beers that of 
 vice-president; O. C. Turner, E. K. Dunbar, and E. R. Price that of secretary; and F. G. 
 Whitney that of treasurer. Ella I. Barden, now Mrs. G. Eugene Fisher, was the first libra- 
 rian, and she served two years. Succeeding her and i)revious to the transfer of the property 
 to the Improvement I)istri('t the position was occupied by Kate S. Bailey and W^illiam Usher. 
 The early prudential (;onunittees, as nearly as could be ascertained, were as follows: first, 
 Henry Rice, John Stanley, S. S. Ginnodo, O. C. Turner, and B. Porter, Jr.; in 1873, B. Porter, 
 Jr., S. S. Ginnodo, Rev. J. S. Beers, George W. Oheever, and E. K. Dunbar; in ls74. B. 
 Porter, Jr., John Stanley. F. G. Pate, G. W. Cheever, and Albert Totten, and by them the 
 transfer was made. The librarian in 1887 was John Ward. The prudential conuuittee were 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 403 
 
 Henry M. Maxson, E. I. Franklin, aud C C. Peck, the first named being superintendent and 
 having charge of the purcliases of books, etc. [At its annual meeting in the spring of 1S«9 
 the town of North Attleborough voted to assume all the duties and responsibilities of the 
 Improvement District, the management and support of tlie library among them, and about this 
 time the removal to the i^resent rooms in Boyle Block occurred. Miss Irene W. Day was made 
 librarian, and still continues in the position. The artairs of the library are placed in the hands 
 of a board of six trustees. These are chosen by the town, " two each year for a term of three 
 years." The annual appropriation has for a number of years been .fl,.500. The library now 
 contains about 3,500 books, and from 300 to .350 volumes are added yearly. In 1803 Mrs. John 
 Tweedy, 31iss Harriet T. and Mr. E. Ira Kichards '• announced their purpose to l)uild for the 
 town a library building, to i)e called the Eichards Memorial Library," in memory of their father 
 and mother, Edmund Ira aud Lucy Morse Richards. They have already purchased a suitable 
 lot on the corner of Washington aud Grove streets, for about .$6,000, and building operations 
 have commenced. It has been estimated that the entire cost of the memorial will be not far 
 from f25,000. The board of Trustees at the time this otter was made consisted of the following 
 named persons: Chairman. Edward R. Price; Secretary, Rev. George E. Osgood; Miss Leda 
 J. Thompson, Joseph B. Gerould, M.i>., and John P. Bonnett. There was one vacancy 
 '■ throui^h failure to qualify." North Attleborough is most fortunate in being the recipient of 
 so noble a gift — one bestowed with a large generosity aud in unrestricted entirety. In uo other 
 way probably could a gift be made whose good results would be so widespread ^ditfusing 
 themselves abroad in a never-ending and ever-increasing x'atio — for every present and future 
 inhabitant of the town, whether high or low, rich or poor, may avail himself or herself of the 
 advantages accruing from it, at will. The memorial is a proof not oidy of the liberality, but 
 of the true loyalty of the members of this family to the town of their IMrth. For this indeed 
 they are specially worthy of praise, because the trait is rather rare, and in every way they are 
 deserving of the sincere and continued gratitude of the whole town for thus liestowing upon 
 it a perpetual, practical benelit. 
 
 The building is Renaissance in style and to be built of " brick and terra-cotta resting on a 
 foundation of Warsaw bluestone, of which the steps and bases of the columns are also made." 
 Light cream terra-cotta forms various trimmings, and " the roof is to be covered with a dark 
 red slate flashed and ornamented with quaint little copper dormers, in the windows of which 
 will swing white latticed sashes." The porch will be supported by Ionic columns of terra- 
 cotta, and in the centre of the wall space which it encloses will be a tablet of Sienna marble 
 " bearing a suitable inscription." The entrance leads to a square vestibule wainscoted in quar- 
 tered oak. of which wood the heavy outside door is to be made. The interior will be in its 
 general efl'ect one room, sixty-seven feet long and thirty feet wide, with a ceiling elliptical in 
 form and reaching a height of eighteen feet in the centre, but " divided by paneled partitions 
 nine feet in height into three rooms, the central of which is the reception hall or distribution 
 room." On the right is the Ijookroom, occupying a space of twenty by thirty feet, " calculated 
 to hold eventually 14,.500 volumes," and at the left is the reading-room twenty-four and a half 
 feet long by thirty wide, " from one corner of which extends a circular recessed alcove con- 
 taining a bookcase designed for reference books." 
 
 This room " is wainscoted nine feet high, and at the end opposite its entrance is a bi'oad 
 open tireplace of brick tile and wrought iron, with a shelf of polished marble, supported by 
 faience consoles. At either side of the fireplace are set broad paneled pilasters of wood 
 which will be exquisitely carved. The cornice which is supported by these pilasters is identi- 
 cal in height with the wainscoting of the room, and forms the base to a round arched recess 
 and at the same time a resting-place for portraits of the late Edmund Ira and Lucy M. 
 Richards, in memory of whom the building is erected." A wing in the rear will contain a 
 room eleven and a half by sixteen and a half feet in size with an open fireplace, devoted to 
 the uses of the librarian and trustees. 
 
 •• The finish of the interior is Renaissance in style, and the same dull red aud old ivory effect 
 obtained for the exterior is here i-eflected in a softer, more delicate and refined way in accord- 
 ance with the finer detail here employed. Here the wainscoting is old ivory in tone, the doors, 
 tables, counters and seats mahogany, which represents the yellowish red desired, and the ceil- 
 ing, which is elliptical, is tinted in a soft dull red." Cypress is used in the bookroom with 
 
404 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 eight eases at first, there beiiis,' space within for more when reijuired. and without, ground 
 room is reserved for a wing for books should the liljrary largely increase. A combination of 
 direct and indirect steam heating will be used, with ample provision for proper ventilation, and 
 the incandescent system of electric lighting employed. Gould. Angell & Swift, of Providence 
 and Boston, are the architects, and Messr.s. Houlihan »t Maguire, of Providence, the builders. 
 
 On June l(i. 1894. the cornerstone of this building was laid with the elaborate Masonic 
 ritual, by othcers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massacluisetts. The day was beauti- 
 ful and notwithstanding the intense heat a large number of people gathered in the portion of 
 AVashington Street from the Wamsutta House to Grove Street and collected about the site of 
 the building whose foundation walls had been floored over to accommodate the specially invited 
 guests. The procession consisted — in order — of a detachment of tire police. Hedley's 
 National Baud of Providence, and delegations from Bristol Commandery Knights Templars 
 of North Attleborough, King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter of Attieborough, Keystone Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Foxborough, Ezekiel Bates Lodge of Attleborough, St. James Lodge of 
 Mansfield, St. Albaus Lodge of Foxborough, and Bristol Lodge of North Attleliorough. 
 numbering upwards of two hundred men, with fourteen grand ofticers. 
 
 The program commenced with an overture by the band, followed Ijy a liynni sung by the 
 famed Temple Quartet of Boston; Mr. E. R. Price, chairman of the library trustees, made 
 request that the cornerstone be laid, and the Deputy Grand Master replied; selections of 
 Scripture were read responsively by the Grand Chaplain and the Brethren, followed by prayer, 
 and then the reading of the list of contents of the box by the Grand Treasurer. Some forty 
 or fifty articles were placed in the l)0x, consisting of historical and memorial sketches of mem- 
 bers of the Richards family, with several photographs, a history of the library, a catalogue of 
 the same, town reports, numerous Masonic papers, — organizations of lodges, i)y-laws, etc.. — 
 several town newspapers ami a Providence Journal, copies of the letters of donation of the 
 building and its acceptance by tlie town, a record written by Miss Harriet T. Richards, a sealed 
 envelope with the indorsement " To whom it may concern in future years," etc. The jewels 
 were then applied to the cornerstone; '' the Deputy Grand Master spread the cement assisted 
 by the chairman of the library committee, and the stone was lowered into place; " the lilKitions 
 of corn anil wine and oil were poured each by a special olficer and each followed by an appro- 
 priate hymn by the quartet; a prayer by the Grand Chaplain, and the presentation of the 
 working tools to the representative of the architects followed, and then the Dei^uty Grand 
 Master made a short address which he closed as follows, with sentiments all present could 
 most heartily endorse : " jVIay the cornerstone safely rest, a symbol of the permanence of 
 truth and justice. May the Ricliards 3Iemorial Library building stand, not simply an orna- 
 ment to this tow'n, but be the means of great good. May it perpetuate the memory of the 
 virtues of that family whose name it bears and stand as a monument of filial regard and afi'ec- 
 tion." The Grand Marshal proclaimed the cornerstone laid, the quartet sang a fine invoca- 
 tion liymn, the Grand Chaplain pronounced the benediction, and with the rendering of The 
 Star-Spangled Banner by the band the ceremonies were brought to a close. 
 
 The procession re-formed and marched to the rooms of Bristol Lodge. The Grand Officers, 
 with Past Masters of the Blue Lodges, were handsomely entertained with an elaborate dinner 
 at the '' Maples," and the visiting lodges with a collation at Wamsutta Hall. To all apprecia- 
 tive persons that was indeed a red-letter day in the annals of the old village and the new town 
 of North Attleborough, and there can be but one to surpass it in interest, that day when, the 
 beautiful building completed, it shall be dedicated to its destined uses by the opening of its 
 doors to the public, and the great good, now a future anticipation, shall begin to be a present 
 realization. We cannot close this brief sketch of the Memorial Library with moi'e fitness than 
 to quote a sentence from the Evening Chronicle, to whose columns we are indebted for nuich 
 of what it contains : '* The generosity of the Richards family will go down into the years that 
 are to come."] 
 
 There is another lilirary in North Attleborough. Razee's Library, which was Ojiened al)out 
 1874. This is entirely a private enterprise, not in any degree a philanthropic one. and claims 
 to be conducted on purely business principles. It contains a goodly munber of the new and 
 popular books of the day, and these being acceptable to the general jiublic it is largely patron- 
 ized, and is therefore in a prosperous condition financially. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 405 
 
 MILITAUY OKGAXIZATIOXS. 
 
 This town had at one time four organized companies of militia, and one company of cavalry 
 whose members were chiefly from the town, and one independent foot company. One com- 
 pany, it is certain, was also' organized during the war of 1812, for special service, and there 
 may have l^een other such. Nothing has been ascertained regarding the cavalry company 
 beyond the fact of its existence, and very little relating to the four militia companies. The 
 names of their captains have been ascertained, however, and these are given in the order of 
 their service. i 
 
 NORTH COMPANY. 
 
 Mayhew Daggett, 
 John Robinson, 
 Jabez Ellis, 
 Jonathan Stanley, 
 John Stearns, 
 Ebenezer Bacon, 
 Israel Hatch, 
 Obed Robinson, 
 Jacob Graves, 
 George Bacon, 
 Israel Hatch, Jr., 
 William Walcott, 
 Elihu Daggett, 
 Chester Bugbee, 
 Timothy E. Robinson. 
 
 SOUTH COMPANY. 
 John Foster, 
 Sanmel Tyler, 
 Ebenezer Tyler, 
 Jafob Ide, 
 Joseph Tittany. 
 Ebenezer Tyler, Jr., 
 Daniel Read, 
 Ira K. Miller, 
 Harvey Ide, 
 Nathan H. BHss. 
 
 EAST COMPANY. 
 
 John Daggett, 
 Stephen Richardson, 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Abiathar Richardson, 
 Caleb Parmenter, 
 Thomas French, 
 Jonathan Follett, 
 Jonathan Wilmarth, 
 Abiathar Richardson, Jr., 
 Benjamin Polcom (BolUcom?). 
 Edward Richardson, 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Samuel Carpenter, 
 Willard Blackinton. 
 
 WEST COMPANY. 
 
 Joseph Brown, 
 Eiisha May, 
 Japheth Bicknell, 
 Timothy Gay, 
 Samuel Tingley, 
 Sylvanus Tingley, 
 Clark Sweetlaud, 
 Joel Robinson, 
 Samuel Slack, 
 Joseph Holmes. 
 
 The names of the first captains show that these companies must have been organized in the 
 days of the war of the Revolution, and they were all in existence in 1834. Some years prior 
 to that time several of our militia men figured prominently in a very interesting occurrence. 
 In 1828 there was a brigade muster in Berkeley,- this State. The force consisted of five regi- 
 ments, one squadron of cavalry, and one battalion of artillery; of this force the Fourth Regi- 
 ment was commanded by Colonel Ira K. Miller, the squadron of cavalry by Major Jonathan 
 Bliss, and the battalion of artillery by Major Senaca Sanfonl, all of this town. 
 
 The independent company's charter name was the " Washington Ritle Corps of Attlebor- 
 ough." 3 In 1815 a petition was addressed to the Governor and Executive Council of the Com- 
 
 1 The Editor is indebted to tlie late Lyman W. Daggett, for this list of captains' names. 
 
 ^Tlie incident, recently published in some newspaper, had connection with the so-called Nichols 
 house in Berkeley, which was burned not long ago. The muster was on a field near that house.— 
 Editor. 
 
 "For most of the information relating to this famous rifle corps I am indebted to Mr. Edward R. 
 Price, who courteously loaned me the book of the company's records. This came into his possession 
 on tlie ileath of his father, the last captain. Judging rightly, I am sure that the words of the old 
 records tliemselves will carry more interest to the reader tlian any others, no matter how well chosen. 
 I have let them tell their own story as far as possible. — Editor. 
 
406 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 monweiilth, signed by :M:irtiii "Whitney and forty others, stating that the sul)scribers had long 
 held a favorable opinion a.-; to the advisability of raising volunteer companies when it could be 
 done without "essential injury to the local Militia." They pledged themselves to obtain 
 proper uniforms and equipments, to conform to all the rules binding upon such organizations 
 elsewhere, and to '* hold themselves in a regular state of preparation to march in defence of 
 this State, at a moment's wai-ning, to any place where their assistance shall be lawfully 
 demanded." They declared themselves actuated by neither passion, prejudice, nor a spirit of 
 change, but as having the real interest and true welfare of the Coumiouwealth at heart, and 
 its ••great Military importance, with its political consequence, and proper influence," and they 
 stated that *• to add a laurel to the Majestic brow of their native State, would give them great 
 satisfaction." For these and other reasons set forth in glowing terms, they '• presume to peti- 
 tion " for the desired charter, and at the same time recommend the bearer, who must have 
 been Mr. Whitney, to his "Excellency," as "a Gentleman of honor," who is competent and 
 ready to answer all necessary (piestions, and " they flatter themselves " that under all the cir- 
 cumstances, " manner and matter of petition," etc., it will be favorably received. 
 
 In this they were right, and their charter was granted June 9, 1815, and " by the Governor 
 approved." The company was to be raised within the limits of the Fourth Kegiment, Second 
 Brigade, and Fifth Division of the Militia, and "annexed to the said 4th. Reg. provided that 
 the Standing Companies of Militia are not reduced thereby to a less number than is recjuired 
 by law." The following order was received by Mr. Whitney : — 
 
 Head Quarters. New Bedford, Juiv 3, 1S15. 
 Brigade Orders. 
 
 Mr. Martin Whitney, Sir, 
 
 agreeably to General Orders of the 9 Division 
 Orders of the 16. Ulto, you are liereby directed to assemble with your associates in a petition 
 for raising a Company of Rifle Corps, at the House of Capt. Benj" Bolkcom, Inn-holder in 
 Attlel)orough, on Thursday the third day of August next, at two o'clock in tiie afternoon, for 
 the purpose of electing the necessary Officers for said Company. You will give each indi- 
 vidual at least ten days notice. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Shepherd Leach of the 4'ii Reg'l. will preside at said Election, receive the iulist- 
 ment agreeable to the provisions of the foregoing orders, and to make returns accordingly. 
 
 (Signed) Benj" Lincoln, j Brigr Gen. 
 1 2d Brigade. 
 
 The usual rules and regulations governing such companies were framed and adopted. It 
 may be of interest to some persons to know who the members of this company were, so the 
 list is transcribed as found on the muster-roll. The number varied from year to jear largely, 
 the highest number on any return being fifty-live, and the smallest twenty-four. The names of 
 the dirt'erent commanders are: First, Elihu Daggett, Jr., captain from 1815 to 182-2; second 
 Chester Bugbee, from 1S22 to 1824; third. William Everett, from 1824 to 1S27; fourth, Willard 
 Robinson, from 1827 to 1820; fifth, Virgil Blackinton, in 1829; sixth. David E. Holman. from 
 1830 till, seventh, George Price became captain. The date of his election could not be found, 
 but he remained the commander until the company was disbanded. The following is the list 
 of members, doubtless including all from the formation to the disbandment: — 
 
 Elihu Daggett, Jr., 
 Chester Bugbee, 
 •Tudson Blake, 
 Martin Whitney, 
 John R. Robinson, 
 Waterman T. Dexter, 
 SamiO. Draper, 
 George Stanley, 
 Wm. T. Dean, 
 Gulliver Dean, 
 Willard Towne, 
 Ilermon Stanley, 
 
 Earle Whiting, 
 Willard Robinson, 
 Job Richards. 
 George Derby, 
 Jacob r. Stanley, 
 Peleg H. Kent, 
 Wm. M. Wilmarth, 
 John F. Richards, 
 Marcus Daggett, 
 Davis Guild, 
 Thomas Richards, 
 Jacob Daggett, 
 
 Josiah Draper, 2d, 
 Charles Whiting, 
 Manning Stanley, 
 John X. Dean, 
 Wm. S. Robinson, 
 Richard Robinson, 
 A\'arren Morse. 
 Avery Gil I more, 
 Benjamin Freeman, 
 Seth C. Sprague, 
 Ira Richards. 
 Fisher Blackinton, 
 
HLsronr of attlebobough. 
 
 407 
 
 Lyman Pitcher. 
 Calviu Richards^, 
 Paytoii Kichards, 
 Spent-er Rifhards, 
 2sathaiiiel Rand, Jr., 
 Seainaiis Whitiug, 
 Joseph Guild. 
 Leouard Blackinton. 
 Riifiis S. Perry, 
 James Blaclcinton, 
 Samuel Newell, 3d, 
 Ellis Fisher. 
 Ichabod Richards, 
 Horatio X. Draper, 
 Barton I. Draper, 
 John Montgomery, 
 Jason B. Blaekinton, 
 Daniel F. Ellis, 
 Willard D. Blackinton, 
 John Draper, Jr., 
 Jonathan Day. 
 Hiram W. Titus, 
 Willard Richards, 
 Sami P. Fisher, 
 John Titl't. 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 Hartford Field, 
 Abner Polsey, 
 'Leonard Holmes, 
 Lewis Armstrong. 
 Milton Freeman, 
 Nathan H. Bliss, 
 Henry Carrique, 
 Martin S. Witherell, 
 Onesemus Clark. 
 Milton W. Blackinton, 
 Horace Foster, 
 Noah Claflin, Jr., 
 Samuel M. Holman, 
 Allen B. Messenger, 
 Edwin B. Stanley, 
 Cyrus W. Blackinton, 
 Otis T. Stanley, 
 Stephen D. Read, 
 James O. Blackinton. 
 Ellis Fisher, 
 
 Lucas Daggett. 
 Bernard Maxcy, 
 Nelson Morse, 
 Aaron White, 
 George Hatch, 
 Richard Everett, 
 Richard Robinson, 
 Ebenezer H. Draper, 
 Daniel Daggett. Jr.. 
 David T. Stanley. 
 James AV^hittemore, 
 Elias S. Grant. 
 Ephraim Jewett, 
 Lyman Lane. 
 Lewis Holmes. 
 Horace Tiltt. 
 Watson Atherton, 
 Vernal Stanley, 
 David E. Holman, 
 Amos Sweet, Jr., 
 Lloyd French, 
 George W. Horr, 
 Uriah Bowen, 
 James Titus, 
 Otis T. Titus, 
 Willard Jilson. 
 Richard Whitaker, 
 Wm. A. Freeman, 
 Asa Fuller. 
 Leprilet Fuller. 
 George Price, 
 James B. Moultou, 
 John Cole, 
 Hervey M. Ricthards, 
 Warren Aldrich, 
 G. F. Starkey, 
 Emory Gouward. 
 George L. Perry, 
 Harrison Wilmarth, 
 Shepherd Witherell, 
 Henry Bruggo, 
 John Wilmarth, 
 Wm. A. Stanley, 
 Andrew Davison, Jr.. 
 James Warren, 
 Alvan Bickford, 
 
 Elias G. Richards, 
 Jesse Whiting, 
 Leonard Titl't, 
 Virgil Blackinton, 
 AVilliam Everett, Jr. 
 Darwin Ellis, 
 William Ellis, 
 Orville Tyler, 
 John Bruce. 
 Mark W. Baldwin, 
 George Morse, 
 Charles Richardson, 
 William Arnold, 
 William M. Drake, 
 Charles Whiting. 
 Ebenezer Fuller, 
 Comfort Claflen, 
 John Bates, 
 David Whiting, 
 Stephen Richardson, 
 David H. Grant, 
 Ezra S. Browuell, 
 George P. Foster. 
 Daniel D. Sweet, 
 Joel Morse, Jr., 
 Lyman W. Daggett, 
 Horatio N. Babcock. 
 George Shepardsou, 
 Atherton Wales, 
 Egbert R. Robinson, 
 Herman W. Bragg, 
 Gilford Fuller, 
 Charles Stanley, 
 Miller Babcock, 
 Calvin Claflin, 
 Jacob S. Capron, 
 Loring Morse, 
 Geo. B. Aldrich, 
 Joseph Hunt, 
 James Cummings, 
 Wm. B. Franklin, 
 James M. Turner, 
 James H. Horton, 
 Lorenzo Bullock, 
 David Buttington, 
 Cyril Sweet. 
 
 Of these men forty-seven enlisted August 3. iSlS, and were therefore the original members. 
 The latest enlistment mentioned is that of James H. Horton, in September, 1833. The height of 
 a number of the men was found on the records, the tallest being Horatio N. Draper, who was 
 six feet two inches, and the shortest Daniel F. Ellis, who was Ave feet five inches high. No 
 special record of the first election of oflicers was found, but Elihn Daggett, Jr.. was first captain 
 and Chester Bugbee the first lieutenant. The first fifer was Seamans Whiting and the first drum- 
 mer Ellis Fisher, and it was stipulated that he should own a share " equal to five dollars in the 
 bassdrum." The purchase of this same drum seems to have caused some trouble. It was at first 
 suggested that one known to be for sale at sherift""s sale should be bought, but finally one in the 
 
408 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 possession of a menil)er of the company, but '• beIouii;in,i< to Mr. Cj'rus Cleavuhind, of Provi- 
 dence," was purchased for .'S22, " payable in sixty days." Subseiiuently a bugler and clarionet 
 player were adiled to the above musicians. The uniform chosen for the comjiauy was a green 
 frock, with pantaloons of the same color, or else white, and military caps with black plumes. 
 After nuich in(iuiry and discussion a contract was closed •' with Messrs. Slocomb it Lamb, of 
 Bromtield, Mass., for ritles at Sixteen Dollars each," quite as low a price as that for which such 
 tirearms can now be obtained, even with all the modern improvements, and various facilities 
 for their construction at the command of manufacturers of the present day. 
 
 The first recorde<l meeting was held in " the school-house near Mr. Manning Richards," on 
 May T, ISIG. The meetings were held sometimes at private houses. — frequently at Manning 
 Jvichards', — sometimes at stores or factories, and often at tavern halls. 
 
 On July 1, 1817, the corps met at Manning Richards' house at seven o'clock in the morning, 
 
 from thence marching to Pawtucket •' to await the arrival of Monroe, President of the 
 
 United States." The secretary did not apparently know the first name of Mr. Monroe, and to 
 be " on the safe side" left a space in his book sulticient for a much longer name than James — 
 a space he doubtless forgot to till. Upon the President's arrival the troops paraded under his 
 inspection, and then he and his suite proceeded on their journey escorted by a detachment of 
 cavalry. Unfortunately, the corps had not then received their striking new uniforms, but 
 these must have l)een ready by September following, for the corps was ordered to meet at 
 Samuel Newell's on the 29th of that month, and for the tirst time •' Uniforms " as well as 
 '• Arms and Equipments, as the law directs for military duty," were required. We find on the 
 reconls frecpient reference to dinners to be providetl for " muster or regimental review days; " 
 purchases of powder, payment of levies or dues, — always very moderate, — and occasionally 
 the entry : " Meeting not attended on account of bad weather." 
 
 March 28, 1S21. the corps for the first time met to pay respect to a deceased member — 
 Nathaniel Rand, Jr. '• At one o'clock adjourned to the late residence of the deceased, whence 
 (after divine service) the (Jorps marched with arms reversed, before the remains of the deceased, 
 (the Four Sergeants acting as pall-bearers) to the burial ground near the Meeting house in the 
 East Precinct. After depositing the remains with the usual ceremonies, the Corps returned to 
 the house of Col. Bolkcom, where they were dismissed." Two similar accounts were found 
 later. 
 
 In 1821 new uniforms, of which a Idack hundkercbii^f was considered a part, were purchased. 
 Their color was " bottle green,'" and it became necessary at that time to have the knapsacks 
 repainted. The charge for this work was fifty cents each, and the clerk adds: (" rather more 
 than was expected "). On September 21, 1821, the following letter was written to the company : 
 
 To the Gentlemen composing the Washington Independent Rltle Company. 
 
 Gentlemen, A number of the Ladies of Attleborough, actuated by a desire to add their 
 feeble endeavors to the general good, and reflecting that nothing can be considered unimportant, 
 that might tend to promote enuilation in improvement, and wishing likewise to testify their 
 gratitude ami respect to those who are ever ready to protect them in the hour of danger, have 
 united their means to purchase a Standard, which they will do themselves the honor to present 
 for your ac(-eptance, at any time and place, you maj' think proper to appoint. 
 
 AVritten by order of the Ladies. 
 
 (Signeil) Louisa T. Everett. 
 
 The subscription pajjcr containing the names of the ladies who interested themselves in 
 getting this standard, with the amount each one gave, was recently found among some old 
 papers in the jiossession of one of the Hatch family, i and <leenn"ng that lady readers at least 
 will be interested to know who they were, the list is transciibcil : — 
 
 Susan Richards, Maria Richardson, Ann Lynch, 
 
 Nancy W. Draper. Eliza Ann Draper, Hetsy Draper, 
 
 Sarah Draper, Betsey L. Richards, J{ebecca Richards, 
 
 Betsey Richards, ftlargaret Daggett, M. Richards, 
 
 'Mrs. Gooilhue, granddaughter of Colonel Israel Hatch. 
 
HISTOliY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 401) 
 
 Olive Richards. 
 Aziibah Blacliintou, 
 Emma Bowers. 
 Haunali S. Robiuson. 
 Sarah R. Robinson, 
 Leafa Tyler. 
 Sally Tyler, 
 Ann Robinson, 
 Azubah Towne, 
 Lucinta Towne, 
 Rebecca Stanley, 
 Xancy Jackson, 
 Abby Freeman, 
 Nancy Simpson, 
 Abby W. Draper, 
 Rebecca Barton, 
 
 Largest subscription, 
 651.35! 
 
 ?1.25: 
 
 Hannah K. (irant, 
 Mariett Stanley, 
 .Fnlia Holmes. 
 Mary Holmes, 
 Eliza Holmes, 
 Abigail Herring, 
 Maria Ellis, 
 Abigail M. Ellis, 
 Clarissa Barrows, 
 Maria Barrows, 
 Aliigail Newell, 
 Eunice R. Newell, 
 Susan M. Draper. 
 Hannah Richards. 
 Mandana E\erett, 
 Clementine Yj. Foster 
 Fanny Hatch, 
 smallest, tit'tv cents: 
 
 Joan Jackson. 
 Mindwell Gushing, 
 jNIartha Simpson, 
 Sophia Richards, 
 Lydia Richards, 
 Amanda A. Draper. 
 Bebe Draper, 
 Laura S. (Jlney, 
 Rebecca Daggett, 
 Fanny Richards, 
 Mary Gilhnore. 
 Sylvia Richards. 
 Charlotte Day. 
 Betsey Carrick, 
 Sarah D. Robinson. 
 Sally Hatch. 
 
 average, about cighty-fnur cents; total. 
 
 The gentlemen responded to the above communication of the ladies on September 29, 18-Jl, 
 as follows : — 
 
 Mrs. Louisa T. Everett, ]Madam. 
 
 Permit us to express to you, and your liberal associates, our sincere thanks for the generous 
 oiler contained in your conuuunication of the 21. inst. and also to signify our acceptance of 
 the same. 
 
 We would most respectfully beg leave to wait on the Ladies, at Col. Hatch's, on Thursday 
 the 11. of Oct. next at 2 o'clock P.M., for the purpose of receiving the proposed token of 
 their Liberality and Patriotism: hoping that we shall never be unmindful of the strong 
 obligation it imposes on us. to use our utmost exertions, to merit a continuance of their 
 approbation. 
 
 Per Order, 
 
 Wm. Everett. Jr., 
 I Clerk of the 
 I Washington Ritie Corps. 
 
 In pursuance of arrangements previously made, the company to the number of thirty-eight 
 met at the house of Lieutenant Chester Bugbee on the appointed day. -'At two o'clo(-k the 
 corps marched to Col. Hatch's and wheeled into line in front of his house, where the Ladies 
 (subscribers for the Standard) in Uniforms, were paraded in a semicircle." This uniform of 
 the ladies was a white cashmere fichu, with a colored border, and fringed — according to an 
 eyewitness 1 of this interesting scene who is still living. 
 
 " Miss Sally Odell attended by two young Ladies appeared with the Standard " — which was 
 a splendid and appropriate one, and inscribed with the motto, " Protect what your futhers 
 obtained " — and •' took her place upon a phitform in the middle of the circle. The Orator of 
 the day, and visiting Officers in Uniform, followed and took post on the right of the Corps. 
 After a salute from the Officers the Standard was presented by Miss Sally Odell. with the 
 following Address." 
 
 Gentlemen of the Washington Rifle Corps. 
 
 We are assembled before you, not to celebrate the Birth-day of a Monarch, or to partici- 
 pate in the gaudy scenes of a regal Coronation ; but for the pleasing and laudable purpose of 
 placing in your hands, this symbol of triumph, and emblem of fame. At that eventful crisis, 
 when our Fathers threw off the yoke, and burst the chains of British tyranny; and when the 
 
 1 " Aunt Cviilhia " Hatcli. (Since deceased.) 
 
410 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Coui^ress of these States, as if directed liy iinernnii- Wisdom. i)rouoii need tliat ulorious. solemn, 
 and sublime Declaration of Independence, and proclaimed the imalicnable rights of man; then 
 was introduced the •' Star spanirled Bannca-." which, like the ever memorable " Star in thi; east," 
 served, under the wise direction of a \yashingtou, as a sure j^uide to peace and Independence. 
 The star of victory beamed on the crest of Columbia's sons, and with the blood of a Warren, 
 a Montiiomery, and many other distinguished heroes, they sealed the covenant made with 
 Liberty. Peace and national prosperity were the blessings which followed for a series of years. 
 
 When again the shrill clarion of war sounded to arms, again Oohimbia's sons rallied around 
 her standard, and in the field, and on the ocean, Albion's well-appointed veterans were com- 
 pelled to prostrate the British Lion, at the feet of the American Eagle. 
 
 To you, Gentlemen, we now present this Standard, in behalf of the Ladies of Attleborough, 
 who feel the most anxious solicitude for your welfare and honour, as citizens and soldiers. 
 We feel the strongest assurance, that shouUl the dreadful din of war ever again disturb our 
 beloved country (which may Heaven avert!) you will l)e found in the Advanced guard of its 
 brave defenders, assisting the rights, and maintaining the honour of this great and powerful 
 l{ei)ublic. 
 
 Finally, Gentlemen, imitate the virtues, and be inspired with the patriotism of the illustri- 
 ous, the inunortal Washington, whose name you bear, and you can, you icill, " protect what 
 your Fathers obtained,'' and continue to enjoy the rich l>lessings which we inherit from them. 
 
 Ensign IJIake accepted the standard for the company, and in their liehalf made the following 
 gallant reply to the patriotic address of Miss Odell: — 
 
 In receiving this Standard from the Ladies of Attleborough, permit me in behalf of the 
 Washington Rifle Corps, to present you their sincere acknowledgments, for this noble present, 
 which they receive as a testimony of your approbation. 
 
 When we are reminded of those days, in which oppression aroused our Fathers to arms; 
 and in which they toiled, and shed their blood, in erecting the Standard of Liberty on the 
 shores of Columbia; we feel a patriotic pride in being entrusted with this symbol of their 
 victory. The name of Washington, who led the American People from tyranny and oppres- 
 sion, to victory and freedom, is alone sufticient, to inspire the breasts of American Soldiers, 
 with the liveliest feelings of patriotism; — But, when that name is heard from the lips of 
 Columbia's Fair, and the Banner of our country is received from their hands, a noble 
 ambition tires our bosoms with a firm determination to maintain and protect, from every 
 attack, the Freedom betiueathed to us by our Fathers; and that this Standard, the evidence of 
 their invaluable Legacy, shall never be wrested from our hands l)y a Foreign Enemy, or rent 
 by an internal Foe. 
 
 The banner, which was in the possession of Captain Price proljal)ly for many years and 
 until his death, has a groundwork of grt'cn silk. On one side are the arms of Massachusetts 
 as a centrepiece, surrounded by figures uf implements of war elaborately embroidered. Above 
 is the inscription " 4th Reg. 2nd Brig. 5th. Div." and below " Washington Rifle Corps." On 
 the reverse side Liberty is finely represented in the central foreground leaning upon a shield 
 bearing the motto: " Protect what your fathers obtained." A little back of the right centre 
 is the bust of Washington, on its pedestal the immortal lines: "'First in war. first in peace, 
 and first in the hearts of his country-men." In the left background an encamijnient of soldiers 
 is represented, and on a scroll below "Presented by the ladies of Attleborough." 
 
 The record continue.s: " After this ceremony a procession was formed of the Corps. Orator 
 of the day, Selectmen of the town, visiting Officers, and Ladies, and moved to the meeting- 
 house, where an eloquent and iiatriotic Oration was pronounced by the Rev. Mr. Carrique,and 
 several ai)propriate anthems sung. The whole then returned to Col. Hatch's house and 
 partook of an excellent supper prepared for the occasion.'" This ilescription sketches a very 
 attractive scene — the soldiers in their bright uniforms, the ladies in pretty dresses, the moving 
 crowd, the famous old tavern, as it was ere its palmy days were of the past, the old church 
 set in its triangle of vivid green, the little cluster of gravestones near by, the surrounding 
 forests in their varied ])rilliant dress, with the glorious air of a Xew England mid-autunm day 
 embracing and beautifying all. But the curtain cannot quite yet be drawn; another act 
 
HISTORY OF ATrLEB0R0U(4H. 411 
 
 follows. Our fathers ilid not forget to give tangible proof of their appreciation of the 
 attentions bestowed upon them on that day. The clerk of the company was instructed to 
 present their thanks to tlie orator, and they voted " that the sum of five dollars be presented 
 to the Rev. Mr. Carrique, in consideration of his services on tlie ll"i inst. —likewise, the sum 
 of five dollars to Miss Sally Odell as a reward of merit, for the handsome style in which she 
 presented the Standard to this corps, — also, the sum of one dollar to INIr. Cha-' Bicknee 
 [prol)ai)ly Bicknell?] for ringing the bell, assisting in forming the procession, etc. etc. on 
 that occasion." 
 
 On July .5, 1830, the Fourth being Sunday, the corps met at Samuel Xewell's, where they " par- 
 took of a dinner prepared for the occasion by ^Ir. Newell. The corps then paraded in front 
 of 3Ir. Newell's, and tired tifteen rounds, at 3 o'clock marched to the meeting house and 
 escorted the Temperance Society, where an address was delivered by Esq. John Daggett, 
 prepared for the occasion, — after service attended to manouvering and tiring." By way of 
 contrast to the manner the above-mentioned day was spent, the description found of a day's 
 marching is given. September 2-1:, 1S31, there was a meeting at eight o'clock in the morning 
 at Elias G. Kichards' store. " The corps took up a line of march, on the way they was invited 
 by M. W. Baldwin to take something to drink at Robinson, Jones it Go's store, and then they 
 marched on their way to Mr. Newell's and Mr. Edward Richards invited the Corps to take 
 something to drink with him, and they excepted [the intended meaning is obvious] , and when 
 they got to Mr. Newell's Inn the corps had another invitation to take something to drink 
 from Mr. Samuel Newell, Jr. the corps dined to Mr. Newell's after dinner the (!Oi-ps took up 
 a line of march for the Precinck on their way they had an invitation from Capt. Samuel 
 Carpenter to take some wine with him and then the corps marched to Mr. Samuel Holnian's 
 store." This is the only recorded day on which entertainment of this nature was so frequently 
 oftered to the company and the occurrence may, perhaps, have been an unusual one. It is an 
 incident which shows the custom of the times; but another proof that '-as our fathers were, 
 so are we," for from time immemorial marching seems to have been productive of such deep- 
 seated thirst as only frequent and coi>ious drafts of liquid, often such as the aljove, could ever 
 tend to slake, and the day seemed to have been one of interest to him who transcribed 
 its events. 
 
 Upon one occasion the parade was " in front of Mr. Holnian's," where a target representing 
 a '' full sized Indian," had been placed. This had been procured by Captain David Holman, 
 who offered a -lollar to the man who should make the best shot. The distance is not named, 
 but all the men present fired at this '■ Indian " and no doubt with zest and the wish that it was 
 something more real than a "counterfeit presentment." Tlie "best shot" was Mr. Milton 
 Blackinton, who '' conse(iuently merited, and received the premium." In 1830 a sham light 
 occurred in East Attleborough. The training field, according to an eyewitness still living, 
 was '• about where Pine St. is now." The company met at Mr. Holnian's, where they were 
 entertained, and in the afternoon the battle took place. Twenty of the citizens of the town, 
 dressed in Indian style, joineil with the rifle corps against militia and other troops, under 
 command of Colonel Isaac Miller. The records do not state which side was declared victorious. 
 
 In "pursuance of regimental orders " the corps met on October 20, 1832, in Norton, where 
 the necessary inspection and exercises were gone through. The record relating to this 
 occasion, and made two days later, was the last one found, and the entry concludes as follows : 
 " The Corps were then joined by Capt. Ide, in Indian costume, bearing a colour with the 
 following motto Free Trade and Yankee Bights.'' Here the clerk's record ends, though the 
 company continued its existence for some years longer. These soldiers were never called 
 upon to do actual active duty but once. This was during the construction of the Boston and 
 Providence railroad, about 1S3«-3S. A riot occurred among the Irish laborers near Canton, 
 and John Daggett advised sending the company to quell the disturbance. Captain Holman 
 marched with his men to the place in the night and the Irishmen at once yielded. The 
 ringleaders were made prisoners and brought to this town. 
 
 March 28, 1840, the State Adjutant-General issued a general order approved by the Governor 
 abolishing the standing militia companies, and May 7, 1841, he issued the order declaring them 
 disbanded. The order was carried into eflect here June 1, 1841, on which date this company 
 was dislianded, its ofticers discharged, and the famous " Washington Volunteer Rifle Corps of 
 Attleborough" ceased to exist. 
 
412 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 MASONIC LODGES. 
 
 Of all the organizations in existence at the present time of a social or beneficial nature the 
 order of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest. It goes back through many hundreds of 
 years and to an Oriental country for its origin, so far as that is known. It extends all OAcr the 
 world, and though its expressions and forms of working may be varied in ditlerent lands, its 
 l)i-iiicii>les, which are of a very high order, are always the same. There are in the order 
 thirty-three degrees; what is called the Blue Lodge has three, those of Entered Apprentice, 
 Fellow Craft, and Master Mason respectively; then conies the Chapter, with four degrees; 
 then the Council with three; then the Commandery with four; and beyond these various other 
 lodges, such as Perfection of Sorrow, Scottish Rites, etc. The entrance fees and yearly dues 
 of this order here are very reasonable and within the means of men of moderate incomes. 
 The element of secrecy, once considered so dangerous to society at large and the cause of nuich 
 bitter opposition in various parts of the country, seems now to be consideretl quite harmless. 
 As at present existing in America, at least, the Masons are primarily a social order, beueticiary 
 work among needy members not being compulsory. Such matters are left entirely at the 
 iliscretion of individual lodges; and to their credit it may be said these are not found wanting 
 in this respect. 
 
 BRISTOL lod(;e. 
 
 The oldest organizatir)n now in existence in this town and the only one which dates from the 
 preceding century is Bristol Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Its charter bears the date 
 of 1T!)7, and was granted to the lodge by the '• Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honor- 
 abl(! Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," and its 
 membership originally included residents of the several towns of Attleljorough, Mansfield, 
 Norton, Itehoboth, Pawtucket, and Taunton. i Some one says: "As often as the eye i-ests 
 upon this ancient charter, its speech is of patriotism and courage, of civil anil religious liberty, 
 of free government,'* and its lustre is brightened and its value greatly enhanced by the bold 
 signature of Paul Revere, the hero of that famous midnight ride from Boston to Concord as 
 the bearer of the direful tidings of British invasion. 
 
 The lodge established itself first at Norton and continued to hold its meetings there until 
 December 11, 1811, at which time it removed to this town. The old ])archmeut has been care- 
 fully preserved. Upon one side is the charter proper — the license to form the lodge addressed 
 by the Grand Lodge to all the Fraternity of the State. Then come the names of the charter 
 members as follows: Job Gilbert, George Gilbert, Ira Smith. Joshua Pond, Samuel Morey,.rr., 
 Timothy Rrigess, Jr., Sam' Day, Seth Smith, Jr., Daniel Gilbert, Benjamin Brillig. 
 
 In Testimony Whereof. We the Grand Master and Grand Wardens, by virtue of the Power 
 -and Authority to us connnitted, have hereunto set our Hands anil caused the Seal of the Grand 
 Lodge to be affixed, at Boston, this fourteenth Day of June Anno Domini, 1T!»7, And of 
 Masonry oTQT. 
 
 Paul Revere, Isaiah Thomas, Sen. Grand Master. 
 
 Grand Master. Joseiih Laughton, Jun. (irand Master. 
 
 Samuel Dunn 
 Deputy Grand ]\Iaster. 
 
 In Grand Lodge, Dec. 13, A. L. 0854. 
 1 hereby certify that the above Charter, was by vote of the Grand Lodge this day restored 
 with :ill its original powers and innnunities to the following Brethren, petitioners :ind former 
 nicmlicrs of the within named P.ristol lAidge, to wit: — Willard Robinson. S. O. Draper, 
 
 ' I am again iii<lebte<l to tlie courtesy of Mr. Price wlio, witli great interest and pleasure, gave nie 
 tree access to tlie ancient records of Bristol Lodge. 1 need make no apology lor iiuoting freely from 
 tliem, because the incidents referred to in this skelcli will interest not only the present members of 
 tlie lodge, but others also In eciual measuie, since they picture some phases of the social lite of the 
 town in the early part of this century, and therefore belong to its history. — Editor. 
 
HI f> TOBY OF ATTLEBOnOUnH. 413 
 
 "Willard Blafkintou. Uut'u-s P. Barrow, Ephraim Dean. Daniel Bal>cock, Edward Uichardson, 
 aud Noah Claflin. And tliey are uecordinnly authorized to reorganize and resume worli as a 
 
 Lodge. 
 
 Clias. W. Moore, 
 
 Ree. Grand Sec. Grand fiOdge of Mass. 
 By order of the Grand Lodge, 
 Daniel Oliver. 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
 In Grand Lodge. 
 Sept. 14, 1859. 
 The above charter was liy vote of Grand Lodge, this day again restored to the Petitioners 
 named in the endorsement of Dec. 13, 1S54. .5854. 
 
 Attest 
 Chas. W. Moore, 
 Grand Se*;. 
 
 On the reverse side of the charter are the following permits : — 
 
 To all whom it may concern. This certities that agreeable to a petition presented the iMost 
 
 Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts at their annual communication on tlie eleventh day 
 
 of Dec A. L. 5811 by a large majority of the officers and members of Bristol J^odge, established 
 
 by Charter in the town of Norton, in the county of Bristol, it was unanimously voted that 
 
 permission be granted the petitioners to remove that Lodge from Norton to the town of 
 
 Attleboro' East Parish in said County, there and there only, to hold their future meetings, and 
 
 that the Grand Recording Secretary be instructed to confirm the same by an endorsement on 
 
 the Charter of said Lodge. In testimony whereof, and by virtue of the above Vote — I Inne 
 
 hereunto affixed mv Signature. 
 
 John Proctor, 
 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
 Grand Lodge of Mass. March lO'ii 5830. Voted that Bristol Lodge be permitted to tissendile 
 in Attleboro' instead of Attleboro' East Parish. 
 
 Copy of Record, 
 Attest Thomas Power, 
 Grand Sec. 
 
 The first meeting whose regular record is preserved here was held June 7, 1813. the following 
 members Ijeing present: Abiathar Richardson, Jr., Jabez Newell, Luther Cobb. Obed Robin- 
 son, Jr.. George W. Robinson. Joseph Lang. Jebel Ingraham. John E. Robinson. James War- 
 ren, Remember Carpenter, Thomas Stanley, Edward Pric^e, Benjamin Hubbard, Amos Sweet, 
 Naman Bishop, Manning Richards. Eilward Foster, Thomas V^illiam^. Samuel Carpenter, 
 William Fisher. The early meetings of the lodge were generally held in the afternoon, the 
 hour varying from two to five o'clock. In June, 1814. Chester Bugbee, Elihu Daggett, Syl- 
 vanus Tingley, and Luther Cobb were chosen a committee to select the music for the dedication 
 of the hall. September 8, 1814, " Voted to procure Blinds for the windows of the new hall, 
 and to have them ready and hung before Dedication," and two gentlemen were deputed " to 
 procure the same." This hall was Bolkcom's hall, an L which Mr. Bolkcom built on to his 
 tavern for the use of the Masons. The nuisic for the dedication seemed difficult to arrange, 
 for later Rememljer Carpenter and Edward Richards, Jr., were added to the above committee. 
 Jebez Newell, Henry Sweet, aud William Verry were requested to confer " with Bro. Benj. 
 Bolk(;om upon a bill" of fare, for the supper," and were "a committee to make the necessary 
 arrangements for the day of our dedication. The lodge also " voted that 25cts. be added to the 
 price of Gentlemen's tickets, to be received l)y Br. Bolkcom in favor of the Lodge to defray 
 the expense of musick Initiation ; " the original price of the tickets was not stated. On Octo- 
 ber 27 it was "voted to Choose a committee of nine to tissist in making preparation and accom- 
 modation for the Ladies on dedication day." Either the task must have been considered 
 formidable or the preparations been very elaborate since so large a committee was required. 
 
414 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Novembers, 18U, tl)c lotlgc met at nine o'clock for the dedication of the new hall, but as the 
 Grand Lodge did not appear, those special ceremonies were nec(*s,isarily postponed. However. 
 " the Brethren about 120 in number, formed Procession, followed by a i)and of musick, 
 marched to the meeting-house where an appropriate discourse was delivered by Bro. John 
 Holroyd. The Proc'ession then returned to the hall again, where they partook of an excellent 
 repast, and after wine, toasting, and singing the Lodge was closed till our next regular com- 
 nuinication.'' December 22. 1814, "'Voted to refund Bro. George W. Robinson 10 Dollars. 
 together with the thanks of the Loilge, for his perseverance and stri<!t attention in procuring 
 furniture for the new Lodge." 
 
 ;May IS, 1815, "Voted to celebrate and also dedicate our Hall on the 2i'h .June next.— 
 Chose Bros. Edw'd Richardson, Chester Bugbee, and Eliliu Daggett a committee to prepare 
 musick for celebration. — Chose Brs. \Vm. Fi-^her and Judson Blake a committee to procure an 
 orator for Celeljration." June .'). 1815, " Chose .Jal)ez Newell, Jabel Ingraham. and Gtis Robin- 
 son, a committee to see that necessary entertainment and refreshment is prepared for the Cele- 
 I)ration and Dedication, at the 24"' June next.— Chose Brs. Elilui Daggett, Judson Blake, and 
 Noah Clatlin a couimittee to invite the clergy of this Town to meet with us on the 24'h June. 
 
 Also ad<led Bro. Wm. Verry to s'd connnittee, and re(iuested him to invite the Rev'd Mr." 
 
 (name illegible, probably Clark, as the Rev. Pitt Clark was at that time pa.stor of the Congrega- 
 tional (Tnitarian) church in Norton, where the lodge Hrst held its meetings.) 
 
 June 24. 1815. The Grand Lodge having arrived, its members were escorted to the new hall 
 by the gentlemen deputed to perform that duty, and it was " Dedicated in ample Form." and " a 
 procession was then formed which marched to the meeting-house where a very Excellent and 
 appropriate Discourse was delivered by Rev'd. Br. Barnabas Bates of Bristol." These services 
 concluded, the procession returned to the hall where the ajipointed committees waited upon the 
 representatives of the Grand Lodge and the orator, to present the sincere thanks (jf Bristol 
 Lodge for their attendance and services; "which Business being done the Brethren retired 
 from the hall to the Dining Table where a splendid entertainment was provided by Br. Beujn. 
 Bolkcom, and after regaling themselves with food, the Brethren Draidv to a number of very 
 sentimental Toasts." There were visitors on this occasion from Eastern Star Lodge, King 
 David, and others, with " many from Providence, Pawtucket and el.<ewhere." One of the 
 old residents of the East village well remembers this occasion and says: " \yhen supp^- was 
 over, the room was cleared, and we danced all night," — mentioning his partner, for he is too 
 gallant to have f<jrgotten her even at the end of sixty years. A subscription of twenty dollars 
 was raised and preseutetl to Mr. Bates for his discourse, which was printed. The first men- 
 tion of attendance at a funeral service as a lodge was on February 2, ISK!, when the members 
 assisted at that of " Br. Bishop." During this year Adoniram Chapter of Royal Arch Masons 
 was formed in town. The installation of otticers occurred June 24, 1817, and subsequently 
 the chapter was transferred to New Bedford. June 15, 1826, "Bro. A. Richardson" was 
 appointed to keep the aprons and jewels in order and " Bro. Edward Richardson" to purchase 
 a suitable dress for a candidate, " such a suit as his taste and Judgment shall <lictate." On 
 January ;5], 1828, a committee was chosen to make inquiries regarding the expense of building 
 a new hall, " and see who will assist." August 13, 1829, " Voted to petition the Grand Lodge 
 to amend the Charter of Bristol Lodge by erasing from it the words East Precinct." also 
 " voted that Brother Elihu Daggett, Jr., be a committee to prepare a petition and personally 
 present the same to the Grand Lodge at their next regular meeting agreeable to the foregoing 
 vote." April S, ISoO, a conununication was received from the Grand Lodge to the eftect that 
 the petition was granted. 
 
 In 1830 it was decided to remove the lodge from the East village. The furniture was ordered 
 to be taken to the Farnam House in West Attieborough, and it was subsequently decided to 
 buy that estate if it could bt; bought for a certain sum; but the matter fell through. About 
 1830-31 a hall belonging to Richard Everett was used ))y the lodge. At that time steps were 
 being taken towards the building of an acailemy in North AttU'borougb, and on June 24. 1831, 
 the lodge voted to subscribe for twelve shares in this new building provided it could be built 
 for §1.200, and later two more shares were taken. The building was to be called "Attie- 
 borough Academy and Masonic Hall." Here the records cease abruptly. The academy was. 
 however, built, and used by the lodge as has been stated in a previous chapter. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 415 
 
 Up to this time tbe lodge had l)eeii pi-osi)erous, but in 1S33 the iiieiiil)ersliip had so largely 
 decreased as to render it necessary to return the charter to the Grand Lodge. This was due to 
 the anti-^Iason excitement which commenced in western New York and spread over the whole 
 land, creating such an antagonistic spirit toward the entire order that in many places Masonry 
 was forced apparently to die out, and its adherents dared to remain faithful only in secret. In 
 time this wave of fierce opposition subsided, and in ISSi several of the Masons here petitioned 
 to have their " time honored document"' restored to them. This was done, but for some rea- 
 son little action was taken until 1859, when the charter was again restored, and since that time 
 the order has been continually increasing in membership and gaining in influence. Mr. 
 Ezekiel Bates was at that time the highest INIason in town, and after the return of the charter 
 he initiated those who presented themselves for degrees. Dr. James W. Foster was the first 
 to be received into the lodge and his sou John Bates the second. 
 
 Bristol Lodge for many years owned a building in North Attleborough and their hall in it 
 was dedicated February 9, 1876. The accommodations for all purposes are ample, the hall is 
 well furnished and the special appointments are handsome. A remarkable fac-simile copy of 
 the old charter hangs over the Worthy Master's chair and an anteroom contains a case filled 
 with ancient and beautifully wrought regalia. It is fitting that the picture of George Wash- 
 ington should meet the eye of both members and visitors as they enter the precincts of the 
 lodge, for as a Mason he is pointed to as a shining example, and as a man and a citizen he was 
 equally worthy close imitation. i 
 
 The following is a list of the Past Masters of Bristol Lodge from 1813 to the present time: 
 Abiathar Richardson, Jr., William Fisher, Edward Richardson, Moses Richardson, George W. 
 Robinson, D. Babcock, S. G. Bates, Willard Blackinton, George B. Richards, Sanuiel S. 
 Ginnodo, Charles E. Smith, John B. Maintain, Thomas G. Sandland, Obed '.:. Turner. Francis 
 S. Fairbanks, Samuel S. Bugbee, Arthur E. Codding, James A. Codding. Theodore B. Hazzard, 
 Walter E. Barden. The officers for 1887 were: W. M., Elton I. Franklin; S. W., Frederic B. 
 Byram; J. W., George E. Hawes; Secretary, Charles F. Guild; Treasurer, Owen B. Bestor; 
 ciiaplain, Samuel H. Bugbee; iMarshal, Edwin D. Sturtevant; S. D., William O. Clark; J. D., 
 Edward G.Pratt; S. S., Edward A. Phillips; J. S., Frank Cutler; I. 8., Daniel PL Ralph; 
 Orator, James A. Codding; Tyler, Thomas R. Jones. The lodge numbers about one hundred 
 and fifteen members. The building has recently been sold, but it continues to occupy its halls 
 as before. 
 
 EZEKIEL BATES LODGE. 
 
 The original organization of this lodge at East Attleborough occurred January 12, 1870, 
 under the necessary dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State. This dispensation 
 expired September (J, 1871, and at that time grand officers came here to regularly institute the 
 lodge and install its officers. There were twenty-four charter members. Since its institution 
 this lodge has grown rapidly and almost uninterruptedly, and at present has about one hundred 
 and seven members. 
 
 The Past Masters are: Daniel H. Smith, Albert R. Crosby, George F. Bicknell, Edwin L. 
 Crandall, Charles E. Bliss, Herbert N. Mason, Benjamin P. King, William J. Thompson. 
 Officers for 1887: W. M., Edward C. Martin: S. W., J. Lyman Sweet; J. W., Clarence E. 
 Richards; Secretary, Orville P. Richardson, Jr.; Treasurer, Fred. G. Mason; Chaplain, Hiram 
 A. Philbrook; Marshal, William H. Gofi"; T. D., Eugene H. Richardson; J. D., George H. 
 Herrick; S. S., William H. Sargent; J. S., Wilbur R. W^etherell; L S., Thomas J. Wain- 
 wright; Orator, Albert W. Winsor; Tyler. James Howarth. 
 
 KING HIRAM KOYAL ARCH CHAPTER. 
 
 This is a nourishing chapter in East A,ttleborough. It received its charter March 7, 1870. 
 The officers for the year 1887 were as follows : M. E. H. P., Owen B. Bestor; E. K., Arthur T. 
 
 Ut is a significant fact that he was achiiitteil to the order l>el'ore reaching the age of twenty-one. 
 He was the first, and is proijably the only person in the country of whom that fact can be stated, as 
 no one is ehgible for membership in a ISIasonic lodge !jefore attaining his majority. In Wasliiiig- 
 ton's case it was made possible only by special dispensation from England. 
 
416 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Parker; E. S.. William L. Elliot; Chaplain, Benjamin P, Kinj?: ('. of IL. Luke C. Keith; 
 P. S., Alfred R. Crosby; It. A. C, John W. Luther; M. of 3d A'., Alvah C. Luther; M. of 
 2d v., Edward <'. Martin; M. of 1st Y., Daniel IL Smith; Secretary. D. Edward "VVilmarth: 
 Treasurer. Edward H. Frink; Senior, Horatio E. AVhite. 
 
 BKISrOI, COMMAXDKUY OK KNIGHTS rKMl'LAR. 
 
 This eonnnaiidcry is at North Attlehorough. Its otliecrs for 1SS7 were: E. C, James A. 
 Coddini;-; General, J. Lyman Sweet; (Juj'tain General. T. B. Hazzard; S. AV.. R. B. Car- 
 penter; J. W., Owen B. Bestor; T., S. E. Fisher; 11.. Arthur T. Parker; St. B., Edwin Whit- 
 ney; Sw. B.. C. \V. Fisher: W.. Thomas G. Sandland. 
 
 Ari;oi;A i.oiKii:, i. o. o. f. 
 
 Unlike the order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows \y, of 
 (comparatively recent date, which makes its rai'id growth and s^reat prosperity the more note- 
 worthy'. The first societies known were in London in the early part of the last century and 
 they were styled "Ancient and Honorable Odd Fellows." The first known in tins country 
 was in the early part of the present century, in 1S19, when a lodj^e was formed in Baltimore, 
 and was a branch of the Eni;llsli order. It was not till 182G that American lodges Ijccame 
 independent. Since that time the American order has increased remarkably, until at the 
 present time it has branches in alnlo^t every State and Territory and in many foreign lands. 
 Its principles are well known to be of the highest morality, and it enjoins special charity work, 
 which is not confined to pecuniary aid alone, among needy members, and large sums are annu- 
 ally expended in the various lodges in caring for the families of deceased members. The order 
 of Odd Fellowship has degrees, or stages, which must be passed in order to gain full member- 
 ship; such are the initiatory, the pink, the blue, and lastly, the scarlet degree. There are also 
 encamiJinents to which only members of the scarlet degree are eligible, though this member- 
 ship is not necessary to real Odd Fellowship. 
 
 The history of this order in town dates back over thirty years, to January 2'J, 184G, when 
 Aurora Lodge Number 107 was instituted. The charter members who signed the petitio"n for 
 permission to organize a lodge were Abraham Ilayward, Thaddeus Phelps, Alfred Barrows, 
 Joseph D. Pierce. Lemuel Bishop, Benjamin F. Ilammar, Sanmei L). Foote. and Daniel Evaus, 
 the latter being the only survivor.! The first meetings were held in the second story of a 
 schoolhouse,- which stood near the site of the present Oldtown schoolhouse, the only avail- 
 able place that could be found. The surroundings were lowly, but the spirit of enthusiasm in 
 the members was lofty. The first officers were: N. G.. A. Hay ward: V. G., T. Phelps; Secre- 
 tary. I). E\ans; Treasurer, A. Tifl't. The lodge increased with great rapidity, though the 
 growth proved an unhealthy one. The building in which the members met was much dilapi- 
 dated, and though its rude decorations may have been in keeping with a small beginning, at 
 the end of a few months ampler and better accommodations became necessary. These were 
 obtained in North Attleborougli, and on July 2o, 18-16, the hull, which was later occupied by 
 the Masons, was dedicated. It was furm'shed with elegance, and every prospect for the future 
 of the lodge looked flattering in the extreme. Appearances were, however, deceitful, dis- 
 couragements took the place of bright prospects, and there was a great decrease in interest. 
 3Iay 13, 1851, the lodge moved to a hall on Orne Street where it was hoped by some that the 
 lo>t prestige would be regain(;(l. This was not the case, for deaths and removals followed the 
 change in location, until existence alone became a struggle, and Aurora Lodge was little more 
 than a name. 
 
 I'nder all difficulties and depressions, however, there were some faithful ones who did not 
 despair, and finally, long after many thought the lodge was extinct, it was through their 
 earnest efforts re\ived. About 18C8 a new lease of life seemed to be taken. The growth was 
 at first gradual, but it was sure, ami the subseciuent prosiierity of the lodge has been very 
 great. In 1874 its success was so assured that it was able to contract for a building to cost 
 $20,000. On November 14 of that year the cornerstone was laid by the Right Worthy Grand 
 
 ' Since deceased. -'J'liis must liave Ijeen the moni previously occupied liy the ilebatiug societies. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOFiOUGR. 417 
 
 Lodye of Massachusetts, with tbe cerenionies of the order in ancieut form. This iiuildiiii;- was 
 completed iu July, 1875, and dedicated on the tenth of the following November. The upper 
 story is reserved for the use of the lodge, is handsomely furnished, and admirably adapted lo 
 the purpose for which it was designed. 
 
 The present membership is one hundred and forty. Since its organization the thirty-two 
 gentlemen whose names are here given have served the lodge as Noble Grand: namely: 
 Daniel Evans. T. G. Saudland, D. D.Tvent,F. G.Whitney, A. N. Quiuby. E. A. Luther, W. J. 
 Follett, E. R. Darling, John Thompson, J. N. Hall, S. A. Gross, P. Doll. S. Totten, H. G. 
 Grant, C. F.' Jackson. F. L. Burden. F. G. Pate, E. S. M. Perkins, George W. Fisher, George 
 Dietz.L.V. Witherell, L.C. Tifft, G. W.French. B. Porter. Jr.. A. Totten, B. C. Rhodes, 
 H. E.'coombs, G. B. Whiting, D. Thompson, W. D. Wenniiell. H. L. Kent. R. G. Temple. 
 The otticers for 1887 were P. G., R. G. Temple ; N. G.. E. J. Bacou : Y. G.. William McCooml>s ; 
 Recording Secretary, David Thompson; Treasurer, Horace L. Kent: Representatives, D. 
 Thompson, James Totten, L. C. Tiflft: Permanent Secretary, Ambrose Kurtz. 
 
 IK >WAI!r) KXCAMPMEXT. 
 
 Until 184(5 Aurora Lo<lge was the only society of Odd Fellows in town, but on August 5 of 
 that year Howard Encampment Number 19 was instituted in the hall occupied by Aurora 
 Lodge. It had a checkered existence for a few years, and finally, in 18.j0. surrendered its char- 
 ter. This was restored February 21, 187(), at which time the lodge was reinstituted, and since 
 then it has been steadily increasing, both in numbers and tinancial strength, until now its con- 
 dition is in every way prosperous. About eighteen gentlemen have held the highest office in 
 this lodge, that of Chief Patriarch, and many of them are prominent in other orders. The 
 officers who were elected iu 1887 are as follows: C. P., Walter E. Cook; H. P., Sullivan Eaton; 
 S. W., A. Rosenberg; Treasurer, A. N. Quinby; R. S., David Thompson; J. AV.. F. R. 
 DeLisle. The number of members is sixty-six. 
 
 OlilENT LOlXiE. 
 
 With tbe increase in the population of the town there was a forresponding increase iu the 
 membership of Auror:i Lodge, after its revival, and in due time there was a demand for 
 another lodge of the same order, and Orient Lodge, No. 1(35, was organized. It was composed 
 at first entirely of members of Aurora Lodge, thirty-four in number. A petition for a charter, 
 signed by the late Gideon M. Hortou ami twenty-nine other gentlemen, was sent to the Grand 
 Lodge of the State, and the organization of the new lodge soon followed. It was instituted 
 October 2, 1873. Its first i)lace of meeting was in Briggs' Block, in the hall now occupied by the 
 Grand Army. This hall was used for eleven years, but at the end of that time it was thor- 
 oughly outgrown, and on August 10, 1884, the lodge removed to larger quarters in Horton's 
 Block. Here it had a convenient and well-furnished hall. It has elaborate and costly para- 
 phernalia, and has att:uned an excellent position as to numbers and financial condition. Much 
 etiective charital)le work has i)een done in looking after sick and needy memoers, and this care 
 has been extended to the .children of those who have died. As in similar organizations, a 
 watch is also kept over the conduct of all members. That tbe existence of this lodge has Ijeen 
 uncommonly prosperous is shown by the fact that at the end of fourteen years it numbered one 
 hundred and sixty-eigiit members. In May, 1SS7, it moved into the commodious and elegant 
 qu;irters prepared for it in Bates Opera House. 
 
 The first elective officers were: N. G.. Gideon M. Horton : V. G..John Baxter; R. S., Elijah 
 R. Read; Treasurer, Ste|ihen T. Smith; P. S., C. H. Pond. The following named gentlemen 
 have held the office of Nol)le Grand: G. M. Horton. John Baxter, E. R. Read, George A. 
 Adams, C. C. Wilmarth, W. S. Wilbur, W. H. Gotr, N. Hicks, J. J. Horton. D. E. Adams, 
 C. F. Harwood, J. W. Pratt, Joseph Ileywood, E. A. Sweeney, A. D. Dean, W. C. Sherman, 
 E. B. Bromilev, H. A. Clark, F. S. Sweet, H. E. Durgin, John Slater. M. L. Chapman. C. W. 
 Blackinton. Officers for 1887: N. G.,E. D. Gilmore; V. G.. E. D. Guild; R. S., J. S. Richards; 
 T., H. L. Carpenter; Warden, G. A. Taylor: Con., W. E. Newman; Chaplain. John Slater; 
 R. S. N. (i., H. E. White; L. S. N. G., E. L. Waterman; R. S. Y. G., W. E. Carpenter; 
 L. S. Y. G., H. E. Briggs; R. S. S., F. E. Smith; L. S. S., W. Ashley; I. G.. L. Carpenter; 
 O. G., E. C. Burton wood. 
 
418 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CANTON A I ri.ElJOnOCGIl, NO. 48. PATRIARCHS MILITANT. 
 
 This Iod,<,'o was iustituted in December. 1SS6. The oflicers for 1887 were as follows: Captain, 
 AllxTt Totteii; Lieutenant. Edwanl A. Sweeney; Ensign, Xewton J. Sweet; Clerk, Walter 
 V. .Marhle: At.'countant, Ncheniiah IIi<'ks. 
 
 ESTHKK LODGE, DAUGHTERS OF REBEKAH. 
 
 There is a dei^ree in the order of Odd Fellowship called Daughters of Keliekah. This was 
 instituted in 18.51 for the benefit of the women connected with the families of members of the 
 order. It contains beueticiary or insurance arrangements similar in nature to such in other 
 organizations, but, unlike sonic, limiting the benefits to members alone. The order of this 
 degree, called Esther Lodge, No. 12, Daughters of Kel)ekah, has recently been organized in 
 town. It is in excellent condition, well managed, and has promise of a strong, healthy growth. 
 The officers for 1887 were: X. G., Lucie J. Kenney; V. G., Maggie Cumberland; R. S., Emily 
 Loughliu; F. S., 3Iabel Kent; Treasurer, Lizzie Semple; Warden, Lisa SchmadI: Con., Ida 
 Kent; I. G., Ada Schniadl; O. G., Thomas Southwick; R. S. N. G.. Julia Blackinton ; L. S. 
 N. G., Eugenie .Jordan; R. S. V. G., Annie Barr; L. S. V. G., Amy Thompson. 
 
 .SUMNER LODGE. 
 
 The Knights of Pythias have a fiourishing organization at Xorth Attleborougli, in Sumner 
 Lodge, No. (i2. which was instituted November 5, 187i, in the old hall over T. E. Hancock's 
 store. This place answered the purpose of the lodge but a short time, and it then moveil into 
 the old hall of the Odd Fellows on Orne Street, where it remained several years. In 1880 a 
 second removal was made to the present commodious quarters in Barrows Block. The lodge 
 room is one of the most elegant in the State, the value of its furnishings and paraphernalia 
 being estimated at l)etween 812,000 and $15,000. Since the institution of this lodge about one 
 luindred and thirty-five •' Knights "' have been made, and the present number of members is 
 about eighty. This lai'ge decrease in membership is due to the fact that not long since a 
 number of the members who resided in East Attleborough withdrew to form a lodge of this 
 order in that i«irt of the town, and represents no change in the very prosperous condition of 
 the mother lodge. Sumner Lodge has accomplished a large amount of good in a (luiet way 
 spending many hundreds of dollars in the care of the sick and dying, and has often performed 
 the last rites of respect at the graves of deceased memliers. 
 
 Following are the officers for 1S87: P. C, Elton E. Whiting; C. C. H. G. Weiler; V. C, 
 Aaron Bennett; Prel., F. O. Coombs; K. of B. and S., Thomas McAlpine; M. of T.. 
 A. H. Knight; M. at A., Henry T. Jordan; M. of E., D. E. Hawkins; I. G.. Benjamin E. 
 Pierce; O. G., E. S. Allen. Representatives to the Grand Lodge and trustees are also chosen 
 annually. 
 
 rVTIIAGORAS LODGE. 
 
 Pythagoras Lodge. No. 70, Knights of Pythias, was instituted May 20, 188.5, with forty-nine 
 charter members. Its meml)ership is composed chiefly of young and enthusiastic business 
 men, who have labored with generous ardor to build up their lodge. Since its beginning this 
 organization has been marked by a steady growth, and its influence, emanating from the <'on- 
 duct and bearing of its members, has been commendable, commanding the respect and good 
 wishes of the community. 
 
 The place of meeting is "Castle Hall."' Bates" Block. Officers for 1887 W(;re as follows: 
 P. C, J. L. Wells; C. C, E. O. Richardson; V. C, George H. Snell; Prel., George A.Adams; 
 K. of R. and S., Frank P. Keeler; M. of E.. L. M. Leach ; M. at A., S. M. Holman. Jr.; Trus- 
 tee for eighteen months, J. Perry Carpenter. There are several other offices which are filled 
 by aiijiointment. 
 
 WASHINGTON LODGE, KNIGHTS OK HONOR. 
 
 There are several associations in town, organized within a few years, which are especially 
 beneficial in their nature. The original and continued cost of membership is very reasonable, 
 and they atford their memljers an excellent life insurance, with a yearly rate of increase. Of 
 these associations Washington Lodge, No. 1840, was organized under authority from the Grand 
 
HTSTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 419 
 
 Lodg'e of this State. Its charter membership was nineteen, since increased to thirty-two, the 
 present number. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and there are constant applications 
 for niemljership. The following are the officers elected for ISST : Dictator, J. Normau Hall ; 
 Vice-Dictator, Henry C. Cowell; Assistant Dictator, George F. Cheever; Treasurer. F. G. 
 Pate: Representative, W. H. Kling; Financial Representative, L. Y. Witherell: Chaplain, La 
 Burton Warren; Guide, L. H. Pherzon ; Inside Sentinel, L. H. Pherzon ; Outside Sentinel, 
 C. Dobra. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL ARCANUM. 
 
 This council. Xo. 306. was organized August 8, 1ST9, with nineteen charter members, and it 
 was instituted l>y officers of the Grand Council of ^Massachusetts. The laws of this association 
 artbrd to full-rate members an insurance of s^o.OOO, and to half-rate members one of 81.500. 
 Since its organization this lodge has lost six full members: Edwin J. Horton, Eliot Hunt, 
 Charles E. Hayward, Job Savery, Benjamin J. Angell, and Gideon M. Horton. and has paid 
 out on account of these deaths the sum of $18,000. It has sixty memliers, and is in a thriving 
 condition. The following were officers for 1887: Regent, Charles C. Wilmarth; Vice-Regent, 
 A. Vinton Cobb; Past Regent, William Xerney; Secretary, Charles O. Sweet; Treasurer, 
 Lucius Z. Carpenter; Chaplain. Benjamin P. King: Orator, David E. Makepeace; Collector, 
 Charles A. Wetherell; Guide. Frederick M. Ellis; Warden, Eugene M. Skinner; Sentry, 
 J. Sheijard Ricluirds. 
 
 NOKTH ATTLEISOROUtiH COUNCIL ROYAL AliCANUlM. 
 
 This council was instituted March 1."), 18ST, by Grand Secretary H. S. Worrall. Its place of 
 meeting is Pythian Hall, and there are thirty members. At the time of the institution the fol-. 
 lowing officers were installed : Past Regent, J . A. Codding : Regent, W. H. Adair ; Vice-Regent, 
 O. W. Clifford; Orator, G. W. Lyman; Chaplain, C. A. Reed; Secretary, Frank H. Cutler; 
 Treasurer, G. W. Waterman; Collector, H. H.Hill: Guide. George E. Cummiugs; Warden, 
 X. E. Moore; Sentry, C. H. Peck; Trustees, E. R. Price, E. S. Cargill, B. S. Freeman. 
 
 MAGNOLIA COUNCIL, NO. 121, AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR. 
 
 The charter for this council was given to thirty persons, and it was instituted at East Attle- 
 borough. May -24:, 1880. Its present number of members is sixty-six. Officers for 1887 : Com- 
 mander, Charles Isl. Rhodes; Vice-Commander. Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart; Past Connuander, 
 F. D. Hall; Secretary, R. Zequeira; Treasurer, Mrs. Emily Cooper; Collecror, John L. Tobitt; 
 Chaplain, Mrs. Isaac Pettis; Orator, John Cooper; Guide. Eben Hirons; Warden, G. P. Wil- 
 liams ; Sentry, Isaac Pettis. 
 
 MA.SSASOIT COUNCIL. NO. 270, AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR. 
 
 This council was instituted at X^^orth Attlel)orough, July 30, 1880. Its charter memlters num- 
 bered nineteen, and its present membership is thirty-three. It meets in Pythian Hall on Wash- 
 ington Street. This organization insures its memliers for sums varying from 1^500 to .s5,000. 
 The officers for 1887 were: Past Commander, E. R. Richardson; Commander, Herbert K. 
 Sturdy; Vice-Commander, Hamilton A. Kendall: Secretary, Jesse D. Bates; Treasurer, 
 Charles T. Guild; Orator, Horace M. S(;ribner; Collector, Paul Schmidt; Chaplain. Benjamin 
 W. Goode; Guide, Ira V. Dunbar; Warden, Samuel Handin; Sentry, AV. P. Whittemore; 
 Medical Examiner, Dr. F. L. Burden. 
 
 UIONY.S LODGE, NO. 317. 
 
 This is an association of a similar nature to the above, and belongs to a German order. Its 
 members are German citizens entirely, and in its meetings no language but the German is 
 used. The order in this country started in 1849, and now extends all over the States and into 
 some of the Territories, and since its connnencemeut has paid to beneficiaries more than 
 $800,000. The principle of the order is " Charity," the motto, " Friendship. Love, and Human- 
 ity," which is almost exactly like that of Odd Fellowship — " Friendship, Love, and Truth." 
 Dionys Lodge was instituted July 29, 1873, at X'orth Attleborough, and has a present m<;mber- 
 ship of fifty-six. It pays to sick members $5 per week, and in case of death the sum of $500 to 
 
420 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the family of the decenseil. Following are the oliicers for 18ST: (). M., .John Betz; U. B.. 
 Ernst Henbach; Secretary. Amand Witzkc; Treasurer, Charles W. Henipel; Prchf., Henry 
 Stetter; Representative to (irand Lodge, Otto Driesner. 
 
 PEXNIN(i'niX LiUKiK, N(J, 44, ANCIl'.XT OKDEU OK UXII KI) WOliK.MKN. 
 
 The order bearing this title is an organization '-for the mutual benefit of its members and 
 their families,'' and is composed of subordinate and grand lodges and one supreme lodge. It 
 is, though its name implies diflerently, a modern organization, dating its origin from 
 Meadvillc, Penn., on October 27, 18(!S. It has had a wonderful growth, and is represented all 
 over the land. This order has various degrees, with appropriate initiatory ceremonies, and 
 like all the others menti(jned is secret in its character and beneficial in its workings, not only 
 financially, but morally. By the yiMirly payment of a very small sum, $2,000 is secured to the 
 family of each member — or to any person designated by him — who dies in full and honora- 
 ble standing, and during the first fifteen years of its existence the order paid out in this way 
 over iST,500,000 " without one dollar of loss or defalcation." 
 
 Pexxixcitox Lodge, No. 44, was instituted June 19, 1882, with twenty-two charter mem- 
 bers, and it now has ninety-five. Its first otticers were : Past Master Workman, G. M. Horton ; 
 3Lister Workman, N. J. Smith; Foreman, J. W. Luther; Overseer. John Slater; Recorder, 
 F. L. Le Baron; Financier, J. L. Lamb; Receiver, J. L. Sweet; Guide, S. R. Briggs; Inside 
 Watchman, C. W. Sherman; Outside Watchman, ('. R. Bates; Medical Examiner, J. W. 
 Battershall; Trustees. G. M. Plorton, George F. Holmes, J. W. Battershall. The officers for 
 1887 were: Past Master Workman, Emmons I). Guild; Master Workman, George A. Taylor; 
 Foreman, Herbert H. Clark; Overseer, George O. Wilmarth; Regent, Thomas D. Gardner; 
 Financier, H. E. Durgin; Recorder, L. Z. Cari)enter; Guide, George H. Smith; Inside Watch- 
 man, Charles Keeler; Outside Watchman, Louis B. Kingman; Medical Examiner, J. W. 
 Battershall; Trustees, G. T. Holmes, J. W. Battershall, L. Z. Carpenter. 
 
 MOUNT HOPE LODGE, Xo. ()7. 
 
 This lodge of the same order was organized at North Attleborough, August 30, 1886. The 
 original number of members was twenty-seven, and there was no increase until April, 1887, 
 when two new memljers were admitted. The following were the officers for 1887: Past Mas- 
 ter Workman, T. G. Sandland; Master Workman, H. P. Richards; Foreman, George W. 
 Cheever; Overseer, H. W. Sherman; Regent, J. H. Peckham; Financier. Alpin Chisholm; 
 Recorder, J. A. Codding; Inside Watchman. E. F. Whiting; Outside AVatchman. O. H. 
 Atwood; Trustees, F. I. Barden, N. B. Follett, S. E. Fisher. 
 
 ATTLEliOItOUGH YOUXG MKX'S CHRISTIAX ASSOCIATIOX. 
 
 The |)reliminary meeting having in view the formation of this association was held in the 
 Methodist Church, October 10, 18fi7; the second in the Second Congregational Church on Octo- 
 ber 22, when a constitution was adopted and the following officers elected ; namely, President, 
 N. C. Luther; Vice-President, J. O. Tiflany; Secretary and Treasurer, C. G. Hill ; Standing 
 Committee, C. E. Bliss, C. L. Fuller, C. E. Carpenter, and Freeman Robbins.' Among the 
 charter members were Rev. F. N. Peloubet and Rev. A. Anderson, then pastors of the Second 
 Congregational and Methodist churches respectively. 
 
 In 3Iay, 18(!8, the association voted to hire Dean's Building, opposite the old postotfice, for a 
 reading-room and meeting-place, and the first meeting held in these, their own quarters, was 
 on the thirtieth of June following. They remained in this building (which meanwhile changed 
 hands and became the property of W. IL Hardin) until the sijring of 18S6, when the increased 
 interest manifested in the work, and especially in the Sabbath afternoon meetings, made it nec- 
 essary to obtain ampler acconunodations, and rooms were secured in Pierce's Block, on Park 
 Street. Religious meetings have been held here on Sunday and Thursday evenings, with an 
 attendance on Sunday varying from sixty to a hundred young men, and occasional religious 
 work is also done in outlying districts of the town. A thoroughly good work has been in prog- 
 ress under the auspices of this organization iluring the twenty years of its existence — often 
 in the face of great discouragements, when many of the members have lost interest. There 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 421 
 
 have always been, however, ''the faitlifiil few," whose courage has never failed, and whose 
 zeal has always been practically manifested. The work, though varying in amount from year 
 to year, has never been entirely interrupted, and much tangible good has been accomplished. 
 There is now a growing appreciation on the part of the general community of the l)enefits 
 resulting from the labors of this association, and appeals for assistance in carrying out its 
 purposes have met with very liberal responses. There are at present eighty active and twenty- 
 eight associate members. Increased efforts and more extended work are contemplated, and 
 the association looks forward to a building of its own. as soon as practicable.' 
 
 The following gentlemen have served as presidents: Nathan C. Luther, three terms; Charles 
 E. Bliss, one term; Hartford S. Babcock, one term; Alvin F. "Wood, one term; Edwin .1. 
 Hortou, eight terms; Homer M. Daggett, two terms; Samuel W. Gould, four terms. Fol- 
 lowing are the various secretaries in their order: Calvin G. Hill. Edwin J. Horton, Job B. 
 Savery, George E. Luther, William H. Gould, Benjamin P. King, Albert PL Tucker. Officers 
 for 1887 were: President, A. Vinton Cobb; Secretary, G. M. Chace. 
 
 \V():MEX'S CHIMSTI.VN TEMPERAXCK UNION. 
 
 The rise of this large and powerful organization throughout the land nuist be attributed to 
 the temperance raids by the women of Ohio in 1874. Fanatics these were called — the leaders 
 in every reformation are; unwomanly — perhaps so in many instances; overstepping the 
 bounds of their proper sphere in life — that may be to some extent true ; interfering in what 
 was none of their business — no; too many of them through husbands, brothers, and sons 
 were sutlering from the evils of the dreadful curse they longed and sought to remove. They 
 certainly placed themselves in a position to induce the severe criticism which was liberally be- 
 stowed, and their methods may have been unwise, but the end has justitiedthe means. From 
 that little band of crazy enthusiasts, as they were termed, has sprung up a great order of 
 women banded together by the strongest tie — a connnon love and a connnon sorrow — to fight 
 the universal ill, which is acknowledged to be a terrible scourge. The members of this order 
 are of every rank in life, from the wife and daughter of the laborer to ladies of the highest cul- 
 tivation and rank; so indeed were the crusaders, many of them being ladies of retinement and 
 of high social position. The members of the unions are doing their varied forms of woman's 
 work in a womanly way, Init none the less in a determined and businesslike manner, and many 
 forward steps have been taken and nuich good has been already accomplished. There are 
 town, county, and State leagues, each one independent in its own special work, but mutually 
 dependent in that common to all, and above and uniting all there is a grand or national league. 
 These are all thoroughly organized, their business afiairs properly managed and well conducted. 
 To the fundamental work— which is still supreme — are added various forms of charitable 
 work, as location or circumstance may dictate, and esi)ecially the remedy for ills which are 
 engendered by other vices than that of intemperance is sought for. Earnest and conscientious 
 eflbrts have been and still are being put forth in every direction possible, and each year l>rings 
 encouragements not only in increase of numbers and formation of new unions, but in other 
 visible good results to the labors. 
 
 1 This building has been erected. During the latter part of 1888 some preparatory work was begun : 
 the cornerstone was laid in the spring of 1SS9, aud the building dedicated in the autumn of the same 
 year. Laud was purchased of Dr. J. It. Bronson, on County Street, near its intersection with 
 Park Street. The building is about 34 l)y 58 feet in size, and two stories high above the basement. 
 The latter includes the gymnasium, bathroom, etc.; the first story, reading-room, parlor, boys' room, 
 and ollice ; and the second story, two class or lecture rooms. The cost of building and land was about 
 $10,000. Toward this sum tlie largest contributor was Mr. J. JM. Fisher; the two next largest, Mr. 
 S. \V. Gouhl and Mr. M. K. Rowe, while Mr. J. L. Sweet made a very generous promise to be fulUIlcd 
 when a certain amount of the entire sum should be raised. It is titling to mention the names of 
 Edwin ,1. Horton, Samuel W. Gould, and A. Vinton Cobb as very earnest practical workers in the 
 cause of this association. Previous to the erection of the new building a LaiUes' Auxiliary was 
 formetl, which, as its name indicates, aids the work of the association in various ways. The organi- 
 zation here has been very efficient. 
 
422 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ATTLEBOKOUGH WOMKN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 
 
 Through the eftbrts of Rev. (Mrs.) Ellen C. Gustln, then vice-president of the Massa- 
 chusetts Temperance Union, a convention for Bristol County was held in the Second Congre- 
 gational Church, this town, on April 20, 187(5. This meeting was addresscid by various per- 
 sons engaged in the cause, and considerable interest was ai)i)arently awakened. By a rising 
 vote it was decided to form a union in the East village. A nominating committee was 
 appointed by Mrs. Gustin, and those ladies whose names were presented to the meeting by this 
 connnittce were unanimously elected to the various offices. These were: Mrs. C. E. Luther, 
 president; Mrs. N. M. Daggett, vice-president; Mrs. L. B. Sweet, secretary; Miss C. C. 
 Thacher, treasurer. An executive committee numbering twelve was also chosen, but l)y a 
 subse(iuent vote was reduced to seven in number. 
 
 The tirst l)usiness meeting was held at the residence of Mrs. Samuel Holman, on the twenty- 
 fourth of the same month, April, lsT(i, and a constitution was then adopted. At the same time 
 it was announced that the Young Men's Christian Association had oflered the use of its reading- 
 room to the Union. This courtesy was gratefully accepted and acknowledged. It was freely 
 extended for a period of nearly ten years, for it was not until December 2, 1885. that the union 
 moved into its own pleasant hall in Horton's Block. This kindness on the part of a society not 
 overbountifully supplied with funds was always properly appreciated, and it was with much 
 pleasure that the ladies at one special time found opportunity to give tangilde proof of their 
 thankfulness, in assisting to raise funds for the young men's association, which some of them 
 did to a considerai)le amount. 
 
 The yearly dues in this organization are only tifty cents. Large sums are not required for 
 carrying on its particular lines of work, though more or less is done in the way of charity, 
 which requires money. When funds are needed entertainments are given, and many con- 
 ducted by the ladies of this union have been l>oth pleasant and i)rofitable. To the small mem- 
 bership at the start there have been large accessions, and the union lias now one hundred and 
 one active members and eleven honorary members. 
 
 The otticers for 1887 were: President, INlrs. C. E. Luther; Vice-Presidents (two from each 
 church), Mrs. L. B. Sweet, Mrs. Charles Blackinton, Mrs. Lowell Brown, Mrs. J. Jordan, 
 Mrs. L. J. Lamb, Mrs. Edwin Clafiin, and Rev. Mrs. Gustin: Recording Secretary, Mrs. A. E. 
 Richards; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Helen A. Wexel; Treasurer, Mrs. Harford Capron ; 
 Assistant Treasurer, Mrs. Abijah A\"ales. 
 
 There is a large and flourishing Band of Hope carried on by the members of this union. 
 
 ATTLEBOKOUGH Y()UN(i WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION. 
 
 This union for young ladies was organized October 19, 1885, by 3Iiss E. S. Tobey, president 
 of the Massachusetts State ITnion. The tirst officers were: Mrs. E. A. Cummings, president; 
 Miss Annie Wheaton, and Mrs. Clara Mason, vice-presidents; Miss A. L. Jones, secretary; 
 Miss I. L. Bacon, treasurer. This union is independent of the other, but unites with it in 
 hiring a hall. Its methods for raising money are the same, and this is applied for charitable 
 work as is necessary. Every year something is done for the Flower Mission in town. There 
 are about tifty active members, and twenty-four honorary members. Following are the officers 
 for 1887: President, Miss Florence Fisher; A^ice-Presideuts. 3Iiss Annie Wheaton and Mrs. 
 Clara Mason; Recording Secretary, Miss B. H. Webber; Corresponding Secretary, Miss E. E. 
 Gavitt; Treasurer, Miss Alice D. Graham. [No longer in existence.] 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOKOUGH WOMEN'S CHKISTIAN TEMl'EKANCE UNION. 
 
 On the morning of May 3, 187G, Just two weeks subsequent to the meeting held in the East 
 village, a meeting was held in the Free Evangelical Church at North Attleborough, under the 
 auspices of the State Union, having in view the formation of a union there. At this meeting, 
 Mrs. Richards, of Ciiarlestown, Mrs. AVard, of Salem, and Miss Oliver, of Boston, were the 
 speakers. A second meeting was held in the afternoon of the same day, which was opened 
 with prayer by Mrs. Gustin, who also made remarks. An original poem by Mrs. Sweet and 
 an essay by Mrs. Holman were read. It was at that time decided to organize a union, and the 
 following officers were elected: President, Mrs. Canfield; Vice-President, Mrs. E. French; 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 423 
 
 Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. H. Kice; and au executive board numbering six ladies. The 
 lirst elected president served but three months, and since that time the following named ladies 
 have occupied that office: Mrs. Copeland served nearly three years; Mrs. Thompson, one 
 year; Mrs. Kendall, one year; Mrs. Copeland, again, for one year; Mrs. Wood, one year; Mrs. 
 Draper, four years, and still continues. 
 
 This union has devoted itself chiefly to the distribution of temperance literature, and the 
 suppression of that of au impure character, to Sunday-school, juvenile, and evangelistic work, 
 to press and legal work, to town and county fairs, narcotics and tobacco, and to temperance 
 instruction for the children of the public schools. A considerable and encouraging work has 
 been accomplished, and the union is prospering, with a membership of one hundred and 
 thirteen. 
 
 The othcers in ISST were: President, Mrs. Lafayette Draper; Recording Secretary, Mrs. 
 Eugene Fisher; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Copeland; Treasurer, Mrs. A. G. Hatch; Vice- 
 Presidents, Mrs. J. G. Barden, Mrs. J. B. Hatch, Mrs. A. M. Sperry, 3Irs. Phillips, Mrs. 
 Pliny Thomas; these with the other officers forming the executive board. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEI50R0UGH YOUXG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN TKMl'ERANCE UNION. 
 
 This union was organized October 15, 188G. It has at present sixtj'-three active members 
 and twenty-three honorary members. Its work has been especially in the Flower Mission, 
 temperance literature, and amongst railroad employees, and it has been carried on with much 
 zeal and enthusiasm. 
 
 Great efforts have been made in this part of the town to secure signers to the temperance 
 pledge, and the Reform Club has also claimed the attention of the union. The children in the 
 Sunday-schools were pledged, and in ISSO a society named the Children's Gospel Temperance 
 Society was organized by 3Irs. Kendall and Mrs. Copeland, and out of that has grown the 
 present children's society. In 1883 the name was changed to the Baud of Hope, and in 1885 to 
 the present one of Loyal Legion. Since this society was first formed four hundred and fifty 
 names have been enrolled upon its books, and it is now in a very prosperous condition. In 
 the various ladies' temperance unions the aim is as far as possible to first set the children right, 
 and through them ^ by their infinence in great measure — to reach and benefit parents and 
 elders, and in these as in general charities this has proved to be an efficient way to accomplish 
 the desired ends. 
 
 KELLOGG DIVISION, NO. 115, SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 
 
 This society was instituted February 7, 1885, and has its hall for meetings in Horton's Block 
 The oflicers for 1887 were: W. P., Charles D. Knight; W. A., Harry Carlyle; R. S., William 
 Miller; A. R. S., Frank Stearns ; F. S., Hattie Mallery ; T., Charles Streeter ; Chaplain, Samuel 
 Hodson; Con., Bertha Pease; A. C, Annie Dow; I. S., Miss Kingman; O. S., Clark Newell. 
 
 CARLISLE LODGE, NO. 200, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF G(.)OD TEMPLAItS. 
 
 This lodge was instituted September 22, 1886, and also meets in Horton's Block. Its officers 
 for the year 1887 were: W. C. T., Sheldon Williams; W. S., Sanford L. Wood; W. F. S., 
 E. C. Newell; W. Treasurer, Alfred Mowry. 
 
 HOPE LODGE,! NO. 110, SONS OF TEMI'ERANCE. 
 
 This lodge meets at Central Church, Attleborough Falls, and was instituted March 22, 1885. 
 Following are the officers for 1887: W. P., William H. Robinson; W. A. R. S., Valentine Deu- 
 zer; A. R. S., Charles Carpenter; F. S., C. N. Richardson; T., H. D. Dean; Chaplain, Maggie 
 Denzer; C, Cora Miller; A. S., Mrs, Jesse Andrews; P. W. P., G. O. Jeuness; I. S., Samuel 
 Miller; 0. S., E. C. Stanley. 
 
 'Or Ray of Hope Division, Sons of Temperance. 
 
424 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 OLIVE BRANCH DIVISION, NO. 117, SONS OF TEMPERANCE. 
 
 Tills lod'^e meets iu Gould's Block on Washington Street, North Attleborough. Its officers lu 
 1887 were :is follows: W. P., Harry A. Holt; P. W. P., Henry S. Shea; W. A., Miss Dora P. 
 Nightingale; F. S., Charles E. Metcalf ; Treasurer, Burgess Howland. 
 
 For some years there was a lodge of the Temple of Honor In town, but It has recently been 
 disbanded. 1 
 
 POKANOKET TRIBE, NO. 38, ORDER OF RED MEN. 
 
 This lodge was Instituted in East Attleborough, March 15, 1887, and the following officers 
 were Installed by Grand Sachem W. J. Dlnsmore of the Grand Council of Massachusetts, 
 seventy-five '' palefaces" having been previously made into " red men" : Past Sachem, George 
 Randall; Sachem. Edward A. Sweeney; Senior Sagamore, George H. Smith; .Junior Saga- 
 more, Alfred H. Chatterton; Prophet, George Randall; Keeper of Records, Edgar L. Black- 
 inton; Assistant Keeper of Records, Louis H. Cooper; Keeper of Wampum, Benjamin A. 
 Sibley; First Sannap, Arthur F. Lincoln; Second Sannap, O. W. Hawkins; Warriors. G. H. 
 Uhlig, H. N. Alger, L. B. Kingman, J. B. Shaw; Braves, C. E. Richards, B. F. Blackinton, 
 A. R. Bishop, A. A. McRae; Keeper of Wigwam, J. T. luman; Keeper of Forest, J. B. 
 Hodge. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH BOARD OF HEALTH. 
 
 At the annual town meeting held March 19, 1883, a Board of Health was for the first time 
 established. The members then elected were: Elisha G. May. George N. Crandall, Joseph G. 
 Barden, George Mackle. m.d., .James R. Foster, m.d. This entire board was reele(!ted for three 
 years consecutively. At the last annual meeting of the town Everett S. Horton was elected a 
 member lu place of Mr. Crandall. Dr. Mackle has held the position — by election — of chair- 
 man of the board since it came into existence, and Dr. Foster that of secretary in the same 
 w^ay. 
 
 The duties of such an organization are too well understood to need explanation. The board 
 here has made yearly detailed reports of its work, and these have been printed in the annual 
 town reports, thus bringing information regarding its labors before the inhabitants. While in 
 a town like this there may not be such serious need of this work as in our large and over- 
 crowdetl cities, still even now the need is decidedly appi'eciable. and its good results apparent. 
 "With an increase of population and a more general iutroductiou of so-called city improvements 
 there will l>e a corresponding increase in the necessity for an efficient health department, and 
 its real value will doubtless be more properly estimated. The town is wise in looking forward 
 to the probable future, and in '* taking time by the forelock" in this matter. 
 
 During the first year of the existence of the board only five notices to put premises into 
 proper condition had l)een necessary, and in one instance only was a second notice required, 
 suggestions to property owners having almost always proved sufficient. During the year 1882 
 or 1883 not a single death occurred in the town from scarlet fever, measles, or smallpox; only 
 one from whooping-cough and diphtheria, and only eight from typhoid fever. During the year 
 1886 the l)oard state that not a single legal notice with regard to the condition of premises had 
 been served — an excellent showing. Of the hundred and sixty-eight deaths reported for 
 that year, nine only were from contagious diseases, four being from diphtheria, three from 
 scarlatina, and two from typhoid fever. Consumption had caused the greatest numl>er of 
 deaths, but on the whole the town was in a healthy condition and had been remarkably free 
 from serious epidemics. 
 
 The members of the board for 1887 were : Dr. .James 11. Foster, Dr. George Mackle, Everett 
 S. Horton, Thomas P. McDonough, and Daniel H. Robinson. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH BOARD OF TRADE. 
 
 This l)oard was organized December 27, 1880. Its membership increased from fifty, the 
 original number, until there were upwards of sixty members, among them many of the men 
 
 1 Some if not all of these last-mentioned temperance organizations appear either to have disbanded 
 or to have been merged into otlier orders, for none of tliese names seem to be extant at the present 
 time, 1893. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 425 
 
 of wealth and business influence in that village, the Falls, and Plainville. The meeting- place- 
 was a room in Barrows' Block. The officers elected for 1887 were as follows: President, 
 Edward R. Price; Vice-Presidents. Henry F. Barrows, Sanuiel E. Fisher, and Edward E. 
 Barrows; Secretary, F. B. Byram; Treasurer, Henry F. Barrows, Jr. Although its condition 
 was flourishing it was decided to abolish tliis organization, chiefly because there are so many 
 others to maintain, and that was accordingly done in February, 1887. 
 
 ATTLEBOKOUGH BOARD OF TltADE. 
 
 In Xovember, 1881, this board was organized with about twenty-five members. The present 
 number is twenty-nine. The first president was Joseph M. Bates. The second president, and 
 the one holding that office in 1887, was Daniel Smith ; the vice-president, James H. Sturdy ; and 
 the secretary and treasui-er, Orville liichardson, Jr. The board has a room in Horton's 
 Block. [This organization has passed out of existence.] 
 
 COMPANY C. ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The real beginning of this association was a torchlight company which was formed in the 
 East village during the (rarfield and Arthur campaign in the autumn of 1880, and it gave itself 
 the name of Company C. In the next presidential campaign, that of Blaine and Logan, " many 
 of the old boys, witii some new ones, formed a company, and adopted the old name." On 
 election night, November 4, 18Si, they secured Room No. 19 in Horton Block and made arrange- 
 ments for receiving election returns there. During that evening it was decided to form a 
 permanent organization, and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws. 
 On November 11 this committee presented its report, which was accepted by the adoption of 
 the constitution and by-laws prepared, and the name of Company C. Association was formally 
 assumed. The following officers were elected at that time : President, E. S. Norton ; First 
 Vice-President, George A. Adams; Second Vice-President, E. W. Rhodes; Secretary, Fred. L. 
 Morse; Treasurer, John McDonald; Executive Committee, C. H. Chappell, W. H. Blaney, 
 W. L. King, E. S. Horton, and B. J. Angell; Auditing Committee, Fred. L. LeBaron, George 
 A. Adams, and E. W. Rhodes. The number of members at the organization was forty-two. 
 
 The object of the association is set forth in the preamble to the constitution : " The object 
 of the Association shall be the maintenance and promulgation of the principles of the Repub- 
 lican party, literary entertainment and social enjoyment." 
 
 The officers for 1887-88 were: President, E. S. Horton; First Vice-President, W. B. Allen; 
 Second Vice-President, W. L. King; Secretary, C. J. 3IcClatchey; Assistant Secretary, J. A. 
 Thayer; Treasurer, W. J. Newman; Executive Conunittee, George Randall, A. T. Wales, 
 W. L. King, "\V^. B. Allen, and F. L. LeBaron ; Auditing Committee, C. E. Richards, J. A. Thayer, 
 and F. L. LeBaron. At this time the membership was eighty-seven. [The Association 
 remained in the room first occupied until November, 1888, when it removed to Room No. 11 on 
 the same floor of Horton Block. On July 2, 1888, it removed to the suite of rooms now occu- 
 pied on the third floor of the same building. This consists of reception, reading, and billiard 
 room, parlor and anteroom. "The number on its rolls at present — Feb. 1894 — is 242. 
 The success of the Asso' is chiefly due to the personal interest taken by its members, the low 
 cost which it has been. .$3.00 per year for dues since its organization, and its exceptionally fine 
 list of periodicals, costing about a hundred dollars a year for subscriptions. Much of the 
 success of the Asso' is due Ex Pres't E. S. Horton. whose zeal in behalf of the organization 
 has been unflagging since its inception, and who still retains a lively interest in it. He was its 
 Pres't from its organization until Nov. o"! 1893, when he declined to serve longer. He had 
 several tiiues before tried to retire, but the members would not hear to it." His successor is 
 George A. Adams, Esq.] 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 The town has two national and one savings bank, and all are in a satisfactorily successful 
 condition. 
 The ATTLEBOKOUGH Bank was started in 1836, antl chartered by the State. Following is 
 
 the act : — 
 
 An Act to establish the Attleb(>rou<jh Bank. 
 
 Jacob Bolkcom, Johnathan Bliss, and Richard Robinson their associates and successors, are 
 hereby created a corporation, by the narne of the President, Directors and Company of the 
 
426 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Attleboro Bank to be established in Attleborough, ami shall so coutimie until the first day of 
 October in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty One. And shall be entitled to all 
 the privileges and powers and subject to all the duties, liabilities, and requirements contained 
 in the Thirty Sixth chapter of the Revised Statutes passed the fourth day of November in the 
 year One Tliousand Eight Hundred and Thirty five. 
 Capital Stock shall consist of One Hundred Thousand Dollars. 
 
 The first board of directors, elected in 1836, were : X. W. Sanford, Jou" Bliss, Jacob Bolkcom, 
 Samuel Carpenter, Willard Blackington, Capron Peck, Herbert 31. Draper. "William Otis, Rich- 
 ard Robinson, Samuel B. Schenck, Laban M. Wheatou.i 
 
 In IS'iS. the bank was removed from East to North Attleborough by Act of Legislature. 
 The argument urged in favor of its removal was that the latter village represented a much 
 larger amount of capital than the former, and was therefore entitled to the l>ank, its require- 
 ments in that direction being greater than those of the east part of the town. In 1805 the 
 organization was changed to a national bank with a capital of slOO.OOO. The charter received 
 at that time ran for twenty years. At its expiration in 1885 there was a i-eorganization and 
 it became the Nokth Attleborough National Baxk, and its capital was increased to 
 §150,000. President in 1887. Henry F. Barrows; Cashier, Edward R. Price. 
 
 Following is a list of the presidents from the beginning : N. W. Sanford, elected May !>, 183G; 
 Samuel Carpenter, October 2, 1837 : L. M. Wheaton, October 4, 1852 ; E. Ira Richards, February 
 11,1850; Daniel Evans, January 27, 1875: Henry F. Barrows, 1885. This bank has a building. 
 
 By Act of Legislature, the Attleborough Savings Bank was incorporated February 2, 
 1800. The petitioners for the charter of this organization were E. I. Richards, J. D. Richards, 
 H. M. Richards, and George Morse. About a j'ear after this petition was ratified, the corpora- 
 tors organized and twenty-five gentlemen were elected by the petitioners as members of the 
 organization. They chose Ezekiel Bates president and ^^'. H. Robinson vice-]n'e.>ident. These 
 corporate members became depositors for small sums ranging from five to twelve dollars, simply 
 to create a basis upon which to commence operations, and '• during the first 15 months of the 
 bank's existence, nearly 25 names ap])eared upon its books as regular depositors." The advan- 
 tage of having in town a place of security for both the savings and the surplus soon came to be 
 generally i-ecognized, and since the first year of the existence of this bank there has been a 
 rapid increase both in the number of depositors and the amount of deposits. The members of 
 the corporation are men of good judgment and business sagacity, and under their prudent, 
 " careful management, this savings-bank has often been pronounced one of the soundest in the 
 State." The number of depositors is 2,300 and the present amount of deposits in round num- 
 bers $800,000. In 1887 the ofiicers were: President, Abiel Codding; Vice-President, George 
 A. Dean; Secretary and Treasurer, Edward R. Price. Conducts its business in National Bank 
 Building. 
 
 The First National Bank of Attleborough was chartered in 1875 with a capital of 
 flOO.OOO. Mr. AN'illard Blackinton, who had been one among the originators of the old Attle- 
 borough Bank, was one of the gentlemen most actively interested in obtaining the charter for 
 this new bank. He was elected its first president, and two years after its establishment he 
 died suddenly at the bank in Sturdy's Building while engaged in the performance of one of the 
 duties of his office — presiding at a meeting of the board of directors. Mr. J. 31. Bates was 
 hosen his successor and has retained the otfice ever since. During the past year^, 1886, this 
 bank has lost four of its directors by death ; namely, Charles E. Hay ward and Gideon M. Hor- 
 ton, of East Attleborough, Frank S. Draper, of North Attleborough, and George C. Elliott, of 
 Norton. Officers for 1887: President, J. M. Bates; Cashier, Homer M. Daggett; Directors, 
 J. M. Bates, J. H. Sturdy, S. W. Carpenter, B. S. Freeman, W. M. Fisher, G. A. Dean, C. L. 
 Watson, J. J. Horton, J. L. Sweet. 
 
 attleborough savings and loan assocl\tion. 
 This association was organized about 1854 as the Attleborough Loan Fund Associa- 
 tion and continued under that name about fourteen vears. In 1869 it was reorganized as the 
 
 ' Of Norton. Names are spelled as found on the records. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 427 
 
 Attleborough Loan and Fund Association, continuing aliout seven years, and on 
 January 1, 1870. it was reorganized for the second time under the present name. 
 
 Shares are issued as desired at two dollars per month and put at interest. Upon the same 
 principle as that of savings banks, the accumulations are added to the principal and drawn at 
 the option of the shareholders. January 31. 1887, the loans on real estate and stock shares 
 an:ounted to over $174,000 — this is a sum continually on the increase — and the entire assets 
 of the association were $190,079. SO. There were then twelve series of shares, numbering in 
 all twelve hundred and eighteen, with a cash value of $2,442.98. The rate per cent, eaimed dur- 
 ing 1887 was tive and three-fourths. The amount of the guarantee fund was $3,940.40. 
 
 The first president of the association was Lorenzo Makepeace, wbo held the office about a 
 year; following him wa« Willard Blackinton, who continued about the same length of time; 
 then Joseph "W. Capron was elected and he still continues in the office, having retained it for 
 fully thirty-two years, thi'ough all the changes and under all the titles. In the twelfth annual 
 report of the present-named association the following list of officers is given: President, 
 Joseph W. C'api'on; Vice-President, James H. Sturdy; Secretary and Treasurer, John T. 
 Bates; Directors, J. M. Bates. S. N. Carpenter, A. B. Carpenter, E. S. Hortou, G. F. Bickuell, 
 William H. Smith, 31. B. Short, George A. Dean, F. I. Babcock; Trustees, J. M. Bates, A. B. 
 Carpenter; Loan Committee, J. M. Bates, S. N". Carpenter, Mace B. Short; Financial Com- 
 mittee, S. X. Carpenter, F. T. Babcock. Mace B. Shoi-t. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 This was tirst known as The Farmers and Mechanics Association. During the winter 
 of 1808-69 a course of agricultural lectures was given in the vestry of the Baptist Church by 
 Dodge Howard. At the close of these lectures the proposition was made to form a farmers' 
 club in town. The gentlemen present at the time this proposition was made fully apjiroved of 
 the idea suggested, and a meeting was appointed for March 29, to be held at the Falls school- 
 bouse. This meeting was held and various officers and committees elected pro tern. The 
 purpose of the association was declared to be " the advancement of agriculture as an art, and 
 as a science," and a constitution and by-laws were drafted and later accepted and adopted. At 
 the next meeting held the following permanent officers were elected : President. George Price ; 
 Vice-Presidents, W. H. Tiffany, S. S. Guild. S. M. Stanley; Secretary, Eliot Hunt; Treasurer, 
 Elisha G. May. 
 
 In August of the same year •* a lield meeting was held on the farm of S. M. Stanley. This 
 was something quite novel, and a decided advance in the history of farmers' clubs.'" At the 
 aunuid meeting held in July, 1869, it was voted to have reports of the various meetings of the 
 association sent to the Masw.chusetts Ploughman, Boston Cultivator, New England Farmer, 
 and Pawtucket Chronicle. There were field meetings held subseiiuently at Henry Richard- 
 son's and Charles E. Hayward's at which addresses were made by Mr. Leander Wetherell of 
 the Cultivator, and various members of the clul). The tirst '• fair, and market day'" of the 
 association was held on Octol)er 14, 1809, and it was celebrated at the old town house. 
 
 It was in March, 1870, that the first steps were taken towards procuring grounds and build- 
 ings. The tract purchased is near Robinsonville, at the junction of the two roads leading from 
 East to North Attleborough. A building one hundred feet long and sixty feet wide with a 
 mansard roof was erected, and proves to be very well suited for its chief purposes. Besides 
 this there are various other buildings such as the requirements of such an association demand, 
 and the racing track, a half-mile in length, is said to be one of the best in New England. The 
 amount of money expended upon these buildings and grounds was about $25,000. They were 
 appropriately dedicated September 20, 1871, the oration being delivered by Hon. George B. 
 Loriug, of Salem, and the following month the annual exhibition was held there for the tirst 
 time. This society has been of great benefit to agriculturists of the vicinity, and the town 
 has reason to feel a goodly degree of pride in the yearly fairs, which are a real credit to our 
 farmers, and the times of their occurrence are great gala days to hundreds, perhaps we should 
 say thousands, of people for miles around. 
 
 The association had but three presidents previous to the reorganization. George Price held 
 the office from 1869 to 187", Charles E. Hayward from 1877 to 1886, and Elton T. Franklin was 
 elected in 1886 and served till May, 1887. The other officers last chosen were : Vice-Presidents, 
 
428 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Tliomas A. Burden. Elisha G. May, William M. Fisher: Secretary, L. F. Mendell: Treasurer, 
 John Tliaclier. The niembershii) reached a lar^e number, and included many prominent citi- 
 zens of this town, and some from other towns in the vicinity. 
 
 Almost from the beginning the association had been hampered Ijy the large debt it had 
 incurred in building, and putting its grounds in proper order, and it was finally deemed best to 
 form it into a stock company. A petition asking for the desired authority was sent to the 
 Legislature which in due time was favorably received, and it was voted " to incorporate the 
 Attleborough Agricultural Association, with a capital stock of $30,000, and the right to hold 
 property to the amount of $30,000." Agreeably '' to a call of a majority of the incorporators," 
 a meeting of the new association was held in Agricultural Hall May 28. ISST. E. I. Franklin 
 was chosen its chairman, and L. F. Mendell secretary. Messrs. J. J. Horton, E. I. Franklin. 
 W. H. Wade, and L. F. Mendell were chosen a committee to present an appropriate constitu- 
 tion. They made a report which was accepted, and after some slight changes adopted. Then 
 the following boanl of directors was elected: T. A. Barden, E. G. May, W. M. Fisher, E. I. 
 Franklin. W. H. Wade. O. M. Draper, J. G. Barden, Isaac Alger. J. D. Lincoln, D. H. Smith, 
 James Orr, E. S. Williams, R. D. Manchester, R. F. Simmons, J. J. Ilorton, J. L. Sweet, 
 J. M. Bates. T. I. Smith, F. M. Whiting, C. T. Guild, F. I. Allen (of New York), John 
 Austin (of Providence), and A. H. Sweet (of Norton). John Thacher Avas chosen treasurer, 
 and L. F. Mendell secretary. These two last-named gentleman " are ex-officio directors," and 
 with the others form a board numbering twenty-five members. This meeting was adjourned 
 without electing the other otticers. These were subsequently elected, R. F. Simmons being the 
 president. 
 
 The annual meeting was held November 5. 1SS7. when a reelection of otficers for the coming 
 year took place. The above-named board of directors with the exception of three was chosen: 
 In place of O. M. Draper, J. L. Sweet, and T. T. Smith, E. I. Riley, C. L. Watson, and E. L. 
 Ilixon were elected. The present number of stockholders is one hundred and five and the 
 financial condition of the association under the new organization is most encouraging. The 
 officers elected are as follows: President, R. F. Simmons; Vice-Presidents. William M. Fisher, 
 E.G.May; Secretary, L. F. Mendell; Treasurer, John Thacher; Track Committee, Elton I. 
 Franklin; Directors: from North Attleborough, T. A. Barden, Joseph G. Barden, Frank M. 
 Whiting, Earle S. AVilliams, E. I. Franklin, Charles T. (iuild. Elmer I. Riley: from Attlebor- 
 ough, John Thacher, Daniel H. Smith, James J. Horton, Clarence L. Watson, .J. M. Bates, 
 AVilliam M. Fisher, Isaac Alger, R. D. Manchester; from South Attlel)orough, James Orr, 
 Elisha G. May; from Attleborough Falls, R. F. Simmons. E. L. llixon; from Plainville, 
 James D. Lincoln. William H. Wade, L. F. Mendell; from Providence, John Austin; from 
 Norton, A. H. Sweet; from New York, F. I. Allen. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOKOUGH GASLIGHT COMPAXY. 
 
 This is an inc'orporated company, and was organized in April, 1855. Its capital stock was 
 $42,500. The works were erected at the Falls, and were established largely through the 
 instrumentality of H. M. Richards, who about that time inirchased the property in that village 
 where he soon after built the stone mill. The manufacture of gas conunenced in the Novem- 
 ber following the formation of the company. In 1874 some $25,000 was spent in enlarging the 
 works, and a new gasometer has been built. In 1876 the estimated value of the company's 
 property was about $80,000. The capacity of the works is one hundred thousand cubic feet 
 per day. About ten miles of pipe have been laid, extending north to the G. A. R. Hall in 
 Plainville, and south to Mr. Freeman's residence below Robinsonville, in which village the 
 company lights the shops as well as those at the Falls proper and in North Attlel)orough. 
 There are now about three hunilreil and seventeen consumers. 
 
 The first superintendent was Henry Rice, who held the position for twenty years, from July 
 1, 1855, to August 1, 1875. His successor was Charles S. Colbeth, who continued about seven 
 years. He was succeeded by Mr. Hamlin, who remained a year, and then E. G.Pratt was 
 elected to the office. He resigned in 1887. The president of the company was then Abiel Cod- 
 ding, and the treasurer Charles H. Randall. The board of directors numbered seven. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 429 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH GASLIGHT COMPANY. 
 
 This compauy was formed in 18o7, aud Dr. Edward Sanford was elected its first president, 
 G. A. Whipple its first treasurer, and Jonathan Peck the first superintendent. The works 
 were built on what is now Dunham Street, near Pine Street, then at a considerable distance 
 from the village, but now quite near its centre, and they were enlarged in 1873. The present 
 length of street pipe is 1S.400 feet, the number of consumers 172, and the amount of consump- 
 tion about 5,448.500 cubic feet yearly. Gas is carried through all the principal streets of the 
 village, north to BJackinton's aud south as far as the new residence of Mr. John Cummings, 
 on South Main Street. At first the gas here was made of rosin, but the war caused such a rise 
 in the price of that material that it became necessary to make the change to coal gas, and since 
 18*37 that has been the kind produced. Tn the month of January of that year twenty thousand 
 feet of gas were made; at the present time the daily production exceeds that amount. 
 
 In 1882 new buildings were erected, and these contain all the facilities for the pi'oper produc- 
 tion of good gas. The holding capacity of the establishment had become quite inadequate, as 
 a large amount of gas is consumed in the village, especially in the shops and opera house, and 
 additions in this direction have recently been made which provide all the space required for 
 that purpose. This is a very well-managed company, those *' most actively connected with it 
 being some of our public-spirited business men." In proof of this may be cited the fact that 
 the former price of $0.50 per thousand feet has been reduced to ^l.lb, with a better quality of 
 gas. A large share of the late success of the company is due to the etliciency of the superin- 
 tendent, Mr. Capron. The officers for 1887 were: President, J. W. Capron; Vice-President, 
 G. N. Crandall; Secretary and Treasurer, A. W. Sturdy; Directors, J. W. Capron, G. N. 
 Crandall, S. W. Carpenter, A. W. Sturdy, William M. Fisher, E. S. Horton, G. A. Dean; 
 Trustees, J. W. Capron, G. N. Crandall; Auditors, G. A. Dean, S. W. Carpenter, E. S. Hor- 
 ton; Superintendent, E. S. Capron. 
 
 ATTLEBOliOUGH FIRE DISTRICT. 
 
 Upon the town l)Ook, under date October 12, 1859, may be found the following record: 
 '• Voted $1,000 reward for detection and conviction of person who set fire to Steam Power 
 Co.'s building." This reward was never claimed, and that matter is still covered with mys- 
 tery, but one of the results of the fire proved to be beneficial. So helpless did the people find 
 themselves in the face of this fire, which for hours threatened the complete destruction of the 
 entire central portion of the village, that the serious attention of the citizens was turned 
 toward the question of fires, and the urgent need of providing more adequate means of 
 extinguishing them than hastily collected wooden buckets or a few wet blankets pro^■ided by 
 private individuals proved to be was fully realized and acknowledged. 
 
 Somewhat upon the principle of locking the door securely after the thief has escaped with 
 the stolen property, the damage having been done and the fire being thoroughly out, means of 
 prevention were taken. November 19, 1859, the town constituted the school districts number 
 fifteen, eighteen, and twenty-one a fire district, and a fire department was established therein. 
 Joseph W. Capron was chosen clerk, and a board of engineers consisting of one chief and nine 
 assistants was appointed. These were: Wheaton Bi'iggs, chief, and Ezekiel Bates, Jesse R. 
 Carpenter, Henry Weaver, Willard Blackinton, Augustus A. Starkey, David E. Holmau, 
 Handel N. Daggett, George N". Crandall. George .J. Sturdy, assistant engineers. A hand engine 
 was purchased, and lodged in a small building at the foot of Bank Street, which was the engine- 
 house for many j'ears, and was the place where the fire company's meetings were held. It 
 took twenty-four men to manage that engine, and it is carefully preserved as a souvenir of " the 
 good old times." For many years the tire companies were entirely voluntary ; later the men 
 were paid while on active duty at the rate of payment per hour in their respective shops, and 
 in 1880 the rule was made that they should be paid thirty cents an hour whenever they were 
 training, as well as when they were engaged in actual service. About 1885 the tire and water 
 districts were united by an act of the Legislature. Since the establishment of the waterworks 
 only hose-carts have been necessary, as thus far the pressure they supply has proved to be suf- 
 ficient for the needs of the tire department. There are two hose companies : D. H. Smith, 
 No. 1, on South Main Street, aud Union, No. 2, on Dunham Street, corner of Union Street; 
 
430 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ami one hook aud ladder coinpauy — E. S. Horton, No. 1, at the same place — which has two 
 Bangor extension ladders. These companies have each twelve members and a captain, and are 
 an efficient, and up to the present time have proved to be a sufficient, force. 
 
 Tlie entire department is under the control of a chief engineer and four assistants. lu 1887 
 these were: I). H. Smith, chief; T. K. Gay, first assistant; E. Y. Carpenter, second; J. W. 
 Cody, third; and R. B. Xye. fourth — a competent and reliable board. About two years ago 
 the '■ Gamewell System of Fire Alarm " was introduced into the village, and ten alarm boxes, 
 two indicators, and a steam gong, using three and one-half miles of wire, were placed. These 
 proved to be satisfactory, but they were insufficient, and the district soon voted to place five 
 more boxes. The fire district is comprised within a radius of a mile from the site of the old 
 depot, which was just in front of " Union hall." The chief engineer's report for 1886 stated 
 that the department was in a satisfactory condition, with but few wants to be supplied, the 
 most important among them being some more prompt method of transportation for the hose- 
 carts. Five fire alarms had been given during that year, only two of which had caused any 
 amount of damage, the largest estimate being $500. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGII WATER DISTRICT. 
 
 The gentlemen most largely instrumental in establishing this district were G. A. Deau, Dr. 
 J. E. Bronson, and the late William D. Wilmarth. An act incorporating said district was 
 drawn up liy the late John Daggett and presented to the Legislature in 1873 and was approved 
 by that body. The first Water Board consisted of William D. Wilmarth, Edwin Cummiugs, 
 and S. W. Carpenter, the first-named gentleman being its chairman. The treasurer of the 
 district was G. A. Dean. The necessary funds were raised by the issuing of bonds by the 
 district, and the sum of $20,000 was thus raised the first year and $40,000 additional the next 
 year. In 1877 the district was authorized to make a third issue to the amount of $6,000, and 
 subsequently still further sums were needed. 
 
 The reservoir, a brick tower and a conspicuous object from its elevated position on County 
 Street hill, was constructed in 187-1 and has a capacity of about two hundred and twenty-five 
 thousand gallons. The water is supplied from a spring near the river and is also pumped from 
 the river itself by contract with A. Bushee & Co. The district originally comprised a radius 
 of half a mile from the site of the old railroad depot; but when it was merged into the fire 
 district its limit was increased to a mile radius to correspond with that district. 
 
 The water commissioners for 1887 were G. A. Dean and William M. Stone, and Dr. George B. 
 Fittz was registrar and superintendent. The prudential committee of the entire district now 
 called the Attleborough Fire District were George A. Adams, Dr. George Mackie, and Jason 
 L. Wells. 
 
 The registrar's report for the year 1S8G stated that there were then 278 metres in use, and 
 the metred water used during that year amounted to 9,603,834 gallons, of which 7,119.005 gal- 
 lons had been used by families. The district was then furnishing water to .581 houses, 878 
 families, and besides the metres by faucets to the number of 466. Considerable new pipe was 
 laid during that year, and eight new hydrants were set, making of the latter a total of 106 in 
 the district. It is acknowledged that year by year the water supply in this part of the town is 
 becoming more and more inadequate to the ever-increasing needs of the community, and in the 
 case of a sudden demand from a large fire there is danger that it might fail. During 1886 it 
 was suggested that a union be made with Plainville and the Falls to obtain water from 
 Whiting's and Archer's ponds in Wrentham. A committee chosen for the purpose investigated 
 that matter thoroughly, employing a competent engineer to go over the ground. After due 
 consideration the committee reported that in their estimation the proposed plan was not 
 feasible, and the district accepted their views. Xo other definite plan for increasing the 
 supply here was proposed, and nothing further has been done in that dii-ection. The ordinary 
 yearly expenses of both branches of the Attleborough Fire Department amount to about 
 $5,000, the additional appropriations made l>y the town being to carry the large debt incurred 
 for construction, extension, etc.i 
 
 ^ Since the above date the property of the water district has been purchased by the town. A much 
 larger tower has been constructed very near the old oue on County Hill; the roof of that building, 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 431 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH IMPIKJVEMENT DISTRICT. 
 
 A inovemeut for ligliting the streets in the East village by private subscription was started 
 by Joseph 31. Bates and the late William D. VYilmarth, and the Improvement District was the 
 outgrowth of this movement. The district was organized in 1875 by action of the town wliich 
 was talveu on November 22 of that year under provision of the Statutes of 1870. This and the 
 water district w^ere together and included the same territory until the union of the latter with 
 the tire district. The Improvement District Act provides for the care of libraries, sidewalks, 
 lighting of streets, employment of policemen, watchmen, etc. 
 
 The tirst prudential committee was composed of the following gentlemen : Albert M. Everett, 
 J. L. Carpenter, Mace B. Short. The first secretary was Charles O. Sweet, and the tirst treas- 
 urer Shepard W. Carpenter. The latter served until May, 1880, when he declined a reelection 
 and Mr. Sweet became treasurer and continues to hold that office in connection with that of 
 secretary. The prudential committee for 1887 were L. M. Stanley, E. S. Horton, H. A. Bodman. 
 
 This district had in charge especially the lighting of the streets, and when at the annual 
 meeting of 1887 the town voted to assume that expense its business was virtually at an end. 
 The treasurer had in his hands at that time a cash balance of over §1,100, and at the annual 
 meeting of the district it was voted to direct him to place all funds in his possession at interest, 
 subject to the approval of the prudential committee, and they were directed to dispose of the 
 property of the district in such manner as they deemed would be for its best interests. The 
 organization still exists and will probably be continued for a time, as a movement may be made 
 toward its assuming maintenance of the library. For the present, however, it is practically 
 defunct. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEiSOROUGH FIRE DISTRICT. 
 
 This district was organized October 14, 1871, on petition of J. D. Kichards, F. G. Whitney, 
 Simeon Bowen, Stephen Richardson, Charles E. Smith, H. F. Barrows, W. D. Whiting, O. M. 
 Draper, Henry Rice, A. Codding, Jr., and E. Ira Richards; and Thomas A. and Joseph G. 
 Barden and John Stanley were also actively engaged in the enterprise. It comprised the 
 territory included in School Districts No. 1 and No. 4 in that village. The fire department 
 was organized a mouth later, on November 18, when a prudential committee and a board 
 of engineers were elected. The former consisted of Samuel S. Ginnodo, Stephen Richardson, 
 and Randolph Knapp, and the latter of John Stanley, chief engineer, and Charles E. Smith, 
 Charles B. Carpenter. David D. Codding, and Charles E. W. Sherman, assistants. Thomas A. 
 Barden was the tirst clerk of the district. 
 
 Volunteers to form an engine company were called for, and the following are the names 
 which were presented and approved: Foreman, Charles E. Smith; First Assistant Foreman, 
 Theodore B. Hazzard; Second Assistant, Charles W. II. Day; Clerk and Treasurer, H. H. 
 Evertson; Engineer, H. F. Briggs; Fireman, W. A. Bennett; Hosemen, T. W. Draper, E. B. 
 Follett, C. S. Ballon, Benjamin H. Smith, J. Norman Hall, A. M. Sperry. Willard E. Hall, 
 Thaddeus Terry, Edward R. Darling, George H. Spaulding, Albert J. Smith. William H. 
 Smith, H. E. Thompson, George Becker, Osmond H. Atwood, W. P. Bennett, Joseph C. 
 Bennett, A. O. Hall, H. W. Ferguson, Isaac B. Smith, Jacob A. Blackinton, W. H. Stanley, 
 Charles B. Thompson, Willis J. Follett; thirty in all. 
 
 A similar call was made for a hook and ladder company, and the following volunteers were 
 appointed its members: Foreman, William E. Clark; First Assistant. H. W. Caswell; Clerk 
 and Treasurer, John A. Wollmer; Hook and Ladder men. Gardner Whiting, Timothy Collins, 
 Henry McLear, Hiram Packard, E. S. Brastow, H. H. Bennett, George Macker, Charles Bishop, 
 A. W. Bowers, N. K. Bliss, Elmer Riley. Charles A. Somes, James Day, Jr., T. Mace, Crosdale 
 Robinson, Arthur W. Read, George K. Gibbs; twenty in all. 
 
 These men were at first all volunteers, and all the apparatus was drawn by hand. In 1873 
 
 whicli still stands, was partially destroyed by fire. Property was purchased near Orr's mill, at 
 South Attleborough, coutainiug a fine watershed. Here a large well was sunk and an engine-house 
 built which contains the necessary pumping mactiiueiy. The grounds also contain the engineer's 
 dwelling. The supply promises to be adecpiate tor a long time to come, and the water is of a better 
 quality tlian that from the former source. 
 
432 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 horses were first put to the enghie, and iu 1880 to the hose-cart. The apparatus is now all 
 fitted with swinging harness after the manner of the fire departments of our large cities, and 
 four horses are always '' kept on hand to answer all alarms." During the first five years after 
 the organization of this department there were twenty fires which occasioned a loss of 
 $111,450. hut this was almost entirely covered by insurance. 
 
 John Stanl(!y,the first chief engineer, remained in office until 1879, when he declined to serve 
 any longer, and C. E. Sniitli was elected his successor, serving for a year and four months. 
 Upon his i-esignation J. B. Peck was chosen chief engineer, and was serving at the time of 
 division. Mr. Barden continued to be clerk for eight years, and in Ajirii, 1879, was succeeded 
 by his son, F. I. Barden, who is still in the position. 
 
 In 1882 Chief Peck recommended a reduction in the force of the department which was 
 approved and took place. There is now a chief engineer, with two assistants instead of four; 
 the Steamer Company numbers twenty instead of thirty men, and the Hook and Ladder 
 Company ten instead of twenty, making the entire force thirty-three men. Up to this date the 
 men had been unpaid, but since that time they have had a small salary. The chief engineer 
 and superintendent of fire alarms have each $100 per year; the assistant engineers $25 each; 
 the engineer of the steamer $150; the fireman of the steamer $100; the hose and ladder men 
 each $25. In 1885 the Gamewell Electric Fire Alarm Telegraph" was put in, with seven street 
 boxes and three and a half miles of wire in circuit." The district covered by the fire, water, 
 and fire-alarm departments is about one square mile. The steam engine used by the fire depart- 
 ment was built in 1871 l)y William Jeft'ers, of Pawtucket, and remains as it was originally, and 
 in excellent condition, with the exception that in 1881 a new boiler was put in. 
 
 During the year 1886 there were fifteen fires in the north part of the town, and two of them 
 were outside the district limits. The expenses of this department for that year amounted to 
 $3,085.55. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOKOUGH WATER COMPANY. 
 
 This company, consisting of Henry F. Barrows, Handel N. Daggett, Joseph G. Barden, and 
 their associates and successors, was chartered May 16, 1883. '* This charter gave the Fire 
 District the right to purchase the Franchise of the Water Company at any time after organiza- 
 tion," a right said district exercised at once, for on June 21, 1883, on petition of B. Porter, Jr., 
 Henry Rice, F. G. Pate, and forty others, it was voted to purchase this franchise for the sum 
 of $100. The Water Company organized June 16, 1883, with H. F. Barrows, president, H. N. 
 Daggett, clerk, and J. G. Barden, treasurer. The charter of this company was transferred to 
 the Fire District on July 17, 1883. 
 
 In 1884 the waterworks were constructed, and pipes laid, the water being turned into the 
 mains for the first time on the thirteenth of September of that year. Previous to this time 
 water for use in cases of fire was obtained from " Fire Wells," and through pipes laid to the 
 river. It was soon ascertained that iu the greater part of the district the pressure would be 
 quite sufficient without the use of the " steamer," so a liose-cart was purchased for the fire 
 company ; but the steamer is still retained to be sent out in case of a second alarm. The water 
 is taken from a well which is sunk in some gravel beds found at the north end of the village. 
 It is thirty feet deep and thirty feet in diameter, and is lined with brick laid in cement to 
 within two feet of the bottom. Thus all the water which enters it must come in at the bottom 
 and through gravel. The reservoir, "or standpipe," is constructed of boiler iron, is sixty 
 feet high, forty feet in diameter, and holds 565,000 gallons of water. The base of this reser- 
 voir stands a hundred and forty feet higher than the greater portion of the district, so that 
 there is a "200 foot head at more than two thirds of the hydrants." Its position is on a hill 
 which is about half a mile from both the well and pumping station, and the connection is by a 
 main sixteen inches in diameter. There are some ten and a half miles of pipe in the district, 
 varying from six to sixteen inches in diameter, and there are ninety-five hydrants, with two 
 leading hose and one steamer outlet. 
 
 The first water commissioners were F. G. Pate. F. S. Draper, and E. G. Pratt. This lioard 
 had charge of the consti'uction of the waterworks, which cost $100,000, and since the original 
 outlay some $40,000 in addition has been expended. These works are entirely ade(iuate to the 
 present needs of the district, and for those of the future for a long period, and the supply of 
 water is ample. The water commissioners' report for 1886 was most favorable and showed 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 433 
 
 the property of their departiueut to be in excellent condition, and thej' assured the people of 
 the district that the water supply was " practically inexhaustible within the district, and not 
 liable to pollution from any known source." The expenses for that year had been ^?3,03-l:.42 
 and the receipts $6,470.65, showing a creditable balance upon the right side. The number of 
 gallons of water pumped during the year was 3.5,.592,361; the average uumljer of gallons con- 
 sumed per day about 97,.51], and the average number of hours required for the pumping three 
 and a fraction (seven minutes). 
 
 Tlie othcers of the entire district which, as in the East village, is called the " Fire District " 
 were as follows in 1887: AVater Commissioners, Sanford Hall, Anthony H. Bliss, Walter P. 
 "\y hittemore ; Superintendent of Water Works, Walter P. XV^hittemore; Clerk, C. A. Kenney ; 
 Treasurer, George W. Cheever; Chief Engineer of Fire Department, .John B. Peck; First 
 Assistant. T. W. Draper; Second Assistant. O. L. Swift; Prudential Conmiittee, C. T. Guild, 
 T. G. Sandland, J. H. Peckham. 
 
 THE uxiox improve:\iext distkict. 
 
 This district was organized September 6, 187.5, and embraced the School Districts No. 1 and 
 No. 4, North Attleborough. It had three purposes in view; namely, to impro\e the sidewalks 
 within its limits, to light the streets, and to support a publi«- library. The following-named 
 gentlemen were actively engaged in the organization and early work: S. S. Ginnodo. F. G. 
 Whitney. F. G. Pate, Joseph G. Barden, B. Porter, Jr., O. M. Draper, H. F. Barrows, Joseph 
 E. Pond, Jr., John Stanley, E. K. Dunbar, Thomas A. Barden. D. D. Codding, Charles E. 
 Smith, and J. D. Richards. 
 
 On September 10, 1875, the district voted to accept the property of the North Attleborough 
 Library Association and to become responsible for the maintenance of the library, and appro- 
 priated .$500 for that purpose. At the same time $.500 was appropriated for sidewalks and 
 $3,000 for street lighting and current and incidental expenses. From 1875 till 1884 the streets 
 were lighted by kerosene and gasoline, but on April 14 of that year, on recommendation of the 
 then prudential committee, it was voted to light the streets with gas and to contract therefor 
 with the North Attleborough Gaslight Company. On April 12, 1886, electric lighting was 
 adopted, and that method is continued l;>y the town.i 
 
 Following are the various otficers of the district from the organization : Prudential Commit- 
 tee from 1875 to 1878, Felix G. Whitney, Samuel S. Ginnodo, Francis G. Pate; from 1878 to 
 1880, F. G. Whitney, S. S. Ginnodo. Charles E. Smith; for 1880-81. Charles E. Smith, C. S. 
 Colbath, F. G. Pate; for 1881-82, C. E. Smith, C. S. Colbath, J. D. Richards; from 1882 to 
 1884, J. G. Barden, B. Porter, Jr., F. G. Pate; from 1884 to 1887, E. I. Franklin. H. M. Max- 
 sou, C. C. Peck; for 1887-88, C. E. Smith, O. M. Draper, H. M. Maxson; for 1888-89. C. C. 
 Peck, H. M. Maxson, R. Donnell. The tirst clerk was Joseph E. Pond. Jr., who was in othce 
 from 1875 to 1885; the second F. I. Barden, from 1885 to 1889. The tirst treasurer was Joseph 
 G. Barden, for 1S75-7G; the second, F. S. Draper, from 1876 to 1884; the third, W. W. Sher- 
 man, from 1884 to 1886; the fourth, J. H. Peckham, from 1886 to 1889. 
 
 The town having assumed all its duties the Improvement District is practically abolished. 
 The only matters connected with it now requiring adjustment are tiuaucial, there being a debt 
 upon the organization. It was hoped that at its annual meeting for 1889 the town would 
 vote to assume this debt and thus bring all the district's aftairs to a linal close; but this was 
 not accomplished and therefore a continuance of officers was necessary. Those for the 
 preceding year were reelected. The two improvement districts of the old town are there- 
 fore in similar condition — well officered but almost dutiless, and to all intents and purposes 
 extinct.'- 
 
 » Light had been supplied liy the North Attlel)orough Steam and Electric Company, hut iu 1S92 the 
 town decided to have a plant of its own. During the latter part of the following year this was put in, 
 and early iu 1891 light was used for the lirst time. The incandescent system of lights is used. 
 
 = The Editor deemed It best to conliuue the sketch of the Ihiion Improvement District beyond 
 the ilate of division because its work came to an eud, and it will not be long continued as an 
 organization. 
 
434 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOKOUGH STEAM AND ELECTRIC COMPANY. 
 
 This company dates its beginning a little over a year previous to the division. It started 
 with a small plant, including one dynamo, one engine, and one boiler, and had but twenty- 
 three lights in operation. These were in stores in North Attleborough. After a time, as they 
 proved to be excellent, the Union Improvement District voted to use similar lights in the streets. 
 At the annual meeting for 1886 the town voted to light the road between the North and East 
 villages, and at the annual meeting for 188^ extended this vote " to assume the expense of 
 lighting the public streets," and appropriated f(;,500 for the purpose. These lights were placed 
 and proved satisfactory, and soon stores in the East village began to adopt the electric mode 
 of lighting. 
 
 The company, by good management, w'as enabled to start with a capital of a little more than 
 $250 per lamp — about half the usual amount for such companies — and has therefore been 
 able to supply light at a much lower rate than the majority of other like companies. With 
 recent additions the station is now (1887) eighty-five by thirty feet. It contains two boilers of 
 two hundred and ten horse power (having the Jarvis patent setting which demands the small- 
 est possible amount of fuel), three engines, a steam-pump, and all the practical and ingenious 
 appliances for the carrying on of the necessary work. There are five dynamos, three for 
 street circuits and two for inside lighting, so arranged that the circuit can be maintained with 
 each dynamo and either engine, in this way every chance for any serious delay in lighting 
 being avoided. In April, 1SS7, the company was operating fifty-five miles of wire, with seven 
 hundred poles, one hundred and forty arc and eighty-five incandescent lights, and reported 
 itself in a very satisfactory and successful condition with encouraging prospects for the future. 
 
 The officers for 1887 were as follows: President, G. A. Hancock; Treasurer, H. 31. Daggett, 
 Jr. ; Clerk, F. I. Babcock. There were five directors : the three above-named gentlemen, with 
 J. E. Draper and Harvey Clap in addition. i 
 
 WILLIAM A. STREETER POST, NO. 145, GRAND ARMY OK THE REPUBLIC. 
 
 " At a meeting of soldiers and sailors, held May 26, 1869, J. B. Savery was chosen chairman 
 and E. R. Read secretary. E. S. Hortou was chosen marshal for Saturday, May 29th, and was 
 authorized to appoint two assistants. It was voted that as far as possible black hats be worn. 
 Voted to adjourn to 12-30 P.M. Saturday, May 29." 
 
 The above is a short account of the preliminary meeting to the first Memorial Day service in 
 town. The address upon that occasion was delivered by Rev. Rufus P. Stebbins, D.D., of 
 Cambridge, Mass., and the liand from the neighboring town of Mansfield furnished the musi- 
 cal portion of the program. 
 
 During May, 1871, a meeting took place in Engine Hall on Bank Street, where the arrange- 
 ments were made for the observance of ]\Iemorial Day of that year. Just subsequent to this 
 time. June 12, 1871, this Post was- mustered in in Union Hall. Its first meeting-place, where 
 members met the following August, was Bates' Hall, and on September 16 Union Hall was 
 hired for four dollars a night. The following spring the Post moved into Dean's Building, 
 and on August 11, 1873, into Briggs' Block, where it still continues to have its quarters. 
 
 On March 11, 1872, a delegation from P. M. Whiting Post had a conference with William 
 A. Streeter Post in regard to the insertion of an article in the warrant for the coming annual 
 town meeting, asking for a public appropriation to defray the necessary expenses for the cere- 
 monies of Memorial Day. The desired article was inserted, the town voted favorably upon it 
 and made an appropriation of three himilred dollars. The custom then estal)lished has been 
 continued and without change, excepting that once or twice perhaps the sum named may have 
 varied slightly. The town has also supplied some permanent tablets for marking the graves of 
 her soldiers. In 1887 the whole number of graves to be decorated was one hundred and five 
 besides two marked '• Unknown " : thirty-two at Woodlawn and twenty-six at Mt. Hope 
 Cemetery; twenty in the Old Kirk Yard, nine each at South Attleborough and Dodgeville; 
 
 ' This company subsequently purcliased ihe old Farmers' factory i)roperty, to which they built an 
 addition and used it as their power-house. Tlie buildirg has been partially destroyed by fire, causing 
 cessation of cars and lights. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUaH. 4 35 
 
 eight lit St. Mary's Cemetery, and three at Briggsville. In the two last-named yards are the 
 unkuovvn graves. 
 
 Up to 1887 there had been a total membership in this Post ot two hundred and thirty-five, 
 and at that time there were " 120 comrades in good standing." The first death of a eomrade 
 of the Post was that of R. H. Lee, in June, 1872, and the last previous to the above-named 
 year that of Gideon M. Horton, in December, 1886. Previous to this date the sum of f 2,277 
 had been expended in charity. 
 
 Following are the names of the Past Commanders of this Post: D. H. Smith, E. S. Horton, 
 E. C. Martin, A. T. Wales, W. H. Wade, W. H. Goff, W. J. Thompson, Edwin J. Horton, M. o'. 
 Wheaton, E. W. Rhodes, F. L. Le Baron, T. K. Gay, George L. Jillson, E. D. Guild. E. S. 
 Horton served as commander for three years. The oflicers for 1887 were as follows: Com- 
 mander, Emmons I). Guild; S. V. C, Loring Cole; J. V. C,, Charles L. Fuller; Adjutant, 
 R. G. Bell; Quartermaster, 3Iark O. Wheaton; Chaplain, D. E. Adams; Surgeon, E. R. Read: 
 O. of D., G. A. Taylor; O. of G., G. H. Alfred; Sergeant-Major, E. S. Horton; Quartermaster 
 Sergeant, G. R. Adams; Delegates to Department Convention, E. S. Horton, R. J. Bell; Alter- 
 nates, E. C. Martin, A. T. Wales. 
 
 The Fourth of July, 1872, was celebrated here after the real New England fashion with a clam- 
 bake, etc. In this always pleasant festival to true " sons of the soil,'' William A. Streeter Post 
 had an important share. The celebration took place in Peck's grove, and was made the occasion 
 for the presentation to the "Grand Army "of a beautiful State flag, which had been purchased 
 for them by the ladies of the East village. A group of young ladies, wearing the patriotic 
 colors, bore the banner, and one of them voicing doubtless the thoughts and feelings of all 
 the loyal women there, presented the flag to the Post with these words : — 
 
 *' Members of the William A. Streeter Division of the Grand Army of the Republic. 
 
 "Eleven years ago, when the booming of the first rebel gun sounded the thrilling call — to 
 arms, Massachusetts nobly responded with regiment after regiment of her sons, and, as she 
 sent them forth, she placed in the hands of each, with the country's flag, her own banner, that 
 together they might lead her brave boys on to battle for the right. 
 
 " I need not recount to you who shared in them, the toils and dangers, or the triumphs of the 
 war, but those banners came back with shattered staves, pierced by bullets, and bathed in 
 blood, to tell the story of the dreadful conflict, and they shall be preserved Jn our State Capitol 
 as her richest treasure, with the other memorials of Massachusetts bravery. 
 
 "War no longer desolates our land. Peace and prosperity reign within her borders; and 
 thanks be to Him whose strong right arm hath gotten us the victory, we are once more a free, 
 united people, and today, when we are met to celebrate this welcome anniversary of our 
 national independence, we bring to you another banner. Yet, glorious as was the history of 
 those war flags, we cannot ask for this a similar fate, for we do not forget that many of our 
 best beloved, who went forth to the contest full of manly strength and ardor, fell beneath their 
 folds, and returned to us cold and lifeless forms, or lie buried beneath the soil of some 
 distant Southern plain. 
 
 "All honor to our martyred heroes; bravely they fought, nobly they fell. 
 
 ' O for the death of those 
 
 Who for their country die. 
 Sink on her bosom to repose. 
 And triumph where they lie.' 
 
 " On this our greatest national holiday, greeted from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with ringing 
 of bells, booming of cannon, and joyous acclamations, and, in the words of an ardent patriot of 
 our own Massachusetts, uttered on the very day of the Declaration, ' celebrated with thanks- 
 giving, with festivity, with bonfires, and illuminations,' mid sounds of martial music, and the 
 tramp of marching feet, this banner comes as a fitting reminder of those scenes which you as 
 soldiers witnessed together, and we ofler it as a partial expression of our gratitude for your 
 patriotic services in the field. 
 
 " We trust it may never wave over more warlike scenes than we see around us todav; but 
 if ever again hostile force molest, or fratricidal hand be raised against the land we love, voices 
 
436 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 from the soldiers' graves all around us, bid us tell you to bear it side by side with the old stars 
 and stripes, if need be, into the thickest of the fight, and bring it back from the field of battle 
 staiued by no act of cowardice, though but a single hand be left to hold its broken staff, and of 
 its silken folds but a few tattered shreds remain. 
 
 " In presenting this banner, we hope that nothing but the destroying hand of time will ever 
 mar its beauty. By those principles founded on Plymouth Rock, and proclaimed from Tnde- 
 pendence Ilall, by the memory of that cause you fought, and so many of your comrades died to 
 save, we charge you. in war and in peace, in life and in death, be true to God and your country. 
 
 " Maj. Horton,— 
 
 "I now deliver into your hands this banner, the gift of the ladies of East Attleborough. 
 Let it be a rivet in the link wliicli this year adds to that mighty chain of events, binding this 
 day, July 4"s 1872, to that ever memorable day, July -t'h. 1T7G. 
 
 ' Our star-spangled banner, 
 Oh ! long may it wave 
 O'er this land of the free. 
 And this home of the brave.' " 
 
 Major Horton received the banner in soldierly fashion, and grasping its standard in his right 
 hand responded to the little speech of presentation, on behalf of himself and his comrades, in 
 the following gallant manner : — 
 
 " Miss Daggett, — 
 
 " In accepting this beautiful Flag at your hands the gift of the Ladies of East Attleboro' to 
 "VVm. A. Streeter Post No. 14"), Dept. of Mass. Grand Army of the Repuljlic I would return to 
 you their most grateful thanks. 
 
 " We heartily respond to the noble and patriotic sentiments which accompany the gift, and 
 which have been so happily expressed. We will ever cherish them in our hearts, and be 
 guided by them in our conduct. 
 
 " Long may it be ere this P^lag shall be l)orne through the terrible scenes of war, but we 
 assure you on the honor of a soldier, it shall never be unfurled in the cause of treason. Should 
 the time ever come again when the peace of our country shall be disturbed by war's alarms, 
 this gift, which I hold in my hands shall be unfurled only in the sacred cause of Law, Union 
 and Liberty. 
 
 " Should foreign foes ever invade our shores, or domestic traitors ever again attempt the 
 overthrow of this glorious fabric of free institutions reared for us by the hands of our fathers, 
 this Flag shall stand foremost in our country's defence, and in the hour of battle and danger 
 the memories associated with this gift, leading us in the advance, will inspire us with renewed 
 courage and a firmer faith in our country's cause. We will be animated — as if inscribed on its 
 beautiful folds —by the immortal words, — 
 
 ' Union and Liberty forever.' " 
 
 The hope expressed on this occasion was realized; no bloody shot or shell has ever marred 
 the beauty of that silken banner, but time, the inevitable, the sure destroyer of all perishable 
 things, did lay his hand upon it till it became little more than a worn and faded remnant of the 
 once fair emblem. The ladies of Attleborough, however, again came to the rescue of the 
 needy, and another equally beautiful State flag was purchased by them, and on the evening of 
 the installation of its officers, in January, 1ST7, was presented to the Post by another young 
 lady, with the following well-chosen words : — 
 
 " Mr. Commander, officers, and members of William A. Streeter Post. Grand Army of 
 the Republic. 
 " We are told, and also read in history, that deeds of valor and heroic acts performed by the 
 Union soldiers of the late civil war, were recognized and rewarded according to their merits. 
 The disbanding of the army did not sever the bonds of fraternity, charity, and loyalty, and ever 
 since the organization of this post, you have extended the right hand of fellowship and dis- 
 pensed charity freely to every needy comrade, and so firmly cemented the bonds of loyalty that 
 nothing but death can sever. And now, Mr. Commander, this has not fallen by the wayside 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 437 
 
 imuoticed, and I, in behalf of W. A. Streeter corps, assisted by their lady friends of Attleboro', 
 present to you this flag, and may the record of this post ever be as pure as the color of this 
 emblem." 
 
 Commander Guild accepted the gift in the following happy manner: — 
 
 " 3Irs. President, Ladies of the Belief Corps, and Friends: — 
 
 " The pleasant duty devolves upon me as commander of this post, to receive from your 
 hands this beautiful banner, its white folds emblematical of the peace which now pervades our 
 once distracted country, its strong arm and tirmly grasped sword bearing witness to the means 
 by which that peace was secured. We come together to-night under its pea(!eful folds, you, 
 the mothers, wives and daughters, we, the fathers, husbands and sons, not to recall the bit- 
 terness of the past, but its most cherished memories, of when you with willing hands and 
 loyal hearts buckled on our armor and bade us God speed, in the work that was before us. 
 For this you have our country's thanks. For what you have been to us since, so truly an aid 
 and i-elief corps, you have our sincere thanks, and it needed no token of remembrance to keep 
 alive our interest in your organization; nevertheless, we shall cherish and protect it, as we did 
 the flag of our country, with even nearer and dearer ties to bind us to it. And now in behalf 
 of William A. Streeter Post, allow me to extend to your our most heartfelt thanks." 
 
 Still another gift to the Post deserves mention. On the evening of November 3, 188C, by in- 
 vitation, the members met with the Women's Relief Corps in the Grand Array Mall. The pres- 
 ident spoke a few words of greeting and welcome to the guests, and then presented to them 
 another member of the Corps, who very prettily expressed the interest of the Corps in the 
 Grand Army, and of the appreciation of its members of the favor and kindness shown to them 
 by the Post; then as a proof of their sincerity requesting the Post to accept an oft'ering more 
 material and substantial than words. This was an altar, consisting of a plush-covered tnl)le 
 resting on four brass cannon, the lower connecting shelf containing a pile of cannonballs. 
 
 For once Attleborough soldiers were taken completely by surprise; but Commander Guild, 
 like an able general, began at once to rally at least his mental forces, in order to make the best 
 defence possible. He found himself, however, entirely surrounded by the smilingly victorious 
 enemy, and wholly at their mercy, with no alternative but to accept the situation — and the 
 gift. This he Anally did, with becoming courage and in proper soldierly fashion, on behalf of 
 himself and his comrades. With a few well-chosen words he gracefully capitulated to his fair 
 foe, apparently well content with their terms of unconditional surrender on the part of the 
 Post to the pleasures of a social evening. 
 
 The Grand Army "quarters" are quite connnodious and very comfortably furnished, and 
 the large hall contains a goodly number of interesting relics of the war. Upon the walls, 
 among the other flags, hang two famous guidons, the one carried by Lemuel Gay, and by him 
 secreted during his days of captivity in the prisons of the South, and brought home with him 
 on his return, and the other brought back by Major Horton, from the same regiment, the 
 Fifty-eighth :Massachusetts Volunteers. This regiment started for the tield with six guidons, 
 two red, two l)lue, and two white ones, presented to it by Xew Bedford. After the services in 
 the field were ended it was found that but two of these guidons were left, and the colonel of 
 the regiment proposed to keep them as souvenirs of the Fifty-eighth's experiences. Major 
 Horton took the liberty of differing with his connuanding oflicer upon that point, and decided 
 that the two had better be separated, little dreaming that the one placed in Mr. Gay's care 
 would ever be brought back. Upon one occasion, therefore, in the colonel's absence, one dis- 
 appeared, and he never found it again. "• All 's fair in love and war," and so the Attleborough 
 Grand Army is the fortunate possessor of more than double a company's share of these 
 guidons of the Fifty-eighth. 
 
 Among the relics carefully preserved are various pieces of Southern scrip, and a Bible picked 
 up near Petersburg, Va., l)y Major Horton; two canes made from stockades, the one from 
 Andersonville, the other from Libby prison; some pipes whose owners — Charles William H. 
 Harley and Charles William Upham of the Fifty-eighth — were shot with them in their pockets ; 
 and two briarwood pipes made in prison, in one of which Major Horton secreted money. He 
 had thirty-five dollars in greenbacks when he was captured and he managed to smuggle them 
 into prison with him, and to preserve them as tobacco. There is a box whittled in Andersonville 
 
438 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 by J. C. Wilmarth and used by him for salt wben he could get it; and various letters, rings, 
 and ornaments of bone made in prison are also to be seen. There are a number of bullets, 
 shells, etc., from many ditVorent battlefields, and among the former is one carried by a man in 
 his leg for twelve years before it was extracted; a drum-cord taken from a drum at the Battle 
 of tlie Wilderness may be seen, a picture of a cottonpress in New Orleans, drawn by Charles 
 Goodier, a mallet made from a bit of the stockade at Andersouville, specimens of candlesticks 
 used by soldiers, a roll of bandage, army buttons, etc.. and one relic of Revolutionary days 
 — a piece of a blanket used by a soldier of that time and presented to Major Horton by an old 
 lady in New Hampshire. 
 
 William A. Streeter Post owns a lot in Woodlawu Cemetery, upon which there is a suitable 
 monument designed among the members themselves. These have been paid for wholly by 
 soldiers of the army and navy. 
 
 It may be of interest to have here a list of the comrades of the Post who were confined as 
 prisoners during the war, with places and time of confinement : — 
 
 Emmons D. Guild. 
 Richmond, Belle Isle, Andersouville, 
 Savannah. Mellen, Charleston, Florence. 
 16 months. 14 days. 
 George W. Horton, 
 T!illahassee, Andersouville. Florence, 
 12 months. 12 days. 
 Eli Barrett. 
 Libby. Columbia, Castle Thunder, 
 11 months. 
 John C. Cummings, 
 Andersouville, Florence. 
 10 mouths. 
 H. G. Danforth. 
 Danville. Andersouville, Florence, 
 9 months, 21 days. 
 Everett S. Horton, 
 Petersburg, Libby. Salisbury, Danville, 
 5 mouths ; 
 Selected as hostage January, 1865. 
 Lemuel Gay, 
 Libby, Salisbury, Danville, 
 ':) months. 
 J. C. Wilmarth. 
 Andersouville, Mellen, Florence, Savannah. 
 7 mouths. 
 George L. Titus, 
 Libby, Belle Isle. Salisbury, 
 6 months, IS days. 
 Edward C. Martin, 
 Belle Isle, 
 42 days. 
 R. J. Bell, 
 Libby, 
 53 days. 
 C. AV. Bowen, 
 Belle Isle. 
 42 days. 
 Silas II. Wilson, 
 Libby, 
 56 days. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 439 
 
 Kichmond Holley, 
 
 Castle Thunder. Belle Isle, 
 
 Vl weeks. 
 
 Jiihiel Jordan, 
 
 Danville, Lil.hy, 
 
 4 months. 
 
 Died at Andersonville, 
 
 Attleborough soldiers, 
 
 George P. Johnson, George H. Norton, 
 
 A. Baylies Cnmminiis. 
 
 The purposes of the G. A. R. are too familiar to every one to need either explanation oi* 
 comment, but if the ceremonies of Memorial Day were the beginning and the end of its work, 
 and it had uo other, nothing better could have been projected as the basis of an or"anizatiou. 
 No better motto could be devised than the one used ]>y the order regarding each of its dead : 
 
 "For what he was and all he dared. 
 Remember him to-day." 
 
 William A. Streeter Post has always been faithful in th(^ discharge of its Soldiers' Day duties, 
 and the public services are always well arranged and interesting. 
 
 The following " iNIemorial Hymn " was written for one of these occasions some years since 
 by "our town poet," whose pen was never idle in those dark days, when words of hope and 
 patriotic cheer were so often and so soi-ely needed, and whose time and talents are freelv o'iveu 
 to advance every good cause : — 
 
 " May, with fragrant ollering, 
 Dewy with the touch of Spring, 
 Wakens memories sad and sweet 
 Of the lives so brave and tleet. 
 
 Heroes, in the war they stood, 
 Battling for the nation's good. 
 Crown them with immortal fame. 
 Blend in song each honored name. 
 
 Grateful thanks with tears are shed 
 On the living andithe;dead ; 
 Children's voices chant the lay 
 Sacred to Memorial Day. 
 
 Mother earth, upon thy breast, 
 Fold thy mantle where they rest. 
 We will trust Eternal power, 
 To revive each mortal flower." 
 
 " They fought to give us peace, and lo 1 
 They gained a better peace than ours." 
 
 We of the North thus carefully year by year place our votive oflerings over the forms of 
 those buried among us. but there are many from the " ranks of our dead " lying on far South- 
 ern plains or in distant, quiet churchyards whom we cannot reach with our fragrant garlands: 
 still these are not all forgotten, for it is said that when they of the South year after year like 
 ourselves decorate the graves of their own soldiers they generously scatter sweet blossoms 
 over friend and foe alike. 
 
 Nothing could prove more conclusively that the bitter animosities and burning hatreds 
 naturally engendered by the causes which led to and carried on the war are fast dying out than 
 this simple fact — a fact quite properly i-eferred to here. One stanza of a beautiful poem 
 which was written to commemorate the tirst of the general decorative ceremonies by women 
 of the South so aptly describes the feeling pervading the land at this the end of a quarter- 
 
440 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 century since the cloj^e of the war that it seems fittin;,^ to quote it as the most appropriate 
 finish possible to a slietch of an organization whose very name must of necessity recall the 
 former days of fierce and l)loody strife : — 
 
 " No more shall the war-cry sever. 
 
 Or the wiudinii- rivei\s be red; 
 They banish our auger forever 
 
 When they laurel the graves of our dead ! 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day ; 
 Love and tears for the Blue, 
 
 Tears and love for the Gray." 
 
 SONS OF VKTEKAX8. 
 
 The first camp organized under this name was at Pittsburg, Penn., in 1881, by ]\rajor A. P. 
 Davis, and with the following objects in view : — 
 
 " Sec. 1. To keep green the memories of our Fathers, and their sacrifices for the mainte- 
 nance of the Union. 
 
 " Sec. 2. To aid the members of the Grand Army of the Republic in the caring for their 
 helpless and disa))led Veterans ; to extend aid and protection to their widows and orphans ; to 
 perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic dead, and the proper ol)servance of Memo- 
 rial Day. 
 
 " Sec. 3. To aid and assist worthy and needy members of our Order. 
 
 " Sec. 4. To inculcate patriotism and love of country, not only among our membership, but 
 among all the people of our land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, 
 universal ]il)erty, and justice to all." 
 
 The camp in our town organized April 30, 18S4, with the following officers: Captain, C. Adiu 
 Smith; First Lieutenant. O. W. Hawkins; Second Lieutenant, E. H. Davis; Chaplain. George 
 Pierce; Orderly Sergeant, W. H. Streeter; Quartermaster Sergeant, E. A. Wales; Color Ser- 
 geant, C. H. Meyers; Sergeant of the Guard, J. A. Thayer; Corporal of the Guard, L. A. 
 Wales; Principal Musician, F. I. Jai-kson; Camp Guard, L. B. Kingman; Picket Guard, J. F. 
 Woodward. The uumbei- of charter members was twenty-three, which had increased in ls87 to 
 thirty-two, at which time the following named were the officers : Captain, H. E. Waugh ; First 
 Lieutenant, G. C. Parker; Second Lieutenant, G. A. Pierce; Chaplain, O. P. Xewell ; Quarter- 
 master Sergeant, J. F. Woodward; Orderly Sergeant, C. H. Harwood; Color Sergeant, 
 W. Caswell; Sergeant of the Guard, A. F. Guild; Camp Guard, H. E. Briggs; Musician, 
 W. H. White; Pk-ket Guard, W. Young. 
 
 At the conunencement a consideralde and very commendable amount of interest was mani- 
 fested in this organization, but at present this is very much on the wane. So decidedly is this 
 the case that there are evident signs of disl)andment at no very distant day; but we trust the 
 sons of our old soldiers will not suffer such a course to be pursued. We ought to remember 
 ourselves, and our children and children's children through the ages to come should be 
 taught to remeuil)er, what their fathers did in the great war for the Union by perpetuating 
 unceasingly as a patriotic duty the customs of Memorial Day.i 
 
 THE women's KELIEF CORPS. 
 
 This organization was formed September 4, 1884, with twenty charter members. The soci- 
 eties bearing this name are the outgrowth of similar societies formed during the a\ ar for the 
 succor and relief of our soldiers in active service, and now their aim is to primarily furnish 
 aid to needv soldiers and their families, though thev combine with their good works some 
 
 1 For some years this lack of interest coutinued, until the organization almost died out Atone 
 time tliere were but three " regular paid members," though the list contained some thirteen names. 
 In the spring of 1890 interest revived and a new lease of life was taken. Tliere were in 1891 about 
 thirty members, and the interest is still maintained (1893). [Recently disbanded.] 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUaH. 441 
 
 features of a social nature. Charters are grauted to the minor societies by the National 
 Women's Relief Corps. 
 
 The first officei-s of the corps here were : President, Mrs. Lucy C. Martin ; Senior Vice-Presi- 
 dent, Mrs. Lizzie C. Thompson; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Ellen Fuller; Secretary, Mrs. 
 Isabel Mowton; Treasurer, Mrs. Abby Tliompson; Chaplain. Mrs. Sarah E. Cole; Conductor, 
 3Irs. Evelyn Fogg; Guard, Mrs. Fanny Rhodes. 
 
 There is a membership fee attached to this organization and a yearly tax of two dollars, 
 payable quarterly; and whenever it becomes necessary money is raised by entertainments of 
 various kinds. During the past year and a half $1.50 has been raised, and since the formation 
 of the corps fully $200. There is a general fund and a relief fund, with a special relief com- 
 mittee to ascertain needs and present the same to the entire body for its consideration and 
 action. The ladies of this society attend both to their own special charity worii and that of 
 the Grand Army Post. During the past winter, that of 1886-87, very little charity work was 
 required — proof positive of the healthful prosperity of the members of the Post. 
 
 The othcers for ISST were as follows : President, Mrs. Emma Adams; Senior Vice-President, 
 Mrs. Ellen Fuller; Junior Vice-President, Mrs. Myra Makepeace; Secretary, Mrs. Abby A. 
 Smith; Treasurer, Mrs. Emily Luther; Chaplain. Mrs. Margaret Hawkins; Conductor, Mrs. 
 Sarah E. Hall; Guard, Miss Emma Larrabee. 
 
 PRENTISS M. WHITING POST, NO. 192, GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 
 
 This Post antedates by about two years the William A. Streeter Post, since, as nearly as can 
 be ascertained, it was organized in 1869, and its first charter bore the number " 133." Its 
 membership reached one hundred, and it was for some time in a very prosperous condition. 
 Its chief work in the early days was a charitable one, " in relieving the widows and families 
 of soldiers." There appear to have been some twelve commanders : the first, S. H. Bugbee, 
 and his successors, Mr. Bernard, Mr. Loughlin, Dr. O. C. Turner, W. H. Goodhue, Thomas 
 Currain (now deceased), Thomas Sandland (who was the first adjutant), E. D. Sturtevaut, 
 W. W. Fisher, B. F. Lincoln, B. T. Bronson, and J. X. Hall. The prosperity of the Post 
 continued unabated for six or seven years, but about 1875 dissensions began to make them- 
 selves manifest, and they were finally the means of entirely breaking up the organization. 
 These dissensions were the result of tliscussions upon " parliamentary usage and rules," which 
 have been characterized as •• red hot." Their ettect upon the life of the Post was disastrous; 
 interest waned, numbers dwindled to about one half apparently, — fifty-seven, — and at length 
 the charter was returned to the authorities who issued it. Many of the members subsequently 
 joined the William A. Streeter Post and others probably the George H. Maintieu Post in 
 Plainville after its formation in 1882. 
 
 After the division of the town the citizens of the new town of North Attleborough prom- 
 ised substantial aid financially to Grand Army men there, and especially to those who hail been 
 members of this organization, if they would form a new Post and take up the old charter. 
 This latter it was found could not be done, as the old charter had been given to the Plainville 
 Post; but a new Post was formed under the old name, and a new charter .and number were 
 obtained. This organization was ettected July 15, ISSS, and the good work was accomplished 
 largely, it is said, through the ettbrts of Department Commander Walker. Again S. H. 
 Bugbee became the first commander, and he retained the otfice through the two succeeding 
 years. The adjutant during those years was R. J. Bell, and he still retains the oflice. The 
 second beginning seems to have been auspicious, and the existence of the Post thus far both 
 prosperous and encouraging. In its existence of a little more than two years there have been 
 but four deaths among the members, and but four other losses in number, two from resigna- 
 tion and two from change of residence. Those who died were Dr. F. L. Burden, C. E. 
 Burgess, B. F. Evans, and William L. Kilkenny, and one of those who left town was Charles 
 Taylor, who was transferred to the Soldiers' Home at Wickford, R. I. There are now eighty- 
 five active members. 
 
 There are two auxiliaries connected with this post — the J. N. Corse Sons of Veterans Camp, 
 No. 57, with a membership of fifty, and the Women's Relief Corps, No. 117. with a member- 
 ship of one hundred and forty. The ladies of this organization accomplish a large amount of 
 
442 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 good work among the families of soldiers, many of whom \Yoiild perhaps otherwise be 
 dependent upon the town for snpport. 
 
 The officers of the Post for 1891 are as follows: Commander, C. T. Guild; Senior Yice- 
 Comniander, O. L. Swift; Junior Vice-Commander, Thomas G. Sandland; Quartermaster, 
 W. P. Whittemore; Chaplain, F. H. Lisdala; Otlicer of the Day, T. W. Draper; Otlicer of the 
 Guard, Joseph F. AVhitiuf?- The headquarters of the Post are in Knights of Pythias Hall in 
 Barrows' Block. The otHcial year ends in December, and installations occur in January of 
 each year. Following is a list of the members at the present time, 1891 : — 
 
 S. H. Bugbee, 
 
 C. T. Guild, 
 
 W. P. Whittemore, 
 
 O. L. Sweet, 
 
 A. E. Block, 
 
 J. L. Aldrich, 
 
 Henry H. Bennett, 
 
 A. T. Briggs, 
 J. B. Carter, 
 Horace Champlin, 
 Charles W. H. Day, 
 Gamaliel B. Gotl'. 
 F. A. Gould, 
 Charles Hackett, 
 
 B. F. Lincoln, 
 
 J. F. Miickiuson, 
 John B. Peck, 
 E. D. Sturtevant, 
 Henry G. S. Strucker, 
 E. H. Tappan, 
 Samuel Terrell, 
 Frank H. Tisdale, 
 Edwin Whitney, 
 George W. Waterhouse, 
 T. S. Wood, 
 John E. Bent, 
 Osmyn H. Atwood, 
 Joseph H. Chatham, 
 
 C. W. Eaton, 
 W. W. Fisher, 
 A. Gordon, 
 J. Norman Hall, 
 J. G. Hall, 
 H. E. Lincoln, 
 Charles E. May, 
 George F. Stone, 
 Joseph Slaiger, 
 R. J. Bell, ^ 
 Ebeu L. Sylvester, 
 Stephen Ballon, 
 Augustus B. Hyde, 
 J. Sample, 
 Frederick Staftbrd, 
 Alfred Worthington, 
 W. H. Birch, 
 James N. AYoodward, 
 Harvey Clap, 
 Albert L. Wheeler, 
 Patrick A. Kewlin, 
 Timothy Maloney, 
 Matthew Shea, 
 Thomas C. Perkins. 
 Winfield S. Thompson, 
 Lewis G. Whiting, 
 Arlon M. Whipple, 
 W. E. Wood, 
 Andrew M. Belcher.i 
 
 Stephen Stanley, 
 C. C. Peck, 
 J. F. Whiting, 
 T. W. Draper, 
 George E. Bassett, 
 Julius I. Bosworth, 
 John Carroll, 
 Frank Cassels, 
 W. B. Congdon, 
 Halsey W. Draper, 
 Thomas Farrell, 
 Thomas G. Sandland, 
 T. M. Sears, 
 Daniel R. Rose, 
 William Smith, 
 W. Barnett, 
 B. F. Bronson, 
 Walter Katon. 
 Asa M. Franklin, 
 Jacob Wies, 
 Charles B. Wood, 
 Michael McGam, 
 John Drayton, 
 Roger Delaney, 
 Thomas H. Flynn, 
 Edward Rolfe, 
 William J. Glassey, 
 Benjamin H. Lattimer, 
 
 NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 The first newspaper in town was the Attlebokough Bulletin, publislied at North 
 Attleborough, with Mr. J. M. Stewart as editor. Later its name was changed to the Bristol 
 County News, and it was then in the hands of Mr. Robert Sherman, of Pawtucket. 
 Nothing beyond these facts has been obtained relating to these publications. 
 
 the attleborough chronicle.- 
 
 >' The history of every large and prosperous New England town necessarily includes a recog- 
 nition of the local press, as potent among the factors that have influenced its character and 
 growth. When a town has reached a certain stage of municipal development, the local news- 
 paper is sure to appear, — indigenous as cedars to Lebanon, and as closely akin to the commu- 
 
 1 It was not until the present year, ^.891, that any information could be obtained relating to this Post, 
 and !is so few facts were gathered regarding its earlier existence it was deemed proper to continue 
 the sketch as given down to the present time. Its history belongs to the old town as well as the new. 
 
 2 For the above sketch we are indebted to Mr. Edgar Perry, former editor of the Chkonicle, who 
 kindly prepared it for us.— Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUCiH. 443 
 
 nity it represents as buds to the apple tree. Attleborougli otters no exception to this law of 
 social aud material evoliitiou. 
 
 "Following close upon the opening of the Attleborough Branch railroad, and like that enter- 
 prise a resultant of the business prosperitj- that followed the war. came the Attleborough 
 Chroniclk. It was the first paper whose form and method, as well as time of appearing, 
 gave any hope of permanence or prosperity. In a History of Attleborough it deserves fitting 
 representation, because its own service to the cause of local history, in catching and holding 
 by the ' art preservative ' the events of recent years, has Ijeen of the greatest value. 
 
 " In November 1S71 the idea occurred to Mr. Walter Phillips. i who was then employed on 
 a Providence paper, to start a journal of his own, and his attention and choice were naturally 
 directed to Attleborough, the birthplace of his wife,'- and a large aud growing municipality. 
 The latter part of December of that year. Mr. Phillips Ijegan a personal canvass of the town, 
 which was continued by himself and others until the first of February 1872, when $1,900 had 
 been paid in advance sul)Scriptions. The first paper was issued February 3"! 1872, the type 
 being set in a little office near Ryder's Hotel, now Park Street Hotel, Attleboro', and the 
 forms were sent to Providence and printed by the Providence Press Company. Pressure of 
 advertising made it necessary to enlarge as early as May of that year. 
 
 '■ On the completion of Kendall's Block, in Xorth Attleboro', the enlarged paper was 
 moved into the rooms in that building now occupied by the engraving office of Lincoln & 
 Ballou and the Union Improvement District Library. A Washington Ward press was added, 
 aud upon it Edward Quinn, foreman of the office, ' worked' the forms. July 20'h Mr. Quinn 
 also became local editor, and in August the journalistic force was further augmented by the 
 employment of 3Ir. Eugene K. Dunbar, who came to the work with the collegiate honors of 
 Brown University freshly upon him. August 24* the firm became Phillips it Dunbar. Janu- 
 ary 18"! 1873, ]Mr. Phillips sold the paper, with the job office connected, to Messrs. Dunbar it 
 Quinn for $5,000. All the printing material had been paid for from the earnings of the first 
 year. July l^t of that year — 1873 — E. K. Dunbar became sole editor and proprietor, and so 
 continued for nearly four years. During all this period he was assisted h\ Mr. Eliot Hunt as 
 local editor and representative of the paper in the village of Attleboro'. To Mr. Hunt's able 
 and conscientious work much of the success of the paper was owing. 
 
 "March 3"' 1877, Mr. Dunbar sold the paper to Mr. F. B. Greene of Providence, sou of 
 Prof. Greene of Brown University, Eliot Hunt of Attleboro', and Edwin A. Codding of North 
 A.ttleboro'. The new firm organized as F. B. Greene & Co., Mr. Greene owning a half, and 
 each of his partners a quarter, interest. Two years later, 3Iarch 1'^' 1879, Mr. Hunt purchased 
 the interest of Mr. Greene, and the firm became Eliot Hunt & Co. The business prospered, 
 but at the expense of the health of the senior proprietor, who found it necessary in the spring 
 of 1881 to call editorial assistance. He procured the services of 3Ir. Edgar Perry, like Mr. 
 Dunbar and Mr. Greene, a graduate of Brown University. Mr. Perry began his duties March 
 8'ii ISSl, and a year later was formally given sole charge of its editorial and news columns. 
 
 " In November, 1881, the Chroxicle moved into its present convenient aud commodious 
 rooms in Anawau Block. December l'*' 1882 its form was changed from an eight-column folio 
 to a six-column quarto, printed on tinted paper, and cut and pasted. 
 
 " Mr. Hunt's journeys in quest of health proved unsuccessful, and on Sunday morning 
 September 8"i 1883, he passed peacefully to rest at his residence in Attleboro'. Mr. Hunt's 
 administrators sold his three fourths interest in the paper, December 8'^ 18S3, to Edgar Perry, 
 who in turn sold a quarter to Mr. William H. Barnes, a former foreman of the office, a news- 
 papei" man of experience and at that time proijrietor of a job printing office in Odd Fellows 
 Building. The two businesses were consolidated, and the firm organized January l*t 1884:, as 
 Perry, Barnes it Co., Mr. Edwin A. Codding still retaining his quarter interest in the concern. 
 April pt 1884, the Chronicle was changed to a semi-weekly, a four-page edition being 
 pulilished every Tuesday. July 13'h 1886, Mr. Barnes purchased the interest of Mr. Codding, 
 and became equal partner with Mr. Perry, the firm taking its present style. Perry & Barnes. 
 
 'Now general manager of the United Press. - Miss Francena Capron, daughter of the late Virgil 
 Capron. 
 
444 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 •' December 8''i 1S86. 3Iessrs. Perry it Barues founded and have since printed al the Ciikon- 
 ICLE ottice three thrivinji local journals for neighboring towns, viz. : — ' The Keiiouoiii 
 Townsman.' 'Nokton Miiihoh.' and • Cumberland Standard.' They have contriluited 
 to Old Colony history. ' Historic Uiohoijoth," • History of the Attleboroi ch Farm- 
 ers AND Mf:chanics Association.' and • History of the Bristol County Agricul- 
 tural Society.' 
 
 '•The ATTLEBOROUiiii CHRONICLE lias received an unusual share of conscientious, pains- 
 taking work and well-ilirected enterprise. The high esteem in which the citizens of Attleboro' 
 and North Attleljoro' regard it. is evidence that the labor of those who have advanced to larger 
 lieUls of Jonru:dism and of him whose day closed so early, has not failed of its reward." i 
 
 THE ATTLEBORO ADVOCATE. 
 
 The success of the al)o\e enterprise in the newspaper line very probably marked the way for 
 another of the same nature, and three years after the Chronicle started on its prosperous 
 career another town publication made its appearance. The first issue of the Attleboro 
 Advocate bore the date of March 2". 1875, and was published by Mr. T. S. Pratt. On the 
 tenth of the following May Mr. Pratt and Mr. David S. Lowe opened an office in the building 
 now known as Briggs" Hotel, on South Main Street. In the latter part of December of that 
 same year the proprietors removed their business to Dean's Block on Park Street, where it 
 was carried on for nearly four years. On Octol)er 1, 1879, Mr. Pratt sold his interest to Mr. 
 Lowe, who soon increased the facilities of the ottice by the purchase of the large newspaper 
 press on which the Advocate is still (1887) printed. It was at once apparent that steam 
 power was required for the advantageous operation of this press, and a move was therefore 
 made to the upper floor of the building long known as the •' Steam Power Company's building,'' 
 where ample space and the necessary force were obtained for carrying on the printing, while 
 the otfice still continued in Dean's Block. This arrangement for the presswork proved to be 
 unsatisfactory to the tenants of the floors lielow on account of the •' power of the press" to 
 jar the building and another move therefore became necessary. This was ettected on Jamiary 
 1. 1880. the entire l)usiuess going to County Street. 
 
 About a year later, on January 15, 1881, Messrs. E. H. and N. J. Sweet purchased the busi- 
 ness. April 5, 1884, the paper was changed from a folio to a quarto and other changes were 
 made at the same time aiul many improvements added to its makeup. In Xovember. 1884. still 
 another move was made — to the offices still occupied on South Main Street. Job B. Savery 
 was the first editor and agent of the Advocate, and the other editors have been successively 
 Mr. Carpenter. C. M. Barrows, N. A. Mowton. and George Kandall. The latter assumed the 
 position in December, 1S84. and retained it about four years. He was previously the editor of 
 the Peabody Press. 
 
 In November. 1884. as stated, a move was made from County Street to the present quarters 
 on South Main Street, very near its intersection with North Main, County, and Park streets. 
 Since coming here its circulation has steadily increased. The new proprietors l)eing enterpris- 
 ing men, they continually augment their facilities in the job department of the business, adiling 
 from time to time both to the variety and quality of the work they produce. At the time of the 
 flood the Advocate had many illustrations of its eflects in the various portions of the town, 
 and was the first paper in town to use cuts of that kind to any extent. The edition for the 
 week of the flood was 6,500, and was very large during the entire month. 
 
 In the early autumn of 1887 an extremely severe illness sustained by Mr. E. H. Sweet 
 obliged him to relinquish all business. He left town on the seventh of October of that year 
 for southern California, and the conduct of all the aflairs of the establishment was assumed 
 
 1 lu May, 1888, Mr. I'erry left town, and Mr. Barues became sole owner of the paper. Mr. Burrill 
 Porter, Jr., assinneil the editorship and has retained the position ever since. In November, IS'.K), the 
 weekly publication was merged into a daily and at once discontinued, the tirst issue of tlie />aily 
 Chronicle bearing date November 17, lSi)0. In the autumn of 1889 the business removed its quarters 
 to Elm Street, and in the latter part of 1892 to tlie building on the same street formerly occupied by 
 Mr. John P. Bonnett. It is conducted under the name of •' Tlie Evening Chronicle Co., W. H. Barnes, 
 Manager." 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 445 
 
 by the partner and brother. Mr. N. J. Sweet. Since then additiuiial spnee has lieen taken and 
 the facilities for all kinds of printing have been increased, with the result of a decided growth 
 in the business. The enterprise and energy displayed oy these latest partners have reaped an 
 abundant reward in the way of present success and of encouraging promise for the future. 
 The Advocate is popular and has a very large circulation for a town paper. Attleborough 
 may, we think, safely challenge comparison with almost any town in regard to her two news- 
 paper publications, both in character and appearance. i 
 
 ATTLEBOliOUGH BKAXCH RAILROAD. 
 
 For many years previous and up to 1869-70, the only public mode of conveyance between the 
 Xorth and East villages was by a line of stages. These met certain trains only in the latter 
 village, and year by year were proving to be more and more inadeciuate to tlie demands made 
 upon them by the two villages and the interlying portions of the town. The necessity for 
 more frequent and rapid communication in this direction had therefore come to be a widely 
 acknowledged fact. About the beginning of the year 1870, at his request, several gentlemen 
 met at the residence of Handel N. Daggett at the Falls village, to consult upon a plan for start- 
 ing a railroad and to arrange for taking the initial steps in the enterprise. This meeting was, 
 so far as known, the real Ijegiuniug of the Branch Koad. 
 
 The plan matured proved to be an admiraVde one and it was promptly and ably executed, for 
 in less than a year from the above date the road was completed and in running order. A peti- 
 tion was drawn up, which was signed by Handel N. Daggett, Henry F. Barrows, and Stephen 
 Richardson, who were made the corporators, and presented to the Legislature. This provided 
 for the corporators permission to build the road to unite with the Boston and Providence Rail- 
 road and the Taunto.'. Branch Railroad at their junction in Attleborough, with power to lease 
 the same. The capital stock was not to exceed $100,000 and shares were to be §!100 each. This 
 petition passed the House March VI, 1870, and the Senate on the 1-lth, being approved on the 
 19th of the same month. 
 
 Tlie first meeting called by the corporation was held in Mr. Rice's oflice at North Attle- 
 borough on May 14, 1870. Besides the above-named petitioners there were present Dr. J. R. 
 Bronson, J. H. Sturdy, and A. M. Ide. The charter and by-laws were accepted at an adjourned 
 meeting held later in the same day. On June 1 H. F. Barrows was elected president, 
 J. R. Bronson, clerk, and H. N. Daggett, treasurer. The first directors were H. F. Barrows, 
 H. N. Daggett, J. R. Bronson, Stephen Richardson, and A. A. Folsom. On July 29 it was 
 voted to contract with E. G. Perkins and John Lynch to construct the road for $40,000, and it 
 was to be completed by the first of November following. This contract was carried out in 
 the usual way, with some extra charges. In 1871 power was granted to increase the capital to 
 f 130,000 and the road was leased to the Boston and Providence Piailroad for a term of thirty 
 years from December 31, 1871. 
 
 The officers of the first election have continued in their respective positions to the present 
 time, 1887, and there has been but one change in the board of directors, O. M. Draper having 
 been elected in the place of Stephen Richardson, deceased. The stoclv is held almost entirely 
 in town and by about thirty-five persons, tliese being chiefly residents of North Attleborough. 
 The road is in good running condition and prosperous financially. The stock has increased 
 fully fifty per cent, in value and therefore pays large dividends on its par value. [The road 
 
 1 Mr. Randall retired from the paper about August, 188S, and in January following Mr. Mowton 
 again took the editorship. Soon after tlie departure of Mr. Sweet, .Air. William A. Sturdy, of Chartley, 
 entered the business and in November, 1888, tlie iirni of Sweet & Sturdy was formed. The following 
 year it was decided to establish a daily paper, and the first issue of the same bears the date of Sep- 
 tember 3, 1889, under the name of the Attleborough Daily Sun. There were 306 publications 
 during the first year, with an average daily number of '2,-205. Various "popularity contests" were 
 started, and were one of the means of maintaining a large daily average for quite a period. 
 
 The firm of Sweet & Sturdy dissolved partnership July 1, 1891, Mr. Sweet leaving town at that time. 
 For two months the business was conducted under the name of Willliam A. Sturdy, but at that time, 
 September 1, 1891, Mr. Mowton took control. Tlie business has passed into other hands, and early in 
 1894 Mr. Mowton left town to take a position on a newspaper in Brockton, this State. 
 
446 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 came under the management of the Old Colony Railroad when that company leased the Boston 
 and Providence Railroad, and in turn under that of the New York, New Haven and Hartford 
 Railroad, which corporation has leased the entire Old Colony system.] 
 
 There are several other organizations of varied nature in town, such as the Attleborough 
 Poultry Club, organized in 1884; the Attleborough Rifle Club; the Columbia Bicycle Club, 
 organized ]March 10. 1881. etc. There are two courts of the order of Foresters: Court Attle- 
 borough. No. T.2()0, organized in 1886, A. O. F., and Sarsfield Court. M. C. O. F.; North Attle- 
 l)orough Branch. No. 379. C. K. of A., and Attleborough Chapter No. -28, Golden Rule Alliance. 
 The Norfolk and Bristol Horse Thief Detecting Society has a number of meml)ers in town. Of 
 his society J. W. Capron is treasurer, C. S. Williams is agent at Attleborough. and John Bates 
 assistant agent. It is said to have been organized April 18, 1796. The Attleljorough Mutual 
 Fire Insurance Company, organized January 1, 1845, still continues its prosperous existence, 
 with J. W. Capron as president. S. W. Carpenter, trea>nrer. and E. R. Read, secretary. It has 
 two agencies in town. North Attleborough has a Musical and Literary Association, organized 
 in May, 188'J, a Gerniania Singing Society. Frohsiun, incorporated in 1874, and three other 
 musical associations; namely. North Attleborough Cornet Band, organized March 22. 1870; 
 Lamphier's Orchestra, organized in 18s(); and the North Attleborough Orchestra. Attle- 
 borough has Blackiuton's and Stewartson's orchestras, the latter organized in September. 
 1881. At North Attleborough a newspaper called the ATTLEBOROroii Advertiseh is 
 published bi-monthly. 
 
 Another organization wliich has come to be very prominent has recently been formed. 
 About the time of the division of the town a petition signed by about sixty-seven citizens was 
 presented to the Legislature asking permission to form a military company. This was the first 
 among several other petitions presented for the same purpose. It has been granted and the 
 company duly formed, all necessary arrangements made for rooms, uniforms, etc.. and the 
 prospects promise a military organization which shall prove a great credit to the new old town 
 of Attleborough (1887). 
 
 [For some years there liad been a desire manifest to form a military company in town, but 
 there was no opportunity to carry such a desire into ettect unless it should become an independ- 
 ent company, until the year 1887. when, under a new law, the military foi'ce of the State was 
 increased. In Chapter 411 of the •' Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts'" for that year. Section 
 22 reads as follows: "In time of peace, the volunteer militia shall consist of not more than 
 sevent\--two companies of infantry, three companies of cavalry, three batteries of light artil- 
 lery, two corps of cadets, and a signal and an ambulance corps to each brigade." Previous to 
 this time there had been but sixty companies of infantry in the State. George A. Adams, Esq., 
 O. P. Richardson, Jr., and some few others were the prime movers in this matter, and through 
 their ellbrts the way was paved for active measures to l)e taken. 
 
 A preliminary meeting was held in Engine Hall, October 5, 1887. A temporary organiza- 
 tion was ertected with G. A. Adams as captain. T. K. Gay as first lieutenant, and O. P. Richard- 
 .son, Jr.. second lieutenant, and sixty-four men were enrolled as members. The necessary 
 petition was framed and sent to the Adjutant-Genei-al of the State. On October 27 Adjutant- 
 Oeneral Dalton inspected the petitioners at G. A. R. Hall, and the company was notified to me(^t 
 later on at Park Hall to be nuistered into service. This was done November IS. 1887, by Colonel 
 Bancroft of the Fifth Regiment, to which the company had been assigned, and they were 
 thenceforth to be known as Company I. Fifth Regiment, M. Y. M. The names of the original 
 members of the company are as follows : — 
 
 W. B. Allen. 
 
 A. S. Blackinton. Jr.. 
 
 C, T. Burr. 
 
 J. D. Chilson. 
 
 C. F. Forrester, 
 A. A. Guild, 
 W. H. Goft", 
 L. B. Kingman. 
 
 D. L. Lowe. 
 
 G. A. Adams. 
 
 Charles Allen, 
 
 George L. P.ullard. 
 
 E. H. Briggs, 
 
 Bradford Bullock, 
 
 Vr. B. Bliss. 
 
 C. E. Briggs. 
 
 H. A. Clark. 
 
 F. B. Eldridge, 
 
 A. G. Fuller, 
 
 T. K. Gay, 
 
 F. C. Gray, 
 
 E. L. Gowen. 
 
 L. F. Goft". 
 
 O. W. Hawkins, 
 
 A. S. Tngraliani 
 
 F. E. Keeler, 
 
 0. A. Kniuht. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 
 
 447 
 
 J. H. Lewis, 
 W. T. Mason, 
 Samuel McCaitney, 
 A. W. Parnieuter. 
 G. F. Power, 
 C. F. Rhodes, 
 C. H. Swift, 
 
 C. A. Sturih% 
 F. E. Tripp, 
 
 D. E. AViliiiarth, 
 
 H. C. Luther. 
 Eugene Martin, 
 T. T. McAdanis. 
 G. A. Pierce, 
 O. P. Richardson, 
 C. E. Richards, 
 G. E. Snow, 
 David Smiley, 
 E. A. Taylor. 
 G. O. Wilmarth, 
 E. F. Youno-. 
 
 F. L. Morse, 
 
 R. D. Manchester, 
 
 G. C. Parker, 
 H. R. Packard, 
 A. M. Richards, 
 C A. Richardson, 
 G. H. Sykes, 
 
 F. E. Smith, 
 J. F. Woodard. 
 M. L. Wood. 
 
 On February 27, 188S, the following were adtled to the abo\e nuniljer l)y being mustered 
 in : — 
 
 F. E. Allen, 
 E. C. Power, 
 
 0. P. Bliss. 
 
 1. W. Smith, 
 
 J. E. Pagney, 
 George White. 
 
 The first connnissioned olticers were : — 
 
 Captain, William H. Goff. 
 
 First Lieutenant, George A. Adams. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, O. P. Richardson. Jr. 
 
 The first non-connuissioned otfieers appointetl Ijy the captain were : — 
 First Sergeant, Fred. L. Morse. Corporals. 
 
 Second Sergeant, Herbert A. Clark. Frank E. Keeler, 
 
 Third Sergeant, Thomas K. Gay. George H. Sykes, 
 
 Fourth Sergeant, D. E. Wilmarth. Amos S. Blackinton, 
 
 Fifth Sergeant, Clarence E. Richards. Charles A. Sturdy. 
 
 At its first inspection Company I took the highest place, and has stood Xumber 1 ever 
 since, maintaining the same high standard in all respects and everywhere. Its record in camp 
 has been wellnigh perfect, and it has •' never had a man in the guard house." The Fifth 
 Regiment attended the celebration in New York attendant upon the one hundredth anniversary 
 of the inaugural of Washington, and was the recipient of very high compliments from the 
 City of New York. This regiment presented the appearance of regulars and was the " only 
 regiment in the U. S. that mari;hed 24 file front." At the Cotton Centennial celebration 
 in Pawtucket in the autumn of 1890, to which Company I was specially invited, it was the 
 only company in the procession which marched with the " file front of regulars," and with 
 every eye looking straight ahead. Much praise has been bestowed upon this company, and 
 justly, for the men have laliored diligently to acquire the military knowledge and technique 
 necessary to place them where they desired to be — in the front ranks of militia companies. 
 The " drill squad " deserves special praise for its attainments in the line of what, for want 
 perhaps of the proper military term, we must call faacy drilling. In the intricate and artistic 
 movements involved iu this style of drill the men seem to have reached almost perfection. 
 
 A high compliment was bestowed upon Company I, and through it upon the town, by the 
 order which directed that the regimental '"Field Day " manoeuvres for 1890 should be conducted 
 here. Under the orders issued it was impossible for the citizens of the town to ofter the 
 i"egiment any entertainment in the way of a collation, but what could be done l)y them was 
 done. A large number offered themseh'es as soldiers for the day to "acton the defensive." 
 The thi'eatening weather of the eighth of October prevented many from presenting themselves 
 at the appointed rendezvous, but the well-planned defence was carried out nevertheless by the 
 small number who were actively engaged under the command of Major Horton. The attack 
 was directed by Colonel Banc-roft and the result was a foregone conclusion, as of course the 
 town had to be taken, but it was some hours before the regiment was victorious. The fighting 
 was in the vicinity of Dodgeville, chiefly to the east of that village, and the limit of the battle 
 was Maple Street: when the regiment should have driven its enemies to the north of that point, 
 the houses south of it being captured, all hostilities were to cease. There were some I)rilliaut 
 
448 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 manauvres, <ome Siharp sliirmishe^, and a few casualties, or the seml^lance of such, l)ut for- 
 tunately no serious aci-idents. A small number of prisoners were taken by Company I with 
 great difliculty — especially in the case of E. (J. 3Iartin — some wounds (to garments) were 
 sustained, the necessary surgeon being found in a neighboring kitchen, and some refreshments 
 stored for the use of one party fell into the hands of another; notably some kegs were discov- 
 ered and seized by some scouting party, declared "contraband," and the contents were immc^ 
 dlately appropriated by the captors. 
 
 It having become known that the State's provision of ammunition would be inadequate for 
 the requirements of Field Day, it was decided that a proper amount shoultl be presented to 
 the regiment. To that end eight gentlemen of the town suljscribed twenty-five dollars each, 
 and the supply thus obtained proving to be more than sufficient for the various encounters of 
 the day, after the battle wa" over the regiment drew up in line on Maple Street and disposed 
 of what was left in an exhibition of l)rilliant firing. They then marched to the common, 
 where preparations for dress parade were made. A line of march through some of the princi- 
 pal streets of the village was followed, the route ending via South Main Street to the field east 
 of it and south of Maple Street, which had been selected as the place for the final exercises. 
 Halting at the residence of Mr. John C. Cununings, Company I moved forward on to the lawn 
 and receiveil a handsome silk national flag. This was presented by the members of the Ball 
 and 3Iallet Club, a social organization of ladies, who in this pleasant deed were most heartily 
 and materially assisted by their husbands. The pride in and the appreciation of the company's 
 success thus voiced by a few would no doubt be concurred in by the entire town. Following 
 this presentation was that of a beautiful bouquet by one of our most charming young ladies to 
 Company M. of Hudson, who won this compliment by presenting the best appearance of any 
 company on the march. Dress i)arade brought the military exercises to a close, and the regi- 
 ment left town expressing themselves as well pleased with their reception and with the 
 success of the day. The streets from an early hour were tilled with ;m eager, interested 
 crowd of people from everywhere in the entire vicinity, to many of whom it was no doubt 
 in its way the day of their lifetime, and to all of whom it must have been one of unusual 
 gratification. Clouds threatened all day but withheld an outburst, commencing only to let 
 down gentle showers when the parade was nearly over. Fields were wet and streets were 
 muddy, but otherwise little was left to l)e desired, and the Field Day of October 8. 1890, may 
 be recalled with a good degree of satisfaction. 
 
 As has been stated. Company I held the first place in the regiment from the commencement 
 of its career and continued to do so for years. This was largely attributed to the fact that but 
 few changes had occurred in its ranks, and long practice together had enabled the men to reach 
 their high degree of perfection. The term of enlistment for many of the men expired in 1890, 
 and numbers of these did not reenlist, their places being filled by recruits. It was therefore 
 confidently expected, from the very nature of the case, that the annual inspection for that year 
 would show the standard of the company to be lowered. When results showed to the con- 
 trary it was a surprise and gratification to every one interested. The new men proved them- 
 selves to be truly loyal to the interests of the company. They seemed to consider themselves 
 in large measure responsible for its position the ensuing year, and that they worked with the 
 will which paves the way to success is attested by the fact that Company I still continued to 
 hold its high rank. This statement in no wise derogates the work of the old men, or detracts 
 from its importance; new men and old striving harmoniously together accomplished what 
 neither could have done alone. The anxiously-looked-for inspection occurred February 9. 1891, 
 at Armory Hall, Pierce's Block, the headquarters of the company. Major Oakes was the 
 inspecting officer, and his words to the company on that occasion, though brief, contain a 
 lengthy meaning: '' I thought a year ago that the company did finely, but to-night's perform- 
 ance excels that record. I never saw a company in such excellent condition in my life as I find 
 Company I this evening. No company in the State is its superior, and I believe there are few 
 companies in this country so well posted in all the duties of the soldier as Company I of Attle- 
 boro." We can easily pardon the " irregularity "' displayed by an inspecting ofticer in speaking 
 to a company of the results of their work, when he uses expressions of such high praise as 
 these, and to citizens of our town. 
 
 It may serve to show more clearly the real position the conqjany has attained if a few figures 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 449 
 
 of this iiispectiou of 1S91 are given. Tlae men were examined and marked for sixteen difler- 
 eut tilings. In eleven of these they were perfect, and in the remaining live very nearly so. as 
 thev received 694 points out of a possible 700. Considerable interest has been taken in rifle 
 practice, and the results may be seen in the following report of Lieutenant R. B. Edes, the 
 regimental inspector of rifle practice, for work done during the year 1891 : " Company I of 
 Attleboro qualitied its full complement of 01 men, and made a record for itself which will l)e 
 hard to equal and difficult to excel. To accomplish this remarkable feat the hardest and most 
 persistent work was required of ofticers and men. and they are deserving of the highest credit 
 for making such a glorious record, never before equalled by a company of this regiment and 
 seldom by any militia organization. By its brilliant record in marksmanship, Company I has 
 well earned the title of the ' Shooting company ' of the 5th regiment. To Capt. Goft' and 
 Lieut. Adams the thanks of the department are tendered for the indefatigable etforts put forth 
 by them in placing their command in the proud position it now holds."' 
 
 The high point reached continues to lie maintained, and great credit is due both officers and 
 men for this fact, for no amount of alnlity to command on the part of the former could have 
 availed without the hearty inclination to obey on the part of the latter. Company T has been 
 unusually fortunate in both these directions. One who has now retired from the company 
 deserves special praise. He was foremost and essential in the work of its organization. His 
 aim was to make the company a credit to itself and to the community, and he was wise and 
 efficient in carrying out all plans tending towards its realization, ably seconding the men in all 
 their advancing ettbrts, and never satisfied until they were successful in reaching the high 
 standard set. His ability and faithfulness were recognized and appreciated by the entire com- 
 pany, and it was with great reluctance and only after several repetitions that they sutfered the 
 resignation of Lieutenant George A. Adams to be accepted. 
 
 The officers for 1893 were as follows : — 
 
 Captain, "William H. Gofl". 
 
 First Lieutenant, Herbert A. Clark. 
 
 Second ,. George H. Sykes. 
 
 First Sergeant, Walter T. Mason. 
 
 Sergeants. 
 Charles A. Richardson, " E. H. Briggs, 
 
 Frank C. Gray, David L. Lowe. 
 
 Corporals. 
 
 A. H. Carpenter, Otis F. Hicks. 
 
 Fred. W. Xorthup, Wilbur S. Stowe. 
 
 Fred. Wilmarth. .Joseph H. Williams. i] 
 
 ELECTRIC STREET RAILWAYS. 
 
 Some time previous to the division of the town the question as to the advisability of starting 
 an electric street railway company and the practicability of building such a road was mooted. 
 After considerable discussion a r.uml)cr of gentlemen, chiefly of this town, decided to embark 
 in such an enterprise and subscribed the amount of money required by law to start it. They 
 in the early autunni of 1887 organized as the Attleborough, Noi'th Attleborough, and Wren- 
 tham Street Railway Company, with the following gentlemen as directors: H. G. Bacon, Peter 
 Nerney, C. L. Watson, J. E. Draper, H. M. Daggett, Jr., W. M. Fisher, and F. L. Burden. 
 The projected route was to be from the Park-street railroad crossing in Attleborough through 
 Park and North Main streets in that village; through North Avenue and High Street to North 
 Attleborough; through Elm, Washington, and South streets to School Street, in Plainville, 
 including a distance of six miles. The convenience of such a means of frequent and rapid 
 
 1 A very high complimeot lias recently been paid to Company I. By order of the Adjutant-General 
 the six Galling guns Ijelouging to the State militia have been removed from the batteries and placed 
 with infantry companies. One of these was assigned to and has been received by Company I. 
 
450 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 conveyaiicu must at once be realized and acknowledged, and, once establislied, would become 
 more and more an ever-increasing necesisity to all within its reach. It is to be hoped that the 
 plans of these gentlemen will meet with a speedy consunuiiation and the electric railway soon 
 be constructed. 
 
 [Work was commenced on this railway in July, 1889, and it was practically completed in the 
 following Octol^er. During the three days of the Agricultural Fair, which was held about the 
 middle of September that year, cars were run from the village of Attleborough to the grounds 
 with horses, and large numbers of passengers were carried. The road was entirely completed 
 early in th« following spring, and electric cars commenced running April 5, 1890. The road is 
 operated by the Thomson-Houston system. The capital was f 60,000 and the number of stock- 
 holders eighteen. First mortgage bonds were issued to the amount of §50,000. The cost of 
 construction was $69,730.91; the cost of equipment, ¥J:'i.9oT.-29: the total. !?1]5,694.20. The 
 legal expenses were $3,792.13. During the lirst six months after the road regularly commenced 
 operations 7,702 trips were made, covering a distance of over 92,400 miles; the number of pay 
 passengers was 461,692, and of free passengers 4,021, making a total of 465,713. The number 
 of regular employees was fourteen. Before the close of the year some changes were made in 
 the board of directors under which the road was constructed and commenced operations, and 
 the stock owned by the gentlemen who left the board was transferred to other hands; but in 
 January, 1891, the otHcers were as follows: President, Winthrop Coffin, of Boston; Superin- 
 tendent, George A. Murch, of Attleborough; Treasurer and Clerk, Alfred A. Glasser, of 
 Boston; Directors, Winthrop Coffin and W. B. Ferguson, of Boston; Peter Nerney and 
 Homer M. Daggett, Jr., of Attleboi'ough ; J. E. Draper, of Noi-th Attleborough; George 
 Demarest, of Plainville; and George W. Manstield, of Melrose, this State. 
 
 This first enterprise proved so successful that soon others of a like nature were contem- 
 plated, and two connecting electric roads were projected under the titles of the Interstate and 
 the People's lines. The proposed routes were as follows : the Interstate from the Wamsutta 
 House corner in Xorth Attleborough, through Washington Street south to a point near the 
 residence of the late George B. Richards, thence over the " Old Post Road " through the vil- 
 lages of West and South Attleborough to Barrows' Tavern, thence over "Washington Street — 
 or the turnpike — again to Pawtucket, returning over Central Avenue through Seekonk or 
 over the "Create Plaine" to Hebronville; the People's from Park-street railroad crossing 
 feast side) through Union or Pine Street, crossing to South Main and through Dodgeville and 
 Heln-onville. meeting the Interstate at that place. The latter never matured, and the entire 
 road was constructed by the Interstate Company. The line followed was through Pine and 
 Orange streets to South Main and thence through the two villages named to Pawtucket. 
 
 Work on the Interstate line was commenced in April, 1891, and was so far completed as to 
 be open for traffic on July 17, 1S92, and through to Pawtucket on the 23d. Two cars were 
 run from North Attleborough to Oldtovvn (West Attleborough) on August 13, 1892. The 
 promotion of this enterprise was watched with great interest by the people of this village and 
 South Attleborough, and the appearance of the first cars over the road was the signal for a 
 pul)lic demonstration after the true American fashion — bell-ringing, fireworks, etc. The 
 portion of the route toward Attleborough was ready for traffic October 15, 1892, and on 
 November 1 following the company was running one car at the other end, from Attleborough 
 to Hebronville; and on December 4 cars commenced running betsveen those two villages, con- 
 necting with cars from Pawtucket. For some time a change of cars at Hebronville was neces- 
 sary, as the Interstate could not cross the Old Colony line at grade. Later that grade-crossing 
 was abolished and the old town road closed at that point, the depot at Hebronville. A bridge 
 was built over the railroad tracks a number of rods to the east and the town road changed, as 
 was necessary. Over this road the Interstate tracks were laid and passengers enabled to ride 
 through to Pawtucket without change. 
 
 The capital stock of this corporation is $362,500, a little more than half of which is owned 
 in Attleborough and North Attleborough. The officers first elected were : President, H. M. 
 Daggett, Jr., Attleborough; Treasurer, W. N. Otis, Providence; Clerk, George E. AVebster, 
 East Providence; Directors, H. M. Daggett. Jr., W. N. Otis, H. W. Harvey, East Providence; 
 William A. Walton, Providence; W. H. Haskell, Pawtucket; Peter Nerney, Attleborough; 
 C. T. Guild, North Attleljorough; George Demarest, Wreutham, and E. C. Dubois. East 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 451 
 
 Providence. These are the same at the present time — December, 1893.— witli the exception 
 of Mr. Demarest. The otHcers of the Attleborough. Nortli Attleboroiig:h & Wrentham Street 
 Railway Company are the same as above, with the exception of C. T. Guild, who is its clerk. 
 The superintendent of the system is Eli W. Adams. On July 1, 1893, the Interstate Street 
 Railway Company acquired all the rights, franchises, and property of the Attleborough, North 
 Attleborough tt Wrentham Street Railway Company, and since that time the roads have been 
 run as one system. The Interstate Company has also purchased a large per cent, of the capital 
 stock of the North Attleborough Steam and Electric Company, which was incorporated April 
 2, 1886. Most of its otticers ai-e gentlemen connected with tlie purchasing company. 
 
 The following words are those of one who has been interested in this enterprise from the 
 outset. They show a little of what has already been done and of what it is hoped may soon 
 be accomplished : — 
 
 •• The United Electric Traction Co. of New Jersey, who own the Union R. R. Co. and the 
 Pawtucket St. Ry. Co., have made overtures to buy the control of the Interstate Co. but the 
 trade has not been consummated. The relations between the two roads undoubtedly will lie 
 harmonious, and persons can at present ride on the Electric Cars from Plain vi lie in the Town 
 of Wrentham to Bullock's Point in the Town of East Prov. (2-1: miles) or from Attleboro to 
 Roger Williams Park or Pawtuxet. Through the extension of the Electric Lines by the 
 United Traction Co. it is supposed that by Oct. '94, persons can ride from Wrentham to 
 PhaMiix by Electric cars. Franchises ha\e also been granted for a line from Pawtucket to 
 Woonsocket, which may be built during the next year. The number of passengers carried 
 from Sept. 30*, '92 to Sept. 30'h, '93 was 1,710,135. 
 
 '• I>uring the Summer of '93 much improvement has been shown in real estate along the line 
 of the Electric Road, one new house having been built in Oldtown, the tirst for 30 years. A 
 Post Office has been established there, and along a portion of the road a tract of land has been 
 laid out into house lots and 43 lots have been sold to persons who intend building. In So. 
 Attleboro there has been much improvement and 7 new houses have been erected, and a large 
 addition to Coupe's Tannery nearly doubling its capacity has lieen erected. The Town has 
 constructed water works at this place and new pipes have been laid through the village. A 
 pai'k has been laid out at Walnut Grove which is on high ground and commands an extensive 
 view. It is a very lovely spot and much appreciated by the persons who can reach it by the 
 Electric cars on the Line from Attleboro to Pawtucket. The same can be said as to the 
 improvement of real estate in Attleboro along the line of the Road. There have been erected 
 this year 14 dwelling houses, a large farm has been laid out into house lots and streets, and the 
 widening of streets has begun. In the Town of Seekonk through which we run for about one 
 mile, there have been 3 new houses i)uilt and much improvement in the value of land. In 
 the City of Pawtucket between Cottage St. and Central Ave. in the tract contiguous to our 
 Line there have been erected more than 70 dwelling houses and 2 large manufactories estab- 
 lished along the line, and the price of real estate is much improved. 
 
 " The whole idea of the projectors has not been carried out. It was anticipated that they 
 would have a line of their own in to Prov. and that through cars could be run, and also that 
 express cars could be attached to the passenger cars thus doing an express business which 
 would greatly add to the facilities for doing business in the Towns of Attleboro, No. Attleboro 
 and Plainville which are now served only by one Co. It is hoped that in the near future the 
 express business can be commenced by making an arrangement with the Union Line from 
 Pawtucket to Providence. 
 
 " The total Investment for the whole enterprise up to date is about $800,000.00." (December, 
 1893.) 
 
 [The early history of this great enterprise is like that of many another of a similar nature, and 
 its experiences much the same. Opposition, criticism, hindrances, and delays without num- 
 ber had to be met and overcome, but the tigures given show that the public — the great arbiter 
 — at once set its seal of approval upon the scheme, and in no uncertain manner, by its daily, 
 general use of the line. Much had been accomplished toward placing the undertaking upon a 
 firm basis, and matters looked promising for permanent success, when in the autumn of 1893 
 such serious financial troubles overtook the company as to necessitate the appointment of a 
 receiver. Added to this misfortune, on the night of January 1, 1894, the power-house — the 
 
452 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 old Farmers' mill — was partially destroyed Ity fire, the valuable machinery being considerably 
 injured. Efforts were immediately made to temporarily obtain power elsewhei-e. but uusuccess- 
 fiilly, and the financial conditions of both the power and railway companies have caused com- 
 plications which could not l»e adjusted without delay. Meanwhile, beiiiir deprived for a time of 
 this very convenient and inexpensive means of transportation, people begin to fully i-ealize 
 what an accommodation it was and how nnich dependence had been placed upon it. 
 
 The idea of this scheme of electric railways in our vicinity originated with Mr. Homer M. 
 Daggett, Jr., and he has gone steadily and unflinchingly on. pushing forward as far as jjossible 
 toward completion the plans formed by himself and others, in the face of ol)stacles which would 
 have daunted any man with one jot less of perseverance, determination, untiring energy, and 
 active resource than himself. There can be but one wish expressed — that of ultimate suc- 
 cess to a project which promises as this does so much real benefit to both the Attleboroughs, 
 and included iu that success prosperity both to the originator and all others among our 
 citizens who have done all they could with uame and money to advance its interests. 
 
 The property of the power company has l)een purchased by Mr. W. H. Haskell, of Paw- 
 tucket, and the station is iu process of reconstruction. A day for the sale of the electric road 
 has been several times appointed, and several times postponed, and at the present writing the 
 sale has not been consummated — July 2, lS9-t.] [The station has been completed, and at a 
 special meeting the town of Attleborough voted nearly 5i5,000 for street lights for the coming 
 year. The aflairs of the electric road are as yet unchanged. September 20, 1894.] 
 
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HISTORY OF ATTLEBOliOUGH. 45' 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 PEREZ BRADFORD was a great-grandson of Governor Bradford. In his 
 father's family there were nine sons, and in the year 1720 these nine 
 brothers, " all men of high personal character," were, with their families, 
 living in the town of Kingston, Mass. One of these, Major William Brad- 
 ford, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and Lieutenant Sam- 
 uel Bradford was his father. His mother was Hannah Rogers, daughter of 
 John Rogers, of Duxbury, this State, in which place Mr. Bradford had settled. 
 Mr. Rogers was at one time a resident of Barrington, R. I., Monnt Hope 
 Neck. Hannah Rogers Bradford was great-granddaughter of the famous 
 John Alden who tried to woo the Puritan maiden Priscilla for his friend, the 
 doughty Miles Standish, and to his surprise — but evident satisfaction — won 
 her for himself. 
 
 Perez Bradford was third in a family of seven children and was born in 
 Duxbury in 1694. He graduated at Harvard College in 1713. About 1717 
 he was a resident of Kingston and probably lived upon his grandfather's 
 estate there. Nothing appears to be known of his wife beyond her name, 
 which was Abigail Balch. In 1732 the records show that he was living in 
 Milton, for at that time he and two cousins became administrators of the 
 estate of his grandfather, John Rogers. He was there also a year later, for 
 on July 16, 1733, his mother, '^Hannah Bradford, a widow, of Duxbury, in 
 consideration of £500, conveyed to him one hundred and ten acres of land in 
 Swansea." This (Barrington) was formerly the homestead of his maternal 
 grandfather. Septeml)er 6, 1745, Mr. Bradford was living on this homestead 
 in Swansea, for at that time he bought the homestead of Benjamin Wise in this 
 town — containing seventy acres and an additional tract of fifty acres — for 
 the sum of £1,300. 
 
 Immediately after this he removed to this town and in the following sprino- 
 was chosen a representative to the General Court. On the meeting of the 
 Legislature he was elected one of the Council and took his seat as a member 
 the last Wednesday of May, 1746. He died on the nineteenth day of the 
 following June. 
 
 Mr. Bradford had eiglit children, four sons and four daughters. One of 
 these daughters, Hannah, married Jabez Gay, a man prominent in the town, 
 April 30, 1746. 
 
 In the old burying ground at West Attleborough are two gravestones, 
 inscribed as follows : — 
 
454 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 " 111 memory of Hou. Perez Bradford, who departed this life on ye 19lh day 
 of June, 1746, in ye 52 year of his age." 
 
 " lu memory of Mrs. Abigail Bradford, widow and relict of ye late Hon. 
 Perez Bradford, Esq., who departed this life ye loth of November, 1746, 
 in ye i')2 year of her age." 
 
 Rev. Naphtali Daggett, d.d., President of Yale College, was the son of 
 Ebenezer Daggett and Mary, his wife (daughter of Pentieost Blackinton), 
 and was born in Attleborough, at the old residence of the late Harvey M. 
 Daggett, September 8, 1727. He was the second son among eight children. 
 His father dying while he was yet young, he was left under the direction of a 
 mother who was, however, in every respect peculiarly qualified to discharge 
 the duties which devolved upon her. He soon after commenced studies pi*e- 
 paratory to college. When he was quite a youth the Rev. Solomon Read, 
 of Bridgewater, — then a licentiate, but afterwards a settled minister in Fram- 
 ingham and Middleborough, — became acquainted with him and formed a high 
 opinion of his talents and promise. He took Mr. Daggett and two other 
 3'ouths of the vicinity as pupils and received them for a time into his own 
 family, without charge, with a view of aiding them to obtain a liberal educa- 
 tion for the purpose of entering the ministry. The following record tends to 
 prove that the idea of studying for the ministry was probably impressed upon 
 Mr. Daggett's mind at an early age : ''In the revival of 1740, two hundred 
 persons were added to his [Habijah Weld's] church, among them Naphtali 
 Daggett." He was then thirteen years old. He was for a time, b}" his 
 patron's assistance, under the tuition of the distinguished Dr. Forbes, of 
 Raynham ; then under that of Mr. (afterwards the Rev. Dr.) James Cogges- 
 well, who was teaching a school in Plainfield, Conn. Remaining with him 
 a year and a half, he then removed to Abington, Mr. Read's native place, 
 where he continued to prosecute his studies under his first tutor's directions. 
 
 In the summer of 1744 Mr. Read took this pupil, with others, to Cambridge 
 with a view to offer them for admission to Harvard College, but some unex- 
 pected difficulties having arisen in regard to their being admitted to an 
 examination — difficulties, it would seem, connected with the theological con- 
 troversies of the day and which Mr. Read's efforts, seconded by those of the 
 Rev. Mr. Weld, of this town, could not overcome — he took young Daggett 
 and one other of his pupils to New Haven and entered them in Yale College 
 in the autumn of the same year, 1744. Mr. Daggett graduated in 1748. at 
 the age of twenty-one. He was distinguished during his college life for 
 industry and close application and thorough scholarship. ^ His college diary 
 indicates extensive readings and the examination of philosophical works. 
 
 iTlie old Latin Lexicon used by Dr. Daggett wliile a student, and wliicli became llie property of 
 Hon. .John Daggett (the author of this book), was presented by him before his death to the Yale Col- 
 lege Library. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 455 
 
 He was settled as minister at Smitbtown, Long Island, and was ordained 
 over the church there September l.S, 1751, as is shown by a letter to his 
 brother, Colonel John Daggett, dated November 18. 1751. During his resi- 
 dence there, on December 19, 1753, he was married to Sarah Smith, daughter 
 of the third Richard Smith, by Rev. El)enezer Prime. She was born Sep- 
 tember 16 (O. S.), 1728, and died at New Haven, March 25, 1772, aged forty- 
 three years and six mouths. 
 
 In his memorandum, which came into the possession of the author of this 
 work, Mr. Daggett says that he was dismissed from his pastoral charge at 
 Smithtown, November G, 1755, for the puri)Ose of removing to New Haven. 
 In September, 1755, he had been elected the first Professor of Divinity in 
 Yale College, the professorship being denominated the '' Livingston Profes- 
 sorship of Divinity." He accepted the appointment, removed to New Haven, 
 and was inducted into office on the fourth of ^Nlarch following, 175(;.i This 
 office he held during tlie remainder of his iife. 
 
 The president of the college. Rev. Thomas Clap, resigned September 10, 
 17()(). The cori)oratiou made choice of Rev. James Lockwood as his succes- 
 sor, but he declined to accept the office, and they '^ proceeded at once to elect 
 the Professor of Divinity, Rev. Naphtali Daggett, d.d.. President p?'0 tem- 
 pore, with the understanding, however, that he was to continue to discharge, 
 the duties of his professoi'ship." During his administration of eleven years,, 
 notwithstanding the disadvantages i)f the times — for they were the years of 
 tnrbiilence and political excitement preceding the Revolutionary War — the 
 college was eminentl}' prosperous and successful. The number of students, 
 was larger than before, especially during the later years of his administration,, 
 when it is said many young men were sent to college by their parents to avoid 
 their being drafted into the army. The prosperity of the college at this time, 
 however, was largely due to the fact *•' that the corporation were able to 
 secure a succession of tutors of unusual a])ility." At that early date there 
 were few professors and the instruction was given chiefly by " tutors as the}' 
 were then for the most part calleil." Among these, under Dr. Daggett, were 
 such men as the following : Hon. Stephen Mix Mitchell, subsequently Judge 
 of the Superior Court ; Rev. Dr. Wales, the successor of Dr. Daggett in the 
 professorship of divinity; Hon. John Trumbull, author of '"McFingal"; 
 
 1 The foundation of this professorship was laid in 1746, by a donation from the Hon. Philip Living, 
 ston, of New York; and havuiir received a considerable addition Ijy anotlier donati(Mi, from Mr. Cier- 
 shom Clark, of Lebanon, with some appropriations by the college, it aflorded a sutBclent salary for the 
 supportof such an office, which was accoi'dingly established In ]7")5. A house for the use of the incum- 
 bent was erected by subscription and finished in 175S. It was like the onlinary New England house 
 of its day, nearly square, two stories high, with a garret above, tlie front door in the centre opening 
 into a little entry and behind that the great chimney occupying a large space in the middle of the house. 
 Its outside looked ver.v much like an old house, with the date of its erection over the door, still standing 
 on the north side of New Haven Green on Elm Street. It had no L. It stood on the site of the present 
 Medical College and remained for fully a centui-y, being linallj' demolished about 1859 to give space 
 for the erection of a wing to the college building. It was given to Yale College by Dr. Daggett. 
 
456 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Rev. Dr. Dwight, afterwards president of the college; Rev. Dr. J. Buckmiu- 
 ster, of Portsmouth. N. H. ; Rev. Dr. Stroug, of Hartford, Conn. ; and Hon. 
 John Davenport, for eighteen or twenty years a member of Congress from 
 Connecticut. There was a large number of men connected Avith Yale College 
 •durino- those years while Dr. Daggett held office, who became very eminent in 
 after years as professors, writers, jurists, foreign ministers, members of Con- 
 o-ress. etc., and among these famous graduates, many of whom became tutors, 
 may be mentioned Rev. Joseph Howe, Joel Barlow, another of the " Colum- 
 biad" : Oliver Wolcott, Governor of Connecticut ; Nathaniel Chipmau, Chaun- 
 cey Goodrich, David Huraphn-y. Abraham Baldwin, Noah Webster, the 
 lexicographer, and James A. Hillhouse, who was tutor, treasurer of the college 
 for fifty years, and the man to whom the city of New Haven is so largely 
 indebted for one of its chiefest attractions, those noble trees which have gained 
 for it the name of the *' City of Elms." 
 
 Dr. Daggett presided over the university al)Out eleven years, and held the 
 office of professor of divinity twenty-five years. Possessed of a strong, 
 clear, and comprehensive mind, he applied himself with assiduity and success 
 to the various branches of knowledge, particularly to the learned languages 
 and divinity. Dr. Holmes, in his life of Dr. Stiles, saj^s of him: '^He was 
 a good classical scholar, well versed in moial philosophy, and a learned 
 divine." Clearness of understanding and accuracy of thought were charac- 
 teristic of his Tiiind. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Yale 
 College in 1771, that of S.T.D. from Harvard College, and in 1774 the same 
 degree from Nassau College, Princeton, N. J. 
 
 After the breaking out of hostilities the college suffered in various ways. 
 Many of the students left their studies to take up the use of arms, and so 
 troublous were the times in New Haven it became impossible to procure 
 regular food for those who remained. In the spring of 1777 the classes were 
 separated, the senior class dismissed without any public examination or 
 exhibition, and the three lower classes were sent each to some interior town 
 with its respective tutors, where they could pursue their studies. At this 
 time, April 1, 1777, Dr. Daggett resigned his presidency, but as professor of 
 divinitv was '' to visit the different classes as often as he could with conven- 
 ience." ' On his resignation the corporation "returned him thanks for all 
 his painful and faithful services for the advantage of the College, wishing 
 him a happy repose, future usefulness in life, aud an abundant reward in the 
 world above." The learned Dr. Stiles was his successor. 
 
 During the barbarous attack on New Haven by the British army in July, 
 1779, he took an active part in the defence of the country, and was distin- 
 
 1 For some of the facts In this sketcli of President Da?gctt tlie Editor is indebted to a publication 
 entitled a •'Sketch of the History of Yale College," edited by Mr. William Kiiigsley, editor aud pro- 
 prietor of the " New Euglauder." The book had not been seen by the author. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 457 
 
 guished for his resolution tind intrepidity. He was tal^en prisoner and came 
 near losing his life. He had made himself obnoxious by his open and active 
 opposition to the British cause. He had often inculcated upon the students 
 under his charge, in the pulpit and in the lecture-room, the duty of resistance 
 to British oppression. He had therefore incurred the special displeasure of 
 the invaders. He had openly preached and prayed against the success of 
 their cause. He knew no difference between preaching and practisino-, and 
 when the crisis came he carried his principles into action. He shouldered 
 his musket and went into the field with the rest to repel the invaders, and 
 when taken prisoner the enemy offei'ed him every indignity in their power. 
 His clerical character was in their eyes no reason for exemption from the 
 most outrageous abuse. 
 
 The following extracts are from an account of his actions during this attack 
 on New Haven by the British, under General Tryou, given by Hon. Elizur 
 Goodrich, ll.d., formerly professor of law in Yale College. It was fur- 
 nished to the Attlehorough Weekly Bulletin a number of j^ears ago by Profes- 
 sor Goodrich's son, Mr. Chauncey A. Goodrich. Mr. Goodrich says : — 
 
 "On the evening of the 4th of July, 1779, a force of twenty-five hundred 
 men, which had previously sailed from New York, landed on the south part 
 of West Haven, a parish of New Haven, about five miles from the center of 
 the tow^n. College was of course broken up, and the students, with many 
 of the inhabitants, prepared to flee on the morrow into the neighboring 
 country. To give more time for preparation, and especially for the removal 
 of goods, a volunteer company of about a hundred young men was formed, 
 not with the expectation of making any serious stand against such a force, 
 but simply of retarding, or diverting its march. In common with others 
 of the students, I was one of the number, and I well remember the sur- 
 prise we felt the next morning, July oth, as we were marching over West 
 Bridge towards the enemy, to see Dr. Daggett riding furiously by us on his 
 old black mare, with his long fowling-piece in his hand, ready for action. 
 We knew the old gentleman had studied the matter thoroughly, and satisfied 
 his own mind as to the right and propriety of fighting it out, but wo, were not 
 quite prepared to see him come forth in so gallant a style to carry his princi- 
 ples into practice. Giving him a hearty cheer as he passed, we turned down 
 tow^ards West Haven, while he ascended a little to the West, and took his 
 station in a copse of w^ood, to reconnoiter, and bide his time." 
 
 This company of young men met a small party of the enemy, fired upon 
 and chased them, but, suddenly finding themselves almost surrounded by the 
 full force of the enemy, were obliged to turn and run for their lives. Dr. 
 Daggett, however, as the story goes, stood his ground manfully, and as the 
 columns of the British passed the little hill where he stood under cover of the 
 bushes he used his fowling-piece with excellent effect. Mr. Goodrich con- 
 tinues : "• A detachment was sent to look into the matter and the commandino- 
 
458 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 officer coining suddenly, to his great surprise, on a single individual in a 
 black coat blazing away in this style, cried out, ' What are you doing there, 
 vou old fool, firing- on his Majesty's troops?' ' P^xercising the rights of war,' 
 said the old gentleman. The very audacity of the reply, and the mixture of 
 drollerv it contained, seemed to amuse the officer. ' If I let you go this time, 
 YOU rascal,' said he, 'will you ever fire again on the troops of his Majesty?' 
 ' Nothing more likely,' said the old gentleman in his dry way. On the offi- 
 cer asking their prisoner who he was, he replied, ' I am Naphtali Daggett, of 
 Yale Colleo-e. I demand of you to release me.' 'But we understand you 
 have been in the habit of praying against our cause.' ' Yes, and I never made 
 more sincere prayers in my life.' Though greatly enraged the soldiers for- 
 bore to put a bullet through him but dragged him to the head of their col- 
 umn, and bade him lead the way into town. The AVe«t bridge had been taken 
 down to prevent the entrance of the enemy by that road, and they were 
 obliged to take a roundal»out course, a distance of at least five miles. Thus 
 in the fierce heat of an unusually hot July day they drove their prisoner on, 
 'pricking him forward with their bayonets when his strength failed, and 
 when he was ready to sink to the ground from utter exhaustion.'" 
 
 He was taken as far as the green, where he was recognized by a friend — 
 thouo-h it is said he was at first left for dead on the ground. One account 
 adds that he was conveyed to the house of a lady who knew him, and gave 
 him shelter, although lierself a loyalist, and he was saved by her intrepidity. 
 After the British had retired, an officer and a file of soldiers were sent back 
 to convey him a prisoner on board their transports. They came to the house 
 and inquired for him, and were answered by the lady (who appeared at the 
 door, and resolutely refused to admit them) that he was so badly wounded 
 it would be impossible to convey him on board alive. "My orders," said 
 the officer, " are positive to take him with me." " But you would not surely 
 carry away a dying man ; he is now in the agonies of death." After 
 repeated demands and refusals, the officer finally determined to return and 
 report the case to his superior, and ask for further orders. But he never 
 came back after his prisoner. 
 
 For some time Dr. Daggett's life was in danger, but his health was at 
 length partially restored, so that he was able to preach regularly in the chapel 
 during the following year. He never, however, fully recovei-ed from the 
 effects of his brutal treatment, 1)ut survived ouly a little more than a year, 
 and died in consequence of it and the wounds he had received, on Novem- 
 ber 2.5, 1780, at the age of fifty-three. ^ 
 
 iDurinjr the presidency of Dr. Daggett there were some marked changes in the college; the result 
 doubtless of the thoroughly democratic tendencies of the times, a result which may certainly be 
 attributed in some measure to his life and teachings. During this time a new debating society was 
 formetl among the students, called "United Brothers." It adopted a democratic constitution and 
 took the bold step of admitting to its ranks underclassmen. This at once brought it into favor, and 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 459 
 
 Rev. Paysou Williston says of him: "President Daggett was one of my 
 father's intimate friends. His social qualities (altogether) were such as to 
 render him more than ordinarily attractive. The college was eminently 
 prosperous under his presidency." 
 
 The following extract is from the communication of Hon. p:iizur Goodrich, 
 before quoted : "In person Dr. Daggett was of about the middle height, 
 strong framed, inclining to be corpulent, slow in his gait, and somewhat 
 clumsy in his movements. There was a story among the students which illus- 
 trates a prominent characteristic of the clergy of that day — I mean a love 
 of drollery and of keen retort. • Good morning, Mr. President pro tempore,' 
 said one of his clerical brethren on some public occasion, bowing very pro- 
 foundly, and laying a marked emphasis on tlie closing words of his title. 
 ' Did you ever hear of a Presidentpro (jeternitate? ' said the old gentleman in 
 reply, drawing himself up with an amused air of stateliness, and turning the 
 laugh of the whole company on his assailant. 
 
 ''His religious system. I suppose, was the old New England Theology, 
 unadulterated and unmodified. As a preacher he was not particularly ani- 
 mated, but his sermons were full of well-digested, weighty thought, clearly 
 expressed, and were always written out with gi'eat care. He was considered 
 a very well read and able theologian ; indeed that was sufficiently indicated by 
 his occupying the chair of Theological Professor. He preached his entire 
 system regularly, once in four years, with. I believe, scarcely any variation. 
 1 recollect to have heard the late Dr. Lyman, of Hartford, who sat under 
 President Daggett's ministry during his college course, express a higli esti- 
 mate of him as a preacher ; and he remarks tiiat he had a sermon on the text 
 — 'Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing.' etc., and when the 
 fourth year came round, he always said, ' And the dog did it.' There were a 
 number of President Daggett's sermons pulilished, and there are others 
 remaining in manuscript, which show that he possessed much more than ordi- 
 nary ability. He kept remarkably aloof from the religious controversies of 
 his time, and contented himself to preach what he believed to be the truth, 
 without combating what he regarded as the erroneous speculations of others." 
 The number of his written sermons was about five luuidred. Among those 
 he published was one delivered at the ordination of Rev. Ebenezer Baldwin, 
 
 it became for a time quite a successful rival of the older ami more conservative society " Llnoiiia." 
 A progressive step was also taken by the corpoiation, who, at the request of the legi:^latu^e, voted to 
 change the printing of tlie college laws, etc., from Latin into Knglish. In 17(i8 the change was made 
 to the present style of printing students' names in ilie catalogues in alphabetical order. Up to that 
 time the custom had oljtained of printing them according to the rank in society that their fathers 
 were supposed to possess, and it was considered a very severe punisliment for a name to be placed 
 lower than the social rank demanded. Position would therefore be considered worthy of great emu- 
 lation, and an amusing anecdote is told of one student whose father was a shoemaker, who, when he 
 was questioned as to his father's position in life, replied that lie "was on the bench," thereby gaining 
 for himself a high place in the catalogue. 
 
460 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1770. auothor at the ordination of Rev. .T. Howe, 177o, and a funeral sermon 
 on the death of Job Lane, a tutor in college, 1768. 
 
 He published the '• Funeral Sermon on tiie Death of Rev. Thomas Clap.i 
 President of Yale College." delivered in the college chapel, January 8, 17t;;», 
 the day after his death. It is a discourse Avhich is becoming rare, and will 
 prol)al)ly be soon lost, and an extract relating to the character and services 
 of President Clap is made, as a specimen of the writing of that age, and the 
 style of its author : — 
 
 His i^enius was naturally tin-iied for uiathcinutical knowledge, in wliicli he liad made great 
 prolieiency, in tlie several branches of tliat most entertaining and useful science. He had such 
 a thorough knowledge of natural philosopliy and astronomy that he was probahly equal to 
 almost any man upon the continent. He delighted to survey the heavens, and travel among 
 the stars, and calculate their wonderfully regular motions, devoutly entertained with the won- 
 derfully surprising displays of the power and wi«^dom of the great Creator appearing therein. 
 He was a rare pattern of industry, and a perfect master in the art of redeeming time, any 
 moment of which he thought too valuable to be lost. By this happy art, though he was not 
 constitutionally of the most cpiick, and active make, he would really dispatch well, business 
 sutttcient for two or three men. It is almost incredible that he should be able to pay a proper 
 attention to, and go through with such a multiplicity of ditlerent and arduous services at the 
 same time. But it was a governing maxim with him, to mind his own business, and lose no time. 
 
 These solid buildings arc witnesses of his faithful attention to the interests of the College, 
 while hundreds now living, who had the happiness to be his pupils, are witnesses to his supe- 
 rior talents, and uncommon faithfulness as an instructor. He never undertook any trust to 
 which he was not eminently faithful; nor sustained any relation, whether of a husband, a 
 parent, or a friend, but what he was conscientious and punctual in discharging the duties 
 thereof. 
 
 He was naturally steady in his temper; grave and Judicious; deliberate and sure in plan- 
 ning his schemes; unwearied and immovably resolute in the execution of them. He was 
 remarkable for the entire command he had of his passions; i)atient under abuses; having 
 learnt to bear reproach and reviling without reviling again; a perfect economist in his atfairs; 
 fruiral without a mean parsimony, and liberal without profuseness; an enemy to all vain show 
 and useless ceremonies, so that he could hardly descend to so much of this kind, as his public 
 station might seem to require. His great soul was all intent upon the solid and useful. He 
 was kind and benevolent, exhibiting the most substantial proofs of love, though without those 
 tender overflowings of atiection, which are connnon in persons of a more soft and volatile con- 
 stitution. He thought, he acted, he lived, very uniformly and by rule. He led a life of strict, 
 exemplary piety, not flighty in the emotions of his zeal, but uniformly serious, constantly and 
 steadily devoted to God. Having been long favored with a close connection, and intimate 
 acquaintance with him, I may be allowed to bear testimony to the deep. hal)itual sense of eter- 
 nal things, which he appeared to maintain upon his mind, and the steady regard he paid to the 
 great concerns of religion. And as he lived, so he died. He gave the natural symptoms of 
 strong bodily pain through the night preceding his dissolution, and soon after the natural sun 
 had risen upon our hemisphere, this bright luminary of our church and Kepublic of Literature. 
 who had much resembled the sun in the steadiness of his course, and in diflusiug the light 
 of knowledge around him, was extinguished by having his eyes closed in the slumbers of 
 death. — and without a groan or struggle he fell asleep. 
 
 Dr. Dao;o;ett closed with an address to the students : — 
 
 My dear pupils, who are students in the college, I am sure your hearts cannot be unaftected 
 with this providence. See. there lies a breathless corpse, that venerable person who but lately 
 
 1 President Clap, as well as the preacher, was a native of the Old Colony. He was born in Scituate, 
 June 20, 1703, and was the son of Mr. ^tephen and Mrs. Temperance Clap, of that town. 
 
IIJSTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 461 
 
 took a parental care of you. His faithfulness anil unwearied tlili,<,^ence in the discharge of his 
 duty towards you, are well known to you all. I am witness to the deep concern for your wel- 
 fare, which lay with pressing weight ui)on his mind, especially for the everlasting welfare of 
 your immortal souls. View him, then, as your deceased father, with all those emotions of 
 dutiful, filial respect, which become bereaved children. Remember how often, how faithfully, 
 with what seriousness and solemnity, he very lately used to instruct, counsel, and admonish 
 you as children, fervently praying with and for you in this very place. Let his death serve to 
 revive and rivet them in your memory, and enforce them on your consciences, that they may 
 be the means of making you wise to salvation. 
 
 Although he is dead, he still speaks loudly to you. Pay, then, a practical regard to the 
 good and serious counsels which he hath so often given you; devote yourselves to God, mind 
 religion, and give all diligence to secure tbe salvation of your souls. Otherwise, that very per- 
 son will ris^e up in the Day of Judgment, and testify against you that ye set at naught all the 
 counsels of wisdom, "' and would none of her reproofs.*' 
 
 May we all, in this instance, mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, and see how 
 his end is peace, and may we all be quickened by the consideration, to secure a due prepara- 
 tion for death, by discharging faithfully the work and duty of life, that when the shadows of 
 that long night, which is hastening towards us, shall be spread over us. we may quietly fall 
 asleep with Jesus, and be remembered in the resurrection of the just. 
 
 Dr. Daggett died, as before stated, November 25, 1780. ''His fiiueral 
 was attended November 27, 17-^0, with every demonstration of respect. 
 President Stiles preached on tlie occasion, and a Latin funeral oration was 
 delivered by Mr. .John Barnett, a .Junior Bachelor, and a resident graduate." 
 
 It is a somewhat remarkable circumstance that Dr. Daggett and Dr. Stiles 
 
 each delivered a funeral sermon on his immediate predecessor. Dr. Daggett 
 
 is buried in the old cemetery at New Haven, though his remains have been 
 
 removed, with those of others, from their first burial place, which was on the 
 
 green on the site of Center Church. The following inscription is on his 
 
 gravestone : — 
 
 Rev. Naphtali Daggett, d.d. 
 
 born at Attleborough, Mass. Sept. 8th, 1727. 
 
 died at ISTew Haven, Nov. 25th, 1780. 
 
 Pastor of the (thurch at Smithtown, L. I. 
 
 1751 to 1755 
 
 Professor of Divinity in Yale College, 1755 
 
 to his death. 
 
 President, 1706 to 1777. 
 
 Dr. Daggett left several children. A daughter JMary married a Mr. Piatt 
 and lived in Peru, Cliuton County, New York. Another daughter, named 
 Sally, was single at the time of his death, as is shown by a letter addressed 
 to her at Wethersfield by President Ezra Stiles, announcing her father's 
 death. 
 
 One of his sons was Henry, who served as a captain in the Revolutionary 
 War. Pie was born in New Haven, February 27, 17.58, and graduated at 
 Yale College in 1775. For many years after leaving the army he was a 
 merchant in his native city. He died July 20, 1843, aged eighty-five. His 
 wife was Anna, daughter of Deacon Stephen Ball. She died in 1844 at the 
 age of eighty. They had at least four children — Mary, Ebenezer, Henry, 
 
462 ^i SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Grace. Captain Heiirv Daggett was esteemed and beloved for his u[)right- 
 ness a'nd worth and died honored and himented. 
 
 Grace A. Daggett, the daughter of Captain Daggett, died in New Haven 
 within a few years, having reached the remarkable age of ninety-two. F^rom 
 her age and associations she was ''a connecting link, between the Revolu- 
 tionary period and our own time." Miss Daggett was living at the time of 
 the centennial celebration of that attack on New Haven in which her grand- 
 father, Dr. Daggett, took such an active part, and notwithstanding her 
 extreme age, took a great interest in the occasion. She was at the time the 
 guest of ^'Landlord ^Nlosely of the New Haven House" and viewed the 
 procession from its balcony. She was serenaded ''by the Howe band" 
 and received much marked attention during the day. 
 
 At the time of her death she had been a member of Center Church for 
 sixtv-nine vears. It is said she "• was a woman of uncommon good sense, 
 and strong force of character." 
 
 Colonel John Daggett, an elder lirother of the preceding. l»orn Septem- 
 ber 2, 1724:, was one of the principal public characters and leading men of 
 the town, especially during the trying period of the Revolution. He and 
 Colonel May were the two on whom the town placed the utmost reliance. 
 He was possessed of a strong ond sound mind and was marked by a resolute 
 and decided character. He was a Puritan in the plainness and simplicity of 
 his manners and was a tirm friend to the civil institutions and ropul)lican 
 customs of New England. 
 
 In 1768 he was chosen to represent the town at the General Court, and for 
 a long succession of years — eight consecutively — he was reelected a mem- 
 ber of the Legislature. He was commissioned one of his majesty's justices 
 of the peace under the Provincial Government before the Revolution. He 
 took an early and decided stand with many other patriotic citizens of this 
 town in the commencement of those proceedings which produced the Revo- 
 lution. He was a member of the Provincial Congress which assembled at 
 Cambridge September 1, 1779, for the purpose of forming a constitution, 
 being one of the three men from this town who were members of that con- 
 vention which formed the present Constitution of Massachusetts. In 1780 
 he for the ninth time represented the town at the General Court. He was 
 generally called to serve on the most important committees which were raised 
 in town, meeting to consider the many ditiicult subjects which were then 
 brought before the people during and subsequent to the Revolution. 
 
 His first military commission was conferred upon him in 1758, when he 
 l)ecame ensign in the second militia company in Attleborongli, and ten years 
 later he became captain by promotion. This company then belonged to the 
 Third Regiment, of Bristol County ; but about the time the War of the 
 Revolution commenced the regiment was divided and the companies from 
 the northern towns of the countv were formed anew and constituted the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOIWUGH. 4(33 
 
 Fourtli Regiment, of which lie was commissioned colonel. This was in 
 February, 177G. It was about a year previous to this time that Colonel 
 Daggett had undertaken the expedition to Assonet for the purpose of break- 
 ing up a Royalist combination which had stored ammunition in that place. 
 He and his comrades thus had the honor of being the first actors in the first 
 scene of the great Revolutionary drama. Colonel Daggett commanded the 
 regiment from the county of Bristol both in Spencer's and Sullivan's expe- 
 ditions on Rhode Island in 1777 and 17711. 
 
 At home he was extensively employed as a surveyor and was eno-ao-ed in 
 various other kinds of public business, such as the ordinary transactions of 
 life require between citizens. His first wife was Mercy Shepard, daughter 
 of John Shepard, the centenarian. They had nine children — John, Jr., 
 Joab, Jesse, Bathsheba, Mercy, Ebenezer. Levi. Hannah, and Huldah. She 
 died February 1, 1783, and on August 5, 1784, Colonel Daggett married 
 Mary Tucker, of Norton. He died, universally respected, January 20, 1803, 
 at the age of sevent^^-nine. 
 
 In the Providence Gazette bearing date February .5, 1803, is the following 
 notice of him : " He bore a long indisposition with Christian fortitude, and 
 died in the hope of a blessed innnortality. He was a very respectable citi- 
 zen, and highly useful in society; he served his town for many years as a 
 representative to the Cxeneral Court ; he commanded a regiment of militia 
 during the Revolutionary war, and sustained the office of a justice of the 
 peace for many years to general satisfaction ; he supported an unblemished 
 character through life, and has furnished an example worthy of imitation." 
 
 Dr. I^henezer Daggett, a third Itrother, was a respectable physician who 
 settled in Walpole and later in Wrentham village, where he acquired an 
 extensive practice. May 25, 1758, he married Susannah Metcalf, daughter 
 of Timothy Metcalf, Esq., of Wrentham, by whom he had several children. 
 The following is the inscription on his gravestone : — 
 
 Doct. B]benezer Da.agett. 
 
 wbo died Feb. 26tb, 1782, 
 
 in the 50th year of bis age. 
 
 In the cold mansions of the silent tomb 
 How still the solitude! how deep the gloom I 
 Here sleeps the dust unconscious, close confined; 
 But far, far distant dwells the immortal mind. 
 
 His son, Rev. Herman Daggett, graduated at Brown University in 1788 
 and pursued his professional studies with Dr. Emmons, of Franklin. He 
 was settled for some years in the ministry on Long Island and in several 
 places. He preached also in New York State. He was also a teacher. 
 He finally went to Connecticut, where he taught for some years and in 1818 
 became the first principal of the Foreign Mission School established in 
 Cornwall by the American Board. 
 
464 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Some writer says : " Mr. Daggett was a man of sterling talents, respect- 
 able acquirements, and peculiar excellence of character. To all his other 
 acquirements as a scholar, he added singular neatness of person, and an exact, 
 systematic arrangement of all his various duties. He was remarkably digni- 
 fied in his manners, and circumspect in his deportment." He is several 
 times mentioned by Dr. Lyman Beecher in his autobiography, once as fol- 
 lows : "Then tiiere was Herman Daggett, also, a mild, intellectual man, 
 whose sermons were all fitted for the press every dot. He was cheerful, but 
 never known to smile, so it was said. It was also remarked of him, that he 
 was just fit to preach to ministers." He died in 1832. 
 
 Hex. David Dagoett was born in this town December 31, 1764, and was 
 a great-grandson of John the first. His father was Thomas, the son of 
 Thomas ; his mother was Sibulah Stanley, of this town. He fitted for college 
 under Mr. William Williams, who had at that time a classical school or 
 academy at Wrentham. He entered Yale before he was seventeen, in the 
 junior class, two years in advance, and graduated with high honors in 1783. 
 Soon after leaving college he commenced his legal studies under Ciiarles 
 Chauncey, Esq., and at the same time supported himself by performing the 
 duties of preceptor in the Hopkins Grammar School, in New Haven, and of 
 butler in college. In January, 1786, he was admitted to the bar and settled 
 in New Haven. A short time after this he was chosen a tutor in the college, 
 but owing to his strong preference for the law he declined the appointment. 
 
 His fellow-citizens, however, soon claimed him for civil service. In 17'J1 he 
 was elected a representative to the General Assembly, from New Haven, and 
 was reelected for six years successively, and then transferred to the Senate. 
 AVhile in the House he was one of the youngest members, and in 1794, three 
 years after his first election, was chosen speaker, at the age of twenty-nine. 
 He retained his seat in the Upper House for seven years, — from 1797 to 
 1804, — when he resigned. He was in oue branch or the other of the State 
 Legislature till May, 1813, when he was elected to the United States Senate. 
 In 1811 he had been appointed State Attorney for New Haven, and he con- 
 tinued in the office until his election to Congress caused him to resign it. 
 When his senatorial term expired he returned to New Haven and resumed 
 his extensive law practice there. 
 
 In November, 1824. he was associated with Judge Hitchkock as an instructor 
 in the Law School in New Haven, and in 1826 he was appointed Kent 
 Professor of Law in Yale College. These positions he held until he had 
 reached a very advanced age and his infirmities made it necessary for him to 
 resign them. In 1826 Yale College conferred upon him the honorary degree 
 of LL.D., and in May of the same year, at the age of sixty-two, he was 
 chosen an associate judge of the Superior Court of Connecticut. It is 
 worthy of note that this appointment was made by a legislature a ma- 
 jority of whose meml)ers were opposed to him "in political principles and 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 465 
 
 preferences," aud bears strong testimony not only to bis eminent fitness for 
 tbat bigb ottlce, bnt *' bonorable testimony as well respecting his political 
 opponents," who were -willing to forget partisanship, and place in such a 
 position the one best fitted to discharge its duties. In 1828 and 1829 he was 
 mayor of the city of New Haven, and in May, 1832, he was made Chief 
 Justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut. This was a special testimony 
 to his qualifications, as the usual custom of appointing the senior judge u[)on 
 the bench to that high office was set aside in his case. He held this office of 
 chief justice until December 31, 1834, when he had arrived at the age of con- 
 stitutional disability. '*Thus for forty-five years, from the l>eginning of his 
 twenty-sixth to the close of his seventieth year, Mr. Daggett was almost 
 continually engaged in public service." 
 
 Soon after commencing his law [n-actice, at the age of twenty-one. Judge 
 Daggett married Wealthy Ann, daughter of ^Eneas INIunson, of New Haven, 
 a women well fitted by •• her strong and uiarked intellectual and religious 
 character" to be the companion of such a man. She died in July, 1839, at 
 the age of seventy-two. In May, 1840, Judge Daggett married Marv, 
 daughter of Major Lines, also of New Haven. By his first wife he had 
 nineteen children, fourteen of whom lived for a considerable time. One of 
 them, a daughter, married Dr. Sereno Dwight. president of Hamilton College, 
 New York ; another, a son, an unusualW promising young man, lived to grad- 
 uate from college and then died. Three children only survived the father's 
 death: Leonard A., Wealthy Ann, — who married a Mr. Jenkins, — and 
 Oliver Ellsworth, all of whom are now dead. 
 
 Judge Daggett died April 12, 18.31, having entered and passed through a 
 quarter part of his eighty-seventh year. The author was indebted to Mr. 
 Leonard A. Daggett, his son, for a sketch of the father's life, as found in an 
 address delivered by his pastor. Rev. Dr. Dutton, which, with reminiscences, 
 etc., was published. From this publication some extracts, anecdotes, etc., 
 are given : — 
 
 •• The eminence of .Jndi;e Daggett In h\^ profession, aud among the pnlilic men of the State, 
 is suJticiently attested, by the preceding account of the many positions of liigh responsibility 
 aud trust, in which be was placed liy the guardians of Yale College, aud by the people of this 
 town [New Haven], aud this commonwealth; especially when we remenilier that the political 
 party to which he belonged, which was dominant in the State till he was past middle life, and 
 gave him the most of his honors, embraced, confessedly, many of the most powerful and bril- 
 liant minds of the State; aud if we remember also, tbat some of the highest of these trusts 
 were devolved upou him, when his political opponents had come into power, aud his own party 
 had passed into a minority." 
 
 He commenced his professional and public I'areer, two years before the Federal Constitution 
 was adopted, and joined the party called Federal, of which, it is said, he was not a partisan 
 merely, Init a wise and consistent advocate and supporter, aud that while Connecticut had many 
 strong men in that party, there was none more so than he. " For uuuiy years, no man in the 
 State had so mnch political influence, an influence amounting so nearly to a political control of 
 the State, as he. And since the defeat and prostration of that party, and the formation of new 
 parties upon new issues, he, certainly, has never been ashamed, or reluctant, to have it known. 
 
466 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tliat he belonged to the same school of politics with AVa^hiniitou and Hamilton, Jay and Pii-k- 
 ering. Adams and Ames. Ellsworth and Sherman. 
 
 •• The features of Judge Daggett's intellectual character, his quick and thorough insight, 
 his well balanced judgement and strong common sense, his quick and ready perception of tit- 
 ness, his wit and humor, his power of varied and felicitous illustration, his ready memory, his 
 energy of feeling, his concentration, his clear and nervous language, his practical knowledge 
 of law,— tliese joined to his qualities of person and manner— his tall and connnanding form, 
 always dressed carefully, richly, and in perfect taste,i rising and dilating as he warmed with 
 his subject, his large and piercing eye. his expressive brow, his strong featured Roman 
 face, his powerful voice ranging through the whole scale, from a subdued yet distinct whisper, 
 till it sounded like a trumpet-call, his utterance varying from solemn deliberation to the vehe- 
 mence of a torrent. — these qualities of mind, person and manner, made him an advocate, who, 
 in his best days, had, on the wliole, no superior, if he had an equal, at the bar of Connecticut."' 
 
 ■' His punctuality was most extraordinary. The pointers t«f the town clock, the sun itself, 
 hardly surpassed him in this respect. His punctuality was well understood by all who knew 
 him, as may l)e learned from the following incident which he has been heard to relate. Com- 
 ing into court one day during tlie reading of a declaration in a case in which he was concerned, 
 he observed that his entrance excited some unusual sensation, and presently ascertained the 
 reason. Upon the case being called in its turn just after the opening of the court, one of the 
 counsel had suggested some delay, as an associate was not present. ' AVhat other counsel is 
 employed? ' inquired the judge. ' Mr. Daggett,' was the answer. " Proceed with the case then." 
 said the judge, ' for he will l)e here before you get through the declaration.' And the declara- 
 tion was scarcely begun before he entered. This punctuality, united with thoroughness and 
 integrity in business, gave him a high degree of self-reliance, and confidence of future support 
 and success; which is well illustrated by a fact which he has occasionally mentioned, that 
 wMien he was married, he had but two guineas in the world, and one of them he gave as a fee 
 to the officiating minister." 
 
 The thorough religious training which he received in his childhood and youth made him 
 very familiar with the Bible, and his mind was abundantly stored with its expressions, and 
 these he was accustomed to introduce into his charges, his arguments and appeals, with great 
 pertinence and power. ' 
 
 ••The following instance of a very impressive application made by him of the language of 
 the Bible, is given by one who witnessed it. The case was one which excited great interest in 
 Connecticut — a case in which a man was charged with libel. Mr. Daggett pleaded for the 
 defendant. The man who brought the suit was quite notorious as a violent and vulgar infidel 
 of Thomas Paine's school. This fact, as well as other unfavorable and corrupting features of 
 his character, was fully and legitimately brought out in the testimony. Of this testimony, Mr. 
 Daggett in his plea made full and fearful use. And when he had drawn in strong colors the 
 plaintitf's odious infidelity and immorality, and had carried the excitement of the crowded 
 assembly to the highest point of disgust and abhorrence. — he turned fully round upon him, as 
 he sat within the bar, and thrice pealing out his name, and with look and voice wrought to the 
 intensest expression, poured upon him the language of Paul to Elymas the sorcerer, ' Oh! full 
 of all subtiUii, and all mischief, thou child of the deviL thou enemy vf all righteousness, 
 wilt thou not cease to pervert the right way of the Lord.'' *' 
 
 An incident occurred at one time when Judge Daggett was holding court in Litchfield. 
 Conn., wiiich illustrates his reputation among the lawyers for familiarity with the Scriptures, 
 as well as his accurate knowledge of Shakspeare's works, which he used to say were next to 
 the Bible. It also illustrates the ignorance of the Bible, and the confounding of inspired with 
 uninspired language common among some public men. and in no wise creditable to them. A 
 distinguished lawyer, pleading before him, quoted, and made a slight mistake in quoting, the 
 
 words of lago : — 
 
 •• Trifles light as air. 
 Are to the jealous, confirmations strong 
 As proofs of holy writ." 
 
 'Judge Daggett contiuued to use tlie Continental style of dress through his entire life. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 467 
 
 The Judge immediately corrected the inistaive. The lawyer courteously acknowledged the cor- 
 rection, aud was proceeding with his argument, when another lawyer who sat near him pulled 
 his coat, and said in a loud whisper. •' You must look out how you quote Scripture when 
 Daggett is on the bench." 
 
 He attached so much importance to familiarity with bililical language, that he was very anx- 
 ious to have his children acquire it, and upon one occasion he otl'ered the gift of a horse, to his 
 youngest son. when he was a mere youth. " if he would commit to memory, the whole book of 
 Job. The task was undertaken and accomplished. The horse accordingly was bought and 
 given, and was appropriately named Job." 
 
 Judge Daggett from the very commencement of his active life was a liberal 
 supporter of religious institutions. lie was always a regular attendant upon 
 church services, and when past middle life he became connected with the 
 North — now the United — Church of New Haven. 
 
 He was an enthusiast in his profession, and felt he had not been wise to 
 be so much in political life. In speaking of himself in this connection he 
 said : " Every hour away from his professional studies and pursuits has been 
 away from his duty, and he has felt the evil in his purse if not othervrise." 
 He was very much interested in young men and especially in those who were 
 to follow his own profession. He not only gave them words of encouragement 
 and counsel but proved his interest by many deeds of kindness and gener- 
 osity. One instance among many is mentioned. He sent at one time for a 
 young law student to call at his otHce. Greeting him very cordially, he said 
 he knew what it was to be a 3'oung man dependent upon his own exertions ; 
 asked if he did not want some money, adding that $100 or $200 would be 
 loaned to him with pleasure. The young man was grateful, but disliked to 
 borrow, lest he might never be able to pay, which would be the case if he 
 should not live or succeed in life. •' Never mind that," said Mr. Daggett, 
 " I have no concern about the payor your success — both are sure." The 
 money was finally accepted, and in time repaid ; but the encouragement of 
 the action and the gratitude it called for were of far more value to the young 
 man than the money. 
 
 " Judge Daggett was a true ami accomplished gentleman. He was, in a 
 very extraordinary degree, polished in his manners, gracefully and scrupu- 
 lously observant of all civilities. His courtesy was remarkable. He was 
 disposed, and his almost instinctive sense of propriety and his graceful and 
 easy manners and language eiiabled him, to please all whom he met; and this 
 made him a model of courtesy. In the performance of social civilities and 
 duties, to relatives, neighbors, and friends, he was an example, such as is 
 rarely if ever found in these days. His courtesy, his varied knowledge of 
 men and things, his lively feelings accommodated readily to the old and the 
 young, his cheerfulness, his wit and humor, his fund of anecdote, aud his 
 reminiscences of the past, made him the life of every social circle into which 
 he entered. 
 
 "The immediate occasion of Judge Daggett's death was simply a cold 
 which came upon him about ten days before that event. It settled upon his 
 
468 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 lungs, and his strength was too much enfeebled to throw it off. It can 
 hardly be said that he had disease upon him. Age had exhausted his vital 
 power. Passing away thus at the age of fourscore and six years, he is 
 appropriately described in these lines of Dryden : — 
 
 'Of no distemper, of no l)l;i?<t he died. 
 But fell like auniiiin fruit tliiit mellowed loiiji', 
 Even wondered :it, because he dropped no sooner. 
 Fate seemed to wind him up for fourscore years; 
 Yet feebly ran he on six ivinters more, 
 Till, like a cloek worn out with rating time. 
 The wheels of weary life at last stootl still.'" 
 
 Leonard A. Daggett, one of the sous of Judge Daggett, resided all his life 
 in New Haven, where he died in 18(37. He was a merchant, and was a highly 
 honored and respected man. A son and a grandson ^ are practising physi- 
 cians in that city, both sustaining the high character and excellent reputation 
 established by their distinguished ancestor. 
 
 Oliver Ellsworth Daggett was the youngest son of Judge Daggett, and 
 seemed to inherit a goodly portion of his father's eminent ability. He was 
 born in New Haven, January 14, 1810, graduated from Yale College at the 
 early age of eighteen, and pursued his theological studies in his native city. 
 He was pastor of a cluirch in Hartford, Conn., for six years, over the Con- 
 gregational church in Canandaigua, N. Y., for twenty-three years, resigning 
 the latter position to become a professor of divinity in Yale, and college 
 pastor. He remained in those positions for three years, and then accepted 
 a pastorate in New Loudon. Conn. He died very suddenly in Hartford, 
 September 1, 1880. He was considered a man of " great natural ability, au 
 effective speaker, and an able writer," and -'as a conversationalist he had 
 scarce a peer." Some one in writing of him says : " Suffice it to saj' that he 
 was a rare man. You do not often meet his like in a summer's day." His 
 wife was Elizabeth Watson, of Hartford. She, with three children, one son 
 and two daughters, survives. [She and one daughter have since died.] 
 
 John Foster, Esq., appears from the records to have been a useful public 
 man in his day, though but few facts of his life are known to the author. 
 He was chosen moderator of town meetings for a long succession of years, 
 was a surveyor of lands, an active justice of the peace, and for several 
 years a representative of the town. etc. 
 
 Dr. Bezaleel Mann, a well-known and worthy physician of this town, 
 deserves a notice in these sketches. He was a descendant, a grandson, of 
 Rev. Samuel Mann, the first minister of Wrentham.- He was the son of 
 
 1 Dr. Daviil L. Daggett, and his sou, Dr. William G. Daggett. 
 
 2 Horace Mann, the distinguished advocate of popular education, was descended from Rev. Samuel 
 Mann. He was born in that part of Wrentham which became Franklin in 179ij. He graduated at 
 Brown University, and became a tutor there for a time. He was a member of the Legislature, and 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 469 
 
 Lieutenant Samuel and Zipporah Mann, and was born in Wrentliani, June 15, 
 1722. He had two brothers who were born and lived and died in that town. 
 Rufus left descendants ; Ebenezer died without children. They lived in the 
 Cowell neighborhood. Dr. Mann studied his profession with Dr. Hewes, of 
 Foxborough, and commenced the practice of it in this town some time pre- 
 vious to 1750. He had the reputation of being a skilful physician, and had 
 acquired an extensive circle of practice. He was a man of influence and 
 ability, as his public services sufficiently attest. During the Revolutionarv 
 period he was chosen to positions of trust and responsibility, which in those 
 days were filled only b}' men in whose honor and integrity the people placed 
 entire confidence. He was a man of letters, as well as an expert physician, 
 and some of his writings are, it is said, preserved in the New England Gene- 
 alogical and Historical Society in Boston. 
 
 His character is justly portrayed in his epitaph : — 
 
 Bezaleel Miiiin, inort. die Octo. tert. 1796, an. a3tat. 74. Early iiulmed with llie principles 
 of moral rectitiule, he sustained througli the diversified concerns of a long and active life, the 
 character of an honest man. As a physician, he commanded, during the period of nearly 50 
 years, that unlimited confidence and respect, which talents alone can inspire. The features of 
 his mind were slvetched by the glowing pencil of nature, tilled up with the qualities that adorn 
 humanity, and shaded with few infirmities the frequent attendants on mental excellence. 
 
 His wife was Bebe, daughter of Mr. Ezekiel Carpenter, of this town. She 
 lies buried by the side of her husband in the family burying-ground at West 
 Attleborough and her epitaph tells the story of her life and character : — 
 
 Bebe Mann, his wife, mort. die Octo. tert. 1793, ;etat. 01. She was a person of bright 
 genius, of few words, and much reserved in mind. From earl>' youtli she marked all her 
 paths with virtue, and timely took the advice Christ gave to his disciples, and made to herself 
 a friend of tlie mammon of unrighteousness, and when she failed, could, with Christian con- 
 fidence, say, that her witness was in heaven and her reward on high. 
 
 This stone is erected by tlie grateful hand of filial piety to protect the awful dust of revered 
 parents. 
 
 These inscriptions may l)e found in Alden's valuable Collection of Epitaphs. 
 Dr. Mann had several sons who entered the profession. 
 
 Preston Mann was the first graduate from this town at Brown University, 
 1776. He became a physician and settled at Newport, K. L, where he was for 
 years a leader in social circles. He acquired wealth and owned a handsome 
 and extensive place, and long after his fortune rendered the practice of his 
 profession unnecessary he was frequently summoned to consultations. He 
 was a noble and upright man, one of culture and refinement, of courtlv and 
 polished manners. His acquaintance embraced the most distinguished persons 
 
 President of the Senate; Secretary of the Board of Education of Massachusetts; Projector of the 
 State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester; a nienil)er of Congress; and President of Antioch College at 
 Yellow Springs, Greene County, Ohio, where he labored with great faithfulness and self-denial in the 
 interests of that then struggling institution, and where he died in 1859. His statue stands in front of 
 the State House at Boston bv the side of tliat of Daniel Webster. 
 
470 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of the time and bis elegant mansion was the centre of a channing and liberal 
 hospitality widely extended among the people of the highest social position 
 in the land. This mansion remained in the family until a few years ago and 
 is still, it is said, a fine-looking residence. 
 
 John Milton Manx, another son, was also a graduate of Brown University 
 — 1787 — and became a physician. He removed to Hudson, N. Y., in 1800, 
 where he was drowned in attempting to cross the river. It was in the uight — 
 he had been called to the bedside of a patient — and he "• met his death while 
 in the performance of his duty." This occurred August 24, 1809. A mon- 
 ument was erected to his memoiy l)y tlie citizens of Hudson, upon which was 
 placed the following inscription : ' 
 
 Doctor Alalia was born in Attleborouj^h. Massacbnsett<- ; be was educated at Brown Uni- 
 versity in Providence, Rbode Island, and came to reside in Hudson, a.d. 1800. Tbis city is 
 indebted to him for tbe introduction of vaccine inoculation, tbougb bere as elsewbcre, tbe 
 pbilantbropic enterprise was obliged to contend against prejudice and misrepresentation. Tbe 
 common council of Hudson, of wbicb be was a member, voted tbat tbey would attend bis 
 funeral and wear crape on the left arm thirty days on account of tbeir respect for bis character 
 and tbeir regret for his loss. Here are laid tbe remains of one whom society respected and 
 his kindred loved. He was a wise scholar, a skillful physician, a kind husband and father, 
 and a sincere Christian. Deeply is be bewailed. Few men of his time possessed a mind more 
 happily turned to the acquisition of science, or exhibited more perspicuously patience and 
 vigor than Doctor Mann. Alas! Just as his faculties had become mature and society had 
 learned tbeir value, just when in tbe time of bodily, and mental manhood, with his honors 
 thickening upon him, death struck him down. But let not intidel grief regard his mind as 
 having been cultivated or his knowledge accumulated in vain; for so be was enabled to enter 
 the future life with enlarged capacities of enjoyment, with more worthy views of his own 
 nature and destiny, with clearer apprehension of bis Heavenly Father's will, and with added 
 incitement to constant obedience. 
 
 Herbert Mann, still anotlier son, and said to be the brightest of them all, 
 was educated a physician and entered as surgeon on the privateer General 
 Arnold, Captain Magee, and was lost in that terrible storm which occurred in 
 Plymouth Harl)or, December 26, 1778. The stone which is here erected to his 
 memory contains the following epitaph : •• In memory of Doctor Herbert 
 Mann, who with 119 sailors, with Ca|)t. James ^lagee, master, went on board 
 the brig General Arnold, in Boston Harbor, 2r)th. Dec. 1778, hoisted sail, 
 made for sea, and were immediately overtaken by the most tremendous snow 
 storm w'ith cold, that was ever known in the memory of man, and, unhappily, 
 parted their cable in Plymouth harl)()r. in a place called the Cow-yards, and 
 he, with about 100 others, was frozen to death ; sixty-six of whom were buried 
 in one grave. ^ He was in the 21st year of his age. — And now Lord God 
 Almighty, just and true are all thy ways, but who can stand before thy cold." 
 
 In Dr. Thacher's " History of Plymouth " is found a graphic description of 
 this most terrific storm and awful wreck known in history, which seems aluK^st 
 unparalleled in human suffering : — 
 
 1 See Newport Mi-rcury for October 13, 1877. ■ In tlie town of Plymouth. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 471 
 
 In 17TS, December 2(i'ii. -iT'ii. the inh;ibitant< of thi< town were called to witness a catas- 
 trophe truly appalling to humanity. The brig • General Arnold." mounting twenty guns, 
 having a crew of one hundred and five men and boys, commanded by Capt. James Magee. of 
 Boston, sailed froui that port on Thursday, 24'h of December, bound on a cruise. On Friday 
 anchored off Plymouth Harbor, being destitute of a pilot. In the night, a heavy gale, drove 
 on the White Flat. She soon tilled with water, and it became necessary to cut away the masts. 
 Unfortunately a great disturl)ance was occasioned l)y intoxication among some of the seamen 
 in the steerage, which was with difficulty quelled by the otlicers. A tremendous storm of 
 wind and snow came on, and a considerable number of men died on Saturday afternoon, and in 
 the night. Three men, not of the crew, being on board, t;);)k the yawl an<l jiassed ei<j:ht or ten 
 rods to the ice. and were taken on board a schooner that was fnizeu in. Had the boat been 
 returned as promised, many lives would have been saved. 
 
 Sunday morning the vessel was seen in a most distressful situati;in. enveloped in ice and 
 sn iw. anil the whole shore was frozen to a s;>Iid body of ice, the winds and waves rayini;- with 
 such dreadful violence that no possible relief could be attbrded to the miserable sufferers. The 
 inhabitants made every effort to reach the wrecdv in boats, but were obliged to put back 
 although aware that the seamen were in the arms of death, and when the miseral)le victims on 
 board saw the boats returning, leaving them in a condition ui utter hopelessness, their spirits 
 were appalled, and numbers were seen to fall dead on the deck. 
 
 On Mon<lay the inhabitants passed over the ice to the wreck. Here was presented a scene 
 unutteraldy awful and distressing. It is scarcely possible for the human mind to concei\e of a 
 more appalling spectacle. The ship was sunk ten feet in the sand: the waves had been for 
 about thirty-six hours sweeping the main deck; the men had crowded to the quarter-deck, and 
 even here they were obliged to pile together dead Ijodies to make room for the living. Seventv 
 dead bodies, frozen into all imaginal)le postures, were strewn over the deck or attal-hed to the 
 shrouds and spars; about thirty exhibited signs of life, but were unconscious whether in life or 
 death. The l)odies remained in the postures in which they died, the features dreadfullv dis- 
 torted; some were erect, some bending forward, some sitting with the head restiua- on the 
 knees, and some with both arms extended, clinging t) spars or some parts of the vessel. The 
 lew survivors, and the dead bodies were brought over the ice on sleds and boards, and the dead 
 were piled on the floor of the courthouse, exhibiting a scene calculated to impress even the 
 most ciillous heart with deep humility and sorrow. It has been said that the Rev. Mr. Kobbius 
 fainted when called to perform the funeral ceremonies. Those bodies that were to be de|)osited 
 in coftins were first put into the town book; a consideral)le uumlier were seen floatino- on the 
 water fastened l)y ropes, that their form might be made to conform to the coffins, but about; 
 sixty were thrown into a large pit as they were taken from the vessel. This pit is in a hollow 
 on the south-west side of the burial-ground, and remains without a stone. The greater part of 
 those who were found alive expire.l soon after. Capt. Magee survived, and performed several 
 profitable voyages afterwards. He al>stained entirely from drinking ardent spirits, but was of 
 opinion that he was greatly benefited by putting rum into his boots. Those who' drank nun 
 were the more immediate victims, several l)eing found <lead in the very spot where thev 
 drank it. ' " 
 
 The following letter from Captain Magee is deemed sntliciently interestino- 
 to present here : ' 
 
 As I am informe.l a report has circulated through the country that myself and people dirl 
 not receive that relief and assistance to which the distressed and unfortunate are ever entitled, 
 justice to the inhabitants of the town of Plymouth, in which harbor I was unhappily ship- 
 wrecked, indispensably requires of me to contradict so groundless a report, and state tlie 
 circumstances. 
 
 Agreeable to the account before published, in the morning of the iC"' ultimo, in the severest 
 
 lit was pruited in the Boston Evening Po.^t of .January 23, 1771), and with some facts followino- 
 was taken from an account of this calamity by William S. Russell, Esq., printed in the Old Colom, 
 Memorial (Plynioutli), December l.S, I8'i2. 
 
472 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of :ill storms, the hrigantiue I fommauded (called the General Aruold) dragged tier anchors, 
 •,iud struck on a white flat, notwithstanding every eftbrt and precaution to prevent it; in al>out 
 twelve hours after she l)ilge<l. The quarter deck was the only place that could attbrd the most 
 distant prospect of safety, and a few hours presented a scene there that to mention the particu- 
 lars would shock the least delicate humanity. Some of my people were stifled to death in the 
 snow ; others perished with extremity of the cold, and a few were washed oft" the deck and 
 drowned. The morning of the 28'!', so ardently wished for, discovered a spectacle the most 
 dreadful; forty or tifty men. who the day Ijefore were strong and healthy, lying dead upon the 
 deck in all manner of attitudes. The survivors, rinding themselves within a mile of the shore, 
 entertained the most sanguine hopes of being taken off the wreck, and rescued from the frozen 
 and premature fate that awaited theui: hut. though constant and repeated attempts were made 
 for this purpose by the good people of Plymouth during the wiiole day, we were so situated, 
 that all human endeavors to relieve us were exerted in vain. Several of my men, imauining 
 from this circumstance that death was inevital)le. gave way to despair, and instantly yielded 
 [up] the ghost. We continued in this depIoral)le and suttering condition until Monday the 
 ::29"', at twelve of the clock, when the inhabitants of Plymouth were enabled to ]>ring us off the 
 wreck and receive us to their homes, and administered everything to us that was necessary, 
 and comfortal)le. with that tenderness and social sympathy which do honor to human nature. 
 The dead, amounting in the whole to seventy-two men, were carried on shore and decently 
 buried as soon as possible; some, indeed, who were alive were saved only to drag out a few 
 miserable days in the extreme of pain and then expire. An universal disposition was shown 
 to secure everything l^elonging to the owners and people, and the minutest article, wheresoever 
 found, was sacredly taken care of, of which I shall always retain a gi-ateful rememlirance as 
 well as of that kind Providence which preserved my life. 
 
 The total number who outlived those terrible experiences was thirty-four, 
 including Captain Magee. "• Among those who perished were Dr. Maim of 
 Attleborough, Dr. Sears, Capt. John Russell of Barnstable, commander of 
 the marines, and Lieut. Daniel Hall. The last two were buried in one grave 
 on the south side of the burial hill." ' 
 
 Newton Manx, the fourth and last of the brothers, removed to the State of 
 New York and settled in Whitesborough. He started the village of Mannville, 
 where he became an extensive cotton manufacturer and a man of wealth, rival- 
 ino-, it is said, in his style of living the elegance of his brother in Newport. 
 His wife was Abigail Maxcy. whom he married Marcli 22, 17'.)2. 
 
 1 It shoulil be observed that when persons are exposed to intense cold, there is always a propensity 
 to sleep, but the moment it is indulged it becomes the sleep of death.— /);-. Thacher'.t Plymouth, p. 216. 
 Probably numbers lost their lives iu this manner. The dead were frozen in all shapes and some coffins 
 contained two bodies, for men and boys were found locki-d iu each others' arms. As the deck of the 
 vessel was being examined to separate the living from the dead one man was seen to merely raise his 
 eyelids, being unable to make any other sign of life. He was taken on shore and put into cold water, 
 remaining for several hours, and by that means " he was resuscitated, but with the most exquisite 
 l)ain." He said Uiat while the examination on tlie deck was in pi-ogress he heard distinctly what was 
 said and became extremely anxious lest he should be passed by as dead and so exerted all his remaining 
 .strength to convince those he heard talking that he was still alive. He lost both of his feet but lived 
 for fully forty years after this event. His name was Barnabas Downs, and he was from Barnstable. 
 Another survivor was Cornelius Marchant, whose feet were crippled, but he lived for over fifty years. 
 He wrote a statement of the occurrences of this terrible time, in which he testified to the courage and 
 good management of the officers and especially to the watchful care over others manifested by the 
 captain. He was particularly kind to a little boy placed in his care, whom he carried in his arms until 
 " e?vtreme necessity obligeil him to put tlie child down, and let him take his chance for life." This 
 in;!n Marcliant died in 1S5S, aged seventy-five, the last survivor of the shipwreck. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 473 
 
 Dr. Bezaleel Miinn bad also several daughters. One of them, Mary, mar- 
 ried Mr. Josiah Draper, a prominent man of this town. She died May 2, 
 1808, in the fifty-fourth year of her age, and is buried in the family burying- 
 ground in Old town. The following inscription is upon her headstone : — 
 
 " She conducted her household and her affairs with discretion. She 
 tempered her authority with a happ}' mixture of tender affection. She met 
 Death with the resignation and hope of a Christian." 
 
 Another daughter married a Mr. Richmond and settled in Providence. 
 
 Still another, Eunice, on Septeml)er 9, 17'J0, married Dr. Seth Capron, of 
 this town, one of her father's students. They removed with her brother 
 Newton to New York. 
 
 General Horace Capron was their son, and was born in this town August 
 4, 1804. As his parents had settled in New York State, doubtless his child- 
 hood was passed there. When a young man he went to the manufacturing- 
 town of Laurel, Md., and became largely interested in factories there. He 
 also became interested in agricultural pursuits — purchased a farm in the 
 vicinity of the town, which he made quite famous by the excellent manner 
 in which he cultivated it. He was commander of the militia company of 
 Laurel, and with his company participated in the ceremonies at the laying 
 of the cornerstone of the Washington Monument. He removed from Mary- 
 land to Illinois and entered the army from that State. 
 
 In January, 1863, he received a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, and in a very short time was promoted to the 
 colonelcy. He was constantly in active service while in the army and was 
 frequently selected by his commanding officers to fill positions requiring great 
 skill and courage. He was in action in almost every battle during the cam- 
 paign of East Tennessee. He was with the army of General Sherman in 
 tJiat unique and most memorable campaign, his '*■ March to the Sea " ; he 
 participated in all of its battles, and when Atlanta was taken Colonel Capron 
 with men from his old regiment formed the ailvance guard of the Twentieth 
 Corps, which drove the enemy's cavalry through the city. He was with 
 General Stoneman when that officer was captured, but he, with three hundred 
 brave men, cut their way through the enemy's lines, and after six days of 
 fighting succeeded in reaching the lines of the Union army. Later he was 
 with General Thomas and " rendered good service in the campaign against 
 Gen. Hood." Still later, " after the relief of Nashville," he was obliged to 
 offer his resignation because of disabilit}'. 
 
 He was in Washington for the purpose of attending the ceremonies of the 
 dedication of the Washington Monument, when he took a severe cold. A 
 very brief illness followed which terminated fatally, and he died at the 
 "Portland," in that city February 22, 188.5. See The National Tribune for 
 February 26, 188.5. 
 
474 '1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 There are but fe^' survivors of tlie Mann family. The h^st in this town of 
 the second oeneration was Mrs. Ira Richards, daughter of Mr. Josiah and 
 Marv Mann Draper and granddaughter of Dr. Bezak^el Mann. She died at 
 North Attleborough not many years since at a very advanced age. Some of 
 the above facts relating to her family were furnished by her to the Chronicle, 
 as may be seen in its issue of November 15, 1873, and some of the others 
 were found in the Xeirjxirf Jlero'V)/ for October 13, 1877. 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Maxcy, s.t.d., President of Rhode Island, Union, and 
 Columbia (S. C) colleges, was one of the most eminent pulpit orators of 
 this country. He Avas born in this town September 2, 1768. He prepared 
 for college in the school of Rev. William Williams, of Wrentham, which was 
 then the most celebrated institution in the vicinity and the resort of a great 
 many young men for the pursuit of classical studies and preparation for 
 college. 1 He graduated at Brown University in 1787 and was immediately 
 appoii^ed a tutor. He was ordained pastor of the First Baptist Church in 
 Providence, September 8, 1791, and at the same time was appointed the first 
 Professor of Divinity in that college.- After the death of President Man- 
 ning he was unanimously elected president, a.d. 1792, at the early age of 
 tweutv-four. He presided over this university for eleven years with distin- 
 guished success and with a splendid reputation for eloquence and learning. 
 His administration was marked by mildness, urbanity, and dignity. Under 
 his guardianship the university acquired a distinguished name' for oratory. 
 Guided by his fostering genius it sent forth a constellation of eloquent and 
 accomplished speakers who have shone in various departments of public life, 
 and whose eloquence has been felt in the pulpit, at the bar, and in the halls 
 of legislation, many of whom have acquired a national renown. He was 
 peculiarly fitted to stamp impressions of his own character on the minds of 
 those around him and to infuse his own spirit into theirs. He acquired a 
 salutary influence over the youth committed to his charge. He imbued their 
 hearts with a taste for literature and with a love of truth and moral beauty, 
 and excited in their bosoms the most ardent asph-ations after excellence. 
 He knew well how to kindle and fan the flame of genius. His memory was 
 cherished by all his pupils with peculiar affection and gratitude. In speaking 
 of the university it has been truly said that he was one " whose name and 
 fame are identified with its reputation, and whose mingled mildness, dignity, 
 and goodness, equalled only by his genius, learning and eloquence, subdued 
 all envy, made all admirers friends, and gave him an irresistible sway over 
 the minds of those placed under his care."^ 
 
 Though accomplished in every department of learning, he was distinguished 
 
 'See " Guild's JManning ami Brown University," p. 401, note. 
 
 - He was tlie first ami only Professor of Divinity ever appointed in Urown University. 
 
 "• Hon. Virgil Maxcy's Discourse before the Phi Beta Kappa of Brown University, September i, IS33. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 475 
 
 more particularly as a belles-lettres scholar. His oratory was in some respects 
 peculiar. There was nothing in it like rant or affectation — no appearance 
 of that popular declamation which is so often employed to captivate the 
 multitude. There was apparently no attempt in it to produce effect — no 
 labored display, but everything appeared easy, natural, and anstndied. It 
 was deep, impassioned, but not declamatory. His voice was not naturall}' 
 powerful, but he had it perfectly under his control through all its intonations. 
 He usually commenced in a cahn and moderate manner but grew warmer and 
 more animated as he advanced in his discourse, and gradually and impercep- 
 tibly gained upon the attention and feelings of his hearers until every one 
 present was wholly engrossed upon the subject of the speaker. Indeed, he 
 himself seemed completely absorbed in his own .subject, and by the influence 
 of sympathy carried his audience with him. 
 
 His delivery was remarkably expressive. Every sentiment he uttered came 
 from the heart and vibrated through his whole frame. Every cord and muscle 
 was an echo to his soul. His elocution was full of grace, yet his pover was 
 not in this ; it was in the life — the soul, which he infused into his voice, his 
 gestures, and his countenance — all expressive and harmonious. His elo- 
 quence was at once graceful and forcible. In a word, he had in pei'fection 
 what Deniosthenes called action. 
 
 He did not neglect to cultivate the minor graces of elocution. He never 
 made a i)rayer or delivered anything in pulilic extempore, even on the most 
 ordinary occasions, in which every sentence and every word were not accu- 
 rately arranged and in their right place. Though his voice was naturally 
 feeble it was able to occupy a large compass, and every word and every 
 syllable he uttered in the largest audience fell distinctly on the ear of the 
 most distant auditor. 
 
 The following extract will show the estimation in which he was held at the 
 South. It was written but a short time previous to his death and contains a 
 brief but lively description of the impressive eft'ects of his eloquence, even 
 when his powers were impaired by advancing age and feel)le health : — 
 
 From the (Jharleston City Gazette. Extract of a letter from a gentleman residing iu 
 Columbia to liis t'rieml iu Charleston. 
 
 Cohunltia, (jth. July. 1819. 
 
 Last Sunday we went to liear Dr. Maxey. It being the 4th of July, it was a discourse 
 appropriate to that eventful period. I had always been led to believe the Doctor an eloquent 
 and impressive preacher; but had no idea, till uow. that he possessed such transcendent 
 powers. I never heard such a stream of eloquence. — It flowed from his lips, even like the oil 
 from Aaron's head. Every ear was delighted, every heart was elated, every bosom throbbed 
 with gratitude. Such appropriate metaphor I such grand, such sublime descriptions! such 
 exalted ideas of Deity! and delivered with all the grace, the force, the elegance of a youthful 
 orator! I was sometimes iu pain, lest this good old man should outdo himself, and become 
 exhausted, but as he advanced in his discourse, he rose in animation, till at length he reached 
 heights the most sublime, and again descended with the same facility with which he soared. 
 So far as I can judge, (and your partiality. I know, will allow me to be uo mean critic) there 
 was not heard the slightest deviation from the most correct enunciation and grammatical 
 
476 -^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 arriiiio-enieut ; all the powers of art seemed siibservieut to his absolute control. In short, I 
 uever heard anytliiiiir to compare to Dr. Maxey's sermon, in all the course of my life, and. old 
 as I am. I would now walk eveu twenty miles throu^di the hottest sands, to listen to such 
 another discuurse. I am persuaded I shall uever hear such another in this life. 
 
 Dr. Maxcv's most celel)raled performance while be presided over Brown 
 University, regarded as a specimen of pulpit oratory, was his sermon on the 
 P^xistence and Attributes of God, delivered at Providence in 1795, which was 
 frequently spoken of at the end of nearly a half-centurv, and i)roduced at 
 the time the most lively and striking effect on the audience. Those who 
 heard it never forgot it. The impression it produced was the result in a great 
 deuree of the manner of its delivery. Such a brilliant effort of eloquence 
 has seldom been witnessed in any house of public worship. This discourse, 
 thongh enlivened by a bold, luxuriant, and brilliant imagination, and a lofti- 
 ness of conception, is yet characterized by his usual neatness and simplicity 
 of lauiiuage. Indeed, in his higliest flights his style of writing was always 
 remarkable for a pure English idiom and a classical simplicity of language. 
 
 In fine, he was an eloquent orator and a learned scholar. 
 
 In 1801 he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Har- 
 vard University. 
 
 In 1802 he resigned the presidency of Brown University and accepted that 
 of Union College, Schenectady, N. Y.. where he remained till the establish- 
 ment of the new college in CoUimbia, S. C in 1804, of which he was 
 appointed the first president, and immediately removed to that place, wliere 
 he continued till the day of his deatli, June 4, 1820, at the age of fifty-two. 
 He was appointed to the office of president the youngest, and presided the 
 longest in proportion to his years, of any person in this country. He was 
 connected with some college, either as student or officer, nearly thirty-seven 
 out of the fifty-two years of his life. 
 
 The following story of a college freak is told of Dr. Maxcy while he was 
 in South Carolina : — 
 
 On one occasion several of the students resolved to dra<^ the doctor's carriage into the 
 woods, and fixed upon a night for the performance of the exploit. One of their number, how- 
 ever, was troubled with some compunctious visitings, and managed to convey to the worthy 
 President a hint that it would be well for him to secure the door of the carriage-house. 
 Instead of paying any heed to this suggestion, the doctor proceeded on the appointed night to 
 the carriage-house and ensconced his portly person inside the vehicle. In less than an hour some 
 half dozen young gentlemen came to his retreat and cautiously withdrew the carriage into the 
 road. When they were fairly out of the college precincts they began to joke freely with each 
 other by name. 
 
 One of them complained of the weight of the carriage, and another replied by swearing it 
 was heavy enough to have the old fellow himself inside. For nearly a mile they proceeded 
 along the highway, and then struck into the woods to a cover which they concluded would 
 etlectually conceal the vehicle. Making themselves iutinitely merry at the doctor's expense, and 
 conjecturing how and when he would find his carriage, they at length reached the spot where 
 they had resolved to leave it. Just as they were ai)Out to depart — having once more agreed that 
 *' tlie carriage was heavy enough to have the old doctor and all his tril)e in it"' — they were 
 startled by the sudden dropping of one of the glass panels, and the well-known voice of the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 477 
 
 doctor hinif^elf thus atldressinsi- them: "So, so. yunii;- uentleiaen. you are y- liiii;- to leave me in 
 the woods, are yyii? Surely, as you have brought me hither for your own ,>;ratitication, you will 
 
 not refuse to take me 1)aek for mine. Come, Mr. and and , l)uekle to smd let 
 
 us return ; it 's getting late." There was no appeal ; for the window was raised, and the doctor 
 resumed his seat. Almost without a word the diseomtited young gentlemen took their places at 
 the pole and the hack of the vehicle, and quite as expeditiously, if with less voice, did thev 
 retrace their steps. In silence they dragged the carriage into its wonted place, and then 
 retreated precipitately to their rooms, to dream of the account they must reuder on the morrow. 
 When they had retired, the doctor fiuietly vacated the carriage and went to his house, where 
 he related the story to his family with nuich glee. He never called the heroes of that nocturnal 
 expedition to an account, uor was the carriage ever afterward dragged at night into the 
 woods. I 
 
 Dr. Maxcv was the second president of Brown I'niversitv, that ancient 
 institution, one who reflected tiie highest lustre on the university at which he 
 graduated and over which he pi'esided while a mere youth. He was one of 
 the most cherished ornaments of the religious denomination to which he 
 belonged, and one of the most impressive, brilliant, and eloquent pulpit 
 orators of the age in which he lived. No one has enjoyed a greater popular- 
 ity ; no one was ever more idolized by his contemporaries than he. As a 
 teacher of the highest branches of moral philosophy he had no superior, and 
 he produced a profound impression and influence on the pupils successively 
 under his charge. His whole career was an honor to American scholarship. 
 
 His wife was Susan Hopkins, a daughter of Commodore Eseck Hopkins, 
 of Providence, by whom he had several daughters and four sons, all of 
 whom were liberally educated. Several of tiie sons survived him and con- 
 tinued for many years in the profession of the law. His widow continued 
 to live for some time after his death, in Columbia, S. C. 
 
 He published ''A Discourse on the Death of President Manning," 1792; 
 "A Sermon on the Existence of Crod, Demonstrated from the Works of 
 Creation," 1795; ^'An Oration before the Providence Association of 
 Mechanics and Manufacturers," 1795; "A Fourth of July Oration," 1795 
 and 1799 ; '' A Discourse on the Atonement." in two parts, 179(3 ; •• A Dedi- 
 cation Sermon at Cumberland, R. I.," 179G ; " A Sermon before the Warren 
 Association," at Boston, 1797; ^'A Funeral Sermon before the Legislature 
 of South Carolina," 1.S18 ; and numerous addresses, 1797, 1801, etc., to the 
 graduating classes of Brown University. His discourses and addresses were 
 collected and published in 1844 with a brief memoir of his life by Rev. 
 Romeo Elton, late professor in Brown University. - 
 
 It requires an abler pen than mine to portray the amiable and brilliant 
 character of Maxcy, and to do justice to his splendid talents as an orator. 
 Those only who knew him in the meridian of life, and who had seen and felt 
 
 1 From Taunton Daily Gazette for April 21, 1S7S. 
 
 - Dr. Elton resided iu Englautl for a nuniljer of years, having married there. While in iliat country 
 he published an edition of " Selections from Dr. Maxcy " which had an extensive circulation there. 
 He presented a copy to Queen Victoiia, who highly appreciated it, and, it is said, read one or two of 
 the sermons to lier children. 
 
478 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the power of liis el(j(|ueiioe, euukl luive given an udecjiiate description. His 
 aieniory clenianded a trilmte of filial affection from some one of his man}' 
 distingnished pnpils who were so deeply indebted to his example and instruc- 
 tions for the eminence which they enjoyed in public life.^ 
 
 Dr. Maxcy was in many respects the most remarkable man born in this 
 town ; one who strongly impressed tlie age in which he lived, and attracted all 
 who came within the sphere of his influence, and all who knew him or heard 
 liim. 
 
 From an admirable communication of Rev. Gardner B. Perry/- a native of 
 Norton, near the residence of tlie Maxcys in Attleborougb, and who was a 
 pupil of Dr. IMaxcy's both in Brown University and at Union College, and 
 who was familiar with him socially as well as in his capacity as a teacher, I 
 make some extracts, describuig the man and his personal appearance and 
 habits and his manner of teaching and disciplining his pupils: — 
 
 Sa\> Dr. Pen\v : "From enrly life I hud some knowledge of his history, and the estimation 
 in which he was held by the litei-ary and religious world. My own personal acquaintance with 
 him commenced when I became a member of Brown University in 1800, tmd it became more 
 intimate, pei-haps I should say, familiar, when he removed to Union College. L was put under 
 his sijecial care, and became virtually a meml»erof his family. 
 
 '• In person he was below the middle size, and rather thin in flesh. But his fuce was lighted 
 up with a tine intellectual expression which chiefly occupied the eye, and engrossed the attention 
 of those about hin). The mind emphatically made the man. The principle involvetl in that 
 expression, so far as it concerned the outward person, was with the expression of the late Aaron 
 Burr, more fully illustrated in him, than in any other imlividual whom I ever met. He was well 
 proportioned in his form, dignified in his appearance, and impressive in his manners. A 
 remarkable harmony prevailed between the movements of his person and the workings of his 
 mind and heart. Every emotion without, .seemed but an expression of what was working 
 within. He wore a three cornered cocked hat, and on all public occasions appeared in silk 
 cassock and bands. His complexion was light and somewhat sallow; though a slight freshness 
 never failed to difluse itself over his cheek when he was moved by any of the gentler feelings. 
 His forehead was high and open; his eye a mellow, pleasant blue; and the whole contour of his 
 head and face though not altogether tilling uj) the idea of physical l)eauty. certainly atibrded a 
 striking image of mental power and high moral feeling. 
 
 '• Dr. Maxcy was rather uncommonly domestic in his feelings, and no man took livelier inter- 
 est than he in whatever concerned the welfare of his family. His children at the time I was 
 most with him, were young, the oldest probalily not exceeding ten or twelve years. These he 
 encouraged to visit him morning and evening in his study, when he cultivated the most delight- 
 ful familiarity with them, and expressed the deepest interest in every indication of intellectual 
 or moral improvement. I noticed that in conversing with them, he ordinarily used the same 
 form of expression as when speaking with persons of mature age, and his reason for doing so 
 was that he supposed that l>y this means they would sooner become acquainted with the 
 language of books, and thus be enal)led to advance more rapidly in their studies. 
 
 " Dr. Maxcy was exclusively devoted to the duties of his ottice, and to his studies. He was 
 never, so far as I know, involved in any secular business beyond the common concerns of his 
 familv. He was remarkable for diligent and perseverhig labor. Few departments of knowl- 
 
 ' A demand partially at least met by Dr. Elton's work. — Editor. 
 
 = Jle was born in Norton, Angust 9, lTs3, son of Xathan and Phebe (Braman) Perry. He entered 
 Brown University under the presidency of Dr. Maxcy, and removed with him to Union College and 
 graduated tliere in 1S04. He became a tutor in that college for several years. Dr, Perry himself 
 became a distinguished teaclier, and was lor some years pastor of the church in East Bradlord, 
 Mass., where lie continued till his death. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. -179 
 
 edye could lie ii;iiue<l into whicli he (lid mtt extend his iii(|uiries, mikI with which he had not 
 become so familiar as to enable him to hold an instructive conversation. 
 
 '•Two distinguished lawyers of one of the mi(hlle States, after havinu' incidentally lield a 
 protracted discussion with him ou the law of eutail (he lieing entirely uukuowu to them), came 
 to the conclusion that ]ie was proliabiy a Judge in one of the higher Courts of the United States. 
 
 "■ Dr. Maxcy supposed that with a proper training of the mind, most books might be gone 
 through in a nuich sliorter time than is usually devoted to them, and so a much greater amount 
 of knowledge l>e obtained lu a given period. 
 
 " His sermons were composed with the utmost I'upidity, and yet when composed, they seemed 
 to be graven ou the tablet of his memory, as with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond. 
 If he had occasion, as he sometimes had, to write out a discourse after he had delivered it, there 
 would be found not only the same :irrangement and the same general train of thought, but 
 nearly all the same language. 
 
 " While Dr. Maxcy was an excellent general scholar, he had made himself specially familiar 
 with the branches which he was accustomed to teach. The manner in which the classes 
 regarded his attainments in history may be illustrated by a remark which was made by one of 
 the students in coming from the lecture-room. — namely, that he believed the doctrine of metemp- 
 .sychosis must t)e true, for, unless the President had himself, in some form, lived in Athens, 
 when the events recorded in our lesson occurred, he uevTr could have been so intimately 
 acquainted with the characters and lives of the men, nor with the general tempers of the people 
 he had been descril)ing to us. This thorough knowledge of the various branches in his depart- 
 ment, in counectiou with a remarkable facility of coranuinication. rendered him an uncommonly 
 interesting teacher. 
 
 " His (piestions were shaped in such a manner, as to save the student who had the least knowl- 
 edge of the lesson, from the emliarrassnient consequent on an entire inability to answer, and at 
 the same time, to leave the best informed with the conviction that there were other things con- 
 nected with the subject, which it would be useful for them to learn. His mode of teaching was 
 eminently adapted to promote the spirit of inquiry, and the students left the lecture-room, talk- 
 ing over the subject of the recitation, and, after reaching their rooms, often studied lessons more 
 thoroughly than they had liefore they left them. A system of questions drawn up after his 
 manner, would be an invaluable help to the youth of the present day, and, perhaps, not more 
 valuable to the youth, than helpful to the gi-eat body of instructors. 
 
 "Dr. Maxcy manifested much of a devotional spirit. His mind was eminently fruitful in 
 serious and devout reflection. It was true of him in a spiritual sense, that, • the cloud returned 
 after the rain.' In his prayers there was always an emotion and impresslveness that left you 
 without any dou])t that the spirit was helping him. His manner in the pulpit was characterized 
 l)y great simplicity, ease, and earnestness. His style of preaching altogether was eminently 
 fitted to produce solemn reflection and deep self-communion, and thus lead to the best practical 
 i-esults. There was nothing, however, in his public performances, that was of a particularly 
 exciting or agitating character. Everything was serene, symmetrical, impressive. He attempted 
 to imitate no one, and caugbt no one's peculiarities. Destitute of all pretension, he was evi- 
 dently just what his Creator intended he should be; and every one felt in listening to him, that 
 if he were anything else than what he was, it would lie at the expense of tliso])eyiug the 
 impulses of his o^Yn nature. 
 
 '■ I cannot close this conununication without saying that I have ever entertained a deep sense 
 of my obligation to Dr. Maxcy, — not ouiy fiir the important instruction which I received from 
 him, but for his watchful care over me at a periotl when ' dangers stand thick around us."' 
 
 The followiug is from the peu of Tiistam Burgess, i who was one of his 
 
 pupils and associates : — 
 
 It is not possible for me to produce a portrait of Jonathan Maxcy, which shall do justice to 
 the great original. I saw him as an instructor presiding over a scientific and literarv institn- 
 
 ' He gra(hiated under President Maxcy; was afterwards professor of oratory in Brown University, 
 a member of Congress, and liimself a distinguislied orator. From these two ijrominent men we liave 
 the recollections of those wlio had jiersonal knowledge of Dr. Maxcy aui.1 sustained intimate rela- 
 tions with liim. 
 
480 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tion, and a?^ a minister, proi-laim the glorious truths of the Gospel; but I was then a pupil, 
 who hut a little before had exchanged the use of the plouuii and the sickle, for l)Ooks, and knew 
 little of what the high otHces which Dr. Maxcy held, reiiuired of him. 
 
 If I could remember so as to tell how his ailmiiiistration of those offices aft'ected me, I 
 should draw a picture that would be characterized ])y surpassing l)eauty and power; but it is 
 so long since I sat under his instruction, that the bright vision which then astonishetl and 
 delighted me, has in a great degree failed from my recollection. Nevertheless, I well remend)er 
 that no man could have been more popular in the college than President Maxcy. I never heard 
 so much as a whisper against him. He was universally loved as a parent, and admired and 
 revered as a great and good man. Though he was less than the medium stature, there was iu 
 bis countenance and manners a dignity that seemed to raise him above the ordinary level ; and 
 withal he had so much benignity and affability as well as intelligence, as to captivate every 
 person with whom he conversed. 
 
 He was liorn an orator, as Burns was born a poet. When this great man ai)peare<l as tlie 
 Fourth of July orator at Providence, as he did on one occasion, he attracted a degree of atten- 
 tion almost unprecedented. His theme was the " Principles and Events of the American Kevo- 
 lution," and his audience consisted chiefly of those who had passed through that long and terrible 
 conflict, which gave to our nation its independence. Not to mention any other part of his 
 oration, all of which was admirable. I will recall one out of many brilliant coruscations, con- 
 taining the divine tire, the heaven born electricity, of pui'e elo(|uence. When, with aglow of 
 patriotism, the orator exclaimed. — " Should our enemy again return to our shores, he will lind 
 every plain a Marathon, every defile a Thermopylaj," it was then that I felt, as I doubt not all 
 felt, the cold shudder, the electric shock, which always reaches one, wiien the orator strikes out 
 the true, the divine flash of eloquence. 
 
 Enough, however, and perhaps too much of this, for it was of his sacred eloquence that I 
 intended to say a few words. He wrote his sermons, and laid his notes before him on the 
 desk, but, in the delivery, he seemed never to use them. He appeared perfectly at home in the 
 pulpit, as if l)orn only to preach the go<pel. His voice was neither loud nor high, yet his utter- 
 ance was so perfectly distinct, that every word reached every ear with its melody, and he melted 
 every heart with his fervid and overpowering pathos. His preaching was not like the tire, nor 
 like the earth(iuake, nor like the mighty wind, exhibited to the vision of Elijah on the summit 
 of the mount, but it was indeed the still small voice, heard from the Lord by the prophet, 
 while sitting at its ])ase. He seemed to be, as he truly was, a messenger sent l>y his Divine 
 31aster, with glad tidings of great joy. 
 
 Every one who hears of a distinguished man, wishes to know something of his personal 
 appearance. I have never seen a portrait of Dr. Maxcy, and it is many years since I looked 
 upon him, and yet so deeply are his features and expression engraven on my memory, that I am 
 conlident T could distinguish his face among thousands. His countenance was grave and digni- 
 fied, liut so tempered with benignity, that those who only casually saw him, were constrained 
 to regard him as a model of benevolence and goodness. I believe, he seldom, if ever, laughed, 
 bnt he often smiled, and his smile was delightful. All who saw him wished to hear him, 
 and those who heard him once, were sure to wish to hear him again. It was impossible ta 
 behold his face without feeling assured that a highly gifted and tinely regulated soul looked out 
 upon the beholders from those interesting features. 
 
 I have thought, and now fully believe, that if Dr. Maxcy had lived in the age and countrj' 
 of the great Italian School of artists, when the exigencies of the art refpiired some one to sit as 
 a model before the painters, they would have selected him as the model for their consei-rated 
 portraits of Him, who, when on earth "spake as no man ever spake," and Raphael, or Michael 
 Angelo, would have placed on the canvas the living lineaments of a minister of Christ, whose 
 countenance it always seemed to me was no unapt representation of his Divine Master. 
 
 Dr. Maxey's first address i to a graduating class after he became president 
 of Brown Uuiversitv is here given. It will of itself interest many readers^ 
 
 > It is taken from the Watchman and Reflector for .June 24, 1S69. It was there reproduced from the 
 Baptixt Register, published in Knglaud. It was not mentioned in Dr. Elton's work, or in Guild'* 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 481 
 
 aud others, more especially because it is the production of a young man of 
 tweuty-five, who, from the dignified position of head of a collegiate institu- 
 tion of learning, addresses as counselor and adviser a body of men scarcely 
 younger than himself : — 
 
 Charc/e delivered by President JIaxcy to the graduates of the Colle<je, Rhode Island, 
 September 4, 1793. — 2 Baptist Register, 557-560. 
 
 Aih ice from the youug appears like an intrusion on the rights of age and experience. It 
 is not, therefore, without the most anxious concern that I rise to address you; especially when 
 I consider the splendid al)ilities of those great men who, on similar occasions, have stood in 
 this ijlace. They needed not for an apology the admonition of Paul, " Let no man despise thy 
 youth." 
 
 The attachment to which your conduct has given birth forbids me to let you depart without 
 expressing my solicitude for your welfare. This day presents to you a new scene of things. 
 It brings you from the retreats of science, and places you ou the theatre of action. It com- 
 mences your public existence. As the first impressions which your abilities and conduct will 
 make on the minds of men will be lasting, it will be for your interest to be careful that they 
 he favorable. Errors in conduct, when you are first thrown on the public eye, will be critically 
 noted, and, of consequence, will create prejudices which, in any subsequent period of life, a 
 knowledge of your abilities would prevent. Hence you cannot be too solicitous after the 
 advice of aged, experienced men. You cannot be too anxious to know your duty, nor too 
 active to perform it. A fear to do wrong and a desire to do right are brilliant traits in the 
 character of the young. In the first ])art of life, when our passions are winged with tire, we 
 are too apt to despise counsel, and to follow our own rash resolutions. Hence we unavoidably 
 run into errors, because destitute of that knowledge which nothing but experience can give, 
 and careless of those rules of life which nothing but the wisdom of age can form, and nothing 
 but the rashness of youth would regret. 
 
 When you engage in the businesses of life you will have.to deal with men. The ideas you 
 have formed in retirement, of the manners of the world and the principles of human action, 
 it is probable are very erroneous. Time and experience only can correct them. What is com- 
 monly called the knowledge of the world, of which so many boast, is nothing more than the 
 acquirement of its deceitful manners and the ijractice of its polite vices. To travel many 
 countries, to see many people, these are highly desirable; but these, without reflection, with- 
 out deep study and accurate observation, instead of making a man of merit, will only make a 
 splendid fop. You must learn to read men as well as books, but read books first. Human 
 nature is a regular, though complicated machine. It can be learned by its operations only. 
 Unless you know the springs by which it is moved, you can never manage it to advantage. 
 He will gain his point most eftectually and govern men best, who possesses such a ductility of 
 disposition as will enable him to enter into the circumstances, to survey in a true light the 
 interests, and to realize the feelings of others. In society you will be connected with men of 
 dirterent characters, dispositions and pursuits. You will find many ignorant and unreasonable, 
 many who are well informed, aud a few religious; but none who are not fond of applause and 
 desirous of superiority. If you can get into your hand the hopes and fears of men, you can do 
 as you please. 
 
 Perhaps the splendid abilities and extensive actjuirements of some may, on particular 
 occasions, create a temporary discouragement, and deter you from that proficiency which could 
 render you useful, though it might not gratify your ambition. But you will do well to remem- 
 ber that true greatness and i"eal excellency consist neither in the excessive splendor, nor in the 
 occasional displays of genius. Men whose souls are winged with lightning are ever soaring 
 above the sphere of useful employment. The fierce ardor of their spirit disdains attention to 
 
 " Life of ^Manning," etc., and it was not known to have been ever before publislied in tliis country. 
 It was presented to the journal for publication by " T. M.," a leading jurist, at that time one of the 
 oldest living pujnls of Presiilent Maxcy— a great admirer — and among the oldest living graduates 
 of " Brown." 
 
482 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tlie oi-iliiiar.\ duties and businesses of life, fi-om which human prosperity and happiness 
 priiii-ipally result. They appear to be formed and desi2;ned for nothing l)ut extraoi'dinary 
 occasions. The untamable wildness of their minds fits them to dwell in the tempest and whirl- 
 wind. Tlian envy these, rather envy the virtuous, good, honest man. Men who possess talents 
 a little above mediocrity generally make the greatest proficiency in learning, and render it the 
 most useful. 
 
 These benefits aecruinu' from education an; not confined to the present world. As they 
 belong to the soul, they respect inunortality. Since the capacity of the mind may be enlarged 
 and its powers rendered more \'igorous by exercise, it appears susceptible of an endless pro- 
 gression in improvement. Much is left to your own exertion. God has given you talents, but 
 He has given them, as He has everything else, to be improved. Consider nothing as giving you 
 a respectable superiority, but real learning and piety. Remember that all kinds of superiority 
 not originating in these, are vain, transitory, uncertain; and that, if the causes which produce 
 do not destroy them, death certainly will. But as learning and piety belong to the soul, they 
 give a superiority that will altbrd permanent satisfaction, and iiicrease as the soul progi-esses in 
 existence. In your farther ac(iuirements. therefore, in literature, consider yourselves as enno- 
 bling your natures, an<l already treading on the ground of immortality. That vain superiority 
 which arises fi'om false notions of honor, from nobility of birth or the possession of wealth, 
 is truly contemptible; but that which arises from personal merit, from real excellency of char- 
 acter, is truly laudable and worthy the most exalted ambition. 
 
 Seek the greatest attainable things in this world, but always seek greater in the next. 
 Should your situation ever be exalted, you will be the more exposed; you must therefore be 
 the more humble and prudent. The road which leads to the temple of honor is steep and 
 slippery. Would you enter there, be careful how you walk. The higher you ascend, the 
 greater will be your disgrace and ruin, if you fall. 
 
 Xever seek after fame, for if you deserve it it will follow you. Be youi- merit ever so 
 great, yet you cannot expect true fame while envy can hope to injure you. '' The sun of glory 
 never shines but on the tombs of the great." 
 
 Never sutter yourselves to form a judgment either of men or things, while you are under 
 the influence either of prejudice or passion. These put out the eyes of reason. Give due 
 praise to merit, whether in your friends or enemies. 
 
 You come forward into life in an era full of events which will astonish and rejoice posterity. 
 Man is rapidly ascending to that dignified station for which he was designed by the God of 
 nature. The sun of liberty shines InMght. His beams flame through imprisoned kingdoms, to 
 enlighten the eyes and cheer the hearts of enslaved millions. That bright era begins to dawn, 
 when peace shall difl^"use her mild influence through every heart, subjecting every hostile pas- 
 sion, and cementing all nations in one great family of brothers. Then the heart of the soldier 
 will not leap at the sound of war, nor the eye of the orphan float in tears for the loss of a 
 father and kin in battle. Liberty will then be unconfined as air, and glorious as that heaven 
 to which she tends. That fair goddess will descend in all her charms, and in one fostering 
 grasp embrace every son of Adam. Perhaps you may live to see the glories of a kingdom 
 whose duration will be that of eternity. 
 
 Here let me caution you against infidelity. Be not deceived merely because some great men 
 have been. But if infidelity can boast great names. Christianity nuich greater. Amidst the 
 blaze of evidence in favor of revelation it requires more faith to be an infidel than would make 
 a complete Christian. 
 
 Be careful not to choose your particular mode of religion in too much haste. Bigots are 
 us often made by a sudden adoption of particular sentiments as by superstition. Neither is 
 worthy a wise man, and both are disgraceful to a Christian. The more you examine, the more 
 reasons you will find for deferring an ai)solute decision respecting particular systems of 
 religion; the more room you will find for charity, and consequently for true religion. 
 
 As soon as men fancy themselves infallible, imagining that God smiles on them and frowns 
 on their neighbors, they exclude charity, and commonly, good manners. You will, too, 
 remember that men's characters are not ascertained, in the sight of God, by the particular 
 sentiments they adopt; for many men who have very bad heads have very good hearts. 
 
 Be strictly just in all your dealings with man. God has planted a sense of justice in your 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 483 
 
 uatiires. This yon cauuot violate witliout an esseutial injury tu yourselves. No nnm can hurt 
 another without hurting himself at the same time. 
 
 Do <i;ood to all, for by so doing you will do the greatest good to yourselves. Pursue a 
 uniform course of virtuous conduct. This will unavoidably lead you to eminence. In such a 
 country as this true merit cannot fail to distinguish you : for, like the suu, it will always carry 
 its own light with it. 
 
 Time now requires nie to yiart with you. I sincerely wish you much happiness, and shall 
 rejoice to tind that you are useful and ornamental to your country. 
 
 ViHGiL Maxcy was a youuger brother of Dr. INIaxcy. and was born in this 
 town. He graduated at Brown University in September, 1804, and was for 
 a while tutor in a private family at the South. He studied law in Baltimore, 
 and settled in Anne Arundel County, near there, and became distinguished in 
 his profession as an advocate. He was appointed Charge d'AtTaires to Belgium 
 in 1835, which position he held for a number of years. After his return 
 home he was appointed Solicitor of the United States Treasury. While 
 attending the excursion on board the United States steamship Princeton, 
 February 28, 1844, with President Tyler, Judge Upshur, and other members 
 of the Cabinet, he was instantly Ivilled by the terrible explosion of the guns 
 which occurred at that time. 
 
 He was a brilliant speaker and an able jurist. He left two daughters, 
 mari'ied, in Washington. He delivered an eloquent address before the Phi 
 Beta Kappa Society of BrowMi University, Septeuiber 4, 1833, which was 
 published. 
 
 Hon. Elisha May was a distiuguished citizen of this town who was often 
 employed in public olKee, and whose name was always iield in reverence by 
 those who knew or remembered him. The records of the May family extend 
 back to 1590, in whicli year one John May was born in Meyfield, England. 
 About the year 1031 he came to this couutry, bringing with him two sons, 
 John and Samuel, and they settled in Roxbury and Dorchester. Tlie elder 
 son, John, had eight chilch-en, of whom the seventh w^as named Elisha, and 
 was born in 1669. This Elisha May left the family at Dorchester and went 
 to Swansea with a brother. His son lived in tliat place and finally came 
 from there to this town, bringing with him his son Elisha, the subject of this 
 sketch, who was born in 1729. 
 
 Courteous and gentlemanly in his manners, and honorable and upright in 
 his principles, he was universally esteemed. Intelligent and active in busi- 
 ness, he was well qualified to fulfill the various offices to which he was elected. 
 He discharged the various duties which devolved upon him with ability, and 
 entire satisfaction to his constituents. He was elected to the Legislature 
 over twenty times between 1778 and 1803, during the last thirteen years, 
 consecutively, being a member of the Upper House. He was also several 
 times chosen a member of the Provincial Congress at Watertown, and was at 
 one time chosen a presidential elector. He was, in fine, one of the most 
 valuable citizens of this town. He died November 15, 1811, in the eighty- 
 
484 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 third year of his age. His wife was Rath Metcalf, of Cuinberlaud. His 
 character is justly though briefly described by one who was personally 
 acquainted with him. The following extract is from a discourse delivered 
 at his interment by the Rev. John Wilder, then the pastor of the First 
 Congregational Church in this town: — 
 
 " His memory will long be precious, not only to his near relatives and 
 friends, but likewise to his intimate acquaintance, to his neighbors, to the 
 religious society in this place, and to the inhabitants of the town. For he 
 is the man whom his fellow-citizens have delighted to honor ; nor was he 
 imworthy their respect and confidence. For blessed with a sound mind, a 
 retentive memory, a quick discernment of men and things, a polite address, 
 an honest heart, and an education considerably above mediocrity, he was 
 singularly qualified for public employment of various kinds. And his worth 
 was early discovered ; for at the time of the Revolutionary AVar he was an 
 active and useful member both in the military and civil departments. Since 
 that period he was employed, without opposition, as a legislator, or a coun- 
 sellor, until he chose to retire. For about twenty-seven years in succession, 
 one excepted, he was called to a seat in the Legislature, and chiefl}' in the 
 upper house. For almost forty years together he has been moderator of 
 the town meetings in this place ; in which office he was equaled by few, and 
 exceeded by none. He had the honor of being an elector of the President 
 of the United States. As a magistrate throughout the Commonwealth, he 
 did much business, and to very general satisfaction. He was justly cele- 
 brated both at home and abroad, for his wisdom in adjusting and settling 
 differences between contending parties. As a politician he was a friend and 
 disciple of Washington. As a man he was prepossessing and engaging. 
 As a friend he was faithful and constant. As a neighbor he was kind and 
 obliging. As a husband he was attentive and tender. As a parent he was 
 pleasant and affectionate. As to his religion, he was a firm believer in the 
 Christian system, and a very constant, attentive, and apparently devout 
 atteuder on public worship all his life." 
 
 John Wilder May was born in this town, January 29, 1819. He was 
 the son of Hon. Lemuel May and Esther Wilder May, daughter of Rev. John 
 Wilder, pastor of the First Church here, and grandson of Hon. Elisha May. 
 His father was a prominent public man, having held the various town offices, 
 and he was for several years a representative in the Legislature, a member 
 of the Senate and of the Governor's Council. 
 
 John Wilder May Avas educated for college at Andover and graduated at 
 the University of Vermont, in Burlington. He and a classmate, after leaving 
 college, undertook farming for a year or two as an experiment, but they soon 
 abandoned the pursuit to prepaie for a professional life. Mr. May kept 
 school for two or three seasons in liis native village and then commenced the 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 485 
 
 study of the law with Francis Hilliard, Ivsq., of Roxburv, wliieh was at that 
 time a part of Norfolk County. At Roxburv he later entered into partner- 
 ship with a lawyer, continuing for several years, until he was elected 
 " District Attorney for Suffolk County." This office he held for six years, 
 discharging its duties with fidelity and vigor. On the resignation of Judge 
 Chamberlain he was appointed " Chief Justice of the Municipal Court of 
 Boston." He discharged the offlcinl duties of tins laborious position with 
 unquestioned integrity, impartiality, and good judgment. Tliis office he 
 held at the time of his death. 
 
 No man can put his hand upon any official act of Judge May's which can 
 in any way impeach or sully his judicial purity. At the memorial services 
 held after his death his memory was highly honored and his character duly 
 appreciated by tlie Suffolk County Bar. His character and life present an 
 example for tlie imitation of the young and aspiring. 
 
 While in practice at Roxbury he was appointed solicitor for that citv and 
 held the office for several years. He represented tliat city in the Legislature 
 in 1867. After the annexation of Roxbury to Boston he formed a law 
 partnership with Charles W. Story, Esq., which was dissolved in 1869, when 
 Mr. May was elected "District Attorney for Suffolk." He died Januarv 11, 
 1883, sixty-four years of age.^ 
 
 '■Judge May was a man of learning, ability, and the highest integritv and 
 honor. He was laborious in the discharge of his duties, and died with the 
 respect of the public for the sincerity and purity of his life and official 
 character." 
 
 He married Elizabeth Thurston Faruham, of Bangor, Maine, by whom he 
 had four children : Henry Farnham May, now a lawyer in Boston ; Harriet 
 Wilder May, who is associate treasurer of the Woman's Board of Missions 
 in that city ; John Lemuel and Elizalieth Farnham ^lay, who all survive 
 their parents. 
 
 I quote the " Resolution of the Suft'olk Bar " at their memorial services on 
 his death, which was offered by his former partner, Mr. Story, and unani- 
 mously adopted and which, from my personal knowledge of Judge Mav, 
 I endorse, as embodying his professional character: — 
 
 Besnlved, That iu the death of Johu Wilder May, we recognize a fierious loss to the com- 
 munity of which he was a most useful and valued servant, and to the Bar so long an honored 
 member. He was a genuine man, of a high and noble nature, frank, uprisiht, independent, 
 simple, pure, cheerful, benevolent. His conversation was racy, instructive, and from the clear- 
 ness and vigor of his conceptions most epigranuuatic. His written works displayed not only 
 mastery of language, but thoroughness of research, and remarkal>le power of statement. In 
 the Councils of the Commonwealth, and of the city, he was conspicuous for solidity of under- 
 standing, strength iu argument, and readiness in debate. Professionally, he was learned, able, 
 and faithful, not aggressive, l>ut in resisting aggression prompt and determined. In his capacity 
 
 ^He had one brothev, who died some years before his death, and an uncle, Seth May, who was a 
 judge of the Superior Court of Maine many years. 
 
486 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 as prosecuting officer, he was energetic, eloquent, discreet, and efficient, and as a magistrate 
 charged with onerous, inii>ortant. and exacting duties, he was eminently wise, diligent, impar- 
 tial, and considerate. He has left to us an example of which we may well he enuilous, and for 
 which we honor his memory. 
 
 lie exhibited <iiv;it zeal for liis clients and, in u '• manly, straightforward 
 wav." fought out every issue to its end. He was ahove tricks or meanness 
 in striving for victory, deeming such things a disgrace to himself and his 
 profession. He was especially kind to young men entering the profession of 
 law, and merciful to young men whom he must judge for their first criminal 
 offence. One said of him that '• for thirty years he had known and realized 
 tliat Judoe May's character was such as to impress itself upon the community, 
 so that men who never saw him had a positive conviction that he was an 
 uprioht, fearless and honest man who could well fill any position to which 
 he might be called." Another, after words of high praise, said an appro- 
 priate maxim for his tombstone would be: ''A sound lawyer, a frank and 
 a true man without cant or hypocrisy, a pure, conscientious, upright and 
 incorruptible Judge." 
 
 Samuel Bartlett Parris was among the former physicians of this town, 
 a voinig man who settled here in 1825. He was a son of Rev. Martin Parris, 
 of Marslifield. Plymouth County, and Julia Drew, of Kingston, an adjoining 
 town, and was born in the former place, January •)(), 1806. He graduated 
 at Brown University in 1821, at which institution his father had also 
 o-raduated. He was a well-read and accomplished scholar and a young man 
 of great promise. He studied medicine under the tuition of Dr. Paul L. 
 Nichols, of Kingston, with whom he remained one year, and afterwards 
 he spent altout two years under the instruction of Dr. Samuel Bugbee, 
 a distinguished and skilful physician of Wrenthain. He then finished his 
 professional education at the Harvard Medical School, where he received 
 his degree on August 31, 1825, at the age of nineteen. 
 
 He soon settled in this town, at the Falls, and at the residence of Dr. 
 Thomas Stanley, then deceased. There he died, September 21, 1827, aged 
 twenty-one years, seven months, and twenty-two days, and thus all his 
 attainments in literature, poetry, and professional science, with all the 
 brilliant i)rospects of his life, wei'e buried in an untimely grave. He was 
 buried in the old cemetery on the site of the Central Church, but his remains 
 were afterwards removed, by direction of his father, to Kingston. Abundant 
 eulogies upon his character were tendered to his father after his death by 
 those who knew him best. Dr. IJugbee, in whose family he remained so long 
 as a student, said of him : " In our family he was profoundly loved by all. 
 The immense stores of intellectual treasure which he had accumulated, and 
 assorted for use, distanced, in my estimation, fi-om all his equals in age, 
 with whom I have ever had the fortune to be acquainted." 
 
 I conclude this sketch by applying to himself his closing remarks in his 
 
1. ResideiK-e of Loui> J. Lamb. 2. Residence of Charles T. Guild, Town Clerk, North 
 
 Attleboroush. 3. Residenee of Clarence L. Watson. 4. Residence of John 
 
 T. Bates, Town Clerk, Attleborough. 5. Residence of Edwin A. 
 
 Robinson. 6. Rcsiden(;o of Charles A. Marsh. 7. Residence 
 
 of Alfred R. Crosby. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEUOBOUGH. 487 
 
 essay on the " Remains of Henry Kirke White," He says: "His feelino;s 
 appear to have been occasionally subjected to higher degrees of excitement, 
 than human nature could endure with impunity. He lived much in a short 
 time, and hence perhaps one reason why the resources of life were so soon 
 exhausted. In him were united genius and application. Both contributed 
 to give him an early niche in the temple of fame ; both contributed to give 
 him an early shroud in the mansions of the tomb." 
 
 Dr. Parris' " Remains," including selections from his poems and essavs, 
 were published after his death, by the author of this work, for circulation 
 among his friends. 
 
 In Kettell's "Specimens of American Poets" the compiler has given a 
 poem of Dr. Parris on a " Sprig of Juniper from the Tomb of Washington." 
 I will give here a humorous one on the fall of a woodpile : 
 
 LINES COMMEMORATIVE OF THE DOWNFALL OF MY WOODPILE.l 
 
 T was piling- a oreat heap of wood, 
 
 Aud I nearly had finished iny labours, 
 And it stood up, all handsome and good, 
 
 A source of surprise to the neighbours. 
 
 With joy I loolisd ou it— (poor dunce!) 
 
 When but a few arnifuls were lacliiug, 
 When, alas! the whole pile all at once 
 
 Came down with a terrible cracking. 
 
 3Iy armful I <lropped on the ground. 
 
 And gazed on the ruins astonished — 
 When, io! a most womlerful sound, 
 
 My glaring imprudence admonished. 
 
 3Iy genius, who stands at the helm, 
 
 Aud guides me with counsels sagacious, 
 Spoke out from the top of the elm, 
 
 With a count'nance smiling aud gracious. 
 '' My friend," she exclaimed with a smile, 
 
 " While to work you so ardently press ou, 
 The sad overthrow of your pile 
 
 May teach jou a \ery good lesson. 
 
 Reflect on your blunders with care — 
 
 And if these admonitions should reach you, 
 You will find it is better l)y far, 
 
 Than for fatal experience to teach yon. 
 
 Remember, as long as you live. 
 
 That to ardent and high expectation, 
 You should not much confidence give. 
 
 When it rests ou a slender foundation. 
 
 If such hope you should build up too high, 
 
 No matter how much you may prize it, 
 The very first gust, that comes by. 
 
 Will always Ije sure to capsize it. 
 
 'Written in December, 1826, at the age of twenty. 
 
488 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 And listen, I pray you,'" said she; 
 
 " If you wish to escape tribulation, 
 You must faithfully hearken to nie. 
 
 And Ituilil on a broader foundation. 
 
 When winter is roaring around. 
 
 This wood ou your tire will be blazing. 
 And you '11 not oare a fig for the sound 
 
 That the storm and the tempest are raising. 
 
 Thus Hope shall be glowing within, 
 And its warmth and its light shall not fail you. 
 
 When the sound of the storm shall begin, 
 And adversity's blast shall assail you. 
 
 Mourn not o'er the k)ss of your pains. 
 
 And do not Ije sullen and fi-etful — 
 It might have endangered your brains — 
 
 Of your good luelc then be not forgetful. 
 
 Go on ; muster u]) all your powers — 
 
 And build up two tiers all so clever — 
 In the course of a couple of hours 
 
 The work will be firmer than ever." 
 
 T did so, and found very soon. 
 
 That whenever such accidents happen, 
 It keepeth one's temper in turn 
 
 These sage cogitations to clap in. 
 
 So now I have made a good fire. 
 
 And taken my pen, ink, and paper. 
 To gratify this my desire 
 
 And give an account of the caper. 
 
 If there is a rhymster in town. 
 
 It is my desire he should Icuow it, 
 That whenever a woodpile falls down, 
 
 It makes a good theme for a poet ! 
 
 Samuel Robinson, m.d., the sou of Ezekiel and Ilaimah Hutchius Robin- 
 sou, was born in this town March 19, 1783, and lived here until about 1803. 
 At that time he went to Hanover, N. H., to stud\' his profession under the 
 instruction of the celebrated Dr. Nathan Smith, a professor in Dartmouth 
 College, and remained for two years. He commenced practice in Berkeley, 
 which is near Taunton, but remained there only one year, and then removed 
 to Indian Town, N. C, a place not far from Elizabeth City. He resided 
 there for twenty years and became a distinguished physician and surgeon 
 and acquired an extensive and lucrative practice. 
 
 An anecdote is related of him which shows him to have been a thoroughly 
 kind-hearted and benevolent man, though the story had an amusing ending. 
 It came to his knowledge at one time that the leg of a certain man needed to 
 be amputated, and that no one could be found to attend to the case because 
 the man was poor and could not pay the required fee for such a service. 
 On learning the fact Dr. Robinson traveled a distance of fifty miles, per- 
 
HISrOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 489 
 
 formed the operation, and declined to receive any compensation whatever. 
 Upon the advent of twin boys into this family some time later the grateful 
 wife and mother bestowed the name of Samuel upon one of the infants and 
 Robinson upon the other in honor of the benefactor. 
 
 While in North Carolina Dr. Robinson's health failed, and he tried con- 
 stant and cou.tinued change of air and scene in the hope of benefiting it. 
 He traveled quite extensively through the Carolinas, Virginia, the Middle and 
 New England States. He finally came to Pawtucket and Providence, in the 
 vicinity of which places he for a time took up his residence. His health 
 continuing broken, he was not able to follow his profession, and he devoted 
 much tniie to the study of geology and mineralogy. 
 
 He made a collection of minerals, many of them being quite valuable, and 
 in 1825 he published a work entitled "A Catalogue of American Minerals." 
 This was an octavo volume of three hundred and sixteen pages. It con- 
 tained a full list of all the minerals then known in the United States and 
 British Provinces. With each one the county, town, and neighborhood 
 where it was found to exist were distinctly marked, and the book was thus 
 an excellent guide to any practical geologist. 
 
 Dr. Robinson resided in various places in this viciuit}^ as has been stated, 
 though his home was with his brother, Mr. Dan Robinson, in this town. At 
 the end of some two or three years after his return to the North, on the 
 approach of cold weather, he found it necessary to go to a warmer climate. 
 He went therefore to St. Augustine, Fla., where he died after a few months' 
 residence, February 17, 1827, in the forty-fourth year of his age.i 
 
 It is proper that some notice should be taken of two natives of the town, 
 who distinguished themselves in a former generation as singers, teachers, 
 and composers of music, and compilers of musical works, and who were well 
 known in their day. They were sons of Daniel and Mary Read, and were 
 descended from a family long settled here in the south part of the town, that 
 part still known as " the Read and Ide neighborhood." 
 
 Joel Read was born August 16, 1753. He was well educated for that 
 age, well informed on general subjects, and well known to his townspeople of 
 the age which has recently passed away. He was for a long time in public 
 life, taking an active part in the affairs of the town. His services were 
 often secured in the offices of selectman, assessor, treasurer, etc., and his 
 handwriting may be found on many pages of the public records. He lived 
 on a farm — the old homestead of his family — as an agriculturist, but much 
 of his time was occupied in other pursuits. He was a surveyor and convey- 
 ancer, and acted as a magistrate for a long period. He also represented the 
 town in the Legislature for some years, from 1806 to 1813 inclusive, with the 
 
 ' His gravestone there has recently been seen by a resident of Attleborough. " The Inscription 
 includes a tribute to him as a man and Christian and physician." — Attleboro Advocate. 
 
490 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 exception of 1807. He served for a time in the Revolntionary War, and was 
 wonnded in one of the battles near New York. 
 
 He removed from this town towards the close of his life, and resided in 
 Pawtucket for a nnmber of years. He finally returned to his native place, 
 where he died January 27, 1837, upwards of eighty-four years of age. He 
 was twice married. His first wife was Chloe, daughter of Deacon Jonathan 
 Stanley, of this town, by whom he had nine children, five daughters and 
 four sous, most of whom lived to maturity. In his father's family there 
 were eleven children, all of whom lived to adult years. 
 
 But Joel Read was best known as a musician. He took the lead of the 
 choir in the church at West Attleborough from eai'ly life till age disqualified 
 him for the duties. In his intercourse with the public he -was pleasant and 
 agreeable in his manners — intelligent and social. I am told by those who 
 knew him that as a singer he had a fine and well-trained voice. He was an 
 enthusiast on the subject of music. In the winter season during the active 
 part of his life he was engaged in teaching common schools during the day 
 and singing schools in the evening, not only in this, but in the neighboring 
 towns — in the western part of this .State, and in various towns also in the 
 State of New York. While introducing his works to the public he often 
 extended his excursions to the remote settlements of that State. 
 
 He was a composer of music — the author of several popular tunes which 
 were published. In 1806 he published a collection of sacred music for the 
 use of churches and schools, under the title of '• The American Singing 
 Book ; or, a New and Easy Guide to Psalmody." Tlie work passed through 
 at least two editions — and probably several more — during the lifetime of 
 the compiler, and was extensively circulated, and used by singing schools 
 and church choirs in this vicinity. In fact, it was the only work of the kind 
 known here for many years, and educated a whole generation of singers. It 
 contained many tunes composed by his brother Daniel, and he himself was 
 the author of several of them, which were well known at the time and highly 
 popular. Among them were Consolation and others. 
 
 The first edition, as stated, was published in 1806, the second in 1812. In 
 the second edition he changed the title and called it '•' The New England 
 Selection ; or, Plain Psalmodist." It was printed in Boston by Manning & 
 Loring. In the preface he says: "-The first edition met with a rapid sale 
 and encourages him to publish the second, which he trusts is not inferior in 
 point of merit, and hopes it will meet the general approbation of the public." 
 This work was used almost exclusively for more than thirty years in this 
 vicinity, in AYorcester County, in the more western part of this State, in 
 various parts of New York, and doubtless in many other places. 
 
 Daniel Read, a younger brother of Joel Read, was born hai'e November 
 16, 1757. He was in Sullivan's Expedition in Rhode Island in 1778 during 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 491 
 
 the Revolution, in the ranks of the regiment from the northern part of this 
 county. Before the close of the Revolutionary War he removed to New 
 Haven, Conn., where he settled for life. Here he formed a partnership with 
 Amos Doolittle, an engraver, under the firm name of Doolittle & Read, and 
 engaged in trade, principally a bookselling and publishing business. 
 
 Among other works published by them was a Musical Magazine, a periodi- 
 cal which appeared monthly. The typographical execution of the work was, 
 for that age, highly creditable to the publishers and its appearance was even 
 beautiful. This was probably the first periodical on music published in the 
 country, at least the first known to the author. A great number of the musi- 
 cal compositions were originally composed by Read himself. Many of the most 
 approved tunes were afterwards collected and published in a single volume 
 called The American Singing Book, the fourth edition of which was issued 
 January 24, 1792. It acquired a good reputation and secured an extensive 
 circulation in the New England States. It included forty-seven original 
 tunes by Mr. Read, with a supplement containing five more. In 171)3 he 
 published the Columbian Harmonist in three parts. 
 
 The musical compositions of Daniel Read were far more numerous than 
 those of Joel and of an earlier date. In the Federal Harmony (Second 
 Part), published in 1792, are six pieces by Read; the Worcester Collection 
 of Sacred Harmony, 1788, contained sixteen pieces; the Village Harmony, 
 published in Exeter, N. H., has nineteen; and in Lowell Mason's Collection 
 may be found several tunes by him. A third brother, William, was also a 
 teacher of psalmody in both Attleborough and Pawtucket and a composer of 
 music, but not to such an extent as the others. 
 
 The best evidence of the merit of the compositions of the Read Bi-others 
 is in the fact that so many of them were selected and republished in subse- 
 quent collections of music for church choirs. Many of these tunes are in use 
 at the present day. The names of Lisbon and Sherburne and Calvary, 
 of Greenwich and Judgment, of Exaltation and Victory, of Winter and 
 Windham are familiar as household words to our own generation of church 
 singers, and some at least of these tunes are found in almost every collection 
 of sacred music. 
 
 Daniel Read married, in New Haven, Mary Sherman, one of that family so 
 distinguished in Connecticut. Their four children were G-eorge Frederic ; 
 Handel, who lived to quite an advanced age ; Nathan Sherman Read, who 
 became a clergyman ; and one daughter, Mary White Read, who married Jon- 
 athan Nicholson. A son of the youngest brother, William, above mentioned, 
 went also to New Haven, and descendants of the families are residing in that 
 city at the present time. Daniel Read died in 183(3, in the eightieth year of 
 his age. Many descendants of these Reads are also living in this town. 
 
 William Stillman Stanley, m.d., was born in this town, January 17, 
 1803. His father w^as Dr. Thomas Stanley, of the Falls village ; his mother. 
 
492 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 'Mary Norton, also of this town, and they were married by Rev. Dr. Gano. 
 His grandfather was William Stanley, who married Zilpah, daughter of Cap- 
 tain Mayhew Daggett. He attended the classical academy in West Attle- 
 liorough kept by Rev. Joseph Wheaton, of Rehoboth, and was there fitted for 
 college. He graduated at Brown University in the class of 182.5. He 
 studied medicine witii Dr. Ufeiier Parsons, of Providence, and acquired a 
 practical knowledge of his profession with Dr. Hezekiah Skinner, of Mans- 
 field, entering into partnership with him and remaining so associated for 
 two years. At the end of that time, 1829, an opening occurred at Mamaro- 
 neck, Westchester County, N. Y., to which pUice he removed and speedily 
 built up a large and lucrative practice. He was eminently acceptable and 
 prosperous, and continued in that place in full practice for the long period of 
 forty-seven years. 
 
 In 1876, his health having failed, he removed to Wilmington, Del., and two 
 years later to Philadelphia, Penn., whei-e he lived until 188o. During that 
 year he removed to Westerly, R. 1., where he had his residence during the 
 remainder of his life. In June of the following year. 1884, he attended the 
 Commencement exercises of his loved university, and from Providence he came 
 to his native town and visited his old homestead, greeting once more the few 
 living relatives and very few living friends of his youthful days. From here 
 he went to Wrentham to visit some nieces residing there, and while with them 
 was taken ill and died after only four days of sickness, on Jul}' 11, 1884. 
 " Thus suddenly ended the life of a good man." 
 
 In May, 1832, Dr. Stanley was married to Elizabeth Thompson Mitchell, of 
 White Plains, N. Y., who died at (Termantown, Penn., August 18, 1883. 
 He left no children. He was a man of integrity in all his dealings with his 
 fellow-men, familiar and cordial in his intercourse with his friends and neigh- 
 bors, and he enjoyed the confidence of the community in which he lived. 
 
 The following is quoted from the Necrology of Brown University for 
 1884-8.5 : — 
 
 •' In his medical profession, as in his character, he was the worthy sou of 
 a worthy sire, his father, Dr. Thomas Stanley, having been for many years 
 a prominent physician, and highly esteemed man in Attleborough. Dr. Stan- 
 ley, the subject of this notice, had the esteem and confidence of the people, 
 not only of his own town, where he so long lived, but for many miles around 
 in other towns. His urbanity of manners, and kindness of heart, united 
 with his clearness of intellect, and his medical knowledge and skill, rendered 
 him both a popular and a successful physician." 
 
 Dr. Ira Barrows, the son of Ezra and Beebe Peck Barrows, was born in 
 this town, November 18, 1804. He remained in his country home until he 
 reached the age of sixteen, at which time he was fitted for college and entered 
 Brown University, where he graduated in 1824 at the age of twentj^. He 
 obtained his medical education at the excellent school of Harvard, taking his 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUaH. 493 
 
 degree in 1827. He tliiis by thoi'oiioli courses of study laid the foundation 
 of true knowledge so especially needed in his profession, and made himself 
 worthy of the confidence of his fellow-men and of the success which after- 
 wards attended him. 
 
 He practised during many of his earlier years in Pawtucket, where he was 
 associated with Dr. Manchester. While there he united with the Congre- 
 gational church, of which Rev. Dr. Blodgett was for so many years the loved 
 and revered pastor, and became one of its deacons, retaining the office as 
 long as he resided in that place. He remained in Pawtucket until 1837, 
 when failing health compelled him to try change of scene and climate, and for 
 a time he resided at the West. The weakness from which he suffered proved 
 to be only temporary, his constitution being strong enough to conquer it, and 
 he was able to resume his professional duties. In 1840 he returned to Paw- 
 tucket, but soon after removed to Providence, where he resided for more than 
 thirty-two years " laboriously occupied nearly to the end." He died in that 
 city October 14, 1882, having reached the advanced age of almost fourscore 
 years. He married, February .3, 1833, Frances A., daughter of Oliver Bart- 
 lett, of Smithfield, R. I., and she, with two sons and two daughters, survives 
 him. 
 
 His pastor said of him : '' Dr. Barrows illustrated the truth that busy men 
 may be relied on for many kinds of service, and that even in so arduous 
 a profession there is time for Christian work and fellowship." He was " a 
 man of integrity and consistent life. He loved his profession, and was 
 conscientiously devoted to it. Yet whenever it was possible for him, he was 
 an attendant at public worship. I have thought proper to dwell upon some 
 simple facts in the history of our departed brother, not merely because of 
 his sincere piety and excellence, but because of his vocation in life. The 
 calling of a physician is one of great responsibility. It demands rare 
 talents and the highest character. No one would wish to employ a physi- 
 cian who does not possess both, and no one has a right to trifle with life, by 
 seeking counsel of the ignorant or the unprincipled. I may say that our 
 friend. Dr. Barrows, though not lavish of words, and most unobtrusive in his 
 demeanor, has brought spiritual comfort into the sick chamber, and helped 
 others by his prayers in their sore need. In him religion was an everyday 
 principle, which he was ready to apply to all the liusiness of life. Nor 
 should 1 fail to mention his kindness to the poor, and readiness to fulfill 
 services often unpaid. We do well to cherish the memory of those who have 
 served God in a laborious and self-denying profession, which ought to be 
 held in high esteem, and to which we ought cheerfully to discharge our 
 obligations as far as possible." 
 
 Dr. George Barrows, a younger brother of the above, was born INIav 12, 
 1815. The father, who was a farmer, died while he was a child. After- 
 wards his mother married Captain Jacob Ide, and he lived in this new home 
 
494 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 until he was sixteen. At tliat time he entered a store, and subsequently 
 attended Pawtucket Academy for two years. He was desirous of obtaining 
 a good education, but, being out of health, he was unfitted to pursue his 
 studies properly. At this juncture he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and entered 
 the manual labor school there. During a few months in that institution " he 
 developed a physical organization which carried him in after life through the 
 constant strain and wear arising from the indispensable demands of his 
 arduous profession. As a proof of the good results in his case of a system 
 of labor and study combined, it is said of him that he volunteered with other 
 " muscular fellow students" to cut a large part of the timber which was 
 used in the erection of two of the present college buildings. 
 
 He entered Amherst College when twenty-one, and graduated there in 
 1840. He spent two years in Illinois, and then entered his brother's office, 
 where he remained three years studying medicine. He also attended lectures 
 at Pittsfield Medical College, and tliere received his diploma. About this 
 time he became interested in homa*opathy, and finall}" adopted that school of 
 practice. In 1846 he opened an office in Taunton, the only physician of his 
 school there at that time. After practising for some years he attended the 
 Homa?opathic Medical College in Philadelphia and received a diploma from 
 that institution. During a period of more than thirty years he went in and 
 out of hundreds of homes in the city of his adoption, " administering to the 
 best of his ability and skill for the wants of his patients, to the poor and 
 indigent as to the more favored. All received his large-hearted sympathy." 
 He gave instruction also to a large number of students, upon whom in the 
 commencement of their practice he bestowed kindly and time-ly aid, and a 
 number of young men were associated with him. 
 
 In 1848 he married Jane E. Wells, of Otis, by whom he had one son. 
 They both survived him. He died January 19, 1878, from paralysis, the 
 result of exposure on a professional journey of several miles taken on a 
 stormy night. He was at the time of his death the oldest medical practi- 
 tioner in Taunton. One said of him : "■ The community in which he has long 
 resided mourn the loss of a kind friend, neighbor, physician, and estimable 
 fellow citizen, who has suddenly departed in the prime of life, and in the 
 midst of usefulness." His pastor. Dr. Blake, said : '•' A Christian physician, 
 whose principles flow into his profession, is a blessing to the community, 
 which we do not appreciate until it is removed." 
 
 Hon. lilBENEZER Daggett, w4io died while a member of the Senate from 
 Bristol District, affords the example of a life worthy of imitation bv his 
 fellow-citizens. He was the youngest son of Colonel John Daggett, whose 
 life has been previously noticed, and was l)orn April 16, 1763. Few men in 
 this town have devoted so large a portion of their time to the public service. 
 He held a commission of the peace for nearh' thirty 3'ears, and honoralily 
 discharged its most important duties. He served the town at various times 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 495 
 
 in the capacity of selectman and town clerk, for upwards of twenty years. 
 He represented the town several years in the General Court. A large part 
 of the last thirty years of his life was occupied in some public employment. 
 In various ways he rendered himself serviceable to his fellow-citizens. In 
 the spring of 1831 he was elected a member of the Senate from this district. 
 At the succeeding November election he was rechosen to the same office, 
 and while in the discharge of the honoralile and responsible duties of this 
 station he was called by the order of Providence to close his life, at Boston, 
 on the fourth of March, 1832, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. 
 
 Possessed of natural abilities above mediocrity, which he had improved by 
 self-education, he always directed them to useful purposes. Plain and unas- 
 suming in his manners, mild and uniform in his disposition, he had won the 
 coufideuce of his fellow-citizens, but never sought after the honors which 
 were bestowed upon him. Guided by fixed and pure principles, he was 
 upright and honorable in all his dealings with his fellow-men ; and preserved 
 a character of unsullied integrity through a long and active life. He was 
 regarded by his neighbors as their father and adviser. If they were in 
 difficulty or doubt, they came to him for counsel and assistance, and both 
 were freely offered. So great was their confidence in bis integrity and judg- 
 ment that he was generally the chosen umpire in cases of controversies 
 between his fellow-citizens. He was, in fine, in the true and enlarged sense 
 of the word, a useful man. His life, indeed, as has been justly remarked of 
 him, affords an encouraging example of the truth that respectable talents 
 united with integrity and industry will raise a man to honor and usefulness. 
 
 He was, too, a kind-hearted and liberal man, and in this connection a 
 pleasant fact was recently told of him b}' a son of Elder Read, at one time 
 pastor of the Baptist church at North Attleborough : '-Mr. Daggett was 
 an intimate friend of my father's, and with his wife frequently visited him. 
 He never went away without leaving some money, generally three dollars, 
 and placed quietly under a book." Such was the manner of Mr. Daggett's 
 giving — in that true spirit of charity which possesses only the desire to help 
 those in need, not "to be seen of men," and shows a just and thoughtful 
 consideration for the feelings of those assisted. 
 
 The following remarks on the character of the deceased are extracted from 
 a funeral discourse delivered at Attleborough, April 22, 1832, by Rev. Mr. 
 Ferguson : — 
 
 " Where is that venerated husband and father, that highly esteemed and 
 useful citizen, who scarce four months ago, stood bending under the bereave- 
 ment of Providence, an unexpected, yet quiet and submissive mourner i in 
 the house of the Lord. Alas ! he has gone down to tlie grave unto his son, 
 mourning. The last opportunity which I enjoyed of conversing with our 
 
 ' For the sudden aud violent death of a beloved son. 
 
496 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 departed friend, was on the eve of his leaving home to attend to his official 
 duties in the Legislature, as a member of the Senate. I mention this circum- 
 stance, because it was then abundantly evident, that those official honors, 
 which are generallv sought as the rewards of successful competition, may 
 come to be regarded as a burden rather than an honorable distinction. Dur- 
 ing our conversation he lamented, that official duties obliged him at such a 
 time to leave home, and to mingle in scenes so foreign to the state of his mind. 
 He regretted that the choice of the people had not fallen upon some other 
 candidate, and remarked, that such scenes were better adapted to gratify those 
 who were young and aspiring, than the aged and afflicted. It is known to you 
 all, that from that tour of duty, he never returned. To an observer it must 
 have been evident, that to commune with his own heart — to mingle his sym- 
 pathies with those of his family, and to prepare himself for his own great 
 change, would have been more congenial to his mind, than the halls of legis- 
 lation, and the investigation of our political relations. In his case, moreover, 
 political employments had long ceased to be a novelty. He was emphatically 
 a public man. Twenty years of his life had been occupied in superintending 
 the interests of the town. Twice he was elected to the Senate ; — and perhaps 
 no man among us has been more called upon to administer upon the estates 
 of the deceased and to act as the guardian of the orphan. The general char- 
 acter which he sustained through life was that of uniformity, uprightness, and 
 moderation. In the hottest strife of parties, although a public and a decided 
 man, he never could be regarded as a partisan. He had l)een an actor, and 
 in some respects a public character from the time of the Revolution ; but 
 througii all the changes of the eventful times in which he lived, he continued 
 to the last to stand forth before his fellow-citizens, in the character of an 
 honest, upright, and consistent man. 
 
 " His last sickness commenced on the twenty-third of February. He had, 
 the day before, in apparent health, attended the centennial celebration of the 
 birth of Washington, and walked in procession with the othei' members of the 
 Senate ; but all be^'ond was his dying sickness. Early on the succeeding 
 morning, he was violently attacked with a fever, which terminated in death on 
 the fourth of March. 
 
 "• I have felt it my duty, in view of his pu]>lic character, to enter into 
 details which, in other circumstances, might have been inexpedient. In the 
 relations of life ; in his intercourse between man and man ; in the main- 
 tenance of a character for uniformitv, uprightness, and self-possession, his 
 works praise him, and he is with us for an example. In all that is beyond, it 
 is ours to consign him to his grave, and to his God. Happy would it be for 
 our community, were our party divisions always controlled by men of equal 
 mildness and moderation, — happ\^ would it be for our community, did all (^ur 
 public men manifest an equal regard for the maintenance of order, morals, 
 and religion." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 497 
 
 Mr. Daggett married, September o, 1797, Sally Maxcy, of this town. They 
 had twelve children, eight of whom lived to maturity : Lydia Maxcy, born 
 October 16, 1802, married Capron Peck, of this town, and died February 2, 
 1882 ; John, the writer of this book; P^benezer, born May 14, 1807, and lost 
 as his ship was coming into Boston Harbor in 1831 ; Harvey Maxcy, born 
 June 10, 1809, and died September 28, 188G ; Amy Ide, born November 24, 
 1811, married John McClellan, of Sutton, this State, and now resides in 
 Worcester; Marcy Shepard, married Erastus D. Everett, of Boston, and 
 died November 23, 1843, aged twenty-nine years and ten mouths ; and 
 Handel Naphtali and Homer Micajah, twins, born January 27, 1821. 
 
 Rev. Jacob Ide. d.d., was a descendant of Nicholas Ide, — the immigrant 
 ancestor, — who came to this country previous to 1645 and settled in Rehoboth 
 as early as April 9 of that year. His son, Lieutenant Nicholas Ide, came to 
 this town about 1696, with seven children, of whom one was named Jacob. 
 The subject of this sketch was the fifth of the same name in direct descent. He 
 was born March 29, 178,3, in the south part of the town, the "• Read and Ide 
 neighorhood." His mother was a daughter of Elijah Kent, of Rehoboth, a 
 descendant of one of the earl}' settlers of that ancient town. His father was 
 a farmer, as his ancestors had been ever since their coming to this country. 
 He himself worked on his father's farm till he entered college. At an early 
 age he became anxious to obtain a liberal education in order to qualify him- 
 self for the ministry. His father did not encourage him much in his desire, 
 for, limited by the necessity for rigid economy, he had not the means to fur- 
 nish his son with many facilities for preparing himself for college. The boy 
 therefore resorted to many self-denials and laborious means to acquire the 
 necessary preparation. He improved every opportunity to study at home, 
 employing every spare hour, every leisure moment he could gain from the 
 farm labors, and in that way did much toward fitting himself for entering the 
 university. He says himself he "rose up early in the morning, and sat up 
 late at night," to gain time for study. He traveled three or four times a week 
 to the residence of Rev. Nathan Holman — a distance of about four miles 
 from his home — for instruction in the languages, following this course for a 
 year, and this was his only outside means of preparation. That he could 
 endure such a mental and physical strain in addition to his daily work proves 
 the truth of the statement that "• he had an exceptionally good constitution, 
 and was a model of strength and vigor." 
 
 At this time he was the athlete of his neighborhood and various incidents 
 have been related by himself and others regarding his strength and skill. It 
 is said his father had at one time an exceedingly wild and vicious colt, whom 
 no one could manage. Young Ide quietly took the matter in hand, mounted 
 the colt, who at once began kicking, rearing, and plunging in mad attempts to 
 throw the fearless rider, who, however, stoutly maintained his seat until the 
 animal, "wearied and discouraged with his unavailing efforts, succumbed," 
 
498 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 completely subdued. Tradition further says that upon one occasion, when the 
 sudden illness of his father required a physician to be speedily summoned, 
 Jacob mounted this same steed and, "instead of following the circuitous 
 course of the road, took to the fields," and leaped the fences, drawing a " bee 
 line " to the doctor's door. This determination to ride over, not to go around, 
 difficulties was the keyuote of his success in whatever he undertook and 
 enabled him to overcome obstacles in his early career which would have 
 utterly discouraged a boy of less resolute character than himself. The anxie- 
 ties and struggles over " ways and means " were not in his case so great dis- 
 advantages as they might have been to many others. He studied thoroughly 
 his tasks, he aimed to be accurate in everything he studied, his mind was 
 clear and vigorous, and he was persevering and devoted to the duties of the 
 moment. Hence he became in after life a close student and a deep thinker. 
 
 He entered Brown University in 1805, at the age of twenty, graduating in 
 1809, with the highest honors of his class. He studied theology for a time 
 witli his future father-in-law, Dr. Nathaniel Enunous, and then entered the 
 theological school at Andover, where he graduated 1812. He preached for 
 a time at East Abingtou, Mass., and at York, Maine, and then at Ports- 
 mouth, N. H. Here, though discouraged over himself and distrusting his 
 own abilities as a preacher, he attracted the favorable notice of Daniel 
 Webster, who heard him several times, and who, it is said, '' used sometimes 
 to rise and stand during the sermon, keeping his large eyes fixed upon tlie 
 preacher." 
 
 From Portsmouth Mr. Ide came to Boston and was assistant for Dr. 
 Griffin for a few weeks. About this time his health failed and he was 
 obliged to cease all labor, and there was considerable uncertainty as to 
 whether he would ever again be able to preach. In two years' time, however, 
 he was so far recovered that he accepted a call from the church and society 
 in West Medway, this State. He was ordained and installed there November 
 2, 1814, and this became his first and last pastorate. For fifty-one years he 
 discharged all the duties of pastor, but in 1865 he was relieved of ministerial 
 responsibility, though continuing senior pastor until his death. 
 
 In 1815 he married Mary, youngest daughter of Dr. Emmons, of Frank- 
 lin, who survived him. She was a woman whose different temperament was 
 a most happy complement to his character, and a continued source of inspi- 
 ration to him. "Their home was a fountain of Christian charities, and a 
 place of large and generous hospitalities." For more than sixty years they 
 lived and worked together. They had eleven childien, nine of whom died 
 before the father's decease. Two sons survived him. Of these Jacob, Jr., 
 a graduate of Amherst College, is now, as he has been for many years, the 
 genial, popular, and acceptable pastor of the Congregational church at 
 Mansfield Centre. All who in any way come under his influence must agree 
 that a generous portion of his father's mantle has fallen upon him. The 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 499 
 
 second son, Alexis W., also entered the nniversity, and at one time had a 
 pastorate at Stafford Springs, Conn., but for a number of years previous to 
 his father's death he refused all offers of settlement, that he might devote 
 himself to tlie care of his parents in tlieii- old age. The daughter who 
 reached matuiity, ]Mary, became the wife of Rev. Charles T. Torrey, of 
 Scituate. For assisting fugitive slaves he was incarcerated in a Maryland 
 prison, where he died May 9, 1840, aged only thirty-three. Mrs. Torrey died 
 a number of years since. 
 
 In 1827 his college bestowed upon Mr. Ide the honorary degree of S.T.D. 
 He was eminent both for his knowledge and liis faculty of imparting it, and 
 he w'as repeatedly urged to accept the professorship of tlieology in the Ban- 
 gor Seminary. Such a position would have been congenial to him and he 
 would have filled it well, but he was bound to his people by the most affec- 
 tionate ties, and he chose to live and labor and die among them. From the 
 commencement of his ministry almost his life was a constant struggle with 
 ill health, yet by care and regular habits he prolonged his life through nearly 
 a century — the first century of his country's independence. His counte- 
 nance indicated feel)le health, but by his uniformity of life he was enabled 
 to accomplish an amount of labor which seems incredible. During his long 
 pastorate he spoke to his people " five thousand messages of life," and stood 
 eight hundred times by " the open grave," and his wise words of counsel and 
 consolation were always theirs at need. He served thirty years on the 
 school committee, and was among the most public-spirited citizens of his 
 community. 
 
 He was a leader in all moral reforms ; an earnest and consistent advocate 
 of total abstinence years before the temperance reform was launched. An 
 incident related of him at the time of his graduation from college shows that 
 the spirit of temperance moved within him actively and practically at an 
 early age. The custom then prevailed for valedictorians to supply liquors 
 for the class suppers. Mr. Ide courteously declined to follow this fashion, 
 but offered a fitting equivalent. Some of the class took offence and when 
 the valedictory address was to be given would not rise. "The valedictorian 
 was ready for the emergency. Standing a little more erect, he quietly sur- 
 veyed them and said : ' A wise man sometimes gets angry ; but auger resteth 
 only in the bosom of fools.' " Mr. Ide was, too, a pioneer in the temperance 
 cause, and lived to rejoice over some of its greatest triumphs. He was a 
 trustee of Amherst College for over twenty-five years, and for several years 
 editor of Tlie Christian. Magazine. His published discourses were numerous : 
 ordination and funeral sermons, and occasional sermons and addresses, more 
 than forty in number. He also edited and published, in seven octavo volumes, 
 the writings of Dr. Emmons, including a memoir of the great man's life by 
 himself, and in this " did great and lasting service to the science of theology 
 in interpreting that princely theologian." He lived a very studious life, fill- 
 ing his whole career with constant labor even to its latest period. 
 
500 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Dr. Tele, like many clergymen before seminaries were uiimerous, received 
 students of theology into his family. ^ He thus prepared over forty young 
 men for tlie ministry, and he established an unusual reputation as an 
 instructor. He owned a farm which he carried on in connection with liis 
 ministerial duties. It is related that during a certain haying season two 
 students, farmers' boys, " proposed to go out and show the men how to mow." 
 Dr. Ide accompanied them and presently took up a scythe and "■ struck in " 
 after them. They soon found him getting " uncomfortably near," and weie 
 obliged to acknowledge that he was as well qualified to give them lessons in 
 mowing as in theology. An instance has been told of a jealous neighbor 
 of his youthful days in this town who hired young Ide to help him mow a 
 meadow, ungenerously withholding the fact that he intended a trial of skill 
 between them. The unsuspecting youth mowed on hour after hour, but, 
 when the real state of affairs became manifest, instead of being "tired out," 
 as was hoped, he "increased the number and vigor of his strokes," to the 
 speedy discomfiture of his employer, who confessed his purpose and allowed 
 himself fairly beaten. These anecdotes show that the " child was the father 
 of the man," for in after years no amount of physical debility could quell 
 Dr. Ide's ever-youthful, undaunted spirit, or quench the undying flame of 
 fresh enthusiasm within him. 
 
 In November, 1864, the tiftietli anniversary of his settlement was cele- 
 brated, on which occasion he delivered tiie historical address, furnishing 
 many experiences of his pastorate. There was a large attendance of clergv- 
 men from near and far who detailed the services of the aged pastor, and 
 bestowed upon him the honors he had so justly won by the faithful labors of 
 a half-century. Several original poems were prepared for the occasion ; 
 one of some length by Hon. Charles Thurber and another by Rev. William 
 M. Thayer, who was well known to many of our townspeople. There was 
 a great gathering of people and Dr. Ide was the recipient of many tributes 
 of respect and veneration from his numerous and distinguished friends. In 
 this age of change, when the action of the churches constrains us to bestow 
 the name applied to our Pilgrim fathers upon our own clergymen, who have 
 indeed become pilgrims upon the earth, traveling from place to place, it is 
 pleasant and profitable to contemplate such a pastorate as this — a lifelouo- 
 and an ideal one. 
 
 Rev. John W. Harding, of Longmeadow, in his discourse at the funeral 
 of Dr. Ide says: " As a preacher, Dr. Ide was earnest, clear, instructive. 
 
 'In the next parish was settled Rev. David Sanford, .Jr., son of its first pastor, and a student under 
 Dr. Ide's tutelage. He was a member of Brown University, near whom it was my fortune while in 
 college to room, ami with whom I was on terms of great intimacy. In looking back over tlie loug in- 
 terval of years from that period to this day I cannot but drop a tear of friendship over the grave of 
 one of the most amiable, sincere, and benevolent men I ever met. If ever there was a disinterested 
 love for fellow-man, it lived in the bosom of David Sanford. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGII. 501 
 
 Without the peculiar l)rilliaucy of descriptive or imaginative power, or force- 
 ful sway of a magnetic oratory, he had a simple, manly way of handlino- 
 vital truths and grappling with practical issues, that interested his hearers, 
 aroused their moral sense, impelled them to decision, and helped them 
 towards holy living. He w^as deliberate and impressive without the acces- 
 sories of rhetoric ; a strong and judicious preacher." As a man he was 
 thoroughly genuine, honest, manly. He was gentle, yet strong ; full of merri- 
 ment, but truly sympathetic ; a wise counselor ; " a son of consolation " ; cau- 
 tious, 3'et bold. '*He never attempted to cross a bridge before he came to 
 it, and he never went around an emergency. It was one of his maxims that 
 a man can say anything that ought to be said, ' if he says it right.' Another 
 was : ' You can do what you have a mind to, if you won't say anvthino- 
 about it.'" He was a man of remarkable prudence and self-control. It was 
 characteristic of a man whose persistent purpose was to subjugate himself to 
 say as he did after he had passed his eightieth year, " I have got the 
 hardest job on hand I have ever had to do : I have got to take care of an old 
 tnan." 
 
 In the course of some remarks made at the fiftieth anniversary celebi'ation. 
 Dr. Parks, ^ of Andover, in a few^ suggestive lines, presented a condensed, 
 but completed picture of Dr. Ide's life. In this he said: "Thus does the 
 influence of a good man diffuse itself through the community, and a faithful 
 preacher, even if he be an invalid, is a city set upon a hill which cannot be 
 concealed. Dr. Ide has been an invalid through his entire ministerial life ; 
 but by his example in his parish, by his judicious and thoughtful sermons, 
 by the essays and discourses which he has published, by the volumes which 
 he has edited, by the young men whom he has educated for the ministry, he 
 has exerted an influence which has been felt, and will continue to be felt, in 
 distant parts of our own land, and on the other side of the sea." 
 
 Dr. Ide died January 5, 1880, aged ninety-four years, nine months, and 
 six days. His funeral was attended by a numerous assembly of clergymen, 
 who united in rendering fitting tributes of respect to the venerable, excellent 
 man and minister. With solemn and impressive ceremonies, Ijorne by 
 friendly hands and followed by a community of mourners, this good man 
 was laid away to his rest, among the people he so tenderly loved, wnth whom 
 and for whom he had labored so long and so faithfully, even through the 
 years of two generations of men. 
 
 EzEKiEL CtIlman Robinson, D.D., LL.D., the SOU of Ezekicl and Cynthia 
 (Slack) Robinson, was born in this town March 20, 1815. He was " a lineal 
 descendant of George Robinson, one of the original purchasers from the 
 Indians of the town of Rehoboth," and one of the proprietors of the Reho- 
 both North Purchase. Previous to 1730 six of the name, descendants of 
 
 1 A college classmate of the author, and a man who was always greatly admired by him. —Editor. 
 
502 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 George, of Rehoboth, had settled in this town. Other members of Dr. Robin- 
 sou's family have been eminent. " Several members of his grandmother's 
 family were prominent physicians. His uncle, Dr. Samuel Robinson (men- 
 tioned elsewhere) , was one of the earliest mineralogists of this country. His 
 sister, Ruth S. Robinson (several years his senior and now 88 years old), 
 who survives him, is a highly accomplished wom^u. and was for many years 
 Principal of Townseud Female Seminary in Massachusetts, and afterwards, 
 until the breaking out of the Rebellion, Principal of the Female Seminary at 
 Norfolk, Va." She still occupies the homestead estate of upwards of one 
 hundred acres, in the extreme southwestern part of the town. The old 
 family mansion was burned down in 1819, and immediately replaced by the 
 pi'esent house. Many important and no doubt most interesting family papers 
 were, it is said, consumed in that fire. 
 
 "In his boyhood Dr. Robinson enjoyed the ordinary advantages for educa- 
 tion then open to him and early gave evidence of a superior mind. From 
 the common school he went to Day's xVcademy in Wreutham, Mass., then to 
 the academy at Pawtucket, and finally to the Institution at New Hampton, 
 New Hampshire, where he was prepared for college." He entered Brow^n 
 University in 1834, and was graduated with honor in 1838. Having chosen 
 the ministry as his profession, he entered the theological seminary of his 
 denomination at Newton, this State, where he graduated in 1842. During 
 that same year he accepted a call to a church in Norfolk, Va., and 
 remained there until 1845 ; during the years 1843 and 1844 holding also the 
 position of Chaplain of the University of Virginia. In 1845 he returned to 
 Massachusetts and became the pastor of a church in Cambridge. He 
 remained there but a year, and then removed to Covington, Ky., where 
 he held the position of Professor of Hebrew in the theological seminary in 
 that place. He discharged the duties of this position " with fidelity and 
 zeal" until his resignation, which occurred in 1848. From 1849 until 1852 
 he was pastor of the Ninth Street Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. "In 
 this pastorate he was faithful and successful, and left behind him an abiding 
 influence." 
 
 In 1852 he became Professor of Theology^ in Rochester Theological Semi- 
 uarv, and "during the first year of his professorship in Rochester he deliv- 
 ered in the First Baptist Church a series of discourses on modei'u skepticism, 
 which attracted large congregations." In 1853 the honorary degree of Doc- 
 tor of Divinity was bestowed upon him by his alma mater, and in 1872 that 
 of Doctor of Laws. The latter he also received from Harvard University 
 upon the occasion of the celebration of its two hundred and fiftieth anniver- 
 sary in 1886. He retained his theological professorship for eight years, and 
 then, in 1860, was elected president of the seminary. This was a position 
 which he was in every way most admirably adapted to fill, because of his 
 unusual talents and attainments, and his previous experiences in other insti- 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 503 
 
 tutions of learuiug. He filled it " with distinguished ability and success," 
 and his term of office as head of the seminary, which extended over a period 
 of twelve years, was one of marked prosperity. It was with exceeding 
 regret that his resignation of the presidency was accepted by those in charge 
 of the otficial interests of that institution. 
 
 " Upon the resignation of Dr. Sears in 1867 as President of Brown Uni- 
 versity, Dr. Robinson was earnestly solicited to become his successor," but 
 unsuccessfully. In 1872, because of the resignation of Dr. Caswell, it 
 again became necessary to elect a president over that University, and the 
 Corporation, recognizing Dr. Robinson's great abilities, not only in his pecul- 
 iar department of learning, but in other and wider ranges, fixed upon him a 
 second time as their choice. This time their solicitations met with success, 
 and he accepted the Presidency, and became also Professor of Moral Phi- 
 losophy and Metaph3'sics. There was not in the entire Baptist denomination 
 a clergyn:ian better fitted for such a high office, for to the intellectual and moral 
 attainments essential he added the dignity and noble physical presence so 
 desirable in all presidential officers, and of such special and peculiar impor- 
 tance in those at the head of institutions of learning, wdiere example 
 must join hands with precept, in order to accomplish the highest degree of 
 development possible, in not only the minds and characters, but the manners 
 of those who enter onr great schools to lie prepared for many of the most 
 elevated stations of life. 
 
 " The announcement of his election called forth from various quarters the 
 highest encomiums of his personal character and of his rare qualifications for 
 an office that had been filled successfully by Manning, Maxcy, Messer, Way- 
 land, Sears, and Caswell. Previous to the election to the Presidency Dr. 
 Robinson visited Europe, accompanied by his family, and spent a year travel- 
 ing and pursuing special studies." 
 
 •'He was most cordially welcomed at the University, and the commence- 
 ment of his official duties was marked by enthusiasm. In his opening 
 address before the members of the corporation, faculty, and students, he 
 struck the keynote of his coming administration. ' The duties of this office 
 now assumed impose grave responsibilities, but they are duties not lightl}' 
 assumed. They are not fully unknown or untried. They are entered upon 
 with reliance on that Providence which shapes institutions and men alike. It 
 is not forgotten that great, and good, and devout men have stood in this place. 
 May the same spirit rule in this institution which has so deeply impressed 
 itself on its affairs and made the university what it now is. We shall ever 
 bear in mind that the aim of the college should be the development and 
 improvement of the whole man, including his ph3'sical, intellectual, and 
 moral nature.' " 
 
 The records of the college, during the seventeen years while he remained 
 its head, prove the choice which fell upon him to have been a most fortunate 
 
501 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 one for its interests. Wliile president " he lectured at the Audover Theo- 
 logical Seminary for a time, after the retirement of President and Professor 
 ]E. A. Park, d.d. (B. U., 1826), and there again made his impression as a 
 teacher of theology. He lectured on 'Preaching' before Yale University. 
 " In 1-S77 he was elected President of the American Baptist Missionary Union. 
 This distinguished honor he received for tiiree successive years, when he 
 ■declined a further election. In 18H0 he was made an honorary member of 
 the Rhode Island Baptist Social Union, being the first and onl}^ one ever 
 elected to this honor." 
 
 Dr. Robinson resigne<l his presidency in 188'.),i ^^j^fi f,jj. several \'ears 
 preached and lectured in various parts of the country, having meanwhile 
 temporary residences in Boston, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. He also 
 delivered an annual course of lectures in the Crozer Theological Seminary. 
 At its opening he became Professor of Ethics and Apologetics at the Chicago 
 University, "ranking as senior professor" and lecturing ''during two 
 quarters of the year." He had completed his work for the first quarter of 
 the present year about Easter time, and expected to return to his duties in 
 the autumn should his health allow. His health began to fail some time 
 since and for some mouths his disease was known to be mortal, but the end 
 came more speedily thau was anticipated. He at last failed rapidly and 
 went to the Boston City Hospital f(n- treatment, where he died June 13, 1894, 
 " aged 79 years, 2 months and 21 days." His funeral services were held in 
 the First Baptist Church at Rochester, N. Y., conducted by President Taylor 
 of Vassar College and President Harper of the University of Chicago ; and 
 he was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in that city in the family lot which 
 contains the graves of several of his children. February 21, 18-14, he mar- 
 ried Harriet Richards Parker, ''daughter of Charles and Catherine Packard 
 Richards, and niece and adopted daughter of Deacon Caleb Parker, formerly 
 of Roxbury, Mass." Their two daughters are deceased. ]Mrs. Robinson 
 survives with a son. Dr. Gilman P. Robinson (Harvard, 189:3), of Reading, 
 this State. 
 
 " He published less than some people might expect from his great learning, 
 his originality as a thinker, and his unusual power of expression. He appar- 
 ently was not overfond of the pen. His sermons usually were unwritten. 
 He wrote heads only, as a rule, for his lectures. Still, he contributed articles 
 on theological and educational su))jects for some of the leading quarterly 
 reviews," and the various discourses, addresses, review articles, etc., which he 
 did publish show the range of his scholarly abilities and acquirements. For 
 five years — from 18.59 to 1864 — he was editor of the Christuin Eevieiv, and 
 in the latter year he published a careful revision of Ryland's translation of 
 
 ' His successor is Rev. E. B. Anilrews, D.D., ll.d., formerly a professor at Brown University, but 
 at the time of liis election a professor at Cornell University. There are at the present lime several 
 young men and women from this town pursuing their studies at Brown. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 505 
 
 Neander's Planting and Training of the Christian Church. In 1866 lie 
 published bis worlv entitled The Relation of the Church to the Bible, and in 
 1883 his Lectures on. Preaching, which were delivered in New Haven the 
 previous year to the theological students of Yale University. In 1887 he 
 published a worlv called The Principles and Practice of Morality. He had 
 recentl}' " prepared for publication a work on the Evidences of Christianitu, 
 and had done much writing of an autobiographical nature " for a biography 
 being prepared by Professor Elias H. Johnson of the Crozer Theological 
 Institute. 
 
 To his great intellectual gifts and his varied and profound acquirements in 
 the realms of learning Dr. Robinson added the accomplishments of an elo- 
 quent and finished orator. Tall and of imposing presence, his appearance 
 alone exerted a magnetic influence upon his audiences and this was intensi- 
 fied by his speech. He generally spoke directly to his hearers with no written 
 words between himself and them, and his thoughts, couched as they always 
 were in choice yet simple language, commanded earnest attention ; and 
 presented through the medium of a clear, musical, and highly cultivated 
 voice, with a beauty and a grace peculiarly his own, they fixed themselves 
 upon the minds and memories of all the listeners within its extensive range. 
 He charmed and interested every one, whether young or old, ignorant or 
 learned. Once heard as a public speaker he could not easily be forgotten, 
 and the pleasure and profit of his discourses will long be remembered and 
 gratefully recalled by those who were fortunate enough to have listened 
 to them. 
 
 In the necrology of Brown University for 1893-94 were found several of 
 the above-given quotations relating to Dr. Robinson. We copy the following 
 interesting paragraph in full: '•'During his administration the University 
 made substantial progress. New professorships were created, the means of 
 instruction were enlarged, the elective courses of study were increased, the 
 number of students grew, the University funds were augmented. New 
 buildings were erected, namely, the John Carter Brown Library building. 
 Slater Hall and Sayles Memorial Hall. An addition was made to Rhode 
 Island Hall. Wilson Hall was begun. The Ladd Observatory w^as promised. 
 The Jenks Museum was fully established (though more recently named from 
 its director and benefactor, Dr. Robinson's classmate. Prof. J. W. P. Jenks), 
 and the Museum of Classical Archaeology was founded. Old University Hall 
 was thoroughlv renovated, in fact, built anew" inside the old walls. Besides 
 his regular services in the University and his baccalaureate sermons, which 
 were pronounced before immense congregations, he delivered a series of 
 lectures in Manning Hall on the history of intellectual philosophy and meta- 
 physical science. He preached in the various pulpits of Providence and 
 vicinity with singular acceptance, and on great and special occasions his 
 services were solicited both far and near. He was easilv one of the most 
 
506 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 impressive personages in Providence while he resided there. His tall form, 
 his strong, positive intellectnal face, under its crown of snowy hair, at once 
 declared him to be a person of distinction. When he spoke he had unusual 
 powers of language. His great scholarship revealed itself, and his own 
 strong and original thought stimulated others to think. His speech was 
 incisive, his criticism keen and unsparing. Yet, when he spoke from the 
 depths of his own convictions, when his tenderer feelings were stirred, when 
 he pleaded the cause of divine love, no one could excel him in truly pathetic 
 eloquence. He was a great pulpit orator. As a teacher, he taught his pupils 
 to think, to go deeply down into the heart of things, to despise shams, to 
 aspire for perfection. Although the student in his class may often have felt 
 the keenness of his criticism, yet no otHcer more frequently was really patient 
 w^ith students when general discipline was concerned, or more ready to con- 
 done offences. He had a kind heart under the exterior that often may have 
 seemed unsympathetic or reserved. The irritations of the annoying daily 
 cares of a college President often fretted him and gave him a more imperious 
 and forbidding exterior than really corresponded to the nature within. Pos- 
 sibly it may l)e found, when his life work is fully reviewed, that the happiest 
 and most fortunate period of his life was that spent in Rochester. The 
 influence which he has had on the Baptist pulpit, on the theologians of the 
 Baptist Church, on the thought of the whole of that religious body in this 
 country is simply incalculable. The college and seminary Presidents and 
 professors, the pastors whom he trained as a teacher of theology, are potent 
 disseminators of this influence to-day." 
 
 We may justly be proud of the fact that Dr. Robinson was a native of 
 Attleborough ; proud that once again one of her sons held worthily the 
 prominent, influential, and responsible position of President of one of the 
 most venerable and well-known among our New England collegiate institu- 
 tions of learning. We should be deeply grateful that our town has had the 
 honor of giving birth to a man of such true greatness and nobility of char- 
 acter, a man from whose life, living or dead, has emanated and w^ill continue 
 to emanate for generations to come potent and far-reaching influences for the 
 highest good of mankind. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGB. 507 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, CONTINUED. 
 
 ISAAC ALGP^R, the subject of this sketch, is of the seventh generation, 
 including the first settler of the name iu this countiT. Thomas Alger, 
 the direct ancestor, came here as early as 1665, being at that time iu Taun- 
 ton. Later he removed to Bridgewater, where it is supposed he died. Israel, 
 his son, became a farmer in that town, and " a man of influence and wealth 
 for those days." His wife was Patience Hayward, of a prominent family in 
 Bridgewater. They had five sons. Joseph, the second son, was also a 
 farmer in that place. He married Mary Ames, and they had eight children. 
 The youngest of these, Edmund, became a farmer in West Bridgewater, and 
 lived to quite an advanced age. He had five children. Isaac, the second 
 son and child, was born in Bridgewater in 1764. He married Susanna John- 
 son in 1788, and settled in Attleborough between 1800 and 1810, on the farm 
 now occupied by his grandson of the same name. He died in 1842, leaving 
 four children. Willard J., the third child and only son, became the occupant 
 of the farm. April 12, 1828, he married Lois Brown, of Foxborough, and 
 he died September 26, 1855. Mrs. Alger is still living with her son. The}' 
 had five sons, of whom Isaac was the eldest. He received only a short com- 
 mon school education, as at the age of fourteen he was obliged to leave 
 school, and at eighteen he took charge of the farm. January 7, 1857, be 
 married Susan Matthewson. They have three children, Susan W.,^ Isaac, 
 and John W., all residing in town. 
 
 A portion of the land comprised in the present Alger farm has been in the 
 family three quarters of a century. The original farm was purchased of 
 Noah Tiffany by the first of the name in town. Its hundred acres were then 
 chiefly woodland. The first Isaac Alger only attempted to get a living in 
 a moderate way from this land, and he willed it to his grandson, giving his 
 son nothing of it but a life interest. He, Willard J., allowed it to run down 
 in every way, so when the present occupant came into possession he found 
 himself the owner of a hundred acres of " positively bare land," which was 
 withal lieavih' mortgaged. With this legacy, iu reality some hundreds of 
 dollars "• worse than nothing," Mr. Alger began life for himself. He seemed 
 to inherit the farming abilities of his earlier ancestors, and by energ3% indus- 
 try, and perseverance he has made his farm one of the best in town and 
 
 1 Slie married Mr. Eugene Pearce, formerly a resident liere for some years. They now live iu 
 Chicago, III. 
 
508 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 himself a well-to-do man financiallj^ He has now some three hundred acres 
 of laud, a small portion of which yields fifty tons of hay annually. There 
 are thirty or forty acres of pasture, about forty in cultivation, aliout ten of 
 cultivated cranberry land, about the same amount of natural cranberry 
 meadow, but a large proportion of the whole is woodland. The buildinos 
 are a roomy dwelling-house, a large barn, a cranberry house, and five or 
 more houses for rental. Mr. Alger's sons have their share of the work of 
 the farm to attend to, and men besides are employed, with, in the busy sea- 
 sons the necessary ''extra help." Horses and oxen both are used, and a 
 number of cows are kept upon the place. The dairy is under Mrs. Alger's 
 supervision, who supplies several families with butter, and whatever milk 
 there may be finds a ready market because of its excellent quality. 
 
 Mr. Alger's special crop and largest source of income, is cranberries. He 
 turned his attention to this crop many years ago, believing it could be made 
 to pay well. He began in a small way at first, as his means were limited, 
 and made only a small piece of land. (Tlie process of " making " is a simple 
 one. It consists only in removing the turf and filling in five or six inches 
 of gravel, into which plants are set. Some years of waiting for profits may 
 follow, because the crop is a precarious one, but when a good one is reaped 
 the reward is abundant. When land is once well made it requires but little 
 labor or attention to keep it in good condition, an occasional coating of sand, 
 and to be kept clear of grass and weeds being all that is necessary.) He 
 has made ten acres of this laud, and the first made was as good at the end 
 of the twentieth as at the end of the first year. He raises several varieties 
 of this fruit, the "Bell," the "Bugle," and the "Cherry" being among 
 them, the latter the most salable. He originated a variety which he named 
 the " Black Pond Seedling," and which he deems superior to the others. 
 
 These berries are all picked by hand and taken to the dry-house, where 
 they remain until they have a uniform color, being then ready for the market. 
 Great care is taken in grading them when they are being prepared for ship- 
 ment, as they are marked and sold by grade. During many years Mr. Alger 
 has employed as many as a hundred pickers, and his crop has for some years 
 averaged two thousand bushels. Pickers are paid fifty cents a bushel, and 
 earn from one to three dollars a day, "according to their activity." One of 
 them at one time " picked five pecks of clear berries in fifty-seven minutes 
 by the watch." The largest market has been Chicago, but shipments have 
 also been made to New York and Philadelphia. These shipments are made 
 for cash on the cars here in town, and the raiser has nothing further to do 
 with the berries. 
 
 Mr. Alger from barren wasted land has brought out a fine and fertile 
 farm. He has thoroughly tested his occupation here in New England, where 
 it has been said the land raises nothing but stones, and he emphatically 
 declares, and has as decidedly proved, that it paj's, and has " just as good 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 509 
 
 a profit as any other business with the same amount of capital and labor 
 expended." He says also : '' There is not a crop you can put into the ground 
 but will pay a handsome profit, rightly managed, especially in Attleborough. 
 Attleborough is the best market in the United States." Many may deny this 
 statement as a whole, but most concede that it may be true of small farming, 
 for the town market for early and late fruits and vegetables is yearly increas- 
 ino-, and there are large cities at hand on both sides to which access is com- 
 plete. Mr. Alger has clearly demonstrated the fact that in "sterile New 
 England " a farmer can not only make an excellent living, but even amass 
 a competence from the products of the soil. 
 
 HARDEN. 
 
 The first of this name in town was one Thomas Barden, who in 1757 was 
 living on the place now occupied by Charles E. Carpenter. His second 
 son, named Thomas, was born in town February 24, 1765. He had a son, 
 also named Thomas, who was born May 3, 1788. This Thomas settled in 
 Wrentham. He married Rachel Smith and had seven children, three of whom 
 are still living. Of these John Smith Barden was born in Cumberland, R. I., 
 in 1813, and became a machinist by trade. He assisted in building the first 
 eight-wheel car that ran over the Boston and Providence Railroad. Since 
 1834 he has lived more or less in North Attleborough. Joseph Grant Barden 
 was born in Wrentham in 1825 and came to North Attleborough in 1857, 
 where he has since resided. He has five children, four sons and one daughter. 
 
 Thomas Alexander Barden was born in Wrentham, May 30, 1819. He 
 was educated at Perkins Academy, North Attleborough, and the Bridgewater 
 Normal School. He taught school during the winter of 1842-43, and in the 
 spring of the latter year commenced his business life as a manufacturer of 
 both domestic and foreign straw goods in Wrentham and Franklin, continu- 
 ing for five years. In the spring of 1848 he removed to North Attleborough 
 and became manager of the variety store of Ira Richards & Co. Two years 
 later, in 1850, he erected a store near the " old Hatch Tavern " and carried 
 on there a successful business in dry goods, boots, shoes, and clothing until 
 1872. Since that time he has been associated as a silent partner with his 
 two sons, Francis I. and Walter E. Barden, in the same trade, at the same 
 place, under the firm names of T. A. Barden & Co. and Barden Brothers 
 respectively. 
 
 Mr. Barden has frequently been chosen to fill places of public trust in 
 town — has held the office of selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor; 
 has been a member of the school committee and in other minor oflflces. In 
 1851 he was appointed a justice of the peace and has retained the office ever 
 since. He is a life member of the Bristol County Agricultural Society, was 
 a trustee of the Attleborough Farmers and Mechanics Association, and is 
 a director in the same society under a new name and organization — the 
 
510 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Attleborongh Agvicultural Association. He was educated a Democrat, but 
 while still 3'oung he " became inspired with a love for Liberty and Equality," 
 and entered actively into the " Liberty and Free Soil Movement," later 
 joining the Repul^lican party. In 1831 the first temperance association was 
 formed in North Attleborongh. Mr. Barden, then a schoolboy, joined that 
 organization and has ever since taken a lively interest in the temperance 
 movement and its work. Li 1840 he united with the Baptist Church. He 
 has held the office of treasurer, is now the clerk of the society of that 
 denomination in North Attleborongh, and during the many years of his 
 residence in that village has been a prominent member of his church and 
 society. 
 
 October 12, 1843, he married vSusan Emily,' daughter of Abijah and Rhoda 
 "White, of Wrenthaiu. They have had seven children, of whom four are 
 living, namely, Francis Irwin, Ella Irene,- Walter ICUiott, and Phnily Louise. 
 In 1872, when he retired from active business, he returned to the occupation 
 of his boyhood — farming. He has turned his attention especially to the 
 cultivation of fruit, and in this he has met with signal success and has 
 received many premiums from agricultural associations for his fine exhibits 
 in that line. Mr. Barden has identified himself thoroughly with the interests 
 of this his adopted town, and he holds a high place among her useful citizens. 
 
 Henry F. Barrows was born in South Attleborongh, July 22, 1828, the 
 son of Alfred and Louisa Barrows, both of this town. His education was 
 that provided by the common schools of the town and the North Attleborongh 
 High School. At the age of tw^elve he went to that village and since that 
 time, 1840, he has resided in that part of the town. Like most of our 
 business men he learned the trade of jewelry-making and was for a time in 
 the establishment of Ira Kichards & Co. — an establishment which might well 
 be termed the school of its day for that occupation. 
 
 In 1853 Mr. Barrows commenced business for himself at Attleborongh 
 Falls as a manufacturer of jewelry. In 1855 he associated with himself Mr. 
 James H. Sturdy, the firm name lieiug Barrows & Sturdy, and the following- 
 year they removed to North Attleborongh. In 1857 this partnership was 
 dissolved and a new firm established, the new name being H. F. Barrows 
 & Co. Mr. Barrows was thus the founder of one of the most prominent 
 jewelry firms in town. He has proved himself to be a man of enterprise, 
 good judgment, and special Ijusiness sagacity. He began business upon the 
 principle of meeting his obligations in full and with promptness. He has 
 continued to conduct his affairs by that rule and has reaped the reward such 
 a course merits and generally obtains, an abundant measure of honorable 
 and finamcial success, for his reputation is unquestionable and he stands at 
 the head of the list of rich men in town. 
 
 1 Mrs. Rardeii has since died. - Airs. G. Eugene Fislier. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 511 
 
 He is connected with various organizations here and elsewhere — organiza- 
 tions which involve both large moneyed and other important interests. His 
 long continuance in these positions proves his capacity' for the direction of 
 affairs, and that reliance can be and is placed upon his opinions and judg- 
 ment, both by the people of his own town and of other places. He is and 
 has been from the beginning the president of the Attleborough Branch Rail- 
 road. Of this enterprise which has l)een so fruitful of benefits to the town 
 he was the chief promoter and principal stockholder. Upon the organization 
 of the North Attleborough National Rank he was elected its president and 
 still retains the office. He has been a director in the North Attleborough 
 Gaslight Company for fifteen or twenty years, a director in the First 
 National Bank of Pawtucket since its organization in 1864, and is also a 
 director in the Providence Telephone Company. He has been for a number 
 of years a trustee of the First Universalist Society. He was one of the 
 leaders and promoters of the project for building a new church for this 
 society, and a very liberal supporter of the movement which resulted in the 
 present complete and beautiful edifice. 
 
 October 12, 1854, Mr. Barrows married Henrietta T. Richards, eldest 
 daughter of Ira and Fanny Draper Richards, of North Attleborough. They 
 have five children : Ira, who resides in New York; Henry F., .Jr., Fanny, 
 Louise, and Harriet, all residents of North Attleborough. 
 
 EzEKiEL Bates was born at Hanover, Mass., November 5, 1795. He was 
 the youngest of fifteen children, two of whom were still living, very 
 advanced in years, at the time of his death. AVhen fifteen years old he 
 was apprenticed to "Uncle Jacob" Capron, of this town, the father of 
 Sheriff Elijah Capron, to learn the trade of a house carpenter. He served 
 him until he was twenty-one and then started to make his own way in the 
 world in Boston. A few years later, while still working at his trade there, 
 Frederick Tudor sent him out to the West Indies with the first cargo of ice 
 that was ever shipped from New England. This was both his first and last 
 voyage. He returned from it in 182-2, and during that year was married to 
 Lois, the only daughter of Jesse Daggett, of this town. The ceremony was 
 performed by Hon. Ebenezer Daggett. Mr. and Mrs. Bates had three 
 children, who lived to maturity : Mary Ann, who married Lowell Wilmarth, 
 of this town, and Jesse D. and John T. Bates, both residing here. 
 
 From the time of his marriage until 1849 Mr. Bates resided in Boston, 
 where he was engaged in the business of a contractor and builder. In that 
 year he removed to this town, to the residence now occupied by his son 
 John.' For fourteen years he was a partner of Albert H. Kelsey, of Boston, 
 
 1 This is on the farm inherited by Mrs. Bates from her father anil stands a few rods south of the 
 old house, on the west side of the "New Boston road," the site of which is still marked by a large 
 elm tree and a well. 
 
512 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 and duriuii- tliat time "• be had tlie honoi- of building tbe first raih'oad 
 passenger depot ever erected in tbe United States, — for tbe Boston and 
 Worcester Raih'oad." He was one of the incorporators of the Mechanics 
 Mutual Fire Insurance Company of this State, well known as a strong, 
 reliable company, and he was activelj^ interested as a member of the Massa- 
 chusetts Charitable Fire Society. He took an active part in the revival of 
 the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanics Association — was one of tbe 
 earliest to make a move in that direction — and for thirtv years he had a 
 general supervision of the arrangements for the famous triennial fairs of this 
 society. A political organization called "Tbe Republican Association" 
 was formed in 1812 and Mr. Bates was one of its origiual members. During 
 his entire life he never once missed attending the annual meetings of this 
 society, which occurred on tbe fourth of March. Tbe association was formed 
 during bis apprenticeship here, when he was but a lad in years, — only seven- 
 teen, — and it shows that at a very early age he began to think upon tbe 
 public and political questions of the day, and having thought, he formed 
 opinions and adopted principles and was ready to act upon them decidedly 
 and promptly. The spirit of tbe " boys of '76 " lived on in tbe boys of 
 1812, and Mr. Bates, one of those " boj^s," served in tbe war of that date, 
 in Captain Elibu Daggett's company from this town. 
 
 He took great interest in tbe Masonic order and was for many years a 
 prominent member of it. He became a Mason in Boston, where on June 
 9, 1825, he joined St. Andrew's Lodge. In 1834 and 1835 he was master of 
 that lodge ; was for a long period one of its trustees, and at tbe time of bis 
 death, with one exception, was its oldest member. He was also a member 
 of St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, having advanced to the degree of that 
 name. His name was given to the lodge formed in East Attleborough " in 
 token of esteem for his qualities as a Mason." 
 
 One sa3's of him that when he started in the battle of life be was " strong 
 and robust, of good moials, a benevolent disposition, buoyant spirits, and 
 a refined sense of honor and justice," adding that these were •' characteristics 
 which have been tbe distinguishing traits of his life." During a long term 
 of years he was often placed in offices of trust, both in Boston and in this 
 town, " and his whole life was one of general usefulness and pbilan- 
 throp}'." Even advancing years did not exempt him from public duties 
 and he was as zealous at the end of his life as at its beginning in whatever 
 service was required of him. In 1862, when be was nearly threescore and 
 ten years old, bo represented the town in tbe Legislature. His election to 
 that position during tbe stormy troublous times of tbe Rebellion shows 
 that bis character and capacities were recognized and relied on, and that even 
 in old age his mental and physical vigor were not abated. 
 
 His last illness extended over a period of more than three months, and he 
 died of paralysis, March 17, 1871. Tbe funeral was attended at tbe Second 
 
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HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 513 
 
 Congregational Church, under the charge of Bristol and Ezekiel Bates lodges, 
 and with the solemn and impressive burial service of the order, in the 
 presence of hundreds of people. At the close of the services his remains 
 were formally committed to the care of his mother lodge, St. Andrew's, and 
 by them interred in the cemetery at Mount Auburn. 
 
 Mr. Bates had no early advantages, but he rose above circumstances and 
 surroundings, and by the force and trueness of his character made for himself 
 an excellent position in life, gaining a high place in the esteem of his fellow- 
 men. He was kind and amiable, but strong and manly withal, an indulgent 
 husband and father, a friendly neighbor, a public-spirited and loyal citizen, 
 "hopeful in purpose, zealous in progress; always full of earnest anticipation 
 for the future good of the community in which he lived." He w^as skilful as 
 a workman, thoroughly industrious in whatever pursuit occupied him, of 
 unquestionable integrity, honest in all things, and unflinchingly devoted 
 to the right. He possessed what is rare — an evenly-balanced character, a 
 sound mind, good judgment, and a varied knowledge of men and things. 
 This he gained by observation and experience, the best educators. Born 
 with talents which he recognized he made the right and best use of them, 
 and his high position in the town and his wide influence were due solely to 
 himself. His was a long and well-spent life and it ended with much that was 
 good and useful accomplished for his fellow-men. [The only survivors of his 
 immediate family are the two sons.] 
 
 Joseph M. Bates was born in North Kingston, R. I., August 2, 1833, 
 and there he spent his childhood and early youth. On leaving home he went 
 first to Providence, and from there, in 1857, he came to this town. On 
 September 10 of that year he made his first essay in the manufacture of 
 jewelry at Willard Blackinton's shuttle-shop. The business w-as at first a 
 very limited one, as he had but two men engaged in the w^ork besides himself ; 
 but from this small beginning the ends already attained have been very 
 great. Thirty years ago he had only that small hired room ; now he is the 
 owner of seven shops and rents space to twenty-four tenants who are 
 engaged in the jewelry trade, while he occupies besides a large amount of 
 room for his own personal business. Thirty years ago he had almost no 
 capital and himself assisted with the '• work at the bench " ; now he is the 
 possessor of large wealth. The road to fortune was not soon an easy or 
 brilliant one ; he made no " lucky strokes " to "hit" the popular eye and 
 " gain " the popular taste; he commenced in that w^ell-remembered year of 
 great and general depression all over the country and had many discourage- 
 ments and had to climb the ladder slowly round by round ; but finally success 
 became signally assured. 
 
 On June 26, 1853, he married Louise Gardner, of Warwick, R. I. They 
 have three children: Charles R., who married Annie Tinkham, of Norton; 
 Mary L. and Frank M., all residing in town. For fully ten years, since the 
 
514 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 death of its first president, Willard Blackintou, Mr. Bates has been president 
 of the First National Bank, and he holds other offices in town. He is a 
 member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge of F. and A. M. 
 
 Unlike many everywhere, it can be said of Mr. Bates that having made 
 his money in a certain place he is willing to spend it freely there, and not 
 alone for the pleasure and benefit of himself and family but for the pleasure 
 and benefit of the entire community as well. He seems quite content with 
 the life his adopted town affords, more so, perhaps, than many born and 
 bred in it, as is evidenced by the fact that for more than five 3'ears recently 
 he did not pass a single night outside of it. He has done much for his 
 village, proving himself a public-spirited man. This is shown notably in the 
 last building he has erected — Bates Opera House. 
 
 It is built of brick, has a frontage of a hundred and sixty feet, is about a 
 hundred and fifty feet deep, and is three stories high. It covers fifteen thou- 
 sand square feet, and a million bricks were used in its construction. Though 
 the front of the building is irregular, as it stands -where Park and North 
 Main streets intersect, it presents a very fine appearance. The first floor is 
 occupied by various stores, and the postoffice, which has recently taken 
 possession of the rooms handsomely fitted up for its use by the owner. The 
 second story contains offices, of which there are eleven in the building, and 
 two suites of bachelor apartments, which are very prettily decorated and fur- 
 nished, and quite complete in their appointments. ^ The third story con- 
 tains several halls, which are occupied by three of the secret societies 
 of the village. The interior of the building in evei'y way quite fulfills 
 the promise of the exterior. There are several entrances, and the halls 
 and corridors are sufficiently spacious. The same hardwood finish, a mod- 
 erately dark cherry, extends through every stor}^, and all the decorations 
 are of colors pleasing to the eye and producing an harmonious effect. 
 This is especially true of the largest lodge hall, whose walls and ceiling are 
 richly ornamented in patterns that suit well its fine proportions and make it 
 as a whole an elegant and imposing apartment. 
 
 The theatre lobby is spaciims and cheerful, and has a well-furnished ladies' 
 room, and a comfortable smoking-room for gentlemen. The theatre proper 
 occupies the rear of the structure, and of course the full height. The 
 audience-room consists of orchestra and parquet chairs and one tier of gal- 
 leries, and has seating capacity for eleven hundred people. Ver}^ much can 
 justly be said in praise of this room. Its proportions are excellent, the 
 colors used in its decorations are sufficiently varied, but not too pronounced, 
 and the style of finish adopted is very good, particularly that of the boxes. 
 
 iMr. Bates has recently converteil one of the stores iuto a restaurant, and a numlier of the smaller 
 rooms into sleeping rooms, thereby arranging hotel accommodations for a small number of people. 
 Both hotel and cafe appear to l)e popular, and their convenience is unquestioned, the nee<l for the 
 latter having been for a long time apparent. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 515 
 
 The chairs are thoroughly comfortable, roomy, slightly movable, aud hand- 
 somely upholstered. They are "something new" in their line, and at the 
 time they were placed had been introduced into only three or four theatres in 
 the country. (]Mr. Bates aclinowledges having expended $7,000 on them 
 alone, but all other figures as to the outlay on the building must be left to 
 conjecture, as he declines to state them. They are no doubt large, because 
 everything has been thoroughly done.) The large central chandelier, of a 
 fine quality of crystal, is very beautiful in itself, and when fully lighted pre- 
 sents a most brilliant appearance. There is notliing here that is gaudy, 
 nothing to offend a critical eye or taste — 'nothing unsuited to totallv untlieat- 
 rical entertainments; on the contrary, the entire effect is one of cheerful- 
 ness and a quiet elegance. The stage is unusually capacious aud the scenery 
 is handsome and complete in variety, and all the modern improvements and 
 appliances for producing plays smoothly are supplied. The dressing-rooms 
 are numerous, and, according to the verdict of many actors, more commodi- 
 ous and better furnished than in many larger theatres ; certainly thev meet 
 the wants of a large company. In a word, the whole opera house compares 
 favorably with the largest in inany of our great cities, and the writer has 
 never seen one of its size that is at all its equal in point of comfort or 
 beauty. 
 
 The opening night, September 30, 1886, marked an era in entertainments 
 in the town. The audience Avas a large one, and made brilliant by the bright 
 costumes and beautiful tlowers of the ladies. The play was of the best — 
 Richelieu — the company excellent, with one of our most talented and 
 renowned actors, Lawrence Barrett, ''in the title role." Throughout the 
 entire first season, whicii numbered some thirty-five performances, the posi- 
 tion taken at the start was maintained, and only plays of a good class were 
 presented. To preserve the rule thus established seems to be the owner's 
 intention, and for this the thanks of the community are due, especially as 
 such a course is not always the most successful financially. 
 
 This theatre is an innovation in p]ast Attleborough, and Mr. Bates met 
 with consideral)le criticism for building it — criticism no doubt honest, but 
 on the whole it would seem rather unjust. People at times demand amuse- 
 ment, and if it is not to be found at home, they will seek it abroad. This 
 was the case here ; many often attended the play in the nearest cities, which 
 meant a large outlay of money, late hours, and frequently doubtless some of 
 the attendant dissipations. These latter adjuncts are not necessary with the 
 theatre at home, and if, as has been said, because of it much money leaves 
 the town, some at least must remain, and some of the business interests of 
 the village must be benefited. 
 
 But Bates Opera House is by no means confined to the purposes indicated 
 by its name ; it has already been occupied for other aud varied uses. Up to 
 the time of its erection the village had no place suitable for many occasions 
 
516 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of public and general interest. The churches were the largest audience- 
 rooms, but they were frequently found inadequate. They were of necessity 
 made use of, and sometimes for purposes for which they were neither wholh' 
 desirable nor appropriate, as many must acknowledge. A want in this direc- 
 tion had long been felt, and is now met l)y this building, which will be found 
 more and more useful as the years go by and the community enlarges and 
 increases. Prejudice will then be disarmed, and the builder be accorded, 
 as he richly deserves, unanimous commendation for providing a structure 
 adequate in size, convenient in arrangement, and as attractive as it is 
 serviceable. 
 
 BLACKINTON. 
 
 Pentecost Blackinton was the first of that name in town, and he came 
 from Marblehead or Dorchester about 1700. He had land and a house on 
 Seven Mile River. His wife's name was Mary, by whom he had several chil- 
 dren, four of whom at least reached maturity. He died September 24, 1715. 
 Pentecost second had eight children by his wife Rebecca Figgett, Peter, born 
 in 1731, being the youngest. *■' He was a farmer, was a good citizen, law 
 abiding and G-od-fearing, and died at a good old age." His son William 
 was born November 2. 1758. He was a gun manufacturer during the Revo- 
 lutionary war, entered the arnw also as a soldier, and received a wound in 
 the battle of White Plains. Subsequently he was associated with his son 
 William in cotton manufacturing both at North Attleborough and Falls Vil- 
 lage. His residence was on a large farm which he owned in Wreutham. 
 "He was known to everyone as Deacon Blackinton." November 29, 1781, 
 he married Elizabeth Babcock, of Westerly, or Hopkiuton, R. I. Four of 
 their children lived to maturity : William, born Sei)tember 20, 1782; Virgil, 
 born May 12, 1796, married Hannah, daughter of Obed Robinson, and w^as 
 connected with Willard and Richard Robinson in the manufacture of buttons ; 
 Jason, born August 24, 1798, graduated at Brown University in 1826 and 
 after receiving a legal education passed most of his life as a teacher, in 
 Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee ; and Willard. Deacon Blackinton was a 
 victim of the plague which swept over this and other towns in 1816. To 
 each of his sons he left about three thousand dollars, " a handsome property 
 for those days." 
 
 CoLOXEL Willard Blackinton was born October 26, 1800. During his 
 boyhood he lived with his brother William, who was a farmer " on the old 
 homestead." His education was that of the common school and academy. 
 Early in life he evinced a mercantile taste, and began business for himself. 
 His first occupation was that of a general country trader, but he continued 
 this only a few years. In 1827 he established his manufactory of power- 
 loom shuttles. This filled •' a long felt want," and the business soon became 
 quite an extensive one, the goods being sent to all parts of the country. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 517 
 
 lu 1821 he married Clarissa, daughter of Amos and Sally Sweet, and the}^ 
 had six children; namely, William and Willard, twins; Clarissa E., who 
 married Nathan C. Luther, for many years the postmaster of the East village, 
 and one of its highly respected citizens ; John, Charles A., and Amos S., of 
 whom Willard is deceased, John resides in Providence, the remaining three 
 brothers iu the east part of this town.^ 
 
 Mr. Blackinton was not alone a successful manufacturer ; for many years 
 he was among the most active men of the town in many lines of enterprise, 
 both of "business activity and public service," and was honored by his 
 fellow-citizens in many positions of public trust. "In early life he took 
 o-reat interest in militia matters. Of active and vigorous temperament, 
 large, and physically well-proportioned, with a resonant, full voice, he pre- 
 sented a tine appearance, and held the position of adjutant and colonel of 
 a regiment of troopers for years." He was repeatedly called upon to act as 
 the moderator of town meetings, and as the chairman of various popular or 
 political assemblages, and these positions he always filled acceptably. He 
 was an ardent supporter of his political convictions — those of the Whig and 
 Republican parties — and a very popular man in his party : for, when doubt- 
 ful elections threatened that party, he was frequently the one to be nominated 
 for ortice, and he never sustained a defeat. As proof that his political 
 integrity was relied on it may be stated that his fellow-townsmen called him 
 at various times to fill every office in their gift, and he served them credit- 
 ablv in all, from the minor public positions in the town itself to those of 
 representative and senator in the State Legislature. He was for a number 
 of years the popular postmaster of the East village, his first appointment 
 beino- soon after 1830, and " he was a valued member of the Masonic 
 fraternity." He was master of Bristol Lodge when the Morgan agitation 
 created its strong feeling of enmity toward Masonry throughout the land, 
 and when the feeling subsided and interest iu the order could be publicly 
 revived he was again elected to the same office. 
 
 Of marked ability, Mr. Blackinton was a successful business man, a good 
 financier, and was considered a valuable counselor in business affairs. "He 
 was a director and one of the chief originators of the old Attleborough 
 Bank, and one of the promoters of the First National Bank of Attleborough, 
 of which, upon its formation, he was at once elected director and president." 
 He died very suddenly of heart disease on January 1, 1877, while fulfilling 
 his duties as presiding officer at a meeting of the board of directors held at 
 the bank. He was kindly and generous in his family, an attentive husband, 
 an indulgent and affectionate father, thoroughly social in his nature. He 
 was interested in public nieasures of improvement, and a liberal supporter 
 of good works. Of fine presence, a dignified and courtly bearing, with the 
 
 ' William and John are liotli deceased. 
 
518 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 manners of a '• gentleman of the old school," he was a great favorite in all 
 social gatherings, and in them he gave pleasure alike to young and old. He 
 filled an important place in the town, and especially in his own community, 
 a place which in many respects can never be filled, for the men of his type — 
 the old school type — seem to be fast passing away from our midst. 
 
 William Blackinton, one of the twin and oldest sons of Colonel Black- 
 inton, after completing his academic education entered the shuttle manufac- 
 turing business as a partner with his father and two of his brothers. For 
 ten years the firm bore the name of W. Blackinton & Sons, William, 
 Willard, and John being the younger members. About 1854 he left this 
 business and started that of cotton manufacturing, which he continued for 
 three years in this town and Pawtucket. This proving unsuccessful, he 
 decided upon a change, and in 1857 took up that of jewelry. For twelve 
 years the business was small, but in 18G9 he commenced making plated 
 chains. He " originated a new line of these goods, which speedily proved 
 popular." The demand created for them was soon very large, and his 
 business increased rapidly and continuously, until it became one of the 
 largest and most profitable in town. He has applied himself very assidu- 
 ously to this one work ever since he entered upon it. having had little or 
 nothing to do with politics, or the pul)lic affairs of the town, and to this fact 
 no doubt much of his success is due. He has attended personally to each 
 department of his manufactory, seeing that his goods were the best of their 
 kind, and such as he stated thera to be ; he has worked himself when he 
 deemed it necessary to insure the proper results, and thus by his careful 
 superintendence his business al)ility and sagacity has brought his firm to its 
 present high standing, really earning the success which he has won. 
 
 Mr. Blackinton married Rebecca C. Allen, a daughter of Josiah and 
 Rowena Tingley Allen, of this town. Their children now living are William 
 Sumner, Chai'les F., Harry C, Louis A., and Ada R. Blackinton. A num- 
 ber of years since he built for himself a commodious residence on County 
 Street. This he occupied until the present year, 1888, when he sold it and 
 removed to Providence.^ 
 
 C APRON. 
 
 Banfield Capron, the first of the name known in America, came from 
 England in 1674 or 1G75 when about fourteen years of age. He was born in 
 1660 and tradition says he came alone, and as a cabin boy, to seek his own 
 fortune. After his first marriage he settled in Barrington, this State, 
 "whence after a residence of twenty years, he moved with a large fairJly of 
 children awav back into the woods to what is now Attleborough," and he 
 
 1 Mr. Blackinton died in Providence, December 30, 1800, and was buried in tills town. Charles is 
 also deceased. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 519 
 
 became a large landowner here. He purchased and laid out a large tract of 
 land between the Bungay River and the Falls, that on the mill road to 
 what is known as "the Lucas Daggett place," and he also had landed pos- 
 sessions from his first wife, who Avas tlie daughter of John Callender, who 
 very early lived where the house of Philip Brady now stands. He owned 
 lands where the Farmers village now is. and built his first house on the site 
 of James B. Dean's residence, near Deantown, and a second near the site 
 of a house built not long since by the late B. J. Angell. on his farm, known 
 as the "Jacob Caprou farm." In that vicinity he lived and brought up his 
 very large family, and about fifteen years before he died it is said he gave to 
 each of his children a farm of about two hundred acres. They numbered 
 ten or eleven and were all 1)y his first wife. He died here August 20, 17.52, 
 at the very advanced age of ninety-two years. It is supposed he was buried 
 in the "Peck burying ground," and what was the duty of all apparently 
 became the duty of none of his children, for no stone was ever erected to 
 bis memory. 
 
 Captain Joseph Capron, the second son of the above, " was a farmer, and 
 a man of repute in his day." He was born September 12, 1G91. He was 
 married three times and had nine children. His wives were Judith Peck, 
 Bethiah Burt, and Mary French. The latter survived him. He died October 
 14, 177G, in his eighty-sixth year. Joseph, Jr., — by the first wife, — was 
 fourth child and oldest son of Captain Joseph. He was twice married : first 
 to Sarah Robeson, by wliom he had seven children, and second to Sarah 
 Foster, by whom he had eight children, five of whom died at an early age. 
 He was born in November, 1722. and died August 1, 1784. Otis, the third 
 child by the second wife, was born April 17, 1767. " He was a farmer, and 
 an honored and useful citizen, and served his day and generation well. He 
 was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving at Newport." He died 
 March 3, 1845. His first wife was Rachel Sweet, by whom he had three 
 children, Sally, Mrs. Thomas French, deceased ; Nancy, Mrs. Lucas Daggett, 
 still living in this town at a very advanced age ; ^ and Otis, who died young. 
 His second wife was Mrs. Hannah Kent Bliss, widow of Jonathan Bliss. 
 Their children were Joseph W. ; Maria, deceased ; Sabra A., Mrs. Sumner 
 Capron, of this town, deceased; Hannah K., Mrs. Joseph Newcomb. also 
 of this town, deceased ; and Rachel Cemantha, widow of Sidney Morse, of 
 this town. 
 
 Joseph Willard Capron was born September 24, 1802. He had the 
 education afforded by the public schools of the town, and that of the prepar- 
 atory department of Brown University. He had intended to enter that 
 colleo-e for a course of studv, Init finding that much attention to the classics 
 
 1 Mrs. Daggett iliecl in September, 1889. She was niuety-three the August preceding. 
 
520 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 was required, the knowledge of which he did not deem necessary in the occu- 
 pation to which his tastes led him, he changed his plans. He himself has 
 recently said he read Dr. Franklin, who thought the classics uunecessarv, and 
 this confirmed his opinions; and he shrewdly added : '-As I could not learn 
 one language well, I considered it foolish to attempt two or three." He 
 studied for a time with Dr. Ide, and when but seventeen years old began to 
 teach school for sixteen dollars a month, meeting with success in that occupa- 
 tion. He had very early shown a fondness and aptitude for surveying, and 
 even while a student in 1818 he began practical work in this direction. From 
 that time to this he has been employed m that capacity, making that work 
 Lis chief business. 
 
 In 1827 '' he was elected and ([ualified as town surveyor," and during that 
 year he surveyed all the roads in this town, in Pawtucket, Seekonk, and 
 Rehoboth. He has surveyed fully half of the land in the city of Providence, 
 and in the course of his long life he must have resurveyed his native tcMvn in 
 whole or in part many times. The following year, 1828, the State employed 
 him as an assistant surveyor on the projected route of the Boston and Provi- 
 dence Railroad Company. He has held the otHce of a justice of the peace 
 for over fifty years, has been elected a county commissioner three terms, and 
 has been a selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor in town several times. 
 He was president of the Attleborough Mutual Fire Insurance Company for 
 years, held the same ofHce in the Loan and Fund Association of Attleborough, 
 and is still the president of its successor, the Attleborough Loan and Savings 
 Association, in the last two organizations his term already covering a period 
 of over thirty years. He is treasurer of the Norfolk and Bristol Horse 
 Thief Detective Society, and has been president of the Attleborough Gas- 
 light Company since its organization. Mr. Capron has been all his life a 
 Democrat, a firm believer in the principles of Jefferson and Jackson, for the 
 latter of whom he cast his first Presidential vote in 1823. 
 
 In 1824 he married Adeline Bliss, granddaughter of Dr. James Bliss. 
 She died March 19, 1872. Two children by this marriage are living: 
 Isabella A., Mrs. Amos Ide, of this town, and Ellen M., who married, first, 
 George E. Paysou, of Taunton, and, second, George "W, Curieu, of this 
 town. October 14, 1872, Mr. Capi-on married Cynthia Blossom, of Fairhaven, 
 Mass. He has always possessed the vigor of perfect health, '-has never 
 employed a physician for himself, and never has known a sick da3^" When 
 eighty years of age he could " go out with his favorite instruments and with- 
 out apparent fatigue, do days' works that would appall much younger men." 
 Not many years ago he walked from Pawtucket to his home, a distance of 
 nearly nine miles, after eight o'clock in the evening, and said he " could 
 have walked back easilv without resting." For more than a half-century he 
 " has been personally identified with the public interests of the town," but, 
 though the competency he has accumulated renders additional labor uuueces- 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 521 
 
 sary, and his advanced age is a valid excuse for giving it up entirely, he is 
 still able and prefers to be actively employed in the pursuits to which he has 
 been so long accustomed, and which have made him in his day one of the 
 town's useful men.' 
 
 Ariel Codding was born in Rehoboth, January 20, 1817. The ancestors of 
 this family came to Taunton at a very early date. James, who is the first 
 mentioned, was born there and became a farmer, and he was a soldier in our 
 armv during the Revolutionary War. His wife was Joanna Eddy, by whom 
 he had three children : David ; Abigail, who married Wheaton Barrows ; and 
 Abiel. The latter was the youngest, and was born in Taunton, October 27, 
 1792. He came to Attleborough when about fourteen and woi-ked on a farm 
 for Senaca Sauford, where he proved himself to be industrious, frugal, and 
 temperate. He became " a well to do farmer in this town, where he lived for 
 more than sixty-three years, leaving an example of industry and sobriety 
 well worthy the imitation of the present generation. He was a soldier of 
 the War of 1812, and drew a pension for his services." He died October 3, 
 1881, having almost reached the age of eighty-nine. His wife was Chloe, 
 daughter of Elihu Daggett, by whom he had thirteen children, eight of whom 
 lived to mature age. 
 
 Abiel, the oldest son and subject of this sketch, was brought to this town 
 when a year old. His father's farm was in East Attleborough, and he stayed 
 at home until he was sixteen, receiving the education provided by the 
 common schools of that time. ''He was of a mechanical turn of mind, and 
 early turned his attention to the jewelry business. Hence at sixteen we find 
 him in the employ of H. M. Richards. He remained with him some three 
 years, when he formed a copartnership with Stephen Richardson, and was 
 thus employed a short time when they dissolved, and Mr. Codding continued 
 his trade as a journeyman, making valuable improvements in the different 
 kinds of tools used in the jewelry business. In 1839 he went to Philadelphia 
 
 1 In April, 1888, Mr. Capron resigned his presidency of the Gas Company but still retains that of the 
 Loan and Fund Association. Within a few years he has had two attacks of illness, but he recovered 
 from them naturally and was apparently restored to his accustomed vigor. Upon the last occasion 
 medical aid was summoned, but the doctor said : " I was called after all real necessity for my pres- 
 ence was past; Mr. Capron was getting well himself." On September 24, 1892, he became ninety years 
 old. He announced publicly that he would be at home ou the evening of that day to everybody who 
 would call upon him, and many persons from the town and elsewhere availed themselves of the rare 
 and pleasant privilege of ofl'eriug congratulations upon such an occasion. The house was all thrown 
 open, and tastefully decorated with autumn leaves and flowers. Mr. Capron had a cordial greeting 
 for all, remembered to inquire for absent friends and acquaintances, and interested himself person- 
 ally for the comfort of his guests. Some he felt needed chairs though he stood unweariedly for 
 hours himself, and straighter and flrmer than any one present. One thing he bad insisted upon in 
 advance — there must be " young and pretty girls " in the dining-room to pour the coflee, and ho was 
 urgent in having matters arranged for their ease and pleasure. Four generations were represented — 
 himself, two daughters, a sou's daughter and her child. He is by several years the oldest person iu 
 town. He retains his mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree, his hearing appearing to 
 be the only one impaired. May he live to greet the new century, and then still longer to fill out his 
 full hundred years (February, 1894) . Vernal Stanley, of North Attleborough, is a little older. 
 
522 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to work for his old emploj'er, H. M. Richards, Init reiiinined only a few 
 months, when he returned to North Attleborough, and entered the employ of 
 Iralvichards & Co." In 1841 he entered this firm and remained in it until 
 in 1845 the death of the senior partner caused a change in name and partner- 
 ship, and under the new name he continued in the firm for thirty years, until 
 it was dissolved. This latter was the famous firm of E. I. Richards & Co. 
 
 " Mr. Codding was naturally a mechanic, and by close application to his 
 business he attained a degree of success acquired by few. He made valuable 
 improvements in manufacturing, and obtained several patents for new tools." 
 He is one of the directors of the First National Bank of North Attleborough 
 and president of the Attleborough Savings Bank ; president, also, of the North 
 Attleborough Gaslight Company. He belongs to the Democratic party but 
 takes no public interest in political affairs. No man has more of the respect 
 of his community than he. 
 
 October 28, 1841, he married Ann Maria Eichards, daughter of Calvin and 
 Olive Blackinton Richards, of this town. She was born August 16, 1819. 
 They have had five children. Arthur E., James A., and Edwin A. are all 
 engaged in business in North Attleborough. The daughters, Ella M. and 
 Ellen L., are both deceased. 
 
 CUMMINGS. 
 
 This family is supposed to be of Scottish descent, but the first to emi- 
 grate to America came from England at about the same time that " the three 
 brothers Richardson came," and settled in Woburn, this State. The great- 
 great-grandfather of the present generation was one Abraham Comens, as the 
 name was then spelled, and he married a Richardson, probably a daughter of 
 one of the "three brothers." They had nine children. Of these David was 
 the one who came to this town to settle and about the time of his marriage he 
 bought the farm now owned by Allen and G-eorge Cummings in Bearswamp — or 
 Bearcroft, as it is now called. Very little is known of him. An old rifle still in 
 the possession of the family is known, however, to be the one he carried in 
 the French and Indian War, and as conscientiousness is a leading trait of this 
 family, it may be assumed beyond doubt that he performed his duties as a 
 soldier very faithfully. In all probability the old rifle may have slain more 
 than one Indian while in his hands. This David Cummings had seven or nine 
 children and he died about the time of the birth of Benjamin, the youngest, 
 who occupied the old homestead during his life and who died there May 20, 
 1860. The death of the father had left the mother with a large family of 
 young children, the support of which devolved upon herself and David, the 
 oldest son, at that time but twelve years of age. They all remained together 
 until David was twenty-two years of age, when he purchased a farm about a 
 mile distant from the home — this was then the homestead of a Mr. Bishop 
 and is the farm now owned by Mr. Marsh. Here he spent the remainder of 
 his life, and here he died March 18, 1846, at the great age of eightv-five vears. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 523 
 
 It is related of him that when fifteen years of age he carted a load of hay to 
 Providence and received his pay for the same in the currency of the country, 
 which was at that time nearly worthless and amounted in bulk to about as much 
 as the hay. During the War of 1812 Mr. Cummiugs was sent to the defence 
 of Nari-agansett Bay, but the expected attack of the enemy did not take place 
 and he returned home after only a short absence. He had four children : Pres- 
 ton, Lucinda, David, and Milton. 
 
 Preston Cummings, the oldest son, when a youth sustained rather severe 
 iuiuries by falling from a load of hay and after that it was decided to give 
 him an education. In those days the turning of farmer hoys into professional 
 men was often the result of accident, as in this case. Mr. Cummings gradu- 
 ated at Brown University in 1822 and entered the ministry in the Congrega- 
 tional denomination. His first pastorate wns at Dighton, this State, and he 
 subsequently had charges in Wrentham and Buckland, finally returning to 
 Dighton. During the last years of his life he published a "Congregational 
 Dictionary " and he also occupied himself in collecting manuscripts and books 
 for several antiquarian societies. He died in Leicester, Mass., at the resi- 
 dence of his son, in 1875. This son, James, the only one of his family who 
 jived to maturity, became a physician and settled in Leicester, where he estab- 
 lished an excellent reputation. He had just acquired a good practice when he 
 died. His death was caused by the exposure consequent upon attending to 
 the call of a patient when he was under treatment for sickness himself. 
 
 David Cummings, a younger brother of the above, followed the avocation 
 of a farmer. He had to pick up an education as best he could, having no 
 instruction beyond that afforded by the district school and two terms at Day's 
 Academy in Wrentham. He purchased a farm about a quarter of a mile from 
 his father's, on which he lived his entire life. To his work as a farmer he 
 frequently, during his younger days, added the occupation of school-teaching 
 in the winter months. He died at an advanced age, on October 12, 1884. 
 Mr. Cummings was a scrupulously honest, industrious. God-fearing man. 
 There are many who will long remember him as he was during his later years, 
 who will recall the somewhat bowed form and the kindly face, surmounted 
 with a crown of snow-white hair, especially as they appeared in their accus- 
 tomed pew in the Congregational Church of his village ; for as long as health 
 and strength permitted, in summer's heat or winter's cold, his place in the 
 sanctuary was filled— none ever found it vacant. He was a quiet, unobtru- 
 sive man, and, comparatively, his life was a quiet and uneventful one ; but the 
 measure of his many days was filled full of duties to God and man well done. 
 He thought only on '' whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 
 whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are 
 lovely, whatsoever things are of good report," and the virtue and the praise 
 of such a life were his. Who shall sav that he did not exert a wider and a 
 
624 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 uohler inrtuence than many another more prominent in the common affairs of 
 the worhl and of men ? He was a truly good man and his commnnitv is the 
 better for the example of his consistent Christian life. 
 
 Handkl N. Daggett, son of Hon. Ebenezer and Sally ."Maxcv Daiiiiett, 
 was born in this town, January 27. 1821. After attending the common 
 schools here and working at the same time on his father's farm, as most coun- 
 try boys then did, he went to the Wi-entham Academy (Day's), and later to 
 the one in North Attleborough, where, under Isaac Perkins, his school educa- 
 tion was completed. He served '' a short, unprofitMble apprenticeship with a 
 relative" in Boston, and then returned home and became a clerk in a store at 
 the Falls for a time. In 1849 he formed a partnership with his brother, H. M. 
 Daggett, and they purchased the Falls mill, where for several years they man- 
 ufactured print cloths, sometimes with success, sometimes with the reverse. 
 This partnership was dissolved about 1855. From this time until 1860 Mr. 
 Daggett engaged in other kinds of manufacturing, chiefly the covering of 
 hoopskirt wires. He at first started with a few braiders in the Steam Power 
 Company's shop at Attleborough, but, needing more space than he had there, 
 he later removed to the P'armers mill. After the breaking out of the war he 
 was occupied for a while in filling government orders for sabres. The blades 
 were made in Maine and he manufactured the scabbards in the Steam Power 
 building. He made some S7U,000 worth and for a time this was about all the 
 business done in the East village. 
 
 For some time previous Mr. Daggett had been revolving in his mind the 
 idea of manufacturing dress and other braids of a good quality that should 
 equal the foreign goods of the kind, which up to 18(51 usurped the markets. 
 The war at that time laid an embargo upon European imports, thus creating 
 a large demand in this direction, for which the supply was entirely insutticient. 
 This embargo made the desired opportunity, and he seized it with great 
 promptness and energy. He repurchased the Falls mill property and com- 
 menced the braid business there and it at once became a very extensive one. 
 He still continues to carry it on under the name of the Gold Medal Braid 
 Company, and it is specially noticed in a preceding chapter. This property 
 had become somewhat run down ; the tenements and their surroundings were 
 shal)by and untidy, and some of the inhabitants were so lawless that tlie 
 community had come to have a rather disreputable name. Previous to his 
 becoming the owner the rowdy element had at times been decidedly predom- 
 inant, had taken possession frequently of the streets, the sidewalks, the 
 stores, and the public meetings, to the exclusion of the better class of people. 
 As soon as he took possession Mr. Daggett established order and had it main- 
 tained, and the "roughs," who had become a real terror, under his decided 
 and vigorous treatment " either left town, or subsided into peaceful citizens." 
 He has greatly improved the whole property, erected new buildings, and 
 made for himself there a charming home. Since his advent various jewelry 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 5"25 
 
 firms have established themselves at the Falls ami at Robinsonville, and the 
 two villages, uow together called by the former name, have had a remarkable 
 growth and present as a whole a thriving and attractive appearance — no 
 small share of the great improvements being due to his efforts. He was the 
 means of establishing the much-needed postofflce there, and most liberally 
 pushed forward the building of the new church of the village, both with time 
 and money. He has had no trouble with strikes, probably in part because 
 there has been nothing to give rise to such a course, and in part doulitless 
 because his employees have thoroughly understood that unjust demands on 
 their part would result in their prompt dismissal, with very little prospect 
 of ever again finding work in the same place. 
 
 Mr. Doggett is a thoroughly enterprising man and actively interested in 
 public improvements. Whatever work he undertakes he pushes to comple- 
 tion with energy and in spite of opposing obstacles. He was one of the 
 originators of the '•• Branch Railroad," active in pushing forward the work of 
 its organization and construction, and has been treasurer of the corporation 
 from the beginning. He is a stanch and zealous Republican, always ready 
 to support his party and to work for its interests, and he has often repre- 
 sented it for the town at political conventions. For some years during 
 the Civil War he was ''Chairman of the Selectmen" — the duties of which 
 office were then especially onerous — and in 1864 he was the town's repre- 
 sentative. He was relied on when our country was in danger and there was 
 peculiar need for every loyal citizen to show of what stuff his principles 
 were made. In working to uphold the State and General Government, to 
 aid and support our armies in the field, and to make the war record of our 
 town a worthy one, no man was more faithful and zealous than he. He was 
 a deputy sheriff at one time, held the position of town clerk from 1848 
 till 18.51, was selectman (as previously stated) and assessor, and in 1884 
 was for the second time a representative to the General Court. He "has 
 been a member of the Governor's Council and has held other positions of 
 honor within the gifts of the people." He was always loyal to Attlehoroncjh , 
 the town of his birth, and had no desire to see any portion of its territory 
 " set off " from another portion to be made into a separate tow^n. He was 
 therefore one of the strongest opponents of the division and worked assidu- 
 ously in all ways possible to prevent its taking place. 
 
 Mr. Daggett has been married more than once, and has had eight children. 
 Four are living and all residents of this town: Josephine S., Mrs. Harvey 
 Clap, of Attleborough Falls ; Florence J., Mrs. H. F. Barrows, Jr., of North 
 Attleborough ; Frances A. and Blanche Daggett, the latter by the present 
 wife. 
 
 [3Ir. Daggett died February 27, 1894, aged exactly seveuty-three years and oue inontb, after 
 an illness which for more than a year had exhibited symptoms of a markedly serious and at 
 times inmiinentlv fatal nature, and fre(iiiently been attended with attacks of extreme suffering, 
 
526 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 which were Iwrue with the quiet fortitude characteristic of his family. Fur a loni,'- period he 
 had had the iiiaiiauemeiit of large business interests of his owu, and duriug the later years of 
 his life es|)ecially he had l)econie identitied with various enterprises and held responsible oflices 
 in numerous business orjianizations, both in town and elsewhere. "At the time of his death 
 be was a Director of the First National Banlc of Pavvtucket and the North Attleboro' National 
 Bank of North Attleboro', President of the Industrial Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of 
 Boston, Vice-President of the Cotton and Woolen Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance 
 Co., Treasurer of the Attlel)oro' Branch Railroad, and held positions of trust in various other 
 concerns. He was also a member of the Boston Home Market club, and of Squautum club and 
 other social organizations." 
 
 Until he was more than threescore years and ten he led a life of the greatest activity — one 
 which was suited to him, and which his varied interests necessitated; one, too, in which his 
 own physical eudurance had uever been a matter of question; then he was suddenly called upon 
 to lead a life of the utmost quietness— one tilled with hourly watchfuluess of himself physic- 
 Ally; he was compelled to give up his personal attendance upon the (Uities of one office after 
 another, and gradually to assume the dreary monotonous role of an invalid. To few natures 
 would such a necessity prove more tedious and irksome than to a Inisy, energetic one like his, 
 yet he bore the severe trial with an unbroken patience, which showed as nothing else could have 
 shown his real strength of will and the true force of his character. He uever lost his keen 
 interest in the concerns of the conuuunity about him or in the affairs of his friends, and he wel- 
 comed all who visited him with a cordial pleasure as they brought him news of themselves or 
 of the outside world. But he fully uuderstood the meaning of the warnings which reached him, 
 so he •' set his house in order," and with steady calmness faced death as he daily drew nearer, 
 yielding himself without the shadow of a struggle when the final summons came. 
 
 Lengthened words of praise are not needed in writing of Mr. Daggett, for his life is well 
 known to his fellow-townsmen, and the great business he built up, the church he so materially 
 assisted, and the results of his many generous acts are better memorials than any printed eulo- 
 gies. His funeral was attended at his residence on March 3, the presence of many friends and 
 olferings of beautiful flowers testifying to the estimation in which he was held. He was buried 
 in Mount Hope Cemetery. Another prominent, honorable, and much-needed citizen has passed 
 away, and ala-^I another who leaves liehind no son to bear his name.] 
 
 Homer M. Daggett, twin brother of the above, was born January 27. 
 1821. After the district school he attended Day's Academy in Wreutham, 
 the North Attleborough Academy under Isaac Perlcins for a time, and latei' 
 went to the Worcester High School. His schooldays, however, can^e to an 
 end early, as in 1837, at the age of sixteen, he began to work for himself. 
 His first occupation was that of a clerk in the old Falls store and he continued 
 it until 1849. At that time the partnersliip with his brother was formed. 
 They first bought out the Browns, who w^ere occu[)ying and operating a part 
 of the Falls mill, and subsequently they bought the entire property, which 
 then comprised the greater portion of the village. They continued the part- 
 nership, carrying on their manufacturing there or at the Farmers, until about 
 1855. Three years previous to this date Mr. Daggett had removed his resi- 
 dence from the Falls to the Farmers, where he has ever since resided in a 
 house built by one of the Bliss brothers when they owned that mill and 
 village. 
 
 In 1860 he was elected cashier of tlie Attleboroitgh Bank, and remained 
 in the position until 1872. During this time there was quite an excitement in 
 town over an attempt to rob the bank. Mr. Daggett was awakened one night 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 527 
 
 by an unusual sound, the mewing of a cat in bis sleeping-room. His first 
 thought was for the bank keys, and going to the places where they were kept 
 he found some of them gone : this was before the days of combination locks, 
 and keys were rather large and ponderous. Examination speedily showed 
 that the house had been entered and gone over, many articles were scattered 
 about and some were found on one of the outer doorsteps, and quite an 
 amount of personal money taken. Fortunately, a large sum secreted in the 
 house, to be taken the following day to Boston, was not discovered. The 
 neighborhood was quickly aroused, and the cashier with several of the gentle- 
 men started for the bank, then at North Attlel)orough. The keys taken 
 proved not to be the outside ones, and the building was found intact, the 
 would-be burglars having neglected to provide themselves with any means of 
 effecting a forcible entrance. The missing keys were found near the bank, 
 but no trace of the miscreants was ever found. Some story about two "• sus- 
 picious looking men," who left a " stable team " they had hired, tied to a tree 
 in an adjoining town, with money for its use fastened to the bridle of the 
 horse, floated about for a time, impressing young people with its air of mys- 
 tery, but nothing further was heard of this matter. 
 
 After his twelve years of service at this bank Mr. Daggett again became 
 a manufacturer, and for a few years he carried on business at the Farmers 
 and at Deantowu, making yarn and knitting cotton, and for a short time 
 engaged with his brother in the making of shoestrings. In 1875 he assisted 
 in organizing the First National Bank of Attleborough, was elected its first 
 cashier, and has never been superseded in this office. In these days of 
 absconding bank officers and times of ''turning over" public moneys for 
 private benefit it is worthy of note that a cashier has retained his position 
 for a quarter of a century and has during all that time possessed the 
 unquestionable confidence of his brother officers and the entire community, 
 beyond the shadow of a doubt. In 1859 Mr. Daggett was elected Senator in 
 the State Legislature, and served one term. For many years he has been 
 a deacon in the First Baptist Church in North AttleVjorough, and in whatever 
 position he occupies his reputation is the same — that of an unassuming and 
 reliable man and citizen, and a dignified. Christian gentleman. 
 
 In May, 1843, he married Angelina Daggett, of this town. She died Octo- 
 ber 9, 1885. They have had seven children, four of whom died young. 
 Those living are Alice A., Homer M., Jr., and Sanford, the two latter mar- 
 ried, and all living in town. 
 
 Lyman White Daggett is a descendant, as are the brothers above men- 
 tioned, of the John Daggett who came here from Chilmark about 1711, and 
 a direct descendant of the oldest son. Mayhew, who was a deacon, presumably 
 in the Baptist Church at North Attleborough. The son of Mayhew% Elilm, 
 was an elder of that faith, and first preacher in the South Baptist Church of 
 this town. He was a captain in the provincial militia, " and with two of his 
 
528 .1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 sons, Mayhew and Ichabod, was engaged in the fight of Col. Bradstreet in 
 1758, which resnlted in the capture of Fort Frontenac, together with nine 
 armed vessels, sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, and a vast quantity of ammu- 
 nition." The circumstances of the elder's participation in this battle were 
 frequently related by another son, F:iihu, who was at the time a lad of about 
 thirteen : " The two sons had been absent some time in the war, and no news 
 had been received from them. The father said, in his anxiety, ' If I hear 
 nothing in a week, I will go and find them.' Nothing was heard. He shoul- 
 dered his musket, reached the seat of war, found a battle raging, entered the 
 action, and after the victory discovered his sons as participants with himself 
 in its glory." This lad Elihu, who later evinced a decided aptitude for 
 martial pursuits, w^as born December 4, 1745, He w^is an adjutant and a 
 minute-man in the Revolution, and when the alarm sounded from Bunker 
 Hill started at once for the field. He was a farmer, and for many years a 
 teacher also. He built the house at the Falls, which is now the residence of 
 H. N. Daggett. He died June 14, 1833. Captain Elihu Daggett was his 
 son, and was born February 24, 1785. He also became a farmer, but he 
 took great pleasure in all military exercises, especially in the training and 
 disciplining of soldiers. For a short time during the War of 1812 he com- 
 manded a company stationed at Plymouth, Mass., and afterwards, when the 
 war was over, he was the means of forming the Washington Rifle Corps, 
 became its first commander, and to him doul)tless was largely due the fact 
 that it was " distinguished as one of the finest and best-disciplined companies 
 in the brigade." Captain Daggett married Lucinda White, of Pembroke, 
 Mass. She was a descendant of Peregrine AYhite. "Her father, Captain 
 William White, was a faithful soldier of the Revolution, present at the 
 surrender of Cornwallis, and engaged in many battles during that fearful 
 struggle." Captain Daggett died January 25, 1871. 
 
 His only son was Lyman W. Daggett, the subject of this sketch, who was 
 born July 28, 1812. He attended the schools of this town, and was ahvays 
 an eager and earnest scholar. Having received the instruction then afforded 
 by these schools, he entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., "enjoyed 
 its rich opportunities, faithfully improved the facilities there afforded the 
 honest, struggling student, and left with the respect, benediction, and warm 
 recommendation of its renowned principal, the late Osgood Johnson, Esq." 
 For eight years he was a successful teacher in both public and private schools. 
 Then he entered the ministry and became pastor over the Universalist 
 Church and Parish in Ilolliston, Mass., and later preached in Andover, ^Mass., 
 and in Woodstock and Hartland, Vt. As a preacher he was clear and prac- 
 tical and as a pastor he was conscientious, faithful, and devoted,, willing 
 ever " to spend and be spent" in the service of his people. 
 
 June 8, 1842, he was married to Nancy G. Fuller, daughter of John and 
 Nancy Fuller, of Wrentham. Mr. Fuller was of a prominent family in that 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 529 
 
 town, and thronoh his mother relnted to Dr. Jonathan Maxcy, previously 
 mentioned in this book. Mr. Daggett had three children, only one of whom 
 is livino;, Cora La R. Daggett. His mother's death occurring in 1847, he at 
 that time resigned his pastorate in Hartland and removed to Attleborough 
 Falls, where he continues to reside, engaged as his ancestors were "in 
 the successful pursuit of agriculture." Like many others in town, he has 
 been to a moderate extent in public life, having filled the ottices of selectman, 
 assessor, overseer of the poor, and town clerk several times, and served often 
 as a member of the school committee. In 1851, 1852, and 1853 he repre- 
 sented the town in the Legislature. As a member of that body •' he was 
 a friend and advocate of prohibition, of the mechanics' lien law, of home- 
 stead exemption, of the secret ballot, in fine, of all enactments calculated to 
 promote home rule, free votes, and honest counts. He has always been 
 true to temperance, speaking on all suitable occasions in its advocacy, and 
 living in the practice of total abstinence from all intoxicants for more than 
 fifty years past." While he has never had a regular pastoral charge since 
 returning to this town to reside, he has during those years been at times a 
 frequent preacher, not only in the church of which he is a member, but in 
 those of other denominations. 
 
 Mr. Daggett is a man of well-balanced character, one whose judgment 
 may safely be and is relied on, and whose actions are consistent with his 
 high principles. 1 
 
 DEAN. 
 
 Ephraim Dean was one of the pioneer settlers of this town. He came 
 here from Taunton and purchased large tracts of laud on which there were 
 valuable water privileges. He settled in what is still from him called Dean- 
 town. Tradition says that his first day's work on his arrival here began with 
 the felling of a tree ; then, strong man as he was, he cried a while — overcome 
 for the moment doubtless by the loneliness of his situation ; then he went to 
 work to build his camp or hut, using a blanket for the doorway ; and finally, 
 all completed, he went to sleep. The next morning no doubt found him 
 refreshed and full of reueAved courage, ready "to face the situation." He 
 took up at first eighty acres, afterward largely increasing this amount, until 
 finally he became possessed of about four hundred acres of laud. He built 
 the mill at Deantown, where nails were manufactured by himself and his sons. 
 He married Martha Balcomb, a woman of enterprise as he was a man. She 
 was well fitted to assist her husband in his pioneer work and to aid him in 
 laying the foundation for his subsequent success. They had four children : 
 Asa, Ephraim, Patty, and Sarah. These two sons remained for many years 
 on the spot where their father settled. Ephraim was the farmer and Asa 
 
 1 Mr. Daggett died Jaimary 10, ISM, and Mrs. Daggett, January 19, 1892. Tliey were buried at 
 Mount Hope Cemetery. 
 
530 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the mechauic. He was a wheelwright, carriage-maker, etc., and became 
 a leading business man in his time. He was born here in 1759. He 
 was married twice. His first wife was Phebe Wilmarth, by whom he 
 had six children, and the second was Chloe Bourn, by whom he had seven 
 children. 
 
 Lyman Washington Dean, one of these seven, was born February 22, 
 180.5, hence his middle name. His father died December 25, 1815, when he 
 was not quite eleven years of age, leaving a large property, consisting, how- 
 ever, chiefly of rather unproductive real estate, the care of which and of 
 four children devolved upon the mother. Mr. Dean remained on the farm 
 for about six years after his father's death, and then his mother removed to 
 a factory village near, — probably the Farmers, — where two of the family 
 found employment. He himself worked in the mill for eighteen months as 
 a mule-spinner, which was then a more honorable position than it is now. 
 Although he was under age he was allowed to act for himself, and he had the 
 disposal of the money he earned. He has said himself that he failed to 
 make proper use of the educational advantages he might have had as a boy, 
 and as he advanced in life he felt the consequences of this neglect ; but he set 
 himself to work to rectify as far as possible what he called the mistake of 
 his youth. For one year he followed a varied course of study, first in a 
 common school and later in the Wrentham Academy, and such was his 
 natural ability for real study and his aptitude to learn that in this short time 
 his success was particularly marked, and on leaving the academy he had a 
 recommendation to teach English branches in the common-school course. He 
 began teaching in Rehoboth, where he satisfied those who employed him ; but 
 soon after his mother returned to the old farm and he gave up his situation 
 to become its manager for her. From that time for some years, until 1835, 
 he worked at farming during the summer and taught during the winter 
 months in this town, Taunton, Canton, and Dedham, in all places giving 
 satisfaction. 
 
 He married INIaryette Ingraham, daughter of Ezra and Eloisa Richardson 
 Ingraham. of tliis town, on April 8, 1833. Mrs. Dean was born here May 31, 
 1807. Their children were Henry L., born April 17, 1834, died July 3, 1857 ; 
 Frank, born December 29, 1837; Sebra Ingraham, born November 4, 1849, 
 died November 24, 1849. Henry left one daughter, Mary W., who lived 
 with her grandparents until she was sixteen years of age, when she died. 
 
 Mr. Dean was as a young man an earnest supporter of temperance princi- 
 ples. In 1835 the proprietors of a temperance hotel in East Attleborough, 
 knowing the position he maintained on that question, though probably in 
 some degree influenced by their knowledge of Mrs. Dean's abilities for 
 managing domestic details, offered the charge of their hotel to him, which he 
 accepted. Two years later, in 1837, by a freak of fortune, it is said, he was 
 enabled to purchase that even then valuable property. During the same year 
 
1. Resilience of Alljurt W. Sturdy. 2. Resilience of George Asa Dean. 3. Resi- 
 dence of .James J. Horton. 4. Residence of William H. Smith. 5. Residence of 
 .Tolin O. Cummin'fs. 6. Residence of Damon A. AVhite. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 531 
 
 he took charge of the postoffice, which he held for twenty-four years with 
 the exception of a short period. For thirteen years he was agent at the 
 raih'oad station. '' Up to 1850, Mr. Dean continued to fill his offices of host, 
 station agent and keeper of the postotiice," in which 3'ear he was removed 
 from the latter office, though to the regret and against the remonstrances of 
 many of his fellow-townsmen. The office at that time was worth about three 
 hundred dollars a year. About this time he resigned his position as station- 
 master — almost a necessity in view of the variety of his other occupations, 
 for he kept a livery stable in connection with his hotel and ran a line of 
 stages. This was the first line of stages established here and ran " eight 
 miles from the railroad station." 
 
 He was for fifteen years a director of the bank, and he held the office of a 
 notary public for some time. This was an unsolicited appointment which he 
 received from Governor Briggs, and coming thus from his opposing political 
 party was complimentary to him as a citizen. Various local public offices 
 were from time to time tendered him which he declined to accept. In 1848 
 he was for the first time nominated for State Senator, but at that period 
 politics were much divided and his election was not secured. The following 
 year he was nominated again and refused to accept, but when in I80O he was 
 nominated for the third time he was elected. In 18.51-52 he was Sheriff of 
 Bristol County under Governor Boutwell. He held the office of a justice 
 of the peace for over thirty years ; that of a collector of internal revenue for 
 a number of years ; and for some time he has been a collector of pensions and 
 bounties, which duties he still attends to. He was formerly a Democrat, but 
 known as one "of the most liberal stamp" and one never "ashamed or 
 afraid to utter his sentiments in behalf of his party tenets." In 1860, how- 
 ever, he voted for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has identified himself 
 with the Republican party, though continuing to "maintain the same general 
 principles he always advocated " and holding " that the Democratic party has 
 left him, not he the party." He was very active in all " war work." He 
 made many a stirring speech in the '•'• war meetings," rousing in others some- 
 thing of his own enthusiasm ; he urged forward all patriotic measures adopted 
 by the town and performed a creditable share in the work accomplished by 
 our loyal citizens. He has been one of our prominent public speakers. He 
 always had reasons for holding the opinions he adopted ; his arguments were 
 good, and if he spoke at all upon any question, it was because he had some- 
 thing to say, and he said it plainly and vigorously. Mrs. Dean was also very 
 active in work for our soldiers of the Civil War, and she was long known in 
 her village for her good works among the needy and sorrowing. " Aunty 
 Dean's " words of comfort and cheer, joined always with deeds of kindness, 
 will yet long be remembered by their recipients. Advancing years and 
 broken health have now compelled them to relinquish their public duties, but 
 both Mr. and Mrs. Dean are able to look back over many years of useful 
 
532 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 activity and can feel that tbeir lives have not been passed without good results 
 iu their community and town.' 
 
 George Asa Dean is also a descendant of Ephraim the pioneer. His 
 grandfather was Asa " the mechanic." His father was also named Asa and 
 his mother was Lucy Head, of Seekonk. They had three children : Lucy, 
 who married William Carnes, of this town ; Chloe, who married Deacon 
 Atherton Wales, both deceased ; and George A., who was born May 2, 1835. 
 He had only the town's common-school advantages, and on January 1, 1857, 
 when not quite twenty-two, he entered into partnersliip with four gentlemen 
 as Everett, Dean & Co. in the jeweh-y business at East Attleborough, where 
 he lias since continued. This firm, now G. A. Dean & Co., has had many 
 changes and Mr. Dean has been for some time the onl}^ original member left 
 in it. 
 
 In the various movements during more recent years tending toward village 
 and town improvement he has taken an active interest — in their favor; but 
 from his standpoint, not recognizing division in any present or future aspect 
 as a benefit, he strongly opposed that measure. At the organization of the 
 Water Supply District he was elected its treasurer and held the office for 
 seven years. In 1877 he served a term as a representative to the State 
 Legislature. He is one of the directors of the First National Bank, and of 
 the Savings and Loan Association. He is also vice-president of the Attle- 
 borough Savings Bank and a water commissioner of the Attleborough Fire 
 District — positions which iu themselves show the standing of a man iu his 
 community. Mr. Dean also lends a liberal hand to good works, both iu his 
 church and outside its limits. 
 
 April 15, 1857, he married Bessie B. Richardson, a native of ]Maine. 
 After his prosperity was assured he made for himself a beautiful home. He 
 and his neighbor, Mr. Sturdy, were the pioneers in building handsome 
 modern houses on South Main Street, and the first in the village to adopt the 
 then somewhat novel Queen Anne style. The doors of this attractive house 
 have been frequently opened for the entertainment of a large circle of 
 friends, with a generous hospitality made charming by the cordial greetings 
 and kindly attentions of the affable host and hostess. There have never 
 been children here, but it is an especially delightful place for little people to 
 visit; and they are always peculiarly honored guests, everything possible 
 being done to minister to their pleasure and make them happy. 
 
 Mr. Dean is frequently called upon to preside at meetings, is often made 
 moderator of town meetings and placed upon committees involving the 
 
 > Mr. Dean died at his residence on Nortli Main Street, March 7, lS91,aged eighty-six years and 
 twelve days. No special disease attaclied him. He had been growing more and more feeble for a 
 long time, and finally the lamp of life burned out. Mrs. Dean died December 4, 1S92, at the age of 
 eighty-flve years, six months, and a few days. Her interest in the world about her continued 
 unabated, and her deeds of goodness and charity ceased only with her life. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 5 "J 3 
 
 highest matters of public interest, and his judgment is relied on in the 
 settlement of estates. So many and so varied duties of a responsible nature 
 are continually being placed npon him that he has come to be a very busy 
 man in work for private individuals, the community, and the town. He 
 never seeks preferment, but he performs all his duties, whether of a public 
 or a private nature, quietly, without ostentation, with the courtesy inherent 
 in his nature and the dignity becoming his character and position. A 
 conscientious man of high principles and strict integrity in every form of 
 dealing, no town can well be witliout his like or number among its citizens 
 too many such upright. Christian gentlemen. 
 
 Frank S. Draper was born November 8, 1829, the son of Josiah and 
 Mandama Everett Draper. When eighteen yeai's of age he became an 
 apprentice of Tifft & Whiting to learn the trade of jewelry making, and at 
 the expiration of his time became a member of the firm of Draper, Tifft & 
 Co., at Plainville. There was a prosperous existence of ten years' length 
 and then Mr. Draper sold out his interest to his partners — the firm name 
 being then Draper, Tifft & Bacon. 
 
 In 1862 he enlisted in the Forty-seventh Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
 teers, being mastered into service on .September 23 of that year as First 
 Lieutenant of Company C. This regiment was sent to New Orleans and on 
 August 4 of the following year ]\Ir. Draper received a commission as Captain 
 of the Second Louisiana Native Guards. Sul:)sequently he served on General 
 Banks' staff, and did good service in every position he occupied. His serv- 
 ices to his country as a soldier ended only with the close of the war, when 
 he returned to his native village. North Attleborough. About 1866 he 
 associated with F. G. Pate and F. S. Bailey, as manufacturing jewelers, 
 under the name of Draper, Pate & Bailey. The business had greatly 
 increased in 1875, at which time Mr. Fate withdrew and the other partners 
 continued as F. S. Draper & Co. In September of that yeviv the firm was 
 burned out, but Mr. Draper was too energetic to allow himself to be discour- 
 aged by such an experience and immediately began plans for the future. 
 He soon purchased the shop which with some changes and additions he 
 occupied till his death. In 1877 he bought Mr. Bailey's interest in the 
 business and continued alone, though he retained the last firm name. 
 
 In 1851 he married Harriet E. Robinson, by whom he had two sous — 
 Josiah E., a member of the firm of Draper & Franklin, and Frank E., a 
 physician. Mr. Drai)er was actively interested in the formation of the First 
 National Bank of Attleborough and was one of its directors at the time of 
 his death ; in 1877 he was elected vice-president of the Attleborough 
 Savings Bank, and retained the office as long as he lived ; for a number of 
 years he was treasurer of the North Attleborough Fire District, and about 
 1885 was selected as one of the water commissiouers. He was a liberal 
 promoter of the work of the First Universalist Church and Society. He 
 
534 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 was a member of Bristol Lodjre of F. and A. ]\r. and of Kevstone 
 Chapter at Foxborough ; he was a Kuight Templar in Holy Sepulchre 
 Cominandery of Pawtucket, and was one of the charter members of Bristol 
 Commandery. He was always actively engaged in town affairs, took part in 
 public meetings, and did what lay in his power to advance all the best inter- 
 ests of the town. The labor question was one which also excited his interest 
 and attention, and he was an active member of the Knights of Labor 
 organization. In this organization he was decidedly popular, and his death 
 called forth very general expressions of sympathy and regret from the 
 working people. 
 
 Mr. Draper died August 15, 18S«). The funeral was attended at his late 
 residence and conducted by Rev. W. F. Potter and Rev. Mr. Alden, the 
 latter a personal friend. He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery by the 
 Masonic order. One says of him: "Mr. Draper was a man of marked 
 individuality, was deeply interested in public affairs, and was very sympa- 
 thetic with the poor and unfortunate. He performed many unostentatious 
 kindnesses, many hitherto untold acts of quiet charity, which have caused him 
 to be remembered with gratitude by the recipients of his thoughtfulness. 
 The spontaneous expressions of sympathy during his illness, and the general 
 regret at his death, are a strong testimonial of his hold upon those around 
 him." 
 
 Joseph Fisher, as may be seen in the accounts of the Old Colony bound- 
 aries, was one of the commissioners appointed in 1664 to run a line between 
 Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies. Richard and Samuel, supposed to be 
 his sons, " came to Wrentham from Salem about or prior to 1700." Richard 
 had two children, of whom Samuel was the oldest and the only son. He 
 " was a stonecutter by trade, was a captain of militia in the Revolution, 
 being called to the field while attending church with his company." He was 
 born in 1732 and died in 1810 at the age of eighty-four. He had five chil- 
 dren, of whom Samuel was the oldest, was a stonemason, " and like his 
 father, was a diligent, hard working man of honesty and thrift." They wei'e 
 the Samuel Fisher & Son who made the Angle Tree monument erected iu 
 1790 on the line between this town and Wrentham. This Samuel third 
 married Olive Ellis, daughter of Captain Jabez Ellis frequently mentioned 
 in the early part of this town's history. Both were victims of the terrible 
 plague of 1810, when so many people of this vicinity died. They had nine 
 children. 
 
 Samuel P. Fisher was the third child and second son. He was born in 
 Wrentham, August 4, 1795. He attended the common schools, whose 
 advantages were then very limited, "and learned the blacksmith's trade of 
 Enoch Arnold, under the old system of apprenticeship." In 1818 he came 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 535 
 
 to this town and commenced plying his trade ''in a shop near Hatch's 
 tavern." His first wife was Cliarlotte, daughter of Otlmiel and Chloe 
 Blackinton, by whom he had two children, who died. She died in 1832, and 
 in tlie following year Mr. Fisher married Susan G., the daughter of George 
 and Judith Guild Blackinton, by whom he had five children — William W. ; 
 Carrie A., Mrs. H. S. Somes; Samuel E. ; Charles E. ; and Mary E., Mrs. 
 T. E. Sloane, of Brooklyn. Mr. Fisher's blacksmith-shop "'was one of the 
 old landmarks, and in stage-coach times was a common stopping-place, and 
 the only place of the kind in this part of Attleborough." For thirty-three 
 years he carried on this business and then relinquislied it to take up that of 
 real estate and at the same time to occupy himself with his farm. " He 
 was a man of strong convictions and fixed principles," but yielded to others 
 when he became satisfied tliat he held wrong opinions. He belonged to the 
 " old line Whig party," and afterward became a Republican. He was an 
 active and consistent temperance man and inclined toward Universalism, 
 though he never became a church member. " He was a kind husband and 
 father, and did for his children all that his means would allow. He was au 
 honest man, much respected by his acquaintances, and straightforward in 
 everything." His death occurred January G, I860, at the age of sixty-seven. 
 
 William W. Fisher is the oldest sou of the above by his second wife. 
 He was born July 19, 1834. He attended the common schools, and theu 
 "learned the jewelers' trade," later taking up that business, which he has 
 continued ever since, two years only excepted, those being passed in work at 
 the Springfield Armory. December 22, 1859, he was married to Nettie,, 
 daughter of William B. Pilcher, of Norfolk, Va., who died in 1863. In 1870 
 he married Lizzie E., daughter of George Miller, of Easthampton, L. I., by 
 whom he has had two children — Mattie L. and Susie M. Mr. Fisher is a 
 member of Hampden Lodge of F. and A. M. of Springfield, Mass., of the 
 Massachusetts Charitable Association, and one of the firm of S. P2. Fisher 
 & Co., of North Attleborough. 
 
 Samuel E. Fisher, the second son, was born November 9, 1839. After 
 going through the town common schools he attended the Green Mountain 
 Liberal Institute at Woodstock, Vt. His first occupation was that of clerk 
 for T. A. Bardeu, which he continued for five years. " During the Rebellion 
 he was employed by the United States government as clerk in quartermaster 
 and commissary departments in Virginia and Texas." In 1869 he became 
 clerk in the New York office of H. F. Barrows & Co., remaining five years, 
 when he commenced business for himself in his native village. In this he 
 has been successful. His wife, whom he married in 1872, was Georgie S., a 
 daughter of Henry Clark, of New Bedford, Mass. Mr. Fisher is a member 
 of British Lodge F. and A. M. at North Attleborough, and of King Hiram 
 Chapter at Attleborough. 
 
536 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Charles EIverett Fisher is the third and youngest son and was born 
 January 7, 1842. He was educated in the town schools and at the Providence 
 Conference Seminary at East Greenwich, R. I. He had been in business 
 about two years when the war broke out, and he enlisted in Company I, 
 Seventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He served three years 
 in the Army of the Potomac and after his discliarge was employed by the 
 War Department in various positions for four years. Then he received an 
 appointment as an internal revenue officer in Virginia. This position he 
 resigned in 1870 and the "War Department gave him another in the quarter- 
 master's department in Arizona. Four years later he was employed in the 
 same capacity in Washington. D. C, and continued there until 1882. Upon 
 ■resigning this latter position he went to Wyoming Territory and became 
 jnterested in the business of cattle-raising, in which he is still engaged. On 
 November 7, 1876, he married Mrs. Hattie F. Pierson, daughter of J. Q. A. 
 Tresize, of Philadelphia. He is president of the ]Mauhattan Cattle Company, 
 formed in Cheyenne, Wyoming. 
 
 Charles E. Hayward was the son of Captain Abraham Hay ward, who 
 followed the seas for at least thirty years. He was captain of a privateer 
 during the War of 1812 and a thorough hater of the English. The captain's 
 father was Abraham Hayward, a resident of Boston, a clerk of old King's 
 Chapel there, beneath which ancient building he is buried. Captain Ha}^- 
 ward became a resident of this town and he married Mariette Daggett, 
 by whom he had seven children. The subject of this sketch was born at 
 North Attleborough, August 28, 1824. He had nothing but the common- 
 school education of his day, and when seventeen years old became an 
 apprentice to the firm of Tifft & Whiting, remaining with it for five years. 
 For the two or three years subsequent to the close of his apprenticeship he 
 worked as a journeyman, for two or three more for himself in his native 
 village in manufacturing gold settings, and then he removed to the east part 
 of the town. 
 
 Here he formed a partnership with several gentlemen, under the firm name 
 ■of Thompson, Hayward & Co. They manufactured first at the Mechanics, 
 but soon moved to more suitable quarters in the East village itself. This 
 firm continued but four years, though in that time they established a good 
 reputation and had a profitable trade. Mr. Hayward then formed the 
 partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Jonathan l^riggs, which continued 
 for thirty years, the firm becoming very successful and maintaining always 
 the most honorable reputation. In July, 1885, it was dissolved and Mr. 
 Hayward's son entered business with his father, under the name of C. E. 
 Hayward & Co. Being one of the pioneers in jewelry in this part of the 
 town and continuing in it through so long a period, it may readilv be seen 
 that members of nearly all the firms of East Attleborough have been 
 €niplo3'ed by him in some capacity. In 1867 he became one of the four 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 537 
 
 founders of the New York Watch Company of Providence, which was 
 subsequently removed to Springfield, this State. 
 
 Mr. Hayward took a great interest in all matters pertaining to agricultui-al 
 piu'suits, stock-raising, fruit-growing, etc., and was one of the prime movers 
 in organizing the Attleborough Farmers and Mechanics Association. He was 
 one of the first trustees and the second president of the society. He was 
 elected to that office, November 3, 1877, and he proved to be so well fitted 
 for the position and performed its duties so acceptabl}^ that though for 
 several years he presented his resignation and announced his refusal of a 
 reelection, the society would not listen to the one or accept the other, and he 
 remained in the office until his death. Public offices of an}- kind were never 
 desired by him, though he could have had all in the gift of his townsmen 
 had he shown the inclination to accept them. If any were thrust upon him, 
 he quietly accepted and did the required work well, as the success of the 
 town fairs for years testified, a success largely due to his wise forethouglit 
 and good judgment in arrangement and management. He was a highly 
 esteemed member of Orient Lodge, No. 107, and of the Royal Arcanum, 
 vice-president and director of the First National Bank of Attleborough, 
 director in the Attleborough Gaslight Company, and a member of "Woodlawn 
 Cemetery Association. 
 
 On June 14, 1854, he married Charlotte E., daughter of George and 
 Eliza Wheelwright, of Boston, who survives him.^ They had two children: 
 Florence M., Mrs. J. Lyman Sweet, and Walter p]., both residents of this 
 town. Mr. Hayward was brought up in the faith of the Universalist Church 
 and was a firm adherent of its principles and beliefs, though without a shade 
 of bigotry, as his liberality toward other denominations proves. *•' While 
 profefising very little religion, he practiced a great deal of it, and in a manner 
 to win the regard of all Christians, Catholic as well as Protestant." He was 
 one of the trustees of the Murray Universalist Paiish and one of the leaders 
 in the movement to establish a church of that denomination in this part of 
 the town. He gave of time and means unsparingly to attain its success 
 and to promote the interests of the society, and he occupied a place in it 
 which cannot soon be filled. He was a stanch believer in temperance and a 
 warm advocate of its cause. 
 
 He was never a robust man, and for many years suffered severely at times 
 from asthma. This had increased as he grew older, and in the hope that 
 a milder climate might bring some relief he started during the autumn 
 previous to his death for California. He stayed there about five months, 
 but received no real benefit, rather the reverse ; and when he finally started 
 for home health and strength were much reduced. His condition was not 
 considered imminently serious until, after taking a severe cold from exposure 
 
 ' Mrs. Hayward has siuce died. 
 
53 S A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ou the wnv, he became alarmingly ill and it was feared by the friends accom- 
 panying liini that he could not survive to reach the journey's end. Where 
 possible, medical attendance was obtained, but doubtless it was the quiet 
 but none the less resolute determination of the man himself that kept the 
 feeble flame burning in his lamp of life until home was reached and the care 
 which had rested heavily upon him uninterruptedly for so many long years 
 could be transferred to others. This done, the failing strength refused to 
 rally again and the flame burned quickly out. Friends " had planned to 
 give Mr. Hayward a grand welcome " on his return, but instead, in a few 
 days they gathered to pay the last earthly honors to his lifeless form. He 
 died ^lay 4, 188(j, the upright man, the kind friend, the valuable citizen, the 
 devoted husband, the loving father, the consistent Christian. The funeral 
 was attended at his late residence, shops were closed, and business in the 
 village was generally suspended while its people gathered together in throngs 
 to show their sympathy and respect. His own pastor, the pastor of the First 
 Universalist Church, and Rev. Mr. lUman, a former pastor, joined in 
 conducting the sad services. All the organizations of which he was a 
 member were represented, and the members followed him to his last resting- 
 place in Woodlawn Cemeter}^ where " all that was moi-tal of one of the 
 kindest and best men Attleboro' has known, was forever hid from sight." 
 
 A few extracts from the resolutions passed upon his death are here 
 given : — 
 
 Besolved : That tlie Attlebormiuh Farmers & Mechanics Associatiou recouiiize with grateful 
 pleasure Mr. Hayward's eiiiiueiit and faithful services in its ])ehalf, and to the varied industries 
 of this his native town. 
 
 Resolved : That in the loss of an associate so upright, so genial, so helpful and so careful for 
 others, we, the members of this Association, all feel a deep sense of personal bereavement. 
 
 At a special meeting of the First National Bank the following was adopted : — 
 
 Whereas, In the Providence of God, death has removed from our Board of Directors, Mr. 
 Charles E. Hayward, whose membership commenced with the organization of the bank, 
 therefore 
 
 Resolved, That we desire to put upon record our appreciation of Mr. Hayward, and that 
 we deeply feel his loss. In our long intercourse with him, not only as Director, but also as a 
 citizen, he won by uniform courtesy and gentlemanly bearing our highest esteem. Pure in life 
 and honorable to the highest degree, gentle and sympathetic in his nature, he made fast friends 
 with all who knew him. 
 
 la Memoriam. 
 
 Whereas, God in his intinite wisdom and always wise (although to us mysterious) providence, 
 has removed by death our beloved employer, Charles E. Hayward, we, his employes, would 
 hereby publicly express our deep grief for the great loss which we have individually suflered 
 by reason of his death. We feel that we have not only lost a beloved employer, but an individ- 
 ual friend, one who was ever mindful of our wants, ever ready to give us advice and counsel 
 when needed, and whose liberal hand was ever ready to lighten the l)urdens of life when they 
 were weighing heavily upon us. He was a kind employer, a true friend, and an honest man; 
 and the memory of his goodness and virtues will be with us as a pleasant remembrance to the 
 
 end of life. 
 
 Signed, 
 
 The Employes of C. E. Hayward & Co. 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 539 
 
 It had been a pleasant custom with ISIr. Ilayward for some years to provide coolino: refresh- 
 ments for the Grand Army on Memorial Day, and they always made a halt at his residence to 
 accept this grateful attention. In remembrance of this courtesy the following was placed 
 among the Memorial Day General Orders for 18is() : — 
 
 In recognition of the kindly interest ever shown iu the welfare of this Post, by our late fellow 
 citizen Charles E. Hay ward, and as a mark of respect to his memory, it is hereby ordered that 
 while passing his late residence, on Memorial Day, the band shall play a dirge, and the colors be 
 
 dipped. By order, t. t^ ,^ •■ i /^ i 
 
 E. D. Gudd, Commander. 
 
 T. H. Annable, Post Adjutant. 
 
 This same custom has been remembered on both the ^Memorial Day anniversaries since the 
 father's death, and l)eeu carried out by the thoughtful son. 
 
 Mr. Hayward was a man who attended to his own affairs and never 
 meddled with those of others ; but if his advice and counsel were asked, they 
 were freely given, and probably no one iu town was oftener thus sought than he. 
 As he was quiet and unassuming in his words and ways, so he was iu his 
 <;]eeds— his life was full of unobtrusive acts of kindness and helpful charity, 
 many of which became knowu only when he was dead. The following 
 extracts are taken here and there from the many sincere tributes paid to 
 him soon after his death : — 
 
 He was universally respected, of sterling worth, of strict integrity, of pure ideas, of gentle 
 yet active influence. Without any undue exertion in his life work he made a healthful impres- 
 sion on the connnunity, and in the affairs to which he lent his aid. With no events of great 
 prominence in his history, he maintained such an even disposition, such a faithful performance 
 of his various duties, such an open nature towards his fellow-men. he performed so many little 
 kindnesses and so many helpful deeds, that all feel his was a well rounded life, and that every 
 one has lost a friend. 
 
 " In all respects." says another, " he was a model man, and his death is universally regarded 
 as the greatest personal loss his town could experience." Again, — "In the death of Mr. 
 Charles E. Hayward, Attleborough loses one of its most prominent and exemplary citizens. 
 He was a man of spotless integrity, fair and candid in his Judgments, generous and charitable 
 toward all. His death will fall heavily upon his bereaved family, the organizations with which 
 he was connected, and heavily too, in homes of poverty which his (|uiet and unobtrusive 
 charity had ofttimes brightened. His influence will remain a constavit reproof to the cheap 
 ostentation and questionatjle business methods too prevalent in our times." 
 
 Justly entitled to the strong testimonials to his worth and strength of character, the peculiar 
 feature of his nature was the manner in which he made every one feel that he entered sympa- 
 thetically into his thoughts and needs and plans. Never obtruding counsel but always willingly 
 and kindly giving it. never pushing for self-advantage Init always ready to do his part, he made 
 his influence more personal than that of almost any other man among us. His success in life, 
 the result of frugal and inilustrious habits, should be a lesson to all young men looking eagerly 
 forward to unac(iuired future prosperity. His purity of life and gentle ways show what force 
 there may be in quiet assertion of manly dignity, and earnestness of purpose. He was not 
 perfect for he was human, yet but few men exhibit so little of the weakness and failings of 
 humanity as he, while such devotion as he manifested to the duties and trials that devolved 
 upon him is rarely seen. Were he able to speak, he would deprecate with modesty the praise 
 that is bestowed upon him. But gone forever from mortal sight, it is simple justice to pay the 
 tributes of respect and attection which are being wreathed about his memory. 
 
 One who knew him most intimately says: — 
 
 " His disposition was very even, and I never remember that he was cross or nervous, amid all 
 bis perplexities, even when his children tried him iu the various aggravating ways common to 
 
540 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 eliildliootl; and after that period he seemed more a compaiiiou to them tlian a parent. His life 
 was a busy one and full of eare from the time that he was sixteen years old, — for he always 
 did a f^reat deal for botn relatives and friends. His success was due to industry, and to mechan" 
 ical skill, of which he possessed a goodly share. The decline of his fortunes was owing to his 
 having so many friends to whom he never refused aid when they solicited. His life was one 
 of many cares and few enjoyments, and I am well convinced that care rather than disease 
 caused his death." Another, who knew him well from his youthful days to the end of his life, 
 paitl not long since a l)eautiful tribute to his domestic character. In speaking of a well-known 
 luiblication the person said: *' I sometimes think I too would like from my own experience 
 to write a book called ' Household Saints.' I have known al)out six in my life, and one of them 
 was Charles E. Hayward."' 
 
 Mr. Hayward's was indeed a life of rare unselfishness, and like the Master 
 "he went about doing good." But, after summing up all he accomplished, 
 his manifold kind acts, his public and private liberality, his business reputa- 
 tion, his financial prosperity, his high position in the community and the 
 town, and his equally high standing wherever he was known, it remains to be 
 said that the most remarkable feature of his whole life, that which portrays 
 most clearly the greatest element in his character, his real pure, unselfish- 
 ness, was his patient, cheerful, unceasing, unwearied devotion through twenty- 
 five years to his wife, a hopeless invalid. Less he might have done, and yet 
 have done his whole duty ; more he could not have done, for at last he gave 
 his life. A generation numbers few such men as lie. 
 
 This family is of Welsh origin, the founders in this country being two 
 brothers, who came with their famil}' from Wales to the Bermuda Islands in 
 1670, and were there later seized by a pressgang. (These gangs were 
 squads of men who went from place to place and by force put men and boys 
 on board Elnglish vessels, where they were compelled to serve the English 
 government.) Their ship being at one time near Newbury port, Mass., these 
 brothers, Solomon and John, managed to escape, and so renounced British 
 
 rule. Solomon settled in Newbury, this State, " married Miss of old 
 
 York, and had four sons and three daughters." He and his family were 
 among the original proprietors of that town. Edward was his second sou, 
 and he married Hannah Emory, of Newbury. They had eleven children, six 
 sons and five daughters. Of these sons David was the third, and he married 
 Lucy Thurston, of Uxbridge, Mass. He appears to have settled in the 
 adjoining town of Sutton, in that part now known as Millbury, and here 
 some at least of his twelve children were born. Nathan was the third sou 
 in this family, the first of the name in this town, to which he came as pastor 
 of the Second Congregational Church, and is mentioned in the preceding 
 account of that church and society. He married Lettice Morey, of Norton, 
 by whom he had three children, two sons and one daughter, Mary H., who 
 married Colonel Mason Stone, of Norton. She was his second wife, and 
 after their marriao;e removed with him to Wisconsin. He was one of the 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 541 
 
 prominent members of the Congregational C'hnreh at Norton, and became a 
 pioneer in forming a similar church in Preseott, Wis., where he first settled, 
 and where he was for many years one of the deacons. Tliis was in the days 
 when log huts formed the dwelling-places of the people in that section, and 
 the carrving on of such work under the rough and rude circumstances that 
 surrounded him shows the real, earnest character of the man. Mr. Stone 
 served in the army, and died in p:ilsworth. Wis., December 3, 1887. His 
 wife had died some years previous. Two sons and two daughters survive in 
 Wisconsin, and William M. Stone, of this town, is another son, but by the 
 first marriage. 
 
 Samuel Morey Holman, the oldest son of Rev. Nathan Holman, was 
 born in this town, December 1, 1803. He received his education here, 
 besides that afforded by the town schools probably receiving some instruction 
 from his father, who for a number of years had a school in the East village. 
 He gave instruction in the classics, and was a man of decided acquirements 
 in the way of learning. After leaving school Mr. Holman became a. farmer 
 on his father's property, and has ever since continued in that occupation, his 
 residence being on the home place only a few rods from the one built and 
 occupied by the father, and later by the brother. Some sixty-odd years ago 
 he was the postmaster, the second regular one appointed for the village. He 
 has also at times held the offices of selectman, assessor, and overseer of the 
 poor. He was a member of the famous Washington Kifle Corps, and is a 
 member of the Odd Fellows organization. He has attained the very unusual 
 ao-e of eighty-six, and is among the very oldest citizens of the town. He 
 has seen two generations pass away, and another advance far on its course, 
 yet his faculties are but little abated. He retains them to a remarkable 
 degree, and his memory goes back clearly for three quarters of a century, 
 to the War of 181-2, of which time, and the years immediately succeeding, 
 he recalls many interesting incidents, which he relates with the charm of 
 manner characteristic of his family. His life has been an uneventful one. 
 He has been fired by no restless ambition to do something great or to 
 attract attention to himself, but, satisfied with the groove in which his lot 
 was cast, it has been his aim just to do his duty as it presented itself day 
 by day and year by year. Content with the moderate measure of worldly 
 goods meted out to him, bearing his trials and accepting his joys alike 
 with equanimity, he has walked his even way calmly and steadily, amid all 
 the startling changes that have taken place around him during his nearly 
 fourscore years and ten. Such men command the respect of everybody, 
 and at all times the healthful intluence of their evenly balanced lives is use- 
 ful ; and especially is this true nowadays, when a rushing excitement and a 
 continual demand for something new are prevailing elements of our Amer- 
 ican society. 
 
 Mr. Holman has been married twice. His first wife was a Miss Lincoln, 
 
542 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of Norton, who died. April 14. ISC.O, lie married Christina A. Hamlin, of 
 West Falmouth, Mass. Tliey have one son.' 
 
 Samuel M. Holman, Jr., was born January 1, 1862. He fitted for college 
 and graduated at Amherst, intending to enter one of the professions, but 
 was obliged to relinquish the idea on account of his health. He therefore 
 decided to settle at home. He is a dealer in real estate, and also in wood 
 and coal. January 1, 1886, he was married to Virtue E. Swift, of West Fal- 
 mouth. They have one child, Grace Morey Holman.- 
 
 David Emory Holman, younger brother of the above, was born October 
 12, 1805, in the house where his entire life, with the exception of a few years, 
 was passed. After the town schools he attended the Wrentham Academy, 
 then well known and of excellent repute. Many Attleborough boys of that 
 and a later period were students there, and, wliile we do not doubt they pur- 
 sued their studies as good boys should, we are sure from the reminiscences we 
 have heard that some of them at least were zealous in the pursuit of sport and 
 highly successful in the playing of pranks. His fun-loving nature Avould 
 place David Holman in the ranks of these merry lads, but his "jokes" would 
 never absorb him to the neglect of duty or the serious annoyance of anyone, 
 no matter how sensitive. After completing his studies he became a teacher, 
 and as such met with good success. All who knew him would say this could 
 scarcely be otherwise. He would have a most agreeable way of imparting 
 instruction, good-humored patience in assisting the dull or urging the indo- 
 lent pupils, and he could illustrate every knotty point or gloomy passage with 
 an " experience," and fix facts and dates in treacherous memories with some 
 apt, interesting story. He did not follow this profession of teaching, but 
 entered business. The manufacture of straw bonnets had aliout this time 
 commenced in this town or the vicinity, and he became interested in it. 
 Later he opened a store in the Arcade, in Providence, and at the same time 
 continued his bonnet-making. 
 
 In 183.5-36 he was a representative to the Legislature. He was at this time 
 only thirty years of age, the youngest man ever sent from this town, and one 
 of the youngest, if not the very youngest, ever sent to that body. It is rare 
 that the choice falls upon one so youthful, and when it does so fall it must 
 show that tlie recipient of the honor has unusual ability. Mr. Holman joined 
 the Washington Kitle Corps and when quite young became its captain, filling 
 the position admirably. Upon the breaking out of the Rebellion he at once 
 enlisted, and on June lb, 1861, received his commission as Major of the 
 
 'Mr. Holman died Maixli 10, ISiil, luivinjr reached the extreme age of eighty -seven years, three 
 months, ami nine days. 
 
 2 They have had three children, the youngest of whom died. The second is a son, now Samuel M.,. Jr. 
 Mr. Hohnan has within a few years conimence<l to take interest in town atl'airs, and lieen electe<l to 
 otlice. He i.-* at present the tax collector, 1S93. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEB01tOU(iH. 543 
 
 Seveuth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. He soon took the field with his 
 regiment, but not long after he sustained a sunstroke and returned home. 
 This accident rendered a temporary leave of absence from active duty not 
 only advisable but necessary, but was not of itself and alone sufficient to 
 prevent his returning to his regiment. Major Holman resigned his commis- 
 sion at the time he left the front, in August, 1861. His health was the reason 
 made public, but the actual, underlying cause was jealousy manifested in 
 the gross misrepresentation of certain facts. He had too keen a sense of 
 honor and justice to retain an apparently false position, therefore he resigned, 
 but with the hope and desire of being able to rejoin his regiment. He was 
 subjected to much unjust criticism at home, accused of enlisting simpW to 
 induce others to do the same, and not from patriotic motives, and charged 
 with cowardice and with seizing the first possible pretext for turning his back 
 upon the enemy. He bore all these censures — these stigmas upon his char- 
 acter and courage — silently, because to tell the truth would have been to 
 expose the unworthy conduct of others and their unjust treatment of him. 
 He could endure reproach no matter what the cost to himself, but he could 
 not stoop to retaliate. To "• bear and forbear" was his invariable rule, and 
 he indulged in no word of recrimination toward his accusers. He who has 
 so far mastered himself as to be al)le to follow such a line of conduct as this 
 undeviatingly has reached a high plane of living, and few attain it. To 
 become a soldier did not change Major Holman's genial nature ; he was 
 always the same polite and affable gentleman. He recognized nothing- 
 derogatory to the dignity of an officer in the holding of friendly intercourse 
 with the ranks when proper occasions offered. He always had a kind and 
 cheery greeting for everyone in his regiment, for the subalterns, the privates, 
 and the servants. This simple and to him natural politeness gained for him 
 the goodwill and aff'ection of the men, but at the same time caused jealousy 
 among a few of the higher officers, who doubtless wished themselves to gain 
 the same goodwill of the men but were unable or unwilling to pursue the 
 same course, and they were ungenerous and unmanly enough to plot his 
 removal. During the very early days of the war, petty personal matters 
 played often quite important parts in army life, and sometimes, as in this 
 instance, were never properly adjusted, and the l)lame fell where it was 
 undeserved ; but later, in the days of real struggling and fighting and deadly 
 suffering, these were mostly let to fall into oblivion. There was in reality 
 never a shadow of reason to doubt Major Holman's bravery or his true 
 patriotism. This is the testimony of an officer in the Seventh Regiment, him- 
 self a brave and loyal man, and able to appreciate those qualities in another. 
 It is from him that the facts in the case have been received, and it is with a 
 real personal pleasure they are here given to the public. 
 
 The following resolutions, and their acknowledgment by Major Holman, 
 speak for themselves : — 
 
544 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Headquarters 7th. Reg. Mass. Vol. Co. 1, 
 Wasliington, D. C, Aug. 2!)th, ISOl. 
 
 Besolved — Tliat l)y the resignation of MaJ. David Ilolnian, and Lieut. Wni. W. Fisher, of 
 Attleboro'. we have met witli a loss whieh is most deeply felt by us all. 
 
 Besolved — ThaX by the mild, gentlemanly deportmeut,and unexceptionable (jbaracter, which 
 they have invariably sustained while here, they have gained the love and esteem of all with 
 whom they came in contact. 
 
 Resolved— Th-,i{ we do most heartily approve of the manly spirit which prompted their 
 resignation, and trust that their reception at home will be such as is due to men of unquestioned 
 bravery, who early and earnestly devoted themselves to their country's call. 
 
 Voted — That a copy of these Resolutions be forwarded to the Attleboro^ Weekly News, and 
 also to the Taunton Gazette, for publication. 
 
 Attleboro' Sept. 9th, IStil. 
 My dear Sir. 
 
 Allow me to thank you. and through you, your companions in arms, for the complimentary 
 resolutions referring to myself and Lieut. Fisher, which appeared in the Taunton Gazette of 
 last week, — be assured though far away from you, your manly forms seem always passing 
 before me. Your cheerful recognition as we met can never be forgotten by me, and will ever 
 be remembered with pleasure. — but the event that separated us has caused me more sorrow 
 than any other event of my life, — in the delirium of the moment I did not think of the sad 
 consequences that would follow my resignation. — that I was to pass away from you alone, — 
 for I had fondly hoped that when our work was done that I should have the pleasure of pre- 
 senting you all to our friends at home. But this 1 fear is not now to be my pleasant lot, — 
 though I have sometimes vainly hoped that something might occur to send me back to you 
 again. Once again I thank you, and as you pass about the camp, please remember me kindly to 
 all. not forgetting even the servants. 
 
 Yours trulv, 
 
 D. E. Holman. 
 
 This letter was addressed to Lieuteuaut William H. Wade, then a sergeant 
 in Company I. It should silence all doubt as to the writer's wish to return 
 to his regiment, as the resolutions should prove the uprightness of his 
 conduct. 
 
 All prospect of his being able to return to his command having come to 
 an end, he went soon after to England. The climate of that country proved 
 agreeable and beneficial to him and he removed his straws-works to London, 
 where he continued his manufacturing in this line for quite a number of 
 years. He retired from active ])usiness in 1873, and during the remaining 
 ten years of his life he lived quietly at the old homestead and interested 
 himself in the personal care of his farm lands. 
 
 " In person Maj. Holman was of commanding presence, being tall, 
 vigorous in frame, and of marked military bearing. His stalwart form which 
 never seemed that of an old man, has often attracted notice in the proces- 
 sions on Memorial Day ; he was a member of W. A. Streeter Post, G. A. R., 
 and always joined them in their memorial offices." He was an unusually 
 courteous man, — one of great urbanity of manner, but withal perfect sincerity » 
 He possessed friendly feelings for all mankind, hatred was a thing unknown 
 to his nature. He was always saying pleasant words, always doing kind 
 deeds. His manners, — the same to all classes, high or low, rich or poor — 
 never changed because they were a portion of himself. He was brought up 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 545 
 
 iu the old school of politeness, wheu children were taught to treat their elders 
 and superiors with respect, — to rise when their parents or elders entered 
 a room where they were, " to bow to aged people and strangers in the streets. 
 to formulate a polite speech when sent out on an errand, and to answer every 
 one, even their own parents, with 'yes, ma'am,' and 'yes, sir'"; but, back 
 of and beyond all outward training and example was the something innate 
 which made him one of "• nature's noblemen," — a born gentleman. 
 
 His social qualities were very uncommon. Tlie tones of his voice were 
 musical and expressive, his choice of words apt, his language refined, and 
 his mind was stored with countless incidents and experiences which he had 
 the faculty of appropriating readily to whatever might be the subject of 
 conversation. He made himself agreeable to youug and old aliice, and 
 became a chief attraction iu whatever circle he entered. His faculty for 
 telling stories was indeed remarkable, and the fund was apparently inex- 
 haustible. Each one had a special point, and fitted with such peculiar exact- 
 ness the place into which he put it that it made a description perfect, which 
 without it would have seemed unfinished, or a question discussed quite clear, 
 that, wanting such an anecdote to explain it, might have been misunderstood. 
 There is an old house iu town at whose fireside iu the years gone by Major 
 Holman was a frequent and always a welcome visitor, for he and its owner 
 were lifelong intimate friends. Again and again, after spending an hour or 
 two there engaged in business talk or pleasant chat, he has risen and pre- 
 pared to return home by putting on his greatcoat, but before he could get 
 it buttoned some amusing anecdote would suddenly occur to him proper to 
 relate just then and there, and this would pave the way for another and 
 another and another, and leaning on the chimneypiece, hat in hand, he has 
 told story after story, himself and his listeners thoroughly absorbed and 
 interested and totally oblivious of the lapse of time until the clock-hands 
 pointed closely to the small hours of the morning. His style Avas inimital)le ; 
 it was quiet and not dramatic, and his face in repose was somewhat sei-ious, 
 but it was easily lighted up : and the playful twinkle of his eye as he pro- 
 ceeded with his tale, and his low but hearty laugh, spread an irresistible 
 contagion of merriment all around. 
 
 Charming and entertaining as a guest, he was equally so as a host. PVom 
 the first the " Holman house" has been known as an "open house," one of 
 general and generous entertainment. Among the pleasantest of the many 
 pleasant records found on the clerk's book of the Washington Rifle Corps 
 are those relating to certain meetings just preceding the sham fight near the 
 East village, which some of the old people still remember. ]Mr. Holman, 
 then captain, announced to the company that on the day of the fight " they 
 could dine at father's," and we are told that this invitation was gladly 
 accepted and that some thirty or forty men sat down to a bountiful repast 
 just before the battle. The mantle of the father fell upon the sou, and the 
 
646 A .SKETCH OF THE 
 
 reputation be established iu this direction was well maintained. Indeed the 
 hospitable doors of that mansion were never closed ; a room in it was 
 always ready for strangers, — clergymen or lecturers, whoever they might be, 
 — while a large circle of relatives and friends were always gathering within 
 its walls, as well as the simple acquaintances at home and from abroad. All 
 who crossed that threshold received a cordial welcome which placed them at 
 their ease, while host and hostess vied with each other in their charming, 
 graceful way to make the hours pass pleasantly for their guests. During 
 many years this house was the centre of hospitality in the village, and sad 
 indeed was that event which broke up this pleasant home and made those days 
 of bright social intei'course only things of the past. 
 
 Mr. Holman was especially fond of his family and home, and the ties of 
 kinship were with him peculiarly strong and binding. For eighty years he 
 and his brother lived side by side —sometimes in the same house — with 
 a loving fellowship and a close unanimity which are very rare. He had 
 deep and decided religious feelings, but never fashioned his creed exactly 
 after the pattern of any one special sect, and therefore never identified him- 
 self with any church as a member. His last illness, which was caused by 
 a disease of the heart, confined him to the house about four weeks, but was 
 not considered imminently fatal until two days before his death. His cheer- 
 fulness triumphed over all suffering ; to the very last his mind recalled bright 
 reminiscences, and his ready tongue responded, bringing smiles to the lips of 
 physician and attending friends, though all realized the seriousness of the 
 situation. To such a man death is not a "king of terrors," but simply 
 an inevitable experience to be met with the same undisturbed serenity' as are 
 the ordinary affairs of daily life. Major Holman died December 10, 1883, 
 and thus one of the most honorable of men and one of the most worthy 
 citizens the town has ever had passed awa3\ 
 
 In 1848 he married Charlotte J. Balcom, who since his death has removed 
 to New York City to reside. They had three children : a daughter, who died 
 young, and two sons. Of these S. Frank, the younger, is an artist, and for 
 some years has spent the greater portion of his time iu Paris, France, where 
 he has been a pupil in L^EroIe des Beaux Arts. His residence in this coun- 
 try is with his brother in New York. [He has attained a considerable 
 reputation.] 
 
 D. Emory Holman, m.d., the older son, was born April 17, 1852. He 
 attended the public schools in town, graduating at the High School, and then 
 took the course at the Mo wry tt Goff Preparatory or Classical School, in 
 Providence. He entered Brown University and graduated there with the 
 degrees of A.B. and A.M. in 1876. He received his medical degree from the 
 Long Island College Hospital in 1880. He was a Deputy Health Officer of 
 Lower Bay, N. Y., in 1884, and has been a member of the Health Board of 
 New York City, in which place he has been practising his profession during 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 547 
 
 the several years since he obtained his degree. Tn December, 1886, he 
 married Sarah Palmer Konnd, daugliter of Dr. Ronnd, of Norton. 
 
 Handsome, brilliant, and accomplished, she had made for herself friends 
 and admirers wherever she had been. Dnring tlie few montlis of her resi- , 
 dence in New York she had especially endeared herself to her new family l)y 
 her lovely character, and by her attractive qualities she had won for herself 
 numerous friends there and become a favorite to an unusual degree for one 
 so young entering an entire stranger into the society of so large a city. Siie 
 had more than common literary ability, as her contributions to the papers of 
 a literary society of which she was a member showed, as well as her transla- 
 tions from foreign works. Bright anticipations of usefulness and happiness 
 filled her fnture ; but death soon '' marked her for his own," and so swiftly 
 and ruthlessly did he follow his fatal messenger of disease that its presence 
 was scarcely realized before his final blow was struck. Human skill was 
 powerless, and in a few hours the sparkling, heathful life had gone out 
 struck down like a vigorous and beautiful flower blasted by the breath of 
 some poisonous vapor. With the body of her infant son in her arms she was 
 borne to her country home and thence to the Old Kirk Yard here, where in 
 the gloom and chill of a sunless October afternoon she was laid in her grave. 
 The sombre surroundings were fitting, for this spot so wonted to sad sights 
 never witnessed a sadder burial than this, and we may be pardoned for plac- 
 ing here a word of triliute and an expression of sorrow for the sudden ending 
 of this fair young life just as it had begun. 
 
 HORTON. 
 
 The first thing known of the Horton family is the fact that about 1640 
 three brothers of that name came to this country from P^ngland. One of 
 these was John, who settled in Rehoboth and married Mehetabel Gamzey, 
 by whom he had five sons and three daughters. Jotham, the second son and 
 child, married a Miss Hounds and had seven children. Of these the third 
 child and oldest sou was James. He and a younger brother, Barnett, " lived 
 in Rehoboth, and served in the Revolution, James being lieutenant." He 
 was born July 18, 17-41, and died August 10, 1833. He was a vigorous and 
 active man, as is evidenced by the fact that he attained the remarkable age 
 of ninetv-two. His wife was Freelove Pierce, or Price, and they had eleven 
 children, all of whom lived to be old, with the exception of two. Cromwell, 
 the second son but eighth child, was born February 23, 1777, and died iu 
 1861. He married Percy Martin and had seven children. Of these Gideon 
 M. was the second son and child and was born in Rehoboth, May 4, 1804. 
 He married Mary Smith, November 4, 1832, by whom he had four children: 
 Everett S., Edwin J., Gideon M., and James J. His second wife was Mrs. 
 Julia Jackson, of Middleborough, Mass. He died in this town — the first to 
 settle here — March 7, 1861. " He was an upright man and honest citizen. 
 
548 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ever ready to aid and forward any good work. He kept a country store in 
 Attleborough for years. He was never possessed of much of this world's 
 goods, but gave his children the wealth of good advice and the example of 
 honest industry, coupled Avith true charity and Christian devotion, a legacy 
 more precious than gold." 
 
 Everett Southard Horton, of the sixth generation in this country, and 
 the oldest child in his family, was born June 15, 1836. He attended school 
 until he was sixteen, when he became assistant in his father's store. He 
 occupied that position until the father's health failed, when he took entire 
 charge of the business and continued it until after the breaking out of the 
 war. On June 12, 1861, he was married to Mary Ann Carpenter, only 
 daughter of Jesse R. and Mary Carpenter, of this town. Their only child 
 was Mary Edith — Mrs. Thomas Gardner, of this town. 
 
 During the spring of 1862, having disposed of his business, Mr. Horton 
 with others recruited a company of nine mouths' men, and on the election of 
 its officei's in September of the same year he became its second lieutenant, 
 soon receiving his commission from Governor Andrew. His natural earnest- 
 ness and resolution showed themselves in this new occupation, for he quickly 
 mastered the drill and learned his duties as an officer. He went into camp 
 with his company at Boxford, this State, where in September, 1862. they 
 wei'e mustered into the United States service as Company C, Fortj'-seventh 
 Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. They were soon ordered to 
 New York and into camp on Long Island, from thence, in December, 
 embarking for New Orleans. La., where they arrived January 1, 1863, and 
 were assigned with other regiments to provost duty in and around that city. 
 Upon the resignation of the captain of Company C, which occurred about 
 this time, Lieutenant Horton, " by a large majority of the votes of the 
 compau}'," was chosen his successor. This nine months' service was ex- 
 tended to nearly a year, for it was not until August, 1863, that Captain 
 Horton reached home with his men. The following letters show the estuna- 
 tion in which he was held by his superior regimental officers : — 
 
 Boston, September 14tli, 1S03. 
 Capt. Everett S. Horton. 
 Co. C, 47th Mass. Vol. 
 
 Dear Capt. 
 It gives pleasure for me to certify to your good conduct and prompt oltedience of orders, and 
 I most cheerfully recommend you as one well qualilied to command a company, being well 
 posted in Casey's Tactics, with good natural, as well as acquired abilities as a commander, and 
 trust that the country may still have your services. 
 
 I remain, Very truly yours, 
 
 Lucius B. Marsh, Col. 
 47th. Mass. Vol. 
 
 Boston, Sept. 16th, 1863. 
 Captain, 
 
 In parting from you permit me to express my appreciation of your services while under my 
 
 command. Geu'l Banks and Gen'l Emery have both authorized me to say the same for them 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 549 
 
 in regard to the 47th Regiineut ;md its conduct while in tlie ilepartment of the Gulf. May the 
 choicest of heaven's blessings ever rest upon you and those who have been under your com- 
 mand is the praver of 
 
 Your Ob"t Servant, 
 
 Lucius B. Marsh, Col. 
 47th. Mass. Vol. 
 To 
 E. S. Horton, Capt. 
 Co. C, 47th. Mass. Vol. 
 
 Very soon after bis return came (xovernor Andrew's call for more troops, 
 and Mr. Horton responded again, receiving a commission as second lieutenant 
 and the position of recruiting oflicer for the Fifty-eighth Massachusetts 
 Volunteers. He opened an oMice in town but was soon ordered to camp to 
 take charge of recruits for the regiment there. Here he was commissioned 
 " Capt. of Co. C, 58th. Keg. Mass. Vet. Vol." After about six months iu 
 camp at Keadville he went to the front and became a participant in the mem- 
 orable '^ Battles of the Wilderness." "After the battle of Cold Harbor, 
 Lieut. Col. J. C. White, commanding the regiment, recommended Capt. 
 Horton for promotion, and he was mustered into service as major. The 
 commander of the regiment was wounded in a charge June od, and until 
 Sept. 30, 1864, the command devolved on Maj. Horton. On the last men- 
 tioned day, while leading the regiment in action a few miles south of Peters- 
 burg, he was made a prisoner, and October od, reached Richmond and 
 Libby." He was confined there until October 8, then sent to Salisbury, 
 N. C, where he remained until the 19th, and finally to Danville, Va., where he 
 was kept until January "27, 1865. At that time he was selected as a hostage 
 and sent back to Libby, where on February 22, literally a birthday of freedom 
 to him and his companions, he and many others were paroled and sent to the 
 Union lines. 
 
 The following are his own words in describing the horrors of Libby : 
 " Pen never can write the whole truth, and if it could be told, no one could 
 believe that it was possiljle for men to survive it, or possible that any one in 
 the I'Jth century could be guilty of such barbarities." Again his own words 
 are given, describing his feelings when once more under the Union fiag : "I 
 can never forget that day, never, never, NEVER. No one that has not 
 experienced the same sensations can know aught of the peculiar emotions 
 and thoughts that came in throngs in seeing and knowing that once more 
 I was under the Star Spangled Banner. LTnder their influence I wrote this 
 letter to my family from the deck of the fiag-of-truce boat, where each of 
 us was handed a sheet of paper and envelope. My family had not heard 
 from me for five months, and the newspapers had reported me dead : ' On 
 board God's flag-of-truce boat, James River, Feb. 22, 1865. Dear Wife, — 
 Out of the jaws of death, out of the gates of hell. Once more in the land of 
 the living. Well. Love to all. Everett.' " He was granted a furlough of 
 thirty days, was soon exchanged, and left home after a short visit to rejoin 
 
550 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 his regiment in Virginia ou the day that Petersburg was captured. He was 
 soon ordered to Washington, where he was on duty until he was mustered out 
 of service. 
 
 June 12, 1865, he was detailed as Division Inspector, Second Division, Ninth 
 Army Corps, by command of Brevet ]\Iajoi--Genei'al O. B. Willcox and John 
 D. Bartolette, Assistant Adjutant-deneral. The following letter speaks for 
 itself: — 
 
 Hd. Qrs. l^f Brigade. 2"J Division, 9th. Ar. Corps. 
 Near Alexandria, Va. 
 
 July 13, 1865. 
 This is to certify that Major E. S. Horton commanded his regiment (58 Mass. VI.) in all the 
 Battles, and ou all occasions, from June 3'''J to the engagement of Peeldes Farm, September 30'h 
 1864, when he was captured by the Enemy. 
 
 Dear Major, 
 
 It is with pleasure I extend to you my high appreciation for the very etlicient and successful 
 manner [in] which you on all occasions command yoin- regiment, and the promptness and 
 cheerfulness with which you have performeil your every duty whilst under my command. 
 Wishing you success, 
 
 I remain, Very truly yours, 
 
 Juo. C. Curtin. 
 Br't Brig. General. 
 
 " During his service Major Horton received seven commissions, and was 
 mustered into service on six of them. He was a gallant soldier, doing all his 
 duty, and as an officer, while strict in discipline, he looked well after the com- 
 fort of his men, and was universally popular both with officers and soldiers. 
 There is in his nature that which indicates the impetuosity, dash, and rapidity 
 of execution of a successful cavalry otHcer, with a coolness of judgment 
 which prevents boldness from degenerating into rashness." 
 
 Shortly after the close of the war he became manager of the establishment 
 of Davids & Cornell in Providence, the largest wholesale grocery house in 
 Rhode Island, but continued his residence in this town. He remained in that 
 position until 1880, when, by the death of his brother, a place in the firm of 
 Horton, Angell & Co. became vacant, which he took and is now the senior 
 partner in the concern. Since its organization he "■ has been much interested 
 in the G. A. R. and has contributed largely in maintaining the thriving post 
 established in Attleboro." He has been its commnnder several times and also 
 commander of the Bristol County Association of the G. A. R. He is a com- 
 missioner of the Attleborough Water Supply District Sinking Fund, a trustee 
 of the Richardson School Fund, has been secretary of the same, and is now 
 its president; he is a director of the Attleborough Savings and Loan Associa- 
 tion and president of the Attleborough Library Association. 
 
 His first wife died June 21, 1871. On September 24, 1873, lie was married 
 to Eliza Dutton Fremont, of Amesbury, Mass., by whom he has had two 
 children : Gertie E., born May 29, 1876, and Addie D., who died while an 
 infant. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 551 
 
 Edwin J. Horton, the second son, was born November 10, 1837. Of his 
 boyhood and youth tliere is comparatively little to be said. He attended the 
 public schools of the town, receiving no further advantages in the way of 
 instruction, but he possessed an active mind, one bent on inquiry ; and real- 
 izing the benefits of a good education, he determined to do the best he could 
 in this direction for himself. With him a determination was also an accom- 
 plishment and he improved every opportunity for reading, study, and observa- 
 tion and "became in reality a thoroughly informed man." August 17, 1862, 
 he enlisted in Company H, Fortieth Regiment JMassachusetts Volunteers, and 
 for three years was a good soldier, receiving his discharge June 17, 18G5. 
 This time excepted, his entire life was spent in his native village. 
 
 A few years after the close of the war the well-known firm of Horton, 
 Augell & Co. was organized and started in manufacturing. Of this firm Mr. 
 Horton was the senior member — may properly be called its originator — and 
 to him, no doubt, its marked success and continued prosperity was in a large 
 measure due. He was a member of many organizations and at various times 
 held important offices in them. He was deeply interested in the Young Men's 
 Christian Association and was its president at the time of his death ; he was 
 especially attached to the G. A. R. and to his own Post, faithful in the dis- 
 charge of its duties, earnest in labors for its well-being, and a loved member 
 of the order ; he was a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge of F. and A. M. and 
 of the Royal Arcanum, and at the time of his death was Noble Grand of 
 Orient Lodge, I. 0. O. F. He was a member of the Second Congregational 
 Church, thoroughly interested in its welfare and foremost in its benevolent 
 enterprises. 
 
 May 8, 1862, he married Addie Lee, by whom he had two children. The 
 elder died when quite young, before the father ; the younger, Raymond M., is 
 still living. He spared neither time nor money to make his home attractive, 
 and to the influences emanating from that home the position he attained in 
 the community was in no small measure due. In 1871) he represented the 
 town in the Legislature and was a member of the House Committee on 
 Health. In all municipal affairs he was an active participant and ever urging 
 forw'ard works of progress and reform. His principles were known of men 
 and he was firm in his adherence to them. Having made up his mind to the 
 right of a position or course of action, he boldly advocated the one and 
 unswervingly followed the other. .Such a man must make his mark in his 
 community but he inevitably gains at least political enemies, as was the case 
 with Mr. Horton, though the fact that he was elected to one of the highest 
 offices in the power of his fellow-citizens to bestow — an election "won in 
 one of the severest political contests ever recorded for this town " — is undeni- 
 able proof that he possessed the respect and confidence of a majority. 
 
 June 11, 1880, he was drowmed in that awful disaster which followed the 
 collision of the Sound steamers, Narragansett and Stonington. His funeral 
 
552 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 occurred June 15 at the Conoregfitional Church. During the time of the serv- 
 ices all shops and stores were closed and there was a general suspension of 
 business ; flags were displayed at halfmast, buildings were draped in black, 
 and crowds far beyond the capacity of the church to accommodate were gath- 
 ered together. Rarely, if ever, has there been seen a more saddened assem- 
 blage or the manifestation of more sincere and widespread mourning. The 
 then pastor of the church. Rev. W. A. Spauldiug, and two former pastors, 
 the Revs. F. N. Peloubet and Samuel Bell, were the officiating clergymen. 
 All the orders of which Mr. Hortou was a member were in attendance and 
 there were delegations from similar orders in other parts of the town and from 
 other places, and the offerings of flowers were varied and most beautiful. 
 The sympathy was heartfelt and the sorrow sincere for this untimely death. 
 Many friends followed the funeral procession to Woodlawn Cemetery and kind 
 hands had gone before and spread a fair covering of evergreens and roses 
 over the unsightly surroundings of the open grave. On the Decoration Day 
 just previous to his death Mr. Hortou had expressed a wish to be buried by 
 the G. A. R. This wish was remembered and he was lowered to his last 
 resting-place by the hands of his former comrades in arms and received the 
 burial rites of the soldier's order. 
 
 A fitting summary' of his life and character may be found in the following 
 extracts from the written words of various friends : — 
 
 That mau is un exeeptiuu who so Ihes that at his death all chisses in the community 
 Avhere he was l)oru and has spent all hi^ days will sincerely mourn his departure and pay 
 tribute to his memory in unteiuned sympathy. That life which can and does command 
 universal respect must indeed have much of merit in it. That character which while from 
 its positiveness makes enemies, can stand squarely before all their attacks, has more than 
 ordinary strength. Such a 'nan was Edwin J. Horton; such a life he lived, and such a char- 
 acter was his. 
 
 He was an unconmion man in many ways, as a business man with wonderful fertility of 
 resource and skill of execution, as a deeply conscientious and highly religious nature, and a man 
 of unbounded charity. It seems almost unaccountable that just in the prime of life, when the 
 activities of his being were accomplishing so nnich good, the chapter of his life should close so 
 sadly and abruptly, leaving many to mourn his untimely death, but to the question "Why?" 
 comes no answer. 
 
 He grew from i)oyhood to manhood and entered Inisiuess with a determination to succeed, 
 and he did succeed. He was always foremost in matters of public enterprise, and ready to 
 assist in private undertakings where help was needed. No one ever went to him for advice or 
 assistance and was turned away without a hearing. If he could give the one, and furnish the 
 other, both were cheerfully granted. It may safely be recorded that no business man of Attle- 
 borough bestowed more of his material substance for the support of public institutions and for 
 the friendly succor of individuals, than Mr. Horton. Perhaps the society that will most miss 
 his aid and counsel is the Young Men's Chr. Asso. of which he was president during the 
 last year of his life, and which looked to him for the larger portion of the money needed for its 
 support. The same liberality was manifested in his gifts to the church, the Grand Army of the 
 Republic, and other organizations of which he was a member. He was emphatically a self- 
 made man. He arrived at a position of wealth and intluence by dint of indomital»le energy and 
 perseverance in the short space of ten years. Few men have prospered so rapidly, and few 
 men have shared their prosperity so freely and unstintedly with the connnunity in which they 
 lived. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOliOUGH. 653 
 
 This work of charily and liberality has by no means ceased, l3ut is nol)ly 
 and loyally carried on by his wife, though often so quietly as to be known 
 only to those who are personally benefited. " No member of the House of 
 Representatives shared more largely in the esteem and confidence of the 
 other members of that body than Mr. Horton ; and no speaker was listened 
 to with closer attention." 
 
 " He had his failings, and none knew" them lietter than his friends, but his 
 virtues far out-w^eighed them, and endeared him to the hearts of most with 
 whom he came in contact." His death occurred in one of the world's awful 
 tragedies, and it left a wide gap in the ranks of our active, worthy citizens, 
 a vacant place '' hard to fill." 
 
 Gideon M. Horton. the third son, was born September 26, 1839. Like 
 his brothers, he attended the town schools, which were his only means of 
 instruction, and like the two older ones he entered the army, serving in the 
 Tenth Rhode Island Battery. He was one of the original members of the 
 firm of Horton, Angell & Co., and became a prosperous business man. He 
 manifested his public spirit by erecting, at a cost of fully .$o6,OUO, the busi- 
 ness block bearing his name, for, while it and its fellows are primarily 
 business enterprises, they adorn their surroundings, and this one especially 
 adds to the attractive appearance of the village of Attleborough. 
 
 Mr. Horton was a member of Bristol Lodge of F. and A. M. ; of King- 
 Hiram Chapter of Attleborough Council, and of Bristol Commandery ; of 
 the Royal Arcanum and Pennington Lodge, A. O. U. W. He was also a 
 member of Orient Lodge, I. O. O. F., its first Noble Grand, and a member 
 of Naomi Encampment of Taunton. He was a trustee of the Farmers and 
 Mechanics Association and an active and efficient member, a director of the 
 First National Bank, and belonged to the Merchants and Manufacturers 
 Association and to William A. Streeter Post, G. A. R. ^'For some years 
 he had been detailed on Memorial Day with his friend and companion, Mr. 
 Fred. Newell, to decorate graves in some of the districts difficult to get at, 
 and it will be with genuine grief, that his comrades, on next Memorial Day, 
 will place the flag and flowers above his grave." 
 
 For some years previous to his death he had been interested in stock- 
 raising, and was one of the owners in a large cattle-ranch in Dryden, Pecoe 
 County, Texas. This ranch contains some 6,000 acres, and has on it about 
 5,000 head of cattle and 1,000 horses. Mr. Horton owned and controlled 
 a fourth part. About twelve or thirteen years ago he began to experience 
 the first admonitions of failing health, but no very serious results followed 
 until three or four years since, when the presence of disease in the lungs 
 unmistakably manifested itself. After this time he took extended journeys 
 in various directions, in that way avoiding the rigors of New England winters 
 and receiving some degree of benefit from these changes, the climate of such 
 places as Mexico, California, and the Sandwich Islands proving agreeable 
 
554 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 and in a nieasure restorative. More imminent danger to life became assured 
 a few moutlis before his death and he was ordered to leave New England as 
 soon as possible. Delaj'S from one cause or another, however, occurred, and 
 when at last he was i-eady for the necessary journey it was too late to expect 
 auy lengthy or decided improvement. Mr. Horton was himself aware of this, 
 but realizing that it is everyone's duty to live as long as he possibly can, 
 he made all the necessary preparations, arranged his business affairs, and 
 bravely started to meet the death he felt soon awaited him, but might be a 
 little longer delayed in a milder clime. The man who cheerfully speaks part- 
 ino- Avords with his dearest friends, and, looking for the last time on familiar 
 scenes and loved faces, turns from them hopeless, yet with a smile, to seek 
 the almost impossible lengthening of his life, has in him something of the 
 heroic, and Mr. Horton did this. He had attained success at middle life ; 
 he had made for himself a beautiful home, and he could rightly look forward 
 to many years of enjoyment in it and to years of usefulness in his com- 
 munity, in the sharing, as he did generously, of the results of his industry 
 with those about him. To give up such hopes requires courage, and he pos- 
 sessed it, for he fought out the light, and could say to his friends calmly, even 
 cheerfully, in view of the end, that it was well. 
 
 Accompanied by physician and intimate friend he pursued his journey 
 south and arrived safely at Sau Antonio, Texas. Here he rallied sufticiently 
 for the doctor to leave him, but very soon after the last fatal symptoms 
 appeared and the end came speedily. He died in San Antonio, December 
 16, 1886. His body was brought home, and the funeral services attended at 
 his late residence on December 2:3 following. Agreeably to his wish the 
 ceremonies were very simple, but the attendance of people was general and 
 the mourning sincere. His pastor, Rev. H. A. Pliilbrook, conducted the 
 services, assisted by Rev. Walter Barton, and he was buried at Woodlawn. 
 
 November 29, 1865, he married Helen F. White, of this town. She died 
 August 28, 1885. Their two daughters, ]Mary and Mabel Horton, survive, 
 and reside in town.' Mr. Horton was highly esteemed as a public-spirited 
 and useful man, and he was a man of many friends. His nature was retiring, 
 and he was entirely without ambition for public preferment, but always shared 
 liberally in whatever way he could in the advancement both of his community 
 and town. He was generous in the societies to which he belonged, and in 
 supplying the wants of the needy around him. Probably no man in town did 
 more quiet, unseen deeds of real charity than he. One writes thus : " It is 
 easy to say the familiar words, that it is hai-d to find a man that will be more 
 missed when departed, but in the case of Gideon M. Horton the words have 
 a literal application. It is hard to speak too strongly of Mr. Hortou's excel- 
 
 1 The former nian-ied Samuel H. Smith, a lawyer, and resides in Arlington, this State; the latter 
 married Dr. Jose Ourdan, of Providence. She is now a widow. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 555 
 
 lence, or of the estimation in which he was held by all w'ho knew him. He 
 made all feel as though he was interested in them, and seemed to be eager 
 for an opportunity to help. A good and a useful man has gone. It will be 
 a long time before the town will have a better man, or a better citizen." 
 
 James J. Horton, the youngest of these four brothers, was born in 
 Providence, October 19, 1841, during a tempoi'ary residence of his father 
 in that city. His birth occurred under the old charter granted by King- 
 Charles the Second to the " Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." 
 This last charter was granted in 1663 and continued to be the constitution of 
 tlie State for a hundred and seventy-nine years, until 1842, when after the 
 Dorr insurrection it was given up. In that year Mr. Horton returned to his 
 former residence in this town, James being then about a year old. Like 
 his brothers he received his education here, but he had the pleasure of being 
 a pupil of Mr. Bailey, under whom and Mr. Allen his schooldays were 
 finished. After this he worked for a year on his father's farm, but for some 
 time subsequent he was unable to engage in work of any kind, owing to the 
 failure of his health, and his courage and determination to conquer his 
 feebleness and the disease that attacked him have been remarkable, and many 
 prophesied impossible. 
 
 Upon recovering in a measure he started in mercantile business in 
 Providence, but finally entered the jewelry business in this town, where he is 
 a member of the firm of Short, Nerney & Co. Like his brothers he has 
 been prosperous, and like them he makes good use of his money. He is a 
 member of Orient Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., and a director in the First National 
 Bank. Mr. Horton's disposition is, like his brother Gideon's, retiring, and he 
 deprecates prominence for himself in any way, for the sake of prominence ; 
 but he fulfils the duties that devolve upon him with fidelity. He has made 
 for himself an excellent reputation as a man of integrity and reliability in 
 business affairs, — one of good judgment and equally to be trusted in all 
 other matters, — while his courteous manners and affable bearing make him 
 an agreeable social companion and friend. January 12, 1869, he married 
 Emily Ilowland Clark, of Middleborough, Mass. They have no children. 
 
 It is somewhat singular that these four In'others — the entire family — 
 should all have settled for life in their native town, all finally have engaged 
 in the same business, and all become successful in it. It is singular too that 
 all made homes for themselves on the same street, within " a stone's throw " 
 of the old homestead and of each other. The site of this homestead is 
 occupied by the residence of James, the old house having been moved away, 
 but not destroyed. It is still kept and well cared for, valued as a relic of 
 the past, and especially prized for its many personal associations. There 
 are, too, rather peculiar similarities and contrasts in the men themselves. 
 The two older ones were bold and fearless, men of " push " and stirring 
 vigor, characteristics which their experiences of army life doubtless inten- 
 
556 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 sified ; while the two voiinger oues were unobtrusive and shrank from all 
 public or prominent activity, though neither was lacking in courage or 
 determination, which both could show in a more undemonstrative way. The 
 two middle ones are gone, while the oldest and youngest remain and live 
 side bj^ side. In these days of restless longing to get far away from home 
 to seek fortune it is a pleasure to note one family of boys that grew up 
 together who were loyal enough to their native place and to each other to 
 attempt life there together, and it is a pleasure also to note their success. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Hunt was born at the village of Lanesville, in this town, 
 March 18, 1810. The family were of English origin, the members who 
 came to this country settling first at Wejnnouth. Some of them came from 
 there to Rehoboth among the early settlers of that town, and one of the 
 name was the owner of one of the original shares of the Rehoboth North 
 Purchase, and no doubt some of his descendants came to this town. Mr. 
 Hunt's father was Deacon Richard Hunt, of the Oldtown Church, and in his 
 family, which consisted of four sons and one daughter, he was the oldest. 
 He assisted his father on the farm in his boyhood days : but he had been 
 consecrated by tiiat father to the ministry and his education was therefore 
 commenced and completed with that end in view. He was educated partly 
 at a classical school at West Attleborough, kept by a Mr. Wheaton, a 
 graduate of Brown University. It was here that he commenced the study 
 of the languages, and while in this school — in the long past — the writer of 
 this brief memoir recalls that he sat for most of the time by Mr. Hunt's side. 
 After this he completed his preparatoi-y studies at the Wrentham Academy. 
 He entered Amherst College in 1828, and graduated in the class of 18o2, the 
 first graduate from this town at that institution. 
 
 lie commenced teaching at the early age of sixteen, and continued tliis 
 occupation, in which he was most successful, through his college course 
 and for some time after his graduation. He taught in the academies at 
 Southampton, Mass., and Southampton, L. I., and after this commenced his 
 theological studies at Princeton, completing them with Rev. Dr. Ide, in AVest 
 Medway. He was licensed to preach in August, 1838, and after supplying 
 the pulpit at Mansfield, the adjoining town, he was installed as pastor over 
 the Congregational Church at Natick, in this State. Here he remained eleven 
 years. In December, 1850, he was installed over the church in Franklin, 
 where he was pastor about fourteen years — over the same society where the 
 eminent Dr. Emmons officiated so long. After this Mr. Hunt retired from 
 the pastoral ministry and became engaged in the service of the American 
 Missionary Society, and labored for three years in establishing schools for 
 the education of the freedmen. He worked with persistent and conscientious 
 zeal in the temperance cause, and every mission work found in him '' an 
 earnest advocate." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 557 
 
 From a published notice of his death the following extracts are made : — 
 
 " In the early years of his ministry he accepted the doctrines of the 
 Abolitionists and l)ecame the outspoken friend of the slave; and that, too, 
 at a time when it meant nuich, even personal persecution and violence to 
 espouse the cause, and openly oppose the claims of the slave-holding States. 
 It was in this connection that his friendship with Henry Wilson arose, when, 
 as young men, they commenced laboring together for the overthrow of 
 slavery." 
 
 " In 1868, Mr. Hunt accepted the position of clerk of the Senate Com- 
 mittee on Military Affairs, of which his old friend Henry Wilson was 
 chairman. He retained this position until Mr. Wilson became Vice- 
 President, when he became his private secretary. With Mr. Wilson he 
 remained until the former's death. With him he planned and wrote the Rise 
 and Fall of the Slave Power in America, a work requiring great research and 
 years of patient labor. This work was not completed when Mr. Wilson 
 died. The writing of the third volume with the arrangement of the index 
 devolved upon Mr. Hunt alone." 
 
 After finishing this work he made preparations to publish a collection of 
 Henry Wilson's writings and letters, with a sketch of his political life, and 
 had projected and worked upon several other books. While in Franklin he 
 compiled and published the "Puritan Hymn and Tune Book," and for many 
 years previous to his death he had written much for the public press. 
 
 Mr. Hunt married Mary Foster, daughter of Major Josiah Foster, of 
 Southampton, L. I., who died in that place December 20, 1849. They had 
 five children : M. Agues, Samuel C, Benjamin F., Abby C, and Eliot, of 
 whom only the two daughters survive. Samuel was a soldier of the Civil 
 War — enlisted in Franklin, was a sergeant in Company C, Forty-fifth Regi- 
 ment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and died in Phoenix, Arizona, July 9, 1877. 
 On April 11, 1853, Mr. Hunt married Mrs. Abby B. Slocum, who died in 
 Franklin, April 24, 1862. His third wife, whom he married June 12, 1877, 
 was Mrs. R. T. Homer, of Boston, who survives him. After his last mar- 
 riage he resided in Boston, where he died July 23, 1878. "In his private 
 life he was respected by all who knew him for his quiet, dignified and gentle- 
 manly bearing. Dying, he leaves a large circle of friends who hold him in 
 the highest esteem. His life closed with nothing left undone ; with nothing 
 done to be regretted." His funeral services were attended in the church at 
 West Attleborough, of which he was a member, by Rev. John Whitehill, the 
 pastor, assisted by Rev. Jacob Ide, of Mansfield, and thus he returned to 
 his old home to sleep well, after life's fitful fever was over. 
 
 Eliot Hunt, son of Samuel and ]\[ary Foster Hunt, was born in Natick, 
 this State, May 22, 1847. His name was in memory of that famous apostle, 
 to the Indians, John Eliot, who was one of the early settlers of Natick. 
 Mr. Hunt's boyhood was passed at Franklin, where his father was for so lono 
 
558 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 a thue the pastor of one of the churches. From the schools of that town he 
 went to the academy at East Hampton, Mass., and hvter to that in South 
 Berwick, Maine, at which phice lie completed his education. In 1866 his 
 father returned to the old homestead in the south part of this town and 
 Eliot and his two sisters accompanied him. Here the young man assumed 
 entire charge of the farm, and during two winters taught school at South 
 Attleborough. In November, 1872, he left home to accept the position of a 
 teacher in the school he had formerly attended at South Berwick, but 
 returned to town the following spring, when he became connected with the 
 ■Chronicle. 
 
 October 14. 1874, he married Stella M., a daughter of Carlos and Cynthia 
 Barrows, of South Attleborough. She died in March, 1885, surviving her 
 husband less than two years. The two children, Carl and Shirley, are both 
 living, the former with his maternal aunt and grandmother, at South Attle- 
 borough, the latter with her father's two sisters at Somerville, this State. 
 Mr. Hunt had purchased a residence in East Attleborough, which he occupied 
 directly after his marriage, and thus established himself as a citizen of that 
 village so far as his domestic interests were concerned, though he was always 
 in the highest and best sense emphatically a citizen of the town. 
 
 What he was to his paper, to his friends, and to the tow'u is best told in 
 the words of the Chronicle, from whose columns of September 15, 1883, we 
 quote the following : — 
 
 It becomes our painful duty to anuouuee to our readers and the public the death of the pro- 
 prietor and publisher of this paper. His pen is laid aside; his busy brain is still; his work is 
 done, his lony strugi;ie ended, and Eliot Hunt has passed to his final resting place. Long and 
 desperate as had been his illness, and his demise, therefore, to be expected, it does not yet seem 
 possible that he is gone — that his familiar figure will never again be seen on our streets, his 
 hearty grasp of the hand never again stir the pulse of friendship, his opinions no longer intlu- 
 ence the acts of his fellow-townsmen. He has left us, and, his family aside, the regret for his 
 loss is most keenly felt where the atfectlons of his heart were most firmly centred, in the 
 office of the Attleborough Chroxicle. 
 
 We have lost a friend, upright, generous and sympathetic; a cherished adviser — a man of 
 pure motives, wide experience and correct ideas. He has dropped from our ranks; it is for 
 those who may remain to advance and realize his noble purposes. This cannot be lightly done. 
 His idea of what a newspaper should be was a high oue, and demands for its realization the 
 choicest effort of mind, the broadest sympathies of heart and an unfaltering resolution to suc- 
 ceed. He who would attain to it, must subordinate himself to the interests of his paper and 
 be even more jealous of its reputation than his own. He must, as did our late co-worker, kee|) 
 the welfare of his paper close to his heart night and day. He shall not plead weariness as an 
 excuse for errors or delinquencies; the public shall have its news at any cost. He who is 
 unwilling to give such a devotion to his journal and cannot add thereto the offices of a keen, 
 well-disciplined mind and a style of composition remarkable for directness and force, will not 
 presume to till the place of Eliot Hunt in the newspaper fraternity. Mr. Hunt's interest in the 
 Chronicle ceased only with his life. Its issue of last week contained an item of news for- 
 warded from his bedside by tekiphone late Friday evening. But on Saturday he had entered 
 the valley, and for the first time did not ask to have the paper read to him. He stood on the 
 confines of another world, and the affairs of this life no longer concerned him. 
 
 The death of this, her representative journalist, is a great loss to Attleborough. For years 
 he had studied her institutions and her needs. He kuew the tendencies of her people 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUdH. 559 
 
 and could comment intelligently upon local t|uestions. He was acquainted with all. He had 
 assisted at their weddings and paid the last sad tribute of respect to their dead. There are few 
 men in town with whom he had not at some time been brought into intimate relations. The 
 files of the Chronicle for the past ten years testify how intimately Eliot Hunt has been asso- 
 ciated with all the local events and questions of that period — how much bread he had east upon 
 the waters to be found after many days, too often without any i-ecognition from the finder. 
 Yet he was esteemed in life and honored in death, a circumstance that weighs more in the case 
 of a journalist than with any one else, because his vocation leads him sooner or later to reveal 
 to the public all of his character. Every selection he makes, every line he writes discloses 
 something of himself. Hence tlie high place Mr. Hunt held in the community was richly and 
 securely won. He had stood the critical test of a puldic half-knowledge of him, and as he 
 became the more thoroughly known was the more thoroughly beloved. He who would suc- 
 ceed to his place must first be tried as by fire to prove whether or not he shall likewise l^e 
 worthy of public confidence. 
 
 It should be observed that for six seasons Mr. Hunt experienced and shared all the vicissi- 
 tudes in fortune, and all the hardships of the farmer's life, and so was ever after in sympathy 
 with farmers as a class, and interested in their calling. He was connected with the Attleboro 
 Farmers and Mechanics Association from its beginning in 1S68; his name stands fifth among 
 the signers to its constitution, and lie served as secretary during the first four years of its exist- 
 ence. We can well believe that his aft'ection for this institution, fostered for five years in the 
 ranks of practical agriculture, did not lessen when his position on the Chronicle gave him 
 opportunity for a wider influence. It is safe to say that no man during the fifteen years the 
 association has been organized has had its interests more closely at heart or done more i)y voice, 
 pen and hand to promote them than Eliot Hunt. Year after year, the columns of his paper were 
 devoted to making each annual fair a success — suggesting new attractions, urging better appli- 
 ances, pointing out its claims to patronage, and when it was over, deducing from Its merits and 
 defects lessons for its future conduct. He worked as zealously as he wrote. In the meetings of 
 the association, on committees and at each exhibition he was never too busy or too feeble to 
 give to the uttermost both of his time and his strength. And he was not without his reward, 
 for no member will deny that the present excellent standing of the Farmers and Mechanics 
 Association is a monument to his memory. 
 
 He became connected with his paper •' soon after it entered on its secoml year, ami its issue 
 of April 1-Jth, 1873, bears at the head of its local column: ' Eliot Hunt, local editor.' The files 
 show that the amount of news in his department doubled almost immediately." The paper 
 passed through several hands, and finally March 1, 1879, " the firm became Eliot Hunt & Co., 
 and so continued without variation, either in style or constitution, until the death of the lead- 
 ing partner." Mr. Hunt made several important changes, and improved the facilities *' for 
 business by enlarging his paper from a folio to its present quarto form. A steady growth has 
 characterized the paper since his connection with it. He was interested with Mr. Greene in 
 originating and publishing the humorous Benjamin Franklin Primer, which has been read, 
 laughed over and imitated throughout the land. 
 
 Mr. Hunt had a remarkable love for the town of Attleborough. He admired its people and 
 institutions. He rejoiced in its prosperity and was ever jealous of its reputation. Anything 
 reflecting on its fair name found quick and sharp refutation in the colunms of his paper. But 
 if there was one part of the town that he loved more than another it was the section where he 
 and his ancestry had found a home. He loved the farm that his father and grandfather had 
 tilled, and where he, too, had woven, in the mystic web of daily toil, ties of attection for every 
 stone and tree and field. He loved the little church at Oldtown, the church where his grand- 
 father was deacon for more than forty years and his father nurtured for the sacred otfices of 
 the Christian ministry. The yearly fund pledged by his grandfather for the support of the 
 gospel in that place was, at his father's death, assumed by him and paid regularly to the last. 
 
 " It follows without sayingthat such a man had a deep affection for family and kin," an attection 
 tender and measureless for wile and children. His •' immediate circle of relatives had been so 
 artiicted that be was the only young, able man remaining. They found him a ready adviser, and 
 prompt to assist where age or sex imposed its hindrances. How often he lifted perplexity and 
 <;are from the brow of age and laid them willingly upon his own strong but overburdened heart. 
 
560 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 we may uovcr know, — He best can tell who shall hereafter say : "Inasmuch as ye have done 
 it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' "' 
 
 But the circle of 3Ir. Hunt's ministration and affection was not limited by the ties of kinsliij). 
 He was a model friend. When once there was established between him and his fellow-man the 
 sacred bonds of friendship, they were never loosened by any nes^lect or remissness on his part. 
 He was us true as steel himself and not apt to suspect others of duplicity. If he erred at all, it 
 was in a too great devotion to the men whom he called by the fond name of friend. His devo- 
 tion awakened a kindred feeling in their hearts, as was evidenced by the solicitude for him 
 during his long illness. Scores of men inquired for his welfare as anxiously and persist- 
 ently after he had been confined to his house for months by a lingering disease, as if he had 
 been suddenly stricken by some accident. This proves how large a place he filled in some 
 hearts and how deeply he must be mourned today. He was connected with the Attleboro 
 Council Xo. 30G, Royal Arcanum, and as a member of Orient Lodge, No. 165, 1. O. O. F., lived 
 true to the triple virtues of " Friendship, Love and Truth." 
 
 As a man among men, a citizen, it is not necessary in this town, and especially in these col- 
 unms where ho has w-eek by week and year by year laid bare his motives and his very heart, to 
 bestow extended eulogy. We all knew him. We remember him as he first came to town, full 
 of the vigor and high spirit of early manhood; we saw him enter ujjon a successful career as 
 a journalist, and watched his plans for advancement bear fruit under his hand; we noted the 
 insidious approach of consumption, the disease that had swept away his mother and a brother; 
 we heard his heroic avowal that if he died it would not be because he WAfi friyhtened to death; 
 and we have followed his brave, hopeful struggle for life — a heart that never quailed, a hope 
 that could not be unseated. AV'e have learned how, in the quiet of a Sabbath morning, he 
 "rested from his labors," and looking over the record of his life we have said: "This was 
 ' an honest man, the noblest work of God.' " 
 
 Mr. Hunt died September 9, 1883, " aged 36 years, 3 months and 18 
 days." Friends bore him for the last time into the Second Congregational 
 Church, where the funeral services were held, and from thence he was carried 
 to the cemetery at South Attleborough, where, near his loved home, with 
 beatitiful flowers laid upon his casket by the hands of his two little children, 
 he was gently placed in his last earthly resting-place. Though the lettering 
 above his grave indicates that he had lived out only half the time allotted to 
 man, yet in the labors he had accomplished he had lived a long and estima- 
 ble life. Though his days were few, his good deeds were many- Men like 
 Eliot Hunt call to mind Leigh Hunt's beautiful poem, " Abou Ben Adhem 
 and the Angel." They each one by their lives speak to the recording angel. 
 
 saying,— 
 
 " I pray thee, then. 
 Write me as one who loves his fellow men." 
 And if that vision comes again 
 " With great awakening light. 
 Showing the names whom love of God has blessed," 
 Lo ! those of such true men as he 
 Shall lead " all the rest." 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 561 
 
 CHAPTER XVir. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, CONCLUDED. 
 
 HON. ELISHA MAY, a short sketch of whom may be found on a 
 preceding page, was the first of his name in town. He came from 
 Barringtou and settled in the west part of the town. He had eleven children, 
 of whom the youngest was named Tally and was born May 24, 1787. He 
 was a farmer like his father, but unlike him was a qniet, retiring man, show- 
 ing no disposition for publicity or any kind of otficial preferment. This was 
 simply lack of desire, not because he was wanting in capacity. It is said 
 " he had strong political preferences, bemg an old-fashioned Whig." His 
 wife was Hannah Gay, who was born October G, 1791, and died March 28, 
 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-four. Mr. May died June 19, 1872, 
 having attained the age of eighty-five. They had four children : Cynthia, 
 Mrs. Carlos Barrows, widow; Elisha G. and Henry F., all residing in 
 West and South Attleborough ; and Catherine, deceased. 
 
 Elisha Gay May was born October 6, 1812. He was brought up on a 
 farm with the expectation that he would become a farmer, and he received 
 only the amount of schooling given at that time to the average country boy 
 — an amount that was comparatively little more than the ordinary knowledge 
 of " reading, writing, and ciphering." When he became of age and had the 
 right to decide for himself he made up his mind to learn a trade, and fixed 
 upon that of button-making. He followed the calling of a journeyman in 
 that line for three years, and then returned to his father's farm and took up 
 again the old occupation, which he followed for a number of years. In 1854 
 he entered the firm of William II. Kobinsou & Co., which was engaged in 
 the manufacture of plated and gilt jewelry. Four years later this firm was 
 dissolved, and once more Mr. May became a farmer, this time permanently ; 
 and he has been a good and successful one, though his farm is not large. 
 His comfortable, typical New England home is near the Oldtown Church, 
 and its pleasant "• yard" has been the scene of many social gatherings ancl 
 entertainments arranged with some charitable end in view. 
 
 In October, 1839, he married Ann Jauette, the daughter of James and 
 Sarah Perry Draper, of this town. She was of a family whose tracings can 
 be followed back for many generations, even in New England. As a citizen 
 Mr. May has always been worthy of the confidence and esteem of his towns- 
 men, and he possesses both in a high degree. The same uprightness of 
 principle and integrity of character for which the grandfather was distin- 
 
562 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 guished are maintained in the life and character of the grandson, though he 
 inherits too a goodh' share of his father's retiring nature, in that he seeks 
 no publicity ; but if placed in any office, he gives himself with fidelity to the 
 performance of its duties. He has held several of the various town offices, 
 and several times, such as selectman, assessor, overseer of the poor, etc. 
 He has been vice-president and treasurer of the Attleborough Agricultural 
 Association, under one or both of its names, and was one of the first mem- 
 bers of the Board of Health ; he still holds several of these offices, and has 
 been a justice of the peace for fully forty years — in all instances meeting 
 the approval of those who placed him in the various positions he has occu- 
 pied. In his church and society he is one whom both pastor and people 
 depend upon in cases where a large heart, good judgment, and a liberal hand 
 are needed, sure that in all these regards he will not fail them. In politics 
 he is a Republican. 
 
 '•'• Kind hearted and generous, both Mr. and Mrs. May have been liberal 
 supporters of church organizations and benevolence, and the suffering and 
 distressed have often been relieved by their unostentatious ministrations." 
 They have no children.' 
 
 Henry D. Merritt was born in Hartland, Vt., January 16, 1826. He 
 had no advantages in the way of an education beyond the common schools 
 of his native town, but through his own energy and resolution '' he acquired 
 by reading and reflection a good practical education." AVheu about eighteen 
 " he left home to seek his fortune." We find him first in Boston, learning 
 the tailor's trade, and then in North Attleborough, as clerk to H. M. Richards, 
 in which capacity " he was industrious and faithful, proving to be one of the 
 most successful salesmen in Mr. Richards' employ." In 1858 he became 
 himself a jewelry manufacturer, and his first partner was Joseph B. Draper, 
 the firm name being Merritt & Draper. After a few years the business 
 was removed from North Attleborough to Mansfield, and after a time Mr. 
 Merritt retii-ed. His successor was John Shepardson, and in time Mr. Mer- 
 ritt entered into partnership with him, under the name of H. D. Merritt & 
 
 ' Mrs. May died August 11, 18v»0, and Mr. May January 28, 1S92. Not long subsequent to this event 
 tlieir liomestead was sold to the present owner, Mr. M. C. Latliro]), whose wife, it is interesting to 
 note, is a lineal descendant of the original owner of the house — Captain John Stearns, who was 
 very prominent in puljlic affairs in Revolutionary times. Captain Stearns was born in 1711 and died 
 August 15, 1792, in his eighty-first year. The exact date of the Ijuilding of the house cannot be deter- 
 niineil, but it was probably about 1741, over one hundreil and flfty years ago, and members of the fifth 
 and sixth generations from the Urst owner now reside in it. It is pleasant to record such a fact as this, 
 and to find now and again a house where family links still bind the present to a far-away and honor- 
 able past. About 176(5 Captain Stearns built a house in the vicinity of his own for a daughter upon 
 her marriage with a Mr. Stratton. This house with tlie land belonging is now occupied by Mrs. Abby 
 S. Kent, his great-granddaughter. The two places have recently been divided into liuildiug lots, and 
 received the pretty and appropriate name of Kentston Park. It is the intention of the family in the 
 near future to develop the tract and make of it a place of residence — a plan easy of accomplishment, 
 as there are many attractions to those wishing for pure air and quiet homes in the midst of real 
 country scenery and surroundings. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 563 
 
 Co. This was in 1.S70, and in 1872 tliis firm came to Nortli AtUeborongli, 
 where they did a successfnl bnsiness and one which constantly increased. 
 Dnring the latter years of his life Mr. Merritt spent a consideral)le portion 
 of his time in New York in connection with his bnsiness, but he purchased a 
 home in North Attleborough, and his family resided there. His wife was 
 Marietta Aldrich, by whom he had two children — Clara E.^ and Henry 1). 
 "As a business man, Mr. Merritt was very successful. He carried into 
 every department a methodical mind, untiring industry, and sterling honesty. 
 In private life he was a man of quiet, unassuming manners, unexceptionable 
 habits, aud upright in his intercourse with others." 
 
 Alfred Pierce is a descendant of the Pierce family of Rehoboth, who 
 were among the early settlers of that town. Barnard Pierce was a well- 
 respected citizen there. Jeremiah, his son, was born there August 29, 1786. 
 He was a successful carpenter and farmer, '' honorable and upright, and a 
 useful, much loved citizen." He married Candace Wheeler, November 9, 
 1806, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom are still living. Mr. 
 Pierce died in 1837 and Mrs. Pierce in 1882, she ''• having attained the 
 remarkable age of ninety-three years and eighteen days." [One or two of 
 the children have since died.] 
 
 Alfred, the son of Jeremiah and the subject of this sketch, was born in 
 Rehoboth, December 31, 1821. Its schools afforded his only education aud 
 at fifteen he was apprenticed " to learn the carpenter's trade." He com- 
 menced life for himself at the age of nineteen, as a carpenter, in Pawtucket. 
 After staying there about fonr years he went back to his native town and 
 engaged in farming in connection with the work of his trade. He was 
 occupied in that way for two years, when he came to Attleborough aiid 
 attended exclusively to the business of carpentering until 1851, when the 
 ''gold fever" attacked him and he went to California. He worked in the 
 mines there for a year and a half, and then went to Melbourne. Australia. 
 Here he worked in the mines about ten months, and met with the same 
 comparative success he had had in California. At the end of that time he 
 started for home, stayed a few weeks in Aspiuwall on the way and did some 
 carpenter work, and then came back to this town. Since then he has 
 remained here, with the exception only of eighteen months passed in Illinois. 
 
 In 1869 Mr. Pierce associated with himself Arthur B. Carpenter, of this 
 town, forming a firm to conduct the business of lumber merchants and coal 
 dealers. Pierce & Carpenter have been and still are successful, and for 
 many years have been doing quite an extensive business in their lines. Mr. 
 Pierce is himself quite a large real estate owner. He built one of the busi- 
 ness blocks in East Attleborough, one in which some of the most attractive 
 
 iShe married Mr. Horace P. Kent, of Portsmouth, N. H. He is uow a resideut of North Attle- 
 borough. 
 
564 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Stores ill the village are located and which may be decidedly called a " village 
 improvement." On December 6, 18(10, he was married to Martha R. Wil- 
 liams, the daughter of Thomas and Polly Richardson Williams, of this town. 
 Their only child is Marion W. Pierce. [Now Mrs. Miles Carter.] 
 
 BuRRiix PoRTEH, Jk., is a native of Charlestown, N. H.. where he was 
 born February 22, 1832. "His paternal grandfather was Asahel Carpenter 
 Porter, a farmer from Coventry, Conn., and his maternal grandfather was 
 John Garfield, a lineal descendant of the G-arfields who early settled in 
 Spencer, Mass. He is a son of Burrill and Susan Garfield Porter, and is the 
 oldest of a family of nine children, all of whom reached the age of manhood, 
 and most of whom are now living industrious and useful lives." Mr. Porter 
 was brought up on his father's farm, attending the public schools of Langdon. 
 N. H., and preparing for college at the academies in Westminster and 
 Saxton's River, Vt. In March, 1853, he entered Dartmouth College more 
 than a year in advance of his class, and graduated in 1856. 
 
 He chose a most arduous but equally honorable profession, tliat of a 
 teacher, and followed it with success for twenty-three years. "During this 
 time he was principal of academies at Canaan, Alstead, and Swansea, N. H., 
 teacher of pi\blic schools in Cleveland and Fostoria, Ohio, and principal of 
 high schools in Braintree and this town, (in Massachusetts). He was the 
 first principal of the North High School, and held that position twelve years 
 and a half, during which time there were graduated from the school one hun- 
 dred and thirty students." He resigned this position in 1879. During that 
 year "he was elected selectman and assessor, and appointed collector of 
 taxes." In 1880 he was selected as overseer of the poor. " He was elected 
 representative for the First Bristol District — which includes the towns of 
 Attleborough, Norton, and Mansfield — in the Legislature of Massachusetts, 
 for the year 1881, when the public statutes were adopted." He was a 
 member of the first committee which served when the North Attleborough 
 Library Association was formed and became a member of the prudential 
 committee of the Union Improvement District, which now supports the 
 library "as a free and public" institution. Mr. Porter is connected with 
 the First Universalist Society in town, has been on its parish committee and 
 treasurer of its funds. He was one of the building committee of the parish 
 during the erection of the new church and parsonage four or five years ago. 
 He received the appointment of postmaster for the village of North Attle- 
 borough several years since and continues to occupy the position. ^ He has 
 identified himself thoroughly with the town and her interests, taken up the 
 duties of a good citizen with intelligence and performed them with fidelity. 
 He prepared a very interesting chapter on the rise and progress of the town 
 
 J His successor, who has been appointed since the town was diviiieil, is J. D. Richards (1SS8). 
 
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HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 565 
 
 schools, etc., iu Attleboroiigh, which was published iu the sketch of our 
 history in the History of Bristol County, and various quotations from it are 
 made in the similar chapter of this work. 
 
 Edward Pkice was born iu Birmingham, England, November 19. 1776. 
 He came to this country in 1794, and either immediately after his arrival or 
 in a very short time, to this town, for it was only two years after, in 179G, 
 that he married Sarah, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Woodcock Dagpett, 
 of Attleborough. He had been a button manufacturer iu his native countrv 
 and skilled in the trade. He brought machinery with him from Euglaud, and 
 was the first to make buttons iu these parts, if not in all America. He lived 
 in the East village for a while, doing business near there, and then returned to 
 North Attleborough. In 1811 he was induced to engage in cotton manu- 
 facturing, but it proved an unsuccessful venture. Subsequentlv he became 
 a large real estate owner. 
 
 George Price, the second son of the above, was born in North Attle- 
 borough, November 14, 1806, probably in a house that then stood on the site 
 of Wamsutta Block. "The early death of his father made the boyhood of 
 George Price a laborious one. From the night when the father was suddenly 
 stricken down, and he ran out, jacket in hand, after a physician, his life was 
 one of care, activity and responsibility. One year in the common school 
 constituted his educational advantages. He carried on the farm in his earlv 
 years, and found time as well to work at brass-founding." When the jeweh-v 
 business became prominent and i)romisiug iu town he decided to eno-ao-e in 
 that, and began by serviug an apprenticeship with the firm of Draper, Titt't 
 & Co. In time he became a manufacturer and the first known partner was 
 Calvin. Richards. He built tbe shop which still stands opposite his late 
 residence — a pretty spot not far from the centre of the Falls villaoe on a 
 road leading over Mount Hope hill. This was tbe third jewelry shop ever 
 built in town, and though now a small one was then considered verv laro-e. 
 His partner in the new shop was S. S. Daggett and their specialty fire-gilt 
 jewelry. Mr. Price continued there for six years, but retired in 1856 and 
 resumed the care of his farm, to which meanwhile he had made large additions. 
 
 He was now fifty years old, and up to this time had held no public offices, 
 but from this time forward until his death he was constantly in one or more 
 positions of responsibility. '' His career shows that twenty-five years after 
 fifty is just as long as twenty-five years before, and that some men can employ 
 both to equal advantage." In 1855 the question as to the advisabilitv of 
 dividing the town arose and Mr. Price was chairman of a committee to con- 
 sider and report upon the matter. The report was favorable — the reason 
 given that the voters numbered over a thousand and were therefore not easy 
 
5('i6 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to manage properly ; l)ut Mr. Price considered division even in view of that 
 fact unwise, and he declined to sign tlie report. From 1856 to 1-S60 he was 
 selectman, assessor, and overseer of the poor, and the three following years 
 town treasurer. He was reelected to the latter otHce in 1869 and kept it 
 during the rest of his life. In the winter of 1877-78 he was a representative 
 at the General Court. He was most earnest and active in the formation of 
 the Farmers and Mechanics Association and held the office of its president 
 from the commencement in 1869 until 1877. He was among the first to take 
 the necessary steps toward securing permanent accommodations for the uses 
 of the association, and to him it was largely indebted for its present fine 
 grounds and commodious buildings. He labored earnesth' to relieve the 
 association of its debt, devoting much time and money to that purpose. He 
 entered the Washington Rifle Corps as a private and rose through every grade 
 of rank to that of its captain, and was the last who held that otfice. 
 
 One says : " If we were to select any traits of character for wliich Mr. 
 Price was especially remarkable, it would be his activity, honesty, and fidelity 
 to what he believed to be right. His mental activity was wonderful, and 
 ceased only with his life. His honesty made him not less exacting with 
 himself than with others. His accounts were always correct, his dealings 
 always square. Crookedness in others he considered absolutely without 
 excuse, and dishonesty of any kind he despised beyond measure. He was 
 not hasty in his judgments, but a conclusion once reached by what seemed to 
 him sutlicient data was rarely abandoned. He was faitliful to his convictions. 
 This is illustrated by his adherence to the doctrines of the old Whig party ; 
 he voted the Republican ticket as the least objectionable alternative ; but at 
 heart he was a loyal Whig to the last." He •' upheld the fundamental princi- 
 ples of Christianity,'' but did not accept the peculiar dogmas of any special 
 denomination. 
 
 In October, 1829. he was married to Martha Galusha Grant, of Swansea, 
 Mass., and this union lasted above fifty years. They had nine children: 
 Martha S., Mrs. J. D. Pierce, deceased; George G. ; Sarah A., Mrs. S. N. 
 Newcomb ; William M. ; Corisande, Mrs. George A. Brock, deceased ; Mary 
 G., deceased; Edward R. ; Caroline T., Mrs. Rosw^ell Blackinton, of this 
 town; and Alice ]M. 'Slv. Price died July 19, 1882, having lived a long and 
 useful life, and leaving a stainless record to be cherished, not only by his 
 sons and daughters, but by his community, and the whole town whose best 
 interests he had at heart, and for which he labored during many years. 
 
 Edward R. Prick was born October 9, 1846. After attending the public 
 schools here he entered the Green Mountain Institute at South Woodstock, 
 Vt., where he completed his school education. At the age of nineteen, in 
 1865, he entered the Attleborough Bank as clerk, remaining in that position 
 for five years. In 1870, when but twenty-four years of age, he was elected 
 cashier of the bank, a significant fact, one which in a word gives his char- 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 567 
 
 acter, capacity, aud reputation. In April, 1S72, he became the treasurer of 
 the Attleborough Savings Bank, and these two positions he still retains, the 
 former as that of the North Attleborough National Bank under a new 
 charter granted in 1885. He holds these positions now, as always, with the 
 perfect confidence of those associated with him officially, and of the entire 
 community and town. Mr. Price seems to have inherited in large measure 
 the strict integrity and unassailable honesty of his father, and the same per- 
 fect correctness in business dealings and operations. No stronger proof of 
 this could be given than the statement of his election at so early an age to a 
 position of large financial trust, and his retention of the same through so many 
 consecutive yeai's, especially when, as is the case, those years have been full 
 of alluring temptations in the money-getting line, when thousands of fortunes 
 have been made in a day, though in ways the fathers never dreamed of. 
 Really the men of to-day who resist the temptation to make money a little 
 faster than the old legitimate methods enable them to do, particularly when 
 they have the constant handling of large sums, even though these belong to 
 other people, deserve great credit, and Attleborough can point to the record 
 of her two cashiers with no inconsiderable degree of confident satisfaction. 
 
 Mr. Price holds various local offices ; is clerk of the First Universalist 
 Parish, treasurer of the North Attleborough Water Company, etc., and he 
 is also vice-president of the Manhattan Cattle Company of Cheyenne, 
 Wyoming Territory. He is a member of Aurora Lodge, and prominent in 
 Bristol Lodge F. and A. M., and is one of its Past Masters. He is 
 thoroughly interested in this ancient organization and in all that pertains to 
 its history. Through his instrumentality the valuable old charter of the lodge 
 has been suitably and carefully framed and thus perserved from destruction. 
 He is, too, thoroughly interested in his town, in her reputation and status, both 
 past and present. He wished these to continue single, not double, and he 
 did all he could to prevent division. He is to be ranked among Attle- 
 borough's best citizens. His courteous manners make him agreeable as an 
 associate and friend; his business experience makes his judgment worthy 
 of reliance ; and his character commands and obtains the respect of every- 
 body. 
 
 December 29, 1861), he married Ella M. Jillson, of South Attleborough. 
 Their only child is a daughter, Mary Daggett Price. 
 
 The Read family traces its genealogy back many hundreds of years to 
 1139, when one " Brianus de Reed " was "a noted man of Lincolnshire, 
 England." From his two sons, " Robert of Reed, and Thomas of Reed- 
 dale," the family has descended. The records mention one " William Rede 
 an eminent mathematician, who iu 1369 was made Bishop of Chichester." 
 One John Read, born in 1598, with a brother, William, born in 1596, came 
 
5G8 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to this countrv iu Governor Wintlirop's fleet in l(i20. John lived in Dor- 
 chester, Braintree, and Weymoutli, and in 1643 came to Rehoboth. He was 
 a freeman, probably the one admitted in 1040, and had held responsible 
 positions in Massachusetts Colony. He was one of the original proprietors 
 of Rehoboth and a man of substance, for he was "taxed on three hundred 
 pounds, a very large estate for those days." He held various offices of trust, 
 was an active and influential man in both civil and religious affairs, and from 
 the first ''a leading citizen." He attained great length of days and died at 
 the age of eighty-seven. It is said of his numerous descendants that " as 
 a body, they are thrifty, law-abiding, and industrious, doing honor to their 
 noble pioneer ancestor." John had a son Daniel, and a grandson of the 
 same name who came to this town, about 171B, with five children. By his 
 second wife, Avhose name was Ide, he had eight children, of whom the oldest 
 was also named Daniel. 'He had a son Levi, of the fourth generation from 
 John, who was born iu 1762. He was an honest, industrious farmer and led 
 a quiet, unpretending, but useful life. He Avas a deacon in the First Con- 
 gregational Church at Oldtowu for sixty years ; was earnest and faithful in 
 church affairs and generous towards all objects of benevolence. His wife 
 was Nancy Hunt, of this town, and they had eight children. Mr. Read 
 died in 1853, '•' having attained the remarkable age of ninety-one years, and 
 left the record of an untarnished life of Christian activity and good works." 
 
 Hekky Clifford Read is a descendant of this family, the son of Levi, and 
 he was born May 8, 1810, on the spot where he now lives. He received 
 only a connnon-school education, " taught two terms," and was a farmer at 
 home until he was about twenty-one. He learned the trade of a machinist 
 and worked at it about three years in Worcester and Providence. "When 
 quite young he married Eunice D. Tyler, of this town, by whom he had two 
 children, both of whom, with the mother, are dead. Many years ago Mr. 
 Read went to Illinois and spent ten years iu that vState as a farmer. Then 
 he returned to his old home here, the place which has been in the family since 
 his grandfather's time. January 3, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Abbie H. 
 Sherman, daughter of Shadrac Davis, of New Bedford, Mass., by whom he 
 has had two children, Henry C. and Rufus C. 
 
 Like many of his townsmen Mr. Read was a Whig, and is a Republican. 
 He has been a selectman and a member of the State Legislature. He has 
 discharged the duties of these and other positions well, thereby proving him- 
 self a worthy citizen and gaining the respect of his fellow-citizens. He 
 shows himself ready to aid every good work. He formerly held the •' faith 
 of his fathers," but of later years has accepted the doctrine of Spiritualism. 
 He and his father's family have been strong temperance men, using neither 
 liquor nor tobacco iu any form. 
 
 A son of Mr. Read by his first wife, Samuel T. Read, was captain on 
 General Butler's staff at the beginning of the war of the Rebellion, at 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 569 
 
 General Butler's own request. He raised a compan}^ in Boston, entered the 
 service, and reached the rank of colonel. After the war he married and 
 settled in Natchez, Miss., where he died in 1880. 
 
 Clement O. Read, an older brother of Henry C, "was the pioneer in 
 the screw business." His first essay was in the manufacture of wood screws 
 in the mill called " the City Factory," or the " Attleborough City Mill," once 
 owned by Daniel Read & Co., and with machinery of his own invention. 
 "His pecuniary means l)eing limited, he associated Rhode Island capitalists 
 with him, and removed his works to Providence, at the corner of Hewes and 
 Charles streets, where the American Screw Company's mills are now. The 
 difficulty of putting a new article upon the market at a price within tlie 
 reach of the consumers was an obstacle that the company could not over- 
 come, and Mr. Read suffered the loss of what monev he put into the busi- 
 ness. But this euterprise has since grown, and the screws manufactured by 
 the company that grew out of this effort of our worthy and ingeuious towns- 
 man have acquired a vvorld-wide reputation." 
 
 Mr. Read was a thorough mechanic, and the inventor of a large number 
 of useful pieces of mechanism. He lived a " long, exemplary, and useful 
 life." He died at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to which place he had some 
 time previously removed, at the age of seventy-nine, a man who had been a 
 good citizen and true friend, and one "■ whose memory will be revered and 
 loved by all who knew him." 
 
 RICHARDS. 
 
 Thomas Richards was the first of this name known in this country, and 
 he was born in Dorchester, J^ngland, about the year 1590. According to a 
 history of the family, he " was a man of standing in the mother country, 
 and one of the principal men in the new. He was a merchant, and dignified 
 by the title of 'Mr.,' a high honor in colonial days." He was a descendant 
 of James Richards, of Somerset County, and of Sir Richard Richards, 
 " Lord Chief Baron of the Court of Exchequer and often President of the 
 House of Lords," who was possessor of a manor-house which is still standing 
 in Wales, and whose family were called " ancient possessors " as early as 
 15.50. Thomas Richards had several children. A son, John, " AVorshipful 
 and Major," and an eminent man of his time, married a daughter of Gov- 
 ernor Winthrop ; one daughter, Mary, married Thomas Hinckley, Governor of 
 Plymouth ; another, Alice, married Major William Bradford, Deputy Gov- 
 ernor of Plymouth ; and there were other children. 
 
 Edward Richards, from whom those in this town are descended, was a 
 nephew of Thomas, and settled in Dedham about 1635, being one of the 
 "principal planters" of that town. He was a prominent man there, a free- 
 man, a blameless church member, and a man of large property. He was 
 elected selectman nine years consecutively. John, the son of Edward, was 
 
570 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 bom, married, nnd died iu Dedham. His son John inarrLed there also, and 
 lived on his father's homestead. One of his sous was a physician, a colonel, 
 and a leading citizen of that town. Another son, John, married Abigail 
 Avery, and two of their sons, Edward and Nathan, were the first of the 
 name who came to Attleborough. All the records show that the family were 
 for many generations the possessors of wealth and high social position. 
 They were gentlemen by birth, education, and association, and manifested 
 the advantages of these inheritances and possessions by the eminence they 
 so often attained. 
 
 Edward Richards, the first iu this town of his name, was born in Ded- 
 ham in 1724, and in 1756 he married Mary Fisher, of that place. The date 
 of his removal to this town is 1760, and he at once took a prominent position 
 in its affairs. He served "most faithfully in the many positions of trust" 
 which he was called to fill. His name appears frequently upon the records 
 of Revolutionary times as a member of the important committees of " Safety 
 and Correspondence," and it stands first upon the list of the five gentlemen 
 first chosen as such a committee in 1774; '-and among the judges of the 
 Snperior and Inferior Court created by the town," his name is also to be 
 found. During this time " he was either first, or among the first." He had 
 four sons, some of whom he probably brought with him when very young to 
 this town, and all of whom settled here. One of these, Calvin, was of a 
 different mold from many of the family, for of him it has been said: " He 
 was a quiet, peaceful citizen." He had seven sons : Hervey, who died at an 
 early age ; Manning, Peyton, Calviu, Spencer, Ira, and Ichabod : and two 
 daughters. 
 
 Manning Richards became a farmer, but not on a large scale, and after 
 a time he added a manufacturing business to this occupation, for he was of 
 " a mechanical turn of mind." He turned his attention to jewelry soon 
 after that manufacture was commenced in town, built a shop on his farm 
 about two miles from the village of North Attleborough, and had for a 
 while and for that time a considerable business. Subsequently he removed 
 to the village, and " opened a variety store and public house," on the site of 
 T. Yj. Hancock's store. Reverses came, however, and he lost a large portion 
 of the property he had accumulated. His death occurred in 1.S26. 
 
 Hon. Hervey Manning Richards was the son of Manning and Susau 
 Everett Richards, and was born on his father's farm July 11, 1812. He 
 must have had only scant opportunity for a school education, as he was 
 but fourteen years of age when his father died, and the loss of property 
 which the father had sustained caused him to be left with the responsibility 
 of becoming the support of his mother and two sisters. The outlook does 
 not seem to have discouraged him, lad as he was, for he went to work at once 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOllOUGH. 571 
 
 and manfully. He learned the jewelry trade, as an apprentice to his uncle, 
 Ira Richards, managed withal to save a little money, and, "while yet a boy 
 in his teens," commenced business for himself, his energy and industry 
 taking the place of reserve force which is usually given to capital. " His busi- 
 ness career of nearly sixty years is remarkable for the enterprise displayed, 
 and the signal reverses met." 
 
 He had scarcely begun to prosper in his first venture when his shop was 
 burned. Directly he formed a partnership with George Morse, as Morse & 
 Richards. Mr. Morse was an excellent mechanic, so he took charge of 
 the manufacturing, and Mr. Richards tried the to him new line of a sales- 
 man's position, proved a success, and the ^a•m prospered. In 1833, when 
 just twenty-one, he was joined by his cousin, Edmund Ira Richards, who was 
 just eighteen. They " bought copper cents from a firm in Taunton, which 
 also sold to the government, and stamping them with a caricature of Clen. 
 Jackson, and the motto ' I take the responsibility,' put them on the market." 
 These were at once in great demand, and purchasers, finding they could be 
 passed as money, proceeded to pass them ; but G-overnment soon vetoed the 
 enterprise. This young firm had such marked success that Ira Richards was 
 persuaded to retire from the firm of Draper, Tifft & Co. "and go into 
 business with ' The boys.' " This occurred in 1834, and the firm thus 
 formed was Ira Richards & Co., one well known, and ''second to none" in 
 the jewelry business. The amount of capital was $2,000, and at the end 
 of twenty weeks the proceeds were $20,000. 
 
 In 1836 H. M. Richards retired from this firm. He bought out W. B. 
 Franklin, who was then at work in the first jewelry-shop ever known in the 
 village of North Attleborough, but remained there only a short time, when 
 he went to Philadelphia and opened a manufactory in that city. He took 
 with him some skilful workmen from here, among them W. D. Whiting and 
 Otis Stanley. For some years he v/as successful, but then, having engaged 
 in some large speculations (•■ the mulberry tree speculations ") which resulted 
 unfavorably, he lost his fortune and returned to his native town. He was 
 then only thirty-nine and was for the third time where he started — at the 
 bottom of the ladder and without money. He was in reality worse off than 
 at first, for he had already tasted of the fruits of success; but he had lost 
 none of his inborn energy and courage, and he began again with the timely 
 assistance of his uncle Ira, and with unabated determination to compel 
 fortune to his will once more. "He went to Plainville, bargained for the 
 whole village, and opened a factory there," and at the same time took up 
 his residence in that place. 
 
 " Unfortunately, before he had paid the money, a larger offer had been 
 accepted," and this compelled iiim to change all his plans and "to go else- 
 where." He then located in North Attleborough, in a shop that stood nearly 
 o[)posite his late residence. From this time he grcAV wealthy with great 
 
572 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 rapidity, and foreseeing far more clearly than any one else at that time the 
 possibilities of both Attleborough Falls and his own village, he raa«le large 
 investments in real estate in both places. '-He once owned all the east side 
 of Washington-street from Elm-street to and including the site of Codding's 
 block : and on the west side from Guild's block to Richards-avenue [exclusive 
 of the Universalist 'Church and the laud where F. E. Hancock's store now is, 
 with ten or twelve acres directly in the rear of this frontage] — namely : includ- 
 ing the estate of the late Simeon Bowen, Dr. F. L. Burden, W. W. Albee, 
 A. E. Codding, E. D. Sturtevant, Dr. Foster, — and Kendall's grove. The 
 mill property at Farmers' village was bid off at auction by him in l.S'^l, and 
 soon after he exchanged property with Handel and Homer Daggett, who 
 owned the cotton mill at Attleboro' Falls. He built tlie present stone mill 
 of the Gold Medal Braid Co. in 18r)o for a jewelry factory. He later pur- 
 chased the ^ Peck farm ' in the rear of the Falls village, including ' Peck's 
 mountain,' and all the property lying between the Braid mill and the river, 
 where it crosses Chestnut-street near the LTnion Powder Co.'s shop. He l)uilt 
 the residence of Mrs. Simeon Bowen, and lived there a number of years. 
 He also owned and resided in what is known as the 'Round house,' now the 
 property of the St. Mary Society, and had other estates of less value and 
 note. The road from Elm-street to the Falls railroad-bridge was built by 
 him."' 
 
 He had 1>ut just acquired this great property when the crisis of IS^u came 
 on and brought more or less of disaster to almost all of the jewelry firms in 
 town, and indeed in the country. Mr. Richards became embarrassed, and 
 his efforts to realize advantageously on his real estate were unavailing and 
 it finally was disposed of to the Providence Land Company and by them 
 divided and sold. Henry L. Kendall bought a large portion of the property 
 in North Attleborough, and H. N. Daggett the mill, etc., at the Falls. It 
 went at a ruinous sacrifice so far as Mr. Richards was concerned, and his 
 purchasers naturally realized the profits which should have been his. In 
 18(53, then fifty-one years of age, he bravely set out once again and for the 
 fourth time to make a fortune. Tiiis time he went to Boston, and with his 
 son E. H. Richards established himself in the jewelry business there. The 
 firm name was H. M. Richards & Co., and the location at No. 7 Green 
 Street. Here too he met with success, but not to such a degree as previ- 
 ously. In 1876 he retired from active partnership, and in 1880 sold his 
 share in the concern to his son, who continues, but under another name. He 
 then returned to his home on Washington Street, North Attleborough, not 
 far from the railroad station, where he resided till his death. 
 
 Mr. Richards was a very public-spirited man, active in all matters relating 
 to the advancement or benefit of the town, and a liberal member of the First 
 Universalist Society. He was a' member of Bristol Lodge and prominent 
 also as an Odd Fellow — a member of Howard Encampment and Aurora 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 573 
 
 Lodge, No. 107. In 18.56-57 he was Representative, and in 1862-G.3 Senator 
 in the State Legislature. He was in 1860 one of the signers of the petition 
 for the charter of the Attleborough Savings Bank, and " tlie prime mover 
 in the establishment of the North Attleborough Gas Co. and its works." 
 
 His first wife was Juline, the daughter of David Capron, and they were 
 married June 3, 1833. Having no children of their own they adopted two: 
 Eugene H. and Marion Fell Richards, the latter Mrs. C. A. Gilchrist, of 
 Boston. In November, 1857, Mr. Richards married again — Mrs. Anjanette 
 P. Balcom, a daughter of Remember Carpenter, of Pawtucket, R. I. They 
 had no children. In the spring of 1882 My. Richards was attacked severely 
 with paralysis. Still he was not disheartened or dismayed — his indomitable 
 will and dauntless courage prevailed even here — and for a long time he 
 refused to be conquered by a disease whose power is calculated to make the 
 strongest spirit cower. He partially recovered his strength, and his deter- 
 mination enabled him to go about, though one side of his body was almost 
 helpless. He walked, and alone, because he )roid(J do so, but repeated 
 shocks subsequently followed and his frame was finally compelled to yield. 
 He became physically quite helpless, but there was never any diminution of 
 the mental powers. His death occurred July I'J, 1886. 
 
 The funeral took place at his late residence and was largely attended, and 
 he was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery with the impressive rites of Odd 
 Fellowship. One speaks of him thus: ^' Mr. Richards exemplified in his 
 life the virtues of industry, perseverance, and fortitude of purpose. Viewed 
 as a business man, he had a genius for making money rather than tenacitv in 
 keeping it. He believed that money was to be used, and used in developing 
 the resources, and promoting the welfare of the community in which it was 
 made. He was one of those men. who, placed on a barren rock, would cast 
 about him and make a fortune in a few years, and then spend half of it in 
 trying to make the rock something more fruitful and attractive. He was 
 greatly esteemed among his fellow citizens, especially those who knew him 
 when he was most active in North Attlebomngh. Such an enterprising, able, 
 and public-spirited man the public heart remembers tenderly and honoi's in 
 his last, long sleep." 
 
 Eugene H. Richards, adopted son of H. M. Richards, was born Novem- 
 ber 17, 1843. Immediately after his graduation from Tufts College, in July, 
 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company H. Fortieth Regiment, Massa 
 chusetts Volunteers. On August 15 following he received a commission as 
 second lieutenant, and on July 2, 1863, that of first lieutenant by promotion. 
 He was with his regiment in all the battles in which it was engaged, was a 
 good soldier, and served his country faithfully and creditably, receiving in 
 1864 an honorable discharge. He was at once on his return home employed 
 by his father in the business he was then carrying on in Boston and in 1870 
 became a partner in it. In 1880 he bought his father's share and chanoed 
 
574 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the firm Dame to E. H. Kichards & Co., uuder which title he still continues 
 with success. He is a promiueut member of the Masonic Order and holds 
 important otHces in York and Scottish rites, which are eligible to Masons 
 onlv of very high degree. He was married October 18, 1869, to Frances A. 
 Jordan, of Boston. They have no children (1887). 
 
 Ira Riciiakds, a 3'ounger brother of Manning Richards, was also a pio- 
 neer in the jewelry business and became famous in it. Previous to entering 
 upon it, however, he and two of his younger brothers — Calvin and Spencer 
 — were associated in several kinds of business. They formed the Richards 
 Manufacturing Company, which carried on quite a large business in the making 
 of brass doorknobs and '^' ketches," or fasteners. He became a member of the 
 firm of Draper, Tifft & Co., but retired after a few years, when he l)ecame 
 the founder of the second famous jewelry firm in the town, historically, the 
 one just named being the first. He gained an enviable reputation as a busi- 
 ness man. It was universally said of him : '' His word is as good as his 
 bond," and this association with his name is remembered and referred to 
 even at the present time. It is also said : "■ He was very reserved and stern, 
 but so notably a just and honored man, that matters of dispute among his 
 neighbors, if unable to be settled peacefully, were invariably left to his 
 decision." He was one of the directors of the old State Bank of Attle- 
 borough, and among the most prominent men in the First Universalist Church, 
 "being the prime mover in changing its location from Oldtown to North 
 Attleborough." He married Fanny Draper, of this town, granddaughter of 
 Dr. Bezaleel Mann, and she lived to a very great age. Mr. Richards died 
 in 1845. 
 
 Edmund Ira Richards, elder son of Ira and Fanny Richards, was born 
 in North Attleborough, November 27, 1815, in a large two-story house now 
 on Grant Street, then in front of Mr. Abiel Codding's present residence on 
 Elm Street. His boyhood was, however, spent in the house built by his 
 father soon after his birth and well known to most people now as the 
 residence of the Doctors Foster, father and son. Mr. Richards commenced 
 his business career at a very early age, for, as has been seen, when but 
 eighteen he made his first venture with his cousin, H. M. Richards, hi the 
 stamping and selling of copper cents, which operation was only allowed a 
 short, though it had proved a very successful, existence, when it was 
 summarily stopped by a governmental order. In 1834, being joined b}- his 
 father, Mr. Richards became one of the founders of the famous firm known 
 by the father's name for many years. This partnership proved an equal 
 success with the first for two years, or until ISoG, when ]Mr. Richards became 
 of age. Some changes were then made; further ones occurred in 1841, and 
 others in 1845, the date of Mr. Ira Richards' death. At that time the 
 partnership between Messrs. E. I. and J. D. Richards and Abiel Codding, 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 675 
 
 Jr., was formed; and these three gentleraeu, with equal interest, carried on 
 business together, under the original name, for thirty years and made for 
 themselves '■' a national reputation." 
 
 Some difficulties arose in 1875, which made it expedient to dissolve this 
 firm ; but a new one was at once formed and called, after the chief partner, 
 E. I. Richards & Co. His death occurred in 1882, but the firm is still in 
 existence and carries on its business under the same name. 
 
 In October, 1850, Mr. Richards was elected a director of the Attleborough 
 State Bank. " He soon conceived the idea of removing the bank from 
 Attleborough to North Attleborough. Mr. Richards and his associates, from 
 August 1855 to December 1856, succeeded in controlling a majority of the 
 stock, and he presented the matter of removal to the Senate so convincingly, 
 that, with Oakes Ames for tlie opposition, the change was allowed." Judge 
 Wheaton, the founder of Wheaton Seminary at Norton, was president of the 
 bank. About that time he retired from the office and at a stockholders' 
 meeting held February 11, 1856, Mr. Richards was chosen his successor and 
 he retained the office until January 27, 1875. On July 6, 1857, the stock- 
 holders voted to remove the bank to North Attleborough, and its stock 
 increased threefold in value during the twenty years of Mr. Richards' presi- 
 dency. Mr. Richards initiated the movement to establish the Attleborough 
 Savings Bank in 1860 and was one of the four signers of the petition for 
 a charter. 
 
 " In war time he was one of the most hopeful in the darkest hours, but he 
 was too much absorbed in business to feel under ordinary circumstances much 
 interest in politics. In the winter of 1865-66, however, he yielded to the 
 wishes of his friends, and represented his district at the General Court." 
 Though well fitted for a public career, he seemed to possess no desires or 
 aspirations in that direction. He found his home, which was a beautiful one, 
 the most attractive and satisfactory place, and the chief part of his time 
 which was not occupied with the active pursuits of his business was spent 
 with his family. He was " a business man of the greatest energy, shrewd- 
 ness and foresight." His remarkably enterprising spirit manifested itself 
 at a very early age " and his career shows what brains and push can do for 
 any man's advancement." 
 
 " Many of the jewelry and other firms in North Attleboro' were aided by 
 the counsel, and backed by the money of Mr. Richards when they started. 
 He was remarkably tenacious of his purpose ; and this tenacity showed itself 
 not only in pushing the business of his own firm, but in supporting the venture 
 of any man he assisted. If he decided that a man ought to succeed in an 
 enterprise, and advanced him the money, Mr. Richards would not admit that 
 failure was a possibility. It was by seconding new business ventures, as 
 well as in forwarding their own, that Edmund Ira Richards and the firm with 
 which he was connected have done much, in their long career, toward buildiuo- 
 
576 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 up the business prosperity of North Attleborough. Oue of the best acts of 
 Mr. Richards in connection with public enterprise, was the subscription of 
 $5,000 toward buildin<j; the new Uuiversalist church." 
 
 May 10, 1841, he married Lucy Maria Morse. She belongs to the Tingley 
 family, several brothers of which became distinguished merchants, some of 
 them being associated with the famous house of Brown, Ives & Co., of 
 Providence. They had four children, of whom the following three are livino- : 
 Anna Leslie, wife of John Augustus Tweedy, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Harriet 
 Tingley, and Edmund Ira Richards. The latter is a member of the old firm, 
 but resides chiefly in Brooklyn, having charge especially of the business as 
 connected with the New York offlce. 
 
 Mr. Richards died at his home, May 15, 1882. In a sketch of his life in 
 the Chronicle, already quoted, are these words : " When a man has lived for 
 nearly threescore years and ten, a prominent figure in social and business 
 circles, it seems idle to enlarge upon his qualities of mind and heart, for he 
 has written his eulogy line by line in a book read by all men, and nothing 
 that can now be said will add or detract. And yet this sketch would fail of 
 its purpose without some tribute to the character and abilities of the deceased. 
 He was not, as one has expressed it, a ' quiet' man. He was a man of the 
 most stupendous energy, of indomitable will, of the firmest self-reliance ; 
 these qualities, united with a comprehensive grasp of mind, great foresight 
 and decision, made him a business man of the very highest al)ility." 
 
 JosiAH D. Richards, younger brother of the above, was born July 7, 
 1827. Upon his father's decease, as has been stated, when onl}' eighteen 
 years of age, he took the place made vacant in the firm of Ira Richards & Co. 
 He continued a member for over thirty years, retiring in 1876, and from that 
 time has discontinued all active interest in business. He, however, takes 
 active interest in all that has connection with the general prosperity and 
 improvement of the town. Personally he has a great fondness for flori- 
 culture, especially for the cultivation of roses. Of these he has something 
 like a thousand varieties, which he grows with great success on his large 
 grounds and in his spacious greenhouses. They are grown for pleasure, not 
 profit, and their l)eauties are shared by his friends not only in a general but 
 in a personal way. 
 
 June 19, 1848, Mr. Richards was married to Harriet E. Draper, daughter 
 of John Draper, a jeweler of this town.^ They had two children, one of 
 
 1 Mr. Draper was born and died at the old Draper homestead on Washington Street, North Attle- 
 borough, but he residerl for some time in New Yorlj, and there his two daughtors, Harriet E., Mrs. 
 Richards, ant! Sarali A., Mrs. C. K. W. Siierman, were born. Mrs. Draper was Harriet Tisdale, and 
 she was born in Assonet village, Freetown, a place famous in our Revolutionary annals. Mrs. Draper 
 suhsequeutly married Mr. Warren AldricI), for many years a resident of the Falls village, and their 
 daughter. Marietta Aldrich, is Mrs. H. D. Merritt, of Nortli Attleborough. Mrs. Richards died 
 January 11, 1S!U, after a somewhat lingering illness caused by paralysis. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 677 
 
 whom is deceased. Ira Richards, their son, was born March 5, 1852. 
 Shortly after completing his education at Phillips Academy, Audover, he 
 entered into partnership with Messrs. Sandland and Capron, of North 
 Attleborough, to manufacture jewelry, and is still connected with that firm. 
 On January 2, 1879, he married Lydia R., daughter of William H. Reynard, 
 of New Bedford, this State. They have several children and a charming 
 residence within the ample grounds of Mr. Richards, the father. ^ 
 
 RICHARDSON. 
 
 The family of this name were originally of Scandinavian origin, but emi- 
 grated to America from England among the early settlers of both Massachu- 
 setts and Plymouth colonies. Memliers of several different families of this 
 name, so far as they are traced, came to Attlel)orough, and among them four 
 brothers, Stephen, John, William, and Seth, who had previously settled in 
 Woburn, this State, and probably came directly from that town to this. Of 
 these brothers, Stephen had a son (Daniel?) who was born about 1741-42. 
 He married Sarah Read, and they had three sons. The youngest of them 
 was Noah, and he was born June 27, 1780. He owned a farm on the east 
 road running from Attleborough to North Attleborough, adjoining in part 
 a farm still owned and occupied by a family of the same name, though not 
 of near relationship. He was a farmer and a nail-maker. He was quiet 
 and unpretending, but a good and respected citizen, and liberal toward 
 works of usefulness or benevolence as far as his very limited means would 
 allow. He died when fifty-five, but his wife, whose name was Irene Bacon, 
 survived him for many years, and reached the age of eighty-four. Both 
 were buried in the Old Kirk Yard, but their remains were subsequently 
 removed to Mount Hope Cemetery. They had seven children : Sylvester, 
 Alfred, Silena (Mrs. Charles P. Day), Stephen, Charles B., Eliza (Mrs. 
 Angus McDonald), and Mary C. 
 
 Stephf.n Richardson was born November 10, 1815, in the house now 
 known as the "• James Foster house," the farm connected with it being prob- 
 ably in whole or in part his father's. The first fifteen years of his life were 
 passed at home, in the same manner no doubt as those of other boys in simi- 
 lar circumstances, the time filled up by work on the farm and a few months 
 of "schooling" in the winter. When somewhat past fifteen he went to 
 North Attleborough and entered the emplo}' of Calvin Richards, whose fac- 
 tory was on the grounds adjoining the Richards homestead, now owned and 
 occupied l)y Mr. Abiel Codding. Mr. Richardson spent several years in this 
 factory learning the trade of jewelry-making, and he acquired both a thor- 
 
 ' Mr. Josiah D. Richanls died July IS, 1890. He was returning in his carriage from a hunting 
 expedition, taken for tlie pleasure chiefly of his little grandson, when the accidental dischai-ge of his 
 gun liilled liim. 
 
578 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 ough and practical knowledge of it. In 1836 he commenced manufactuiing 
 with Abiel Codding as his partner. This firm existed only a year, meanwhile 
 occupying two different shops. After Mr. Coddiug's retirement, Mr. Rich- 
 ardson continued alone for a time, but later David Capron became associated 
 with him, as Stephen Richardson & Co. These gentlemen continued in part- 
 nership for several years, manufacturing their goods, and then, according to 
 the general custom of that time, traveling al)out the country to dispose of 
 them, sometimes making regular sales, that is, f(n- money, sometimes barter- 
 ing them for other articles. "They were fortunate. They made good work, 
 were lucky in their designs, which were quite popular, and made money. 
 On one ' hit,' a new stjde of ring, they made about ten thousand dollars.'^ 
 Their success made the quarters they then occupied too limited, and in 1848 
 a new factory was built. The same year Mr. Richardson built the residence 
 which he occupied during the remainder of his life, and which then was as 
 fine as any, if not the finest, in the place. At this time the number of hands 
 employed by this firm was forty, and it was doing the largest business in 
 town in its particular line, and very soon a furthei* enlargement of manufac- 
 turing room was required. Mr. Capron finally retired, and Mr. Richardson 
 continued alone, or in connection with Samuel R. Miller, up to the year 1S56. 
 
 Following that of traveling here and there, the custom had arisen among 
 manufacturing jewelers generally to have representatives in New York City, 
 and through them to exhibit tlieir goods in the Western Hotel there, in rooms 
 "well remembered l)y those in the trade of those days." About this time — 
 18.50 — ^Ir. Richardson among the very first made a new departure and 
 opened a separate office, where a constant supply of goods was to be founds 
 a departure soon followed by others, and now the almost universal fashion. 
 Such an office in that or some other city, and sometimes in more than one, 
 is the usual adjunct of the various firms. At first Mr. Richardson made 
 rings, pins, and chains in great variety, but afterward engaged in making 
 what are termed " novelties," his firm being " perhaps the very first to depart 
 from the legitimate jewelry business," for the purpose of taking up this line 
 of manufacture. In addition to the goods made by themselves this firm 
 ''handled" those of one establishment at the Falls, one at Wreutham, and 
 two at South Attleborough. They were also great importers, emploved " a 
 resident buyer in Paris, and became one of the largest, if not the largest 
 importing house of French jewelry in America," and besides the New York 
 office, opened first on Maiden Lane and later at 177 Broadway, they opened 
 an office in Philadelphia. 
 
 From 1856 till 1859 Mr. Richardson was alone, and occupied himself with 
 "domestic goods" only, and relinquished the importing branch of the busi- 
 ness to others. On the first of July of the last-named year his son Clarence 
 became his partner under the same name of Stephen Richardson & Co. The}'' 
 soon employed in the factory over a hundred hands, and many others engaged 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 579 
 
 in work for them outside. The business was very successful and very renui- 
 nerative for many years. In 1870 it received a clieck in the burning of the 
 factory, but in the hands of so able and determined a man as Mr. Richard- 
 sou this was not allowed to be more than temporary. "After the fire, with 
 characteristic energy and promptitude, he took rooms in the Whiting Man. 
 Co.'s building, and in ten days' time was .at work in those quarters, and 
 immediately began a new building on the site of the burned factory." This 
 work of coustruction was vigorously pushed on to completion, and on Febru- 
 ary 1, 1871, scarcely six months after the old one was destroyed, the new 
 factor}' was occupied with one hundred and thirty-five hands. This was 
 rapid work, to erect a building 150 feet long, 33 feet wide, and three stories 
 high, with machinery set and everything in readiness for manufacturing to 
 begin, complete in less than a hundred and fifty days. There was no abate- 
 ment in the prosperity of the firm, which continued steadily successful, and 
 also "established a large export trade in Cuba, and European ports." Tlie 
 senior partner continued his active interest for six j^ears, until the time of his 
 death. 
 
 In 1837 Mr. Richardson married Ann Janette F. Richards, daughter of 
 Manning and Susan Everett Richards, of North Attleborough. They had 
 four children : Clarence H. ; Frank ; Janette Everett, who married Eugene K. 
 Dunbar, of Machias, Maiue, the founder of the Attleborough Chronicle and 
 now^ a resident of Boston ; and Stephen, who died young. Mrs. Richardson 
 died in July, 1862. In 1868 Mr. Richardson married Mrs. Sarah M. 
 Richards, widow of Egbert S. Richards, of this town. 
 
 Mr. Richardson was equally an excellent man and citizen, and manifested 
 much interest in the welfare of the town, doing his full share in all enter- 
 prises for its benefit. He invested quite largely in real estate aud erected 
 various buildings which necessitated the opening of new streets — notably 
 East and Foster — and so made marked improvements in the village in which 
 he lived. " He was one of the promoters, and a director of the N. A. Gas 
 Company ; also of the Branch Railroad ; was also stockholder, and for many 
 years director of the Wrentham Bank ; was a stockholder of the Northern 
 Bank of Providence ; and purchased the site, and, with his fellow-members 
 of the N. A. Building Asso. erected the Wamsutta Block." 
 
 Mr. Richardson died March 1, 1877, when but little past the prime of life. 
 The following extract is from an article written by Mr. H. N. Daggett, whose 
 knowledge of him was that of an intimate friend, and it well describes the 
 man. Mr. Daggett saj's : "He received from his parents, who were iu 
 humble circumstances, no property, and was compelled to struggle during his 
 minority for the support of himself and parents. He was schooled in all the 
 trials of poverty and want in his youth, and arose, unaided, superior to both. 
 He was truly and in every sense of the word a self-made man. His earlv 
 educational advantages were limited in the extreme, compared with the 
 
580 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 advantages and facilities of the present day. Notwithstanding these depri- 
 vations, he acquired, by contact with the world and self-culture, a good 
 business education. He possessed good natural abilities, a mind active and 
 evenly balanced, a kind and generous disposition. At his majority he became 
 anxious to rise in the world and improve the talents God had given him. 
 "Without money or friends to help him, by dint of energy, perseverance, and 
 honesty of purpose, he succeeded in attaining a fortune and a good name. 
 He used his wealth for his own and others' good. He possessed one virtue 
 which was preeminent, charity. He was truly benevolent and generous to 
 a fault, and was a dispenser of charity all the days of his life. Many a poor 
 plodder of earth will sadl}^ miss his beneficence. He was unostentatious in 
 his distributions to the poor and needy. Of these he kept no record on earth, 
 but are they not recorded in the book of God's remembrance ? His fellow- 
 citizens, reposing confidence in his integrity and honesty, selected him for 
 places of honor and trust. For nearly twenty years he was a director of a 
 banking institution, and held many other offices. As a friend, he was con- 
 stant and sincere ; as an adviser, he Avas conscientious and true ; as a neigh- 
 bor, kind and obliging. No business man has gone from earth leaving a 
 purer record, a nobler work finished, a name more beloved, or a character 
 more unblemished than he." 
 
 Abiathar Augustus Richardson was the only son of Abiathar Richard- 
 son, of this towni. The name has long l)een well known in town and the 
 familv numerous, for besides the four brothers previously mentioned as 
 coming here there were several others of the same name who immigrated here 
 in early days. The connection between these various families has not been 
 traced, but no doubt they all originally sprang from the same stock even 
 though — as seems to be the case — at a period much earlier than their 
 appearance in America, and even though relationship is not at present 
 claimed between them all. One man of the name, William Richardson, 
 many years ago had a house on the site of Mr. Hartford Babcock's box 
 factory and he owned considerable land in that vicinity. 
 
 The subject of this short sketch finished his education here in town, it is 
 said, at the Attleborough Academy. ^ His health was not sufficiently robust 
 to permit him to engage in severe physical labor such as was required by 
 nearly all the men in town at that time, for they were chiefly farmers, and 
 after leaving school he w^ent to Virginia. He sailed from Providence in a 
 brig. This change was partly to benefit his health and partly to make a busi- 
 ness venture. This was the time when in the popular estimation the raising 
 of silkworms was or might be made profitable in this country, and Mr, 
 
 'The Academy buiMing was not erected until a period when Mr. Kichardson would have been 
 too old to be a pupil there, though an academical school may have been previously kept in the East 
 village. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOIiOUGH. 581 
 
 Richardson established a plantation of mulberry trees in Virginia with this 
 object in view. The enterprise did not, however, in his case prove success- 
 ful and so he returned home. This must have been one of the so-called 
 "mulberry-tree speculations" in which Mr. H. M. Richards also took part, 
 and disastrously. 
 
 Mr. Richardson died of consumption at the early age of thirty years. He 
 was possessed of a considerable fortune and as he never married and had no 
 direct heirs he adopted the cause of public education in his own community, 
 and by will left nearly all of his entire estate — of which the farm subse- 
 quently owned and occupied for many years by the author was a part — to 
 the common, free schools of the East parish. The value of the donation 
 was then $11,000 and it has since more than doubled. It was a most gener- 
 ous and noble gift, one for which the giver's name should be held in grateful 
 and everlasting remembrance. He was buried in the Old Kirk Yard, where 
 a granite monument — a plain shaft — was erected to his memory, containing 
 the following simple })ut expressive and appropriate inscription : — 
 
 " Abiathau a. Richardson, 
 
 born Dee. 30, 1813, died Feb. 13. 1843. 
 
 His legacy to Common Schools is his best 
 
 epitaph and his most enduring monument.'' 
 
 ROBINSON. 
 
 Six brothers of this name came here from Rehoboth previous to 1730. 
 They were descendants of George Robinson, of that town, whose name may 
 be found on the list of the proprietors of the Rehoboth North Purchase as 
 the owner of one share therein. Those of the name in town to-day are also 
 his descendants. 
 
 Colonel Obed Robinson was a pioneer among the manufacturers of 
 Attleborough. He was at first a blacksmith, but the breaking out of the 
 Revolutionary War presented him with an opportunity to make a change in 
 his occupation and he commenced manufacturing gunlocks for weapons for 
 the use of the Continental army. This he did under a sub-contract, and for 
 that reason chiefly perhaps the business proved unremunerative, so upon the 
 close of the war he abandoned it and took up that of clock-making — for 
 kitchen use. These tall, "old-fashioned" timepieces are no longer humble 
 " kitchen clocks," but are promoted to the best rooms and the present chief 
 places iu the liouse. How many of those made by Mr. Robinson are still 
 extant it is not possible to say, but the one made in 1797 foi- Hon. Ebenezer 
 Daggett when he was married and went to housekeeping is still in existence i 
 and in excellent condition. It is thoroughly to be depended on for correct- 
 ness in noting the passing hours, and is highly prized both as a family 
 treasure and because it was made by a native of Attleborough. 
 
 1 111 the possession of the Editor. 
 
582 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 The making of clocks was in turn abandoned after some years, and in 1807 
 Mr. Robinson began to make jewelry, having in his emplo}' one David Brown, 
 *' a skilled workman in the art." f'ive years later, in 1812, he began the 
 manufacture of buttons, and this became a very large business both in 
 variety' and extent. At different times his three sons, Otis, Richard, and 
 Willard, all having learned the trade of him, were associated with him in this 
 business, and for many years great prosperity was experienced. A few years 
 previous to his death, which occurred in 1840, Mr. Robinson retired from all 
 active business owing to his enfeebled health. He was too greatly advanced 
 in years. He was at one time colonel of a regiment in the Massachusetts 
 Militia. 
 
 Otis, the oldest son, removed finally to Southington, Conn., where he was 
 engaged in active business — in manufacturing — up to the time of his death, 
 in 1843. Richard, the second son, died in 1837, while a member of the firm 
 of Robinson, Jones & Co., of this town. 
 
 Willard Robinson, the youngest of these three sons, was born .Tune 15, 
 1799. Like many of the prominent men of the generation just passing 
 away, he had very few opportunities of acquiring an education so far as 
 school instruction was concerned, the public advantages then offered being 
 so far inferior to those of the present day in town. But mere book-learning 
 is by no means the most important part of an education. That the knowledge 
 gained by reading, observation, and experience of the world is of far more 
 practical value, and that the man subjected to that method of instruction 
 may in reality receive a thorough education and be thereby fitted to attain 
 the highest kind of success, is evidenced by the life of the subject of 
 this sketch. 
 
 About the time, or a little later, that Mr. Robinson's father and eldest 
 brother became associated in tlie manufacture of metal buttons he and his 
 brother Richard became apprentices to the firm, and both of them speedily 
 developed enterprise and great ingenuity. "Willard especially showed great 
 skill and aptitude for this mechanical business. He remained for some years 
 in the employ of his father or Richard, who appears at one time to have 
 been in business for himself, or to have conducted the affairs of the original 
 firm alone, and to have then employed the younger brother. In 1823 the 
 firm of Richard Robinson & Co. was formed for the purpose of manu- 
 facturing glass buttons, and Willard became one of its members. Subse- 
 quently changes were made both in partners and firm name, but for twenty 
 years Mr. Robinson continued to be a member, and to him Avas largely due 
 the remarkable success which followed the initiation of this enterprise. His 
 busy mind was constantly employed in thinking out changes and making 
 additions to the facilities for manufacturing. He constructed new dyes, 
 invented new machinery, and introduced many improvements. He saw a 
 button called the "iris-button," and by his cleverness he discovered the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 583 
 
 method of its production aud at ouce set to work to manufacture it, giving 
 to his product the name of ''opal-button." Later gilt buttons were added 
 to the varieties made. 
 
 Up to this time the latter had been imported from England, but those 
 manufactured by the Robinsons, being superior in style and finish, commanded 
 rapid sales and good prices aud the firm soon controlled the market. The 
 fashion of bright metal buttons for gentlemen's coats was a prevailing one 
 fifty or more years ago, only professional men wearing black coats with 
 cloth-covered buttons ; and it is easy to realize that this firm's business must 
 have been a very extensive and equally lucrative one. For mau\' years a 
 large i^roportion of the buttons used by the army, navy, and police were 
 made in this establishment at Robinsonville, and a great quantity of fanc}' 
 buttons besides. About 1843 the universal fashion suddenly met with a 
 change and the gilt buttons gave place to covered ones, except for military 
 clothing ; his market closed, therefore, and in that year Mr. Robinson, who 
 had for five years been conducting the business alone, was obliged to 
 suspend operations. 
 
 Previous to this time John Hatch, a skilful mechanic in his employ, had 
 conceived the idea of constructing a machine for making trowsers buttons, 
 which should receive the material and complete the article in one continuous 
 process and should be self-acting and self-adjusting. Mr. Robinson appre- 
 ciated the promise contained in this idea and his quick intelligence grasped 
 its feasibility, and he turned his attention to working it out. He and Mr. 
 Hatch studied and experimented together, until they succeeded in making a 
 perfect machine. The patent for this machine was issued to Willard 
 Robinson February 20, 1845. It continued for fourteen years, and then an 
 extension was obtained for seven years additional. Mr. Hatch became a 
 partner with Mr. Robinson for the manufacture of these patented buttons 
 and a very large and profitable business ensued. His death occurred in 1849, 
 and Mr. Robinson carried on the manufactory alone for more than twenty 
 years, with almost exclusive control of the market. "He received five 
 medals from different exhibitions, testimonials of value to the merits of his 
 goods." He continued to be actively engaged in this business up to the time 
 of his death and since that time it has been conducted by one of his sous, 
 Arthur B. Robinson, who purchased it. 
 
 October 25, 1825, Mr. Robinson married Rebecca W. Richards, daughter of 
 Edward and Amy Richards, of this town. They had five children : Ellen R., 
 who married John C. Douglass, of Leavenworth, Kan., aud is now deceased ; 
 Jarvis W. ; Isabel E., Mrs. Joseph Cushman ; Arthur B. •} and Adelaide R., 
 Mrs. M. B. Mackreth. JNIrs. Robinson survived her husband for nearly nine 
 years and died August 16, 1888, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. 
 
 'Jarvis W. and Arthur B. Robinson are both deceased (1893). 
 
584 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Mr. Kobinsou lived a wise and useful life, one valuable to his town and 
 especially to his community, and died full of days, December 26, 1879. He 
 was a tall, fine-looking man ; his face had a somewhat grave expression, but 
 it was withal kindly, as was his manner. He was a thoroughly self-contained, 
 self-controlled man, reserved and undemonstrative in his nature, but none 
 the less deeply true and sincere ; a n)an of few words, but those he spoke were 
 words of common sense and of perhaps uncommon wisdom. Instinctively 
 it would be said of him : He is a man to be trusted. He was a very kind 
 husband and father, and while it was iu his home and by his family that his 
 loss was most deeply felt, his death was a bereavement to a large circle of 
 friends and to the whole town.i u jje was not only a representative manu- 
 facturer, he was more. He made his mark in every sphere with which he 
 was connected. A public-spirited citizen, he did much to benefit and 
 improve his town. The pretty village of Robinsonville is largely indebted 
 to him for its growth and prosperity, and had he been willing to sacrifice 
 private interests for public positions, he could many times have occupied 
 them, for he was often urged to accept them." Politically he was a Whig 
 and then a Republican. He was an earnest defender of the Union during 
 our Civil War ; he was zealous in the cause of humanity " and a firm supporter 
 of law, of order, and of justice." 
 
 " He was widely known as one of the most enterprising, generous and 
 noble-hearted men in his remarkably enterprising community. A chapter of 
 eulogy would fail to enumerate or do justice to his generous deeds, of which 
 hundreds have been the recipients." 
 
 S A VERY. 
 
 Sergeant Abraham Bailey Savery was the oldest son of Dr. Phineas 
 and Sally A. Bailey Savery and was born in this town May 23, 1837. The 
 father was for many years the leading physician of the East village, in the 
 central part of which he resided. He had one son by his first wife — Phineas 
 Savery, Esq., a lawyer in Baldwin, Miss. — and the following seven children 
 by the wife above mentioned: Hope B., Mrs. Waterman; Abraham B. : 
 Cyrus B. ; Job B. ; Nancy M., Mrs. Ryder; Amy B. ; and Henry O. ; of 
 whom Mrs. Ryder, now of Wareham, this State, is the only survivor. 
 
 Abraham spent his boyhood in this town, receiving a high-school educa- 
 
 1 Many people in recaUing Mr. Robinson will, no doubt, think of him as he appeared passing 
 through our streets in his carriage, and they will remember the old white horse he drove for so many 
 years about the town. The creature's record was so unusual that it does not seem out of place to 
 mention it in this connection. He lived to be over thirty years of age, which is about three times the 
 average life of a horse, and during almost all those years he served this one master faithfully and 
 intelligently. He was so remarkable for his age that he was known all over town, anil doubtless 
 outside its limits. He became a great pet with the family and as long as he lived he received the care 
 and attention of a humble trusty friend. Such instances of longevity are very rare, but two similar 
 ones known to the writer were of gray or white horses, who, like this one, retained their strength and 
 speeil for considerably more than a quarter of a century. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 585 
 
 tiou. When the war broke out he was among the first to enlist, and was a 
 member of Company I, Seventh Massachusetts Regiment. He faithfully 
 discharged all his duties in his company and regiment as long as he lived, 
 '' as a loyal Christian soldier." In the latter part of 1862 he came home to 
 recover from the effects of a severe illness he had contracted in the army. 
 Before his strengtli was fully restored, however, his furlough expired, and, 
 though he was unable to do so, he cheerfully returned to his duties in the 
 field, the severity of which he fully realized, for by this time the glamour 
 and illusion were gone and the war had become a stern and determined 
 realit}'. His health could not long endure the terrible strain of such experi- 
 ences as our brave " Seventh" had, though his death was caused by an acute 
 attack of disease. He died December 16, 1863, of plenrisy, after an illness 
 of eight days' duration. His remains were brought home and the funeral 
 services were held on December 24, at the Second Congregational Church, 
 and he was buried with military honors. 
 
 A memorial of him was published soon after his death, and the various 
 extracts from his letters to a friend, which were printed in it, show how 
 conscientious he was as a soldier. He enlisted, " counting the cost." His 
 motives were the highest and noblest, those of true Christian patriotism. 
 One or two quotations from his letters may well be given here. As early as 
 October, 1861, in speaking of several deaths which had occurred in the army 
 or elsewhere he says : — 
 
 " I have lost a brother and, ere the close of the war, my mother may be grieved again at the 
 loss of her first-l)oruson. For her sake, I would that I might live, that I may be her support 
 in the later years of a life that has been spent for the comfort and good of her children. 'T is 
 a fearful retribution that has fallen upon us for permitting the curse of slavery to rest so 
 long upon the land. The tears and suffering of the poor slaves for more than two centuries 
 are now to be expiated l)y the blood of their task-masters, and those whose hands were idle to 
 stop the sin. Efforts are now making to have us placed in the most advanced position of this 
 army, and I hope they will be successful. I am willing, if it will give the death-blow to 
 slavery, to give my Idood upon the field of battle." Again, a year later, he writes : '• In the 
 mercy of God my blood has not yet been called for. Thousands more worthy of life, lie low upon 
 the battle-fields, while I am still safe from harm. Surely they who return from the war ought 
 to he patriots in life of the highest excellence if our coimtry is restored to its former integrity 
 and harmony; for the blood of Patriot-Martyrs that has already consecrated anew every letter 
 and word of the ' constitution and laws,' of this once happy and peaceful land. Can it be that 
 much more is to be shed? Apparently we are little nearer a peaceful solution of this vexed 
 question than ever, and battles are yet talked of soon to come, even more bloody than their 
 predecessors. I think now, as I always have, that so long as a man is owned by his fellow-man 
 upon this soil, we can never again be a united country, and if I must remain here or run my 
 risk in Ijattling for the remainder of my three years, I had much rather do so than have 
 another slavery compromise patched up." Again, in speaking of the cause of the war: '-But 
 a reckoning time has come now, and will come again, if the evil be not rooted out entirely 
 from the land." He was always confident of victory in the end, for under the same date he 
 says : '' Unless one has faith in the Almighty as ruler of all the nations of the earth, the aspect 
 of everything is darl- at present ; — but Hope has not yet left me ; the struggle may be long, but 
 ultimate success seems certain for us. The fervent prayers of Christians will not fall unheeded 
 round the Mercy Seat. Were everything we desire gained by the mere wis/i, without struggle 
 on our part, 't would be soon forgotten ; Init who will lightly estimate the blessings of Peace 
 and Union when this strife shall terminate." 
 
586 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 We quote also from the fiiuerul sermon preacheil by his pastor. Rev. W. AV. BeldtMi, on the 
 ocrasion of his burial. He says: "We look for the true soldier, './frsi in the man.' What 
 is it that wins love and makes the world take its noblest sons to its heart and cherish them 
 profoundlv? ^fanliness — true Christian manliness. It is this, and not fame nor rank 
 that awakens lasting admiration. P^mperors have gone down to the grave from heights of 
 power, blazing in gold and purple witiiout a mourner; but when a man dies, humanity 
 mourns. I come, my hearers, to bring you a cluster of rose-buds for your cypress wreath — 
 to speak to you, tenderly, of one with whom you are all familiar, from your childhood. I can 
 tell you only what you so well know. Noble by nature, nobler by education, we can all say 
 with his commanding otHcer, — ' I bear eager testimony not only to the efficiency of the soldier, 
 l>ut to the genuineness of the man.' Slight In form, frail in health, impulsive in spirit, of an 
 active, inciuiring. cultivated mind, attaining a higher intellectual position than many men of 
 bis ase, with a high sense of honor, modest and unassuming, never appreciating his own 
 powers, dirtident and distrustful of himself, he had au unattected modesty which in these days 
 is so rare a jewel, therefore so precious — a real diamond of character. Always truthful, 
 conscientious, generous in disposition, kind of heart, capable of noble purpose and lofty plans. 
 Such a man was Abraham Savery. The first sound of an assault on government developed the 
 manly and heroic nature which dwelt in the soul of the magnanimous boy. He gave himself 
 to bis country at once, with the same self-denying spirit that had characterized him ever more. 
 " I am reminded that he was an atlectionate and dutiful son. The death of his father, the 
 * beloved physician of Attleborougb,' ten years since, devolved u!)on Abraham, for the most 
 part, the support of his remaining parent. His kindness and love for this widowed mother 
 were remarkable. He was unwearied, and diligent in his devotion to that afflicted parent, doing 
 so much to smooth and to brighten her rugged and sombre way. Patriotism was a ruling 
 principle in his soul. He went to the war from noble motives. We thank God for the record 
 of such lives, —the hallowed memories of our soldier-dead running back from pews in this 
 house of prayer to graves in yonder cemetery. Their spirit shall never die. It shall outlive 
 the ruins of empires, and of eras, and passing through the web of time, a shuttle in the hands 
 of the Almighty, shall weave the bright colors of self-denial, loyalty to God and liberty, into 
 the mighty fabric of human souls, which shall be unrolled at the judgment and then hung up 
 as the golden tapestry of heaven. The Christian hero dying for his country is a matchless 
 martyr." 
 
 The preacher closed with a beautiful appeal to comrades in age of the dead : '• Young men — 
 I have portrayed before you the life of ii beloved youth — your friend and mine. I hold him 
 up for your emulation. His last battle has been fought; his last march made; his last victory 
 won; no drum beat will ever rouse him from his slumbers — he has gone to that genial clime 
 where Vi'ar is unknown — where the peace of God fills the soul. From that soldier's coffin 
 there rises an appeal far more ekxiuent than human voice can make. That pale face— those 
 mute lips appeal to all your mo?i/;ood — to all your patriotism — to all your immortalitt/, to 
 prepare to meet death as your comrade has done. Then can you follow where this young hero 
 so nobly led — to the battle-field — to victory and to the grave of the Christian soldier u:hose 
 sold is marching on to rest in the bosom of his God." 
 
 JoH Bailey Saveky, a youuger brother of the above, was boru January 
 24, 1841. The common schools were his only means of education, and when 
 but sixteen years of age he went West, tempted no doubt by the stories of 
 o-reat possibilities in the way of making money which were extant about that 
 then less well-known portion of oiu- country. Mr. Savery did not, however, 
 try business or farming, but spent the larger portion of the time he remained 
 as a teacher in the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. At the end of five 
 years the war broke out and he returned home. On the first of September, 
 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Fortieth Regiment Massachusetts Volun- 
 teers. He was sergeant in this company, and was always faitiiful to his 
 
BISTOIiY OF ArTLEBOROUGH. 587 
 
 every duty, whether as an officer or a soldier. He was with liis regiment 
 '' from Gettysburg to Richmond." As long as he lived ''he always retained 
 a strong love for his companions in arms, and was one of the regiment's 
 executive committee after the disbanded veterans had reunited themselves 
 as an association for nuitual assistance and good fellowship." He remained 
 in the service for three years and received his discharge on June IG, 1865, 
 when the war was over. 
 
 On his return home he becan'ie bookkeeper for R. Blackinton it Co. at the 
 Falls, and remained with that tlrm until 1868. During that year he returned 
 to his native village and became associated with Oscar Thayer in jewelry 
 business. The firm was Savery, Thayer & Co., but not long after Mr. 
 Thayer sold his interest, and this was purchased by Charles Mason, with 
 whom Mr. Savery continued until 1872, when the firm was dissolved Then 
 Mr. Savery with his brother Henry entered the grocery business under the 
 name of Savery Brothers. In 187o he was chosen town clerk, was reelected 
 to the same pcjsition every subsequent year of his life, a period of fourteen 
 years, and was holding the otlice at the time of his death. In 1875 he relin- 
 quished his grocery l)usiness, and fi-om that time on devoted himself exclu- 
 sively to the duties of various pul)lic positions. 
 
 AVhen he first Mccei)ted the position of town clerk (he otiice was kept in the 
 old depot building, later in a small building on South Main Street, and for 
 several years previous to his death it had occupied its present commodious 
 room in Sturdy's Block. During the period of his clerkship the town largely 
 increased in population — nearly doubled — and increased largely also in the 
 extent of its manufactures, in its wealth and imi)ortance, and this brought a 
 corresponding increase in the " extent, variety, and importance of the duties 
 of his ottice." Mr. Savery soon became thoroughly conversant with the 
 requirements of his i)osition, and showed a special adaptability to it. He 
 had doubtless become better acquainted with the history of the town during 
 the years of his service than any other man, and this rendered his presence 
 at public meetings of marked value. Able from knowledge and ability to 
 form correct opinions upon questions which came up, he was always willing 
 to present them when requested to do so, though he never forced them 
 forward He expressed them when occasion required with clearness and 
 precision, and not infrequently they served to settle matters of importance. 
 As the years passed on he grew to be more and more valuable to the town, 
 a fact which was well understood and gladly acknowledged by his fellow- 
 citizens who when he died felt they had sustained an irreparable loss. 
 
 In 1880 he was elected selectman and assessor, serving on that board 
 mitil 1885, and the following year he was again elected assessor. In 1884, 
 when the Board of Registrars was created by statute, he was made its clerk 
 for this town and retained the office initil his death ; and lie was clerk of the 
 Attleborough A^^ater District until it l)ecame united with the Fire District, of 
 
588 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 which he was also clerk. He was an active member of the Youno- Men's 
 Christian Association and clerk of the Second Congregational Parish. He 
 belonged to William A. Streeter Post, G. A. R. ; was one of the ex-command- 
 ers of Company H of the Fortieth Regimental Association ; secretary of the 
 Royal Arcanum ; collector of the American Legion of Honor ; and treas- 
 urer of the Temple of Honor, " These varied positions brought him in close 
 relations with every class of people, to all of whom he proved a friend and 
 adviser, and while no one's life is really necessary for the Avork of the world, 
 it will be impossible to find those who can at once take up all the matters 
 which he kept well in charge." 
 
 November 10, 1869, he married Isadora E., the daughter of Mr. William 
 Briggs, of this town. They had four children, of whom three are living: 
 Willie B., Grace A., and Job L. Mr. Savery was a most devoted husband 
 and father. Small things often show most clearly a person's character. It 
 is said that whenever returning from North Attleborough, as the train passed 
 his home, he always gave a signal from the car window to his children and 
 had an answering one from them. No matter how busy he might be he 
 never omitted this pleasant little ceremony. 
 
 He died October 3, 188G, after an illness of some weeks' duration which 
 was not considered of a serious or alarming nature until shortly before his 
 death. The funeral took place in his own church on the fifth instant. 
 Business was very generally suspended and a large number of people 
 attended the service, which was conducted by his pastor. Rev. Walter Barton, 
 assisted by Rev. W. A. Luce, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. M. Can- 
 field, a former pastor in town. Colonel J. A. Dalton and Captain Litchfield 
 of Mr. Savery's regiment were present with the Grand Army, and there were 
 delegations from the organizations to which he belonged. He was buried at 
 Woodlawn with the special service of the G. A. R. 
 
 In the course of his most appropriate discourse Mr. Barton said : '' There 
 are empty seats all around us which none but the familiar forms can fill. 
 There is a vacant place in the ranks of the Grand Army, a vacancy in the 
 Y. M. C. A., a faithful public servant is not here ; the causes of education and 
 temperance have lost a friend ; the Sunday-school misses one of its best 
 teachers ; the church has one less ardent attendant and supporter. Let us 
 imagine what the world would ])e if, like him who lies here, every parent 
 were seen on Sunday morning wending their way to the sanctuary with their 
 family ; if, like him, we were devoted to what is good and true, and right. 
 If the world were filled with men like him, how different it would be." 
 Another said : " ]Mr. Savery was a man of sterling character, firm in his 
 adherence to what he deemed right, yet tolerant with those Avho disagreed. 
 He was never too busy to attend to those who sought him, and never known 
 to have other than a calm and pleasant manner." 
 
 He was a devoted and zealous Christian. He was for many years a mem- 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 589 
 
 ber of the Second Cougregtitiou:xl Church aud a teacher in its Sunday-school, 
 and he organized the Sunday-school out of which the Central Church at the 
 Falls village grew. His religion had no bigotry in it, and it was of a cheer- 
 ful, practical kind such as brings happiness to the heart and shines brightest 
 in the affairs of everyday life. He was a good man ; there can be no higher 
 encomium bestowed upon him. The following testimonial was "'■ elegantly 
 engrossed and handsomely framed," and presented to his family : — 
 
 We, the members of the Board of Registrars of the town of Attleboro, desire to add our 
 testimony to the high moral worth, geutlemanly character, courteous deportment and amiable 
 disposition of our late associate, Job B. Savery. His genial disposition and uniform atlahility 
 has ever rendered our labors pleasant, his painstaking and familiarity with the duties of the 
 Board has done much to make accurate work, and we feel that his death is a great loss to our 
 body. 
 
 We wish to express our sympathy to the heart-broken family of our esteemed friend in 
 their great affliction, and with them sincerely mourn that he, whose life was so full of present 
 usefulness aud future promise, has been suddenly and early called from the scenes of busy life 
 to the rest that remains for those whose life, whether long or short, has been so perfectly 
 rounded by conscientiousness and good works as to deserve the plaudit, *' Well done, good and 
 faitliful servant." 
 
 Signed John W. (.'ody, i Board 
 
 Patrick F. Grady, I of 
 Fred. B. Byram, ' Registrars. 
 
 No more fitting inscription could be placed above Job Savery than a few 
 lines from a poem which a friend quoted in a notice of him : — 
 
 " The good he did cannot be hid 
 From those whom he befriended. 
 His useful days will speak his ])raise, 
 A more enduring story 
 Than stone or bust above his dust 
 Could tell to give him glory." 
 
 Charles Edwin Wallace Sherman was born in Plympton, Mass., August 
 1, 1827. His paternal grandmother was a descendant of Captain Miles Stan- 
 dish, '' of Mayflower fame," her father, Jonathan Standish, being the sixth in 
 descent from that doughty Puritan warrior. Mr. Sherman's father, William 
 Sherman, was a dyer and a manufacturer of woolen goods. He was born 
 in Plymouth, the son of Thomas Sherman, a hatter in that place. He lived 
 in several towns in this State — Plympton, Dighton, and Halifax, and died 
 at the age of seventy-tJiree. He had four children, of whom Charles was 
 the thuxl. 
 
 When but a boy, he, Charles, w^orked in his father's factory at Dighton, 
 learning and working in nearly all parts of the manufacture of wool, from 
 its natural state " in the fleece, to the finish." This kind of work proved to 
 be too severe for his strength, however, and he Avas obliged to give it up for 
 some lighter and easier occupation. Through the assistance of friends he 
 obtained a place in one of the jewelry shops in this town and spent two years 
 in learning the trade of an engraver. April 1, 1848, when about twenty- 
 
590 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 one, he came here and settled, working at his trade for six years. At the end 
 of that time he formed a copartnership with George K. Davis, ''the firm 
 being George K. Davis & Co., gold and silver refiners, assayers, and smelt- 
 ers." At the end of two years, in 1856, Mr. Sherman Iniilt a shop and 
 conducted a business of this kind on his own account until 1875, when he 
 took his son William W. Sherman into company with him and the firm thus 
 formed is still in existence. Mr. Sherman has worked hard during his whole 
 life of sixty years. He has amassed a corafortalile fortune and deserves the 
 success he has attained, as the just reward of his care and industry. He 
 has been strictly a business man and has not cared to interest himself espe- 
 cially in put)lic affairs. He is much respected by his friends and as a citizen. 
 
 SMITH. 
 
 Stephen Smith was born in Mansfield, in Januarj', 179(). He came to 
 this town, when quite a young man probably, and bought the Joel Read farm, 
 "which contained about eighty acres and cost him some six or seven hundred 
 dollars. Here he took up his residence and became <iuite a successful 
 farmer. By his industry and thrift he accumuhited wliat in those days and 
 for one in his occupation was quite a handsome property, its value at his 
 death being six thousand dollars. He was active in both town and county 
 affairs. He was a member of the Free Soil party when its adherents in town 
 numbered only three or four. He was a Calvinist Baptist, and rigid in his 
 belief in the doctrines of that peculiar faith. He was " a prudent, temperate, 
 reserved man, of few words, honest in his dealings, and of sterling integrity." 
 His first wife was Ruth Hodges, by whom he had one son, Stephen N. His 
 second wife was Mercy S. Ide, a daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah Daggett 
 Ide, whose father was Colonel John Daggett, of Revolutionary fame. She 
 was named Mercy Shepard from her grandmother, wife of Colonel Daggett 
 and daughter of John Shepard " the ancient." They had six children, five 
 daughters and one sou, all of whom are deceased with the exception of the 
 latter, the subject of the following sketch. 
 
 Theron Ide Smith was born on Iiis father's farm in the Read and Ide 
 neighborhood, April 9, 183(). He worked on the farm till he Avas eighteen, 
 obtaining what education this life of a farmer's boy enabled him to get in 
 the common schools. The prospects this mode of life then afforded him 
 were not sufficient to satisfy his ambition and he decided to learn the trade 
 of jewelry-making. He went to North Attleborough and apprenticed him- 
 self to Ira Richards & Co. At the end of a year business was dull and in 
 that establishment he could only get six cents an hour and eight hours' work 
 in the day. He then tried for employment elsewhere and found it with J. T. 
 Bacon & Co., in Plainville, where he was paid a dollar a day for "chasing." 
 He was such an excellent workman that his employers soon raised his pay to 
 a dollar and a quarter a day, l)ut at the end of six months he was obliged to 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 591 
 
 give up chasing entirely, and indeed all work for some months, on account of 
 his health. When al)le to work again he was employed for a short time •' at 
 the bench " by Barrows & Sturdy, in 1856. Not long afterwards he began 
 to work for Merritt & Draper, and remained with them until June I, 1859, 
 when he joined with D. D. Codding and they started manufacturing " in 
 a small way" on the first floor of the building they now occupy. 
 
 A year from that time these gentlemen moved to Mansfield Centre, where 
 they carried on a very moderate business until the breaking out of the war, 
 which had such an unfavorable effect upon their affairs that they were obliged 
 to discontinue operations altogether. They could not get their pay for goods 
 they had sold, which compelled them to leave their tools idle, and in May, 
 1861, these were burned with the building in which they were, and the firm 
 thus lost everything. Mr. William Boyd, of Mansfield, was at that time 
 making cap-boxes for the army and Mr. Smith entered his employ and 
 stayed until better times gave him encouragement to try his former occupa- 
 tion again. During the spring of the following year he returned to North 
 Attleborough, and from July, 1862. till July, 1865, he had charge of Merritt 
 & Draper's shop. At this time he entered business again with his former 
 partner and C. H. Ames, as Codding, Smith & Co., and for two years this 
 firm met with moderate success. Then Mr. Ames withdrew and A. E. Cod- 
 ding entered the firm, the name remaining the same. From this date, 1867, 
 for six years the firm was very prosperous and then Mr. Smith purchased the 
 interest of each of his partners and continued alone for a year. Then he 
 sold a half-interest to D. D. Codding and thus formed his present firm of 
 T. I. Smith & Co. This firm has been uninterruptedly prosperous, the only 
 change since its formation being the admission of a former salesman, H. H. 
 Curtis, as a third partner. 
 
 May 16. 1856, Mr. Smith married Emily C, the daughter of Al)iel and 
 Chloe Daggett Codding. They have one child, Eva C, Mrs. Henry H. 
 Curtis. " Mr. Smith has always been in the ranks of intelligent and inde- 
 pendent thinkers. He has always been in accord with Republican principles, 
 and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln. Steady and reliable in his 
 business, pleasant and affable in his intercourse with others, unassuming and 
 modest in his demeanor, he is considered one of the town's solid citizens, 
 and a man of unobtrusive worth." 
 
 The first of this name who emigrated from England was one Matthew 
 Stanley, who settled in Martha's Vineyard. Some members of his family 
 went to Connecticut Colony, and some to Topsfield, this State, and from the 
 latter branch came the ancestors of the Stanleys in this town. Six men came 
 here from Topsfield very early. They were Thomas, Nathaniel, Joseph, 
 Samuel, Jacob, and John, the last three being brothers. The first and the 
 
592 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 fourtli are known to have been here in 1707, and all settled near the Falls. 
 Jacob, one of the three brothers mentioned, came here about 1717. He 
 married Elizabeth Guild and had ten children. Ot these Benjamin was the 
 second sou and child. He married Abigail Spear and had three children. 
 Stephen, second son and child, and born here in town, was a farmer, a 
 cabinetmaker, and for a number of years the agent for the Falls Manu- 
 facturing Company. He was an energetic and a successful man, and he 
 lived to a good old age. His wife was IVIartha, the daughter of Jonathan 
 and Martha Pond Stanley, and they had three children. 
 
 Stephen Olney Stanley, again the second son and child, and one of the 
 last-mentioned three children, was born June 11, 1801, " in the house oppo- 
 site No. o school-house." He had a common-school and academic education, 
 but when quite young he entered the "Company's store" at the Falls as 
 clei'k for his father. He was occupied there for several years and in addition 
 had farmwork to attend to during the summer mouths. Later he and his 
 father •' closeil their connection with the company." and then Mr. Stanley 
 turned his attention wholly to farming. At first he took charge only of his 
 father's farm, but finally became its owner. After his marriage he had lived 
 at his old home and it remained his residence during his life. It is the 
 general idea that the ordinary farmer in New England can get nothing more 
 than a living from his acres. This was the case with Mr. Stanley, though he 
 labored very industriously. "He was a perfectly just man, fair and honor- 
 able in all his dealings," and of him it was often said in the familiar phrase, 
 "He w-as too honest for his own good." He had no doubt too humble an 
 opinion of his own powers to assert himself in the way which seems necessary 
 now to ensure a man's financial success, but he had what was better than that 
 alone : the success of a life of duties conscientiously done ; and there can l)e 
 no better or higher. If his duties were simple, he was content to do them as 
 they came to him without craving something more prominent or striking in 
 the eyes of the world ; he had no desire for publicity, though had circum- 
 stances demanded he would have proved himself capable of holding office 
 acceptably. What he said of himself shows, though he was unconscious of 
 it, what he really was — a good man. He believed in the principles of true 
 religion but never became a church member, because, as he said, he did not 
 think himself good enough. The men who feel like that are often the best 
 fitted for the places they are too modest to take ; but no matter how retiring 
 they may be their influence for what is highest and best in life cannot be 
 confined within the narrow limits they themselves prescribe for it, but is felt 
 in the community about them in a far wider and more enduring manner than 
 they in their unobtrusiveness dream possible. Mr. Stanley was, as some 
 one has said, " an unassuming and useful member of society, reserved in 
 demeanor, and enjoyed the esteem of all," and of him it could probably be 
 said : "He had not an enemy during his entire life." 
 
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RISrOBY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 593 
 
 September 28, 1830, he married Betsey S., the daughter of Artemas and 
 Betsey Daggett Stanley. Mrs. Stanley was a member of the same family as 
 her husband, Jacob, their first ancestor in town, being their common great- 
 grandfather. Her family lived in the west part of the town. Her grand- 
 father was prominent there in the First Congregational Church, and her father 
 in 1841-42 was Representative to the State Legislature. Mr. Stanley died 
 about 1875. He had five children, of whom three are now living : Martha 
 (Mrs. Edward C. Knapp), Benjamin, and Stephen. [First named is dead.] 
 
 The latter left home in 1861 to enter the army. He enlisted as a musician 
 in the Seventh Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, and after fourteen 
 months' service was discharged, as other musicians were. After a short stay 
 in town he Avent to Taunton, this State, then to Youkers, N. Y., where he 
 worked in an armory, then to Waterbury, Conn., where he learned the 
 machinist's trade, and later he worked as a toolmaker iu a brass factory. 
 In 1871 he returned to the Falls and formed a partnership with his brother 
 and brother-in-law to manufacture jewelry. The latter has retired from the 
 firm, but the two brothers continue the business together, and they have 
 enjoyed a very considerable degree of prosperity. 
 
 The Stanley family has been a numerous one and there have been many 
 branches of it here in town and many of its members have been prominent 
 here and elsewhere. The most prominent of the name now in town is Lyman 
 M. Stanley, resident in the east part. He has for several years been very 
 active in town and especially in district matters. To him chiefiy perhaps is 
 due the rise and in large measure the continuance of the division movement 
 of 1886-87. He nevei- from the first doubted its ultimate success, and he 
 worked enthusiastically and persistently — in the face of adverse criticism, 
 which was both abundant and severe — to bring the question to a speedy and 
 final issue. He is as sure of the future increase of prosperity in that portion 
 of the town still named Attleborough as he was of the result of the old 
 town's action before it took place. Dr. William Stanley, previously men- 
 tioned, also belongs to this family, whose members, whether they have been 
 agriculturists or business or professional men, seem always to have been 
 distinguished for their industry, intelligence, and honesty of purpose. 
 
 Mr. Edward O. Stanley, well known to many in town and formerly a 
 member of the publishing firm of Stanley & Usher, of Boston, is a member 
 of this family, and an Attleborough man.i 
 
 STURDY. 
 
 The founder of this family in town and in the country was John Jenkins, 
 who was born of a very good family, in Cardiff, Wales, Februarv 9, 1791. 
 
 1 The Editor wishes to acknowledjre lier inilel)tedness to him for many v.aluable suggestions he has 
 made iu regard to the attempt to bring to completion this work, and to express her gratitude for the 
 -assistance lie so courteously rendered. 
 
594 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 When but lifteon years of age the sergeant of a pressgang, either by strateg}'^ 
 or force, induced him to enlist in the British Navy, and, though he was 
 under the prescribed age, " his parents were powerless to rescue him after 
 he had signed the agreement." The discipline in the navy of Great Britain 
 was at that time, as is well known, extremely severe, and after serving some- 
 thing more than two years young Jenkins made up his mind to escape. His 
 first attempt was made at Land's End, no great distance from his home, but 
 he was captured and taken bade to his ship. Before twelve months had 
 passed, however, he made a second attempt, and this time he was successful. 
 While his ship was " weighing anchor off the coast of Palermo, Sicily," he 
 let himself through a porthole aiid swam three miles to the shore. An 
 American captain smuggled him on board his ship and carried him to the port 
 of Leghorn, in Italy. An American sailor had recently died in the hospital 
 there, and for the sum of five dollars Mr. Jenkins bought his " Protection 
 Paper." The personal description it contained suited the purchaser fairly 
 well, and he of course assumed the name of the deceased sailor — William 
 Sturdy. This is by no means a singular case, for many like it occurred at 
 that period. There are persons now residing in town whose ancestors, it is 
 said, for similar reasons changed their names, taking whatever sobriquet 
 suggested itself as a surname and a means of preventing the dreaded iden- 
 tification and consequent forced return to the hard service from which they 
 were trying to escape.' This impressment of seamen into her navy by 
 England was not confined to English subjects but it extended to American 
 citizens as well, and was one of the special causes of the War of 1812. 
 
 William Sturdy then shipped on an American schooner, lying at Leghorn, 
 and bound for the LTnited States. He finally landed on June 9, 1809, at 
 Beverly, Mass., and thus became an Amei'ican citizen, and of this Common- 
 wealth. From the port of Beverly he made several voyages as mate of 
 American schooners, but finally abandoned the seas. Meanwhile, " at twenty 
 two years of age," he married Clarissa Whittemore, of Beverl}^ Her father 
 had come to this town, and when he left the maritime service Mr. Sturdy 
 and his wife followed him, and they all at first settled at " Attleborough 
 City." Mr. Sturdy subsequently bought a farm lying on the west shore of 
 the Falls pond. He resided there until 1827, and there ten of his fourteen 
 children were born. About that time, 1827, *' the initial efforts in cotton man- 
 
 ilt is a little singular that the ancestors of botli Mr. and Mrs. George A. Adams should have had 
 experiences similar to the one just related. In the case of the former a change of name did not prove 
 to be necessary, but in that of the latter it was so. A young man by the name of Newton was at one 
 time with a friend attempting escape from this hated naval service. Being in imminent danger of 
 capture, to the (luestion, "Who are you? " one answered, "I am Going," and the otlier, "I am 
 Coming," so-and-so, and these quickly assumed names became their permanent surnames, the old 
 ones being discarded. From the latter the Cummings, of Medway, and from the former the Gowens, 
 of Franklin, are descended, those of the last name residing in town being from that place. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 595 
 
 ufactiiriiig on the Blaekstoue river had opened the way for the employment 
 of minors," and Mr. Sturdy availed himself of this opportunity because it 
 had become impossible for him to procure a proper subsistence for his large 
 family from his farm. He resided in several of the manufacturing villages 
 of Rhode Island, and finally settled in Blackstone, then in the town of Men- 
 don, Mass. Here he died, October 16, 1834. i 
 
 After the lapse of something over twenty years from the time he went 
 away, one after another of his sons returned to this town to settle, until six 
 of the eight became residents, and four of these remain still as permanent 
 citizens. 
 
 John F. Sturdy is the oldest of these four. He was born in this town, 
 and w\as probably not more than five or six years old when his father removed 
 to Rhode Island. As a boy and youth he worked in the cotton mills in the 
 several villages where his family resided. He began business for himself in 
 Providence, in 1848, with his brother James. They made dies, cutters, and 
 tools for jewelers' use. After continuing this occupation for a few months, 
 the manufacture of jewelry was added to it and ])oth continued for a short 
 time, when the brothers decided to remove to this town. In 1849 the business 
 was located at Robinsouville, with a third partner. The Sturdys had ''dis- 
 covered the process of making what is now known as rolled or stock plate," 
 and their firm of Draper, Sturdy & Co. was the first to introduce this stock 
 into Attleborough and to manufacture here rolled-gold plate jewelry. They 
 also made known their process of making this plate to some other jewelers, 
 and the result was a very general adoption of their method. Mr. Sturdy had 
 several partners during the first twelve or fourteen years of his residence 
 here, but from 1862 until 1875 he was alone in business. During the latter 
 year one of his sons became associated with him, and subsequently two 
 others, and the firm then assumed its present name. 
 
 • For the benefit of the younger members of the present generation, who know nothing of mill 
 operatives except as they are to be found to-day, it should be said that in the early days of cotton 
 manufacturing tlie people who bought employment in the factories were of a totally different class. 
 So-called " skilled labor" Is not required by the improved machinery in our cotton mills at the present 
 time, but the fact which most fully explains the cliange that has taken place in the class of em- 
 ployees is that sixty years ago the avenues of industry open in New England villages to people of 
 intelligence, those of skill of mind as well as hand, were very limited in number as compared with 
 to-day, and such as then presented themselves had of necessity to Ije made use of until others more 
 <iesirable and suitable could be found and entered upon. To a certain extent what was true in cotton 
 has been true in our own greater manufacture, jewelry. Very much is now accomplished by machinery 
 which could formerly lie done only by clever men by handwork, and therefore a large proportion, 
 comparatively, of the employees in the shops are unskilled. A class has sprung up in our communi- 
 ties scarcely known a half-century ago, when the sons of the settlers of the soil, our solid and sub. 
 stantial citizens, who in their turn became our worthiest and leading citizens, began life as workers 
 *' at the bench." It can readily be seen then that the first employees in the mills were from amono- 
 the best people in their various communities. To the capable, intelligent, and ambitious, as notably 
 In the case of the Sturdy family, and indeed in others in our own town, this occupation was but the 
 first stepping-stone to great advancement and to the gaining of most excellent positions in after life 
 positions calculated to satisfy high ambitions. 
 
596 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Mr. Stiirdy's residence is at Kobinsonville, now a part of the Falls, and 
 at no great distance from the spot of his birth. He is interested in the 
 improvement and beautifying of this pleasant little village, and many years 
 a^o took steps in that direction by making an attractive home for himself, 
 which he surrounded by well-kept grounds. The brothers are alike in this 
 respect. The firstfruits of their success are expended in making for them- 
 selves suitable and beautiful homes, which can always be sustained in a suit- 
 able manner and strictly within their means. But they do not stop here ; 
 the comfort of the family properly secured, they turn their attention to works 
 of general improvement and benevolence. 
 
 Mr. John Sturdy is no exception in this respect. He is a liberal man in 
 matters of charity. He was especially generous in his gifts to the Central 
 Church society, and was one of the unusually efticient building committee 
 when its edifice was erected. All that he does is done quietly, for anything 
 like ostentation is unknoAvn to him ; but he does his full share of what per- 
 tains to one in his position, that of a highly esteemed man and citizen of 
 ample means. 
 
 James H. Sturdy was born in this town September 26, 1823. In 1827 
 the family left town. Twenty-two years afterward, in 1849, he returned, 
 and, as has been stated, commenced manufacturing jewelry at Robinsonville 
 with his brother, J. F. Sturdy, and H. M. Draper, a pioneer in making 
 rolled-gold plate or stock. He left this firm at the end of a year and went 
 to the Falls, then a village distinct entirely from the other, and there formed 
 a partnership with H. F. Barrows, with Ira Richards & Co. as silent partners. 
 This arrangement lasted about three years, the firm meanwhile moving to 
 North Attleborough to a shop owned bv the Richards. Previous to the 
 expiration of the term of copartnership Mr. Sturdy sold out his interest 
 to Mr. Barrows. He then formed another copartnership and went to Shel- 
 donville, where he built a shop. At the end of some two or three years 
 inducements were held out which decided him to remove to Wrentham Centre. 
 It had been difficult to procure tenements for help, these being in many cases 
 held by the larger firms, and in Wrentham Centre advantages in this direc- 
 tion were offered. There Mr. Sturdy again built a shop, and he was the first 
 jewelry manufacturer in that town. He remained there until 1860. 
 
 About that time his firm met with financial difficulties, and, soon after, the 
 breaking out of the war caused a general prostration of business. These 
 were the causes of the dissolution of the firm, and Mr. Sturdy came to East 
 Attleborough and took up his residence. He there soon engaged in making 
 badges for the use of soldiers, and for a year or two this was the principal 
 business in that village, the demand being very small for goods in the regular 
 lines of jewelry business. After the peculiar disturbances which were caused 
 bv the outbreak of the Rebellion had subsided and the country had settled 
 itself to a long state of war, business generally gradually came back to its 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 597 
 
 regular lines, and badge-making after a time gave place largely to the former 
 ordinary kinds of ornament manufacturing, which increased very largely. 
 
 Mr. Sturdy remained alone nntil 1867, when he associated with himself 
 Fred. I. Marcy, who had previously been acting as his salesman, and the 
 business of this firm was carried on in Providence. This business was pros- 
 perous, and the firm continued unchanged for ten years. At the end of that 
 time, in 1877, the senior partner sold his interest to the junior and retired 
 from active business. While carrying on his manufacturing in Providence^ 
 Mr. Sturdy retained his residence in this town, and still continues to do so. 
 
 Charles H. Sturdy was born in Slatersville, R. I., June 2S, 1828. 
 When but eight or nine years old he began to work in a cotton mill and 
 continued to do so to a greater or less extent for some ten years. Then, 
 when about eighteen, he left; home and found employment for a time in Fall 
 River. His childhood stories of the father's former occupation mav have 
 been alluring to his imagination, for in 1846 he went to sea. A voyage of 
 seven months was sutficient to remove all glamour, if there had been such, 
 and on his return home he went to Blackstone wuth his brother William and 
 there learned the painter's trade. After this he worked in Connecticut for 
 a while, both in a factory and at his trade. Very naturally, however, his 
 attention became turned toward Attleborough and the jewelry business, and 
 about 1850 he came to Robinson ville and learned that trade in his brother's 
 establishment there. This done he went to Plainville and there became 
 foreman for Draper, Tiftt & Bacon. 
 
 In 1859 he came to East Attleborough and entered into business with his 
 brother Albert. The shop in which they were located having been burned, 
 the firm went temporarily to Mansfield. The manufacturing was brought back 
 to East Attleborough in 1861, and from that time until 1863, during his 
 brother's absence in the army, Mr. Sturdy had entire charge of the business. 
 He was a member of the firm nntil 1871, when he retired. He had shared 
 in the misfortunes and dull times of its early days, and he remained long 
 enough to share in its prosperity during the years uumediately following the 
 close of the war. Soon after his withdrawal Mr. Sturdy took up coal busi- 
 ness, and has continued it ever since, and is one of the largest dealers in town. 
 
 In 1868 he married Eliza J. Hodges. They have two children: Ella J., 
 Mrs. James E. Blake, residing in toAvn, and Charles A., just completing 
 his education. [He is married and resides in town.] 
 
 Albert W. Sturdy is the eighth and youngest son and the thirteenth 
 child in his family. He was born in Blackstone, March 4, 1831. The first 
 seventeen years of his life were spent in that place and in Manville, a village 
 in the town of Smithfield, R. I., on the Blackstone River. He was able to 
 attend school only until he was ten years old, and then he began to work 
 in the factories as a bobbin-boy. After a few years the opportunity for 
 
598 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 learning an excellent trade was otferecl in bis brother's shop here, and at the 
 age of eifrhteen he came to Robinsonville, where for two years, from 1849 
 till 1851, he worked as an apprentice for Draper & Sturdy. At the end of 
 that time, "having by over-work and strict economy, saved a sutlicient 
 sum of money," the young mau determined to possess himself of what he 
 had learned to know was of the highest value and for the lack of which he 
 realized nothing else could fully compensate him — an education. He entered 
 Thetford Academy in Vermont, and remained two years. This was a course 
 of action which cannot be too highly commended, one whose good results 
 make themselves patent to everybody, and all youths in similar circumstances 
 would do well to follow Mr. Sturdy's example. 
 
 After completing his studies, as he had planned to do, he returned to this 
 town and took the place of bookkeeper for Barrows & Sturdy. Early iu the 
 year 1856 he went to New York City to act as salesman for J. H. Sturdy 
 & Co., and remained in the employ of this firm until 1859, when he again 
 returned to town and with his brother Charles formed the partnership 
 previously mentioned and known as Sturdy Brothers. The first two years 
 of this firm's existence were trying ones, though during that time its members 
 had succeeded in establishing a business ; but the breaking out of the war 
 for a time prostrated everything. 
 
 Mr. Sturdy, like many others, felt that the outbreak would soon be quelled 
 and business would therefore soon again resume its normal condition — a 
 widespread hope which was soon dispelled. On hearing the news of our 
 defeat at the first battle of Bull Run he enlisted, and on July 23, 1861, he 
 enrolled himself as a private in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment, Massa- 
 chusetts Volunteers, the recruiting for which w\as being carried on at 
 Wrentham Centre. This regiment was attached to the Fifth Corps of the 
 Army of the Potomac and served through the Peninsula, General Pope's and 
 Maryland campaigns. After the battle of Shepardstown, Va., which 
 occurred September 20, 1862, Mr. Sturdy, with other members of the 
 reo-iraent, was detailed to return to Massachusetts " on recruiting service." 
 On reaching Boston he found a commission as second lieutenant awaiting 
 him and he was transferred to Company K of his regiment. He remained 
 at home in the discharge of these recruiting duties about six weeks and then 
 returned to the front. His regiment was at Falmouth, Va., and he joined 
 it in time to participate in the battle of Fredericksburg, on the thirteenth of 
 December, 1862. He was in command of a company and in the second 
 charge made by the Eighteenth on Marye's Heights " he received a gun shot 
 wound through the middle of his left foot." He was taken to Seminary 
 Hospital at Georgetown, D. C, and kept there for six weeks. During that 
 time he received a commission as first lieutenant from Governor Andrew. 
 He was finally able to reach home, by the aid of crutches, about February, 
 1863. His leave of absence was necessarily extended several times, his 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 599 
 
 progress toward recovery was so slow; and iu April, under a ''General 
 Order " issued by the War Department, he returned to Washington, there 
 to be examined as to his ability to again perform active service within a 
 certain stated time. The Surgeon-General, after the required examination, 
 "placed him on the list for permanent discharge," and this was obtained 
 April 22, 1863. It was a great while before he apparently recovered from 
 the effects of his wound, and some of these are probably felt even now and 
 always will be ; but no man can regret a disability sustained in such a 
 service or fail to be proud of so honorable a scar. 
 
 Mr. Sturdy very soon resumed his place in his firm, and just at that time 
 there was a general revival of business throughout the North. Until the 
 close of the war there were large orders for army badges of all kinds 
 received by this firm ; but for some time before, the legitimate lines of jew'elry 
 had been gaining ground and were subsequently taken up exclusively. From 
 1866 till 1870 Mr. Sturdy resided in Brooklyn, as during those years he 
 assumed that portion of the business connected with the firm's New York 
 office. He retained his active interest in the concern until 1885, when he sold 
 it out, but became a special partner for a limited term. 
 
 October 4, 1862, while at home on special detached service, he was married 
 to Fidelia Page Thorp at her birthplace. South Boston. They have had thi-ee 
 children : Irene Thorp, Mrs. Frederick Paul Hill, a widow ; Clara Page, Mrs. 
 Alfred F. Simmons ; and a son, Albert W., Jr., who died at the age of four. 
 
 Mr. Sturdy was the pioneer in building handsome houses on South Main 
 Street, as he commenced his just in advance of his nearest neighbor, Mr. 
 Dean. He is a promoter of public improvements and of good works. He 
 was one of the organizers of the Murray Parish and lent efficient aid in the 
 building of its edifice. He has recently presented the society with a fine 
 organ, which is called by his name, and to which gift he attached a verv 
 commendable condition, namely, that, should it be so desired by a proper 
 number of persons in the village, the church should be opened for a course 
 of lectures each winter season. He is secretary and treasurer of the Attle- 
 borough Gas Light Company and a director in the Attleborough Mutual Fire 
 Insurance Company. He is a charter member of William A. Streeter Post, 
 G. A. R., and a member of Ezekiel Bates Lodge of F. and A. M. He 
 favored town division because he believed the resulting effects would prove to 
 be beneficial to both portions, but he advocated its being brought about by vote 
 of a majority of the citizens and in no other way. He disapproved entirely 
 of the course suggested by some, of carrying the matter to the Legislature 
 for further authoritative action in the event of the failure of favorable 
 action on the part of the town. If the vote of July, 1887, had been against 
 instead of for division, he and others who Ijelieved as he did would still have 
 advocated the avoiding of any further public action for a time and have 
 urged the wisdom of waiting until the idea, which seemed to be steadilv 
 
600 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 o-aiuing ground, should reach that point where it Avould naturally have voiced 
 itself again. In other words he joined with those who were willing to have 
 the " good result" delayed in order to have it effected by the desire of the 
 majority of the people of the town. 
 
 The Sturdy family is a striking illustration of what ability and determina- 
 tion can accomplish. These were their chief, indeed their only inheritance, 
 and the result marks them as of more value than lands or gold. The sons 
 fouoht bravely against the adverse circumstances of their early life and came 
 out of the contest signally victorious, by their own inherent energy compel- 
 ling the very disadvantages themselves to work in their favor, until by their 
 own efforts they attained the positions to which by character and talents they 
 were justly entitled, and which they fairly earned. The name assumed by 
 chance, if there be chance, was especially appropriate to the father, who had 
 need of and showed sturdy boldness, obstinacy, and " pluck" in the adven- 
 turous life which circumstances compelled him to enter in his early youth, and 
 he needed great sturdiness to enable him to meet the many difficulties of some 
 of his later years. There must too have been a spirit of unusual firmness 
 and resolution in the mother, who was left when comparatively young to rear 
 her little family alone. Such traits have enabled these sons to meet life and 
 conquer it financially ; and that is much, but that is not all. Having reached 
 positions worth struggling for, they make use of the wealth meanwhile acquired 
 in Avays tending to improve and benefit the communities where they live. It 
 is a good thing for Attleborough that the family settled within her limits and 
 that so many of them have found a permanent home here. 
 
 THACHER. 
 
 The ancestors of this family who early came to this country from England 
 have been mentioned in the account of the Rev. Peter Thacher, so long the 
 exemplary and honored pastor of the Second Congregational Church in this 
 town. Rev. Mr. Thacher had ten children, of whom Peter was the second 
 child and oldest son. He was born in Attleborough October 21, 1753, and 
 died December 4, 1814. He married Nanna, the daughter of Captain John 
 Tvler, of this town. They had four children, of whom Peter was the oldest. 
 
 Deacon Peter Thacher was born March 30, 1779. Like his father, he 
 was a farmer and lived on the place still in the possession of the family and 
 used as the residence of one of its members. The house was built by the 
 minister grandfather. At the proper season he had a house " raising," when, 
 it is said, "■ he got upon the roof, and made a fervent prayer, dedicating it to 
 God." 1 Deacon Thacher, as he was almost always familiarly called, was a man 
 
 1 Up to the present time— August, 1894 — nothing positive was known of the time when this house 
 was built, but an old letter found b}' a member of the family Axes upon tlie date with some degree of 
 certainty. On September 15, 1749, Mr. Thacher, in writing to his " Hon'd & Dear Mother," says: " 1 
 
HISrOEY OF ATTLEBOBOU(rH. ' 601 
 
 who commanded the entire respect of everybody. Many who did not know 
 him personally can recall his tall, dignified form crowned with its covering of 
 white hair, moving slowly up the aisles of the church of which he was so 
 long a consistent member, and where he so long — even for fifty years — 
 ministered in the deacon's otiice. His contemporaries have all passed away, 
 but some remain who knew him in his middle life and as an old man, and all 
 can testify to the esteem in which lie was ever held. 
 
 He was a man of excellent judgment both in church matters and in general 
 affairs. That his integrity was trusted and his judgment relied on is demon- 
 strated by the fact that he was called upon to settle many estates and to 
 become the guardian of many children. He was a conservative man. He 
 took a very decided stand upon all questions, and having carefully and delib- 
 erately made up his mind he was sure to abide by his decisions. He was 
 stern but just, and strictly honest, literall}' "• his word was as good as his 
 bond." It is related that upon one occasion a business man of this town, 
 one whose property was doubtless worth several times the amount of Deacon 
 Thacher's, had met with some ditttculty in effecting a loan. It being neces- 
 sary for him to have some money at once, he applied for assistance to Mr. 
 Thacher, whom he found plowing. The good deacon left his plow, went to 
 the bank, and had no trouble whatever in getting the required sum, his credit 
 was so good. He was the first president of the Bristol County Agricultural 
 Society and was treasurer of many different societies in the course of his life. 
 During the War of 1812 he was frequently employed in carting specie for 
 the government, auotlier proof of his trustworthiness. 
 
 He married first, on Ma}' 7, 1804, Saloma, the daughter of Abial Dunham, 
 of this town. Their children were four in number, only one of whom is now 
 living, Anne Tyler Clatliu, widow of Deacon Harvey Claflin, of this town. 
 His second wife was Susan Carpenter, of Foxborough, by whom he also had 
 four children: Susan, John, William, and Calista, three of whom are resi- 
 dents here. He died at his own homestead September 20, 18G3, aged eighty- 
 four years, five months, and twenty days. Mrs. Thacher was for a great many 
 years the earnest and devoted superintendent of the Infant Sabbath-school 
 in the Second Congregational Church. She taught the simple truths of the 
 gospel to many little ones and turned many feet toward the paths of right- 
 eousness. Her good face and kindly eyes, beaming mildly through her spec- 
 have put 1113^ house and Ten acres of the best land upon my Farm to sale, but if I sell shall reserve 
 the use of the House till the Year comes about, and in that time if God spare my life endeavor to site 
 a Xew One." The date, then, was probably about 1750, and may be deemed more certain from the 
 fact that he married shortly after the letter quoted was written. The searching of some old deeds 
 has recently brought to light one or two interesting facts relating to the stream running by the 
 Thacher homestead and now called Tliacher's Brook. In olden times it was evidently called Wolf- 
 bi'idge llun, frequent mention of that run being found in transfers of land in the vicinity, and in one 
 place reference is made to a sawmill upon it. There are indications of a mill to be found on the 
 brook near the road bridge over it, where a fence now runs down into the water, but no mention of 
 any owner has as yet been found. 
 
602 - A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 tacles upon the upturned faces as she stood in the little room and talked to 
 her scholars, are among cherished memories of childhood, not only in the old 
 parish itself, but far outside its limits. Mrs. Thacher outlived her husband 
 for twenty years, and for a considerable portion of the time she remained at 
 the old home. She finally removed to the village, where she lived with her 
 two daughters, at whose house she died June 8, 1883, at the age of eighty- 
 seven. 
 
 Peter Thacher, eldest son of Deacon Peter and Saloma Thacher. was 
 ])orn July 20, 1812, and was the only son by the first wife. He was the 
 seventh in direct descent from Thomas Thacher. who was the first minister 
 of the Old South Church in Boston, and w^as the eighth of the name Peter, 
 in different generations, known to the family. His education was limited, for 
 liis schooldays ended in 1828, when he was sixteen. The two previous j^ears 
 he had spent at tlie academies of Wrentham and Amherst, and the following 
 year he was a worker on his father's farm. In 1830 he left home determined 
 to achieve fortune for himself. He went to Taunton, where his first engage- 
 ment was to a house carpenter for a 3^ear, '' for forty dollars and board," and 
 this proved to be tlie foundation of after success. He remained in Taunton 
 two years. In 1834 he found employment with the Boston & Providence 
 Railroad Company as a mechanic. By his ability he won the confidence of 
 the company, and he was promoted to the responsible position of superin- 
 tendent of construction, a position which he filled in a thoroughly satisfactory 
 manner. 
 
 For the next thirteen years — from 183G to 18-19 — three years excepted 
 he was engaged as a contractor in the building and as a superintendent in the 
 putting into operation of some thirteen different railroads, and always with 
 success. The Stonington, the Norwich and Worcester, the Taunton and New 
 Bedford, the Vermont Central, and the Hudson River railroads are among the 
 number. During the three years 184o-44-4o, he was occupied in the con- 
 struction of Forts Warren and Independence in Boston Harbor. Mr. AVright, 
 then suj)erintendent of engineers at Fort Warren, said of him at that time: 
 " He possesses a thorough acquaintance with his business, and combines great 
 intelligence with an uncommon degree of faithfulness in the discharge of 
 duty. I feel assured that whoever is so fortunate as to command his services 
 will esteem him a great acquisition." 
 
 In 1850 Mr. Thacher gained control of the Howe patent bridge. He asso- 
 ciated himself with two other gentlemen under the firm name of Thacher, 
 Burt & Co.. and soon after this removed to Cleveland, Ohio. He became 
 one of the leading bridge-builders in the West and constructed bridges on 
 most of the original railroads in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky. 
 In 1862 he rebuilt that bridge over the Cumberland River at Nashville, Tenu., 
 which was destroyed early in the war. It was his firm which erected the 
 Union elevator in Cleveland with such marked success. In 186.") he withdrew 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 603 
 
 from the tii-in. Later he became eugaged in othei- enterprises, and in these 
 success always attended him. 
 
 Mr. Thacher was a man who never sought preferment, but he held various 
 public otlices of importance and trust in the city of his adoption and he was 
 also an ofHcer in several literary and historical associations there and else- 
 where. He always took an active interest " in public institutions, churches, 
 schools, and charitable associations, his purse and influence being always at 
 command to advance the cause of education and benevolence." He was a 
 prominent member of the Masonic fraternity of Cleveland, holding the 
 highest honors of the craft in Lodge, Chapter, Council, and Commandery. 
 He was one of the organizers of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Cleve- 
 land, which is a highly prosperous and respected body. For the eighteen 
 years previous to his death he was treasurer of the Grand Commandery of 
 Knights Templars of Ohio, and as a mark of respect for him his name was 
 given to a Chapter and Lodge in Cuyahoga County in that state. He died at 
 Cleveland, February 12, 1880, and was buried in that city with the impressive 
 ceremonies of the JNLisonic fraternity. "At his decease each Masonic body 
 with which he had been connected adopted resolutions testifying to his faith- 
 fulness to the institutions, and then- deep sorrow at the demise of one who 
 could truly be called an honest rmtii.'' 
 
 May (5, 1849, Mr. Thacher married Sarah Adams Estabrook, of West 
 Cambridge, now Arlington, Mass. They had three children: Annie, who 
 died at an early age ; John, the younger son, who resides in Cleveland ; and 
 Peter. He l)ecame blind when about fourteen years of age, and now with 
 his mother resides near Sanford, Fla. [He died there during the winter of 
 1890-91.] 
 
 William T. Thacher was the youngest son of Deacon Thacher and was 
 born in this town April 26, 1830. He attended the public schools here and 
 finished his education at Wrentham Academy. He was among the first to be 
 attacked by the gold fever, and in '49, when but nineteen years old, he went 
 around the Horn to California and remained there six years. Soon after his 
 return home he married Anna, the daughter of Kev. James O. Barney, so 
 long the pastor of the Congregational Church at Seekonk. He went to Hyde 
 Park to reside and was one of the pioneers in the settlement of that pretty 
 suburb of Boston. He was a member of the large real estate and brokerage 
 firm of Blake, Bradbury & Thacher there. He soon ac(iuired a handsome 
 competency and made for himself a beautiful home, where his many friends 
 always found a hospitable welcome. Sul)sequently reverses came upon him 
 and he lost his property. 
 
 He entered the army in the Civil War and during his service was wounded. 
 The last four years of his life he resided in Boston, where he had organized 
 and built up an extensive business. "Force," says one, " was the key-note 
 of his character. Nothing could daunt him, no I'everses could dishearten. 
 
604 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 In youth be was of a roving disposition, and always a man of resolute will 
 and restless energy." This force and independence of character — legitimate 
 inheritances — developed themselves at a very early age. When only six 
 years old he went one day with his father to Providence and there became 
 lost. The father and hired man, each supposing him to be with the other, 
 drove home. The father at once started back to the city to search for him 
 and have him "• cried " by the town crier. His efforts were unsuccessful, and 
 he was finally obliged to turn homeward again without finding his son, but he 
 was met on the way by the man with the joyful intelligence that the boy had 
 reached home safely. The little fellow, on finding himself lost, still '-kept 
 his head," as the common phrase expresses it, and tried to find his father. 
 As he stated it himself, he " inquired for Deacon Thacher, and nobody did n't 
 know Deacon Thacher." Not discouraged or frightened he then inquired the 
 way to the railroad station, knowing that the railway passed near his house, 
 "and trudged along manfully, till he reached home." Not many boys at 
 that age could have shown such good sense or have had the courage to take 
 a Avalk of eleven miles at nightfall. 
 
 Mr. Thacher's last illness w-as one of great length and characterized by 
 intense suffering, which he bore with extreme patience and cheerfulness. He 
 had in his later years l)ecome so strong an advocate of temperance that he 
 could hardly be persuaded to take the necessary stimulants during this long- 
 sickness. He died in Boston, July 15, 1884, leaving his wife and one son to 
 survive him. At his special request he was buried bv the side of his mother 
 in the family lot in the Old Kirk Yard here. 
 
 John Thachek, the oldest son by his father's second wife, was born 
 November 4, 1828. After the common-school course in town he attended the 
 famous Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass. After completing his studies 
 there he taught school for some time, but finally took up the occupation his 
 father and grandfather had followed, and became a farmer on the same old 
 homestead place, where he has always resided. He has been tax collector 
 for the town for many years, is treasurer of the Second Congregational 
 Parish and of the Agricultural Association. Careful and correct in all 
 financial matters, he fills these positions well. His long continuance in 
 otHces of this kind is the best proof of his strict honesty, and this has been 
 a striking family trait for many generations. He is not a stern man. like his 
 father, though he is none the less a man of good judgment, able to form 
 correct opinions and to express them clearly and decidedly but without 
 severity ; and he is none the less a just man and perfectly honorable in all 
 his dealings. He is altogether an unassuming man, but equally kind-hearted 
 and considerate. He is continually doing thoughtful deeds in a kindly, (piiet 
 way, which the recipients remember pleasantly and gratefully. Whatever 
 work falls to his lot to do is well done. He leaves no loosened ends for 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 605 
 
 others to pick up aud finish. He fills an important place in his communit}- 
 and the town, the place of a faithful, useful man and citizen. 
 
 In 1876 Mr. Thacher married Ida Bullock, of Smithfield, Penn. She is a 
 descendant of the family of that name in Rehoboth. They have two 
 children : John Judson and Carroll Clark Thacher. [Mrs. Thacher died 
 December 21, 1893.] 
 
 TIFFANY. 
 
 Three brothers of this name carne to this country from England at a ver}^ 
 early period, and five generations of the family have resided in this town. 
 The first to come here was James, who settled on what is still known as the 
 " Tiffany farm." There have been three houses built on this place and 
 occupied by the family. The original one was on a little knoll to the 
 northeast of the site of the last one ; the second occupied a position to 
 the south of this ; the third and last one was burned in 1875 and had stood 
 a hundred years. Those who lived at the old homestead were, after James, 
 Ebenezer, his son ; Joseph, his grandson ; and Joseph Albert, his great- 
 grandson. A brother of the first Joseph, Comfort by name, went from here 
 to Killingly, Conn., and engaged in the business of manufacturing cotton 
 there. His sou, Charles L. Tiffany, is the founder of the great house 
 of Tiffany & Co., which, besides its magnificent establishment in New York, 
 has others in Loudon, Paris, Geneva, and elsewhere, and is probablv the 
 largest house of its kind in the world. Louis C. Tiffany, of New York, the 
 artist of high rank and extended reputation, is the son of Mr. Charles Tiflfanv. 
 
 There was a Comfort Tiffany, second, a nephew of the first, who was born 
 here, aud though he early removed from town he was during his entire life 
 a frequent visitor to his native place. He had two sons, O. H. and C. C. 
 Tiffany, who became clergymen of repute, one in the Methodist, the other in 
 the Episcopal Church. These brothers were at one time settled in the citv 
 of New York over churches whose yards joined. Many of the members of 
 the Tiffany family are buried in the little cemetery not far from the old 
 home, the burial place lying just beyond Dodgeville, as one journeys 
 towards Hebronville. 
 
 Joseph Albert Tiffany, above mentioned, married Eunice Capron Bradfield, 
 of Smithfield. Her fatlier was a privateersman and was at one time taken 
 prisoner. He had his initials pricked on his arm while on board the "old 
 Jersey prison-ship." Mr. Tiffany had seven children : Julia A., Mrs. George 
 W. Bliss, of Rehoboth; Charlotte M., Mrs. Lewis L. Read, of this town; 
 Ebenezer C, long a resident of this town and vicinity, and now located at 
 San Mateo, Fla. ; J. Osmond ; William H., who married Lydia, oldest 
 daughter of Zenas B. Carpenter, of this town, and who resides here ; 
 Frances P., who married Erastus Jacobs, of Dudley, aud now resides in 
 Providence; and Laura B. Tiffany. [Mr. Ebenezer Tiffany died in Boston 
 recently.] 
 
606 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Joseph Osmond Tiffany was born at the old homestead (as were all his 
 family) on January 23, 1835. After going to the public, then called the 
 district, schools of his vicinity he attended the Attleborough Academy, then 
 under the charge of Mr. James H. Baile3^ He was there prepared for 
 college, and he entered Amherst, graduating in the class of 1859. After 
 his return home he soon commenced teaching. His first school was in 
 ]\Iansfield, where he remained one winter. Subsequently he taught at East 
 Attleborough in the academy, wdiere he had previously received instruction. 
 At that time the school properly embraced two districts, the pupils from 
 which had free attendance, but those who came from other parts of the 
 town or from out of town paid for their tuition. Mr. Tiffany's next position 
 was as a teacher in the grammar school at North Attleborough, where he had 
 one hundred and thirty-nine scholars and hut one assistant. Happily school 
 committees have learned that the mental and physical organization of 
 school teachers is much like that of ordinary people and has its limit 
 of endurance, and that arrangements lilvc the one in question are unprofitable, 
 because a teacher can do justice neither to his pupils nor to himself if he 
 has charge of so large a number. Before he gave up his vocation of teaching 
 permanently Mr. Tiffany saw many great strides taken here in toAvn in the 
 w-ay of improvements upon the old system under which he began. Following 
 his experience at North Attleborough he taught for a year at the academy in 
 Richmond, Maine. Then he returned home and entered business. This was 
 not particuhirly agreeable to him nor did it prove especially [)rofitable, so it 
 was relinquished after a few years. 
 
 In 1872 he became principal of the East High School and retained the 
 position for twelve years, when he resigned it. This action was greatly to 
 the regret of his pupils and to that of the communitv' at large. Mr. Tiffany 
 is a man well fitted by character and acquirements for the office of an 
 instructor. Versed in both classical and general lore, he is capable of giving 
 instruction in the highest branches. He has the faculty, which is by no 
 means too common, of imparting knowledge intelligently, in clear, concise 
 terms, and he has also that important requisite — a taste for such work. 
 These characteristics made him a successful teacher. He had the right idea 
 of placing pupils upon their honor and of making them do all the work 
 possible as the only means of real development, though he never withheld 
 needed assistance. An experience related by one of his High School grad- 
 uates here will illustrate his method. A task was set to a certain class 
 during its graduating year, which seemed to the members to present unusual 
 difficulties. However, the}' went to work, studied hard, and tried to do their 
 best; but they had many discouragements, and, what was hardest of all, 
 they felt uncertain as to whether they were doing w^ell in the eyes of their 
 teacher. Finally the obstacles were overcome and the task completed. 
 Then the teacher warmly commended their efforts, praised the manner in 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 607 
 
 which they had Avorked and the quality of the work they had accomplished, 
 told them he had beeu watching their progress with pleasure and satisfaction, 
 and gave them credit for a greater degree of success than he had expected. 
 The surprise and pleasure thus given to the class were sufficient to "more 
 than make up for all the trials, and disappointments, and hard work." 
 Another scholar said: "Mr. Tiffany rarely praised us, but when he did 
 we felt we deserved it, and were more than compensated for all the 
 discouragements and criticisms that had come to us before." 
 
 While a student himself Mr. Tiffany was always particularly interested in 
 astronomy, chemistry, and studies of a similar nature, and has during his 
 life kept up a special interest in them. Some time since he purchased a sis- 
 inch telescope, and this has given his pupils great pleasure and been profitable 
 to them as well. He has also at times given lectures, using his telescope in 
 the way of illustration. Since resigning his position as principal of the High 
 School in the sjjriug of 1884, he has not been engaged in any special 
 occupation. On December o, 18(35, he married Caroline French, of this 
 town. They have uo children. [He is at present superintendent of schools 
 in Attleborough.] 
 
 WALES. 
 
 General Nathaniel Wales, of England, was the paternal ancestor of this 
 family. His son Nathaniel came to this country in 1635 with Richard 
 Mather. The progenitor on the maternal side was Thomas Thacher, rector 
 of St. Edmund's Church in Salisbury, England, who also emigrated in 1635 
 and later became pastor of the Old South Church in Boston. Nathaniel 
 Wales died in Boston, May 20, 1665. He had a son Nathaniel, who was a 
 general. Rev. Atherton Wales was the son of General Nathaniel, and his 
 fifteenth child. He was born 3Iarch 8, 1704. He graduated at Harvard 
 College in 1726 and became pastor of the Second Church at Marshfield. He 
 died in 1795. He was married three times: first, to Mary, daughter of 
 Rev. Samuel Niles; and, second, to Mary, daughter of Rev. Peter Thacher, 
 of Milton, son of the pastor of the Old South Churcli. (The name of 
 the third wife is unknown to the author.) General Atherton Wales was 
 their son. 
 
 Deacon Atherton Wales was the son of General Atherton and was born 
 in Portsmouth, R. I., May 24, 1806. His mother died when he was but 
 seven years old, and his father when he was but fourteen. When he was 
 sixteen he left home and bound himself as an apprentice to Mr. James 
 Shaw, of Newport, R. I., to learn blacksmithing. He served his time for 
 three years, until he was twenty-one, and then went to Pawtucket, then in 
 Massachusetts, where he worked a year for William Fisher at horseshoeing. 
 In 1828 he removed to this town. He was then twenty-two years of age. 
 
 In 1830 he married Louisa R. Tyler, a daughter of Dr. Abijah W. Tyler, 
 
608 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 by whom he had four sous and two daughters. One child was unnamed ; the 
 others were : Elizal)eth Francis, deceased ; Henry Atherton ; Abijah Tyler ; 
 Louisa Tyler, Mrs. Thomas S. Nye, deceased ; and Charles Nelsou, deceased. 
 Subsequently he was married three times, but never had other children. 
 
 In 1832 he became a member of the Second Congregational Church and 
 was chosen one of its deacons November 3, 1848. During the year 1836-37 
 Mr. Wales resided in Providence, R. I., for about eight months. With that 
 exception he has lived in this town since he first settled here. He died at his 
 home on County Street, where he had resided for forty-seven years, on August 
 2, 1888. 
 
 One writing at the time of his death says: "For forty years connected 
 with the second Congregational church as one of its Deacons, no one was 
 better known in all its services ; and though some time has transpired since 
 he has been missed from its active duties, since his voice has been heard in 
 prayer or praise, many have recalled the force of his words and that he was 
 ever steadfast in all times of trial in his duty to its best interests. Though 
 he might not rashly put out his hand and 'touch the Ark' he walked beside 
 it in his own integrity of purpose, firm and undaunted. He was well versed 
 in the Scriptures which gave him great power as an instructor in the Sabbath- 
 school, where he had a large class for successive years. He was a man of 
 marked individuality of character, of methodical habits in his h(mie and busi- 
 ness, a kind husband and good father. He was not afraid to stand alone 
 when in the right, as was evinced by his being one of six who cast the first 
 Abolition votes in this town." He attended to all the obligations of life with 
 fidelity. He was honest and upright in all things. He was decided and firm, 
 but tolerant ; outspoken, but not dictatorial. For more than a generation he 
 performed the duties of his deacon's office. His judgment in church affairs 
 was deemed wise and his advice prudent to follow. He was often the pecu- 
 liar reliance of both pastors and officers of the church ; as it has been expressed, 
 "Often during times of trouble, Deacon Wales has been the rudder and 
 dependence." 
 
 "By reason of strength " he attained to and passed the period of fourscore 
 years. He lived long, he labored hard, but ever with contentment of spirit. 
 He ended his active life in the occupation with which he began it, satisfied 
 with the moderate compensations of his hard, but honest daily toil. He 
 never desired to change or enlarge the sphere in which he was placed, but he 
 desired to do his duty "in the fear of God." In striving to gain the 
 approval of his Maker, he gained what all desire, the approval of his fellow- 
 men. His example is worthy of imitation, and his death was the peaceful 
 termination of a useful life. 
 
 Hekry a. Wales was born in this town, at the Falls, April 16, 1832. 
 When the father first came to town, he worked at his trade in a shop at 
 " Blackintonville," later going to the Falls, where several of his children 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOROUaH. 609 
 
 were horn. After residing there for some years, he removed to Providence, 
 -where he remained for some months, and then returned permanently to this 
 town. With the exception of this short period during his very early childhood, 
 and of about a year's time during 1850-51, when he was again in Providence 
 learnina: the watchmaker's trade, Henry lived here up to the time he was 
 twenty-seven years old. He received the preparatory education necessary to 
 fit him for college in the academies of the town, but his health did not per- 
 mit him to enter upon such a course of study. In 1852 he entered the Nor- 
 mal School at Bridgewater, but again his health interfered with his wishes, 
 and he was obliged to leave before completing the prescribed course. He 
 was a boy and youth of unusual talent in many directions. He was clever 
 at his books and a remarkably good reader and speaker, in every way adapted 
 to thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the pleasures and benefits to be derived 
 from an extended course of study. 
 
 At the age of twenty-two he commenced teaching and has continued that 
 vocation in various departments ever since. He was principal of the Black- 
 stone schools in 1859 and of those in Central Falls in 1863. Having 
 decided to enter the ministry, he began about that time to make special prepa- 
 rations for the work and in 1865 entered '' the old East Windsor Hill 
 Theological Seminary at Hartford, Conn.," and in the autumn of the follow- 
 ing year, 1866, '• was ordained at and installed over the Elm wood Congrega- 
 tional Church, (now Providence.)" He remained there five years and then 
 resigned. In 1868 he was professor of elocution in the well-known Mowrj' 
 and Goff School in Providence. In 1871 he accepted the pastorate of the 
 ■Congregational Church in Stonington, Conn., where he continued three years, 
 resigning in 1874. During the same year he was settled over the Congrega- 
 tional Church at Leominster, Mass., where he also continued three years, 
 and then withdrew from the pastorate because of some changes in his belief 
 with i-egard to the orthodox creed. 
 
 During 1877 he removed to Cambridge and lived there for a year without 
 any pastoral eiiarge, and in 1878 he commenced to preach for the Universal- 
 ist Society in Biddeford, Me. In 187'J he was there elected a member of the 
 State Legislature. Having still further modified or changed some of his 
 religious views, he began in 1880 to preach in Biddeford as an Independent 
 preacher. This course he pursued for four years, and then went to Big 
 Eapids, Mich., where he became preacher to the Unitarian Society in that 
 place. Still again ill health compelled a relin(iuishme;it of work in which he 
 was engaged, and in 1888 he resigned this charge, thus far his last ministerial 
 one. Since that time he has been engaged in literary work. 
 
 Since he was a young man Mr. Wales has been more or less occupied with 
 literary, journalistic, and editorial work of various kinds. He was at one 
 time professor of belles-lettres in Cincinnati, Ohio, while holding a position 
 in D. Appleton & Co.'s office there, and during that time he edited Appleton's 
 
610 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 "Cyclopedia of Biography." He was a special writer for the Big Rapids 
 Daily Pioneer while he resided in that city, and now, having returned to his 
 former place of residence in Maine, he is special writer for the Biddeford 
 Daily Journal. This brief statement of facts shows that his life has been 
 one of frequent changes. Many of them were no doubt forced upon him by 
 the state of his health, which often obliged him to give up some interesting 
 and absorbing work or relinquish some cherished pxirpose. The facts show 
 that he yielded to these physical mandates onh' so far as urgent necessity 
 compelled him to do, by making some alteration in his manner of work, but 
 he never allowed himself to be conquered for any length of time by physical 
 ills, no matter how severe. The facts show too that the promise of his youth 
 has been in great measure fulfilled, and that his talents, which are of "• no mean 
 order," have been recognized, for they have caused him to be placed in honor- 
 able positions. Brought up, as so many New England boys of his day were, in 
 the strictest requirements of a rigid orthodoxy, he, like many others who 
 chafed under the same exacting rule, in later years has radically changed his 
 views upon various points, accepting doctrines broader and freer than any 
 the fathers knew ; and, unlike many, he has not been afraid to frankly acknowl- 
 edge these changes of belief, but has ever had the courage of his opinions. 
 
 [Ill 1857 Mr. Wales was married iu Milford, Mass., to Miss Harriet. Louisa Williams, of this 
 towu. They have had four children : Henry A., born in 1858, and died at the age of four and 
 a half years; Genevieve, born in 18G0. married in 1881 to Erwin S. Go\ven,of Biddeford. Maine, 
 and has two sons; Harry B.,born in 1865, married in 1892 to Miss Henrietta Pitt, of Muskeijou, 
 Mieh.; and Jessie Atherton, born in 1867, married in 1887 to Charles Myron Wiseman, of Big 
 Rapids, and has one daughter, born in 1891. 
 
 In adding to a sketch previously prepared of Mr. Wales it is very pleasant to record the fact 
 that he has accepted the invitation of the committee iu charge to be the orator of the Bi-Cen- 
 tennial celebration of October, 1894, both because he is a native of the town and because he 
 is well fitted to fulfil the duties of the position.] 
 
 Abi.iah T. Wales, the next younger sou of Deacon Wales, was born at the 
 Falls June 21, 1833. He had no advantages in the way of a school educa- 
 tion beyond those afforded by the town, and of those he could avail himself 
 only until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he entered his father's 
 shop to learn the trade of a blacksmith, the trade which he made his busi- 
 ness and followed for about thirty years. All that he has attained beyond 
 the scanty book learning the few short years of his school life afforded has 
 been the result of his own exertions and gained by intelligent reading, by 
 contact with men, and by participation in public affairs. He evinced a genu- 
 ine interest in public and political affairs before he reached the age of 
 eighteen, " and by ardently urging the claims and arguments of the Anti 
 Slavery and Free Soil parties during the years between 1850 and 1860 he was 
 regarded as a radical by both old parties, and on the birth of the Republican 
 Party became one of the foremost of its supporters in the town." Since 
 that early period he has frequently been called upon to take prominent places 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 611 
 
 for his party in its conduct of local political concerns. At the age of twenty- 
 three he "was elected by the republicans of Attleboro' to represent them 
 in the State convention at Worcester," and that year, 185G, he cast his first 
 presidential vote for John C. Fremont. 
 
 He enlisted on August 9, 1802, as a private in Company H, Fortieth Regi- 
 ment Massachusetts Volunteer Infaiitry, declining to accept a commission 
 which was proffered him. He was immediately detailed on recruiting service 
 by Adjutant-General Schouler, his duty being to raise recruits in this town 
 and vicinity. Having performed this service according to orders, he joined 
 his regiment in Virginia about the middle of November following. On the 
 twenty-fourth of December, the same year, at the request of Governor 
 Andrew^ he was transferred by special order of the War Department to the 
 Second Massachusetts Cavalry. He served in that regiment until his term 
 expired by reason of a general order of the War Department, which dis- 
 charged at a certain time all soldiers who enlisted previous to October 1, 
 1862. The last year of his service in the army he was farrier in charge at 
 Cavalry Reserve Brigade Headquarters in the cavalry corps of Sheridan's 
 command in the Shenandoah Valley. He was discharged from this position 
 ta Clouds Mills, Va., June 22^ 186.5, and returned home. 
 
 Within three months of that time he decided to locate in Middleborough, 
 this State, and carry on his farmer l)usiness there. He made the necessary 
 preparations and removed with his family to that place in September, 1865. 
 He not only took up his former occupation, but resumed his former interest 
 in political and general matters as well, and while a resident of Middlebor- 
 ough he was actively engaged in its public affairs. He organized the Grand 
 Army post in that town, the eighth organized in the State. He was elected 
 its first commander and subsequently reelected during three successive years. 
 
 In September, 1872, Mr. Wales returned to this town, conducting his busi- 
 ness at his father's old shop on County Street in the East village and resid- 
 ing with him in the old home. This he continued to do for sixteen years, 
 caring for his father during a long period of constantly increasing infirmity 
 of both body and mind. He still resides there, but no longer conducts the 
 business. In 1873 he was elected to the board of selectmen, assessors, and 
 overseers of the poor, and in 1874 was chosen commander of William A. 
 Streeter Post. He very soon again became prominent in the political con- 
 cerns of the town, and held among other positions that of chairman of the 
 Republican Town Committee. He was " elected from the 1st Bristol 
 Representative Dist, as a member of the State Legislature in 1878." 
 
 In 1881 he was appointed postmaster at Attleborough. He took charge 
 of the office on June 7 of that year, and after the death of President 
 Garfield he was recoramissioned by President Arthur. This commission was 
 dated for four years from October 14, 1881, but Mr. Wales continued to hold 
 the office for some time after its expiration. He gave possession to his 
 
612 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 successor, appointed by President Cleveland on June 18, 188(5. This appoint- 
 ment was the natural consequence of a change in the party in power and 
 was not hastened by any expressions of dissatisfaction on the part of Mr. 
 Wales' political opponents in town. He performed the duties of postmaster 
 to the satisfaction of all citizens generally. In 1886 he was one of the 
 town assessors and in 1887 again a representative to the State Legislature. 
 [He was "re-elected in 1889 and 1890; during each of these years serving 
 on the Finance Committee of the House, and the latter year as Chairman of 
 that committee."] 
 
 '^ During his service in the legislature he became somewhat conspicuous 
 bv his determined efforts for the division of the town." He deemed that the 
 true welfare of the two sections would be augmented and their best inter- 
 ests promoted by a separation, and he therefore advocated that course. He 
 has been active in public life for many years and has served well in those 
 positions of responsibility which he has been called upon to occupy by his 
 townsmen and others. He is a man who forms positive opinions upon 
 all points, and he expresses the same decidedly and publicly if occasion 
 demands. In these respects he is like many who are by nature inclined to^ 
 be strono-ly partisan and somewhat radical in their beliefs, but unlike many 
 he recognizes the fact that others possess the same rights of opinion he 
 claims for himself, and does not condemn as totally wrong those who differ 
 with him. He has proved himself worthy of high positions, and his many 
 friends can but wish him a long continuance in an honorable public career 
 and act their part toward giving him the due reward of still higher degrees 
 of success. 
 
 Mr. Wales early evinced a talent for reading and speaking and from the 
 time of his youth up has continued to exercise that talent in a more or less 
 public way. He and his brother both possessed considerable dramatic 
 ability, and pleasant occasions, now a quarter of a century gone, of a social 
 or literary nature, when this was exhibited, will be recalled by many in town 
 and elsewhere at this day. He has delivered one of the Memorial Day 
 orations at Attleborough and similar addresses in other places. While a 
 resident of Middleborough, in 18(59, upon the occurrence of the two hun- 
 dredth anniversary of its incorporation as a town, at the public banquet of 
 the celebration he was called upon to respond to the toast of the '• Grand 
 Army," especially a compliment as he was not a soldier of the town. 
 
 [Ill November, 1856, Mr. Wales married Josephine, daughter of Edward Kichards, of this 
 town. They had two sons, both resident here. Edward Atherton was born in September, 
 185". married in Ashfield. this State, in October, 1890, to Miss Eliza Howes, of that i)lace, and 
 has two children, a boy and a girl; Louis was born in April, 1859. and was married in Decem- 
 ber, 1882, to Mrs. Alice Shepard, of Wreutham, formerly Alice Hodges, of that town. Mrs. 
 Wales died in 1866. In December. 1871, Mr. Wales married Alice, a daughter of Palemon 
 Capron Wilmarth, of this town. In 1890 lie " was appointed by the II. S. Census Connnis- 
 sioner as^Special Agent to collect the Statistics of Manufacture in this town and in five towns 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 613 
 
 of Plymouth County." :iiul in 1891 he was appointed " General Dep. Coll. U. S. Internal 
 Revenue," and '• assigned to duty under the Revenue Agent for New England States." He 
 has served in that position up to the present time (1894). 
 
 WHITING . 
 
 The records trace this family back to 1333, when one " William Whytyng," 
 of Boston, England, "was taxed as a citizen." They show one John Whit- 
 ing to have been mayor of that borough in 1600 and again in 1608, and vice- 
 admiral of Lincolnshire in 1602. Samuel, the son of this John, was at first 
 a clergyman of the Established Church, but later became a nonconformist. 
 This being reported to his Bishop and complained of, he decided it would be 
 best for him to come to this country. He emigrated in 1636 and settled in 
 Lynn, this State. About the same time one Nathaniel Whiting came from 
 Boxford, Suffolk County, England, and settled in Dedham. These two were 
 doubtless relatives, and from them most of the families of their name are 
 descended. 
 
 Nathaniel was in 163o one of the sixty-eight proprietors of Contentment, 
 afterwards Dedham. In 1641 he bought a watermill ''and all lands, privi- 
 leges, and appurtenances thereto belonging." For over two hundred years 
 there have been saw and grist mills on this site owned and operated by 
 Whitings. Many of the family were agriculturists, and for generations some 
 of the best lands in Dedham iiave been in their possession. Various members 
 of the family have held public office in that town and always for many suc- 
 cessive years. Nathaniel the first, in 1643, married Hannah Dwight, of that 
 place. Her family was then as now of much repute. The old church records 
 of Dedham make special mention of a Captain Timothy Dwight as " a pro- 
 moter of the true interests of the church and town." His son Timothy was 
 for many years the honored president of Yale College, and another Timothy 
 Dw' ight, his great-grandson, holds the same high office in Yale University and 
 is loved and honored as his grandfather was before him. 
 
 A son of Nathaniel and Hannah Dwight Whiting was Samuel, who married 
 and lived in Dedham. His oldest son was David, who also married there, 
 but soon after, in 1733 or 1734, came to this town. He purchased a farm 
 with considerable woodland, which remained until recently in the possession 
 of the family. David the first, of this town, married Mary Fuller. Their 
 second son, named David, was born here February 22, 1735. He married 
 Hannah, daughter of Moses and Mary Wallcott, of this town, and they had 
 seven children. Of these Lemuel was fifth child and fourth son. He was 
 born December 12, 177 5. On July 2, 1811, he married Nancy, the daughter 
 of Oliver and Polly Daggett Blackintou. Captain Lemuel Whiting "was 
 a farmer, and an industrious, hard-working man." He paid particular atten- 
 tion to his cattle and took great pride in their fine appearance and superior 
 qualities. He kept quite a number of oxen for the outside work in which he 
 engaged, that of moving buildings. He died September 30, 1823. His 
 
614 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 wife survived him nearly half a century and died in October, 1868. Tliey 
 had four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom the subject of the 
 following sketch is the only survivor. 
 
 William Dean Whiting was born December 23, 1815. He was the third 
 child, but oldest son, in his family. His father died when he was not quite 
 eio^ht years old, and the mother was left with the entire charge of her family 
 of small children and with very limited means. Like many a New England 
 mother in similar circumstances, she accepted the situation bravely and suc- 
 ceeded in bringing them up well. William was obliged to begin supporting 
 himself at a very earlv age, and when only eight years old he worked for his 
 uncle, Artemas Stanley. For his board he did the numberless "chores" 
 Yankee boys on farms were then expected to do. These tasks were by no 
 means small or easy, and boj's were far more useful than they had the credit 
 of beino-. He was with his uncle for a year, then he worked for a Mr. 
 Whittemore, a farmer, for two years in the same way. Then he went home 
 and for two years more worked by the day when he could find work to do, 
 his wages being twenty-five cents a day. At the age of fourteen he was 
 apprenticed to Draper & Tifft "to learn their trade, and for six j^ears he 
 steadily applied himself to thoroughly master it. Mr. Tifft, liis uncle by 
 marriage, pleased with his attention to their interests, took especial pains with 
 him, and he became very proficient in all departments." Having learned his 
 trade properly, the firm gave him the position of journeyman. At the end 
 of a vear " dull times came on, and work was scarce," so he sought employ- 
 ment elsewhere and worked for R. & W. Robinson for a while and later for 
 Draper & Blackiuton, for the former firm "chasing gilt buttons" and for 
 the latter " chasing gilt jewelry." 
 
 He had already at the age of twenty-two gained " such a reputation for 
 skill, steadiness, and reliability," that Mr. H. M. Richards oft'ered him the 
 position of foreman in his shop, the first where jewelry was manufactured in 
 East Attleborough. Soon after this Mr. Richards took his business to Phila- 
 delphia, and Mr. Whiting took charge of removing the machinery and setting 
 it up in its new location and remained there as superintendent. He retained 
 this position two years with Mr. Richards and his successor. Mr. Garrett, 
 and then he began business in a small way on his own account, making 
 chiefly hearts and crosses. This was a time of extreme financial depression, 
 little work was done, and that little was poorly paid, so after a few months 
 of business for himself Mr. Whiting decided to go to St. Louis and try to 
 improve his fortunes in the West. Just at this juncture, however, he received 
 a proposition from an old acquaintance, Albert C. Tifft, to return to this 
 town and enter into partnership with him in the manufacture of jewelry, Mr. 
 John Tifft, of Draper & Tifft, having promised to become the financial 
 security of the proposed firm. 
 
 So far Mr. Whiting had not been successful in the mere making of money. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 615 
 
 "but the value of faithful working and systematic economy had been so 
 strongly impressed upon his nature as to affect his whole subsequent life." 
 He relinquished his Western plan "after careful thought and mature delib- 
 eration " and accepted Mr. Tifft's proposition, and this was without doubt 
 the turning-point in his life. In 1840, and in this way, the famous firm of 
 Tifft & Whiting was formed, with these two ambitious and " honest young 
 men " as partners. They had " a joint cash capital of five hundred dollars," 
 a small foundation, but by diligence, caution, and good management they 
 built upon it a noble structure of well-secured success. At the very begin- 
 ning only two workmen were employed, but this number was soon increased, 
 and Mr. Whiting superintended the work in the shop. At first Mr. John 
 Tift't sold the firm's goods, but later Mr. A. C. Tifft undertook the charge 
 of the sales in New York, and Mr. Whiting assumed those in New England. 
 They conducted their business strictly on cash principles and would not run 
 in debt. They received financial aid from Mr. Tifft only once. Upon one 
 occasion he had a note for one hundi'ed and fifty dollars discounted at the 
 Wrentham bank, and the firm promptly paid it when it fell due. The busi- 
 ness increased rapidly, and a new building was needed, and before long 
 another and a larger one. This last one was a portion of the Whiting Manu- 
 facturing Company's building, the erection of which was personally super- 
 intended by Mr. Whiting himself. It is on the site of the old Beaver Dam 
 cotton mill, which site with its privilege this firm had purchased. 
 
 The firm continued in its new building unchanged, but with constanth' 
 increasing business until January 1, 1853, when Mr. Tifft, "• satisfied with 
 the fortune he had amassed," retired, and Mr. Whiting bought his interest. 
 He continued in his own name, and later as W. D. Whiting & Co., with 
 unabated success, and the final result was the establishment of the Whiting 
 Manufacturing Company, "one of the largest in the country," and jewelry 
 was relinquished, silver becoming its only article of production. In 1875 the 
 company's works were burned and it was decided to remove the manufactory 
 to New York City. Mr. Whiting took up his residence there for a time in 
 order to attend personally to the resetting of the machinery in the new shop 
 and to superintend its operation. He remained five years and then returned 
 to North Attleborough. 
 
 With this exception "Mr. Whiting has all his life resided in his native 
 town, and, known of all men, is universally esteemed for his sterling worth, 
 honesty of dealing, integrity, modesty, and unostentation." He began at 
 the bottom, " he has stood on every round of Fortune's ladder, and in his 
 old age he can enjoy the wealth he has accumulated, and looking back, he can 
 say with pride that not one single dollar has been acquired unjustly. He is 
 one of the best types of a self-made man ; has started many ' boys ' on the 
 same road he has trod, first, by taking them as apprentices ; secondly, by his 
 kind and fatherly advice giving them more valuable aid than that of mone}' ; 
 
GIG A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 and todiiy mau}' of them hold a loyal friendship for the kind old friend 
 whom they reverence almost as a fathei'. His success is the result of steady 
 industry, careful economy, business thrift and enterprise reaching over a 
 long [period of years, coupled with a determination to give honest value to 
 whatever he made. He has never had time to meddle either with politics or 
 speculation, and has steadily refused all public positions. He is a Republi- 
 can by political belief." 
 
 December 17, 1839, he was married to Lucy Damon, daughter of Pitt and 
 Lucy Damon Butterfield, of Dedham. They have had four children : Wil- 
 liam Osborne, the oldest, was drowned at four years of age. The remaining 
 three are Frauk Mortimer, Josephine S., and Florence R. Whiting. ^ 
 
 Frank M. Whiting was born April 21, 1849. He was educated at the 
 Norwich Military University, in Northfield, Vt., where he graduated in 1868. 
 On returning home he worked in his father's manufactory for about a year 
 aud then became an assistant in the office, first here, and later in New York 
 at the office there. Still later he became traveling salesman for the then firm 
 aud acted in that capacity for a number of years. In 1878 he and two other 
 gentlemen formed a copartnership as jewelry manufacturers in this town and 
 continued together for two years. At the end of that time Mr. Whiting the 
 elder bought the interests of Messrs. Holbrook and Abbee, the son's partners, 
 and formed a new firm under the name it bears at present, Frauk M. 
 Whiting & Co. Notwithstanding his advanced age he is still actively engaged 
 in the concerns of this firm, for he superintends its manufactory while Mr. 
 Frauk Whitiuff attends to the interests of the business in traveling and selling 
 the goods. 
 
 June 21, 1881, Mr. Frank Whiting was married to Florence L., a daughter 
 of Edwin and Dorcas Doane Hancock, of Wrentham. They have one 
 daughter, Marion D. Whiting. Their residence is with Mr. William D. 
 Whiting in the house he has occupied for many years. - 
 
 Felix G. Whitney, one of the town's prominent citizens aud one closely 
 identified with the growth and prosperity of North Attleborough, was born 
 in that village December 9, 1818. His parents were then residing in what is 
 called the "Guild house," which now stands on the corner of High and 
 AVashington streets. The family numbered six children. The sons were 
 James O., who became a physician and practises his profession in Pawtucket ; 
 George B., who died in 1857 ; and Felix G. The daughters were Harriet, 
 who married Otis Stanley ; Maria, who married Elijah Carter, of Rock 
 
 1 Mr. Wliitiug died November 25, 1891, and Mrs. Wliitiug died very suddenly January 10, 1S91. 
 
 2 Mr. Frank M. Whiting died suddenly on May 28, 1892. 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 617 
 
 Island, 111. ; and Emily, who was the first wife of Oliver Stanley. Of these 
 only IMi'S. Carter survives. 
 
 Felix attended the public schools of his native village and subsequently 
 the then famous Day's Academy at Wrentham. His school course was, how- 
 ever, short, for when he was only about fifteen he left home and entered a 
 wholesale grocery store on Bromfield Street, Boston, with the intention of in 
 time pursuing that business. He progressed rapidly in mastering its details, 
 biit his career in that direction ended suddenly and rather peculiarly. He 
 had a friend who was about to sail on a long voyage and he went one evenino- 
 to the wharf " to see him off." This occasioned a somewhat tardy return to 
 his home, which, according to the then prevailing custom, was in his em- 
 ployer's house. To be out late was a grave offence in the eyes of the old 
 gentleman and he therefore, refusing to listen to any reasonable explanations, 
 recommended that his clerk should report himself to his parents. The 
 " spirited apprentice," however, took the liberty of thinking differently upon 
 this matter and then and there came to his own decision. He immediately 
 put his trunk upon a wheelbarrow and started with it for the wharf and 
 thence "• shipped before the mast." 
 
 " For ten years Mr. Whitney followed the sea. He went on several lono- 
 voyages and experienced his share of the vicissitudes of a sailor's life. On 
 one hapless Wednesday his ship was burned to the water's edge, and he was 
 picked up next day by a vessel which was itself wrecked the following 
 Saturday. Mr. Whitney in his second shipwreck made safe landing on an 
 island, and the first vessel that touched refused him passage, because his 
 story of two shipwrecks in four days was too improbable even for ears 
 accustomed to the varied fact and fiction of the sea. He succeeded belter 
 the next time, and after a rough passage, during which the ship came near 
 going ashore on Cape Hatteras, he arrived safely in Boston." A number of 
 his voyages were made in company with Captain Abraham Hay ward, father 
 of the late Charles E. Hay ward, of this town. This, his second attempted 
 career, ended as unexpectedly as the first. He had shipped upon one 
 occasion as first mate under a certain Captain Chace. The voyage was to be 
 a long one, and while awaiting the summons of the captain, when the prepa- 
 rations should be completed, he came to his home in North Attleborough for 
 a visit. Days passed on and the expected letter did not arrive. Finally it 
 was ascertained that it had been detained for ten days in the East Attle- 
 borough postoliice, but meanwhile the ship had had to sail without him. 
 This experience and the earnest entreaties of friends led him to decide to 
 give up the life of a sailor. 
 
 Among his first enterprises in town was the opening of Orne Street, so 
 named for his mother. This was the first street opened oft" North Attle- 
 borough's main thoroughfare — Washington Street — and his neighbors united 
 in discouraging the project. He worked for a time as a carpenter in the 
 
618 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 employ of his brother George and later in jewelry for H. M. Richards, and 
 finally in 1849 he decided to venture in the second occupation for himself. 
 He built his first shop on Orne Street, the building now occupied as a 
 carriage shop by John Stanley & Son. His first associate was E. W. Daven- 
 port under the name of Whitney & Davenport. During the following eight 
 years the firm and name underwent several changes, as partners entered or 
 retired. It was Whitney, Davenport & Dnnster; again Whitney. Davenport 
 & Co. ; and in 1857 became Whitney & Rice, which firm carried on its busi- 
 ness in •'The Company's shop." In 1871, on the withdrawal of Mr. Rice, 
 the name became F. G. Whitney & Co. and remained unchanged for fifteen 
 years. In 1870 this firm was burned out at the Ira Richards factory. Six 
 years later, in 1876, Mr. Whitney built a large brick shop on Chestnut Street, 
 and this in turn was burned in 1882. It was immediately rebuilt, and eight 
 months after the fire occurred was occupied, and is the same building in which 
 the firm is now established. In 1886 Mr. Whitney sold the business to his 
 two sons, George B. and E. F. Whitney, who compose the firm and retain the 
 old name unchanged. [1893. Not in existence.] 
 
 In 1848 he married Catherine J. Briggs, daughter of Rufus and sister of 
 William Briggs, of Attleborough, and of Mrs. Walter Ballon, of North 
 Attleborough. They had six sons, only two of whom, those above men- 
 tioned, lived to maturity'. 
 
 The Chronicle in its obituary savis : "In his business as jeweler. Mr. Wiiitney was distin- 
 guished for his advanced ideas in regard to methods and his ingenuity in designs. He was one 
 of the exhibitors at the Paris Exposition, and opened an office in London soon after, keeping 
 It open until about two years ago — 1885. — He crossed the ocean many times in the interests of 
 his large export trade, and on his last visit in 1882, noted with interest the same Loudon pier 
 where he had tied his ship forty years before." He was deeply interested in the order of Odd 
 Fellows, and was himself a model member of that organization. He was one of the first 
 members of Aurora Lodge, and he took his three degrees in one night, just previous to that 
 anticipated long voyage upon which he did not enter. He bore all the honors of the lodge, 
 and held the office of district deputy for many years. He was one of the building committee 
 of the present Odd Fellows Building, and he always took a generous part in sustaining the 
 existenite of the organization in town, through its days of adversity as well as those of its 
 prosperity. He was at one time connected with Bristol Lodge of F. and A. M., but retired 
 from it, because his deepest attachments were for the order of Odd Fellowship, and he pre- 
 ferred to belong to no other. He held many district offices, and served on many town com- 
 mittees. He was largely instrumental in starting the public library of his native village, and 
 all progressive work found in him a liberal supporter. He was at one time a director of the 
 North Attleborough National Bank and of the Attleborough Branch Railroad. In politics he 
 was a Democrat, and to show of what stamp he was as man and politician it is only necessary 
 to state the fact that many Rei)ublicans assisted to elect him as one of the representatives of 
 tlie First Bristol District in 1874. 
 
 The sudden death of Mrs. Whitney in the summer of 1S8G was a IjIow from which Mr. 
 Whitney never wholly recovered, and he did not very long survive it. His death occurred 
 November 17, 1887, after a long and painful illness. His funeral was conducted by the Rev. 
 W. F. Potter, and he was buried with the honors and the impressive services of Odd Fellow- 
 ship. No better <leliueation of his life and character can be given than that contained in the 
 simple phrase of one who on his l)urial day said : ■' He goes to his rest as one that was faithful 
 to the triple links of Friendship, Love, and Truth." 
 
Hl^TOEY OF ATTLEBOIIOUGH. 619 
 
 WILMAUTH. 
 
 Daniel Wilmartii was born December 7, 171)9, on wliat is called " the 
 Lincoln place " in Reboboth. He came to this town when he was quite a 
 young man. His great-grandfather's name was Jonathan, his grandfather's 
 Moses. The family vvas numerous in Reboboth and several of the name 
 came from there to this town, the first as early as 1708. Previous to his 
 settlement here Mr. Wilmartb was for several years in the employ of the 
 American Screw Company. His first wife was Patta Clafiin, the daughter of 
 Noah Claflin, of this town. He was familiarly known to everybody as 
 "Squire Clafiin." He and his father before him were "farmers and 
 bootmakers." They were descendants of John Antipas Claflin, the first of 
 the name in town, who came as early as 1717 from Sudbury, Mass. Squire 
 Claflin was an intelligent and well-read man. His judgment upon the affairs 
 of men was excellent and he was highly respected by all in the community. 
 Harvey Claflin, a much loved deacon in the Second Congregational Church 
 for many years, was his son. Deacon Claflin was, like his father, much 
 respected by everybody. He was one of the truest, most consistent Christian 
 men the town has ever known. He was a farmer and for many years 
 occupied the place now known as the " Wilcox place." He frequentlv and 
 for long periods held important offices in both the church and the town and 
 was wise and careful in the performance of all his duties. He was also one 
 of the town's representatives in the Legislature. He finally removed to 
 Cleveland, Ohio, where his two sons, Harvey and Henry, had been residing 
 for some years, and he died there at the residence of the former. 
 
 Mr. Wilmarth after his marriage lived at the old Ciafiin homestead on the 
 "east road " from East to North Attleborough, and it finally came into his 
 possession and remained his home for very many years. He was a man of 
 considerable independence of character. He thought much and formed 
 decided and fixed opinions, but he was always courteous to others and 
 tolerant of their views. His nature was of the most kindly; he was a good 
 neighbor and a thoughtful fiiend and he was often made an adviser and 
 confidant by those who were in perplexity or trouble. He was greatly 
 interested in music and during many years rendered valuable assistance to 
 the choir of the Second Church, not only with iiis voice but liberally with his 
 purse as well. He finally sold his farm and removed to the village of P^ast 
 Attleborough, where he passed the remainder of his life. A number of years 
 since he married Mrs. Susan Mann, widow of Howard ]\Linn, of Wrentham. 
 
 His old age was a remarkably vigorous one, both physically and mentally, 
 until the death of his only son occurred. From that time his strong hold 
 upon life gradually weakened. It was his ever recurring and pathetically 
 expressed wish that the son's life might have been spared and the father's 
 taken. During the summer of 1886 he sustained a severe shock of paralysis. 
 He rallied extraordinarily for so old a man and lived for a year ; but he failed 
 
620 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 coiitiiuially if grtuluully and soon his friendly visits to his neighbors ceased, 
 his pleasant voice was no longer heard, and his familiar form was missed 
 from the village streets. He died July 27, 1887, having lived eighty-seven 
 years, seven months, and twenty days. 
 
 William Daniel "NVilmarth, the only son of Daniel and Patta Wilmarth, 
 was born July 30, 18;)7. His boyhood and youth were spent at home and it 
 was not until he was twenty-seven years of age that he entered upon a 
 business life. He inherited from his father musical tastes and ability and 
 during his entire life he devoted a great deal of time to their cultivation, and 
 not oulv in himself but in others. He aimed to elevate the standard of 
 music in his community, and many in it can doubtless attribute to his 
 suggestions and example their first real enjoyment and ai^preciation of that 
 art. When a boy of about seventeen Mr. Wilmarth comnienced to play the 
 organ in church, and he soon in addition took charge of the choir. For 
 quite twenty years he had the entire charge of the music in the Second 
 Church, and he spared neither time nor money to make this appropriate and 
 worthv a church of its size and intluence. How many dilliculties he met 
 and overcame and how much he really did will never probably be fully known, 
 for Mr. Wilmarth never published his own deeds ; he did not work for self- 
 aggrandizement but for the love of music itself. Good church music had 
 been the rule so long under his management that people had learned to 
 expect it as a matter almost of course and did not realize the " eternal 
 vigilance " required to produce it ; but his task began to be better understood, 
 and his generous measures appreciated in some degree as they deserved, 
 when he relinquished his position and it fell to other hands to carry on 
 the work. 
 
 On October 1."), 18(54, Mr. Wilmarth became associated as a business 
 partner with Dr. J. K. Bronson, who had then recently purchased a coffin- 
 trimming l)usiness in North Attleborough. This firm soon removed to a 
 small shop near the site of the present one on County Street, East Attle- 
 borouoh. Four years later he bought the doctor's interest and continued 
 alone until his death. Mr. Wilmarth became one of the most active of the 
 men of the East village, after he took up his residence there, in all matters 
 of public improvement. He was a prime mover and an energetic worker iu 
 obtaining the water works there. That improvement was greatly needed 
 and has long ceased to be regarded as a luxury, either public or private. He 
 was urgent in obtaining improvements in the fire department, in having the 
 streets properly curbed and lighted, and in advancing all matters of public 
 health and comfort. He was a trustee of the Richardson School Fund and 
 liberal in all educational matters in the comnuuiity. 
 
 He died March G, 1881, his life cut off in its prime and just when many 
 vears of iireat usefulness were opening out before him. His death left a 
 wide o:ip in the ranks of our useful citizens, which camiot soon be filled. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. (321 
 
 He was in truth and in earnest a public-spirited man. He was unusually 
 modest and unassuming ; he never wished public advancement or office 
 for himself, but pushed others forward. He was a man of indomitable 
 energy and determination, but in so quiet a way that those traits scarcely 
 made themselves apparent. He had a sound, sagacious mind, was clear and 
 judicious in his judgment, a man of scrupulous rectitude in his dealings, 
 and he exercised a " powerful influence on the side of right and public good." 
 In writing of him just after his death one said : " Mr. Wilmarth was a 
 genuinely honest man. He did business on the square. He took no stock 
 in the complaint that the times are such as to render it impossible for a man 
 to do business honestly, and not bankrupt himself. As a business man he 
 clung to the principles which build patiently, steadily, and surely. Among 
 these principles was that which led him to cherish the welfare of others. He 
 was generous to his employees. He was never spoken ill of by a man who 
 had w^orked for him. 'J'o young men struggling to get on he always stood 
 ready to lend a helping hand. ' I have lost my best friend,' said a member 
 of a young firm to me the other day, ' from no man did we get so much 
 encouragement and help.' Said another gentleman of large business expe- 
 rience, ' Mr. Wilmarth was one of the ablest business men with whom I was 
 ever acquainted.' ' No man,' said still another, ' could die here who would 
 be more missed.' " Among the resolutions passed after his death by the 
 trustees of the Richardson School Fund was the following : — 
 
 Resolved. — Tbat the eoiniunnity iu which he HVed has lost a neijihbur just and conscientious 
 in all his dealings with others^ one who was active iu promoting the interest and prosperity of 
 this village, and especially interested in sustaining its various institutions; and thus we mourn 
 the departure of an honorable and worthy citizen, one who will be long remembered iu the 
 business circles of this town." 
 
 Mr. Wilmarth merited such tributes as these, for he fulfilled well the high 
 duties of true manhood and loyal citizenship. 
 
 On May 5, 18.57, he married S. Josephine Mann, daughter of Howard and 
 Susan Ide Mann, of Wrentham. She and several children survive him. Of 
 these one son is connected with his father's business, and another, the eldest, 
 has for several years been pursuing musical studies in P^urope.^ 
 
 The chief facts in quite a number of the sketches contained in this and the chapter next 
 preceding are taken from the History of Bristol County, which appeared a few years since. 
 In many instances I have made exact quotations; in many others I have used ideas and sug- 
 gestions found there, and I am glad to again acknowledge my indebtedness to that publication. 
 In these same sketches I have made such changes as time and my purpose dictated, and have 
 added to them such facts, etc., as were within my own knowledge or were furnished me from 
 various sources. I have largely increased the number of persons noticed in the history above 
 
 ' For a number of years none of the family had any personal connection with the management of 
 the business, but recently two of the sons, — the oldest and the youngest, — William H. and Henry D., 
 have assumed its conti'ol. Tliis change resulted from the deatli of jMrs. Wilmarth, — which occurred 
 in October, 1893, — and the withdrawal of the then manager and only partner outside the family. The 
 former now resides iu town ; tlie latter has recently returned to town. 
 
622 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 alluded to. If my list is too long, I can only say, it would have been ditticult to shorten it, 
 because there was some sj^ecial reason for the mention of each particular person in it. Long 
 as this list of more or less prominent men is, however, it is by no means a complete one. Very 
 many others as worthy as any of these have been born or have lived in the town, regarding 
 whom it would have been wellnigh or (juite impossible to obtain the requisite information; 
 while others about whom doubtless interesting facts could have been collected have been 
 omitted in these chapters for some other equally valid reason. In some instances families 
 prominent in our early history, and up to within a few year** comparatively, have no male 
 representatives in the present generation or in that just passing away, and in other instances 
 such are no longer specially interested in public atlairs. Numbers who have Ijeen of good 
 service in their day and generation, if forgotten here, are remembered elsewhere, as the sketch 
 of town history has revealed itself through the records or facts relating to various historic 
 localities have been mentioned — though, from the very nature of the case, in a work so incom- 
 plete as this very many deserving persons as well as very many important occurrences must be 
 left out altogether. 
 
 The division of the town, which has made a linishing point historically at least for the 
 present for old Attleborough proper, has also made it more necessary to look forward in 
 certain ways than might otherwise have been the case and to say certain things which could 
 otherwise perhaps have better been said in the future. This fact nuist account for a portion of 
 what has been written regarding the gentlemen now living. Probably these sketches may be 
 considered by some as too extended. I should have found it difficult, in many cases certainly, to 
 make them less so. In the short experience which my attempt to complete this book has given 
 me I have found that all personal facts, and even small incidents regarding the earlier inhabit- 
 ants of the town, or any written words of their contemporary friends, were of deep interest, 
 and I have thoroughly realized how great a matter of regret it is that only a very few scant 
 reminiscences of our first inhabitants and their immediate posterity were to be obtained, 
 because almost no records relating to them in any way had been kept. Personal records of the 
 men now on the stage of life and of those just passed or passing away will be of ever-deepening 
 interest as years go by. With this fact in view, and remembering also that this work is first of 
 all for the people of this town and their families, I have deemed it wise to preserve here all I 
 could in my limited space relative to some of the " men of our times*' in addition to the very 
 little gathered together relating to their ancestors or those of others. 
 
 What I have said of these biographical chapters will apply in some measure to the two fol- 
 lowing chapters, in which some of the things referred to would be omitted if I were arranging 
 this work of my father's for a '* general public." If I have been guilty of an error in judg- 
 ment in thus occupying so nuich space, I can only say, my motive in doing it has been good, 
 and by that I must ask to have the decision of the readers of the book weighed, whether the 
 sentence they see fit to pronounce shall be one of censure or approval. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. ' 623 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 GENEALOGY, STATISTICS, REPRESENTATIVES, TOWN OFFICERS, GRADUATES 
 
 OF COLLEGES, ETC. 
 
 THE followiug account of the eai-Iiest settlers In town is almost exactly as it was prepared 
 for the tirst edition of this work. "WHiether it was the author's intention to enlarge it 
 is not known ; but no notes were found sufficient to make any material changes, though 
 some ailditions have been made. 
 
 A brief genealogy of some of the earliest settlers in the town is annexed, which is intended 
 to include, so far as T have been able to ascertain, the names of those who came into the town 
 previous to 1730, with the names of their children of the tirst generation (space not permitting 
 me to extend it any farther) and also the previous place of their settlement, when known. 
 This will not contain the names of many who have all either removed from town or whose 
 families have become extinct. These sketches must necessarily be imperfect from the defects 
 in the records and the general neglect of most families to preserve any knowledge of their 
 remote ancestry. The discovery of many of these facts connected with the history of our 
 ancestors lias been the result of fortunate accident. 
 
 Many of the first proprietors (who belonged to Reholjoth) or their descendants became the 
 occupants of the lands which tliey had purchased; but in process of time the cheapness of 
 the land invited many emigrants from various parts of the colonies of Massachusetts and 
 Plymouth, who either became shareholders or purchased rights. i 
 
 Allex, Nehemiaii, son of Isaac Allen, 1st, of Reholmth, married Anne Wilmarth. 
 daughter of Thomas Wilmarth, 2d, of that town; came to Attleborough about 1710. He had 
 five children; namely, Isaac, John, Nehemiah, Daniel, Anne, who were born between the 
 years 1711 and 172G. 
 
 Atwell, RicnAKi), married Sarah Bolkcom, daughter of Alexander Bolkcom; had five 
 children by her: Sarah. Amos, Anne, Richard, Ichabod, 1728-1739. His second wife was 
 Mary Lawrence, by whom he had one son, William, born 1741. 
 
 Barrows, Benajaii, ancestor of all that name in town. He came here about 1708 from 
 Rehoboth, where he had resided for a short time. His wife was Lydia Bucklin, daughter of 
 Joseph Bucklin, one of the early settlers of that town. He had uine-^ children: John, born 
 in Rehoboth, 1707; Deborah, born 1711; Joseph, 1713; Nehemiah, 1715; Benjamin, March, 
 1717-18; Elijah, Marcii, 1719-20; Lydia, 1722; Ichabod, 1724. He died January 5, 1754. From 
 him was descended Dr. Ira Barrows, a graduate of Boston Uuivei-sity in 1824 and a practising 
 physician in Providence, R. I. 
 
 Blackinton, Penticost, the ancestor of all the Blackintons in town, came to Attleborough 
 previous to 1702 from Marblehead. His wife's name was Mary. He had at least four children : 
 Penticost; Mary, who married Ebenezer Daggett, 1st, of this town; Benj:iniin. who came 
 with him; and Hepzibeth, who was born here December, 1702. Besides these there were John 
 and Penelope, twins, born in 1705 and both died in 1706. Penticost, 1st, died September 24, 
 1715. His son Penticost married Rebeccah Figgett and had eight children — Penticost, liorn 
 1710; Rebeccah, born 1717; George, born 1720; Anne, born 1722; Mary, born 1724; John, 
 born 1727; Othuiel, born 1729; Peter, born 1731. 
 
 ' Usually newcomers, if they could not purchase a share in the undivided lands, bought a right to 
 lay out a definite number of acres in a division already granted. 
 
 "The names of eight only are given. Whether the number is wrong or the name of the other not 
 recorded the Editor does not know. 
 
624 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Blaxdixg. OiJEDiAH. cuiiie from Rehobotli ; sou of AVilliaiii. 1st. of tliiit name in Rehoboth; 
 married Elizabeth Weeks; had five children: Ephraim. Sunuiel. Obediah, Elizabeth, Mehit- 
 abel, 1719-1727. Several others afterwards t^amo here from that town, descendants of William, 
 1st; namely. Daniel, Noah, Lamack, etc. 
 
 Bishop, William, appears to be the first; came from Beverly or Salem about 1703. His 
 wife's name was Dorothy. He had eight children: Edward. Elizabeth. William, Martha, 
 Rebecca, Baily, Dorothy, John, 1701-171o. His second wife was Tabitha Hadley, married 1719. 
 
 There were several others of this name, some of them, perhaps, brothers of the above; 
 
 namely. Daniel, who married Elizabeth Brown, 17.3-1; Samuel, married ]Mary ; Joseph, 
 
 married Miriam Hodges; Thomas, who married "Sarah Hobel of Pequonick"' and had one 
 daughter, born in New Brookfield, N. Y.. 1744. There was one Zepheiiiah Bishop, son of 
 Zephauiah Bishop, who died a lingering death on board the Jersey Prison ship and whose 
 gravestone is in the East Attleborough l)urying-ground. 
 
 BOLKCO.M, Alexaxdek, 1st, wlio came to Attleborough previous to 1692, from whom all in 
 town 1 are descended. He came from Providence and was a mason by trade. He married 
 Sarah Woodcock, daughter of John Woodcock, Sr., and had seven children : William, born 
 September 3,1692; Katherine, l)orn February 7,1694; Alexander, born April 4, 1696; John, 
 born April 29, 1699; Barnck, born June 12, 1702; Sarah, born Fe1)ruary 8, 1703-4; Joseph, born 
 February 23, 1705-6. 
 
 He died January 31, 1727-2.S. His son William married Mary Tyler, October 3, 1713; Alex- 
 ander married Martha Rockinton, of Ncedham. May 14, 1725 — intentions entered April 8, 
 1725; Barnck married Patience Blake; John married Mary Grover, by whom he had five 
 children, and afterwards Sarah Grover, by whom he had eight children ; Joseph married Mary 
 Parminter, March 21, 1733-34. 
 
 BouRXE. Andrew, came, it is supposed, from Great Britain to Attleborough about 1720 
 and settled in the east part of the town. All of that name in this vicinity are descended 
 from him. 
 
 Caprox, Banfield, was the first of that name who came to this country. From him all 
 the Caprons in this vicinity are descended. The name of his first wife was Elizabeth Cal- 
 lender. His children were: Banfield, Joseph, Elizabeth, Banfield (born October 22, 1684), 
 Edward, John. Jonathan (born March 10. 1705-6), Sarah (born March 11,1708-9). Another 
 account adds Walter, Betsey. Mary, Hannah, and Margaret, and omits Elizabeth. 
 
 His wife Elizabeth died March 10, 1735. He nu«-ried. December 16, 1735, Mrs. Sarah Daggett, 
 relict of Deacon John Daggett, and he died August 25 (another account says August 10), 1752, 
 at the very advanced age of ninety-two. He settled where the late Joab Daggett lived and 
 laid out the lands there. Tradition says he came to this country alone when he was quite a lad, 
 as a cabin boy, to seek his own fortune. 
 
 Carpexter, Josiah, Noah, William, Obediah, etc., came to Attleborough from Rehol>oth 
 and were all descendants of Samuel and William Carpenter, two of the earliest of that name 
 in Rehoboth. AVilliam Carpenter was admitted an inhal)itant of that town March 28, 1645. 
 He was admitted a freeman of Massachusetts May 13, 1640. 
 
 Noah was the son of William, of Rehoboth, born March 28,1672; married Sarah Johnson 
 December 3, 1700, by whom he had thirteen children : Noah, Miriam. Sarah, Stephen, Asa, 
 Mary, born in Rehoboth; Margaret, Simon (died infant). Isaiah, Simon. Martha. Elizabeth, 
 Amy. He married Ruth Follet, May, 1727, by whom he had one daughter, born May. 1728. 
 
 In an account of this family recently published it is stated that the ancestor of all of this 
 name in New England is "one William Carpenter, who was born in England in 1576, left a 
 place called Harwell, going to Southampton, and from that port sailed for America in the ship 
 'Bevis,' and landed in May 1638." He settled in Weymouth and in 1643 removed to Rehol)Oth, 
 where he died at the age of eight.v-two. He appears to have been a man of consideraljle note. 
 His son William came with him to America, also settling in Rehoboth. With William. Jr., 
 came his wife and four children, of "ten years or less." Of these one was William, and he 
 had at Rehoboth at least ten sons. Obadiah was the tenth, born in 1677. " Deacon Obadiah 
 
 ' It must be remembered that this account was prepared over fifty years ago ami that some of these 
 names have no representative, or but one or two. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 625 
 
 Carpenter was born in Rehohoth in 170", and died in Attleboro wliere lie lived, in 1TG4. He 
 married Bethiah Lyon and both are buried in the old cemetery. Attleboro. old slate stones. 
 under a fir tree, marking? their a:raves." i He must be the Obediah above mentioned, who. the 
 author says, eame here early and was probably the son of Obadiah, born in 1677. The Noah 
 mentioned above must have been one of the ten sons of William. 3d. and he (his grandfather 
 having died) was the AVilliam. Jr.. who was "Clerk of the Propriety" from 1682 to 1703. 
 
 Claflix (formerly McClaflin -'). Antipas, eame here from Sudbury, Mass. He had three 
 children after his arrival in this town; namely, Hepzebeth. born November 17, 1717: Antipas 
 and Ebenezer. twins, born February 8, 1720-21. His wife's name was Sarah. Other sons 
 probably came with him — Xoah. Phinehas, etc. 
 
 CUMMINGS (formerly Cununins or Comens), David, came here very early from AVoburu, 
 this State. He settled in the southeast part of the town, on a farm still owned and occupied 
 by descendants. He had either seven or nine children. 
 
 Cutting. Aarox, was the first and only one of this name who came here. His son Aaron, 
 Jr., married Ruth Pratt, 1749. (She died July 26, 1753.) His second wife was Sarah Tucker, 
 and by both of them he had nine children. 
 
 Daggett. John, ancestor of all the Dagyetts here and in Connecticut, came to Attlebor- 
 ough from Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, ai)ont 1709,3 with his wife Sarah and nine children, 
 four sons and five daughters; namely, Mayhew, Ebenezer. Thomas. Napthali, — who was 
 ''slain by a tree," — Abigail, who married Ebenezer Guild, October 12, 1714, and died No- 
 vember 20, 1790, aged ninety-seven years; Jane, who married Caleb Hall, November 9, 1721. 
 
 He removed to Manor. N. J., and was living in 1771; Zilpha, who married Nathanie 
 
 Robinson, July 18, 1721; Patience, who married Noah Robinson. October 4. 1723. and died 
 in 1793, and was buried in the old Falls cemetery; and Mary, who married John Titus. Janu- 
 ary 8, 1727-28 — all of Attleborough. Ebenezer, born August 29. 1(;90, married Mary Black- 
 inton, November 9, 1721. She was daughter of Pentecost Blackinton, and was born in 
 Marblehead. November 25, 1698. Mayhew married Joanna Biven, of Deerfield.^ 
 
 By recent research I am able to trace this family still farther back, and give the result for the 
 information of numerous descendants here and elsewhere. 
 
 John the first of Attleborough was the son of Thomas Daggett, Esq., of Edgartowu, 
 Martha's Vineyard, who married Hannah Mayhew, the oldest daughter of Governor Mayhew, 
 and had brothers Thomas, Samuel, Joshua, Israil, and a sister Mercy. Thomas, the father of 
 John the first of this town, was son of John Daggett the first, who came to this country in 
 1630 and was settled in Watertown in 1642, and probably removed to Martha's Vineyard with 
 Governor Mayhew when he settled the island in 1644. John the first of Rehoboth was brother 
 of Thomas, and son of John the first of Watertown. There is reason to believe that the last- 
 
 ' See Attleboro Advocate for .Tune 2, 18S8. In anotlier account published by a descendant residing 
 in New York William, the ancestor, was born in Amosljury, Wiltshire, England, about ]fi(i3-5 and came 
 to this country not far from 163.5. He was mentioned in the " Initial Deed " of Roger Williams and 
 his "twelve disciples," and this shows him to have been one of "The Thirteen Proprietors of Provi- 
 dence Plantations." He, it is said, as early as 163S bought lands at Pawtucket and settled there with 
 " several other families." He is said also to have l)een one of the founders of the Baptist Church in 
 America and to have received baptism from Roger Williams himself. Tradition makes him a preacher 
 in England and says he " tied to America, being compelled to go on shipV)oard at night to avoid his 
 persecutors." He died September 7, 168.). He must be the William, Jr., who came with his father, 
 wife, and four small children to this country and finally to " Seacunk." The accounts differ some- 
 what, but douI)tless point to the same person, son of the real ancestor. 
 
 - Sometimes spelt Meclothlin, and in one place (R. N. P. Rec. p. 3.56) Mack Cleaulan — a proof of the 
 variation which names undergo in the course of a few generations. Tradition says the family origi- 
 nated in Scotland. 
 
 ■^According to a History ot the Doggett-Daggett Family he came between Octoher 17, 1711, and 
 December 24, 1712. — Editor. 
 
 ^This was probably not Deerfleld, Mass., as the author formerly supposed, as for a hundred and 
 fifty years after the settlement of that town the name is not known there. The name is not common 
 at the date mentioned, and for that and other reasons it is conjectured that the Deerfield may have 
 been a place of that name in England. 
 
G26 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 mentioned John had a brotlier Thomas ' who came to New England, and lie was prolialdy the 
 Thomas who settled in Marshfieki. this State.- 
 
 Day, Samukl, appears to be the first, came from Rehohoth. His wife was Pri<cilla. He 
 had several children: Samnel Edward, born June 9, ITOo; John, imrn September 29, 170S; 
 Priscilla. born November 22, 1711; Benjamin, born in Attleboroujih, April 28, 1720; and 
 perhaps others. 
 
 One Robert Day was admitted freeman of Massachusetts, May 0. 1G3.), and llalijli Day, 
 May, 1045. 
 
 F()STEi{, JoHX, came from Dorchester about 1712; married Margaret AVare; had thirteen 
 children: John, born 1706; Robert, born 1707; Ebenezer, born 1709 (these three born in Dor- 
 chester) ; Margaret, born in Wrentham. 1712; Benjamin, born 1714; Jonathan, born 1715; 
 Sarah, born 1718; Timothy, Imru 1720; Nathan, born 1722; Esther, born 1724; Michael, born 
 1725 (and died 1726) ; Michael, born 1727; Mary, born 1729. 
 
 Foster, Alexaxdeij, another who came to town, whose wife's name was Susanna, hail six 
 children : Elizabeth, Sarah, Alexander, Edward, Suanna, Jane — from 1734 to 1746. 
 
 Freemax, David and Jonathan, inhabitants of Rehoboth, came to Attleborough — prob- 
 aljly the ancestors of all the Freemaus in this town. The name of Da\ id's wife was Mary. 
 Some of his children were, Eljenezer, born April 13, 1684; Hannah, born April 24, 1686; Mar- 
 garet, born February 9, 1688-89. Jonathan's children w^ere William, Mary, Jonathan, Mercy, 
 Samuel, Anne, David, — from 1690 to 1704. 
 
 French, John, sou of John French, 1st, of Rehoboth, came from that town about 1710; 
 married Martha Williams; had five children,- John, born in Reholioth; Ephraim and Martha, 
 twins, who died infants; Hannah, Samuel — 1709 to 1714. His second wife was Abigail White, 
 married May 23, 1728, by whom he had two children : John, born 1729, and Thomas, born 1730. 
 
 TiKt.MAS, brother of the preceding, also came from Rehoboth, married Mary Brown, January 
 5, 1720-21, had eight children: Thomas. Christopher. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth. Bridget, Sarah, 
 Hannah — 1722 to 1738. 
 
 Fuller. Persons of this name are numerous. The first are not all known. One was John, 
 whose children were: Ithanian, Abigail, John, Jeduthan, Abial, Joanna — 1702 to 1719. His 
 second wife was Mary Follet; had one daughter, Sarah, born 1721. 
 
 Jonathan Fuller was an early settler of Reholx>th. Robert and William Fuller were ad- 
 mitted freemen of 3Iassachusetts 2d Jime, 1641. 
 
 Guii>n, Ebenezer, came from Dedham ; married Abigail Daggett (daughter of Deacon John 
 Daggett, 1st), October 12, 1714; had several children: Joseph, Napthali, Ebenezer— 1716 to 
 1722. 
 
 John and Benjamin also came with him. 
 
 Hall. Edward and John came from England, soon to Taunton, and thence to Rehoboth. 
 Ephraim, son of John, came to Attleborough. John was admitted freeman of Massachusetts, 
 May 14, 1634; Edward, May 2, 1638. John married Mary Newell, of Roxbury, Novendjer 18, 
 1684. Edward died November 27, 1670. 
 
 Christopher Hall also came to Attleborough; had two sons, Caleb and Joshua. 
 
 IDE, Nicholas, Lieut., son of Nicholas, 1st, of Rehoboth, who was there as early as April 
 9, 1645, was born November, 1654; married IMary Ormsl)y December 27, 1677 or 78: had seven 
 children: Nathaniel, Jacob, Martha, Patience, John, Benjamin — 1678 to 1693 — all born in 
 Rehoboth. Nicholas, by his second wife. Eliza, was born in Attleborough, July 25, H)97. 
 Nicholas, Sr., died nth June, 1723. Nathaniel died 14th March, 1702-3. 
 
 Jacob, second son, married Sarah Perry. His children were: Sarah, born December 13, 
 1712; Jacob, born September 26, 1723. 
 
 'Thomas Daggett, aged thirty years, was examined for a certificate of license to emigrate to 
 New England, May 13, 1G37. — Drake's Resean-Jies, p. 30. 
 
 2 This supposition of the autlior does not seem to be sustaiueil by later rescarcli, as tliere is no men- 
 tion of such a relationship in the family history just referred to. The author of that work states that 
 John tlie first of Watertown (jrobably lived in Relioboth for a few years previous to his settlement 
 in Martha's Vineyard, as in 104G one "John Dogefhad allotments of land in that town. His son 
 John, the first of Uehoboth, was not then old enough to be a " freeman." 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 627 
 
 JoiTX. third son, married Mebetable Roliiiison, May 14, 1719; had four children: Sarah, John, 
 Benjamin, Amos — lT-20 to 1729. 
 
 IxGHAHAM, Joseph, Benjamin, Jeremiah, Elijah, descendants of Benjamin and of Jar- 
 rett (or Jaret), whose name is on the list of purchasers, come from Rehoboth. Joseph married 
 Mary Shepardson. Jeremiah manied Susanna Tucker, of Sloughton. Intentions published 
 August 7, 1731. 
 
 Elijah married Sarah Ide; had eight children: Elijah, .Jal>ez, Sarah and AVilliam, twins, 
 Betty, Remember, Comfort, Jeremiah — 1734 to 1746. 
 
 Maxcy, Alexani>eu.i came from Gloucester. Mass., with his family, abf)ut 1721, aud soon 
 purchased and settled on Jolin Woodcock's farm, and continued the public bouse. He was " a 
 soldier in Gallup's Company, for the sad expedition in 1G90, of Phips against Quebec." His 
 wife's name was Abigail. He died September 20, 1723. His children were Alexander, who 
 died April 2, 1724; Joseph, Josiah, Abigail, who married Jacob Hascall, of Gloucester; Mary, 
 who married William Ware, May 4, 1726; Esther, who married Nehemiah Ward, December 
 3, 1728; and Benjamin. 
 
 Josiah married Mary Everett, daughter of Joshua Everett; had eleven children. His sec- 
 ond son, Levi, whose wife was Ruth, daughter of .Jacob Xewell, was the father of Jonathan, 
 Milton, aud Virgil, graduates of Brown University, eminent in literary and professional life. 
 Levi, another son, who possessed superior talents, though not liberally educated, died at the 
 South. 
 
 Martin, Johx, Robert, and Timothy came from Rehoboth. Timothy married Mary, 
 daughter of John Fuller, then of Rehoboth, afterwards of Attleborough ; had three children: 
 Timothy, Sarah Abel. 
 
 Three of this name were admitted freemen of Massachusetts — Thomas Martin, 22d ]May, 
 1639; John and Robert, 13th May, 1640. John settled in Rehoboth. 
 
 Moore, Alexaxder, married Alice Chaft'ee; had eight children: Sanniel, Comfort, Jane, 
 Betsey. Esther, Alice, Kate. Hannah. 
 
 Newell, Jacob, came here from Roxbury or Dorchester about 1715, bringing with him his 
 family of several sons — Jacob, Joseph, Ephraim, etc, Jason was born here December 12, 
 1717. His wife's name was ,loyce. He settled near the tirst meetinghouse, and bought a part 
 of Willett's farm, and, according to tradition, distributed it among his seven sons. In 1834 
 it still remained in seven divisions, and is still occupied by a descendant of Mr. Newell, of the 
 same name. (1887.) 
 
 Peck, Hezekiah, son of Nicholas Peck, of Rehoboth, came to Attleborough about 1700 
 with his family. He married Deborah Cooper, of the former place; had seven children: 
 Deborah, Judith, Hannah, Hezekiah, Rachel, l)orn in Rehoboth; Petronella, Perthenah — 1687 
 to 1711. 
 
 Several other Pecks came here from Rehoboth ; namely, John and Elisha. brothers of Heze- 
 kiah; Daniel and Ichabod, sons of Jathniel, who was the son of Joseph,"- 1st, who came to 
 Rehoboth from Hingham, Mass., aud probably to that place from Hiugham, England. 
 
 Read, Daxiel, came from Rehoboth about 1716, with five children, Beriah, Ichabod, Han- 
 nah, Abigail, Esther (Daniel died infant), 1707 to 1713. His tirst wife was Elizabeth Bos- 
 
 1 It is said that a brother came with him to this country, and settled in one of the Southern States. 
 
 2 Mr. Joseph Peck and Mr. Robert Peck were admitted freemen of Massachusetts thirteenth March, 
 1638-39. Robert was ordained teacher at Hingham, eighth November, 163S, and twenty-seventh Octo- 
 ber, 1641, returned to Enghind with liis family. Joseph's name appears on the Rehoboth records, 
 April 9, 1645. On his way from Hingham the following accident l)efcll him : — 
 
 164.5, I. 25. "Another strange accident happened by fire about tliis time. One Mr. Peck and three 
 others of Hingham, being about with others to remove to Seaconk, (which was conchnled by the Com- 
 missioners of the United Colonies to belong to Plymouth,) riding thither, they sheltered themselves 
 and their horses in an Indian wigwam, which l)y some occasion took tire, and (although thej' were all 
 four in it, and labored to tlieir utmost, &c.) burnt three of their liorses to death, and all their goods to 
 tlie value of 50 pounds." 
 One John Peck was in Rehol>oth as early as twenty -ninth March, 1645. ( Win. Jour. II, 216.) 
 Nicholas, John, Josepli, -Ir., are supposed to be sons of Mr. -Joseph, who came with him to Reho- 
 both; if this supposition be true, then all of the name are descended from him. 
 
628 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 worth; his secoud was Eliz. Ide, by whom be had eight childrt'ii : Daniel, Noiih, Elizabeth, 
 Samuel, Abigail. Rachel. Benjamiu, Thaukful, 1716 to 1T34.1 
 
 At lea^t two other Heads came here from Rehoboth — Moses aud Ezra. Those of this uame 
 have been very numerous in this town. 
 
 Richards. Edwakd and Nathax, came from Dedham. They were the sons of John 
 Richards, of that town, aud nephews of Col. Joseph Richards, A.M. and M.D.. of Harvard 
 College, 1721. From them are descended those of that name in this town. The first in Dedham 
 was Edward, who was admitted freeman in IGil. ( WorthinrjioiVs Hint. Ded.) 
 
 C'aty. daughter of John Richards, of Dedham, born May 27, 1700, married Jabez Gay, of 
 Attleborough, December 7, 1780. Abigail, born September 18, 1704, married Obed Robinson, 
 of Attleborough, December 19, 1786. {.See Bichards^ Genealogt/, cli. 0,p. 119.) 
 
 Richardson, Stephen, John, William, Setii, brothers, came to Attleborough from 
 Woburn. about 1712. Seth married Mary Brown. His children were Stephen, Seth (died), 
 Mary. Abigail, Sarah, Seth, Phebe, 1714 to 1725. 
 
 Several others also came to this town: Timothy, Francis, etc. Ezekiel Richanlson. freeman 
 of Massachusetts 18th May, 16;U; Samuel, 2d May, 1638. 
 
 Robinson.'- Si.x of this name came to Attleborough from Rehoboth; namely, Nathaniel, 
 Noah, John, Timothy, Samuel, Ebenezer. They were descendants of George Robinson. 1st, of 
 Rehoboth, whose name is on our list of purchasers. He married Joanna Ingraham, 18th 4 mo. 
 1651. 
 
 Nathaniel married Zilpha, third daughter of Dea. John Daggett, July 18, 1721 ; had nine 
 children: Nathan, Nathaniel, George, Zilpha, Elizabeth, Elihu, Amos, Abigail, Margaret, 1722 
 to 1739. 
 
 Noah married Patience, fourth daughter of Dea. John Daggett, 1st, Oct. 4. 1722; had seven 
 children: Zephaniah, Mary, Elijah, William, Huldah, Enoch, Comfort, 1723 to 1740. 
 
 John married Thankful Newell, aud had several descendants. 
 
 Timothy married Elizabeth (or Eliza) Grant. 
 
 Samuel married Mary Cooper for his first wife, and Mary Ide for his secoud wife. 
 
 Ebenp:zer married Elizabeth Read, and had eight children: 3Iehetable, Sarah, Ebenezer, 
 Samuel, Elizabeth, Ezekiel, Dan, Martha, 1721 to 1738. 
 
 Stanley, Thomas, Nath^ojiel, Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, John, came from Topsfield, 
 Mass., and settled near the Falls. The last three were brothers. Thomas and Samuel were 
 here in 1707; Jacob came about 1717. 
 
 Thomas married Mary Gould, had twelve children: Thomas, Mary, Phebe, Nathaniel, Samuel, 
 Dauiel, David (died infant), Martha, William, Abigail, Priscilla, David. 
 
 'Jacob married Elizaljeth Guild. His children were Jacob, Benjamin, Elizabeth (died infant) , 
 Deborah, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Solomon, Abigail. 
 
 Nathaniel married Sarah Blackinton. His children were Serviah, Sarah, Hepzibeth, Abner, 
 Amy, Sibula, Israil, Penticost, Anne, Nathaniel, 1721 to 1744. 
 
 Starkey', Andrew, came here about 1708. His first wife was Mehitable Waite, by whom 
 he had two children: Mehitable, born May, 1709; John, born July, 1712. His second wife was 
 Catharine, daughter of Alexander Bolkcom, by whom he had three children : Jemima, Andrew, 
 Thomas, 1722 to 1733. Andrew, Sr., tlied 16th August, 1740. 
 
 Sweet, Henry, was here about 1690, had five children : Johu, I'hilip (died infant), Thomas 
 Michael (died infant), Dorothy. He was one of the earliest, if not the first of that name. He 
 died 8th December, 1704. Probably a descendant of John, admitted freeman, 1041. 
 
 SweetlaND, John, came from Marblehead, with several others of that uame. Three of his 
 children were Benjamin, Deborah, Sanuiel, 1703 to 1711. He died 9th June, 1711. Samuel 
 Sweetland was married to Elizabeth Bradford, Dec. 14, 1749, by Rev. Habijah Weld. 
 
 Titus, Robert, — the firsfof the name iu this country, — came from Weymouth in 1644, one 
 
 iTlionias Read, admitted freeman of Massachusetts, April 1, 1634; .John, thirteenth May, 1640 j 
 William, fourteenth December, 163S; Esdras, second .June, 1641. John and Thomas (perhaps sons of 
 John) settled in Rehoboth, aud were the ancestors of the numerous progeny of Reads iu that town 
 and Attle))orousii. 
 
 - William Robinson, freeman of Massachusetts at Salem, i'th December, 1642; John, id June, 1641. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 629 
 
 of the first settlers of Rehoboth. He removed to Long Island with his family, with the excep- 
 tion of the oldest son, John, who remained iu Rehoboth, and who subsequently came to this 
 town, he being one of the proprietors of the North Purchase. His four sons, John, Jr., Silas, 
 Samuel, and Joseph, settled here, and for several generations the family was quite numerous 
 both here and in Rehoboth. 
 
 Tyler, Ebenezek. had nine children: Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Phebe, Catharine, Hannah 
 (died), John. Hannah, William, Job, 1714 to 1731.1 Job settled in Ashford, Conn. 
 
 Samuel married Mary Capron, had eleven children: Mary (died), Samuel (died), Moses, 
 Samuel, Mary, Nathan, Huldah, Habijah and Elizabeth, — twins, — Ebenezer, Benjamin (died). 
 
 John married Nancy (Nanne) Thacher, daughter of Rev. Peter Thacher. His son John, Jr., 
 removed to Harford, Penn., in 1794. His grandson, the son of John, Jr., is the Rev. AYilliam 
 S. Tyler, Professor of Greek in Amherst College, a man of marked ability and extended learn- 
 ing, and having the reputation of being one of the best classical scholars of the age. 
 
 Wilkinson, John, came here about 1700; married Rachel Fales. His children were eight 
 iu number; namely, John, Joseph, Rachel, Mary, Hepzibeth, Abigail, Sarah, Hannah. 1702 to 
 1723. He purchased Capt. Willett's share in the undivided lands, probably of his son Andrew 
 Willett. He died 24tli Jan. 1724-25. 
 
 John Wilkinson, Maiden, died Dec. 1675. — Far. Beg. 
 
 WiLMARTii, Thomas,- came to Attleborough about 1708, — married Deborah Peck — had 
 seven children : Mary, Thomas, Deborah, Elizabeth, Anne, Ebenezer, Eliphalet, 1709 to 1728. 
 
 Several other Wihnarths came from Ihat town: Samuel, — son of Thomas 2d, of Rehoboth — 
 Jonathan, Nathan, Stephen, — sons of Jonathan of that place — Daniel, etc. 
 
 The Deanes came from Taunton, Ellises, Drapers, etc., from Dedham, subsequent to 1730. 
 
 It is not expected that the foregoing list includes all who came previous to that period. The 
 names of the original ancestors of some could not be ascertained. 
 
 The following list of names, etc., is here printed exactly as it was in the first edition of this 
 History. While it was doubtless a matter of curiosity to some at the time it was prepared, it 
 will at this time be much more of a curiosity to many, and is therefore given. 
 
 LIST OF THE NAMES OF PERSONS NOW IN TOWN, WITH THE NUMBER OF EACH NAME 
 AFFIXED, TAKEN FROM THE TAX LIST OF 1832. 
 
 A. Albey 1— Alger 2 — Aldrich 1— Allen 8 — Alexander 1 — Arnold 3 — Atherton 2 — 
 Alwell 1. 
 
 B. Babcock 8 — Bacon 2— Barrows S — Bates 6 — Bailey 1 — Baldwin 1 — Bishop 3 — 
 Blake 1 — Blackington 9 — Blackwell 1 — Blanchard 1 — Blanding 4 — Bliss 5 — Bolkcom 8 — 
 Bosworth 1 — Bourne 1 — Bo wen 5 — Bragg 2 — Briggs 7 — Brown 4 — Bruce 1 — Bullock 2. 
 
 C. Ca pron 11 — Cargil 1 1 — Carpenter 14 — Chace 2 — Chandler 1 — Cheever 1 — Chickering 
 1 — Claflin 14 — Clark 2 — Clayes 1 — CHnlock Mc. 1 — Cobb 2 — Codding 3 — Cole 2 — Colvin 1 
 — Cook 1 —Cooper 3 — Cornell 2 — Crocker 1 — Crowningshield 1— Cutting 1 — Cummins 5 — 
 Cushman 3. 
 
 D. Daggett 11 — Dart 1 — Day 2 — Davis 1 — Deane 11 — Derry 1 — Dodge 2 — Draper 17 — 
 Drake 2— Dunham 2. 
 
 E. Eari 1 — Eddy 1 — Eldridge 3 — Ellis 3 — Everett 4. 
 
 F. Fales 1 — Fairbrother 2 — Field 3— Fisher 6— Follet 2 — Forbush 1 — Foster 6 — 
 Franklin 1 — Freeman 7 — French 7 — Frost 1 — Fuller 21 — Ferguson 1 — Furthington 1. 
 
 G. Gardner 2— G.ay 1 — George 2 — Gilbert 1 — Giles 1 — Gott" 1 — Grant 3 — Green 3 — 
 Guild 2. 
 
 1 Tyler, Abraliam, Haverliill, 1650, died the sixth of May, 167:3. Job, Aiulover, 1653, had a sou Moses 
 who died, 17-27, aged eighty-five, liaving had ten sons. Xatlianiel, Lynn, 1642. — Far. Reg. 
 
 There was a Kev. William Tyler, a native of Attleborough, and son of a Colonel Tyler, who removed 
 to Pawtucket. There was one Hannah Tyler, who married General Nathaniel Guild, October 1, 1810. 
 She was born in 1789, and died August 19, 1825; resided iu Dednam. The names of Ebenezer and 
 Samuel Tyler are found on a Jury in Relioboth, Oct(.ber ,3, 1684. 
 
 2 Grandson of Thomas Wilmarth, Sr., who came into Relioboth as early as March 28, 1645, with his 
 wife and children. This name was anciently spelt Wilmot. 
 
630 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Lewis 1 — LiucUey 3. 
 - Mure 3 — Morse 6 — Moray 1. 
 
 ! — Pieri-e 3 — Pike 5 — Phillip 1 
 
 H. Hall 4 — Haniiir 1 — Harkness 1 — Harris 2 — Hatch 4— Haven 2 — Hay ward 1 — Hicks 
 1 — Hitchcock 1 — Holmaii 3 — Holmes 7 — Horr 2 — Horton 1 — Hunt 2 — Hiintresf< 1. 
 
 I . Ide 6 — Ingalls 1 — Ingraham 4. 
 
 J. Jackison 2 — Jewett 2 — Jillson 5 — Jones 1. 
 
 K. Kent 1 — Kempton 2 — Knowles 1. 
 
 L. Lane 1 — Latham 1 — Lathrop 1 — Lavery 1 — Lee 1 - 
 
 M . Mann 1 — Martin (i — :\Iason 3 — May 3 — Met calf 1 
 
 N. Newell 4 — Newman 1. 
 
 P. Paine 3 — Parmenter 3 — Peck ii — Perry 5 — Pidge 
 Pond 1 — Price 3. 
 
 R. Read9 — Richards 22 — Richardson 15 — Riley 1 — Rhodes 2 — Robinson 9— Rogers 1 — 
 Rounds 1. 
 
 S. Sanford 2 — Savery 1— Shaw 3 — Sheldon 1 — Shepard 1 — Shepardson 1 — Skinner 1 
 Slack 3 — Smith 1 — Sprague 1 — Stanley 13 — Starkey 3 — Stearns 1 — Straflbrd 1— Stratton 1 
 Streeter 1 — Swan 1 — Sweet 6. 
 
 T. Thacher2 — Thayer 3— Thurber2— Tittany 2 — Tirtt 3 — Tingley 2 — Titus 2 — Towne 
 3— Tripp 3 — Tucker 1 — Turner 1 — Tyler 1. 
 
 W. Walker 1 — Walton 1 — Walcot 3 — Warner 1 — Welman 4 — Westcot 2 — Wheeler 1 — 
 Whipple 3 — Whiting 4 — White 7— Wilder 2 - Williams 0— Wilmarth 11 — Witherell 4 — 
 Withiugton 2 — Woodcock 2 — Wood 3 — Worsely 1 — Wright 1. 
 
 There are about 200 different names (surnames) on the List, and filS diltereut persons. There 
 are, of course, some other names in town which are not in the assessor's Rates; but the above 
 catalogue includes the most of them. These items, indifferent to some, may be curiosities 
 to others. 
 
 LIST OF KEPRESENTATIVES 
 
 From the Incorporation in 11)94 to the Division in 1887. Elections at first, and for many years, 
 were in ]May, unless otherwise designated. At present they are in November, 
 
 1709.1 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1710. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1711. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1712. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Brown.- 
 
 1713. 
 
 Mr. David Freeman, 
 
 
 Lieut. Nicholas Tde.^ 
 
 1714. 
 
 Lieut. Nicholas Ide. 
 
 1715. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1716. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1717. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1718. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1719. 
 
 Jeremiah Whipple. 
 
 1720. 
 
 Dea. John Daggett, 
 
 
 David Freeman. ^ 
 
 1721. 
 
 David Freeman. 
 
 1722. 
 
 So (me would accept. 
 
 1723. 
 
 Capt. John Foster. 
 
 1724. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Carpenter, 
 
 1725. 
 
 Capt. John Foster. 
 
 1726. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Brown. 
 
 1727. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Brown. 
 
 1728. 
 1729. 
 1730. 
 1731. 
 1732, 
 1733, 
 1734, 
 1735, 
 1736, 
 1737. 
 
 1738. 
 1739. 
 1740. 
 1741, 
 1742. 
 1743. 
 
 Capt. Joseph Brown. 
 Mr. Nathaniel Carpenter. 
 Capt. John Foster. 
 Capt. John Foster. 
 Capt. John Foster. 
 Nathaniel Carpenter. 
 Sent an excuse. 
 Nathaniel Carpenter. 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett. 
 John Robinson. 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett, 
 John Foster. Esq.. 
 Timothy Tingley, 
 Samuel Tyler, 
 Ahasel Read. 
 John Foster, Esq. 
 John Rol)l>ins. 
 John Robbins. 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett. 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett. 
 ]Maj. John Foster. 
 
 1 The reader will perceive that no representative was chosen diirinj? the first foiu'teen years after 
 tlie iucorporation. 'J'lie reason is given in the extracts from the town records, pages S8, 89. 
 
 -Son of Mr. .lohn Brown of Rehoboth, — well known in the liistory of the Old Colony — came here 
 about 1709 from Kingston, li. L, to which place he had removed about 1702. In this list the titles gen- 
 erally given according to the custom of the times are retained, as they appear on recoril. 
 
 ■1 Nov. 1713. « June 1720. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 
 
 631 
 
 1744. 
 
 C'apt. 3Iiiybew Daggett. 
 
 1745. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler. 
 
 1740. 
 
 Perez Bradford, Esq., 
 
 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett.i 
 
 1747. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler. 
 
 1748. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler. 
 
 1749. 
 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler. 
 
 1750. 
 
 Benjamin Day. 
 
 1751. 
 
 Benjamin Day. 
 
 1752. 
 
 Benjamin Day. 
 
 1753. 
 
 Beujamiu Day. 
 
 1754. 
 
 Name not on record. 
 
 1755. 
 
 Name not on record. 
 
 1756. 
 
 Lieut. Josiah Maxcy. 
 
 1757. 
 
 Lieut. .Tosiah Maxcy. 
 
 175S. 
 
 Lieut. Josiah Maxcy. 
 
 17.50. 
 
 Dea. Benjamin Day. 
 
 1760. 
 
 .Japhesh Bickneli. 
 
 1761. 
 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 176-2. 
 
 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 
 
 1763. 
 
 Stephen Fuller, Esq. 
 
 1764. 
 
 Dea. Ebenezer Laue. 
 
 1765. 
 
 Dea. Eheuezer Lane. 
 
 1766. 
 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane. 
 
 1767. 
 
 Dea. El)enezer Lane. 
 
 1768. 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 1769. 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 17n). 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 1771. 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 177-J. 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 1773. 
 
 Capt. John Daggett. 
 
 1774. 
 
 Capt. John Daggett. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Capt. John Daggett. 
 
 1776. 
 
 Capt. John Stearns. 
 
 1777. 
 
 Capt. John Stearns, 
 
 
 William Stanley. 
 
 1778. 
 
 Capt. Elisha 3Iay. 
 
 1779. 
 
 Capt. Elisha May. 
 
 1780. 
 
 Capt. Elisha May, 
 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 1781. 
 
 Elisha May. 
 
 1782. 
 
 Name not found. 
 
 1783. 
 
 Col. Stephen Richardson. 
 
 1784. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1785. 
 
 Col. Stephen Richardson. 
 
 1786. 
 
 Capt. El)enezer Tyler. 
 
 1787. 
 
 William Stanley. 
 
 1788. 
 
 Elisha May. Esq. 
 
 1789. 
 
 ('apt. Caleb Richardson. 
 
 1790. 
 
 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1791. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1792. 
 
 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1793. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1794. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 1795. 
 1796, 
 1797. 
 1798. 
 1799. 
 1800. 
 1801. 
 1802. 
 1803. 
 1804. 
 1805. 
 1806. 
 1S07. 
 1808. 
 1S09. 
 1810. 
 181 L 
 
 1812. 
 
 1813. 
 
 1814. 
 
 1815. 
 1816. 
 1817. 
 1818. 
 1819. 
 1820. 
 1821. 
 1822. 
 1823. 
 1824. 
 1825. 
 1826. 
 1827. 
 
 1828. 
 
 1829. 
 1830. 
 1831. 
 1832. 
 1833. 
 18.34. 
 1835. 
 1836. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Col. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Elisha May, Esq. 
 
 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 Maj. Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 Joel Read, Esq. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 Joel Read. 
 
 Joel Read. 
 
 Joel Read. 
 
 .Joel Read, 
 
 John Richardson, 
 
 Benjamin Bolkcom. 
 
 John Richardson, 
 
 Joel Read, 
 
 Benjamin Bolkcom. 
 
 Joel Read, 
 
 Benjamin Bolkcom, 
 
 John Richardson. 
 
 Capt. Thomas French. 
 
 Jabez Xewell. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson, Jr. 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett, Esq. 
 
 Sent no one. 
 
 Sent no one. 
 
 Sent no one. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson, Jr. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson. Jr. 
 Ebenezer Daggett, Esq. 
 Ebenezer Daggett, Esq. 
 
 Sent no one. 
 William Blackinton. 
 William Blackinton. 
 George Ellis, 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Abiathar Richardson, Jr. 
 George Ellis, 
 Elkanah Briggs, Esq. 
 Elkanah Briggs, Esq. 
 Elkanah Briggs, E.sq. 
 Abijah 31. Ide, Esq. 
 Abijah M. Ide, Esq. 
 Abijah M. Ide, Esq. 
 Abijah M. Ide, Esq. 
 David E. Holman. 
 John Daggett, 
 David E. Holman, 
 Lemuel Mav. 
 
 Muly 22a, 1746, owing to Bradford's death. 
 
632 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1838. 
 
 John Daggett. 
 
 1839. 
 
 Carlos Barrows, 
 
 
 .Jonathan Bliss, 
 
 
 .John Daggett. 
 
 1840. 
 
 Carlos Barrows, 
 
 
 .Jonathan Bliss. 
 
 1841. 
 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 
 
 Artemas Stanley. 
 
 1842. 
 
 Artenias Stanley, 
 
 
 William Blackinton. 
 
 1843. 
 
 Daniel Wilniarth, 
 
 
 Calvin Richards. 
 
 1844. 
 
 Lemnel May, 
 
 
 Forrest Foster. 
 
 1845. 
 
 Lemuel May, 
 
 
 Forrest Foster. 
 
 1846. 
 
 George Bacon, 
 
 
 Harvey Claflin. 
 
 1847. 
 
 George Bacon, 
 
 
 Harvey Clallin. 
 
 1848. 
 
 Xone .sent. 
 
 1849. 
 
 George D. Hatch, 
 
 
 Samuel Carpenter. 
 
 1850. 
 
 George D. Hatch, 
 
 
 Samuel Carpenter. 
 
 1851. 
 
 Lyman W. Daggett. 
 
 1852. 
 
 Lyman W. Daggett. 
 
 1853. 
 
 Lyman W. Daggett. 
 
 1854. 
 
 None sent. 
 
 1855. 
 
 Charles Cravens. 
 
 1856. 
 
 Elkanah Briggs. 
 
 185". 
 
 Hervey M. Richards. 
 
 1858. 
 
 Horatio N. Richardson, 
 
 
 William W. Blodgett. 
 
 1859. 
 
 None sent. 
 
 1860. 
 
 George I). Hatch, 
 
 
 Elisha Wilmarth. 
 
 1861. Gardner C. Hodges. 
 18G2. William D. Earl, 
 
 Ezekiel Bates. 
 1863. Horatio N. Richardson, 
 
 .John Thompson. 
 18G4. Handel N. Daggett, 
 
 Miua B. Daggett. 
 1865. Henry K. W. Allen, 
 
 Ira N. Conant. 
 18ti(i. .Tuhii Daggett, 
 
 Edmund Ira Richards. 
 
 1867. Joseph A. Perry. 
 
 1868. Willard Blackinton. 
 
 1869. Josepli D. Pierce. 
 
 1870. Gardner C. Wright. 
 
 1871. John T. Bates. 
 
 1872. Obed C. Turner. 
 
 1873. Edward Santord. 
 
 1874. Samuel S. Ginnodo. 
 
 1875. Felix G. Whitney. 
 
 1876. Henry C. Read. 
 
 1877. George Asa Dean. 
 
 1878. George Price, 
 Abijah T. Wales. 
 
 1879. John Stanley. 
 
 1880. Edwin J. Horton. 
 
 1881. George N. Crandall, 
 Burrill Porter, Jr. 
 
 188-i. John Whitehill. 
 
 1883. John Whitehill. 
 
 1884. Handel N. Daggett, 
 George A. Adams. 
 
 1885. George A. Adams. 
 
 1886. Frank I. Barden. 
 
 1887. Thomas G. Sandland, 
 Abijah T. Wales. 
 
 LIST OF SENATORS. 
 
 This list is taken ft-oni the books of Senate Records in the State House at Boston. Upon the 
 first page of the first book it is stated that the following records relate to actions of the General 
 Court "l)egan and held at Boston, the 25th day of October, 1780, being the tirst sitting of the 
 General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.'' 
 
 1785-86. Elisha May, Esq. l)y 435 votes. 
 
 1790 to 1803,1 Elisha May, Esq. by a large majority. 
 1831-32. El)enezer Daggett, 1859. 
 
 1863. 
 
 1838. 
 1850. 
 1851. 
 1853. 
 
 Ixmuel May, 
 John Daggett, 
 Lyman W. Dean, 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 
 Homer M. Daggett, 
 Hervey M. Richards, 
 
 1865. Abijah M. Ide, 
 
 1866. Jacob Ide, 
 
 1876. Samuel S. Ginnodo, 
 
 1884. Frederick L. Burden. 
 
 ' Upon the town books, for nine of these years Mr. May is called a representative, — an error doubt- 
 less of the town clerk. His name was found on the Senate records for each of the above-mentioned 
 years, with the number of votes by which he was elected. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 
 
 633 
 
 LIST OF TOWN CLl'.RKS. 
 
 1(597 i-lKS. 
 
 . Anthony SpniKue- 
 
 1699. 
 
 Daniel Jeucks. 
 
 1700-1. 
 
 Anthony Sprague. 
 
 1702. 
 
 Joseph Ingraham. 
 
 1703-4. 
 
 Anthony Sprague. 
 
 1705. 
 
 John FoUett. 
 
 1700. 
 
 Name not given. Pro 
 
 1707. 
 
 John Follett. 
 
 1708. 
 
 James Brown. 
 
 1709-12. 
 
 John Follett. 
 
 1713-19. 
 
 Noali Carpenter. 
 
 1720-22. 
 
 Probably same. 
 
 1723-34. 
 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1735-40. 
 
 Thomas Wihnarth. 
 
 1741-4G. 
 
 Jacol) Newell. 
 
 1747. 
 
 Thomas Wihnarth. 
 
 174S-50. 
 
 John Rol)bins, Jr. 
 
 1751-52. 
 
 Name not found. 
 
 1753-54. 
 
 Benjamin Day. 
 
 1755. 
 
 Jacol) Xewell. 
 
 1756. 
 
 John Robbins, .Jr. 
 
 1757-58. 
 
 Stephen P^iller. 
 
 1759-62. 
 
 John Robiiins, Jr. 
 
 1763-65. 
 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 1766-67. 
 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 1768-70. 
 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1771. 
 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 1772. 
 
 -faeob Ide. 
 
 1773-77. 
 
 Elisha May. 
 
 1778. 
 
 John Wilkinson. 
 
 1779-80. 
 
 Col. Elisba May. 
 
 1781. 
 
 Col. John Daggett. 
 
 1782. 
 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1783. 
 
 Elisha May. 
 
 1784. 
 
 Stephen Richardson. 
 
 1785-86. 
 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1787. 
 
 Calel) Richardson. 
 
 1788-89. 
 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1790. 
 
 Caleb Richardson. 
 
 1791. 
 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1792. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 1793. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson. 
 
 1794. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 1795. 
 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1796. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson. 
 
 Probably FoUett. 
 
 1797-98. 
 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 
 1799. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson. 
 
 
 1800-1. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 
 1802. 
 
 Abiathar Richardson. 
 
 
 1803-4. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 
 1805. 
 
 Eljenezer Daggett. 
 
 
 1806. 
 
 John Richardson. Jr. 
 
 
 1807. 
 
 Ebenezer Bacon. 
 
 
 ISOS. 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett. 
 
 
 1809. 
 
 Joel Read. 
 
 
 1810. 
 
 John Richardson, -Ir. 
 
 
 1811. 
 
 Thomas French. 
 
 
 1812. 
 
 Joel Read. 
 
 
 1813. 
 
 John Richardson. 
 
 
 1814. 
 
 Joab Daggett. 
 
 
 1815. 
 
 Amos Ide. 
 
 
 1816. 
 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 
 1817. 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett. 
 
 
 1818. 
 
 Samuel Drap(;r. 
 
 
 1819. 
 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 
 1820. 
 
 Eljenezer Daggett. 
 
 
 1821. 
 
 Wm. Blackington.- 
 
 
 1822. 
 
 Jacol* Ide. 
 
 
 1823. 
 
 Ebenezer Daggett. 
 
 
 1824. 
 
 Wm. Blackingtou. 
 
 
 1825. 
 
 Samuel Cushman. 
 
 
 1826. 
 
 Elkanah Briggs. 
 
 
 1827. 
 
 Ellis BlacUington. 
 
 
 1828. 
 
 Samuel Cushman. 
 
 
 1829. 
 
 Elkanah Briggs. 
 
 
 
 Artemas Stanley from 
 
 March jiro 
 
 
 tern. 
 
 
 1830. 
 
 Ellis Blacking-ton. 
 
 
 1831. 
 
 Sanuiel Cushman. 
 
 
 1832. 
 
 Elkanah Briggs. 
 
 
 1833. 
 
 Ellis Blackinton. 
 
 
 1834. 
 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 
 1835. 
 
 David E. Hohnan. 
 
 
 1836. 
 
 Elihu Daggett. 
 
 
 1837. 
 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 
 1838. 
 
 Moses Wihnarth. 
 
 
 1839. 
 
 George B. Richards. 
 
 
 1840. 
 
 Hartford Ide. 
 
 
 1841. 
 
 Willard Blackinton. 
 
 
 1842. 
 
 Calvin Richards. 
 
 
 1 1697 is the first year in wliich the record of a town clerk's name was found. For the preceding 
 year — 1696 — it is stated on the book that one Mr. Henery Dorons or Dcrens, was " Clark to the House 
 of Representatives." There is much irregularity in the early records, the minutes of the town 
 meetings being copied here and there wherever space was found on the books, the chief aim being 
 apparently to utilize every line of every page. Considerable ditliculty was therefore encountered in 
 trying to find the records of the annual meetings, and elections of officers. Records and minutes 
 were copied by both selectmen and clerks, and as the latter was always one of the selectmen, the 
 difficulty was for that reason increased.— Editor. 
 
 2 Name frequently so spelt up to a somewhat recent date. 
 
634 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1843. Lemuel May. 
 
 1844. Harvey Clafliu. 
 
 1845. George Bacon. 
 
 1846. Hartforil Ide. 
 
 1847. Wilhinl Blaekinton. 
 1848-51. Handel N. Daggett. 
 1852-53. Lyman W. Daggett. 
 1854. ^Vard D. Cotton. 
 
 109(1. 
 Israil Woodcock, 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 Samuel Titus. 
 
 1697. 
 Anthony Sprague, 
 Mr. John Woodcock. 
 Daniel Jencks, 
 Joiuithan Fuller, 
 Thomas Tingley. 
 
 1698. 
 Anthony Sijrague. 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 Daniel Sheppeson, 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 Daniel Jencks. 
 
 1699. 
 Mr. John AV'oodcock, 
 Nicholas Ide. 
 John Lane, 
 Daniel Jencks. 
 
 1700-1. 
 Anthony Sprague, 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 Daniel Jencks. 
 
 1702. 
 Joseph lugraham, 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 Daniel Jencks, 
 .Jonathan Fuller. 
 
 1703. 
 Anthony Sprague,^ 
 .Jonathan Fuller, 
 Thomas Tinglev. 
 
 1855. 
 
 Nathan C. Luther. 
 
 1S5C-62. 
 
 Shepard W. Carpenter. 
 
 1863-64. 
 
 H.N. 
 
 Richardson. 
 
 1865-66. 
 
 Willard Blackintou. 
 
 1867-72. 
 
 Nathan C. Luther. 
 
 1873-86. 
 
 JohB 
 
 . Savery. 
 
 1887.1 
 
 John T. Bates. 
 
 LIST OK SKLECTMEX, 
 
 .2 
 
 
 1704. 
 
 
 1713. 
 
 Anthony Sprague, 
 
 
 .Josej)!) Brown, 
 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 
 
 Jeremiah Whipple. 
 
 Daniel Jencks. 
 
 
 Nicholas Ide, 
 
 1705. 
 
 
 Thomas Standley. 
 
 John Follett. 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter. 
 
 William Slack, 
 
 
 1714. 
 
 Jonathan Fuller. 
 
 
 Joseph Brown, 
 
 1706-7. 
 
 
 John Follett, 
 
 John Fuilett, 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter. 
 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 
 
 1715, 
 
 Thomas Tingley. 
 
 
 Joseph Brown, 
 
 1708. 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 
 John Denison, 
 
 
 Jeremiah Whipple, 
 
 Nicholas Ide. 
 
 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 
 Hczekiah Peck, 
 
 
 John Follett. 
 
 James Brown. 
 
 
 1716. 
 
 1709. 
 
 
 Deacon Daggett, 
 
 Juhn Follett, 
 
 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 
 Nicholas Ide. 
 
 
 John French, 
 
 Jonathan Fuller. 
 
 
 Thomas Stanley, 
 
 1710. 
 
 
 John Foster, 
 
 John Follett, 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter. 
 
 Lieut. Nicholas Ide, 
 
 
 1717-18. 
 
 Hezekiah Peck. 
 
 
 John Foster, 
 
 1711. 
 
 
 Thomas Stanley, 
 
 John Follett, 
 
 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 
 .Jonathan Fuller, 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 
 John French. 
 
 
 Thomas Tingley. 
 
 1712. 
 
 
 1719. 
 
 Joseph Brown, 
 
 
 John Foster. 
 
 Thomas Tingley, 
 
 
 John Lount. 
 
 John Follett. 
 
 
 Jeremiah Whipple, 
 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 
 
 Daniel Peck, 
 
 John French. 
 
 
 Noah Carpenter. 
 
 1 Mr. Bates was elected to the oflice after the death of Mr. .Savery, in Octol)er, 1886, and was 
 reelected at the next annual meeting in March, 1887. [Still continues.] 
 
 2 Tins list is not complete, and is probably in some instances incorrect, because It was impossible to 
 find tlie names of the full boards of selectmen as they were elected, they not being always fully 
 recorded. It was also difficult to determine with accuracy wlio they were for each year, from the 
 subseiiuciit records, as they frequently made entries upon the books under their signatures after their 
 terms of office apparently should have expired. For the year 1696 they were called assessors only, 
 and but three names were found. — Editor. 
 
 •' For a long period, four or five — including the clerk — were chosen. Wlien but three appear the 
 iHimber is incomplete, the others not being found. Occasionally the board numbered six. — Editor. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 635 
 
 1720. 
 Benj. Crabtree, 
 Jobn Freuch, 
 En. Dau. Ecad, 
 John Lount, 
 Elisha Peck, 
 Noah Carpenter (Prob.)- 
 
 1721. 
 
 Probably the same, or 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 John Foster, 
 Jeremiah Whipple, 
 Thomas Tingley. 
 
 1722. 
 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 Thomas Stanley, 
 Daniel Peck, 
 John Fuller, 
 John Foster. 
 
 1723. 
 Hezekiab Peck, 
 Thomas Tingiey, 
 John Fuller, 
 John Foster, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 172i. 
 Capt. John Foster, 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 Capt. Dan'l Eead, 
 BeDjamin Crabtree, 
 Thomas Stanley, 
 (Samuel Tyler?) 
 
 1725. 
 Mr. Benj. Crabtree, 
 Capt. Brown, 
 M"" Anthony Sprague, 
 Job Bartlett, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1726-27. 
 Mr. Noah Carpenter, 
 Capt. Foster, 
 Capt. Read, 
 Samuel Day, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1728. 
 Deacon Daggett, 
 John Robins, 
 Samuel Tyler, 
 Thomas Willmarth, 
 
 En. Timothy Tingiey, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1729. 
 Dea. Mayhew Daggett, 
 Mr. John French, 
 Penticost Blackinton, 
 Thomas Willmarth, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1730. 
 Samuel Bishop, 
 Deacon Daggett, 
 Mr. Noah Carpenter, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1731. 
 Benj. Day. 
 James Sweetland, 
 Dea. ]\Iayhew Daggett, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1732. 
 Lieut. Samuel Tyler, 
 Mayhew Daggett, 
 Obndiah Fuller, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1733. 
 John French, 
 Beniah Barrows, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Capt. Daniel Read, 
 Thomas Stanley. 
 
 1734. 
 Probahly the same. 
 Mr. Barrows'" name 
 was omitted. 
 
 1735-30. 
 Capt. Daniel Read, 
 John Ide. 
 Noah Carpenter, 
 Benajah Barrows, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1737. 
 Jonathan Fuller, 
 John Ide, 
 
 Lieut. Sanuiel Tyler, 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1738. 
 Benjamin Day, 
 Lt. Samuel Tyler, 
 Josiah Maxcy, 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1739. 
 Mayhew Daggett, 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 Benj. Day, 
 Samuel Tyler, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1740. 
 Josiah Maxcy, 
 Eben'r Robinson, 
 Eng. Timothy Tingiey. 
 Capt. Mayhew Daggett, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1741.1 
 Benjamin Day, 
 Samuel Tingiey, 
 Jacob Newell. 
 
 1742-43. 
 
 iSame as 1741. 
 
 1744. 
 Capt. Tingiey, 
 Thos. Wilmarth, 
 Benj. Day, 
 Benj. Wise, 
 Jacob Newell. 
 
 1745. 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Benj. Day, 
 Timothy Tingiey, 
 Joseph Bishop, 
 Jacob Newell. 
 
 174(3. 
 Josiah Maxcy, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 Benj. Day, 
 Timothy Tingiey, 
 Jacob Newell. 
 
 1747. 
 Timothy Tingiey, 
 Samuel Tyler, 
 John Fisher, 
 Ichabod Ward, 
 Thomas Wilmarth. 
 
 1 Three overseers were chosen separate from the selectmen. Three men were also chosen " to narve 
 for the preservation of Dear." 
 
636 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1748. 
 Capt. Timothy Tingiey, 
 Capt. Sauuiel Tyler, 
 Obadiah Carpenter, 
 Thomas Wihiiarth, 
 John Kol)bius, Jr. 
 
 1749. 
 Hezekiah Peck, 
 Capt. Timothy Tingiey, 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 John Kohbins, Jr. 
 
 1750. 
 Capt. Samuel Tyler, 
 Timothy Tius<ley, 
 Benj. Day. 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 John Rob])ius, Jr. 
 
 1751. 
 Thomas AVilmarth, 
 Sam'l Tyler, 
 Benj. Day. 
 
 1752. 
 John Icle, 
 Jaeol) Newell. 
 Joseph Caprou. 
 
 1753. 
 Benj. Day, 
 Joseph Caproii, 
 John Ide, 
 Henery Sweet. 
 Samuel Tyler. 
 
 1754. 
 Benj. Day, 
 John Stearns, 
 Daniel AVilmarth, 
 Jacob Newell, 
 Jonathan Capron. 
 
 1755. 
 Benj. Day. 
 DanM Wilmarth. 
 Josiah Maxcy, 
 John Dag<;ett, 
 Jacol) Xewell. 
 
 1756. 
 John Roljbins. Jr., 
 Jacob Newell. 
 Daniel Read. 
 Daniel Wilmarth, 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 1757. 
 Alexander Foster, 
 Benj. Day, Jr., 
 Josiah Max'-y. 
 
 Wiilmarlh!' 
 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 1758. 
 Alexander Foster, 
 Japhet y Bicknell, 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 17.59. 
 Dea. Benj. Day, 
 John Dagiiett. 
 John Robbiiis, Jr. 
 
 17liO. 
 Joseph Bicknell, 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 John Daggett, 
 John Kol)bins, Jr. 
 
 1701. 
 John Daggett, 
 Dea. Ebenezer Lane, 
 Stephen Fuller, 
 John ]{obl)ins, Jr. 
 
 170-2. 
 Probably same. 
 Stephen Fuller's name 
 not /Kisitive. 
 
 17G3i-04. 
 Ebenezer Lane. 
 Justice John Daggett, 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 1705. 
 John Daggett, 
 Mr. Jonathan Day, 
 Stephen Fuller. 
 
 1760. 
 Ebenezer Lane, 
 Jonathan Day, 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 1707. 
 Ensign Jacob Ide, 
 Ebenezer Lane, 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 170^;. 
 John Daggett, 
 Ebenezer Lane, 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1709-70. 
 Ephraim Newell, 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1771. 
 Ebenezer Lane. 
 Johnathan Stanley, 
 Henry Sweet. 
 
 1772. 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Epuraim Newell, 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1773-74. 
 Capt. Jon. Standley, 
 Stephen Richanlson, 
 Elisha May, 
 
 1775. 
 Same as 17 To- 74. 
 
 1776. 
 Elisha May, 
 Caleb Richardson, 
 Dea. Jon. Stanley. 
 
 1777-78. 
 Elisha May. 
 John Wilkinson. 
 Jonathan Stanley. 
 
 1779-80. 
 Elisha May, 
 Stephen Richardson, 
 Dea. Jon. Stanley. 
 
 1781. 
 Col. Elisha May, 
 Col. John Daggett, 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1782. 
 Lieut. James Orne, 
 Moses Wilmarth. 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1783. 
 Elisha May, 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Ebenezer Tyler. 
 
 1784. 
 Elisha May, 
 Ebenezer Tyler, 
 Stephen Richardson. 
 
 1785. 
 Mr. Jabez Gay, Jun,, 
 Capt. Moses Wilmarth, 
 Ebenezer Tvler. 
 
 1 From this time on only three selectmen appear to have been elected, with two or three exceptions. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 637 
 
 1786. 
 Oapt. Caleb Richardson, 
 Mr. Jabez Gay, Jr., 
 Ebeuezer Tyler, 
 
 1787. 
 
 John , 
 
 Stephen Fuller, 
 Caleb Richartlsou. 
 
 1788-91. 
 Elisha May, 
 Ebeuezer Tyler, 
 Caleb Richanlsou. 
 
 1792-1800. 
 Jacob Ide, 
 
 Abiathar Richardson, 
 Eben"- Bacon (Maj.). 
 
 1801-2. 
 Joel Read. 
 Ebeuezer Bacon, 
 Abiathar Richardson. 
 
 1803-5. 
 Jacob I<]e, 
 Ebeuezer Bacon, 
 Ebeuezer Daggett. 
 
 1806. 
 Joel Read, 
 Ebeu'r Daggett, 
 John Richardson, Jr. 
 
 1807-8. 
 Ebeuezer Bacon, 
 Ebeu'r Daggett, 
 Jacob Ide. 
 
 1809-10. 
 Joel Read, Esq., 
 Capt. Thomas French, 
 John Richardson, Jr. 
 
 1811-12. 
 Thomas French, 
 Joel Read, 
 Wm. Everett. 
 
 1813. 
 Joab Daggett, 
 Joel Read, 
 John Richardson. 
 
 1814. 
 Jesse Richards, 
 Amos Ide, 
 Joab Daggett. 
 
 1815. 
 Ebeuezer Daggett, 
 Jesse Richards, 
 Amos Ide. 
 
 1816. 
 Ebenr Daggett, 
 Jesse Richards, 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 1817-20. 
 Samuel Dra])er, 
 Ebeuezer Daggett, 
 Lemuel May. 
 
 1821-23. 
 Jacob Ide, 
 Wm. Blackinton. 
 Ebeuezer Daggett. 
 
 1824. 
 Wm. Blackinton, 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Sam' Cushmau. 
 
 1825-33. 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Samuel Cushmau, 
 Ellis Blackinton. 
 
 1884. 
 Lemuel Ma} , 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Ellis Blackinton. 
 
 1835. 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 Capt. Elihu Daggett, 
 Lemuel May, 
 David E. Holniau. 
 
 1836. 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Lemuel May. 
 Elihu Daggett. 
 
 1837. 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Henry H. Brown, 
 Lemuel May. 
 1838. 
 H. H. Brown. 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Moses Wilmarth. 
 
 1839. 
 George B. Richards, 
 Moses Wilmarth, 
 Hartford Ide. 
 
 1840-41. 
 George B. Uichards, 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Col. Willard Blackinton. 
 
 1842. 
 Lemuel May, Esq., 
 Calvin Richards. 
 Willard Blackinton. 
 
 1843-44. 
 Lemuel May, 
 William Everett. 
 
 1845-4(i. 
 Harvey Clafliu, 
 Hartford Ide, ' 
 George Bacon. 
 Harvey Clafliu, 
 
 1847. 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 George Bacon, 
 Hartford Ide. 
 
 1848. 
 Handel N. Daggett, 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Willard Blackinton. 
 
 1849-50. 
 Hartford Ide, 
 H. N. Daggett,! 
 Gardner Dunham. 
 
 1851-52. 
 Elkanah Briggs, 
 Joseph AV. Capron, 
 Lyman W. Daggett. 
 
 1853. 
 Ezekiel Bates, 
 Joseph G. Albro, 
 J. W. Capron. 
 
 1854. 
 Geo. B. Richards, 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Joseph G. Albro. 
 
 1855. 
 Wheaton Briggs, 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Thomas A. Barden. 
 
 fhI.f.°l^°;^■ """"^ ^" T' ^^«^^^^ ^^^"^ ^" h'-^^e served tliree years as town clerks, and from 18.53 on. 
 three selectmen were chosen, besides the clerk, with the exception of the years 1863-64-65, and 1881-8^^ 
 
638 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1856. 
 Hartford Ide, 
 Wheaton Briggs, 
 George Price. 
 
 1S5T. 
 Elisba G. May, 
 J. W. Capron, 
 George Price. 
 1858-59. 
 Samuel M. Holman, 
 George Price, 
 Elisha G. May. 
 
 18G0. 
 Thomas A. Barden, 
 S. M. Holman, 
 Elisha G. May. 
 
 1861. 
 H. N. Daggett, 
 A. H. Robinsou. 
 Lewis L. Read. 
 
 18G2. 
 H. N. Daggett, 
 A. H. Robiuson, 
 Joseph A. Perry. 
 
 1863-64. 
 H. N. Richardson, 
 A. H. Robinson, 
 J. A. Perry. 
 
 1865. 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 A. H. Roliinson. 
 J. A. Perry. 
 
 186(). 
 Willard Robinson, 
 A. H. Robinson, 
 J. A. Perry. 
 
 1867. 
 Willard Blackinton, 
 A. H. Robinson, 
 .J. A. Perry. 
 
 18(;8-6!). 
 Gardner C. Wright, 
 John Thacher, 
 David B. Wellman. 
 
 1870-71. 
 Gardner C Wright, 
 Elisha G. May, 
 George N. Crandall. 
 
 1872. 
 Elisha G. May, 
 J. G. Barden, 
 A. B. (Jarpeuter. 
 
 1873-74. 
 E. G. May, 
 T. A. Barden, 
 A. T. Wales. 
 
 187.5-71 J. 
 G. M. Horton, 
 D. S. Hall, 
 H. C. Read. 
 
 1877. 
 D. S. Hall, 
 S. P. Lathrop, 
 
 A. M. Everett. 
 
 1878-79. 
 S. P. Lathrop, 
 G. C. Wright. 
 G. N. Crandall. 
 
 1880. 
 S. P. Lathrop, 
 
 B. Porter, Jr.. 
 G. N. Crandall. 
 
 1881-84. 
 Job B. Savery, 
 S. P. Lathrop, 
 
 B. Porter, Jr. 
 
 1885. 
 -Job B. Savery, 
 Charles T. Guild, 
 Charles E. Jordan. 
 
 1886. 
 
 C. T. Guild. 
 Frank I. Babcock, 
 Henry K. W. Allen. 
 
 1887. 
 C. T. Guild, 
 F. I. Babcock, 
 Gamaliel B. Draper. 
 
 NORTH ATTLEBOHOUGH, 1887. 
 
 Selectmen and 
 
 Overseers of the Poor. 
 
 Charles T. Guild, Gamaliel B. Draper, Stephen Stanley. 
 
 Town Clerk. 
 
 Patrick F. Grady. 
 
 Town Treasurer. 
 
 Arthur E. Codding. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGII, 1887. 
 
 Selectmen. 
 
 Daniel H. Smith, Samuel P. Lathrop. 
 
 Overseer of the Poor. 
 
 Daniel H. Smith. 
 
 Town Treasurer. 
 
 John T. Bates.i 
 
 John Willson was the first Surveyor found, in 1701. Anthony Sprague held the office 
 
 1 These ofticers were nomuiated at the first caucuses held shortly after the division took place. 
 The town meetings were held August 13, 1887. Mr. Bates was also town clerk. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 639 
 
 frequently, at an early date, first in 1717, and ,Jolin Foster in 1721. Nicholas Peck was tor 
 many years Justice of tlie Peace, and most of the early deeds are acknowledged before hini.i 
 
 GRADUATES AT BROWX UXIVERSITY FROM THIS TOWN. 
 
 Graduated. - 
 
 1776. Preston Mann, a.m. See sketch of Mann familn, Chap. XV. 
 1783. Othniel Tyler, a.m., son of John Tyler, Lawyer, Sudbury, Mass. 
 1787. John Mii/roN Mann. See sketch of Mann family/. 
 
 1787. Jonathan Maxcy, s.t.d.. President of Brown University, Providence. R. I., Union 
 College, Schenectady, N. Y., and Columbia College, Cokunoia, S. ('. See biographical sketch, 
 Chap. XV. 
 
 1788. Jesse BlaCKINTon, son of Peter Blackinton, became a resident of Ashtabula, county 
 of Ashtabula, Ohio, where he was iu 1831. 
 
 1788. William May, son of Elisha May, l)orn Jan. 26th. 1764, student of law, died July 
 12th, 1790. in the 27th year of his age. 
 
 1789. Paul Draper, a.m., son of Stephen Draper, born Sept. 19th, 1767, entered on board 
 an American man-of-war, died in 1800. as recorded on town books. 
 
 1790. Aaron Drai'ER, son of Josiah Draper, Ijorn Xov. 29th, 1764, never studied a learned 
 profession, — settled in Providence, R, I., where he died in 181S. 
 
 1802. Gardner Daggett, a.m., son of Elijah Daggett, born Dec. 20tli, 1782. Lawyer, 
 Providence, R. I., where he died in 1821. 
 
 1802. MiLHjN Maxcy, son of Levi Maxcy, born Jan. 1st, 1782. Lawyer in Beaufort, South 
 Carolina, where he died of yellow fever in 1818. 
 
 1803. Jason SpRA(iUK. a.m., son of John Sprague, was, for some time. Preceptor of the 
 High School in Newport, R. T. He died in the United States army iu 1825. 
 
 1804. Virgil Maxcy. Solicitor of the United States Treasury. See biographical sketch. 
 1807. Lorenzo Bishui*, sou of Zephaniah Bishop, born Aug. 20th, 1785, student of law, 
 
 died iu Attleborough, May 26tli, 1809, xt. 23. 
 
 1809. Jacob IDE, A.M., Rev. See biographical sketch, Chaji. XV. 
 
 1809. William Tyler, a.m.. Rev., son of Ebenezer Tyler, minister at Weymouth, subse- 
 quently at South Hadley. IMass. 
 
 1811. Benjamin W. Cozzens, a.m., son of Benjamin Cozzens. Lawyer at Pawtucket, 
 subsequently a resident of Providence, R. L, and still later removed to New York. 
 
 1811. Hartford Sweet, a.m., son of Gideon Sweet, born Oct. 30th, 1790, had not fin- 
 ished studying his profession — the ministry — when he died at Richmond, Va., April 2d, 1818, 
 a;t. 27.3 
 
 1817. Everett Bolkcom, son of Jacob Bolkcom, born September, 1796. Lawyer. Attle- 
 borough. died Dec. 19th. 1823, let. 27. 
 
 1821. James Ormsbee Barney, Rev., son of Cromwell Barney, of Providence, R. I. 
 Minister at Seekonk Centre, Mass., where he died. 
 
 1821. Moses Thacher, a.m.. Rev., son of Thacher. Minister in North Wrenthani, 
 
 Mass. 
 
 1822. Preston Cu:mmin(tS, Rev. See sketch of Cummings family. Chap. XVI. 
 
 1822. Henry H. F. Sweet, Rev., son of Henry Sweet, born Nov. 1st, 1796. Minister in 
 Palmer, Mass., died Feb. 20th, 1827, ajt. 30. 
 
 1822. John Wilder, a.m.. Rev., son of John Wilder. Minister in Charlton, later in Con- 
 cord, Mass., — died in March, 1844. 
 
 1823. Ben(^ni Allen. Rev. Preacher in Ohio, — died in 1867. 
 
 ' One Anthony Perry early took up lands in Attleborough, and settled here, but on account of 
 subsequent changes in the lines — though not in his residence — he died in Rehoboth. 
 
 -This list includes tliose who entered college, and left before conqdeting the entire coin'se. Such 
 facts as could be ascertained relating to them are given. 
 
 3 The following touching reference to this well beloved son may be found in the will of the father; 
 " My son, Hartford Sweet, deceased, having left no heirs, I cannot otherwise remember him in this 
 my last will, than witli regret in view of his untimely death." 
 
640 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 1824. Ira Barrow.s, m.d. See biographical sketch. Chap. XV. 
 
 1825. Herman Bouhne, m.d., sou of Andrew Bourne. Physician in Boston, Mass., where 
 he died. 
 
 1825. William Stillman Stanley, m.d. See bioi/mphical sketch. Chap. XV. 
 
 182."). Samuel Tyler Wilder, sou of John Wilder. Lawyer in Rochester, N. Y., where 
 he died. 
 
 182G. Jason Babcock Blackintcin. a.m., son of William Blackiuton. Lawyer in Iloldeu, 
 Mass., subseciuently a teacher in Ohio. 
 
 1826. John Daggett, a.m. Lawyer. See hiographical sketch. Author of this work. 
 1832. Salmon Cari'ENTer Perky, son of Josial Perry. Preacher, — died at New York 
 
 in 1872. 
 
 1837. John Shepaud 1n(;i!aham. 
 
 1838. F^ZEKIEL Gilman Koiunson, d.d. President of Rochester Theological Seminary, 
 and of Brown University. See biographical sketch, Chap. XV. 
 
 1844. Richard Cusiiman, Rev. Died in 1849. 
 
 1844. Isaac Draper, m.d. 
 
 1844. George Nelson Bllsk. In college one year. 
 
 1847. James Fletcher Blackinton. Teacher in IJoston, 3Iass. 
 
 1849. Thomas Drew Robinson. Lawyer. 
 
 1851. Brainard Wa\'land Barrows, d.d. Trustee of the University. 
 
 1852. George Augustus Allen. Teacher in Missouri. 
 1854. Samuel Cushman. In college three years. 
 
 18.54. William Watson Waterman. In college three years. 
 
 15.55. Charles Phelps, m.d., son of Thaddeus Phelps. Pursued his medical studies in 
 New York City, and continues his profession there. He is president of the ]Medicai Board of 
 Bellevue Hospital, visiting surgeon at St. Vincent's Hospital, president of the Police Depart- 
 ment Medical Board, and was nominated by Governor Hill as Health Officer of the port. His 
 success has been great, and he has a very large practice. 
 
 1857. William Albert White. 
 
 1858. Comfort Edwin Bari;ows. 
 
 1861. Fr.\:n'k Herbert Caupentei;. 
 
 1862. JosiAH Nelson Cushing, a distinguished missionary in Burmah. He was the son 
 of Alpheus Cushing, a member of the Baptist church at North Attleborough, and there 
 ordained as a foreign missionary. He still continues in the active and successful duties of his 
 mission. 
 
 1864. Heni;y Clark k Bowen. 
 
 1864. Seabury Wari;ex Bowen, m.d. Fall River. 
 
 1868. George Roswell Read. Lawyer. 
 
 1868. John Mayhew Dagcjett. Lawyer, Marianna. Ark. 
 
 1870. Eugene Ellis Thomas, Rev. 
 
 1870. Adoniram Judson Cushinc;, brother of Josiah Cushing, the missionary. 
 
 1873. Alvin Grover Sadler, educated a lawyer, not now in practice. 
 
 1876. David Emohy Holman, m.d. See sketch of Holuian familn , Chap. XVI. 
 
 1876. Edward Otis Stanley. Business, New York City. 
 
 1880. Richard BAurLETr Esten. 
 
 1880. Willis Hehmann Streeter. In college three years. 
 
 1880. Olin Fisk Gleason. In college two years. 
 
 1880. Ed(;ar Perry. Editor of ■' Attleborough Chronicle." [Retired from the " Chroni- 
 cle" in 1888. Held a position on a daily paper in .Cleveland, Ohio, and later on the " Boston 
 Herald." Has now (1894) in addition a position on the " New York Herald.'" being general 
 news agent for the New England States for that paper.] 
 
 1881. Augustus Lawrence Holmes. In college one year. 
 
 1882. John Augustine Saneord. Teacher. [Professor of Greek in Minneapolis Col- 
 lege. Has recently received the honorary degree of PH.D., from that institution, 1894.] 
 
 1883. Iha Barp.ows. son of H. F. Barrows. Member of the firm of H. F. Barrows c't Co. 
 Residence in New York. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOliOUGH. 641 
 
 18S7. FitANK Williams Cakpenteu. sou of A. B. Ciirijeuter, of this town, a gratluate of 
 the class of 1SS9. [Graduated. Resides iu Attleboro'.] 
 
 GRADUATES AND STUDENTS AT AMHERST COLLEGE FROM THIS TONV^". 
 
 1832. .Samuel Hunt, Rev. See sketch of Hunt family, Chap. XVI. 
 
 1856. Samuel Tyler Read. In college one year. Graduated from Union College iu 1860. 
 
 1859. Joseph Osmond Tiffany. See sketch of Tiffany family, Chop. XVII. 
 
 1860. Joseph Mason. l)orn Xov. 1st, 1836. Attended medical lectures in Boston suhse(iuent 
 to graduation. Died Sept. 23il, 1862, while a medical cadet at Mill Creek Hospital, Va. Buried 
 at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 1862. Frank Dean, son of Lyman \\ . Dean. Resides in Attlel)orough. 
 
 1862. Otis Capkon Newcomh. sou of Joseph NewcomI), born Dec. 26th, 1838. Attended 
 medical lectures in Boston, taught school in Worcester, Mass., continuing his medical studies 
 there at the same time with Dr. Clark. Died here Xov. 10th, 1865. before his studies were com- 
 pleted. Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery. 
 
 1875. Frank Irving Bahcock, son of Horatio N. Bahcock, l)orn Dec. 26th. 1851. Law- 
 yer, — practising in Attleltorough. 
 
 1885. Erwin Alden Tucker, sou of Almond Tucker. Pursuing medical studies at the 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons. New York. [Now practising there. Sloaue Maternity 
 Hospital.] 
 
 (iP.ADUAPES AT YALE UNIVERSITY FROM THIS TOWN. 
 
 1748. Naphtali DAG(;ErT. d.d. President of Yale College. See hioaraphiral sketch, 
 Chap. XV. 
 
 1761. Pelatiah Tingley. a.m., Rev., sou of Timothy Tingley. He was a Baptist preacher, 
 and was settled in Sanford, Maine. Al)0ut 1780, he became a seceder from the iircxailing sect 
 of Baptists, and was the tirst minister who united with Elder Benjamin Randall, the founder 
 of the new sect, usually denominated Armiuian.or Free-Will Baptists, who rejected the leading 
 doctrines of Calvinism. i 
 
 1762. Philip DACHiETT, sou of Ehenezer Daggett, and brother of Naphtali Daggett, born 
 Sept. nth, 1739. He settled and died in New Haven. 
 
 1771. Henry Dagcjett, son of Elder Elihu Daggett, born April 9tli, 1741. He settled in 
 New Haven, where he was a merchant. He became a police magistrate, alderman, president of 
 the Board of Health, etc. He died there Sept. 24th, 1830. 
 
 1783. David Daggett, ll.d. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, United 
 States Senator, etc. See biographical sketch. Chap. XV. 
 
 1847. Edward Shaw, son of Captain Daniel Shaw. Entered college iu 1843; graduated iu 
 1847 in a class of 125, the largest class up to that time to graduate from that college. In 1853 
 entered the service of the United States Government, and became an examiner in the Patent 
 Office at Washington, remaining until the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion in 1861. 
 In 1867 was appointed to a position in the National Medical Library, in the office of the Surgeon 
 General of the United States Army. [1894. still retains that position.] 
 
 1887. Hervey Richards Franklin, a member of the present senior class. [A graduate 
 of the class of 1888. Has removed from town.] 
 
 There have been graduates from this town, nrobal)ly from other New England colleges, and 
 perhaps from colleges in other parts of the country. A full list of their names has not been 
 obtained. Among them was : — 
 
 John Barrows, who graduated in 1766 at Harvard College. He was the son of John Bar- 
 rows. He married his wife in Cambridge, and settled as a sch9olmaster iu Dighton, Mass. He 
 pursued the even tenor of his way, unambitious of honors. He was a distinguished teacher in 
 his day and educated many of the leading men of that vicinity, his being the only classical 
 school in that part of the country, until the establishment of the Bristol Academy at Taunton. 
 He joined the Episcopal church at Taunton — which then included Dighton — founded bv the 
 
 ^See Benedict's Hist. Bap., vol. 11, x>. 410, where he is erroneously said- to be a graduate of Rliode 
 Island College. 
 
642 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 fainous Thomas Coram, his name being on the list of ninety members in 1787. He died in 
 Diirliton July 25, 1S16, in his eightj'-tirst year. He left many manuscript poems. 
 
 Walter E. Hayward. son of Charles E. Hayward, graduated at Harvard College in 1883. 
 He is a member of the firm of Hayward »t Sweet, and resides in Attleborough. 
 
 [Since the division there have been graduates from town at some of the colleges above men- 
 lioned. Ernest M. Bliss, Amherst, 1893; Edmund W. Clap and Arthur R. Perry. Harvard, 
 1892, both now in Harvard Medical School; .J. Earl Sheffield and George Sheffield, Yale, 1894, 
 the latter from Sheffield Scientific School. Herbert E. Bliss graduated at the Massachusetts 
 Agricultural College in 1S88, and Clinton E. Bliss in 1890. Arthur G. Randall graduated at 
 Tuft.s College in 1892 and is pursuing medical studies at the University of Pennsylvania, and 
 Curtis Read graduated in 189-I-. "Hal'' Dunham is a graduate of Tufts Divinity School. 
 These include those from both Xorth Attleborough and Attleborough, and there are students 
 from both towns — or will enter this year — in Andierst, Brown, and Tufts. There have been 
 students in Holy Cross College, at Smith College, and other advanced institutions of learning. 
 At the latter Miss Marian French graduated in 1894, and there are several young ladies still 
 pursuing studies there. William H. Pond, now practising law in North Attleborough, is a 
 graduate recently of Yale Law School, and Philip E. Brady, of Attleborough, of Harvard 
 Law School. There are no doubt others whose names have not been obtained.] 
 
 NAMES OF PTIYSICI -NS IX ATTLEBO ROUGH. ' 
 
 Dr. Joseph Daggett, of Rehoboth; Dr. Joseph Hewes; Dr. Abijah Everett; Dr. Px'zaleel 
 Maun; Dr. Richard Bowen, of Rehoboth; Dr. Joseph Bacon; Dr. Comfort Fuller, son of Noah 
 Fuller. He removed to Harford, Penn., where he died in June, 1800, and was among the tirst 
 buried in that town. Dr. Comfort Capron, surgeon in the Revolutionary War; Dr. Thomas 
 Stanley, Dr. S. B. Parris, Dr. Lemuel Fuller, Dr. Seba Carpenter, Dr. Thaddeus Phelps, Dr. 
 James W. Foster. Dr. Phineas Savery, Dr. Newman, and others. 
 
 Phinkas Savery was born in Wareham, Mass., April 5, 1800. In September, 1824, he 
 graduated at Brown University, and three years later, in 1827, he received his medical diploma 
 from Harvard College. In September of the latter year he commenced his practice in this 
 town. He was for many years the only physician in the east part of the town. He was prom- 
 inent in his profession, a reliable doctor, and as a man greatly respected and beloved. He was 
 three times married ; his first wife was Hope Tobey ; the second, Nancy Messenger; the third, 
 Sally A. Bailey, and the mother of all his children, with one exception. 
 
 Dr. Savery died May 19, 1853, and was buried in the Old Kirk Yard. His character and life 
 are summed up in the beautiful au<.l appropriate inscription on his tombstone : — 
 
 '• His memory is in the hearts of the people." 
 
 Thaddeus Phelps was born in Windsor, Vt., July 21. 1809. He was a graduate of Dart- 
 mouth College and pursued his studies of medicine in Woodstock, Vt., where be graduated in 
 that department. Immediately after his graduation he went to Tioga County, Penn., where he 
 commenced the practice of medicine. Subsequently he removed to Milford, this State, and 
 later to Cundterland, R. I., where he was in partnership with Dr. Walcott. He came to this 
 town in 1838, while still a young man, and built up for himself a large and lucrative practice. 
 He was for quite a long period the one physician of the north part of the town and therefore 
 for many years the oldest practitioner. 
 
 Dr. Phelps attained a considerable degree of eminence in his profession and was a physician 
 upon whose skill great reliance could be placed. During the Civil War he held the position of 
 surgeon at the Portsmouth Grove Hospital, Rhode Island, for some time. About 18(i5 he met 
 with a severe accident, which resulted very seriously. To the surprise of everyone he rallied 
 from it and resumed his practice; but it was often remarked that no one but Dr. Phelps would 
 have hatl the courage and determination necessary to live through such an experience. He 
 
 'The following names do not form a complete list of all the physicians who have reside<l iu town, 
 but the Editor lias added to the former list, as she was able, and gives such facts relating to some of 
 the more recent ones as it was possible to obtain. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 643 
 
 was for the reiuuinder of his life partially, and to liimself painfully, disabled, but he continued 
 his practice for six or seven years, until about eitiht years before he died. The accident was 
 the predisposing cause of the disease which caused his death, which occurred May 30, 1879. 
 
 He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Guild, of Woodstock, Vt. ; the second, 
 Mary AVatson, of Newport, R. T. Five children survive: Charles. Fannie, and Mary, by the 
 first wife, and Helen and Isaljel by the second. 
 
 Jamks W. Foster was born in Southbridge, this State. November 15, 1813. His common- 
 school education was obtained at Quechee, Vt., to which place his parents removed when he 
 was ten years old. He studied medicine first at the Vermont Medical College at Woodstock, 
 and later at the Berkshire Medical School at Pittsfield. Mass.. where he graduated. He com- 
 menced his practice iu Foxborough, where he remained something over twelve years, and then 
 in 1854 he came to North Attleborough, where he continued in active practice for thirty years. 
 He was of the homoeopathic school, was a successful physician, and one who gained not only 
 the confidence of his patients and acquaintances, but their highest esteem. His death was a 
 pul>Ii(' loss and caused a general and sincere mourning throughout the entire community in 
 which he lived. 
 
 June 22, 1839, he married Harriet Draper Richards, daughter of Ira Richards, of North 
 Attleborough. They had four children, three of whom are li\ ing, and iu North Attleborough: 
 Mrs. E. E. Barrows. Dr. James R. Foster, and Mrs. W. G. Clark. Dr. Foster died in Septem- 
 ber, 1885. and Mrs. Foster some years previous to that time. [Mrs. Barrows is also dead.] 
 
 NAMES OF KEOULAR PHYSICIAXS NOW PRACTISING IN ATTLEBOROUGH (1887). 
 
 Dr. Edward Sanford, Dr. John R. Bronson. Dr. James R. Foster. Dr. Frederick L. Burden, 
 Dr. George Mackie, Dr. Joseph B. Gerould, Dr. Thomas P. McDonough. Dr. Henry S. Kilby, 
 Dr. Herbert C. Bullard, Dr. Charles S. Holden, Dr. George K. Roberts, Dr. J. W. Batteishall, 
 Dr. Arthur V. Rounds, Dr. Laura V. GJ. Mackie. Dr. Mary W. Battershall. 
 
 Edward Sanford was l)orn in Raynham, this State, iu 1825. He was educated partly at 
 Bristol Academy, Taunton, and partly by private instructors. He graduated at the Harvard 
 Medical School in 1852 and during the same year came to this town and commenced the practice 
 , of medicine in the East village. In 1S5() he visited Europe for the combined purposes of study 
 and travel and since that time has continued to practise here uninterruptedly. He is the oldest 
 practitioner in town, the oldest of the three leading practitioners of his day here, as he pre- 
 ceded both Dr. Foster and Dr. Bronson by a few years. He has reached a high stand in his 
 profession, especially in the school he adopted — the homoeopathic. 
 
 In 1855 he married Olive A. Thompson, daughter of Archibald Thompson, then of this town. 
 Their children are: John A., Caroline E., who married Dr. Charles S. Holden, now of this 
 town, and Mary AV., who married Dr. W. L. Elliot, also of this town, in the practice of 
 dentistry. Mrs. Sanford died July IS, 1887.1 
 
 Joiix R. Bronson was born in Middleborough. Conn. His medical education he obtained 
 at the Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, this State. In 1852 he came to Pawtucket, then 
 in Massachusetts, where he remained in practice for four years. In 1856 he came to East Attle- 
 borough and settled. In the spring of 1862 he went south as a surgeon iu the Union army. 
 He had charge at first of the Union Hospital at Williamsburg and later of the one at Fortress 
 Monroe for some months. Since then, until within the past few years, he continued his pro- 
 lessioual labors iu this and adjoining towns without interruption. He had for many years a 
 large practice which extended over a radius of fifteen or twenty miles. His is the old school 
 of practice, and he has always been a reliable and successful physician. Owing to the state of 
 his health he has relinquished a large portion of his practice, but continues to be, as he always 
 has been, actively interested iu all matters pertaining to the welfare of the town. He was one 
 of the most ardent opposers of division. He was at one time connected iu business with the 
 late William D. Wilmarth. 
 
 1 July 3, ls89, Dr. Sanford was married to Miss Irene Fuller, of Washington, D. C. Her father was 
 the late Pliny B. Fuller, of this town, son of Mr. Zelotes Fuller. 
 
644 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 He married Kate "Wheelock, daughter of Godfrey Wheelock, formerly of this town. Their 
 only living children are two daughters, Emma and Kate Louise Bronson. 
 
 Dr. James M. iSoLOMON, well known as the " Indian Doctor," has for many years been a 
 resident in the east part of the town and has had a large practice in his specialties, —medicines 
 prepared from roots and herbs, after his own receipts. He had an office at one time on Benefit 
 Street, Providence. R. I. 
 
 Two of Dr. Solomon's sons, James M., Jr.,i and William B., are also practising after the same 
 methods. [Dr. Solomon, Sr., has since died.] 
 
 NAMES OF LAWYERS IN ATTLEBOROUGII. 
 
 Everett Bolkcom, — a native of this town, and so far as known, the tirst of his profession 
 here — must have commenced his practice about l,s-20. in the east part of the town. He died 
 in 1823. About the same time Ezra Bassett practised this profession here for a short time, 
 residing in the same part of the town. Next in point of time was John Daggett, the author 
 of this work, who continued in practice in East Attleborough, about fifty years. Simeon E. 
 Bovven was for many years a successful practitioner of the law in North Attleborough. 
 J. Sanford was there also for some years, but finally removed from town. James Brown, and 
 E. P. Brown resided and practised in that part of the town for some time. The former is now 
 in Taunton ; — the latter removed to Boston. 
 
 The lawyers at present practising in town are Joseph E. Pond, Jr., Frederic B. Byram, 
 Chester A. Reed, A. E. Bragg, in North Attleborough, and George A. Adams, Frank I. Bab- 
 cock, and Philip E. Brady, in East Attleborough, 1S87. 
 
 For many years the inhatntants of the western and southern portions of the town have lived 
 with a fair degree of health and material prosperity, without either a resident physician or 
 lawyer. 
 
 POSTMASTERS IN ATTLEBOROUGH IN 1887. 
 
 Burrill Porter, Jr.. North Attleborough; Philip E. Brady, East Attlelwrough : Frank W. 
 Miller, South Attleborough; William H. Smith, Dodgeville; Byron R. Hill, Hebronville; 
 W. A. Vickery, Briggs' Corner; James B. Parsons, Attleborough Falls. 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 At the time of its incorporation the town contained upwards of thirty families, which, if 
 we assumed only six as the number in each family (which is probably too low for that period) 
 would make one hundred and eighty inhabitants. 
 
 In 1790 the number of inhabitants was 2,16() 
 
 In 1800 „ „ ,, 2,480 
 
 In ISIO „ „ „ 2,710 
 
 In 1820 „ ,. , 3,055 
 
 In 1830 „ „ „ 3,215 
 
 This latter number was exclusive of twelve families, containing about fifty persons, which, 
 subsequent to 1820, were set off to Wrentham, by the establishment of a new boundary line 
 between the towns, or rather, by restoring it to the original line. 
 
 J Dr. Solomon has an establishment at 75 Court Street, Boston, called the Botanical Institute. 
 Within a few years he has purchased the old Noali or Arza Blandlng farm on the " Ridge Hill road," 
 where lie contemplates having a large sanitarium with park grounds. The oM house has been 
 repaired, new barns built, considerable ground cleared, whose stones have been utilized in luiikling 
 massive walls, a fine entrance drive has been started, a greenhouse erected, and much accomplished 
 in other ways toward improving the place. The foundations of the sanitarium are already laid. 
 Near by there is a clear spring whose waters, it is said, contain some medicinal qualities beneficial 
 in certain classes of ilisease. Be that as it may, the spot is capable of being made attractive to 
 invalids, for its surface is well diversified with little hills, giving pretty views in all directions; .and 
 the quiet of real country with pure air and pleasant surroundings can but prove advantageous. 
 This portion of the town has always had a rather barren and unsightly aspect, intensified by the 
 continued neglect of many years. It is therefore with interest that people watch tlie progress of 
 the projected plans for redeeming some of these waste lands and beautifying a sterile region. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 645 
 
 A TABLE OF THE POPULATION OF THIS TOWN IN 1830, WITH THE DIFFERENT AGES, ETC. 
 
 Under 5. 5-10. 10-15. 15-20. 20-30. 30-40. 40-50. 50-60. 60-70. 70-80. S0-90.Colored. 
 
 Males 198 162 163 170 233 189 142 82 70 31 8 9 
 
 Females 209 182 186 204 356 231 151 115 75 32 15 2 
 
 Whole number of females 1 75§ 
 
 » V males 1^457 
 
 Excess of females over males 3q1 
 
 Number of iuhabitants in Bristol County 49,592 
 
 ,, ,, Massachusetts 610,408 
 
 ,, white males in „ 294,685 
 
 ,, colored males in ,, 3 ^qq 
 
 white females in ,, 3()§ g^^ 
 
 colored 
 
 3,685 
 
 Total males in Massachusetts 298 045 
 
 ,, females in ,, 3J2 359 
 
 Excess of females in Massachusetts 14 3J4 
 
 NUMBER OF INHABITANTS LN UNITED STATES. 
 
 Males, white and colored, in 1830 g 501 499 
 
 Females „ „ 1S30 6!.333',481 
 
 Excess of males 287 928 
 
 Total 12.854.890 
 
 Seamen, etc U 13q 
 
 Total population of United States 12,866,020 
 
 Population of United States in 1880 50.1.55.783 
 
 ,, Massachusetts in 1880 1 733 035 
 
 ,, Bristol County in 1880 139,040 
 
 ,, Attleborough in 1880 XI 110 
 
 The increase in the population of the country in the fifty years between 1830 and 1880 was 
 nearly fourfold; in the State nearly threefold; in the county nearly threefold; — over two and 
 four fifths — and in the town, over threefold, — nearly three and one half. 
 
 The whole area of the town, according to the survey ordered by the Legislature, is twenty- 
 nine thousand acres ; liy valuation twenty-six thousand, — actual valuation twenty-six thousand, 
 two hundred and eighty-three. When Attleborough included Cumberland, it must have con- 
 tained nearly sixty thousand acres. 
 
 Number acres of woodland about 1830 2 158 
 
 „ ,, ,, fresh meadow about 1830 \,''iQl 
 
 !5 ,, ,, tillage lands ,, ,, including orchards 1,205 
 
 ,, ,, ,, pasture lands 4,703 
 
 „ „ ,, unimproved and unimprovable 1 land 12,740 
 
 ,, ,, covered with water 3gQ 
 
 ,, of dwelling-houses about 1830 409 
 
 „ „ barns 345 
 
 tan-houses 
 
 1 
 
 shops 28 
 
 stores 
 
 12 
 
 grist-mills 3 
 
 saw-mills 7 
 
 cotton factories 
 
 8 
 
 iThis is a large estimate, doubtless more than truth will warrant. There is strictly but little land 
 in this town which is absolutely unimprovable for purposes of agriculture, for tillage or grazing. 
 There is, however, a large quantity which is not actually under constant cultivation; but there is only 
 a small proportion of this which is not occasionally cultivated. 
 
646 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 These last coutuiaed about 13,000 spindles, and 350 power looms. There are now iu town 
 four cotton factories; three of these together ha\ie 52,008 spindles, and 1.168 looms; the fourth 
 — where cotton yarns are made — has 5,040 spindles. 
 
 The uunilier of shops has doubtless more than doubled, but the exact figures would give no 
 adequate conception of the increase of manufacturing, as the space occupied by the buildings 
 has been enlarged out of all proportion to the number erected. In 1886 the number of dwelling- 
 houses was 2,115, but the number of barns has not probably increased proportionally; the 
 number of tan-houses remains the same; grist and saw-mills have decreased in number, and 
 stores have probably increased to six or seven times the number above mentioned. 
 
 The following table, partially a repetition, shows the increase in the pojjulation of the town, 
 for each ten years, from the first United States census iu 1790 to the year 1880. 
 
 In 1790 2.160 In 1840 3,585 
 
 1800 2.480 1850 4,200 
 
 1810 2.71C 1860 0.047 
 
 1820 3.055 1870 6.709 
 
 1830 3,215 1880 11,110 
 
 Population of Bristol County in 1885 158.491 
 
 Whole number of voters „ , 33,036 
 
 Population of Attleborough in 1885 13,175 
 
 Whole number of voters ,, ,, 3,049 
 
 Number of polls (male) in 1880 3.253 
 
 „ (female) in 1886 1 81 
 
 Total „ ,. ., 3.334 
 
 Valuation of real estate iu 1886 §4.945.357.00 
 
 ,, ,. personal [iropertx- in 1886 1.511,242.00 
 
 Total $6,456,599.00 
 
 These figures show an increase of twelve hundred thousand dollars in four years on the total 
 valuation. 
 
 The last report of the selectmen, assessors, etc.. of the old " Town of Attleborough." 
 was for the year ending July 31. 1887, the time of the division. A few of its figures are gi^■eu. 
 
 Valuation of real estate. Xorth District 82,464,925.00 
 
 „ „ „ East ,. 2.040,370.00 
 
 ,. „ „ South , 617,980.00 
 
 Total value of real estate §5,123,275.00 
 
 Valuation of personal estate, Xoi-th District $760,300.00 
 
 „ „ „ „ East 700,555.00 
 
 „ „ „ „ South „ 182.210.00 
 
 Total value personal estate §1.643.065.00 
 
 Total valuation May 1, 1887 §6,766,340.00 
 
 „ number of polls, (males,) 3,360 
 
 „ ,, „ „ (females,) 30 
 
 Number of horses 1,066 
 
 ,, „ cows 1-041 
 
 ,, ,, sheep 26 
 
 ,, ,, other neat cattle 207 
 
 ,, ,, swine 113 
 
 „ „ dwelling-houses 2,214 
 
 „ acres of land 26.283 
 
 'The number of females who regibterecl. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 647 
 
 Total v;iluatiou of land $1,690,002.00 
 
 " buildings 3,432,u73.00 
 
 $5,123,275.00 
 
 Tax raised ou real and personal estate $115,741.32 
 
 Polls 6.735.00 
 
 Overlay 6.052.80 
 
 Total $128,529.12 
 
 North District $61,046.05 
 
 East District .52,3S3.65 
 
 South District 15,099.42 
 
 Total $12S,.529.12 
 
 Rate eighteen dollars \)er thousand. 
 
 The selectmen of the two towns together agreed upon the following division of the assets 
 and liabilities of the old town, and the apportionment of the town debt. 
 
 School property in town of Attleborough, Total valuation $92,863.00 
 
 Other property 7.883.00 
 
 Total $100,746.00 
 
 School property in town of North Attleltorough. Total valuation $79,689.00 
 
 Other property 1,735.00 
 
 Total $81,424.00 
 
 Total appraised assets $182,170.00 
 
 Cash assets 136.227.36 
 
 Total $318..397.36 
 
 Uncollected taxes $37,013.03 
 
 Due on Pauper account 977.91 
 
 $37,990.94 
 
 Liabilities $232,349.10 
 
 Valuation of Attleborough $3,077..524.00 
 
 ,, ,, North Attleborough 3,379.075.00 
 
 Total „ ,, both towns $6,456,599.00 
 
 Proportion of Attleborough's liabilities $110,748.69 
 
 Proportion of North Attleborough's liabilities 121.600.41 
 
 Total $232,349.10 
 
 Attleborough's proportion of appraised assets $86,830.94 
 
 Attleborough's proportion of cash assets 64,932.48 
 
 Total $151,763.42 
 
 North Attleborough's pi'oportion of appraised assets $95..339.06 
 
 North Attleborough's proportion of cash assets 71.294.88 
 
 Total $166,633.94 
 
 Appraised property in Attleborough $100,746.00 
 
 Attleborough's proportion of total appraised property 86,830.94 
 
 Excess of appraised property in Attleborough $13,915.06 
 
 Amount of undivided assets $37,990.94 
 
648 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 STATEMENT. 
 
 Town of Attleborough in account with the Town of North Attlcborou,^dl. 
 
 Dr. 
 
 To North Attleborough' s proportion of liabilities $121,600.41 
 
 Cash, A. E. Codding, Treasurer 20,809.15 
 
 Pauper account 592.91 
 
 $143,002.47 
 Cr. 
 
 By excess of appraised property $13,915.06 
 
 Proportion of cash assets 71.294.88 
 
 Cash 305.05 
 
 Amount due from North Attleborough to balance account 57,487.48 
 
 $143,002.47 
 Signed 
 
 C. T. Guild, 
 Frank I. Babcock, 
 G. B. Draper, 
 S. P. Lathrop, 
 Stephen Stanley, 
 Daniel H. Smith. 
 BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. 
 
 For the year ending in March, 1887, there were 357 births. Of these 194 were males and 163 
 were females. There were 113 of foreign parentage; 151 by foreign father; 144 by foreign 
 mother; 98 of Irish parents; 88 of Canadian parents; 34 of English parents; 31 of German 
 parents; 5 of colored parents, and 1 pair of twins. The greatest number of births in any 
 month was in October, when there -were 35. 
 
 From January 1, 1887, to the time of the division there were 139 deaths. In January, 21; 
 February, 26; March, 20; April, 16; May, 20; June, 13; July, 23. Several of these were 
 unknown persons. During the entire year — from January 1 to December 31, 1887 — there 
 were 205 deaths reported. Pneumonia, consumption, and apoplexy were the diseases which 
 caused the greatest number of deaths, and from these there were 22, 19, and 13 respectively. 
 Among the forty or more diseases represented in the health report for that year, diphtheria 
 was wanting — the first time its omission had been possible since the establishment of a board 
 of health in town. 
 
 The number of marriages from January 1 to August 1 was 79. In January there were 12; 
 in February, 13; in 3Iarch, 8; in April, 12; in May, 14; in June, 13; in July, 7. Quite a num- 
 ber of the brides and grooms were in these instances married for the second time, and in one 
 case it was for each the third time. The ages ranged from 17 years, the age of the youngest 
 bride, to 53 years, that of the oldest groom. 
 
 Records of the nature of those just given have been kept for only a few years with any 
 degree of regularity or exactness; but if the birth statistics of this time could be compared 
 with those of fifty years ago they would no doubt show a startling increase in the proportion- 
 ate number of those of foreign or mixed parentage. Should this increase continue in the 
 same ratio during the coming fifty years, what will be the result? The speculative question 
 Who will the inhabitants of our town or two towns be? very naturally arises, and it asserts 
 itself for the entire land equally — Who or what will the Amerioan nation then be? 
 
HISTORY OF AirLEBOBOUGH. 649 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 AS has been seen by the ancient records, there were frequent disputes in 
 the earl}^ days over boundary lines. One of these which lasted for 
 many years was that between the colonies of Massachusetts and Plymouth. 
 
 The first commission appointed to ascertain the line was in 1640. William 
 Bradford and Governor Edward Winslow acted for Plymouth, and John 
 Endicott and Israel Stoughton for Massachusetts. They agreed upon the 
 line as follows: From the mouth of ''Bound Brook" (so named by them) 
 with a direct line to " Accord Pond " (also so named) lying five or six miles 
 from Weymouth, and from there in a straight line to a point three miles 
 south from the southernmost point of Charles River. According to the 
 author in his first edition these commissioners " commenced near the shore 
 at a rock called Bound Rock in the middle of Accord Pond, which is in the 
 line between Scituate and Cohasset, (once part of Hingham) intending to 
 reach by a straight line the most northerly point of Plymouth Colony, on the 
 easterly line of R. Island ; but when they had arrived within about three 
 miles they discovered that their course would carry them far to the South of 
 the intended point. Instead of rectifying the whole line (as they should 
 have done) they made an angle and took a new course so far north as to 
 reach the true point." This was the cause of dispute, and from this time 
 the controversy continued. The line was run five or six times. In 1664 
 there was an attempt to restore the true line, the commissioners tlieu 
 appointed agreeing that the previous one was incorrect because it was 
 " wholly within Plymouth lands." This angle line took a large tract of 
 land, including a part of Norton, Mansfield, and Wrentham, from Plymouth, 
 or Old Colony. 
 
 The report of the commissioners who attempted to make the restoration in 
 1664 may prove of interest to some and is therefore given : — 
 
 Whereas the General Courts of the Colonies of Massachusetts and New Plymouth, in New 
 England, did, (in order to the settlemeut of the bouud line betwixt the said Colonies, that is, 
 so much thereof as is hitherto undetermined) order, depute, and impower us, whose names are 
 hereunto subscribed for the effecting thereof, as by that act of theirs recorded in the records of 
 the respective Courts in each Colony may more fully appear, wee, the persons so intrusted and 
 impowered, in pursuance of the service aforesaid, being all assembled at Dedham the 9th of 
 the 3<i month, commonly called May, anno 1664, did the day next ensuing travel together into 
 the woods for the discovery of the Southernmost part of Charles River, which having found 
 out. partly by our own view, and partly by the satisfying report of those present with us, 
 (that had labored therein) we all mutually agreed upon the first station. Having measured 
 three miles southerly of the southernmost part of the said River, we marked a tree, and from 
 
650 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 thence a west line to Neetmock Eiver. wliuli Ijy estimation, wee judged to lie about five miles, 
 in whieli line we went on the north side of a great pond, over a small parcel of coarse meadow, 
 and on the southerly of whicli pond is an Indian plantation called by them Seenechecouet. and 
 at the said Neetmock River we marked a black oak tree on four sides viz. with a M. L. ou the 
 north side and a P. on the south side, and several letters under each of these, and on the east 
 we set in figures the date of the present year. 
 
 This tree so marked standeth on tlie side of a hill, over against which lieth, on the west 
 side of the river, the north end of a parcel of coarse meadow; and having marked divers trees 
 in this line, from theuce we came back about three miles and u half past the tree first named 
 to that station, which is east of this west line, where wee marked a white oak, in a plain full 
 of trees, in the same manner we had marked the ti-ees by the river aforesaid, at which place 
 wee made au angle, and began an east northeast line to come to Accord Pond, in following 
 of which we were cast more than half a mile to the southward of the middle of said pond 
 (the bounds formerly settled) for the rectifying whereof wee having found the middle of said 
 pond, wee marked there a black tree, as the trees formerly mentioned, which (with) letters and 
 the date of the year, and so returned west southwest, southerly by marked trees, in that line 
 up to a footpath that goeth from Weimouth to Bridgewater, ou each side of svhich path, iu the 
 line, wee erected a heap of stones, and so thence to a maple tree, by a swamp side that brancheth 
 to the north, and at a cart path that goeth from Braintree to Bridgewater, wee ended that line 
 at a heap of stones on the west side of the path, and a great marked stake on the east ; fynally, 
 wee agreed that the line stretched from Accord Pond, upon such a course, and so marked, and 
 so as above said, to the White-oak Angle Tree before mentioned; and from that oak Westerly 
 to Neetmock River, as is before described, is and shall be accounted and reputed the true and 
 settled bound line betwixt the Colonies of the Massachusetts and New Plymouth, and that the 
 line by us first drawn and marked from the said Angle tree to Accord Pond shall not be under- 
 stood to be the line of division, it being wholly within Plymouth lands. The length of the 
 whole line is, by estimation, as wee judged, about 40 miles, according to the line before 
 expressed, unto all which wee, the parties respectively entrusted and empowered, doe, each and 
 every of us. mutually agree, concur and do hereby declare it to be our full and final determi- 
 nation, concerning the premises. 
 
 In witness whereof wee have hereunto set our hands and seals the lT"i of the o^ mo. Kili-t. 
 
 Robert Studson. Seal. 
 
 Constant Southworth. Seal. 
 
 Jos. Winslow. L. S. 
 
 Joshua Fisher. L. S. 
 
 Roger Clap. L. S. 
 
 Elea : Lusher. L. S. 
 
 These names are elsewhere given as Robert Stetson, Constant Southworth. Josias Win>low, 
 Jos. Fisher, Roger Clap. Eleazcr Luslier. The latter are doubtless correct. 
 
 The controversy which followed the laving of the erroneous line was 
 carried on at great expense. Taunton North Purchase and Rehoboth North 
 Purchase united in trying to rectify tbe line, but Massachusetts held them 
 strictly to the compact of 1660, though the error was evident. 
 
 Upon one occasion when the line was being redrawn it was ordered by one 
 of the counties " that the treasurer of the County pay unto Capt. Wtu. 
 Hudson, out of the next levy, the sum of nineteen pounds, which was 
 expended by the deputies on their invitation of the Hon. Comiuissioiiers at a 
 dinner at his house," etc. How many partook of this dinner is not recorded, 
 but the commissioners frequently numbered only four or six, and the price 
 paid would seem to indicate that the meal ought to have been a most excel- 
 lent one. The precedent of dining at public expense is evidently a long- 
 
Angle Tree Monument, Eri-xted it90. Noinii Side. 
 
HISrOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 651 
 
 established one. For more than a hundred years this war of boundaries 
 continued to be waged, and many commissions were chosen during that time. 
 In 1751 a petition was drawn up and presented to the General Court, praying 
 them to run the Colony line from Accord Pond to a stake, as it was said, set 
 up by Nathaniel Woodward and Solomon Suffrey. Committees were chosen 
 from the various towns interested. Colonel Thomas Boweu, Major John 
 Foster, and Captain Samuel Tyler represented this town at first in the matter, 
 others being chosen later. The proprietors of Dorchester and Stoughton 
 chose Robert Speer, Fsq., Mr. James Foster, and Samuel Blake, and these 
 with committees from Norton, Haston, and Wrentham drew up the petition 
 and a reply, which they presented to the Honorable Board. This having 
 been done, it was voted by that body to grant a hearing to all the parties 
 concerned. On the ninth of January, 1752, they " were admitted, and heard 
 by council for and against the petition, and then withdrew, and the Hon' 
 Board after some debate thereon voted almost to a man to dismiss this peti- 
 tion, and sent the vote taken to the Hon' House for concurrence, who also 
 voted a hearing & on the 11"^ day of January the parties were admitted and 
 heard by council, and the House after a large debate voted to dismiss their 
 petition also, by a very clear and full vote, which was a very mortifyincr 
 stroke to the Petitioners, they being very sure of having their petition 
 granted." ' The petitioners being from Plymouth Colony were in the right, 
 but the other side were highly gratified at this decision, as they had no desire 
 to give up the disputed tract, even though it was not originallv a part of 
 their county or colony. 
 
 Finally, prior to 1790, the matter seems to have been pretty thoroughly 
 adjusted, though subsequent to 1S20 twelve families were set off from Attle- 
 borough to Wrentham by the establishment of a new boundary line or rather 
 in reality by then restoring the true ancient one. This last is now the line 
 betw^een the towns of Wrentham and Attleborough and the counties of 
 Norfolk and Bristol. 
 
 At this '-Angle Tree" station a stone monument was erected by the 
 authority of the Legislature undei- the direction of Attleborough and 
 Wrentham. This stone is about fourteen feet in height and two feet in 
 width and of great weight. Upon it is the following inscription. On the 
 north side is written "Massachusetts Colony," and on the south side 
 "Plymouth Colony." 
 
 This Monuiueut l)y order of Goveniment to perpetuate the place on which the late Station 
 or Angle Tree formerly stood. 
 
 The Commissioners appointed by the old Colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts to run 
 and establish this line in 1064. were llobert Stetson, Constant Southworth, Josias Winslow, 
 Jos. Fisher, Roger Clap and Eleazer Lusher. They l>egan this work the 10th of 3Iay the same 
 
 ' See Blake's Anuals. 
 
652 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 year, and marked a tree then staudiuy on tbi.s spot, it l»eing three miles south of the southern- 
 most part of Charles River. 
 
 Lemuel Kolloek, Esq. was appointed A.iient to cause this monument to be erei-ted. — By 
 order ot the General Court. 
 
 The Selectmen of the towns of Wrenthani and Attlehorough were present, viz. Elisha May, 
 Ebenr. Tyler, and Caleb Rit-hardson, Esqrs. of Attleborough ; and Samuel Fisher. John AVhit- 
 ing, Xathan Hawes, Nathan Comstock, and Nathaniel Ware of Wrentham. 
 
 Fj-om this Stone the line is East 20 Degrees and a half North to Accord Pond. 
 
 Done at Wrentham, Nov. 2!)th, 1790, by Samuel Fisher & Sou. 
 
 As has been stated, the line from this stone is east, twent_y degrees and a 
 half north, to Bound Brook in the center of Accord Pond, so named on 
 account of the agreement or accord of the commissioners made at that place. 
 In running easterly the report states that they came out considerably to the 
 soutli of the true line. This point should have been on tlie easterly side of 
 the Blaekstone, where the Massachusetts line crosses that river, for that was 
 tlie northwest corner of the Old Colony. The line between the colonies was 
 a straight line forty miles long, and the true line was coincident with the 
 jurisdiction of Chicatawbat on the north and Massasoit on the south. Of 
 course the lines between the territories of the natives were not definitely 
 fixed, only the initial and terminal points ; they were not surveyed by the 
 compass and chain ; no artificial bounds were erected, no iron or stone mon- 
 uments ; but some natural sign was taken, such as rivers, ponds, hills, or large 
 rocks ; and no marks were made to indicate the location of the boundaries 
 between two given points. Our surveyors ran a conjectural or experimental 
 course and so came out too far west or below the real point. But without 
 doubt the line w^as intended to include all the domain of the Pockanoket 
 tribe. It is well known that Philip claimed a part of the territory of what is 
 now Wrentham, and his claim was allowed and purchased by the proprietors 
 of Dedham in 1662.1 At one time the line ran over a hill about two miles 
 from the present line between the towns, called "-Line Hill." This matter 
 is of no importance at the present time but may possess some interest as a 
 historical curiosity. 
 
 The following may also possess the same kind of interest : — 
 The commissioners who were appointed by his Majesty in 1664 passed the 
 foUowino- order respecting the boundary between Rhode Island and Plymouth 
 Colonies, a part of wliich was the west line of the Rehoboth North Purchase. 
 
 To the Great and Ucneral Assembly of Plymouth, and also of Bhode Island and 
 Providence Plantations. 
 
 By the power given us by his Majesty's Commission under his great seal of England, and 
 directed by his Majesty's instructions to make a temporary settlement of the bounds claimed by 
 any Colon v. of which we can make no final judgment by consent of parties, that the peace of 
 the<-ountry may be preserved, till his Majesty's judgment and determination of their bounds 
 be laiown. 
 
 We Ohdri: and Declare, the salt water ti. divide the main land and Rhode Island from 
 
 See History of Dedliam, by Manu. I'.ouu. of Wrentliam.etc. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOItOUCiH. 653 
 
 Secouet Eoeks northward to the point of the main land which [is] next over against Mount Hope 
 point to the said Mount Hope point, not touching upon Rhode Ishmd, and so another right line 
 from Mt. Hope point to the next point upon the main land, and so from point to point and from 
 the last point a right line to the River's mouth called Seakonke, and up said river called Sea- 
 conke l>elow and Pautucket above till it meets with the Massachusetts line, to be the present 
 bounds between his Majesty's colony of Plymouth and Rhode Island, till his Majesty's pleasure 
 be further known concerning them. And we desire each colony to give the reasons of their 
 pretences and a draught of their country according to their charters that we may give his 
 Majesty true information of them, which we promise to do. 
 Given under our hands and seals at Xewport on Rhode Island March the 7* 1064. 
 
 Robert Carr (Seal) 
 
 George Cartwright (Seal) 
 Sanuiel Maverick (Seal) 
 A true copy examined with the original, 
 
 Per J. Willard, Sec'ij. 
 
 The following is taken from the Massachn.^ietts Historical Papers for 
 October, I86M.1 This extract is only another proof of the troublesome 
 nature of all boundary lines. Like the two preceding accounts it is of uo 
 importance, though it especially refers to our township's early grants ; but its 
 quaint diction and curious, old-fashioned spelling cannot fail to inake it 
 interesting in the eyes of many. The report of the committee is as follows : 
 
 Whearas the Great and Generall Court or Asseml>le held at Boston tfeb: 27: 109-1: in the 
 sixth year of their Majesty's Reign did appoynt us the Subscribers to be a Committe to Vew 
 the gruunts and Olaimes of the Town of Rehoboth, and the Line of the north purchase, or 
 Town of Attleborough and of one Mile and halfe of Land on the northerly side of said Reholioth 
 and make description of said Lines Clamed by Each : and Report to the next Generall Assemble 
 as by order of the Assemble may appear 
 
 In obedience to and in pursuance of sd order Wee haue here underneath Represented the 
 Line between the Collonys of Masathusets and Plymouth by the double Line A. B. C. D. and E, 
 and haue Caused a Line to be run and measured from the Letter C at the heap of stones by the 
 Road on ten mile hill to the Letter P, being the north Line of Rehoboth Ancient Township: 
 the Chain being caried by one for Rehoboth and one for Attleborough, and the distance is found 
 to be five mile one quarter and 48 rod as per the platt, and from the said P to F three miles and 
 halfe and 14 Rod, these Lines being given we Represent the Ancient Town of Rehoboth of 
 eaight 3Iile square by the Letters F. G. H. I. uextly we Represent the graunt of Attlel>orough 
 of Eaight Mile and ten Mile by the Letters A: N. F: and K, and by the prick line to M: and 
 thence by the prick line to E, and by the Collony Line Thence to the Letter A 
 
 Rehoboth Genllemen by Vertue of a deed bearing date March the 6«': KiS^ and sined 
 Thomas Hinckley Governor and sealed with the Collony seal) Clame all the Land between the 
 Collony Line potucket River, their Eaight Mile or ould Township and the line lettered G and 
 D : to belong as Township to them : 
 
 And the Gentlemen of Attleborough presented to us their Graunt from the Generall Court 
 which is before described by the Lines Lettered A. X. N. K. M. and E : 
 
 But perticulerly as to the mile and halfe described by the Line Lettered N and O: and 
 thence East by the prick Line Rehoboth Geuim produce no perticuler originall graunt thereof 
 distinct from the rest of the north purchase, but present evidence upon oath that the Mile and 
 halfe was perticulerly given to said Town before they made purchase of the north Lands, 
 though all Comprehended in one deed bearing date Aprill 10 : 10(30 without distinction of gift 
 and sale; and they produce a Citation of the graunt of a Mile and halfe of Land given to the 
 said Town as an in Largemeut to said Town of Rehoboth which bears date October 27: 1670. 
 
 1 A comnumication from C. K. WUliams, P:sq., Itutlaucl, Vt. 
 
654 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Aud They nho produce a Town order bearing date Noveiul)er the S>h : 1670, which saves in 
 the>(; words At a Town Meeting Lawfully warned It was Voted aud Agreed upon that the 
 Milo and halfe given to the Town for in Largenient the Line should he forthwith Run between 
 the North purchase and that Land: And in another order bearing date November 28: IGTO in 
 these worils It was also Voted aud agreed upon that Lcut Hunt aud Ensign Smith Nicholas 
 Peck and William : Carpenter should run the Line betwixt the Mile and halfe and the other 
 North Land : And the said Cap' Nicholas Peck aud M^ William Carpenter being yet Living do 
 atferm. That within a few dayes after said Last date they the whole Committe did Hun the 
 Line from N to O, which by the plat is aboue five Mile but Run the Line no further by Reason 
 of the then badness of weather. 
 Rehoboth May 7* 1695 John Brown \ 
 
 Thomas Leonard > Coraittee. 
 
 Sam" rtisher i 
 
 Following this report or explanation was the " platt " made by this committee. 
 
 In the winter aud spring of 1816, this town was visited by the most fatal 
 siclvness ever known in these parts. It extended to several other adjoining 
 towns, but did not prove so fatal as here. It swept off in the short space of 
 ninety days about one hundred inhabitants, a large proportion of them heads 
 of families and many of them the most useful and respected citizens of the 
 town. It was commonly called the cold plague. "From physicians it 
 received various names, but it was probably a species of typhus fever, of 
 a peculiarly malignant type." It prevailed " in nearly all parts of the town, 
 and committed its ravages apparently without discrimination among both 
 sexes, and among the respectable, the industiions, the temperate and the 
 athletic, as well as those of a different character." Its attacks were often 
 sudden, " its progress rapid, and its termination fatal, generally performing 
 its whole work in from three to seven days, and baffling the most eminent 
 medical skill." Very few who were attacked with it recovered. *•' It excited 
 great alarm, and it was difficult to procure assistance to pay proper attention 
 to the sick or the dead. No satisfactory causes were ever assigned for its 
 appearance. It was unquestionably atmospheric in its origin ; but no exact 
 observations concerning the peculiar circumstances of the seasons or the 
 localities were recorded to guide the investigator. It was not contagious in 
 the common meaning of the term. Some nurses took the disease, but gen- 
 erally they were no more affected than others. In some localities aud under 
 some circumstances, the causes of the epidemic seemed to be attracted and 
 concentrated with more intensity than in others ; and if a person, in a con- 
 dition to receive the disease, remained in such a place, he was likely to be 
 affected. In this respect it was not unlike mauy other epidemics." No 
 disease of the same kind has ever been known here either before or since 
 that time. 
 
 In 1832 typhus fever appeared at the Falls, but it was confined to two 
 houses, and of the fifteen persons who were sick but one died. The water 
 had at that time been drawn off from the marshes in that village, "and the 
 peculiar exhalations which arose were supposed to have been the cause of 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 655 
 
 the disease." "In the suinnier and autumn of 183i), an epidemic of a 
 typhoid character, sometimes accompanied with pneumonia, occui-red on the 
 road leading from Wrentham to East Attleborongh. It commenced near 
 the northern line of the town, and extended southerly about three miles to 
 within a mile of East Attleborongh, and northerly into Wrentham, and was 
 confined entirely to the road." Eight in a family of nine had the fever, and 
 one died ; " and of 20 families scarcely one escaped being affected." There 
 were few fatal cases and the rest of the town was healthy. In 1840 a more 
 malignant type of the same fever appeared in Dodgeville and lasted from 
 July until November. In thirty cases there were four deaths. 
 
 No bills of mortality were regularly kept in the town until recently, and 
 the average age of the inhabitants in any given period cannot therefore be 
 obtained. 
 
 There have been several instances of very long lives. Deacon Elkanah 
 Wilmarth died at the age of ninety-nine years and seven months. Mary 
 Freeman, relict of Jonathan (or John) Freeman, died March 4, 1762, aged 
 about one hundred years. Widow Sarah Clatlin, relict of Antipas Clatlin, 
 died in September, 1777, supposed to be one hundred years and six months 
 old. Captain Samuel Robinson lived to approach very near the age of one 
 hundred. Zephaniah Robinson also reached a very advanced age. 
 
 John Shepard, " the Ancient," died in this town in 1809, at the extreme 
 age of one hundred and live years. His father was Jacob Shepard, who 
 came to Foxborough about 1703, having purchased some four or five hun- 
 dred acres of land there from one Captain William Hudson,^ a trader from 
 Boston. The Indian name of the place was Mamanteepett. A large natural 
 pond on this tract was named for him and is still called " Shepard's Pond." 
 Hudson had here a small house which he occasionally occupied. It was very 
 probal)ly what would now be called a hunter's lodge, though he also made it 
 a sort of tavern for the accommodation of such travelers as then passed over 
 the "Bay Road," and to these he was licensed to sell "wine and liquors." 
 He had some trouble with the authorities of the day and sold out to Jacob 
 Shepard. Here John Shepard was born, O. S., February 25, N. S., March 
 7, 1704, probably the first person born in Foxborough, for his father was the 
 first permanent settler of that town. Here he remained for one hundred and 
 three years ; and during that time, without moving from the spot where he was 
 born, he lived in two counties, Suffolk and Norfolk, and in four towns, 
 Dorchester, Stoughton, Wrentham, and Foxborough. 
 
 He was married three times : to the first wife, P^liony Pond, August 24, 
 1726; to the second, Abigail Richardson, August 8, 1728; to the third, 
 Martha Bacon, June 25, 1731. The latter died in Foxborough, April 3, 
 1800, aged ninety-five years. He had one son and several daughters. Two 
 
 ' The same who served a cHuner to the commissioners. 
 
656 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of these lived to be upwards of eight}' \'ears of age, and another, Mrs. Mary 
 Maun, of Wreutham, who died in 1828, lived to be almost niuety-seveu. 
 She retained all her faculties and usual cheerfulness and vivacity till the last 
 fifteen years of her life. She abstained almost wholly from animal food and 
 never was in the habit of drinking tea or coffee and wondered how people 
 could relish either. Htu' most common food was milk. She adhered to the 
 same fashion in dress for eighty years. 
 
 On November 9, 1807, the venerable John Shepard was brought to the 
 house of his grandson, the late Hon. Ebenezer Daggett (father of the 
 author), where he remained until his death. This occurred April 5, 1809, 
 wdien he had reached the remarkably advanced age of one hundred and five 
 years and twenty-nine da3'S. He is interred in the old burying ground 
 nearly opposite his former dwelling in Wrentham. He was a man of pious 
 character, cheerful in disposition, jocose, witty, and of a quick understanding". 
 He retained all his faculties of mind and body, except his eyesight, to the 
 last, and was just able to walk with a little assistance till a few days before 
 his death. He was deprived of his eyesight on a sudden, during the night, 
 and was not himself aware of it until the next morning, when he sought in 
 vain for the light of day. He could distinctly recollect events which had 
 occurred a century before. Many travelers would go miles out of their way 
 to see a centenarian ; strangers often asked permission to look at this singu- 
 lar specimen of human longevity, and for a long time, a year or more l)efore 
 his death, scarce a day passed without a visitor curious to get a sight of 
 this man of more than a century's length of life. 
 
 Rev. James Read preached his century sermon at Foxborough, March 7, 
 1804, and on his hundred and fourth birthday, March 7, 1808, Rev. Nathan 
 Holman preached a sermon before him at the residence of Mr. Daggett. 
 The clergymen in all the neighboring towns were invited to attend this service. 
 The manuscript sermon is still in existence and was in the possession of the 
 author until his death. The text was Proverbs 1(3:31, ''The hoary head 
 is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The con- 
 clusion of this sermon is here quoted : — 
 
 I shall close this discourse in a few words addressed to the aged geutlemau, at whose request 
 I am present this day. 
 
 Respectetl Sir, 
 
 The dealini;s of God with y<ni in some respects, have been peculiar. The age of man is 
 limited to three score years and ten, and there are but few who arrive to that period. But 
 God has kept you alive thirty and four years beyond that period which is uot only the age of 
 man. but fitly termed old age. You have had large and long experience of his goodness and 
 tender mercy. He has preserved, and borne and carried you even to old age and hoary hairs 
 until you are a wonder to many. So far as your knowledge extends you are the last left in this 
 world, of the generation who came on to the stage with you. You have survived a great multi- 
 tude of your age, and of your youngers. Great changes have passed over the world sini'e you 
 have been in it. God has been with you and carried you through scenes of prosperity and 
 adversity. As you hope, he has long shice visited you with the enlightening, renewing, and 
 sanctifying influences of his grace, and inclined you to walk in the way of righteousness. In 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 657 
 
 miiuy iinportaut respects you have beeu distinguished from your fellow-men. The' you may 
 be ready to say with aged Jacob, "Few and evil have the days of the years of thy servant 
 been," yet must you not be constrained to say, that God is good, that He has never left nor for- 
 saken you, that you have found him faithful to his promises. Are you not ready to testify that 
 the consolations of religion are neither few nor small? 
 
 Though you are now old, yet you know not the day of your death. Though you have reason 
 to believe that the time of your departure is not far distant, yet the day and hour you know 
 liot. Study therefore to lie useful while you live. The long and rich experience you have had 
 of the goodness of the Lord, calls for your warmest gratitude, and highest praises. Endeavor 
 to bring forth fruit to his glory even in old age. Give no place to the too common and un- 
 founded opinion that the aged are useless, and burdens to their friends and to the world. You 
 may yet be highly useful. You may glorify God, and recommend the religion of Jesus to the 
 world, by your patience, contentment, thankfulness, and resignation un<ler the evils and 
 infirmities of old age. You are preparetl to give the best of counsel to the young, and that 
 from your own experience and observation, and your prayers may draw down blessings upon 
 the world for ages yet to coine. Endeavor to abound in these duties. Though the aged are 
 not capable of performing the active services of young Christians, yet they have services of 
 equal importance, which they only can perform. It is their province and theirs only to show 
 the happy eflects which religion has in old age. This young Christians cannot do. 
 
 May you still desii-e and strive to be useful in your sphere. May the faithfulness of God 
 lead you still to confide in his promises. May the hope of approaching glory comfort you in all 
 your tribulations, and animate you to fill up the remainder of your days in duty and usefulness. 
 May you enjoy much of the divine presence and with holy Job patiently wait till your change 
 comes. Then may you meet the applause of well done good and faithful servant, enter through 
 the gate into the city, and have access to the tree of life. Amen. 
 
 On July 11, 18S.T, one of tlie early emigrants from tliis town to Harford, 
 Penn., Mrs. Nancy Stanley, was still alive, and on the twenty-third of June 
 preceding she celebrated her ninety-fifth birthday in the city of Chicago, her 
 home. Her father was Laban Capron, of this town, and in the spring of 
 1794, she, then four years old, went with him, her mother, and a brother and 
 sister, to Harford. She married a Ur. Stanley, and on I\Iay 15, 1S35, with 
 her husband and nine children, she left New Miiford, Penn , and went to the 
 then far West, Illinois. They were a little over a month in reaching Downer's 
 Grove, in that State, where they made a permanent home. Upon her uinetv- 
 flfth anniversary she received the congratulations of nearly a thousand 
 people and could then recall even slight incidents connected with her long 
 journey taken fifty years before ; and up to that time she had preserved her 
 faculties to a remarkable degree, her hearing only being slightly impaired. 
 There were living of her family at that date, besides herself, six children, 
 twenty-seven grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren, and one of 
 the fifth generation, making, with herself, sixty-four in all. 
 
 Among the residents of our town who attained to remarkable age was 
 Joseph Carpenter. He was the son of James and Lucy Bliss Carpenter, of 
 Rehoboth, and was born in that town September 8, 1789. He was the grand- 
 sou of Colonel Thomas Carpenter, of Rehoboth, of Revolutionary fame, 
 who was sometimes associated with Colonel John Daggett, of this town, in 
 military enterprises and in a manner which redounded to the credit of both. 
 On February 21, 181:3, he married Nancy Bullock, of his native towu, and 
 
658 ^4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 their iini(jn continued for over sixty-seven years. They had fourteen chil- 
 dren, ten of whom lived to maturity, and seven of whom are now living. 
 Though known for himself to many of the elders among our people, he will 
 be better known to the younger generation if we say he was the father of 
 Mrs. Lucy B. Sweet, " our town poet," who is herself well known to every- 
 body through the columns of the town press, but more especially these many 
 years for her pleasing poems. Mr. Carpenter came to this town about 1850 
 and resided here during the rest of his life. He served in the War of 1812 
 and on his return home made the following entry in his account book, which 
 is still in existence: ''Was paid $11.37 for said service." The length of 
 service is not mentioned, but the sum is not a munificent one, considering the 
 value of the money of that period, even if the time was less than a month. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter was an unusually active man and even to the very end of 
 his life. When past seventy he set out an orchard of apple trees and when 
 rather remonstrated with for this action, on the ground that he would get no 
 good from it. he replied to the effect that those live wisest who think not 
 alone of themselves, but of others, even of the coming generations, saying, 
 "■If I cannot benefit by this apple orchard myself, others can, and one is 
 never too old to commence a good work." When eighty-four he " cradled 
 five acres of rye, and prepared it for liousing." The last twenty years of 
 his life, from 1860 to 1880, he lived on the place formerly owned and occu- 
 pied by Dr. Lemuel Fuller. His mind never lost its activity, and his memory 
 was remarkably retentive. It extended over a period of at least eighty-one 
 years with great distinctness, for he could recall clearly the event of going 
 with his grandfather, the colonel, to Providence in 17!)9, to attend the 
 services held at the time of Washington's death, and he also remembered the 
 intervening events of importance. He died November 12, 1880, aged ninety- 
 one years, two months, and four days. On the day preceding his death his 
 oldest child was sixty-seven years old, and is living still, and his very numer- 
 ous descendants are scattered over many of our States. His funeral services 
 were held at Oldtowu, where he attended church, but he and his wife are 
 buried in the old cemetery of their native town (1887). 
 
 One of the oldest, if not the very oldest living person at present in town, 
 is Mr. Isaac Draper, of South Attleborough. His family is remarkable for 
 numbers, as fourteen lived to mature age. Mr. Draper in July, 1887, became 
 ninety-one years old. All his faculties at that time had been preserved to an 
 extraordinary degree : his eyesight was good, his hearing quick, and his 
 movements were not lacking in vigor or elasticity. His memory was better 
 than that of many persons with half his years, and he exhibited no single 
 sign of extreme old age. He still possessed, unchanged, the old-time courtesy 
 of manner, that gracious gallantry which flatters, without being insincere, 
 and he still retained the same charming and agreeable style of conversing 
 which always distinguished him. At was impossible in his presence to realize 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 659 
 
 his aoe, for there was uothing in his appearance to indicate aught else than 
 a well-preserved man of threescore years and ten. The Editor had an inter- 
 view with him not very long since, which will always be recalled as among 
 the pleasantest of the many gratifying memories connected with the prepara- 
 tion of this book. Mr. Draper is very deeply interested in religious matters, 
 and practicalh^ for he believes that, so long as life is given to a man, so long 
 will certain things be required of him. Age is no excuse, if mind and liealth 
 remain, and, realizing that the duties of religion are of paramount importance, 
 he makes them his chief consideration and performs them in public and in 
 private conscientiously and intelligently. May he live to be at least a hundred 
 years old, a shining example to all around him ! ' 
 
 The town has had in a somewhat literal sense one real son of independence, 
 for Eliphalet Claflin was born here on July 4, 1776. 
 
 In many of the ancient towns of the colonies, there were occasionally 
 found original and eccentric characters, who preferred the wilderness to the 
 more cultivated parts of the country. 
 
 Among the early inhabitants of this town was one Joseph Chaplin, who 
 became a proprietor and a great landholder. He was of respectable 
 descent. He came here from Rowley, Mass., and was a descendant of Rev. 
 Hugh Chaplin, who came over in 1638, and who lived and died in that town. 
 He was a man of peculiar tastes and habits and eccentric in his conduct. 
 He laid out a large quantity of land, in all about seven hundred acres, 
 including the most of that large tract formerly called the " Half -Way 
 Sw'amp," and his other lands were located on the "East Bay Road" and 
 vicinity. His mania seemed to be the acquisition of land, but he could culti- 
 vate only a small portion of his extensive possessions and could derive no 
 profit from the rest. He lived completely alone, a hermit's life, abjuring all 
 society, especially that of the female sex. The cause of this seclusion is 
 not positively known, but tradition says it was the faithlessness of a young 
 lady to whom he was attached in earW life. Chaplin was not morose, but 
 naturally benevolent and kind. He planted several orchards and raised a 
 variety of fruits. He would permit the neighboring women to come and 
 partake of the abundant fruits of his orchards, but was always careful to 
 retire out of sight on the occasion and so remain till they were gone. He 
 kept a large stock of cattle, built his own house, cooked his own food, and 
 made his own clothes. His only companions were a number of large cats, 
 who lived luxuriously on his abundant stores. His name is found on several 
 committees relating to the public lands, of which he was a shareholder, 
 and he was on good terms with his neighbors, so far as an}' intercourse 
 
 1 Ml". Draper died very suddenly, May 14, 1SS9. He had failed physically somewhat, but on the day 
 of his death was as well as usual. His daughter was obliged to leave him at one time, and returning 
 in about three minutes, found him sitting in his easycliair, dead. 
 
660 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 occurred. He died about 1750 at a very advanced age. His property was 
 divided among his heirs-at-law : Jonathan Chaplin ; Elizabeth Chaplin, who 
 married Samuel Searl ; and John Chaplin, all of Rowley, this State. They 
 sold his estate here, and none of them remained in town. 
 
 Joseph Antoine Richaud was an eccentric man, having adopted rather 
 peculiar religious notions. He was a native of France. For what reason 
 he left his native country is not known. It would seem probable, however, 
 that he imbibed sti'ong republican sentiments, and, having bis attention 
 turned to this country by the actions of some of his prominent countrymen, 
 he naturally came here where he could have freedom to indulge in the carry- 
 ing out of his ideas. It is not known that he had any relative in the country 
 or anv acquaintance when he lauded on these shores. He settled down at 
 South Attleborough in the village called '' the city." He lived alone in a 
 small one-story house, in which he kept a variety store, by which he supplied 
 the neighboring farmers with many of the articles needed for family use. 
 He lived to an advanced age. He was said to be of decidedly choleric tem- 
 perament and very peculiar, but he was " warmly attached to republican 
 democracy." He made his will and gave all his property to the school dis- 
 trict in which he lived, provided a certain possible heir did not claim it within 
 a stated time. Portions of it have been appropriated from time to time to 
 the common-school education in that place. About $1,100 still remains of 
 this legacy. Richaud was buried in the ancient burying ground in his neigh- 
 borhood, where the epitaph inscribed on his gravestone — of which he was 
 the author — may still be read. 
 
 The recent death in an adjoining town of Mr. Dan Perry calls to mind 
 the once familiar figure of a former resident here, one whose form and 
 features must at one time have been known to almost every inhabitant of the 
 town. Mr. Perry was born in Rehoboth something over eighty years ago 
 and besides his native town resided in Seekonk, Attleborough, Pawtucket, 
 in the State of Maine, and finally in Mansfield, where he died. His mechan- 
 ical tendencies were inherited from his father, whose family were remarkable 
 in that direction. One of its members was the maker of the bobbins which 
 were used in the first cotton-mill ever started in this country. Mr. Dan 
 Perry learned the trade of a blacksmith, and this doubtless proved of much 
 use to him in the practical working out of his inventions. He followed his 
 trade for a time, but it was not long before his inventive genius asserted 
 itself, and again and again his busy brain evolved the idea and his clever 
 fingers constructed labor-saving machines which made him quite famous. 
 He was the first or among the first to think out and construct a machine for 
 folding papers, and one he invented is still used by the Neto Englayid Farmer. 
 Another machine of his invention made folding ladders ; another turned 
 sword handles. He made butter molds, pails with adhesive hoops, and his 
 was the first apple-parer ever known. Perhaps his best known invention, 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 661 
 
 however, for which he took out the patent while living in this town, was his 
 "Yankee "Water Elevator." Many an overworked, weary housewife has 
 blessed him for its advent and has turned with joy from the ponderous old 
 sweep or wrenching pump to this appliance for economizing time and 
 strength. 
 
 Scores of people will remember the homely but intelligent face of Mr. 
 Perry and his tall, somewhat ungainly form, clothed with neatness but with 
 utter carelessness of the fashion of the garments that covered it, moving 
 rapidly through our streets or driving everywhere about the town in an open 
 wagon with a "• specimen " of the "Elevator" behind the seat. Many then 
 children, now come to middle age, will remember the stories told them of the 
 powers of this remarkable man and the things which to their wondering 
 minds seemed to border widely on the supernatural, which were said to be 
 and often indeed were within the range of his possibilities. He had striking 
 peculiarities of appearance and manner such as are common to men of his 
 stamp ; but these were more than equaled by his good-nature. The fun and 
 jokes called forth by his productions never annoyed him ; he was always 
 ready to laugh with those who laughed at them or at him. Every shaft of 
 ridicule, no matter how well aimed, he met with a merry twinkle of the eye 
 and a quick response which generally left the enemy outwitted and himself 
 the master of the field. Unlike many persons of his peculiar genius Mr. 
 Perry was possessed of an abundance of common sense. He was a man of 
 marked individuality ; he held original opinions of his own tenaciously aud 
 advocated them zealously but with tolerance towards others. He lived a long 
 and busy life and was practically useful to his own generation, as the results 
 of his work will continue to be through coming generations. 
 
 Mr. Perry was several times married, but had only two children, both sons. 
 The elder of these was Oriu F. Perry, so long engaged in business in Paw- 
 tucket and well known to the people of this town, and he is buried in 
 Woodlawn Cemetery here. His wife was Adeline Short, sister of Philip and 
 Mace Short, of this town, and she with a daughter, for years a successful 
 teacher in our schools, resides here. 
 
 Within a few months another long-familiar form has left its accustomed 
 place, never to return. Many years ago a man came from Ireland to this 
 town and settled at the Farmers. He lived in a small house near the school- 
 house there and set up his shoemaker's bench in a little shop close by. He 
 worked hard and he earned, though it was sometimes with diflflculty that he 
 obtained a sufficient livelihood for his increasing family. But he labored on 
 with unremitting diligence, and here his children grew up to honor him and 
 to be an honor to him. He was long poor in this world's goods ; but he and 
 his wife were always rich in kind words and deeds, especially to the school- 
 children of the neighborhood, for whom they repaired all sorts of damages, 
 from worn shoes to cut fingers. If these lines meet the eves of anv who 
 
662 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 " went to school at the Farmei's " tweuty or thirty years ago, they will surely 
 recall many pleasant memories of those days connected with these good 
 friends of their childhood. Bleeding faces, bruised limbs, torn ti-owsers, 
 rent frocks, or flying buttons were all alike to the patient fingers of this busy 
 woman, who was never too busy to restore the ravages of accident or care- 
 lessness or to comfort the timid hearts of frightened little ones. Year after 
 year this man worked at his humble trade, long after the necessity for daily 
 toil had passed away, for as the years went on great prosperity came to the 
 eldest sou, and his abundant all was placed at the disposal of his loved 
 parents. But that spot alone was home, the routine of the little shop too 
 much his life ever to be laid aside, and he left the worn bench only to enter 
 his grave. He lived a simple, uneventful life ; but he lived it respectably 
 and well, and in this regard he was an example worthy to be imitated by any 
 man, no matter how exalted his position. He brought up his children to 
 honesty and industi-y and left to them and to their children this richest 
 inheritance. Though he occupied a humble place it will be a long time 
 before John Nerney is forgotten. 
 
 The original title to the Nortli Purchase, as already stated, was derived 
 from Alexander, the son of Massasoit and the elder brother of the cele- 
 brated Philip, sachem of Pockanoket. His original name was Mooanam, 
 afterwards Wamsutta or Wamsitta, and finally Alexander Pockanoket, which 
 last name was bestowed upon him, and that of Philip upon his brother, by 
 the Plymouth Court on the occasion of the death of their father, Massasoit. 
 It appears to have been a custom with the aborigines in this part of the 
 country, at least with their chiefs, to assume new names on the decease of 
 any one of the family to which they belonged. This custom may perhaps be 
 traced to some Eastern origin, as many of the Indian ceremonies have 
 already ])een by historians. 
 
 On a visit which these two sons made to Plymouth on June 10, 1G(30. 
 during a session of the court which commenced June 6 their English names 
 by which they were generally known to us were bestowed upon them. A 
 record of this transaction is preserved on the Old Colony books, which is 
 here copied : — 
 
 "June 10, 1660. At the earnest request of Wamsitta desiring that, in 
 regard his father is lately deceased, and he being desii'ous, according to the 
 custom of the natives, to change his name, that the court would confer an 
 English name upon him, which accordingly they did, and therefore ordered 
 that for the future he shall be called by the name of Alexander Pokanoket ; 
 and desiring the same in behalf of his brother, they have named him 
 Phillip." 
 
 There has been much controversy among historians concerning the time of 
 Massasoit's death. Ancient historians have usually assigned a date several 
 years earlier ; modern biographers and historians have generally supposed 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOIiOUGH. 603 
 
 it several years later than the true period. The circumstance of the bestow- 
 ment of these uanies upon these brothers is mentioned by the ancient 
 historians, but not the occasion of it, and without fixing any precise date. 
 One writer,' who supposes his death to have occurred several years subse- 
 quent to 1661, thinks the fact of the father not being mentioned as having 
 attended this ceremony, which was for the confirmation of a treaty, etc., 
 with his sons, occasioned the suggestion that he was dead, and he further 
 says: ''It would be a sufficient explanation of his absence however, that 
 he was noAV an old man, and that the distance of Sowarus from Plymouth 
 was more than forty miles." 
 
 The above record, however, clearly proves that Massasoit died a short time 
 previous to June 10, 1660, and previous to his first publication of it in 1834 
 the author had never seen it in print. It shows the origin of Wamsutta's 
 modern name, and witii the honor of being called after the great warriors of 
 antiquity he and his brother were greatly pleased. 
 
 The colonists during this friendly intercourse could not have anticipated 
 that in the course of a few years the younger brother, upon whom they were 
 then conferring the name of an ancient conqueror and who was possessed of 
 all the natural talent and ambition of his great namesake, though not his 
 power or good fortune, would become their most dangerous enemy and the 
 terror of all New England. 
 
 It appears that among some tribes of the natives the custom prevailed of 
 changing their habitations as well as their names on the decease of a member 
 of the family. I have learned from a reliable source the following instance : 
 On a part of the farm of the late Ebenezer Daggett (most recently of the 
 late Harvey M. Daggett), previous to its occupation by the whites, and for 
 some years after, resided several families by the name of Read, who were 
 said to be of a mixed race, Indian and negro, and who were alwavs observed 
 to change the location of their huts on the death of any one of their number. 
 This change occurred several times within the observation of the early 
 settlers. This custom they probably derived from their Indian descent. At 
 one time the huts of these people were on the brook passing through the 
 farm, where it crosses the " East Bay Road," very near the old Daggett 
 homestead. The survivors who lived till after this road was laid out, which 
 passed near their dwellings, requested that when they died they might be 
 buried near that road with their heads towards it, '' so that they could hear 
 the newes wheit the great post-stage passed.'" 
 
 Their request was complied with and they were buried a few rods from the 
 route where the old road passed, with their heads in that direction. The 
 place where they were buried is still pointed out in a small valley on elevated 
 ground. The hillocks over their graves, four in number, were distinctly 
 
 'B. B. Thatcher. See his Indian Biographj-, vol. i, chap, vii, p. 141. 
 
664 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 visible withiu tlie reniembrauce of the author. They seemed to have uo 
 idea of a physical extinction by death, but to consider it as some sort 
 of natural change merely and not a destruction of the material system. The 
 postman's horn has never disturbed their slumbers, and the news of the 
 great post-stage for which they longed has never reached their ears. 
 The plowshare of the husbandman has long since leveled the mounds that 
 covered their graves. The postman's stage, too, has long since disappeared 
 from the hills and valleys of New England, and the cheerful echoes of his 
 horn have ceased to send their lively sounds to the listening ears of lonely 
 settlers. The lumbering carriage that wended its slow Avay from Boston to 
 Bristol and returned once a week has given place to a swift vehicle which 
 announces its passing with a frightful shriek and which flies over the same 
 distance daily in two hours' time. These humble sleepers still wait for the 
 coming of the " newes " that will never be brought to them. 
 
 ]\[any of the people of this town have emigrated to other parts of the 
 country. Various families at different periods removed to Vermont, New 
 Hampshire, Ohio, and western New York, and some ninety years ago many 
 emigrated to different towns in Maine and laid the foundation for some of 
 them. Union included many inhabitants from this place. 
 
 In 1789 a number of young men in this town, mostly unmarried and 
 without much capital, believing they could better their condition by emigrating 
 to some place where land was newer and cheaper, formed a company for the 
 purpose of purchasing a tract of land in a new settlement. They met in 
 various places in their neighborhood and discussed the subject in all its 
 bearings. Nine persons joined this company, which was called ''The Nine 
 Partners." They were Hosea Tiffany, Caleb Richardson, Jr., Ezekiel 
 Titus, Robert Follet, John Carpenter, Moses Thacher, Daniel Carpenter, 
 Samuel Thacher, and Josiah Carpenter, all of Attleborough. Tiffany, Titus, 
 and Follet were married, and all but Tiffany, who was over thirty, were 
 under twenty-five. After examining several locations in western New York 
 they finally selected northeastern Pennsylvania and purchased a tract of 
 land four miles long and one mile in width in Susquehanna County for 
 £1,198, about $5,800. On Tuesday, May 18, 1790, they reached the " Beaver 
 Meadows " in the westerly part of their purchase, and close by a large spring 
 at the lower extremity of fehis meadow they built a rude cabin as a temporary 
 shelter. The writings for their purchase were drawn up and signed on a 
 hemlock stump. May 22, 1790. That region was then the solitude of an 
 immense wilderness, a rocky, rough, and mountainous tract, but they later 
 made it "blossom as the rose" with churches, schoolhouses, sawmills, 
 manufactories, mechanics' shops, and stores, making of it one of the 
 pleasantest towns among the hills and valleys of its great State ; and in due 
 time the iron roadway brought intercourse with the outside world. 
 
 '•To distribute their joint purchase, a plan was adopted by which 150 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 665 
 
 acres were assigned to each pai-tnei-, and the remainder kept as a common 
 domahi. The division, like that of Israel's promised inheritance was made 
 by lot, and resulted satisfactorily. B}^ a subsequent arrangement with Mr. 
 Drinker, the landholder, their joint obligation for the wholesale purcliase 
 was cancelled, and individuals became responsible for their own posses- 
 sions." The purchasers at once commenced clearing some portions of their 
 laud and preparing it for habitation ; but having no means of procuring the 
 provisions necessary for their support they returned to Attleborough till the 
 fall. Having thus commenced their settlement they continued for a 3^ear or 
 two to go back and forth between it and this town. Like the company, 
 it was called "• The Nine Partners" until 1807, when it was incorporated as 
 a town under the name of Harford. 
 
 These nine young men were followed by a large number of their friends 
 and relatives from this town. February 2, 1792, Hosea Tiffany and wife, 
 with their three children — Hosea, Amos, and Nancy — and Robert FoUet, 
 wife, and daughter Lucy, started from here with ox teams and arrived at 
 the settlement the first week in March. These were the first white women 
 who visited that place. In the spring of 1794 additions to the settlement 
 were as follows : Laban Capron.^ wife, and children ; Thomas Sweet, wife, 
 and daughter; John Carpenter, wife, and son; Samuel Thacher, wife, and 
 son ; John Tyler, Jr., and Dr. Capron. In the fall of that year John Tyler, 
 his wife, and children, and Thomas Tiffany, wife, and children went out. 
 The Tylers were three weeks on this journey from Attleborough to '' The 
 Nine Partners." In the fall of 1795 Amos Sweet, wife, and children and 
 Ezekiel Titus, wife, and children followed ; and during the same year, or 
 soon after, a number of emigrants were added to the settlement : Elkanah 
 Tingley, Obadiah Carpenter and sons, Joseph Blanding, Obediah Thacher, 
 John Thacher, Moses Thacher, Abel Read, Thomas Wilraarth, Noah Fuller, 
 Nathaniel Claflin, and others. All the emigrants previous to 1800 were from 
 this town, with the exception of Jonathan Oakley, who was a native of New 
 York State. Plight of the " Nine Partners" were living in 1830, forty years 
 after their first view of the wilderness ; fourteen years later, in 184-1, only 
 two remained, Ezekiel Titus in Harford, and Moses Thacher in Ohio. In 
 1846 the last one died. The first marriage in the settlement was that of 
 Orlen Capron to Ama Carpenter, in October, 1798 ; and the first death was 
 that of an infant daughter of Robert Follet, in December, 1796, and hers 
 was the first body placed in the graveyard. Dr. Comfort Capron began the 
 practice of his profession in Harford in 1794. He died in June, 1800, and 
 his was the first death among the adults. 
 
 These families carried their New England homes and customs and forms 
 of social life with them, and the natural results were produced in the reli- 
 
 1 Father of Mrs. Nancy Stanley, before referred to. 
 
(366 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 o-ious and educatiounl chai'acter of succeeding generations. The institutions 
 of New England were introduced into their life in the wilderness : the 
 church and the schoolhouse stood there side by side. The first church was 
 formed June 13, 1800, about ten years after the settlement was founded, by 
 Rev. Jedediah Chapman, a missionary from New Jersey. It was the child 
 of the Second Congregational Church of this town and consisted of seven 
 members, all of whom had letters from that church. It also received addi- 
 tions from time to time from the mother church. At first the members 
 adopted the articles of faith professed by Rev. INIr. Chapman, who was a 
 Presbvterian and who organized the church, but in March, 1.S03, they unani- 
 mously adopted the confession of faith and platform of the Attleborough 
 church in affectionate remembrance of the friends they had left. Soon 
 afterward, however, these were somewhat modified and made more brief. 
 John Tyler and Obadiah Carpenter were the first deacons. The church had 
 but one addition, and that was by letter, for the first three years. In 1806 
 a small meetinghouse, twenty-two feet by thirty, was erected, and about 1822 
 a larger edifice was built. In 1878 the church ]nembership was one hundred 
 and eightv-four, and during the almost eighty years of its existence had had 
 nearlv eio-ht hundred names enrolled upon its books. At that time Harford 
 was a very prosperous little town numbering sixteen hundred people. 
 
 The church was visited during the several years immediately succeeding 
 its formation by different missionaries from the vicinity, who labored with 
 the people on their occasional visits, but on August 4, 1810, Rev. Ebenezer 
 Kingsl)ury was installed as the first pastor. He was a native of Coventry, 
 Conn., and a graduate of Yale College, He continued to be the pastor until 
 1827. Rev. Adam Miller preached his first sermon in the church September 
 21, 1828, soon received a call, and was installed April 28, 1830. He con- 
 tinued in the service of the people during an uninterrupted period of fifty 
 vears. On September 29, 1878, the fiftieth anniversary of his ministry was 
 celebrated, when he delivered a valuable and interesting historical sermon. 
 He had labored with that people through many of their early struggles, until 
 the settlers had built up their social edifice, and now they had become a 
 prosperous township and an educated and intelligent community. He died 
 December 1, 1881. 
 
 The colony existed for a long time without the safeguards of a civil 
 oro-anizatioil. For a while they had no magistrates or public officers. They 
 succeeded in governing themselves. The temptations to controversies were 
 very limited with a people who were at first all engaged in subduing and 
 cultivating their soil. But perhaps that which most distinguished them and 
 did them the most credit was their devotion to the cause of education — to 
 their schools and various educational institutions. Great attention was given 
 to the education of the youth of the place. Many of the young emigrants 
 were themselves qualified for teachers before they left their homes, and made 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOKOUGH. 667 
 
 school-teaching their vocation, some of them for life, in their new settle- 
 ment or in neighboring towns. Eev. Lyman Richardson, son of the emi- 
 grant Calel) Richardson, who was one of the original " partners," commenced 
 teaching while qnite yonng. He soon established a select classical school in 
 Harford, which he maintained dnring his life. It was incorporated as the 
 Franklin Academy but afterwai'd called Harford University. " Ezekiel Titus, 
 Thomas Wilmarth, and Jacob Blake cleared the land whereon Franklin 
 Academy subsequently stood, in 1795-6." In 1817 Lyman Richardson com- 
 menced his classical school. In 18o0 the name of Franklin Academy was 
 given to the school, and soon after the first building was erected. In 1836 
 it had become a " recognized institution of learning in N. E. Pennsylvania, 
 having a charter from the Legislature." In the course of twelve or fifteen 
 years a number of small '' Halls " had been added to the first building. In 
 these many students boarded themselves and studied. In 1850 the institution 
 became Harford University. 
 
 In this school were educated not only the youth of the place but many 
 from various townships hi northern Pennsylvania and vicinity. Manv were 
 prepared for college and many educated for various other walks of life, who 
 afterward became useful and eminent men. Several were judges in the 
 courts of different States ; one was a governor, and others were lawyers, 
 physicians, ministers, teachers, professors, etc., of ability and prominence. 
 Harford has herself furnished several men prominent in public life who were 
 educated in her own schools. 
 
 The university flourished for a number of years, but al»out 1865 ceased its 
 existence as such, for it is said the Rev. Lyman Richardson " closed his 
 work, and heard his last recitation probably " in that year. As far as could 
 be ascertained the number of students who had been enrolled upon its cata- 
 logues was about 1,800. "Hon. F. B. Streeter, Solicitor of the U. S. 
 Treasury, says, ' I believe that school has been of more service to the 
 country generally than any other Literary Institution wnthin my knowledge. 
 Franklin Academy has been peculiarly a school for poor men's sons, and the 
 instances are not few of very obscure young men who have left it to occupy 
 stations of comparative distinction and usefulness.' " Soon after the close of 
 the Civil War the State selected the grounds and buildings of this institution 
 as a suitable location for a school for soldiers' orphans. Though no longer 
 the seat of classical learning the site is still used for educational purposes 
 and the orphan school is very flourishing. 
 
 Many of the inhabitants of Harford at this day bear the same names 
 which their ancestors carried with them from their native town, and not one 
 of those names has become extinct in this town. 
 
 On the whole, we think we have no reason to lie ashamed of these descend- 
 ants in Harford ; we think they have done credit to their ancestry. Long 
 may they sustain the institutions which they reestablished on the banks of 
 
CBS A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the Susquehanua and abide in the principles which they carried with them 
 from Attle1)orough. New Enghind ! jNIay the seed take even deeper root and 
 flourish more extensively in this fertile field and bear yet more abundant fruit 
 for future ages ! 
 
 Judge George Leonard, of Norton, was so intimately connected in various 
 ways with this town and was a man so well known in his day and generation 
 that some mention of him will not be inappropriate. He was an owner of 
 land in this town. Captain Thomas Leonard and Lieutenant James Leonard, 
 of Taunton, of his family, bought fifty acres, more or less, of John Daggett, 
 of Rehol)oth. He had business connections here and much intercourse with 
 our fathers of the last generation. He was born in Norton and was a 
 descendant of the first James Leonard who settled in Taunton. The family 
 were for many generations both in Europe and America famous as iron mer- 
 chants, were men of prominence, of high breeding, and great wealth. 
 Thomas and James, sons of James the first, were the founders of the great 
 ^' Leonard Iron Works" of Norton. The place where they built their foundry 
 was called ''Stony Brook" later and now again " Chartley Brook." The 
 origin of this latter name is not known, but very probably may have been 
 the name of some place or stream near the native place of the Leonards, 
 Pontvpool, in AVales, and by them given to this little stream on which they 
 settled. One of the early owners here greatly enlarged the original iron 
 works and increased his paternal inheritance of several hundred acres to the 
 extent of nearly a thousand acres, so that at the time of which we write the 
 estate was the largest in Bristol County and probably the largest in New 
 England. Its timl)er lands were " the most valuable in the State." It is 
 said that the keel of the frigate Constitution, "Old Ironsides," was taken 
 from tliese lands. 
 
 Judoe Leonard occupied the old manorial mansion built before 1700, and 
 here, surrounded by his tenantry, he lived in the style of an English country 
 o-entleman. The antique and rich furniture which adorned the house was of 
 English make and had descended from his forefathers ; his carriage was of 
 the large, ponderous build of their day ; and his dress was of the same 
 fashion as that worn ]^y his ancestors when they left their native shore. 
 Inheriting many of the traits of his English and Colonial lineage, he was 
 satisfied, though others had changed, to retain many of their manners and 
 customs. His park was a great attraction and the deer which roamed it at 
 will of great interest to his neighbors and to many travelers from far and 
 wide, and these animals he preserved to the day of his death. He was a true 
 o-entleman of the old school — courtly in presence, courteous in manner, 
 genial in intercourse with his fi'iends and neighbors ; everybody knew him, 
 everybody admired and respected him. He held many ofiices of honor and 
 trust. He was a judge of probate for several years and performed many 
 marriage ceremonies in his own and adjoining towns, some here. He was 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. G69 
 
 judge of the court of coiiimou pleas and later chief justice of the same ; 
 was registrar of probate, councillor, State senator, and was a member of 
 the First, Third, and Fourth Congresses of the United States. The iron 
 works were discontinued before his death and saw and grist mills erected on 
 the old foundation, and at present a jewelry shop, some years since estab- 
 lished, is using the water power. 
 
 There is now scarcely a survivoi' of those historic times, scarcely one 
 born within the days of Washington ; and the few remaining relics of that 
 interesting past are fast disappearing. Some i)erhaps remember the old 
 manor house in its latter days and the workshop, in whose belfry hung a large 
 bell which suujmoned the workmen to their meals from distant fields ; and the 
 limits of the deer park were pointed out until recently. Some memories will 
 no doubt recall the oft-repeated tales of former splendors connected with this 
 baronial-like residence and its opulent owners, with its many romances, 
 brilliant and shadowy, and perhaps a restless, wandering ghost. The bell 
 has long since ceased its noisy clangor and the belfry been torn dow^n ; the 
 laborers' busy days of toil on those broad fields are over ; the haunts of 
 the deer have vanished, and the giants of the park have bowed to the ruthless 
 blows of the woodman's axe or fallen neglected beneath the ravages of time ; 
 while the fine old mansion itself has lost all prestige of state and antiquity 
 by being improved into a modern dwelling, and its rare old furniture is scat- 
 tered to the winds of heaven. If any of the former owneis who looked up 
 with pride to that ancient roof wdth its venerable gal)les and welcomed their 
 friends within those walls with stately pomp and dignified hospitality could 
 now revisit the earth, they would search in vain for one single landmark of 
 their once beatitiful home, and sorrowing they would find themselves in the 
 midst of an unknown people surrounded with scenes new and strange. 
 
 There are some very interesting circumstances connected with the early 
 history of that portion of the town now called Mechanicsville or Mechanics. 
 In the early part of the eighteenth century a saw and grist mill stood by the 
 stream there. Previous to 1740 one Robert Saunderson bought the premises 
 and set up a forge foi- manufacturing iron. This " Bloomery," the name 
 then given to the business, became quite a celebrated establishment. Not 
 very much is known of Mr. Saunderson. He was a merchant of Boston at 
 the time of his purchase, was supposed to be an emigrant from England, and 
 was doubtless a man of substance. ^He built for himself a house here some- 
 what after the English style and superior to any in town at that age, where 
 he lived in an elegant and fashionable manner. He furnished it as befitted 
 an opulent gentleman and extended liberal hospitality to his numerous friends 
 and neighbors, providing the highest entertainment ^or them. He had his 
 wine cellar, his carriage and span of horses, and maintained a state of great 
 luxury. There appears to be no mention traditionally or otherwise of a 
 Madame Saunderson, and it would therefore seem probable that Mr. Sauu- 
 
670 -1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 derson may have been that very interesting personage, a rich bachelor. In 
 some ways the world changes not a whit; by the present we can freqnently 
 read the past ; and, if this conjecture be true, it is reasonalily certain that his 
 lonely condition was not due to lack of sympathy on the part of any of the 
 fair damsels of his day. 
 
 His house and its surroundings must have formed an attractive scene, 
 a picturesque sylvan retreat. There was tiie pretty pond with gently sloping 
 wooded banks, the little river flowing cheerfully by, and the unique dwelling 
 itself in its setting of green, shaded with primeval trees by day and lighted 
 up with the lurid fires of the forge by night. It is easy to picture the house 
 and its varied throngs of guests. There is the real son of the Pilgrims, 
 sturdy, solemn, austere in garb and manner ; there is the stately colonial 
 dame in her stiff, rich rol)es, with her dignified portly lord, becomingly proud 
 of his comely person, his handsome dress, and his exalted position ; there is 
 the modest Puritan maiden, bewitching in her innocence and in spite of her 
 primness and the plain severity of her costume ; by her side the city-bred 
 young lady, wearing her toilet of the latest fashion with haughty grace, 
 conscious of her charms, certain of her conquests ; and there are quaint, 
 demure children, the counterpart in miniature of their stern and sober elders. 
 Again perhaps we see a gathering of youths and maidens who dare to laugh 
 and be merry under the encouraging eye of their gracious host ; or possibly 
 some gentlemen of gentility from the far-off town of Boston have driven 
 out to this country residence, to feast upon their old friend's good things, 
 to test the merits of his wine cellar, pronounce upon the rich mellowness of 
 his oldest and rarest liquids, and to drink the health of His Majesty, the 
 Kino-, " after the good old English customs." Still again, in imagination, we 
 may hear the conversation of some manly group as they talk of politics, of 
 their conduct in the old home land, of their being well or ill managed in the 
 new. Now and again the righteous indignation of some elder over a fresh 
 act of injustice on the part of the mother country is forcibly expressed, or 
 we listen to the fiery speech of some hot-blooded youth, who springs to his 
 feet and with hand on sword hilt stands ready to avenge that and every 
 wrong. By the light of the years which have intervened we can see in 
 a scene like this, one which very probably may have taken place here, our 
 great Republic in embryo, and yet as we look back we can but marvel at 
 those wondrous changes the time has wrought. 
 
 After a time Mr. Saunderson sold a portion of his property in this town, 
 but for what special reason does not appear, nor is anything whatever known 
 of his subsequent history. Robert Lightfoot, who was also a Boston mer- 
 chant, was the purchaser, and he became the "Iron Master" in this place. 
 He is supposed to have lived in this house, which in later days became still 
 more famous, partly owing to its peculiar construction and partly to the 
 scenes which it is known were enacted within its walls. It came in time to 
 
HISTORY OF ArTLEBOROUi^H. G71 
 
 be known as the " chapel," from the shape in which it was built. It was 
 externally in the form usual to chapels and was two stories high. The 
 upper part was occupied by the family, and the lower floor by the domestics 
 of the household and per-haps farm servants, for the estate comprised much 
 more than the premises occupied by the bloomery. The "•old chapel" stood 
 facing- the pond and about one hundred feet from it. It was about square 
 in shape, the first story built of stone with very low rooms and stone-flagged 
 floors, but the second story was very high. Tliere was a large circular hall 
 in the centre with a narrow passageway leading into it from each side of 
 the house, and there was a row of triangular-shaped rooms all around. 
 These were all lofty, airy apartments, and all opened into the great central 
 hall. Some parts of the house were elaborately finished, and it long 
 continued to be the most stylish building in town and renowned for its 
 hospitality. Mr. Lightfoot appears to have fully maintained the reputation 
 established by his predecessor, for he administered the civilities of the age 
 to many friends and acquaintances, entertaining them with generous liber- 
 ality. He came here in 17-42. How long he remained is not known, but he 
 i-emoved from here to Newport, R. I., and in 1759 Thomas Cobb purchased 
 the "• Bloomery " and all its appurtenances of him and .John Merritt and 
 wife, of Providence, who were then part owners of the premises. 
 
 Mr. Cobb was born in Taunton and married Lydia, oldest daughter of 
 James Leonard, Jr., one of the founders of the Chartley Iron Works, this 
 connection being probably the cause or the effect of his entering upon the 
 business of an iron manufacturer. We may naturally suppose the busii]ess 
 here to have been a profitable one, as Mr. Cobb made quite extensive pur- 
 chases of laud besides that of the property of the forge, etc., Avhlch belonged 
 to his predecessors. jMay 11, 1760, he bouglit land on the Bay Road, of 
 Hezekiah Peck, of this town. The witnesses to tlie transaction were John 
 Daggett and George Leonard, Jr. September 11, 1762, he purchased of 
 Amos Sweet, son of John Sweet, two tracts of land, one of twenty acres 
 assigned to Amos in the division of his father's estate, and another lot 
 assigned to Sarah, his sister, containing about thirty-one and a half acres, 
 " with part of a dwelling-house standing on the same." May 18, 1764, he 
 purchased of Benjamin Sweet, another heir of John Sweet, a tract contain- 
 ing thirty-four and three-fourths acres, adjoining the forge pond and his 
 other lands, his entire purchase in Attleborough amounting to one hundred 
 and fifty -five acres, including tlie iron works. He lived in the "chapel" 
 house, and during his residence of twenty or more years in town he identified 
 himself thoroughly with the people of his vicinity and took an interest in 
 their civil and religious concerns. As a token of his personal regard and 
 appreciation, he gave in his will a legacy to the then pastor of the Second 
 Church, Rev. Peter Thacher. " For the friendship and good will I hear the 
 Rev. Peter Thacher of Attleborough, I give him £;-30, lawful monev, to be 
 
672 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 paid liiui bv iny Executors herein after named out of my estate within one 
 year after my decease." 
 
 The records mention five children of Mr. Cobb: Thomas, of Taunton, to 
 whom on January 22, 1765, he sold all his lands in that place ; Jonathan, to 
 whom on the same date he sold '' My mansion house, etc. in Attleborough, 
 all which 1 bought of Robert Lightfoot, John Merritt, Hezekiah Feck. Amos 
 Sweet, and Benjamin Sweet" ; David ; and two daughters. David was born 
 here September 14, 1748, a quite conclusive proof that his father was then 
 carr3Mng on the iron works either as superintendent for Lightfoot or by lease 
 for himself. He held a greater diversity of pultlic occupations and nuu:ber 
 of otlices than any other living man in that age and discharged them all with 
 honor and credit. He became a physician, a general, a judge, was President 
 of the Senate, Speaker of the House, member of Congress one term. Coun- 
 cillor, and Lieutenant-Governor. 1 He married Eleanor Bradish by whom he 
 had a large family of children, and he died in 1830 at the advanced age of 
 eighty-two. Mr. Cobb's two charming and attractive daughters, Hannah and 
 Sally, were regarded as accomplished ladies and ornaments to society. 
 
 Though Mr. Cobb disposed of his property here to one of his sons he con- 
 tinued his residence in town for some years, but finally removed to Taunton. 
 
 The history of any house would not be complete without romances, and 
 the "^chapel" annals do not lack in that regard. Here the Rev. Josiah 
 Crocker, an eminent clergyman of Taunton, found a wife. He was the 
 sixth minister of the First Church of Taunton and the progenitor of the 
 prominent family of that name there at the present day. In Mr. Crocker's 
 "Family Bible" is the following record: "Attleborough. Nov, 5"', 1761. 
 Then were Josiah Crocker and IMiss Hannah CoV)b joined together in the 
 solemn covenant of matrimony at her father's, by the Hon. George Leonard, 
 Esq. ]\Liy God's countenance shine upon us. Rev. Mr. Thacher made the 
 first prayer and gave advice. Col. Leonard declared us married according to 
 law, and Rev. Mr. Weld made last prayer."- 
 
 This was doubtless a brilliant affair and an event of great importance in 
 the town- We should read with eager interest a description of this occasion. 
 We would like to see the names of the chief guests, know what was the 
 dress of the bride, scan a list of the marriage gifts, even to be informed what 
 viands composed the wedding feast. We would read with pleasure the 
 words of good advice spoken by the reverend pastor, learn how the courtly 
 " Judge" pronounced the couple " man and wife," and hear in what solemn, 
 formal phrase congratulations were offered ; Init the curtain has long since 
 fallen upon every actor in tliis scene, and of these details the past yields no 
 record. 
 
 Nine years after this a famous young man here wooed and won his In-ide. 
 
 ' See Ministry of Taunton, vol. i, p. 236. ^ See Blake's Ministry of Taunton, vol. i, p. 337 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROimn. 673 
 
 Ou the records of publicatious of marriage I find tlie following: '"The 
 Intentions of Marriage between Robert Treat Paine, Esq. of Taunton, and 
 Miss Sally Cobb of Attleborough were entered the od day of March, 1770." 
 It is a great honor to have any special connection with the Declaration of 
 Independence, and our town may claim with pride that one of its signers 
 married his wife here, though she was only an adopted daughter. 
 
 No special record of this w^edding comes to us beyond the fact that it was 
 attended by Rev. Mr. Thacher, but it surely must have been quite as brilliant 
 as its predecessor and have had fully as long a line of distinguished guests. 
 The celeln-ated groom, learned jurist, eminent jmlge, and patriotic states- 
 man in the trying days of the Revolution, was the son of Rev. Thomas 
 Paine, minister of Weymouth. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Treat, 
 of Connecticut. He was born in Boston, March 11, 1781, and graduated at 
 Harvard College in 1749. He at first studied theology and fitted for the 
 ministry and in 1755 was a chaplain in the army. He visited Europe subse- 
 quently on some mercantile enterprise and on his return to Boston studied 
 law. About 1759 he removed to Taunton and there commenced the practice 
 of this profession, in which he became eminent. In 1770 he acted for the 
 attorney-general in the famous trial of Captain Preston for the Boston Mas- 
 sacre of the 5th of March. He was chosen a delegate to the Continental 
 Congress, which convened September 5, 1774, and later he was one of the 
 grand men whose signatures on the glorious Declaration of Independence 
 are our pride and boast. In 1775, after the adoption of the Constitution of 
 Massachusetts, he was appointed the first attorney-general of this State. He 
 was superseded in 1776, but again appointed in 17X0, and held the office 
 until 1790. He was a judge of the Superior Court of this State from 1790 
 till 1804, when he resigned on account of deafness. In 1780 he removed to 
 Boston, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred May 11, 
 1814, when he had reached the age of eighty-three. His administration of 
 justice was rigid, but just, and his manner on the bench rather stern and 
 severe, but he was a man of strict, sterling uprightness. Bv his talents, 
 integrity, and learning, he rendered good service to his country in the high 
 offices he held and in the various lofty stations he occupied. 
 
 The author does not know the exact date of the removal of the Cobb 
 family from town, but probably the father went to Taunton shortly subsequent 
 to 1770. The next purchaser of the bloomery was a Mr. Robinson, who 
 continued the works for a time and then converted them to the ancient pur- 
 pose, that of a saw and grist mill. In the early part of the present century 
 the manufacture at present carried on at this spot was commenced, and of 
 the old ^'Bloomery" and "Chapel " nothing remains. The walls of the old 
 house in its days of glory witnessed many a social assembly, many an elegant 
 entertainment; many distinguished visitors sat around its hospitable board, 
 many honored friends of high and low^ degree have gathered there, for its 
 
674 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 door stood evor wide open, and all who stepped over the threshold received 
 a true welcoipe from the dwellers within. The author well remembers the 
 house when it had been reduced to a common tenement and its ancient 
 honors and fame had vanished. It was burned in 1849 or 1850 in the night, 
 and thus passed out of sight forever, numbering itself among the host of 
 things that have been. All is now changed here in this pretty spot, and 
 nothing is left to remind us of this long-ago time. The raging furnace and 
 the hiss of heated iron have given place to the humming water-wheel and 
 the clatter of shuttle and loom, and the fine old mansion with its charming 
 occupants is gone, its verv existence but a i)assing, shadowy remembrance. 
 
 Quite as striking as the changes about the site of the old iron works are 
 those which have taken place in the East village and its vicinity since the 
 early part of this century. At that time the Iiigraham house stood on the 
 corner now occupied by the residence of the late Charles E. Hayward ' and 
 was moved back toward the river to its present site, to make room for that 
 residence. There was no other dwelling-house on that side of the road 
 between it and the present centre of the village. Abont where Dr. Bronson's 
 house now stands there was a small grocery store, kept by Amos Walton, 
 and just above there was a blacksmith's shop. The grocery was moved 
 away to make room for Squire Bolkcom's house, the first dwelling-house on 
 that corner. It was built very near if not exactly upon the site of the one 
 now there, and Orville Bolkcom lived in it for some time and up to 1850, 
 when it was burned down. Probably the next house built on that side of the 
 road was the building so long used as a double tenement-house standing next 
 to the residence of Mr. Fisher, now behind Crandall's Block. Opposite 
 Bolkcom's was the Gideon Sweet house, which stood there until quite recently 
 and was moved away to give place to Bates Opera House. It was built for 
 a tavern, but was never used as such. The* bar, however, was left in its 
 place until the Rev. ]Mr. Crane became the occupant of the house and had 
 it removed. The then owner of this property was INIr. Sanford, the father-in- 
 law of Mr. Crane. Later Mr. Jonathan Bliss owned it ; his heirs retained 
 it for some time after his death, and finally, after passing through other 
 hands, it passed into those of the present owner, Mr. Bates. 
 
 The space between South Main Street and Railroad Avenue, now occupied 
 by Horton and Pierce blocks and various small buildings, was very early 
 owned by one Jonas Richardson, a physician, then by Abijah Everett, also 
 a physician, who practised in this vicinity for a number of years. He sold 
 to Jabez Ellis, and he in turn to Amos Wilmarth, and not very long after- 
 wards probably the estate came into the hands of Colonel Bolkcom, who kept 
 a tavern on the spot for a number of years. It was pretty generally known 
 
 1 Now the property of Mr. Fred. A. Newell, who is making alterations iml improvements ami will 
 oc<-up>- it as liis own residence. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. C»T5 
 
 as a place of amusement. A hall was built duriog Colonel Bolkcom's occu- 
 pation, which was used for various purposes, balls, singing schools, lyceums, 
 society meetings, etc. This was the only public hall in this part of the town 
 where the young and ga}' of a past generation were taught the graces of 
 dancing under the inspiring strains of Obed Robinson's violin. This, too, 
 was the principal courtroom of that day, where civil and criminal cases were 
 tried. Sheriff's juries were more common in that day. Many of the distin- 
 guished advocates of a past generation have appeared in that hall. The 
 voices of William Baylies, Judge Wheaton, of Norton, Judge Warren, of 
 New Bedford, Cushman, of Pawtucket, and other lawyers of the day, have 
 been heard there. The riot which occurred during the construction of the 
 railroad has been referred to, when tbe Washington Rifle Company, under Cap- 
 tain Holmau, turned out. This was done under tbe direction of Sheriff Sweet. 
 The warrant was executed in Canton, and twelve or fifteen of the rioters 
 were arrested and brought to this town for their trial, which doubtless took 
 place in Bolkcom's Hall, and a number of the most active in the riot were 
 bound over — committed to Taunton jail to appear before the Grand Jury. 
 Colonel Bolkconi was a widely known man in his day. He w\as social and 
 generous. He was kind to the poor and did many friendly deeds. It is 
 said that particularly fat and tender turkeys frequently found their wav from 
 his larder to the minister's kitchen. He was a man of considerable ability, 
 and for three years consecutively, 1811, 1812, and 1813, he represented the 
 town in the General Court. A small portion of his famous old inn still 
 remains near the western corner of the lot on which it stood, a part of the 
 house so long occupied by Dr. Sanford. 
 
 To the east of the property just mentioned was quite early the house 
 known later as the Hodges house. This was built by Betsy Hicks, and in it 
 she kept a beer and cigar shop, and beyond this still was a blacksmith's shop, 
 at one time kept by Colonel Bolkcom, who also at one time owned a small 
 machine shop which stood on the present site of the Wolfenden Dye 
 Works. On the north side of the road where Briggs' Block now is, there 
 stood a small building containing a harness and a tailor's shop ; and where the 
 church now stands, on a part of the " meeting-house lot," was the Franklin 
 schoolhouse, "a little old fashioned building painted yellow." Crossino- the' 
 common halfway, one came to the first church building, with its attendant 
 row of horse sheds and its even then ancient horse block, round which, in 
 its day, w-e may be certain the manly youths did congregate whenever pretty 
 riders approached to dismount. Beyond the common one came to the Hoi- 
 man house. Seventy years ago these mentioned were probably all or very 
 nearly all of the buildings in the village, but gradually and continually they 
 have increased until now through the centre almost every foot of laud is 
 occupied. Deacon Wales' house and blacksmith's shop on County Street 
 have long been one of the landmarks, and the house where Mr. Joseph 
 
676 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Capron lives has been built sixty-five years, and nearly as long ago the 
 schoolhouse gave its place to the church. 
 
 At one time Otis Caprou and Capron Peck owned thirty acres in the centre 
 of the village, that upon which Horton Block stands and from there on 
 south to the Jesse Carpenter farm. They sold off some of this to the Rail- 
 road House Company, who built a shop on it for use during the construction 
 of the railroad, which was later burned down. The house on Union Street 
 lately occupied by Nathan C. Luther was built and used for a boarding-house 
 for the men who then worked on the railroad. This same company owned 
 what was called the Temperance Hotel. Tlie members were Jonathan Bliss, 
 N. W. Sanford, and Daniel Otirpenter. They erected the Bank building, 
 now a part of Park Hotel, and they also formed the original Steam Power 
 Company. Afterward Leprilete Sweet and Virgil Capron bought the portion 
 of tlieir property held under that name. The old Bolkcom tavern passed into 
 many different hands. After Colonel Bolkcom, Moses Richardson became its 
 owner, then Moses Wilmarth. It was also at one time the property of Jona- 
 than Bliss & Co., of Lyman W. Dean, and lastly of Dr. Edward Sanford, 
 who left it a few years since to occupy his new residence across the street. 
 
 About where the Murray Church now stands stood at one time a house 
 known as the Cheney house, and quite a distance farther south was the 
 Daniel Carpenter house, which is still owned and occupied l)y some of his 
 descendants bearing the same name. On this same side of South Main 
 Street a large amount of land was for many years owned by Leprilete 
 Sweet. His farm was well conducted and he was a prosperous man. He 
 was a large cranberry grower and was the first farmer in town to introduce 
 the process of making cranberry laud and of especially cultivating the fruit 
 in that way. Previously the cranberry meadows had been pretty much left 
 to themselves, little assistance having been given to nature. Mr. Sweet was 
 very successfiil with this new process as Mr. Alger has since been so signally. 
 Opposite Mr. Sweet's was the Jesse R. Carpenter farm, under his care a 
 model of thrift and neatness. He for many years had a large butchering 
 establishment on the place. In the house until within a few years the old 
 brick oven was regularly if not exclusively used, and cheese at least sufficient 
 for family use was made. Both these farms have been very much " cut up " 
 and made into small lots, w^hich have been sold and built upon, and they are 
 now a part of the village. 
 
 Leaving the village and passing up North Main Street, at the earliest time 
 of which we write there was not a single dwelling on the right-hand side of 
 the road between the centre and "Brady's corner," but some sixty or seventy 
 years ago a house was built on that side — the Pardon Bailey house, and 
 probably the first erected — which was known later as the Carpenter house, 
 later entirely remodeled as the Rodolphus Bliss house, and is now the prop- 
 erty and residence of Dr. James M. Solomon. In the yard attached to this 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 677 
 
 house stood a little shop occupied by one Edmund Barney, and it is said this 
 was the first place where jewelry was ever made in the East village. About 
 half a mile from " Bolkcom's corner," on the same side with the Ingraham 
 house was an old house with a gambrel roof, which we find there still, stand- 
 ing where it has stood these scores upon scores of years, its right to retain 
 possession of its ancient site almost disputed by the Branch Railroad, which 
 crosses the street here nearly grazing one corner, and which did totally 
 demolish the little uupainted building on the opposite side where Polly Wood- 
 cock, something of a "character" and a terror to many a small child, lived 
 a long time. "Polly's" house was called "the shop," for it was built as 
 such, and it is said that the first power loom in the country was built in it. 
 
 This is not the original Peck house but was bought and moved here, exactly 
 when is not known, but doubtless much more than a hundred years ago. The 
 first house stood, it is thought, a little nearer the pond, just about where the 
 track was laid west of the present one, that position being indicated from the 
 old well as found by the railroad company. That older house was attached 
 to the L of the present one at right angles, running south, and remained until 
 a few years ago. It was long used as a wash house, and in it years ago were 
 kept the great meal bins and the ponderous looms. It must have been built 
 by Hezekiah Peck, the first of this town, who settled here soon after 1700. 
 
 The founder of this family in this country came here in 1638 and settled 
 in Hingham, this State. He with others fled from persecution, bringing 
 their pastor, Robert Peck, his brother, with them. The town clerk of Hing- 
 ham speaking of this Mr. Peck says : " Mr. Joseph Peck, and his wife, with 
 three sons and daughter, and two men servants, and three maid servants, 
 came from Old Hingham, and settled at New Hingham." They came over in 
 the ship Diligent, of Ipswich. Mr. Peck was of that class called gentry in 
 England, whose rank is next to that of baronet, and they are entitled to coat 
 armor, etc. His fifth child, Nicholas, settled in Seekouk — or Rehoboth — 
 and became a man of great prominence there. He was one of the original 
 proprietors of the Rehoboth North Purcliase and Uis name is frequently found 
 on the early records, is often mentioned in this book. By his will, dated 
 October 2, 1707, and " in the sixth year of her Majestie's Reign," he gives to 
 his son Hezekiah his "sixth allotment drawn in the Rehoboth North pur- 
 chased lands which appears by record," etc. The father died in 1710, and 
 it would seem that he antedated his will in regard to this' land and gave 
 it to his son before his death, for there is a record showing that on December 
 23, 170-, this Hezekiah had land laid out to him in payment of land taken 
 from his lot for a road. This road is the Boston Road or the "East Bay 
 Road," of which North Main Street is a part, and it seems safe to conclude 
 that the " sixth allotment" above mentioned must have included the present 
 Peck lands on both sides of that street. Hezekiah sold his lands in Rehoboth 
 (or Seekonk) in 1705 and removed to Swansey, where he lived for a time, and 
 
678 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 then came to this town and, according to the above date, before 1710. In 
 1713 more hinds were hiid out to iiira on Bungay plain. December 25, 1721, 
 a small piece was laid out to him lying " at the South West end of great 
 Bungay meadows, it Being a small gore of land Lying in a three square 
 manner Bounded Northward Pecks own land and on Coopers Southward and 
 Abraham Commins on the East side." In 1724 one John Peck came into 
 possession of lands laid out on the east side of the river, and the northerly 
 and easterly bounds of one of these lots are described as the " Land of the 
 Heirs of Hezekiah Peck Deceast until It Comes to the South West Corner of 
 the old Home lot of Sd Hezekiah Peck," and another boundary mentioned is 
 land of John Sweet. This would probably be in the vicinity of what is now 
 Mechanics, those of that name having early owned lands there. 
 
 Hezekiah married Del)orah Cooper and they luid eight children. Of these 
 Hezekiah was fourth and the oldest son. He married Elizabeth Carder and 
 remained on the home place. He died in 1753 and was buried near his father 
 and mother in the family burying ground. He had ten children, and it may 
 naturally be conjectured that he found the old house rather too contracted 
 for his large family to grow in and that he purciiased the present house, add- 
 ing it to his former dwelling. If this conjecture is true, then it has occupied 
 its present position over a hundred and fifty years. Hezekiah, third child 
 and oldest son of the above, followed in his father's footsteps and remained 
 at home. He married Ann Skinner, of ^Mansfield, and they had four chil- 
 dren. Of these Jonathan was the third son and youngest child. He re- 
 mained on the homestead and became a highly respected man and prominent 
 in the public affairs of his community. His wife was Sabra Capron. They 
 had four sons, but all died young excepting the oldest, Capron, who resided 
 all his life in town, though only a portion of it in the old home. He was 
 connected with the cotton factory at the Falls at one time and lived in the 
 house now occupied by H. N. Daggett, and the little hill back of it is called 
 from him ''Peck's mountain." He at length purchased the house on the 
 corner of North Main and Sanford streets, which was built by Dr. Savery, 
 and resided there for many years until his death. He married Lydia Daggett, 
 sister of the author of this book, and they had twelve children. Of this 
 large family only four lived to maturity, three daughters — Sabra, Sally, and 
 Lydia — and one son, Jonathan. He was born in this town November 25, 
 1829. His early life was spent chiefly at home, but during the Civil War he 
 was in the employ of the government at various places. His subsequent life 
 was passed chiefly at the South and West, the choice of localities being par- 
 tially on account of his health, which rendered it necessary for him to avoid 
 the rigors of a New England climate, for many years of his life were a fight 
 with that dreadful disease «o often termed our " curse." He latterly became 
 interested in some ranches at the far West and in cattle raising. He married 
 and had two children. The elder, a son, died at the age of three ; the 
 

 -f - 
 
 111 ^^ 5 
 
 1-5 §. g 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEB0B0UC4H. 679 
 
 younger, Mary Lyclia Peck, is living iu Ohio. Mr. Peck died while on a 
 visit to his home, September 21, 1881, the last male member of the family. 
 
 Mr. Capron Peck and his wife, as is rarely the case, lived to celebrate 
 the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. A house full of relatives and 
 friends met in their pleasant home to greet and congratulate them on that 
 happy occasion — in June, 1874 — the last anniversary, as it proved, of their 
 married life. During his long residence in the East village Mr. Peck was 
 active and prominent in church and parish affairs and in those of the com- 
 munity, and he held various local offices. He died September 7, 1874, aged 
 seventy-seven years, seven months, and three days, and Mrs. Peck died Feb- 
 ruary 2, J 882, aged seventy-nine years, three months, and sixteen days. 
 
 Her death was the ending of a life full of years and " full of good works 
 and alms deeds which she did." Her days were occupied with the homely 
 cares, the homely duties of life, for her deepest feelings were centred in her 
 family ; but the whole community surrounding her was her " neighbor," and 
 she dwelt in it not to be ministered unto but to minister to others iu their times 
 of need. How many kind words she said ! How many kind acts she per- 
 formed ! How many wearisome burdens she helped troubled souls to bear ! 
 Never too busy, never too tired to respond to calls for aid, during many years 
 she went again and again to the bedside of sickness and to the chamber of 
 death. Her charity was the purest the world ever knows, for in giving it she 
 gave of herself. How much pain she lessened, how much grief she soothed, 
 how many aching hearts she comforted, how many times her willing feet 
 crossed the threshold of stricken homes carrying consolation and hope, will 
 never be known until the Book of Life gives up its hidden I'ecords by-and-by. 
 Sweet, gentle, motherly, all who knew her loved her, young or old. Unself- 
 ish and loving in her nature, she was forgetful of self and mindful of others. 
 She did her every duty quietly, she bore her every sorrow silently ; when these 
 were all done and the last blow of bereavement decreed had fallen upon her 
 aged head, one by one the loosened cords binding her to earth gave way, and 
 soon with her usual gentle calmness she passed on to the other world. In the 
 best sense of the word " Aunt" Peck was a good woman. Such a Christian 
 life as hers is a blessing to the community in which it is lived, and its influence 
 is felt in ways we wot not of and to far wider bounds than she in her modest 
 humility ever dreamed, because such helpful deeds as she so often did are 
 those little things which go to make up the great sum total of effort for the 
 good of needy humanity, and each one whether known or unknown is a benefit 
 to the world. 
 
 There are ver}^ few*, if any, other cases in town where any portions of the 
 original allotments of the proprietors of the North Purchase have been retained 
 iu the same family and under the same name up to the present time, as appears 
 conclusively to be the case with some of this old Peck farm. A part of this 
 land must have come into the possession of Ensign Nicholas Peck over two 
 
680 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 hundred years ago, and six generations of his descendants and name have 
 dwelt on the same spot. Though it may and it is to be hoped that it will 
 remain in the family for many generations to come, in the natural order of 
 events its ownership must during the days of the coming generation be vested 
 in another name, since no male descendant of the line which has owned it so 
 long survives. So one by one ancient landmarks pass away, and so one bv 
 one old and once numerous families are becoming extinct within our borders. 
 
 For a great many years a dwelling-house has stood on the site of Philip 
 Brady's residence at the intersection of West with North Main Street, and 
 about two miles north on the latter street — formerly the "Old Bay Road," 
 now frequently termed the "New Boston Road" — the old Daggett homestead 
 still stands. This was built about 1721 and was used as an inn in the days 
 of stages over this post road. Its old sign is still in existence. Scattered 
 here and there over the eastern part of the town there are still other ancient 
 dwellings, but here as elsewhere they are fast disappearing. 
 
 Banfield Capron once owned a great amount of laud in this part of the 
 town, the saying in regard to him being that he bought "all the land between 
 Bungay river and the Falls." This sa^'ing must be somewhat discounted, but 
 that he owned very large tracts of land is well known. According to the 
 author he owned where Joab Daggett lived — on the Bay Road — and one of 
 his granddaughters, Diodema Capron, who married a Barrows, lived in a house 
 which stood in an open space on the south side of the mill road near where it 
 joins the New Boston Road. Besides those lands which he bought, Mr. Capron 
 had the Callender lands from his wife. Sonie of these were, it is said, on the 
 south side of the river, but the Callender house stood where Mr. Brady's now 
 stands. One of his descendants — probably Joseph Capron, Jr., a grandson, 
 and the grandfather of Joseph W. Capron — built the house long occupied by 
 the late Deacon Joseph M. Newcomb, and that portion of the original lands 
 has been in the family for over two hundred years, for Mrs. Newcomb was a 
 descendant of Banfield Capron. Five generations have occupied the place. 
 The land purchased by Jonathan and George Bliss at the Farmers was a por- 
 tion of the Capron farm, and a part near by is now owned and occupied by 
 descendants — the family of the late Sumner E. Capron. [This portion has 
 since been sold.] 
 
 Among the families which came to this town early was that of Bishop, 
 several members of it having come from Salem in 1703. One of the brothers 
 was Joseph, elsewhere named, and his son Zepheniah married Sarah Stone, 
 granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Newman, the first minister of Rehoboth. His 
 farm was near the easterly line of the town, running to the Chartley Brook, 
 and in 1766 he built the house whicli still remains on it. He had eleven chil- 
 dren. Alembers of this family were prominent in town affairs during the Rev- 
 olution and a nuuiber Avere in active service. The names of at least six 
 different ones may be found in the lists of volunteers from the town at that 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 681 
 
 time, and one or two were in more than one expedition. Two were taken 
 prisoners. One of these, Zepheniah, above mentioned, died on board the 
 prison ship Jersey, off New York harbor ; and the other, Hezekiah, lived to 
 be paroled. On the Bishop farm many gnns were forged which acted their 
 part in the war for Independence. Zepheniah the second kept the Bishop 
 tavern on the old turnpike, a relay house, and of course a place of "refresh- 
 ment for man and beast." One Dexter Bishop, who lived in the east part of 
 the town, attained the very advanced age of ninety-six years. He was born 
 in 1780, while the guns of the Revolution were still sounding ; and on the da}' 
 when Fort Sumter was fired upon he, still strong and vigorous at the age of 
 eighty-one, was in the woods, felling trees and hewing timber for sleepers for 
 the Boston and Providence Railroad. His youthful companion and assistant 
 on that day was a grandson, Robert H. Kirk, a skilled carpenter and mill- 
 wright, who lives in Pawtucket. He has charge of several important public 
 works, among them the dam connected with the city water works. Another 
 grandchild is Mrs. A. F. Lee, of this town. The third Zepheniah Bishop 
 lives near the old homestead. 
 
 Another old house is the one owned and occnpied by Jacob Briggs at the 
 time of his death. It is supposed to have been built by Caleb Parmenter, who 
 is known to have lived there as early as 1748. Three brothers of that name 
 came to this country and Caleb settled in this town. His wife, Elizabeth, 
 was one of the original members of the Second Congregational Church. In 
 those early days bears frequently came out of the swamp not far from that 
 house, and upon a certain occasion one of them must have ventured too near 
 to suit the comfort or safety of Mrs. Parmenter, so taking down the gun from 
 the ceiling hooks, where guns then rested, she shot him from one of the west 
 Avindows. Caleb Parmenter, Jr., at the age of eighteen, enlisted in the Rev- 
 olutionary army and was in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. He 
 married Elizabeth Rounds, a daughter of Nathaniel Rounds, a Baptist clergy- 
 man, who lived in South Rehoboth and who subsequently came to this town 
 and bought the farm known to this generation as the Zenas Carpenter farm. 
 Tradition says that he entertained Whitefield at his home here and that a reli- 
 gious service was held under those grand old elms. Mr. Parmenter was pro- 
 moted to the rank of captain, and the title was given to him during his entire 
 life. He built the house where Horatio Parmenter now lives and lived there 
 for many years. He and his wife lived together over seventy-two years and 
 attained the remarkable ages of ninety-four and ninety-six years, respectively. 
 
 The transformation which has taken place in the North village is quite as 
 astonishing as that of the I^ast village. Starting at " Hatch's " some seventy 
 years ago and walking down on the west side of the road, now Washington 
 Street, one came at once upon a part of the old Garrison house. This yet 
 clings to the spot and looks strong and steady enough to defy old Time 
 himself for many years to come. It is the quaint, comfortable home of 
 
682 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 " Aunt " Cynthia Hatch.' Next in the early days came tlie cliurch, which 
 was then where the schoolhouse now is ; next was " Grandpa" Tifft's house ; 
 and next William Blackinton's, on the site of William 1). Whiting's handsome 
 residence. This old house stands directly back of its former site on IJroad 
 Street. The next house in order was Ellis Blackinton's on St. Mary's, or 
 the " round house " lot, and still farther south stood Leonard Blackinton's, 
 near the spot occupied by Earl William's market, and then came the dwelling- 
 house of Samuel Guild, next to where Guild's Block is now. The only other 
 house on the west side was the " long house," then owned by Preston 
 Draper. It had been a hotel and subsequently was moved away. About 
 opposite this point on the east side of the way was " Brimstone Corner," as 
 it was formerly called. What gave rise to this name we cannot positively say, 
 possibly the fiery quality of the old-time liquors sold on the spot or the heated 
 tone of the discussions, no doubt frequently held there, may have had 
 something to do with it. On this corner stood the long, low structure known 
 as the Union House, built by Richard Robinson. It was a social gathering- 
 place from far and near and its "■ dances" were much talked of. It was the 
 rendezvous for the men of its time who enjoyed " club " life, and many tales 
 have been told of those days of sociability, and many amusing stories are 
 current of the "cronies " of the village who Avere wont to congregate within 
 the " bar." The tavern was finally burned, but not before it had attained 
 a reputation quite as famous in a kindred way as that of " Bolkcom's." The 
 tavern has given place to the hotel, and now the Wamsutta House 
 occupies this spot, and the long, low structure's place is many times filled by 
 a handsome, high, modern block. 
 
 Going north from here the first house was Parnell Fisher's, the same now 
 occupied by Silas Aldrich ; then came the old parsonage, the house long lived 
 in by "Ma" Day and in which she died. There were one or tw^o stores 
 along the road, and the building in which one of these was kept by " Parson " 
 Forbush now stands on the top of Watery Hill. One Benjamin Chandler 
 had a little store here at one time where, it is said, " everything was sold." 
 His house w^as not far from the church, and probably the store Avas near by. 
 Josiah Draper's house stood near Hatch's " or little beyond," and "Uncle" 
 Sam Draper's "was near the river and stood until recently." To the west 
 of Washington Street and south of the well-known " corner," the space now 
 so thickly studded with handsome places and comfortable houses at the 
 period of which we write was a huckleberry pasture, rough and full of 
 shrubs. Now the only unoccupied land on the street is the triangle in front 
 of the Baptist Church and belonging to it. 
 
 A few relics of the palmy days of the Hatch House j^et remain. An 
 unusuallv tall and handsome mahogany clock, its case dark and rich-hued 
 
 1 Mrs. Hatch has since died. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEB0E0UC4H. 083 
 
 with the mellow tints of time, still ticks out the hours in a solemn and 
 dignified manner, as befits a timepiece of its age and experience, for it has 
 stood before exalted personages, and impressive scenes have passed before 
 its view. It was made in England, but by whom is not apparent, the only 
 name upon it being that of a Boston dealer, from whom probably Colonel 
 Hatch purchased it. Its ancient comrade, the great sideboard, still keeps it 
 company, like it, of two shades of real mahogany and having the " tone " 
 which only ripened 3'ears are able to bestow. It is very large and has 
 space sutHeient to hold all the flasks and decanters which even a hotel 
 dining-room of a century ago might require. It is withal sideboard and 
 writing-desk combined, has its row of pigeon-holes and small drawers, with 
 sliding writing lid below. It was here the mail was kept when Colonel Hatch 
 was postmaster, and the present owner, his granddaughter, not long since 
 accidentally discovered a secret drawer and within it a copy of a Boston 
 newspaper for 1800, with wrapper and address intact. The person to whom 
 it had l)een sent having never called for it, it had probably been put in that 
 inner drawer for safe keeping and been forgotten, and there it had lain 
 undisturbed for eighty-seven years. The silver stirrups and brass epaulets 
 which Colonel Hatch wore in the VV^ar of 1812 and the silver eagle ornament 
 for his horse's breastplate hang by the side of the old hotel sign, while an 
 aged chair and the posts of an ancient bedstead look down upon these from 
 their loftier perches on the o[)posite wall of the shed, for a lowly roof now 
 protects them. Would the}' had the powers of speech to recount the histor}' 
 of the days when they were young ! 
 
 No doubt they all witnessed the occurrences of a certain bright June 
 morning some seventy years ago. A great crowd had gathei'ed about the 
 hotel, sure sign that something unnsual was looked for, and presently a fine 
 barouche, drawn by four handsome steeds and "• preceded b}' mounted and 
 uniformed marshals," drove up in dashing style. Of the occupants, one in 
 Continental costume — cocked hat, swallow-tailed coat, short breeches, low 
 shoes, with shining buckles on knee and foot, and lace rufHes falling grace- 
 fully over shirt front and hand — received special and marked attention. 
 He was James Monroe, President of these United States, who was making 
 a tour of tlie middle and eastern States. He was to dine at '' Policy's," but 
 halted at the ''Steam Boat Hotel" for some light '"refreshment." No 
 doubt this consisted of crackers, cheese, and Jamaica rum, and with as little 
 doubt these were of excellent quality. We can imagine with what alacrity 
 and pleasure the model host himself served his illustrious guest, and how 
 proudly the gay sign swayed itself in the breezes of that ever memorable day. 
 
 Early in this century a second and rival line of stages was established, and 
 then there were busy times at the hostelries when the fresh relays of horses 
 were brought out, and great were the contests between the hostlers at all 
 these different inns along the route, as to which of them should make the 
 
681 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 quickest transfers, thus causing the least dekiy and helping to make the run- 
 ning time shorter for their respective coaches. 
 
 The old pike road was built in 1802, by an incorporated stock company 
 called the Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike Company. The incorporators were 
 Ephraim Starkweatlier, Oliver S. and Oziel Wilkinson, Eliphalet Slack, 
 Samuel S. and William Blackinton, Israel Hatch, Elijah Daggett, Joseph 
 Holmes, Fisher Ames, James Richardson, John and Timothy Whiting, and 
 Timothy Gay, Jr. It began at the courthouse in Dedham and ran to North 
 Attle])orough meetinghouse, then to Pawtucket bridge and Providence in a 
 straight line -'as near as may be." It was four rods wide all the way, or 
 rather '• not less than four rods wide." There w^ere two toll gates in this 
 town. The running time between Boston and Providence was six hours. 
 Fully seven miles an hour including stops ^ was not slow travel for the four 
 or six horses, though the single " iron horse " can cover the ground nowa- 
 days in one sixth of the time. 
 
 In the early days, however, there were swifter ways of transmitting mes- 
 sages of importance than by the stages themselves, though electricity had not 
 then as now anything to do witli the methods used. Perhaps we have not 
 after all advanced in some ways quite as much as we are prone to think, for, 
 with no steam and no electric fire save that whicli sparkled in the breasts of 
 stout determined men and through them excited to their utmost exertion 
 willing intelligent steeds. President Jackson's message was "brought 
 through by express riders from Providence to Boston in 2 hours and 45 min- 
 utes. It was lashed around a whip handle, thrown from the boat to a rider, 
 who dashed away to ride alongside a waiting relay a few miles on the road, 
 the burden being exchanged at full speed of both horses." - One of those 
 fleet horses with his bold, impetuous rider must have dashed through our 
 town over the old pike road, leaving behind him a wake of mysterious won- 
 der, almost dread, like that caused by a solitary engine flashing by on the 
 iron road. This was the true, the admirable American enterprise, which 
 then, now, and ever overcomes all obstacles and, by taking or making 
 means, attains signal success and compasses its desired ends. 
 
 It was once necessary for Rehoboth people, if they were called upon to go 
 to Boston, to ride up to Hatcli's on horseback and there take the stage; 
 and it is told of Colonel Frederic Drown, of that town, a representative to 
 the General Court, that he used to take his young daughter behind him on his 
 horse, that she might ride the animal back home, a journey for her of over 
 thirty miles and for the most part of extreme loneliness. In Revolutionary 
 davs the w^omen often molded the bullets taken by their husbands and sons 
 
 ' It should be reniemhered Uiat one loiif; lialt was made for dinner and that the stages, which were 
 heavy in themselves, were cuml.ered with ha-gajre, mails, packages, etc., besides the passengers. 
 These things considered, the rate of speed was very creditable. 
 
 = See liristol County J!epublicau for July 12, ISTS. Article copied from noxtoii Advertiser. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOIWUGH. 685 
 
 when they were called iuto service, for they were obliged to engage in many 
 occupations in those "days that tried men's souls." The ordinary cabinet- 
 makers of those times were frequently coffin-makers also, and their wives 
 kept " mourning " to let or to lend on funeral occasions. Such was the case 
 with the Colonel Drown above mentioned and his wife, and very probablv 
 they may have supplied wants of that kind in this town. 
 
 It was the custom among our ancestors before matches were invented, if 
 the kitchen hearth tire burned entirely out, for some member of the family to 
 take a tin lantern and go to a neighbor's in search of the necessary coals 
 to relight it ; perhaps in long-forgotten corners of some of the old garrets in 
 town such lanterns may yet be hidden away. The great kitchen fire was in 
 common the only one in the house, the " best parlor" being used only upon 
 occasions of unusual ceremony. Those who are accustomed only to the lux- 
 urious steam-heated, brilliantly lighted houses of to-day can scarcely imagine 
 what the temperature of the dwellings of our fathers was or realize the dim 
 twilight which pervaded their " living-rooms" after nightfall. Some are still 
 living who remember when outside doors were never locked, even at night. 
 One of our townsmen says it was the invariable custom of his father's house 
 when he was a young man to leave all doors unl)olted, and often, on returning 
 late from some social gathering, he has found Iiis room occupied by a friend, 
 who. feeling too tired to take the longer walk necessaiy to reach his own 
 home and knowing the ways of the house, had entered after the family had 
 retired and helped himself to lodgings, sure of a welcome. The frequent 
 robberies which have taken place in recent years, in spite of bolts and bars, 
 attest that great changes have taken place in the entire social structure, even 
 in the very neighborhood where this citizen then lived. 
 
 At one time mails were brought to this town from Taunton on horseback, 
 and the post rider bestowed '^ the news " verbally upon whomsoever he met 
 on his way. Mr. Joseph Capron relates that one day between seventy-five 
 and eighty years ago he started for Taunton with his father, with a load of 
 hay or produce. They met the mail-carrier on the way, who announced to 
 them that war with Great Britain had been declared. He rode on to spread 
 the terrible tidings, and the others pursued their journey, but the dire fore- 
 bodings of all dreadful calamities and the terrible personal fright the boy 
 experienced that day have neA'er been forgotten ; as he, now grown old, 
 expresses it : "I have n't got over it yet." To other parts of the town the 
 same announcement must have come over the old turnpike to Hatch's. 
 
 There were a number of our citizens who enlisted in the War of 1812, and, 
 as we have seen, the militia companies were called out once or twice ; but 
 there are only a very few unsatisfactory records to be found, and tradition 
 has preserved but little to enlighten us regarding the small amount of service 
 which it fell to the town to render. One John Dunham was killed, but acci- 
 dentally. He was with his company at Fairhaven. Drill was just over and 
 
G86 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 some man was cleaning a gun, which went off, and the ballet passed through 
 the wall into an adjoining room, killing Dunham, who was sitting there. A 
 man In' tlie name of Jenks enlisted here. He was not a native of this town, 
 "but was courting a girl here." He subsequently deserted, was caught, and 
 suffered the penalty of the law. We are glad he was not an Attleliorough 
 man. These are the only incidents we have been able to gather together, 
 besides the references made elsewhere to those who served in this war, in 
 personal sketches, etc. 
 
 The mill built by Ingraham & Richardson at Mechanics had not been long- 
 finished when, early in 1815, the news came that the treaty of Ghent had 
 been signed and peace declared, and the mill and Mr. Ingraham's house were 
 brilliantly illuminated in honor of this event. Deacon Peter Thacher used to 
 cart goods for this firm to and from New York — a week's trip each way with 
 oxen, though later with horses he could accomplish the journey in some- 
 what shorter time. Now^ the same number of hours as the oxen required 
 days is sufficient to enable a traveler to go from one place to the other. 
 
 As has been stated, Israil Hatch was the first postmaster in town, and the 
 people from all parts for a considerable time went to his tavern for their mail. 
 Before an office was established in East Attleborough someone from that 
 village rode up on horseback to the "North" biweekly for such mail matter 
 as might be waiting there, and among others Mr. Joseph Capron frequently did 
 this. Now the town has eight or nine mails daily, and by the present genera- 
 tion, though continents intervene or " oceans roll between," news, even from 
 the antipodes, which is two wrecks old, is considered " stale and unprofitable." 
 The first "• post route " established between Boston and New York was as early 
 as 1704. It passed through this town, and the postman at that time doubtless 
 left what few communications there might be for persons of this vicinity at 
 Woodcock's Ordinarv. Messages relating to business or other matters were, 
 if of sufficient importance, sent by special carrier ; but great events only 
 called for the writing of letters in those days, especially to people living far 
 away from the towns. 
 
 In 1789 Colonel Hatch was first appointed postmaster, and he received two 
 subsequent appointments, one in 1805 and another in 1809. How long he 
 retained the office could not be positively ascertained, but it seems probable 
 up to the time of his death, in 1837, for no one recalls another postmaster 
 until that date, when, under President V^an Buren's administi'ation, Herbert 
 Draper was appointed. His successor, under Harrison and Tyler, was 
 Albert Barrows; and his again, under Polk, in 1845, was H. M. Richards. 
 Under Tavlor and Fillmore, in 1849, W. D.Cotton received the appointment; 
 and under Pierce and also Buchanan, from 1853 to 1861, J. D. Richards 
 held the office. T. R. Jones was appointed under Lincoln and retained the 
 position for more than twenty years, through the administrations of Johnson, 
 Grant, Haves, Garfield, and Arthur. He was thoroughly efficient and filled 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 687 
 
 the place with entire acceptance to the general community. About a year 
 before the expiration of President Arthur's term Mr. Jones resioned and 
 B. Porter, Jr., was appointed his successor for four years. His term 
 expired May 1, 1888, and J. D. Richards became his successor, the first 
 postmaster appointed in the toicn of North Attleborough. The present 
 quarters of this postoffice in Wamsutta Block are commodious and in a 
 situation convenient to everybody in the village. It is both a reo-istrv and 
 money order office and the salary attached amounts to about $1,800 a year. 
 
 About 1820 the first postmaster for " East Attleborough" i was appointed. 
 Ezra Bassettwas the appointee, and he kept the mail in a little office building 
 adjoining the frideou Sweet house. This was brought to him by the stages 
 running then between Taunton and Providence. He held the position only 
 a few months. Rev. Nathan Holmau was next appointed, probably about 
 1821, and had charge for six years. Samuel Holman attended to the mails, 
 which were kept in a table drawer for distribution. The third appointment 
 was given to Orville Bolkcom, and he had the mail in the tavern probably. 
 One informant says that Bassett kept the mail in Squire Bolkcom's house 
 instead of in his own office, but more probably it was Bolkcom who first kept 
 it there — his father's house — and later he may have transferred it to the 
 tavern. Succeeding him was Colonel Willard Blackinton, who was efficient 
 in this, as in whatever he undertook. He was appointed not much later than 
 1830 and retained the office several years, until 1836, when Lyman W. Dean 
 took it. The mails still continued to be kept in the tavern, then owned by 
 Mr. Dean. He made various alterations and improvements and introduced 
 boxes for the first time. He also obtained the right to carry the mails to 
 North and West Attleborough after the construction of the railroad, and the 
 postal matter came chiefly by its means. Mr. Dean continued through the 
 terms of Van Buren, Harrison, Polk, and Taylor, and for about four mouths 
 under Plllmore. Then, in 1850, Nathan C. Luther received the appointment. 
 
 Previous to this time the office, fixtures, etc., had been removed to Dean's 
 Hotel, now, enlarged. Park Hotel. This was then the '' Bank Building," as 
 it was called, it having been originally erected for the old Attleborough Bank, 
 but after that was removed to North Attleborough its use as such was no 
 longer requu'ed. Before its removal the postoffice was in the parlor on the 
 left of the entrance, which was then in the centre of the end toward Park 
 Street, and the rooms of the bank on the right. These afterwards became 
 the postoffice. Mr. Luther resided in the building, occupying a tenement 
 in the upper part of the house, and Mr. Godfrey Wheelock, a well-known 
 
 1 This name, it is said, never properly belonged to the village, though it has long been familiarly so 
 called. It was too often called the " Precinct " or the •' East Precinct," but how the first postmaster's 
 commission read has not been ascertained. When the railroad station was built the place received 
 the name of " Attleborough," largely through the instrumentality of the late John Daggett. He 
 would prefer that simple name without any prefix. 
 
688 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 resident of the town for many j^ears, lived below. A great many have no 
 knowledge of this building as it was then, but it presented quite an imposing 
 appearance to youthful eyes, with its tall fluted columns, as did the similar 
 one on the rising ground above the road entering the village of North 
 Attleborough, which has been permitted to retain much of its old-time 
 aspect in the midst of its modern surroundings. In 1858 Mr. Dean was 
 reappointed and continued through the terms of Pierce and Buchanan, 
 meanwhile turning the building into the hotel long known by his name and 
 personally conducted by him. The postoffice remained here for a great 
 many years. In 18G1 Mr. Luther again assumed its duties and continued 
 them in this place until 1873, when he built a small house near the foot of 
 Bank Street especially for the business of the otilce, though the second story 
 was arranged as a dwelling. In 1876 he removed the ottice to Sturdy 
 Building, where the enlarged quarters necessary were obtained, and where 
 for the first time lock boxes were introduced. Mr. Luther discharged his 
 official duties in this position for twenty years to the satisfaction of everj^- 
 body. In 1881 he resigned, and Abijah T. Wales was appointed in his 
 place, and he in turn was succeeded by the present occupant of the office, 
 Philip E. Brady, appointed in 1886. He has moved the establishment to 
 Bates Opera House, where still larger space is occupied, and additional 
 improvements in the way of fixtures, boxes, etc., have been made. This 
 office is also a i-egistry and money order one and its salary nearly the same 
 as at North Attleborough (1887). 
 
 Until within a few years the postal facilities at the Falls were very limited. 
 For a long time a small building stood by the roadside, opposite the residence 
 of Mr. Willard Robinson, into wliich a bag was tossed from tlie passing 
 stages. Whoever chose opened tliis, looked for his own letters and papers, 
 and left the rest of the mail scattered about the fioor, to be searched again by 
 anyone who happened along or who thought he wanted a letter ; and the 
 Falls village proper did not then fare much better. For a number of years 
 the mail there was kept in the " store," the building which stands facing the 
 road from East Attleborough just where it turns toward the north (whose 
 piazza, from resting very near the grouud, makes its appearance somewhat 
 singular). Here Randall Pierce took charge of such mail matter as came to 
 his hands. Finally it was decided by the citizens of this community that 
 a regular postoffice in their midst could not any longer be regarded as 
 a matter of desirable convenience only, but that it had become a matter 
 of urgent necessity ; and Handel N. Daggett determined to get one 
 established, if possible. AVith characteristic promptness he immediately 
 started for Washington. He had an interview with one of our then 
 Congressmen, Mr. Ames, who promised his assistance and made a special 
 appointment in regard to making the presentation of the matter to the 
 proper authorities. At the hour named Mr. Daggett was at the place 
 
HI ST OB Y OF ATTLEBOROUaH. 689 
 
 designated, but not Mr. Ames, who forgot all al)Out it. Mr. Daggett then 
 sought out our Congressman from Fall River, Mr. James Butfingtou, who 
 rendered him material assistance. He had taken neither a petition nor 
 a map of the town or village with which to work, but in some wav the 
 Gordian knot was cut, and the ball of governmental red tape unwound so 
 rapidly that " between the hours of twelve o'clock noon, and two o'clock 
 in the afternoon," a postofflce was established at the " Falls village in 
 Attleborough, Massachusetts," and the postmaster appointed. In the issue 
 of the Boston Evening Jotirnal for that same day an item appeared statinsz 
 the fact of this establishment and announcing that Joseph J. Freeman was 
 the new postmaster. The exact date of this remarkable transaction has not 
 been ascertained, but it was probably not far from the time of the construc- 
 tion of the branch railroad in 1871. Henry W. Gleasou was the successor 
 of Mr. Freeman after a few years, and Will. N. Fisher followed him. His 
 successor, and the present postmaster, is James B. Parsons. 
 
 Almost nothing could be obtained in the way of information regarding 
 other offices and other postmasters in town, and the process of getting an 
 accurate list from the Department at Washington would require so much time 
 and labor that it was deemed unwise to make any attempt in that direction. 
 One of the earliest to have the office at South Attleborough was Milton 
 Barrows, who kept it in his " tavern," which stands yet, about three quarters 
 of a mile south of the "-city." The mere mention of this old house will call 
 pleasant recollections of a social nature to the minds of not a few of the 
 elders in various parts of the town ; for when these same elders were voung 
 the sounds of the '' ficklle" were most enticing, and they were often heard 
 and merrily responded to in the great dancing-hall at " BarroAvs'." But no 
 matter how many gathered there in those days when our old people were 
 " boys and girls together," the accommodations were ample for all, and the 
 kitchen and larder equal to every emergency. These country inns are almost 
 all gone, but Barrows' and Newell's houses stay yet in their original places, 
 little changed outwardly, to prove that the tales which have come down to us 
 of •' real good times " in '' days of yore " are true. 
 
 Some few years since, the Department at Washington issued an order for 
 all postoffices to keep an exact account of all the mails sent out during a 
 specified week, and the statistics taken in our town were published in the 
 Chronide. They are the figures given by five offices, Dodgeville being 
 excepted, and include the five classes of mail matter inclusive of postal 
 cards — letters, papers, circulars, and merchandise being the four classes in 
 order. The five offices sent out 4,191 letters, 1,100 postal cards, 809 pieces 
 of second and third class matter, and 186 packages of fourth class matter, 
 making a total of 6,286 piece^. North and East Attleborough offices had of 
 course the largest figures, the latter 88 more letters and 50 more postals ; 
 while the former exceeded the latter in the other classes combined by 359 
 
690 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 pieces, with a total excess of 221 pieces. If similar statistics could Lave 
 been procured for the present time, 1887, these figures would probably have 
 been materially increased, though the general introduction of the telephone 
 doubtless keeps the number of letters reduced, especially in the larger offices, 
 as a great amount of business is transacted by its use. In no other way 
 perhaps is the growth of the town shown more clearly than in the lines just 
 indicated — the great increase in the postal facilities demanded, and the 
 almost universal adoption of all the modern means for promoting the prompt 
 and easy conduct of business affairs ; and nothing perhaps would more 
 astonish the former inhabitants, if they could return to walk about our 
 streets, than to witness the present modes of managing daily commercial 
 concerns. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 691 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS, CONTINUED, 
 
 THE town has been visited by two extraordinary storms of wind. The 
 first, known as " the great September gale," occurred in that month in 
 the year 1815. Buildings were unroofed or utterly demolished, great trees 
 were torn up by the roots, and much serious damage was done. It was dur- 
 ing this gale that a schooner was blown up on to Weybosset Street in Provi- 
 dence, to about opposite the postofflce building there. The morning after, 
 Mr. Ezra Ingraham's father rode up to Hatch's to get the mail and it was 
 almost impossible for his horse to pick his way along the roads, they were so 
 full of obstructions. A distillery belonging to Roger Farnura which stood 
 on the south side of what is now Elm Street in North Attleborough was 
 blown down. Of how long it had stood there or how large an amount of 
 business was done in it nothing seems to be known, but it is certain that the 
 great tornado brought it to a violent and tragic end, and no attempts were 
 ever made to set up another. It is possible the owner may have looked upon 
 its destruction in the light of a judgment. No lives were lost in this town, 
 but the author of this work very nearly lost his. He was at the time a lad 
 of ten and with a brother was at work or at play in the " sheep barn" on 
 his father's place. The boys " heard the wind blow," but had no idea of the 
 fury of the gale until they attempted to open the *' great door" of the barn 
 and found this utterly impossible to do. They then went to the other end of 
 the barn to the small ''sheep door." This was kept closed by a i^ail or beam 
 leaning against it from without. All efforts here failed for a time, but finally 
 by dint of great exertions in pushing on the door they managed to move the 
 beam just enough to enable them to get out, and they got to the house as 
 quickly as they were able. They had scarcely entered the door in safety 
 when a crashing noise caused them to turn and look out, and lo ! the barn 
 they had just the moment before quitted, with so much difficulty, lay on the 
 ground a complete ruin. A resident of "New Boston," some half-mile 
 beyond the Daggett place was heard to declare with assurance " that salt 
 spray dashed against her windows." As the storm came from the south over 
 Narragansett Bay there might have been an odor of the "salt sea" in the 
 air, giving occasion for the "old lady's" statement. There were many 
 occurrences more remarkable than that, had it been true, and the storm was 
 long remembered with a feeling closely akin to terror. 
 
 The second gale occurred also in September, in 1869. It came suddenly 
 and lasted for some hours, but raged with less fury and for a shorter time 
 
692 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 than the former one, and the damage was less severe. Many beautiful and 
 valuable trees, however, were uprooted, and among these one of tlie three 
 notably large and handsome ones near the Tiffany house. There were some 
 amusing as well as thrilling incidents. Among the former was a story told 
 of an unfortunate calf, which, after the storm had abated, was found astride 
 the ridgepole of a low shed upon which he had been blown, and the iron 
 chain with which he had been fastened to a stake was still attached to his 
 halter. A good many people who were caught out in this gale had narrow 
 escapes, but no one in this town sustained any serious injury. To watch the 
 progress of this storm was an experience never to be forgotten. The noise 
 of the winds was " like the sound of, rushing, mighty waves," like the 
 ungovernable raging of angry waters. Great trees reeled and tottered like a 
 drunkard, recovered themselves for a brief instant, and then fell with a crash 
 that shook the earth ; and houses whose foundations were thought to be 
 almost immovably fixed, with stanch oak timbers and the heaviest of beams, 
 swayed and shivered, as an aspen sapling trembles in a summer breeze. 
 Wave after wave of wind swept on with frightful, bellowing roar, then sud- 
 denly an utter, awful silence would fall upon everything, while the elements 
 gathered themselves together to rush on in 3'et mightier power, a more dread- 
 ful torrent of destruction than before. The commotion was appalling, and 
 the awe and terror produced were heightened because the agency was invisi- 
 ble. It seemed as if the controlling power of the universe had for a moment 
 stayed His hand and as if the destroying fiends thus let loose upon the earth 
 were hurling themselves hither and thither in uncontrolled fury, a fearful 
 "besom of destruction," shrieking and howling in fierce, wild delirium as 
 they worked their devilish will. The whole scene was grand but too terrible, 
 and those who looked upon it never wish to see its like again. 
 
 Before leaving entirely the familiar reminiscences of earlier days, it seems 
 appropriate to make mention of a social club which had quite a flourishing 
 existence in the east part of the town fifty or sixty years ago. It had but 
 few members and only one is living, but he not long since recalled its days 
 with pleasure. It was called the " Bachelors' Club." As the name indicates, 
 onh' unmarried men could become members. The meetings were held in the 
 otiice of one Mr. Bedford, "an Englishman and a jeweler." This "office" 
 was a small building some half-mile or more perhaps ''down the Norton 
 road," on the place owned by Timothy and later Ferdinand Bolkcom, and the 
 entertainment provided for the club, we are told, was " a keg of rum, or a 
 barrel of cider, with crackers and cheese." One particular incident of the 
 latter days of the club has often been related in later years. One of the by- 
 laws very appropriately prohibited the members from visiting young ladies, 
 the consequences following upon the indulgence in such a course of action 
 being naturally considered detrimental to the welfare of the club as tending 
 very materially to lessen its members. Upon one occasion it was ascertained 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 693 
 
 beyond a doubt that Mr. Orville Bolkcom had called upon a certain young- 
 lady, and the dignity of the club of course demanded a thorough investiga- 
 tion of the matter. The fact was reported to the officers by another young 
 lady, probably a friend of the one who had been guilty of causing the 
 infringement of rules, and who looked upon it as a grave offence, and they 
 determined to have a trial " according to law." 
 
 Necessary arrangements were completed with all possible secrecy and 
 dispatch, and upon the appointed evening, the clubroom was filled to over- 
 flowing ; all the members were present and outsiders whose presence was 
 necessary to the proper conduct of the case. Who the judge and jury were 
 is not known, but the author was clerk. Some inkling of the matter had 
 reached the ears of the delinquent, and it was with great difficulty that he 
 was persuaded to "attend a club meeting" upon that particular evening. 
 His presence obtained, however, the court was called to order, and the trial 
 proceeded with great solemnity and ceremony. The informer was chief 
 witness, a sister of one of the members and possessed of the same fun- 
 loving nature and the same power of relating facts or fancies with telling 
 eft'ect. Hers was not the only testimony taken, but it was so ample even in 
 minute details that it was sufficient of itself to prove a decided case against 
 the accused, who, in the face of it, or possibly on account of his indignation 
 at having fallen into the trap so cleverly laid for him, attempted to sa^' very 
 little in his own defence. In due time the jury retired, but the evidence was 
 so overwhelming it required but little discussion, and they soon returned to 
 the courtroom with a unanimous verdict of " Guilty in the highest degree." 
 The judge at once pronounced the sentence with becoming gravity and 
 awarded the punishment, which provided that the guilty party " should visit 
 the young lady as often as he pleased." Thus ended the " mock trial " which 
 was locally so famous and caused so much merriment in the recitals of after 
 years. Mr. Bolkcom married soon after this, but we think not the young 
 lad}' in question ; the author followed his example before very long, and 
 somewhat later Major Holman. He was the last to retain his membership 
 in the letter as well as the spirit, and the club died a natural death when all 
 of its members were finally turned from bachelors into benedicts. 
 
 Two disasters on Long Island Sound have touched the people of our town 
 closely. About twenty years ago the steamer Metis was wrecked and cast 
 ashore at Watch Hill, Conn., and Miss Augusta Perry, for many years one 
 of our successful teachers, a person whom none knew but to respect and 
 love, was drowned. A strange fate befell her after death. She was identi- 
 fied as another person, and her body was sent to Pawtucket, where it was 
 prepared for burial, arrayed in garments befitting a bride, and thence sent to 
 her supposed family in New York State. There the mistake was discovered 
 and she was sent back to her own town and people to be buried. 
 
 June 12, 1880, will long be looked back upon in Attleborough as a day of 
 
694 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 great calamity. On the night preceding, about midnight, the steamer Narra- 
 gansett collided with the steamer Stonington near Cornfield Light. The 
 evening had been pleasant ; " an hour before was beautiful," though some say 
 that previous to the accident a fog had arisen, which at the time had become 
 dense. Be that as it may, the passengers one and all attribute the occur- 
 rence to gross carelessness, and one at least fi'oni our town expresses the 
 cause with one short word of three letters, the same which has often Ijeeu 
 fouud underlying many a wholesale disaster and ruin. The Stonington 
 struck the Narragansett about amidships, and through " the gaping cleft, the 
 ravenous waters rushed to devour their prey " ; and to make the horrid process 
 more complete fire speedily burst forth to their assistance. On the ill-fated 
 steamer the shock was terrible ; partitions were crushed out and berths splin- 
 tered into a thousand fragments. Before it could be fully realized the water 
 was foot-deep over the saloon deck, and in ten minutes the boat's keel had 
 struck the bottom. In as short a time three steamers had come to her 
 assistance, but uotwithstandiug all their earnest efforts many perished. The 
 Stonington picked up a number of the drowning passengers, but a large hole 
 in her side below the water line made the danger of her sinking so great that 
 she transferred the most of those she rescued to the City of New Yoi'k. 
 These steamers remained iu the vicinity as long as any living persons were 
 to be found, and then pursued their courses, rendering meanwhile all the 
 assistance that could be rendered to such of the nearly perished ones as they 
 had taken on board. 
 
 Twelve of the passengers on the Narragansett were on their way to this 
 town, and most of them were residents. They were James J. and Edwin 
 J. Horton, Simeon Bowen, Milton Blackinton, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Goudier, 
 P. M. Carpenter, Robert Fulton, Mrs. Frederick Stilsou with two young 
 children, coming to her family home, and Miss Martha Perry, coming on a 
 visit to friends. No boat train passed through on the morning of the 
 twelfth, and there began to be some questioning as to the reason, which was 
 tinged with anxiety, and at half-past eight o'clock the first rumors came. 
 These were conflicting and told nothing with certainty but the fact of au 
 accident, and that several Attleborough people were en route for home. The 
 anxiety had now become general ; people could not set themselves to work, 
 but they gathered in throngs about the depot to get upon the instant every 
 scrap of information the wires might bring. The first " ray of light" in the 
 deepening gloom of uncertainty was a telegram from Mr. Bowen ; and soon 
 after, about midday, he ai'rived, with Mr. Blackinton and Miss Perry on the 
 same train. Great was the relief at their arrival, but they brought no 
 tidings of the other missing ones, and the fears for their safetv were 
 redoubled. Messages of inquiry were repeatedly sent to every place where 
 it was thought possible to obtain news, but no answers came ; and, as hour 
 after hour dragged slowly on, suspense deepened to agony, and hope almost 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. G95 
 
 abaudoued itself to despair. From half-past eleven until after four o'clock 
 in the afternoon not a word came over the wires to relieve the terrible doubts 
 and fears. Then the safe arrival of Mr. James Hortou, Mr. Carpenter, and 
 Mrs. Stilson in New Yoi'k was announced, but the joyful intelligence had a 
 heavy coloring of sadness in the accompanying statement that Mr. Edwin 
 Horton and the two children were missing. Later came the announcement 
 of the safety of Mr. and Mrs. Goudier, and all were thus in some manner 
 heard from with the exception of Mr. Fulton. 
 
 Individual experiences differed greatly, but all were sufficiently harrowing. 
 Mr. Boweu in spite of the wild disorder, the aimless rushing to and fro of 
 dazed and frightened people, managed to make his way to the bow of the 
 boat, and here for about two hours he contrived to keep a hold and was then 
 taken off in a small boat by the captain and clerk of the steamer. 
 
 Mr. Blackinton's first experience of the collision was in being thrown from 
 his berth in the lower cabin. He dressed quickly and went to the upper deck, 
 where he found the confusion •' indescribable." He attempted to go back to 
 the cabin to get a life-preserver, but finding that impossible returned to the 
 deck and stayed by the wheel-house. When almost everybody had jumped 
 overboard he found a life-preserver without strings. He, however, took it 
 with him when he jumped into the water and it Inioyed him up until he found 
 a floating board, which served him better. His efforts were directed toward 
 reaching the Stonington, and when he had succeeded in getting near he was 
 picked up by a small boat and taken on board, where he received the best 
 of care and where he remained until he took the cars for home. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Goudier both had thrilling experiences. He heard the pilot's 
 order to the engineer to reverse the engines, and this was instantly followed 
 by the crash. Both were thrown from their berths and it was with difficulty 
 they got out of their stateroom, for the lights were put out liy the encounter. 
 Mr. Goudier went back for their clothing, some of which they managed to 
 put on, but neither had shoes or stockings. They reached the main deck 
 together, but the water was then waist high and the boat rapidly sinking. 
 Seeing an officer with a life-preserver near, Mr. Goudier asked for it for his 
 wife. It was refused him. A gentleman at once stepped forward, took off 
 his and fastened it about Mrs. Goudier, quietly saying he would take his 
 chance. To this noble, chivalrous man Mrs. Goudier owed her life ; and her 
 gratitude has been none the less earnest that she has not been able to express 
 it, for she never learned even his name. At this juncture a colored man 
 standing by her told her to jump overboard, but she was afraid to do this, so 
 he offered to jump with her if she would hold him by the hand. Just then 
 some one said : "Put her in the life-boat." This was accordingly done ; but 
 by a sudden jerking of the ropes, as she was the only person in the boat, she 
 was thrown out and into the water. She became unconscious, and on reviv- 
 ino- found herself in a small boat. Seeing a ladv in the water alongside 
 
696 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 holding up a baby, Mrs. Gondier took it, handed it to the gentleman next 
 her. and then seized the neck of the lady's dress and assisted her to place her 
 ell)ow Dver the edge of the boat, thus by her presence of mind saving two 
 lives. She fainted again, but continued to clutch tightly the dress of the 
 person she was holding up. This boatload were taken on board the City of 
 New York, where the kindest treatment and the most efficient aid possible 
 were given to all the sufferers by both crew and servants. Mr. Groudier had 
 seen the life-boat launched, and with the aid of two men had placed his wife 
 near it, bidden her get in, and said " Good-by." Just then a woman clinging 
 to a mattress begged him to save her little boy. He tried to reach the child, 
 but something knocked him senseless. When he came to himself the woman 
 and child had both disappeared, and he was obliged to save himself from fast 
 approaching flames. He finally reached the steamer's bow, where he spoke 
 with Mr. Bowen. Between thirty and forty people were there at the time, 
 and in imminent danger of being driven off by the bnruing pilot-house. A 
 slight protection was afforded by dipping blankets in the water to hold up 
 between themselves and the flames. After a time some thirty or more of 
 these persons were taken oft' in a boat, Mr. Bowen being of the number. A 
 half-hour later perhaps, the eight or nine who remained were also taken oft", 
 and Mr. Goudier was the very last to leave the wreck for this rescuing boat. 
 All were taken to the City of New York, where Mr. Goudier at once com- 
 menced a search for his wife. This was for some time fruitless, and he sup- 
 posed her to be lost ; but presently a gentleman accosted him and on learning 
 his name took him to the steward's room, where she lay well cared for but still 
 unconscious. When consciousness returned, the steward with great kindness 
 provided a stateroom for them, saying it would " be more comfortable." 
 
 The Horton brothers were in a stateroom on the side of the steamboat 
 which was struck. Mr. .James Horton's berth was knocked from under him, 
 and the adjoining stateroom splintered into a thousand fragments. Looking 
 through this he '• saw the lights of a passing steamer." Realizing what had 
 happened he, yet with great self-control, forced himself to dress entirely, 
 even to his necktie, for he appreciated the necessity for calmness in facing 
 such extreme danger as he felt certain had overtaken them. His brother also 
 dressed entirely, and together they went out, passing Mr. Carpenter and Mrs. 
 Stilsou in the saloon. They went on to the outside, and there together still 
 they assisted at putting life-preservers on some of the women. Most of the 
 company gathered there went overboard, and suddenly Mr. Horton lost sight 
 of his brother, whom he never saw again in life, and of INIr. Carpenter and 
 Mrs. Stilson also, who had not been far oft'. He then climbed up on to the 
 hurricane deck, two men giving him a helping hand. At this time men were 
 launching the life-raft, so he slid down the bulwarks and as it came near 
 swung off, "caught it, and got on." He stayed upon the raft two hours, 
 when be was placed on the Stonington, but subsequently was taken to the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOnOUGH. 697 
 
 City of New York and to New York, returning home from there by train. 
 Mr. Horton calls the man who had charge of this raft, he thinks the second 
 mate of the wrecked steamer, a hero. He did all a single man could do to 
 save life and bravely kept near the Narragansett in spite of the fire and all 
 the floating obstructions as long as he could find anyone to take on to the 
 raft. 
 
 Miss Perry's experiences were very thrilling. She heard a crash, which 
 was followed by total darkness in the ladies' cabin. Some one brought in a 
 lantern, and she tried to light the gas but could not. She dressed, and a 
 gentleman assisted her to put a life-preserver on. Then another crash came 
 and with it a great volume of water which was soon shoidder high. She 
 made her way out of the saloon and tried to reach the gatewav, but the water 
 swept her off the steamer to a distance of about thirty feet and near to a 
 life-boat. She caught a rope, clung to it for a while, and was then swept 
 back to the steamer. She climbed upon a rail and clung to that until she saw 
 a chance to get to a raft, and plunging into the water was pulled upon it. 
 It was the same onto which Mr. Horton had been taken ; but Miss Perry 
 remained upon the steamer Stoniugton, which put back to Stonington town, 
 and from there she took the train for this town. Much kindness was shown 
 to such of the sufferers as were taken there by the people of that place. 
 Seeing that Miss Perry had no hat, some generous woman took oft' the bonnet 
 from her own head and tied it upon hers. 
 
 Mr. Carpenter, like all who were asleep, was awakened by the awful crash 
 of the collision and partially dressing himself left his stateroom to ascertain 
 the cause. Mrs. Stilson joined him and they attempted to go forward, but 
 were prevented by smoke. This was not more than ten minutes after the 
 two steamboats collided. Turning back, before they could cross the saloon, 
 " the smoke and fire came up the gangway in a perfect whirl." Then all the 
 lights suddenly went out, sure proof that great danger was imminent. Then 
 they tried to reach the stateroom where the children were, but the heat and 
 smoke made it quite impossible. The}' managed to get to the stern of the 
 boat, where some people were to be seen. Here the\' became separated, and 
 Mr. Carpenter went into the water. He swam away from the steamer in 
 order not to get pulled under by the people who were constantly jumping 
 overboard at that time. The water was so cold as to soon chill him 
 thoroughly, but he remained in it from that time, a little after twelve o'clock, 
 until a quarter past two. After a time he found a small bit of plank and 
 later another piece, and these he held together and so managed to keep his 
 head above water. At one time a woman floated near him and she begged 
 his assistance in holding her head up. He did the best he could for her, 
 pushing away a l)eer keg which kept hitting her head, and he tried to encour- 
 age her to believe she would be picked up by someone. Something in the 
 water struck against his leg and lamed him, but presently he caught a 
 
698 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 floatino- chair, got his legs arouiul its back aud held on to it as tightly as he 
 could. After this he must have become unconscious as he remembered little 
 else with distinctness until he found himself on the City of New York. 
 When found he was holding tlie chair so firmly that it was with considerable 
 diftu'ulty his grasp was loosened. 
 
 Mrs. Stilson's experience was as trying to nerve and soul as an3'one could 
 
 have. She was aroused from partial sleep by the dreadful shock and at once 
 
 deemed the occurrence, whatever it was, serious. She immediately went to 
 
 Mr. Carpenter's door and spoke to him. He answered her call and then she 
 
 returned to her own room, dressed partially, and with Mr. Carpenter went to 
 
 find out what had happened, locking her stateroom door. Like many others 
 
 she testified to hearing no orders from officers and to seeing no attempts on 
 
 their part to quiet the panic or direct the terrified people in regard to chances 
 
 of saving themselves. Seeing the situation her first thought was for her 
 
 children, and with Mr. Carpenter she started for her room. All attempts to 
 
 reach them were fruitless, and she soon realized that she must abandon them 
 
 to their fate — death either by fire or water. Very soon she lost sight of her 
 
 companion, and presently she was washed overboard. Seeing a rope she 
 
 contrived to get hold of it and with its help to climb upon the deck, where 
 
 she found a life-preserver and fastened it on. The thought came to her that 
 
 unless she made strenuous exertions her husband would surely have to mourn 
 
 the loss of wife and children both, and she must therefore do all her frail 
 
 strength allowed to prevent this and save herself, and the thought nerved her 
 
 to efforts that were almost superhuman. She climbed to the hurricane deck, 
 
 where she saw a boat was being launched, in which she took a place. Some 
 
 men were also in it and the man in charge bade them get out, but ^Irs. 
 
 Stilson did this instead and helped to push the boat off. Turning her head 
 
 for a moment to avoid the blinding smoke, when she turned it back the boat 
 
 was gone and she was alone. But she did not give up her courage yet. She 
 
 caught a rope and swung herself into the water, going completely under. 
 
 When she rose to the surface she found herself near a boat, into which she 
 
 asked to be taken. Some of the men said it was already too full, but one 
 
 man among them was brave enough to risk the danger of swamping aud 
 
 insisted upon her being helped on board. This no doubt saved her life, but 
 
 her generous preserver's name has remained unknown. She was so chilled 
 
 and exhausted by this time, having been in the water probably for an hour 
 
 and a half, that she herself began to fear she could not survive, and she 
 
 asked the occupants of the boat to put their hands about her neck. She had 
 
 to do this to keep any warmth in her body. There were no oars in this boat 
 
 and the men in it were obliged to move it about as they best could until they 
 
 were rescued and all put upon the City of New York. ]Mrs. Stilson was put 
 
 into a berth and given brandy and blankets. Here she soon saw Mr. Hortou 
 
 and learned of Mr. Carpenter's safety, and with him returned home by train 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUdH. 699 
 
 from New York. She did uot once lose consciousness through nil those 
 terrible hours of agony. She would not yield to despair, but with wonderful 
 fortitude and calmness bore the double strain to which she was subjected — 
 the severe physical shocks and consequent suffering, and the bitter anguish 
 of resigning her lovely children to so crnel and relentless a fate. For three 
 days she had to endure the added pain of not knowing whether the sea 
 would ever give up to her her dead, but tinally the two little bodies were 
 found and brought to this town for burial. 
 
 Of the two men who perished little can be said. Mr. Edwin Hortou lived 
 iu the water probably for quite two lioiirs, as Mr. Carpenter saw and spoke 
 to him twice. The last thne he appeared almost exhausted and much dis- 
 couraged, and doubtless did not long survive. Of Mr. Fulton's experience 
 no single word can be said, for he was found among the dead. A sadder 
 case than this could scarcely be imagined, for by his death a wife, with five 
 young children, was left almost penniless to face the world alone. Many 
 people throughout the town were very generous iu rendering every possible 
 aid to her in her sore distress, and very substantial proofs of sympathy were 
 shown — notably by the one who at the same time mourned a similar loss. 
 
 Severe criticism was generally and freely bestowed upon the management 
 of the steamboat company at that time, for everyl)ody felt that the accident 
 might and should have been avoided. Whether this be so or not can only be 
 fully known when the world's history is read by the light of eternity, but it 
 is certain that all who knew of or experienced the horrors of that awful 
 night will pray with the utmost fervor that heaven will in the future avert all 
 such fearful catastrophes, and we that our town may never again be called 
 upon to mourn over such a sorrowful disaster. 
 
 In the month of Fe1)ruary, 187o, thirteen women in the city <;»f Philadel- 
 phia, received an appointment as a Women's Centennial Executive Commit- 
 tee. They were to cooperate with the members of the Centennial Commis- 
 sion, to contribute to the success of the contemplated exhibition. This 
 number was subsequently augmented by the addition of one woman from 
 each State and Territory. They were given authority to dispose of Centennial 
 stock and to raise as much money as possible for the proposed object. A 
 complete organization was not effected and the women's committee fully at 
 work until January, 1875. In due time appeals were made to women all over 
 the country through the medium of the public press. The matter was taken 
 up in this town, a committee was appointed, and the following appeal written 
 and published in the Chronicle : — 
 
 To tlio Ladies of Attlei»oro: 
 
 An appeal comes to 3011 from the Ladies Ceuteuuial Committee, askiiiu- your co-operatioii iu 
 carrying out the plaus of the International Exposition to be held at Thiiadelphia. in ISTfi. The 
 objects of the Exhibition are to commemorate the birth of the nation, to show the Industrial, 
 Literary, and Scientific development of a hundred years, and to keep fresh in the hearts and 
 homes of our people, the memories of Revolutionary meu :md measures. Shall we, who are 
 
700 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 reaping the benefits of all those self-sacrifices, fail to do our part in commenioratiui;- them? 
 The ladies are to have a portion of the Exhibition buildinjj; assijiiied them to l)e under their 
 special supervision. A Woman's Auxiliary Committee has l)een ori,^ani/ed. and similar oruani- 
 zations are recommended in every town and city in the Union to aid in carrying out this plan. 
 A large proportion of the States have responded to the call. Will you, ladies of Attleboro, 
 have a share in this grand undertaking? It has been proposed that a meeting lie called at some 
 central point, at an early day, to organize and adopt such iilans and measures as shall be deemed 
 most advisable to accomplish the desired end. Shall we not, one and all, lie interested and come 
 to the meeting prepared to do what we can and thereby show to our children and the genera- 
 tions who are to (;ome after us, our appreciation of the noble deeds of the women as well as the 
 men who figured so extensively in the days of the Revolution. 
 
 Mrs. John Daggett. 
 
 Chairman of Committee. 
 
 At a meeting of this committee. Mrs. L. B. Sweet was elected treasurer, 
 and it was decided tliat a portfolio should be made up for the exhibitiou, 
 consisting of a large number of pictures, it was thought from thirty to fifty, 
 such as i>hotographs of buildings, illustrations of the gas and water works, 
 etc., together with a short sketch of the town's history. To raise the neces- 
 sary funds it was decided to have a tea-party, wliich should include the triple 
 attractions of good food, good music, and good speeches, to say nothing of 
 good company. On this occasion there were a number of interesting old 
 relics on exhibition, among them an earthen plate brought over in the May- 
 flower. There were several ancient books, one entitled Divine Fancies, 
 and published in 1660; a Tnne Book, dated 1721, and a copy of Bulkley's 
 Sermons, printed in 1640, and bearing on its cover the quotation, "The 
 wicked borroweth & returneth not," conclusive evidence that a certain 
 familiar custom of our own time was almost coexistent with books them- 
 selves, and has been transmitted to us through the ages with perfect exacti- 
 tude. There were also to be seen several pieces of Continental scrip, some 
 homespun garments and homemade kerchiefs, the deed of a slave who was 
 sold in Freetown in 1732, a copy of the Thanksgiving proclamation for 1800 
 bv Governor Strong, and a velvet dress coat worn by one of the speakers of 
 the evening at the advanced age of three years. 
 
 The toasts were prepared by Mrs. L. B. Sweet, and Dr. G. B. Fittz was 
 the toastmaster. 
 
 The first was" The Da;/ me Celebrate: the Landing of the Pilgrims, Dec. 22,1020,'''' 
 Hon. John Daggett responded, giving a brief account of the Pilgrims from the time they left 
 the Old England, until they landed in the New, and claiming a special interest in Forefathers 
 Day for this town, because it was once a corner of Plymouth Colony, and among its citizens 
 are descendants of the voyagers on the Mayflower. His closing sentiment was : '■ The Pilgrims 
 of Plymouth, and their descendants, — may we always abide in their principles, and never cease 
 to honor their memory.'' 
 
 This was followed l)y the singing of *' The Pilgrims " by a choir. 
 
 '■•(hir I'nhlic Schools ; the principles that founded and sustained them are the true foun- 
 dations of civil liberty,^'' was respontled to l)y Mr. S. P. Lathrop, who said there need not be 
 given a history of public si'hools,to prove that upon them depended the safety of our republican 
 institutions, because that is the general belief of the present day, only •' sectarian bigots" be- 
 lieviu"- otherwise. He further said. — " \Vc are thankful today that our fathers early laid the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 701 
 
 louiKhitions of our public schools," and he closed his speech with a fitting sentiment in reuard 
 to our duty in maintaining' them. 
 
 " Oltl Hundred" was then sung. 
 
 The third toast was, — " T/^e il!/o</;.ers of our Land; their heroism, prudence, and other 
 graces nerved the hearts and upheld the hands of our fathers in the times v-hich tried 7nen's 
 souls. May their daughters emulate their example.'^ Rev. J. C. Gowan gave the response to 
 this with a high tribute to the women of the Revolution, and to all true mothers, and their 
 mighty influence, and expressed his belief that the women of today are as patriotic as those of 
 ol<l. His closing sentiment was : " The great want of America, — mothers." 
 
 To the toast: " Our iRimifacturing and Commercial Interests," Mr. Homer M. Daggett 
 was called upon to respond. He spoke of the growth of manufactures in this town, saying that 
 the lirst mill established iu 1790, "ran three cards and seventy spindles," and that the largest 
 mills at that period had no more than fifty looms; — and iu contrast stated that a factory must 
 now contain o\'er a thousand looms to be anything accounted of. He closed his remarks by say- 
 ing : " Attleboro, as the outgrowth of her manufactories, shows more fine dwellings than any 
 other similar town in New England." 
 
 The last toast was: "• The Future of Our Cotiniri/," responded to iiy Rev. Sanuiel Bell, who 
 in the course of his remarks spoke of the fact that in Greece the downfall of Rcpuljlican life 
 occurred when there was a departure from the Doric style of architecture, and of his fears 
 from signs of a similar nature seen in this land, — the tendency to depart from severe simple 
 Republicanism — that " in another century this Republic would be lost, unless saved by the 
 great vitality of national life evidently existing." The united singing of " America," ended this 
 very pleasant social evening. 
 
 Another entertaiument consisting of music and tableaux was given by the 
 htdies. The Declaration of Independence was on that occasion read bv 
 a young lady of the East village, and it seemed a little ironical that one of 
 English parentage should have been selected to render that part of the 
 program, though she acquitted herself in the proper, patriotic manner. 
 These entertainments were both llnancially successful, and some fifty or 
 sixty dollars were raised, which were used in the purchase of stock. The 
 Ceuteiniial Board of Finance sold shares at ten dollars each, which were 
 represented by handsome certificates. Probably five or six were bought 
 with the money raised here, and these were presented to as many of the 
 schools, which each appropriately framed its own. 
 
 Beyond the temporary awakening of special patriotic feelings, and the 
 social good times which ensued, little was done with regard to the Centennial. 
 The proposed portfolio of views and historical sketches was never prepared, 
 and no action was taken by the citizens beyond a previously recorded vote iu 
 town meeting. For some reason the business men declined to show their 
 manufactures, and the great jewelry interest of our town had unhappily no 
 representation in that remarkable and interesting exhibition. This was a 
 matter greatly to be regretted, as its magnitude made it well worthy a promi- 
 nent place in the manufactures of the country, and a proper display of these 
 goods in their variety of style and finish would have made an attractive 
 exhibit and been a credit to the town. 
 
 In the month of February, 1886, the most widespread and disastrous flood 
 ever known there occurred in various parts of New England. It will doubt- 
 less long be known as the " G-reat Freshet." It is certain that iu several 
 
702 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 instances the " oldest inhabitant " was known to acknowledge he had never 
 seen its like, and in our town and vicinity so much water had never been 
 visible before. The previous condition of things was entirely favorable to 
 the results effected, for the ground was covered with a considerable body of 
 snow and ice so compactly frozen that no single drop of water could penetrate 
 it and reach the soil beneath, but everything must collect and remain upon 
 the surface. A heavv rain set in, wdiich continued uninterruptedlv for thirty- 
 six hours and was accompanied by a great and continually increasing rise 
 in temperature. This at last broke up and partially dissolved the thick bed- 
 dings of ice and snow, and, these contributing themselves to the descending 
 floods from above, a great deluge was the natural consequence. Our town 
 suffered severely, and for a number of hours the inhabitants vvere in anxious 
 suspense lest the disaster should prove overwhelming. The territory adjacent 
 to the Ten Mile River was of course subjected to the greatest danger, though 
 every stream became a powerful river, and every tiniest brooklet an impet- 
 uous torrent, each adding its greater or lesser mite to augment the sum total 
 of damage. 
 
 . Plainville from being at the head of Ten Mile River naturally suffered the 
 least from its rise, but even there many of the streets were gullied, and many 
 houses and other buildings inundated so that business was generally 
 suspended. 
 
 The storm was so severe during the day of Friday, February 12. that a 
 number of cellars in North Attleborough which had never before suffered in 
 that way were inundated, and just at nightfall "the rain took a fresh start, 
 and rained for six hours, as few ever saw it rain." Notwithstanding this 
 and the fact that people heard various bulky articles in their cellars tumbling 
 about in a vigorous manner all through the night, the inhabitants of that 
 village were unprepared for the sights which gi-eeted their eyes on Saturday 
 morning. The dam at Whiting's Pond had given way during the night at 
 one side, and the remainder was threatening to foUoAV at any moment. 
 *' Below it the inundation extended in a broad lake, reaching completely 
 round the pumping station on one side and as far as AVest street on the 
 other. At West street a snxiU river was flowing in, fed from the meadow 
 near Circular street, which was, in turn, supplied by a torrent which fell with 
 a roar across Circular street. At the corner of Broad and West streets the 
 water was over the tops of a man's rubber boots. The water swept down 
 stream, crossing Park street at School street so deep that the water rose to 
 the hubs of wheels. One man in the vicinity secured his floating woodshed 
 with ropes, and several families were advised to move out. At Fisher street 
 the stream went directly across the road, and swept up and into the lock-up." 
 At that time Blaneyville was under water, "the loss and discomfort some- 
 thing dreadful," and the limits of the "Company's pond" reached on the 
 west to the back doors of houses on P^ast Street and into Mr. Stanley's shop 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 703 
 
 ou Orne Street, wliile on the east side the water flowed quite up to Mrs. E. I. 
 Richards' stable and far into the confines of the swamp. It entirely sur- 
 rounded the factories here, reaching also Mr. Bonnett's shop, and over the 
 Elm Street bridge it was two feet deep. 
 
 The greatest damage was at the railroad crossing near Whitney's shop. 
 For a hundred feet the sleepers were nndermined. ''At daybreak a huge 
 pile of cord wood, lumber and driftwood of various kinds was piled up 
 against tbe ti'ack," but after some time it was broken up and went floating 
 off down the stream. The neighboring shops were all flooded, Whitney's the 
 worst of all, and the only shops in the village that conld run were H. F. 
 Barrows' and F. S. Draper's. C'hestnut Street was so gullied as to be 
 " almost impassable," and all along Washington Street the damage and loss 
 were very great. R. Knapp & Co.'s basement was filled with water " flush 
 with the street." In Aunawan Block the water reached up to the floor and 
 ran out under the door sills. The bank building had more than four feet of 
 water in its cellar, and at the Wamsutta House it reached the furnace fires, 
 but did not quite extingnish them. In all these places and many more the 
 damage was considerable, but Barden Brothers suffered " more severely than 
 any of the storekeepers in North Attleborough." The cellar of their build- 
 ing having always been very dry, they stored many of their supplies of goods 
 there, and at this time these were worth some $3,000 or $4,000. The water 
 invaded these premises to the depth of three or four feet, and engines were 
 set to work to pump it out with some degree of success. In the Uuiversalist 
 church and parsonage cellars the water was several feet deep, and fires went 
 out, as was the case in the adjoining residence of Mrs. Simeon Bowen. 
 "Many of the houses along Washington street suffered, but chiefly near the 
 Baptist church and below the depot, as indicated by the course of the stream." 
 In one block on the corner of East and Elm streets the basement tenants 
 were turned out about midnight on Friday night " by a stream as large as 
 a man's body, entering from the rear" of the building, and in some places 
 people were kept busy all night fighting the water and trying to prevent it 
 from entering their, cellars in unmanageable quantities. Only a few of the 
 occurrences which took place have been cited, but what has been said is per- 
 haps sufficient to show something of the power developed and maintained by 
 the flood here. 
 
 The Falls was considered " the keystone of the situation," and, had the 
 dam there given way, the destruction ensuing would have been something 
 fearful. As it was, the greatest suffering was caused here. Some time on 
 Friday the officers of the braid mill were requested by telephone " to let the 
 water go, as it was backing up at the Company's shop." At noon the water 
 at the Falls " was going over the capsils, and then all the flash boards were 
 taken up." There was no rise at nightfall, but anticipating that there might 
 be trouble Mr. Daggett left several men on the watch. At one o'clock the 
 
704 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 pond hegau to rise ; at half-past one its gaiu was six inches and a gain aver- 
 aging fonr inches an hour continued until five o'clock in the morning, when 
 the highest point was reached and when the water was rushing over tiie dam 
 in enormous quantities. It was three feet higher than the capsills, and 
 " everything below the dam was flooded." The blacksmith's shop was inun- 
 dated, and everything movable floated aimlessly around. The great 
 absorbing question was, "• Will the dam stand the pressure?" and everybody 
 anxiously feared its strength would wholly fail, especially as a large place 
 was undermined at the south side. Happily it was sufficiently strong to 
 endure the crucial test of those vast masses of relentless, onsetting waters, 
 and the town was spared the more awful devastation that must have followed 
 upon its downfall. Stanley Brothers and W. D. Fisher & Co. removed the 
 stock and tools from their shops, expecting to see the building swept bodily 
 down stream, and their expectation was very nearly a realization. '' The 
 floor settled six inches, the bridge was badly wrecked, and the old carpenter's 
 shop was undermined." The tenants in many houses in the vicinity received 
 notice to quit their premises, and some confusion resulted, but it is said that 
 all acquitted themselves excellently well and accepted the dangerous situa- 
 tion with great courage. The scene hei-e was full of grandeur, of sublime, 
 fearful beauty, but overwhelming to the beholder with the manifestation of 
 infinite power. 
 
 The bridge at the Robinsonville dam was totally wrecked and the water was 
 on a level with the railroad and washing over the road. There was a large 
 washout at that point and the railroad bridge was rendered unsafe. Common- 
 wealth Avenue had two and a half feet of water on it and all the streets at 
 and near the Falls in the course of the river were more or less washed. Elm 
 Street was impassable from J. F. Sturdy's residence to the railroad, it being 
 " packed with barrels, lumber and rubbish," which had floated down there. 
 The basement of N. B. FoUett & Co.'s store had some three feet of water in 
 it. The company were somewhat prepared for the emergency and so suffered 
 small loss comparatively, but in many houses the loss was considerable. The 
 bridge on Clifton Street was swept away " and assumed an upright position 
 about 100 feet down stream," and Commonwealth Avenue had a bad wasiiout 
 just west of the Agricultural Association grounds. 
 
 At the Farmers the damage was also considerable. A part of the bank at 
 the dam there gave way, and for a time, it is said, "the scene beggared all 
 description." The footbridge to the foundry was washed away and a corner 
 of the old building itself. The small stone bridge near the residence of 
 H. M. Daggett fell in ou one side, and the road there was badly gullied. The 
 tiny brook between his house and that of Sumner E. Caprou, Avhich that bridge 
 crosses, swelled to a torrent of no mean size and rose to the "height of Mr. 
 Capron's garden fence ; and people wishing to get from one side of the stream 
 to the other had to cross on the top of the fence, which afforded but a preca- 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUaH. 705 
 
 rious foothold m the roUiug, tumbling waters. Mr. H. N. Daooett earlv sent 
 word to the Farmers of the imminent danger at the Falls and the prospect 
 that the dam there would yield to the pressure from a))()ve, advising the resi- 
 dents to be prepared for that exigency. The yard and garden of his own 
 house in that village, then occupied by the Rev. Mr. Philbrook, Avere flooded 
 and the water reached the level of the barn floor. The grounds of the cottaoe 
 just across the river there were filled with dirt and stones, for the swollen 
 river rushed through the yard with great force, tearing down fences and 
 dashing the debris it collected upon whatever opposed its onward course. 
 Tlie residents in this house, Mrs. Flmira Cole and her three children, were 
 removed early on Saturday morning by one of the neighbors, H. S. Babcock. 
 Even at that time the water had risen to the height of the switch handle on 
 the railroad. The bridge at the crossing there sank down on one side and the 
 track was washed away for a hundred feet or more, while the bridge at Dean- 
 town at the head of the millpond there was a complete wreck. 
 
 The condition of affairs at Mechanics a little lower down the river caused 
 great anxiety during the entire day Saturday, for upon the securitv of the 
 dam at that place depended, it was thought, the safety of the buildings at the 
 County Street bridge still further down. All the morning there was a steady 
 rising of the water in the Mechanics pond and every moment was full of fearful 
 apprehensions for its endurance. The dam there is some sixty feet long and 
 it kept intact until midday, when quite a section was washed away and the 
 pent up floods, now let loose, rushed on in ungovernable fury, carrving everv- 
 thing that lay in their path — small buildings, the foundations of a tenement- 
 house, and huge masses of ice cakes, whose cracking and tearing as they 
 plunged madly forward augmented the horrors of the scene. Enough of the 
 dam held to prevent the entire body of water from going at once, but enough 
 poured out to noticeably increase the height of the waters in the meadows 
 below in a very short time and to lower the depth of the pond eighteen inches 
 almost immediately. Reaching the bridge over the road from the East village, 
 the torrent seized and lifted it up bodily — a fragile toy in its mighty hand — 
 and bore it away down the stream. The mill tenement-houses by the bridge 
 had been flooded long before and deserted by the inmates, who had removed 
 such of their furniture as they could to a place of safety. 
 
 In P2ast Attleborough the residents were threatened with a threefold danger. 
 Not only was a wide-spread destruction from the freshet itself impending, but 
 incalculable loss from fire should any break out, and an entire famine of water 
 in the waterworks. Early in the evening of Friday the fires at the pumping 
 station were extinguished by the spreading waters of the river, and until the 
 Monday morning" following there was no way of obtaining a new supply, the 
 pump being the only dependence for filling the tank. The registrar issued 
 printed notices and sent out special messengers tln'ough the village, enjoining 
 the people to practise the utmost possible economy in their use of water. 
 
706 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Fortunately the supply previously stored was sutiicieut to last until pumping 
 could be again resumed, though in many buildings the force had failed to 
 carry to the second stories. As early as Thursday the river here had swollen 
 from the rain to unusual proportions and by Fiiday noon the water had made 
 its determined way into the boiler-room of the pumping station. At six 
 o'clock in the afternoon it was eighteen inches deep there, and an hour later 
 twenty-three inches deep, and soon after the engine fires went out. This rise 
 continued all night and on Saturday morning County Street for some distance 
 " was fordable only in long boots," while during the night Mr. Wales had 
 been obliged to move his horse and various things from his stable. 
 
 At an early hour it was announced that there could be no railroad traffic 
 and consequently no mails. Business generally was suspended and great 
 crowds, among which were many women, gathered themselves together to 
 watch the floods, all fascinated by the sight and yet terrified at the fury of the 
 maddened waters. A bystander at this place says: "Every moment the 
 water grew deeper and increased in force. By ten o'clock it was nearly 
 impossilile for a person to stand upright in the stream which, separated by 
 Bushee's shop, formed two violent currents, one of which rushed under the 
 bridge, and the other poured between this shop and Wales' blacksmith's shop. 
 Carboj^s were tossed about, and a number belonging to A. Bushee & Co. and 
 Horton, Angell & Co. went down the stream. W. D. Wilmarth & Co. also 
 lost their carboys. The stream was now 200 to 300 feet wide and gaining in 
 violence. It tore off the fence on the Wilmarth side and poured impetuously 
 between the coffin-trimming factory and the old Advocate office. At the 
 former, a breakwater was hastily built near the bridge, banked Avith coal, which 
 diverted a great deal of the water. Every moment the torrent between the 
 buildings grew^ fiercer, and it seemed impossible that the latter could stand the 
 pressure. The dip house belonging to Messrs. A. Bushee & Co. finally left its 
 foundation, and sailing along, was caught by the shop. By nooii the water 
 was up to the bridge and soon was over it. The water rose to five feet two 
 inches in the boiler room, which was four and a half feet higher than ever 
 before. The scene after noon was ver^' exciting. All business was sus- 
 pended and every one who could got a place to view the still swelling water. 
 A rope had been stretched across the street to keep people off the liridge, 
 which it seemed must inevitably be swept away. The little foot bridge in 
 Hayward's meadow had long before come down, and was under the bridge. 
 A little after one o'clock Mechanics bridge rose from its foundation, and 
 sailed majestically dowm stream. It was necessary to prevent it from striking 
 the other bridge and boats put out for it. Mr. Edward Weaver was the first 
 mau on it, and he, Wallace Collom, and W. H. Blaney, with lines secured it 
 to a convenient tree." This danger avoided, a new one arose, that from the 
 immense masses of floating ice ; and the fire alarm was sounded and the fire- 
 men put on duty to ward oft" these great blocks from bridge and buildings and 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. ^Q 
 
 <U/ 
 
 keep them in midstream, and the men proved themselves as well adapted for 
 and as zealous in this work as in their more legitimate one. For two hours 
 the fight was a desperate one, as the waters continued to mount higher and 
 higher and many of the ice cakes proved almost unmanageable. The iron 
 railing of the bridge was broken off, great lumps of ice were piled up in the 
 road, sidewalks and roadl)ed were torn up, and tons of sand and gravel 
 thrown up upon the higher land ; and the meadows to the south were flooded as 
 far as could be seen. Fears were at one time entertained for the safety of 
 Wilmarth's shop, but its foundations proved solid enough to withstand the 
 long-sustained shock. About two o'clock the waters reached their greatest 
 height and not long after began slowly but surlily and with great reluctance 
 to subside. Sunday morning they had greatly abated but there was still a 
 deep, though narrow stream between the two shops, and the course of the 
 mighty torrent of the day before was marked by a wide line of devastation. 
 The damage was not in reality very serious at this point and in a few davs 
 the shops were running smoothly and the necessary repairs to street and bridge 
 had been made ; but if the river-bed w^as on a level with the central portion of 
 the village instead of through low-lying meadows, it is impossible to calculate 
 what the results would have been. 
 
 The Wolfenden Dye Works, though situated very near the river, by singular 
 good fortune escaped serious injury, though at three different times durin"' 
 the increase of the freshet articles were moved to a safe distance. Everv- 
 thing movable was upset, but the actual loss was small. The dam at 
 Dodgeville had been considered an unusually strong one and great reliance 
 was placed upon it all through this critical time, and not vainly, for it stood 
 the test as a whole, though it sustained considerable damage. A new wall, 
 then but recently built between the dam and the waste-house, was however 
 entirely washed away, and opposite that spot about twelve feet of banking 
 also, the water forcing itself under the roadway. Some preparations had 
 been made here for a rise of water, but of course wholly out of proportion 
 to that which actually occurred. The lower floor and boiler-room of the mill 
 were filled with the unw'elcome element, the machinery was a good deal 
 injured, and about two hundred and fifty tons of coal lost. It is said that 
 over a thousand persons visited this place during Saturday. 
 
 The bridge on the road which runs from a point between Dodgeville and 
 Hebrouville to the towm farm was badly washed out and damaged, and 
 another bridge, lifted from its foundations somewhere above, floated down 
 and sympathetically joined this wreck. The dam at Hebrouville, which is 
 a fine piece of work, held its position firmly, though it was hard pressed, but 
 the water rose there to an immense height and pursued its rapid course 
 almost unchallenged through the first floor of the mill. A large piece was 
 torn away from the corner of the brick blacksmith's shop, and of the more 
 than a thousand bales of cotton in the cotton-house about half were soaked 
 through. Nearly three hundred tons of coal were lost here. 
 
708 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 At Orr's mill near the ''City" there was a scene of wild confusion when 
 the waters were assnaued. The dam there was a solidly built granite wall, 
 and it had wide and deep abutments, which had been strengthened but a 
 few years previous. About three o'clock on Saturday afternoon the north 
 side yielded to the enormous weight of the collected torrents above, and 
 these rushed tumultuously onward, driving everything before them in their 
 resistless course. Four large elm trees standing near the dam were torn up 
 by the roots and swept away to a distance of six or seven hundred feet ; 
 great rocks and stones weighing tons were tossed about like pebbles, and 
 gravel and debris were whirled hither and thither like feathers dancing in 
 a summer's breeze. For acres around, the ground was strewn with a hetero- 
 geneous mass of rubbish. When the dam broke, the current seized upon 
 a new way for itself nearer the road, making a powerful stream between the 
 bleacher V and ice-house, which excavated a chasm of several feet in depth. 
 A shed which adjoined the ice-house was swept away, and the basement of 
 the bleachery filled with water. The bridges on this river (Seven Mile) 
 above and l)elow this point were destroyed, and the stream near the residence 
 of Elisha G. May formed an entirely new channel for itself, while the after 
 scene in all directions was fearful. The street running through South 
 Attleborough was filled with water, a lake was formed in front of the school- 
 house, and the cellars on both sides of the Avay were flooded. One end of 
 the bridge fell in, but when the water had subsided it was found it could still 
 be used, and the damage altogether in this village was not severe. 
 
 At Adamsdale, on the contrary, it was very great. The bridge crossing 
 the old road above the mill was carried away, and below the mill the once 
 narrow stream swelled to a river nearly a hundred feet wide. Here another 
 bridge was carried away and a great excavation from sixty to eighty feet in 
 width was dug out in the south bank, and as far as the eye could reach the 
 meadows along the river course were covered with debris of every descrip- 
 tion. The mill basement was inundated, the floor forced up in places, the 
 oil tanks tipped over ; in fact there was a general wreckage of everything. 
 A barn standing near by was uplifted; one half of it containing hay, etc., 
 was left a few rods off, and the other half deposited fully half a mile away. 
 The inhabitants were kept up all of Friday night in a state of intense anxi- 
 ety. An eyewitness here said: "Every moment the angry stream writhed 
 with greater violence, every moment the peril increased. At midnight the 
 houses were deserted, and the little band of villagers hastily sought the high 
 land, expecting their little homes to be carried away, and that the mill where 
 they labored, would be in ruins. These last calamities are happily averted, 
 but about half-past five Saturday morning, the massive granite dam, which 
 seemed impregnable, gave way with a crash, and the vast body of water 
 rushed down tumultuously, overrunning the banks, dashing through the 
 streets, tossing gi-eat cakes of ice like playthings, and forming a scene which 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 709 
 
 was iudesei-ibuble, and the full terror of which was kindly hid hy the early 
 darkness from the alarmed villagers. Morning showed the desolation, the 
 rushing torrent, the ruined dam, and the torn up streets. Large cakes of 
 ice wei-e lying around, and some of great size were leaning agains't the corner 
 of A. B. Carpenter's cottage, where they evidently saved the house, for the 
 water had rushed around it with a force which would have driven it away, in 
 all probability, had the ice not saved it." 
 
 The damage to the town's property in the way of highwavs and l)i'idoes 
 was very considerable and was often found to be most severe where lelst 
 expected. In a number of instances old bridges which had not been con- 
 sidered altogether safe to drive over remained intact, while newer ones were 
 completely destroyed, the examination of the authorities into the condition 
 of things after the storm of waters had spent itself showing that, if the 
 doctrine of the survival of the fittest can be connected with inanimate mat- 
 ters, it had in various cases at this time been most peculiarly misapplied. 
 Brooks too small to lie indicated on tlie maps of the town took this oppor- 
 tunity to force themselves into prominent notice and, broadened and deep- 
 ened to respectable rivers, rendered the highways in their courses quite 
 impassable. On Broad Street, near Whiting's factory, the bridge remained 
 firm in spite of the adjacent severe washout, and that on Fisher Street also ; 
 but the roadbed east of the latter was cut down to the rocks. Half of the 
 wooden bridge on Chestnut Street was taken away, and the entire street had 
 the appearance of consistent and persistent neglect. At Deantown the 
 road bridge kept its entirety, though there was a bad washout near it. This 
 was the more remarkable because the railroad bridge by the pond above was 
 wholly destroyed. " The famous selectmen's bridge at Hebronville stood 
 through it all, and never turned a hair," someone remarked, while the new 
 stone bridges at Oldtown, which were constructed at a cost of $1,400, were 
 entirely carried away, '•'with the exception of a narrow roadway on the 
 extreme southern edge." Hunt's bridge bore the continuous and tremendous 
 pressure from the large ponds above it most nobly. This bridge is a stone 
 arch " 24 feet span, 18 feet in the clear," and the abutments are filled in 
 with rock for a distance of fourteen feet back from the edges. It was built 
 by Jesse Carpenter, and that is equivalent to saying it is of thorough and 
 substantial construction all through, equally sound in every part. The stone- 
 arched Itridge near Mr. Sweetland's house on the Holmes neighborhood 
 road gave Avay, and all passage on the road was barred. Luckily, just before 
 it fell, the milkmen returning from North Attleborough had crossed on their 
 homeward journey. There were also other and numerous washouts in vari- 
 ous parts of the town, some cellars on Pleasant Street were flooded, and in 
 Bearswamp and vicinity the water was very abundant, but the more impor- 
 tant damages have been mentioned. Soon after the freshet the estimated 
 loss was placed at from $25,000 to $50,000. Including all injuries to per- 
 
710 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 sonal property and merchandise, and the dehiys caused to business men, etc., 
 the latter figure may have been nearly reached, though no positive statement 
 can be made ; the town loss as estimated by one of tlie then selectmen was 
 about $14,000. 
 
 There were of course mauy amusing incidents, and many accidents 
 occurred, but fortunately in this town no fatalities. Mr. William Henshaw, 
 while leading his horse across a washout, fell and injured his hip, but not 
 seriously. Mr. G. A. Dean and Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Sweet, on their way 
 home from New York, found themselves " stormbound " with many other 
 persons at New London. Conn. A party of thirty, in which they were 
 included, chartered a tug — by an arrangement highly favorable to the owner 
 financially — and came to Pawtucket, where, in order to land, the gentlemen 
 had to w^ade ashore and assist the ladies. From there our townspeople 
 finally reached home in a coach, only after "a long and roundabout 
 journey." At County Street some man attempted to drive through the waters 
 while they were subsiding. For a time all went well, but suddenly the 
 horse went down, leaving only his ears visible. It was thought he must be 
 dead, but aid was rendered as promptly as possible, and the beast developed 
 such lively and vigorous mulish qualities that all doubts as to his animate 
 condition speedily vanished. At this place considerable enterprise was 
 developed in a manner that proved convenient to numbers of people. When 
 the street became quite impassable as a street, Wallace CoUom got a boat, 
 and all during Saturday ferried persons across the river, many making the 
 little voyage from curiosity, and others as the only means of reaching their 
 homes on the farther side. Mr. J. M. Bates rendered most valuable service 
 to East Attleborough by pumpiug water from the wells at his shops into the 
 mains, thus materially supplementing the supply in the tower tank. O. W. 
 Hawkins & Co. displayed commendable enterprise in their line. Mr. 
 Hawkins and a companion drove to Providence on Saturday, to obtain their 
 supply of the Bulletin. It was a perilous drive, but they managed to over- 
 come the difficulties and avoid the dangers, and performed the feat in safety, 
 having the welcome newspapers in town in the early evening of that day. 
 
 Previous to the occurrence of the freshet there had been continued and 
 somewhat animated discussion by the citizens of East Attleborough as to the 
 advisability and feasibility of taking water from North Attleborough, and 
 many had been positive that such a thing was quite impossible. The Chron- 
 icle of February 16, 188(3, says : " But such have changed their minds within 
 the last twenty-four hours. North Attleborough has proved its superiority 
 to the home product by completely silencing the batteries of the latter. 
 Powerless before North Attleborough's supply, the boilers of the Attleboro' 
 pumping station ceased to act. Like Joseph's sheaf, the North water supply 
 compelled obeisance to itself." On the other hand it was generally acknowl- 
 edged that had there been proper sewerage in the North village the damage 
 
HI8T0BY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 711 
 
 from the flood would have been materially lessened, and the Advocate of a 
 little later date informed its readers that so universally was this want realized 
 that in North Attleborough even the infants were " crvino- for a sewer." 
 For several days at this time the town was cut off from communication with 
 the outside world as regarded mails. The Rehoboth carrier managed to get 
 his bag to the East village on Saturday afternoon, and this was the only out 
 of town mail — and of course a small and unimportant one — between 
 Friday and Monday night. The mail and express packages from North 
 Attleborough reached Attleborough some time on Saturday, but the former 
 was returned, and the latter had to await the opening of rail traffic. A mail 
 was sent to Boston and one to Providence on Monday, the fifteenth, at noon, 
 and one received from the former place on the evening of the same dav, 
 which included a New York mail, while communication with the '-North" 
 was had by carriage. On Monday evening the midnight train on the Branch 
 Road went through, arriving at the North Attleborough station at 12.40 a.m. 
 This was a very hazardous trip, and at the time the water at the Farmers 
 was still so high that it flowed into the door of the baggage car. On the 
 following day a gravel train, while attending to repairs, ran into a soft place 
 in the road and only got back to a firm place with a good deal of difficulty. 
 Regular travel on this road was resumed on Thursday, the eighteenth. The 
 Taunton Branch track was badly damaged, and as work on the main line of 
 the Old Colony Road had to be done first the repairs there were delayed, and 
 the passengers from "Taunton way" for this town and beyond had to travel 
 by the old route through Mansfield. Very serious results followed the freshet 
 on the Boston & Providence Road, but sufficient repairs were speedily made 
 to enable some traffic to be resumed, and trains commenced running on 
 the seventeenth, Wednesday. The first through train for New York left 
 Boston on the morning of that day, but it was delayed for six hours in 
 Providence on account of a "break in the Stonington line." The first train 
 from Boston to Providence left the former place at 3.50 p.m. of the same 
 day and passed through this town at 4.43. A few days later trains were 
 running regularly. 
 
 Throughout this entire vicinity and indeed in all portions of the State the 
 freshet was more or less felt, but with the greatest severity in the eastern 
 parts, where in some places it caused not only great inconvenience but actual 
 suffering. Strange to say, the coming of a freshet was foretold in a curious 
 manner, and the visible signs of the prophecy commented upon. Some 
 weeks previous Mr. A. A, Folsom, superintendent of the Boston &, Provi- 
 dence Railroad, called the attention of several gentlemen going over the 
 road upon one occasion to a large number of hillocks of earth rising from 
 all parts of the Neponset marshes. These little elevations were the work of 
 muskrats and were thrown up to a height of several feet. When these 
 reach an unusual height, it is said to betoken an expectation on the part of 
 
712 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 these little animals of high water over their marshy homes. Mr. P'olsom 
 observed that he had never seen these mounds so high before and added : 
 " We will have an opportunity of testing the truth of the old aphorism 
 regarding the foresight of the muskrat. If there is very high water the 
 coming spring, the coincidence will be something remarkable." What was 
 foretold by these wise little prophets of instinct was fulfilled to the letter, 
 but people when forewarned are by no means alwa^'s like them forearmed, even 
 to the best of their ability. In this case, however, no one could have been 
 adequately prepared, because the freshet was wholly unprecedented in its 
 magnitude; in deed and truth the waters "were increased greatly" and 
 "prevailed exceedingly upon the earth." Now that matters are long since 
 restored to their wonted order, those who saw this furious onslaught of the 
 elements and the wide trails of devastation their ruthless stormy passing 
 left behind can look back upon the experiences of those days as something 
 to be highly prized. To witness the manifestation of such exalted, mighty 
 power, to behold scenes of such majestic, superhuman grandeur is indeed an 
 experience whose memories are great and abiding; but those who saw the 
 most and felt the deepest, in this time when it seemed as if once more 
 " the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of 
 heaven opened," will ever welcome the bright appearing of the " bow in the 
 cloud " and with the most fervent gratitude remember the promise of the 
 Lord to Noah of old: " Neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy 
 the earth." 
 
 A good many years ago a marked improvement in building began to be 
 manifest, but for a score of years probably this was confined almost entirely 
 to private residences. The first substantial and notable improvement made 
 in buildings for public and business purposes was the erection in 1876 of a 
 handsome three-story brick block on the corner of Park Street and Railroad 
 Avenue in East Attleborough by Mr. James H. Sturdy. Mr. Sturdy showed 
 both enterprise and public spirit in no small degree in thus early making so 
 large an outlay for such purposes. He was subjected to some considerable 
 criticism for what was termed his lack of wisdom, for many people were of 
 the opinion that such a building was obviously long in advance of the needs 
 of the time. It was speedily proved, however, that his foresight and judg- 
 ment were entirely correct, for Sturdy Block became at once useful to the 
 community and is an ornament to the village. It afforded suitable accom- 
 modations for the First National Bank, Postotlice, Town Clerk's Otlice, 
 ]Masonic Fraternity, various stores, and some private offices. One of the 
 most appreciable features of this enterprise, one for which the owner deserves 
 the thanks of the entire community, was the appropriate fitting up of the 
 space to be occupied by the postofiice. Lock boxes and other modern 
 improvements were introduced at Mr. Sturdy's expense, and for the first 
 time a proper place for the reception and distribution of mails was provided, 
 
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HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 713 
 
 there haviug never before been a place so suitable iu town or one adequate 
 to the demands iu the larger sections. 
 
 The example so promptly and well set by Mr. Sturdy has been followed in 
 frequently recurring instances, and in both of the larger villages of the town 
 there are many solid and handsome structures for business uses. Conspicu- 
 ous among these are Bates Opera House, Horton Block, and Pierce Block in 
 East Attleborough ; and all the buildings in their vicinity which are occupied 
 as stores are markedly superior in every way to those of the same kind of 
 twenty years ago, whether they are of recent construction or old buildins-s 
 remodeled. Among the most conspicuous in North Attleborough is Wamsutta 
 Block, which, with its commodious theatre adjoining the hotel, covers a laro-e 
 space and preseuts a fine appearance, while the Bank Building, Kendall Block, 
 Codding Block, Odd Fellows Building, and many others give to their vicinitv 
 ou Washington Street quite the look of a city thoroughfare. Indeed this 
 entire street, which runs a straight, wide way tlirough the centre of the villaoe 
 from the Baptist Church to a considerable distance on the road to Oldtowu, 
 presents a striking appearance, one calculated to produce a very favorable 
 impression upon a stranger. Jt is a street of which any enterprising manu- 
 facturing village would have reason to be proud. 
 
 The first really elegant private residences in town were those built, now a 
 long time ago, by Messrs. E. I. and Josiah Richards. The latter is more 
 conspicuous from its elevated situation, and the attractions of its extensive 
 lawns have been enhanced in recent years by the pretty cottage where Mr. 
 Richards' son resides. The former has large and well-kept grounds, by 
 which the river runs. It looks a handsome, luxurious home, and the style of 
 the house adds a dignity which enhances the beauty of the whole place. 
 The opposite houses, those of Mr. Codding and the late Dr. Foster, impress 
 the passer-by with the feeling that their owners have prospered well iu the 
 world, and that within their walls there reigns that ample comfort which is 
 but another name for luxury. The next elegant residence to be built was 
 that of Mr. W. D. Whiting at the other end of the North village. This was 
 a very costly house, probably the most so in town, and is very handsome, 
 though its style and that of those before mentioned have been superseded by 
 the "Queen Anne" in all its varied modifications. Not far away stands the 
 '' round house " built by Mr. Tifft. This could never have praise for its 
 beauty, but it has had fame from its oddity. A number of the older resi- 
 dences along Washington Street have been modernized, notably that of the 
 late Stephen Richardson, and several handsome new ones erected within a few 
 years, among these that of Mr. Theron Smith and Mr. H. F. Barrows, whose 
 commodious grounds have been brought to their present state of attraction 
 ouly by great labor and expense. Ou the side streets running west from 
 Washington Street, the old huckleberry pasture land of sixty years ago, are 
 scores of pretty homes, and many of the houses, built as modern fashion 
 
714 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 dictates, are very charming. Amous; these and in other situations are those 
 of Ur. Foster. Dr. Burden, O. M. Draper, Edward Price, Arthur Codding, 
 E. I. Franlvlin, T. G. Frothinghani, Clarence Fisher. Edwin Sturtevant, 
 Charles P. Young. E. L. Hixon, Hervey Richards, and many others. 
 
 At the Falls village also are a number of ver^- pretty homes, those of 
 several members of the Freeman family and the Stanley brothers being 
 especially worthy of mention. Wherever the name of iSturdy is connected 
 with a place as its owner, there one is sure to find what is comfortable and 
 attractive, as in this part of the town in the case of J. F. Sturdy and his 
 family. A large amount of territory is now included in the Falls since 
 the adjacent village became a part of it. and the houses are scattered far and 
 wide. Here and there some of the finer old houses have been allowed to 
 remain in their original state unchanged. This is the case with the squarel}' 
 proportioned commodious residence of the late Willard Robinson. It was 
 always peculiar to itself with its quaint panel-like stj^le of painting of several 
 shades or colors, but it has always had that air of comfort and solidity about 
 it which makes one feel that its owner must be Avhat he was, a man of digni- 
 fied, high-toned respectability. The two houses which on the whole have 
 been more successfully modernized than any others in town are in this vicinity. 
 One is the residence of R. F. Simmons at what was formerly called only 
 Robinsonville and is the " old Robinson house " of a certain branch of that 
 family. The alterations were made under the last owner of the name, Mr. 
 Frank Robinson, and so artistically that they are improvements, not dis- 
 figurements, and give the house the twofold attraction of what is old and 
 what is new. The too much plainness of the old style is relieved and the too 
 much ornateness of the new is toned down in a happy manner, and the result 
 is a charming country house. The other is the residence of H. N. Daggett 
 at the Falls village proper. It has greatly the advantage in point of situa- 
 tion, as it is on elevated ground near the little eminence known as " Peck's 
 mountain." The broad, sloping lawn in front is very inviting in its appear- 
 ance and is properly allowed to be almost entirely plain turf, having only 
 a few shrubs near the house and a few trees at the foot near the street. 
 Great taste has been displayed in the changes and additions made to the 
 building itself, for it is still wholly an old-fashioned house, and the noble elm 
 that has stood there these scores of years yet bends approving^ over it, by 
 no means the smallest attraction of the place. Inside it is still of "ye olden 
 time," with its low ceilings, high windows, and narrow passageways; but the 
 former discomforts have been banished and their places occupied with the 
 luxuries of these latter days. 
 
 In East Attleborough the finer houses are not so elegant and striking as 
 some of those at the North village, but there are many which are equally 
 comfortable and attractive-looking, and the entire village has more uniformity 
 in this direction. The late Charles E. Havward was among the first of his 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 715 
 
 geiievation to erect a then "new style " of house, and though the fashion has 
 changed, the place retains the substantial aspect which cannot be out of date, 
 and around it for that owner's sake many pleasant memories will always 
 cluster. The nearest neighbor, built by Mr. Samuel Carpenter, was in its 
 early days one of the finest houses in the village, and its grounds were 
 an excellent example of a fashion then prevalent of filling almost every foot 
 of space with close-set trees and large flowering shru1>s, almost hidino- the 
 house itself from the view of passers-by. In its present owner's hands, Mr. 
 Gardner Hodges, it has been much altered and improved, according to the 
 present taste, but all traces of the former aspect have not by anv means 
 been removed, and those who knew it as it was formerly can still recognize 
 the "Uncle Sam" Carpenter place. One sees with pleasure the well- 
 appointed, w^ell-kept place of Mr. J. M. Bates near by, who has made nuich 
 of the material he had in house and grounds both. Just above, on North 
 Main Street, is the place of Mr. Watson, one of the best appointed in the 
 village. Peck Street has several very attractive houses, particularly those of 
 Mr. Tucker, the IMessrs. Bliss, and ^Nlr. Wexell ; and that of Mr. Sweet is a 
 model of neatness and good care. Among otlier pleasant places are those 
 of Mr. Short and Mr. Newell on Bank Street, and the Horton brothers on 
 Pleasant Street, the house of the late Gideon M. Horton being the hand- 
 somest, built in the latest style. The attractions of South Main Street have 
 recently been greatly enhanced by the newly erected houses of Messrs. Smith, 
 Crosby, and Cummings, whicli are extremely pretty and are all quite near 
 those of the gentlemen who lead the way here — Messrs. Sturdy and Dean. 
 County Street Hill is now almost entirely covered with dwellings, the finest 
 in style and situation being those of Mr. Blackinton, now Mr. Bigney's, and 
 IMr. ]Marsh. The latter is a charming house and commands very pretty 
 views. One of the prettiest houses on the other side of the railroad is that 
 of Mr. Bullock on Union Street, and the village has </xtended itself far east 
 of this spot, lately nearly the extreme limit, even beyond the meadows on the 
 Bearcroft Road, following the lead of Mr. James Sturdy, who selected here 
 the elevated site on which he has established his home, and to whom it is 
 due that this situation has become desirable. North Main Street changes 
 every year, but the Peck house still retains its ample garden, and its wonted 
 pleasant look, and its open door for the friendly calls of an extensive list of 
 " neighbors " from all over the town and far outside its limits. The old 
 Carpenter house just west of this has been entirely made over and after 
 a desirable manner, but one misses the kindly, cheerful faces of its long- 
 time occupants, and there, as in many places, has cause to regret the changes 
 time must so often bring. 
 
 Leaving the Inisy, bustling North or P>ast village, one may soon reach parts 
 of the town which have been virtually the same for nearly half a century. 
 B\^ whichever road the traveler drives he will pass thrifty-looking farms with 
 
716 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 commodious dwelling-houses and ample, well-built barns. Especially is this 
 true of the road through the Read and Ide ueighborhood, than which we think 
 there cannot be a pleasanter of its kind perhaps in all the State, though 
 equally pleasant may be the one beyond Oldtown to the Holmes neighbor- 
 hood and thence on to North Attleborough. These drives would be a 
 revelation to those who have heard of Attleborough only as a great 
 manufacturing town, and a surprise to some born and brought up within its 
 limits. From one point of view — that of marked material prosperity — 
 there is cause for a large measure of regret in the fact that South and West 
 Attleborough have been doomed to a state of comparative stagnation for so 
 many years. This is especially true because the opportunity for rapid 
 growth was formerly almost within the grasp of these sections, and harder 
 for the people because hopes in this direction were legitimately raised, only, 
 as it proved, to be disappointed. The first railroad line surveyed in town was 
 through its western part, and had that line been adopted the naturally 
 resulting benefits, which have been felt in other portions, would doubtless in 
 large measure have accrued to these villages. Now, as for more than 
 a generation past, so few opportunities in any line of business offer 
 themselves to young men just starting in life that these almost everyone are 
 forced to search elsewhere for chances of maintenance or success ; and for 
 this reason the population continues year after year to be about the same. 
 From another point of view — that of calm, contented, simple living in the 
 midst of the turbulence, the perplexity, and the multiplicity of requirements 
 in nineteenth-century life — there is cause for rejoicing that any spot and 
 any people are permitted to continue for even a score of years the same. 
 We turn with a feeling of relief from the ever changing, hurrying present 
 and contemplate with a real satisfaction scenes that partake of an older, 
 slower-moving time. No lack of thrift or abundant comfort is manifest in 
 these western villages and their surroundings, but they have about them an 
 atmosphere of true quiet and peace, and it seems as if life were really lived 
 here with tranquillity and earnestness of purpose and not confusedly and 
 half-aimlessly riisherl through. At the entrance to South Attleborough is the 
 old Ingraham house, where it must have stood for nearly a hundred years, 
 and on both sides of the "village street" are the long-familiar dwellings, 
 the Draper house, the Barrows house, and many another. There is the 
 tannery on the century-old site, though it now stands clothed in new gar- 
 ments ; and a little beyond the centre rises the cheerful little chapel, quite 
 modern but perfectly in keeping with the entire scene, blending the newer 
 and older in a pretty picture. Over the same road one drives or walks, as 
 beforetime turning northward, and soon the old ''First Church" is seen, 
 pointing its spire heavenward from the spot where our town forefathers first 
 planted a house of God. Near by is the parsonage, —long may its present 
 occupant remain there, — the schoolhouse, where one early stood, and the 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 717 
 
 queer little powder-house. A picture of quiet peace aud plenty is to be 
 found iu the neatly kept homestead of Mr. May, not far from the church, 
 and its outward appearance l)ut faintly mirrors the tranquil happiness that 
 reigns within. A kindly spirit of helpfulness dwells here, and though many 
 of its fellows have vanished from the land, this is still a pattern New 
 England country home. Not far aAvay southward is the old Newell house. 
 It still shows hofli the famous old tavern looked, for its outward appearance 
 is not much altered, and it is still literally the Newell house, being occupied 
 by the fifth generation of that family. Long may its stanch old timbers 
 ■weather wintry blasts to come, and may there never be wanting one of the 
 well-known name to dwell beneath its time-honored roof ! All around are 
 scattered the homes of the farmers, who, with their families Sabbath after 
 Sabbath, gather at this historic spot, to the sound of the " meeting-house " 
 bell, as their fathers and their fathers' fathers did before them. This whole 
 place is full of cherished recollections and hallowed associations of '*■ ye 
 olden time." Long may it be ere their memory fades away, and may that 
 day be late iu its appearing when the sway of the peaceful contented past 
 still lingering over this pretty region shall give place to the engrossing power 
 of the restless, dissatisfied present ! 
 
 As we have mentioned some of the handsome buildings in town we should 
 not omit to mention those who have carried out the ideas of owners and 
 architects in their construction. Bennett & French and Edmund S. Cargill 
 are the principal builders in North Attleborough. and they have had charge 
 of some of the finest buildings recently erected there, both public and private. 
 In East Attleborough William H. Goff is pi'omiuent, and has built a number 
 of the new houses and Bates Opera House. His success in carrying out the 
 architect's plan in the latter case is alone sufficient to attest his ability. 
 Here also Charles N. Grant has within a few years become prominent iu this 
 line. He built the residences of Mr. Marsh and Mr. J. M. Fisher iu the East 
 village and that of Mr. Mackreth at the Falls. He built the new Y. M. C. 
 A. building on County Street and the residence of Mr. G. St. J. Sheffield, 
 which was the home for a generation of the author of this work. 
 
 We are justly entitled to a considerable degree of pride in the position of 
 our town by reason of the ability displayed by our business men, and we may 
 honestly congratulate ourselves upon its outward appeai-ance. On the whole 
 aud as a whole it has a remarkably thrifty look ; there is very little shabbi- 
 ness to be found, comparatively speaking, in any part of its territory, and 
 few if any tokens of extreme poverty, and in the cases where such tokens 
 are more or less evident examination would probably sliow tliem to be the 
 result of shiftlessness not necessity. We may also be proud of the long list 
 of highly gifted men to whom Attlelwrough may claim the honor of giving 
 birth. Mauy of these her sons have gone fortli to take prominent places 
 in the literarv and intellectual world, and mauv others, both sons and 
 
718 ^4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 daughters, destiued to remain at home, have there quietly cultivated the 
 talents given them, and their attainments though not always widely known 
 are both creditable and w^orthy. Our newspapers have long testified to the 
 ability of sons both by birth and adoption. The editorial columns of the 
 older of these may safely challenge comparison with those of many a city 
 journal of repute, and its whole tone is highei- than many of these; while 
 the younger, attempting less in this particular direction, may as safely 
 challenge comparison as a sprightly, interesting publication, a ''newsy" 
 town newspaper. Each in its own line deserves equal credit with the other, 
 and both are creditable to the town. 
 
 We have now in town three writers. Mrs. Lucy B. Sweet has these many 
 years been called "our town poet." Her words come from the depths of a 
 womanly heart and appeal to the hearts of her readers, and whether they be 
 in prose or verse are spoken ever and with "no uncertain sound" on the 
 side of tlie highest right and the best good. Many will recall the songs she 
 sang so full of faith and cheer during the gloomy days of the Rebellion and 
 remember that hearts were gladdened and courage was strengthened by their 
 bright brave words. A younger woman has somewhat recently entered this 
 same field of verse — Miss Mary A. Mathias, of West Attleborough, whose 
 poems are especially well known to the readers of the Chronicle. Her talents 
 are unquestioned and her productions have "the ring of the true metal in 
 them." Some years since several charming story books for children and 
 young people made their appearance, published by an unknown writer. 
 Happily such secrets cannot long be kept and happily too in this instance the 
 pleasant fact transpired that Miss Mary J. Capron, of our town, was their 
 author. Miss Capron essayed writing in a line in which success is difficult 
 of attainment, that of amusing to gain the attention and at the same time 
 instructing children in the highest ways. Her abilities were abundantly 
 proved by the success she met with, for these stories were attractive and 
 instructive to little people and interesting and useful to their elders. Her 
 pen is always occupied in the furtherance of some good work, but it is unfor- 
 tunate for her numerous readers that she no longer employs it in this former 
 direction. • 
 
 The fashion of disputes was set at a very early date, according to the 
 highest authority in the first days of the infancy of the race, and none ever 
 known to the world has been more faithfully followed. One of the most 
 ancient of customs, it has been so well maintained that it has never fallen 
 into disuse, never been in the least " out of date," but has come down to us 
 through all the ages in " unalloyed purity." It can change form, feature, 
 dress, and manner to suit every clime and every exigency, but the real spirit 
 of controversy — that inherent element of human nature — remains through 
 
 1 Miss Caprou h.is since died. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 719 
 
 all quite the same ; and disputes nowadays, like one of old, are apt to make 
 a display of considerable knowledge of both good and evil. Our town has 
 always purposed to "■ keep up with the times " as far as possible, sufficiently 
 at least not to w\arrant the stigma of being " out of the world " because "• out 
 of the fashion " ; and enough of this spirit has been manifested liere \t differ- 
 ent times to prove our people to be lineal descendants of Adam. Perhaps 
 the most lengthy controversy with which any of our citizens have been con- 
 nected since the Angle tree boundary line was finally and firmly laid is the 
 one, half public, half private, so long going on in the east part of the town. 
 It was on the docket for many years, not always active, frequently quite 
 dormant, but always ready to ai'ouse itself on the slightest provocation when 
 nothing more important claimed the chief attention of the community. Hap- 
 pily it has now been brought to a final issue and in a most desiral)Ie manner. 
 
 Whereas the planting of one particular tree in the midst of a certain plot 
 of ground caused the beginning of the world's first angry discussion recorded, 
 which humanly speaking was fraught with such grave results to all the 
 following races of men, in the instance of which we write, the planting of 
 many common trees in another certain plot of ground has caused the cessa- 
 tion of a late and somewhat violent discussion, whose results promise to be 
 filled with cheerful and lasting benefits to at least a small portion of one of 
 the races of men. Here, instead of a driving forth of the inhabitants and 
 the dying out of a beautiful garden, we look to see a pretty little pai-k grow 
 up, under the shade of whose trees as under their "own vine and fig tree" 
 the dwellers of the '' East Precinct" will meet in the future to amicably dis- 
 cuss not angrily dispute over the affairs of the community — even to 
 boundary lines — and of the world. 
 
 The controversy to w^hich reference is made is the one over the tract of 
 land known as "The Attleborough Common," and which during the past ten 
 or twelve years has been especially exciting". The parties concerned were 
 "The Second Congregational Parish, and The Attleborough Public." 
 
 " The parish based its claim upon three things : on a gift of land from 
 John Sweet in 1744 ; on an alleged purchase of land east of the John Sweet 
 lot, in 1794 ; and on a bequest of land from the heirs of Dr. Al>ijah Everett, 
 south of said John Sweet lot, in 1829." Attempts on the part of the parish 
 to exclude the public from this ground caused the matter to be brought to a 
 legal issue. As can be seen on previous pages of this history, the lauds in 
 this vicinity were purchased from the Indian owner thereof, for some inhabi- 
 tants of Rehoboth, by Captain Thomas Willet and his associates, they 
 " having been first authoi-ized and empowered by the Court for that purpose," 
 and in this way it came into the hands of the proprietors of the Reho1)oth 
 North Purchase. The records show how this laud was divided into shares, 
 giving the "metes and bounds" of each man's "grant," or "lay out," and 
 these records constitute the legal title to the lands. On June 7, 1743, 
 
720 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 exactly two mouths later than the date of the division in the First Parish of 
 Attleboroiigh. John Sweet laid out four acres and one hundred and eight 
 rods of land. In this was comprised the present kirkyard, a part of the 
 land over which at this point the Boston and Providence Railroad passes, 
 " and a wedge of land that enters the west side of the common and termi- 
 nates in a point two rods wide, just south of the band stand, where the present 
 (about 1883) foot-path now crosses." Some of the paving stones that lay 
 in front of the old church were at that time visible in the path. Mr. Sweet 
 was most assuredly a generous man and withal a public-spirited citizen, and 
 a year after taking it up for himself he donated some of the above-men- 
 tioned land to the parish for the uses and purposes described in the deed 
 which follows : — 
 
 DKED 
 
 To all people to v^honi these presents shall come, Greeting 
 
 Know you that I, John Sweet, of Attleboroiigh. in the County of Bristol, within his 
 Majestie's province of the 3Iassachusetts Bay in New EuglauLl, yeoman, for in consiileration 
 of the love and good will and respect which I have and do bear towards the inhabitants of 
 the Second Precinct in Attlelioro and divers good causes and considerations in thereunto 
 moving, have given, granted, aliened, confirmed and conveyed, and by these presents do freely, 
 fully and absolutely give, grant, ahen, convey and confirm unto said inhabitants their Heirs 
 and assignees, one acre of land whereon the meeting-house now stands, to be improved for that 
 use so long as said precinct shall keep a meeting-house for the public worship of God upon said 
 lot and no longer. And if the said precin('t shall choose to move the meeting-house to any other 
 place in said precinct, that then the said land to return to the said John Sweet, his heirs and 
 assignees forever. Said land lying on Bungay plain adjoining to the land belonging to the heirs 
 of John Peck and bounded as follows : 
 
 The first corner being a stake and stones for a corner near the southwest corner of the 
 meeting-house in the line of said Peck's land; from thence running north nineteen rods by 
 said Peck's land to a stake and stones for a corner; thence east sixteen rods to a stake and 
 stones for a corner, — standing on the west side of the highway; thence bounded by the said 
 highway southerly till it comes even with the first corner; thence west two rods to the first 
 corner. To have and to hold the said granted bargained premises, with all the privileges to 
 the same belonging or in any way appertaining to the inhabitants of said precinct, their heirs 
 and assignees to their proper use. benefit and behoof. And the said John Sweet for me my 
 heirs, executors, administrators do covenant and grant to and with the inhabitants of said 
 precinct, their heirs and assignees, that before the unsealing hereof I am the true, sole and 
 lawful owner of the above said premises, and am lawfully — and possessed of the same in my 
 own proper right, of a good, perfect and absolute estate of inheritance, in fee simple, and have 
 in myself good right and lawful authority to convey and confirm said premises in manner as 
 above said and the inhabitants of said precinct, their heirs and assignees, shall and may from 
 time to time, and at all times by .virtue of these presents, lawfully and peaceably and quietly 
 have, hold and possess and enjoy the said described premises with the appurtenances free, and 
 clear, and freely, and clearly acquitted, exonerated, and discharged of from all other gifts, 
 grauts, bargains, sales, leases, mortgages with entales. Jointures, Dowers, judgments, execu- 
 tions, encumbrances and entent furthermore I, the said John Sweet, for my heirs, executors, 
 administrators, do covenent and enjoy the above demise and premises to them the said inhab- 
 itants of said precinct, their heirs and assignees against the lawfulx-laims or demands of any 
 person or persons whatsoever to warrant, secure and defend. I am witness whereof, I, the 
 said John Sweet, have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of one thousand seven hundred 
 and forty-four, signed and sealed and delivered in presence of 
 
 Thomas Wilmarth ) ^ , c ^ tt a t 
 
 o , . ,„.^ \ John Sweet [L. S.J 
 
 Robert Titus ) '• 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGU. 721 
 
 The church was erected as has been seen, and later the burying-lot laid out 
 in the northwest corner of what was called the " meeting-house lot," it being 
 a purchase made by the parish. The meetinghouse lot then extended across 
 the present railroad tracks near the church and into the present common, and 
 to this portion of the common, the nortliern, the parish have without the 
 slightest doubt a valid claim. 
 
 Our information on tlie -'common" question is to be found in the " His- 
 tory of the Attleborough Common," a pamphlet prepared and published in 
 1885 by the gentlemen who were then most interested in settling the much 
 discussed matter of ownership and in making the spot an ornament to the 
 village. Having acknowledged this first asserted claim of the parish to a 
 portion of the common, the history goes on to consider the second, " an 
 alleged purchase of land." An article in the warrant for a parish meeting 
 which was held March 31, 1794, reads as follows : "To see if the inhabitants 
 will agree and vote to buy of Dr. Abijah Everett and Dr. Syril Carpenter 
 and Abial Dunham, 191 rods of land from of said meeting-house for to 
 enlarge the common." A committee was chosen at this meeting to confer 
 with the owners of the property and report. This the committee did, in due 
 time "advising the parish to buy eighty-six rods of Dr. Everett, and thirty 
 rods of Deacon Syril Carpenter and Abial Dunham." This report was 
 accepted, but no report of a subsequent purchase is extant. The vote to 
 purchase proves only that the parish was not previously possessed of this 
 land, and while it is natural to suppose that the purchase may have been 
 made, the absence of records to show actual possession makes tlie claim only 
 a presumptive one and therefore not strong. The third parish claim was for 
 a " wedge of land south of the Jolm Sweet lot," tlie same being a bequest 
 from the heirs of Dr. Aliijah Everett in 1829. With regard to this claim we 
 quote directly from the above-mentioned history of the common. It says : — 
 
 " In describing the claims of the parish to the wedge of land south of the 
 John Sweet lot, on what is now Park street, it is necessary to revert to the 
 middle of the last century and take our position on what is now Dr. San- 
 ford's corner. South Main street was then the Old Bay road, and Park 
 street, a highway leading directly to the Common. In 1765 one Jonas Rich- 
 ardson lived on this corner and owned a large farm, comprising mauy acres 
 lying south of said highway and east of the Bay Road. This highway then 
 existing and running from Dr. Sanford's corner to the meeting-house, a dis- 
 tance of some thirty-five rods, was originally laid out three rods wide, but 
 had been narrowed to two rods, so that complaint was made to the selectmen 
 and the road was again laid out three rods wide in 1765. This road is desig- 
 nated in the layout as running from the northwest corner of Jonas Richard- 
 son's lands, about thirty-two rods until it came to said meeting-house. 
 
 "In 1787, Jonas Richardson, 'Doctor of Pliyssick,' sold this farm of 
 thirtv-one acres to Abijah Everett, who held the same until 1789, when he 
 
722 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 sold it to Jabez Ellis. In these deeds the distance from tlie corner to the 
 meeting-house, along the highway, is designated as thirty-five and a half 
 rods, a part of said highway being the present Park street. 
 
 " In 179."), Jabez Ellis sold the premises to one Amos ^yilmarth, and it 
 was at this time that the bend in the road where W. H. Hardin's drug store 
 now is, (I880) was established, since in the deed passed by Jabez Ellis to 
 Amos Wilmarth the frontage on the highway was given at twenty rods instead 
 of thirty-five and a half rods, as in all previous deeds, tlie line then swerving 
 from the highway in the direction of the present Park street, while all the 
 other boundaries remained unchanged." Tlie south part of the common was 
 thus left unconveyed, and still in the hands of .labez Ellis. Since this date 
 " no legal conveyance of the southern portion of the Common has ever been 
 made to any one." On January 31, 1829, Amherst Everett and others, the 
 heirs of Dr. Abijah Everett, "•quitclaimed their interest in the Connnon to 
 the Second Precinct of Attleborough," but, as in 1789 the father had deeded 
 his entire farm to Jabez Ellis, they had in reality no interest in the common 
 at all, and this conveyance therefore meant nothing really substantial. Thus 
 argued, then, it was proved that the parish had in reality a thoroughly valid 
 claim to only " that portion of the present common which is covered by the 
 John Sweet deed." 
 
 Within the past fifteen years two lawsuits relating to the titles of this laud 
 have taken place. The first one arose from the laying out of the highway 
 adjoining the railroad and running from Park Street directly into Pleasant 
 Street. At this time a small part of the John Sweet lot was taken, and the 
 parish called a sheriff's jury, placing their damages against the town at the 
 sum of $3,200. The trial was conducted at Union Hall, commencing on 
 December 9, 1874, and ending on December 12 following. The jury after 
 the hearing consulted for several hours and finally brought in a verdict for 
 the plaintiff and awarded S75 damages. 
 
 Again we quote from the history : " Major David E. Holman, whose land 
 formerly belonged to Syril Carpenter and Abial Dunham, in common with the 
 public had crossed the Common at will and claimed an unobstructed right of 
 way. Accordingly in the summer of 1873, Maj. Holman several times 
 removed the fence that had been erected by the parish, and opened a way 
 across the old John Sweet lot. The fence was replaced by the parish and 
 left standing for some time. In the spring of 1876 Maj. Holman again 
 removed the fence, crossing the Common south of the old John Sweet lot. 
 The parish then brought suit against Mr. Holman in the Superior Court, in 
 the March term of 187G, at Taunton. The defendant required the parish to 
 specify which trespass the plaintiff relied upon in the case, and the plaintiff 
 selected the trespass of 1873, which opened a way across the old John Sweet 
 lot. Many old residents of Attleboro, and among them the defendant and 
 his brother, Samuel Holman, testified to a clear recollection of the old church 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATT LE BOROUGH. 79 Q 
 
 tZo 
 
 and its surroundings. Tliat the land had never been fenced prior to the 
 enclosing of the same by the parish in the fall of 1872, and had always been 
 open to the public. The court in summing up the case said that for the pur- 
 poses of that trial he should hold that the title to the land in (luestion, (which 
 involved the old John Sweet lot,) was in the parish. Init that the use of it 
 was in the public. That the parish might embellish the same and maintain 
 their fence, but that at any time when the fence obstructed public usao-e, 
 it might be removed by the public. In this case the defendant claimed a 
 private right of way and justified his act under that claim, which position 
 the court held was not tenable, as the use of the Common was in the public." 
 The court in this case awarded the plaintiff the sum of $25 damage. 
 
 After this suit the matter remained quiescent untill the fall of 1878 
 " when a platform was ei-ected on the south end of the Common for dancing." 
 The parish committee attempted to remove this platform, but they were pre- 
 vented by G. ]\r. Horton. The parish immediately sued Mr. Hortou and the 
 case remained on the files of the court for three years, when it was "discon- 
 tinued without coming to a trial." 
 
 Soon after this a movement was set on foot by citizens to purchase the 
 right of the parish in the common. "At its annual meeting in March 1881, 
 the parish voted to sell this right for $1,000. under proper conditions and 
 to proper persons," and the purchase was finally consummated. At the 
 annual meeting, March 25, 1882, the old committee on parish lands presented 
 a report and was then discharged, a new committeee being appointed in its 
 place. The regular parish committee at this time consisted of S. W, 
 Carpenter, John Thacher, and N. D. Briggs. To this number were added 
 J. H. Sturdy, E. S. Horton, C. E. Bliss, E. S. Capron, and J. B. Savery, and 
 they were vested with the necessary power " to sell the parish's right in the 
 Common for $1,000, and to determine the conditions." This committee held 
 its first meeting on the March 30 following its appointment and then deter- 
 mined upon what conditions the transfer should be made. Among these was 
 one providing that the property should " be conveyed to fifteen trustees to be 
 held in trust for the public, and that the premises should be used for no pur- 
 poses injurious to church property." 
 
 The citizens who had interested themselves in this matter had meanwhile 
 subscribed the required sum, and early in April they met and chose a commit- 
 tee to confer with the one appointed by the parish. This committee consisted 
 of the following gentlemen : J. M. Bates, C. E. Hayward, B. J. Angell, Henrv 
 Wexel, and G. INI. Horton. On the evening of April 0, the two committees 
 met in the town clerk's office and worked together in perfect harmony. 
 Jointly they appointed the following named gentlemen as a board of trustees : 
 J. M. Bates, J. H. Sturdy, H S. Horton, John Thacher, L. Z. Carpenter, 
 A. A. Bushee, C. E. Bliss, E. S. Capron, H. S. Babcock, B. J. Angell, 
 C. E. Hayward, Henry Wexel, J. L. Carpenter, W. H. Goff, and S. W. 
 
724 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Carpeuter; and at the same time •' E. S. Horton for the parish, and J. H. 
 Sturdy for the donors, were iustructed to each have separate deeds executed, 
 to be submitted for choice, approval or rejection at a meeting to be held 
 in one week." 
 
 The following is a copy of the subscription paper with the names of the 
 subscribers and the amounts each subscribed : — 
 
 Attleboroiigh, March 22, 1882. 
 
 We, tbe undersigned, citizens of Attleboro, who desire to see the " Common" so called, 
 placed under different control, and used for the benefit of the Public, agree to pay the sums 
 subscribed l)y us for the purpose of paying to the second parish the sum of one thousand dol- 
 lars. ($1,000) provided that the parish will deed all the right and title that they have in said 
 property, and that deed or conveyance shall be satisfactory to a connuittee chosen by the 
 subscribers or citizens of this place. 
 
 Also a connnittee to be chosen by the parish, as they deem best, said subscription to be null 
 and void if satisfactory settlement cannot lie made on or before July, 1882. 
 
 Said parish at a regular meeting voted to release all right and title upon the payment of the 
 above named sum. 
 
 J. M. Bates, Chas. E. Hayward, B. J. Angell, G. M. Horton, and Mrs. E. J. Horton each 
 subscribed $100;— E. S. Horton, Chas. E. Bliss, J. H. Sturdy, A. Bushee & Co., Wm. Blackin- 
 ton, Watson & Newell, Cummings & Wexel, and Pierce & Carpenter the sum of $50 each; — 
 "Cash" $25; — S. W. Carpenter, G. N. Crandall, L. Z. Carpenter, E. S. Capron, Wm. M. 
 Fisher, $10 each; E. Sanford, $5; and again G. M. Horton $20 in addition, which completed 
 the necessary amount. 
 
 Following is the deed from the parish to the trustees : — 
 
 Know all Men by these Presents : 
 
 That the Second Precinct in Attleborough, a corporation duly established by law in Attle- 
 borough, in the County of Bristol, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in consideration of 
 the sum of one thousand dollars, paid by Joseph M. Bates, James H. Sturdy, Everett S. 
 Horton, John Thacher, Lucius Z. Carpenter, Albert A. Bushee, Chas. E. Bliss. Everett S. 
 Capron, Hartford S. Babcock, Benjamin J. Angell, Charles E. Hayward, Plenry Wexel, Jesse 
 L. Carpenter, William H. Goff, and Shepard W. Carpenter, all of said Attleborough, the 
 receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, do hereby give, grant, l)argain, sell and convey unto 
 the said Joseph M. Bates, James H. Sturdy, Everett S. Horton, John Thacher, Lucius Z. Car- 
 penter. Albert A. Bushee, Chas. E. Bliss, Everett S. Capron, Hartford S. Babcock, Benjamin 
 J. Angell, Charles E. Hayward, Henry Wexel, Jesse L. Carpenter, William H. Goft", and 
 Shepard W. Carpenter, and their successors and assigns to their own use and behoof forever, 
 but in trust nevertheless, for the use and benefit of the inhabitants of the present territorial 
 limits of Attleborough Fire District, No 1, of said Attleborough. 
 
 The premises to be held forever for public purposes as a Park or Common, and said premises- 
 or any part thereof, shall not be sold or conveyed to any person or persons. 
 
 In case the above conditions are not complied with, then the within granted premises shall 
 revert to the Second Precinct in Attlel>orough. 
 
 Provided, however, that should the premises, or any part of the same, at any time be taken 
 by any act of the legislature, the compensation received by reason of the same, shall and may 
 be used by the said trustees, or their successors, in the improvement of the remaining portion 
 of said premises, the purchase of land for, or improvement of another park within the present 
 limits of the said " Attleboro Fire District No. 1," or towards the establishment or mainte- 
 nance of a Public Library for the use of the inha]>itants of the said present limits of Attleboro 
 Fire District, No. 1. 
 
 The above named trustees shall hold the ortice of trustees for tlie period of three years from 
 the date of this deed, or until their successors are appointed. 
 
 At the expiration of the said three years, or as soon thereafter as may be convenient, at ii 
 meeting of the voters of said district, called by the Secretary of the above named board for 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 725 
 
 that piirposp, a board of tifteeu trustees shall be elected for the term of three years, and there- 
 after the election of trustees shall occur at the eud of each and every three years, or as soou 
 thereafter as convenient at a meetint; called as aforesaid for that purpose. 
 
 Any vacancy occurring in the board of trustees shall lie filled by the then existing board. 
 
 lu witness whereof the said Second Pi-ecinct in Attleborough has caused its seal to be hereto 
 affixed, and these presents to be signed, acknowledged and delivered in its name and behalf, by 
 John Thacher, its treasurer, this sixteenth day of June, a.d. 1882 
 
 In presence of 
 
 [Signed] Job B. Saverv. 
 
 Second Precinct in Attleboro, signed by 
 
 John Thacher [L. S.] 
 commonwealth of jrassachusetts. 
 
 Bristol, S.S., June lG«h 1882. 
 
 Then personally appeared the above John Thacher. and acknowledged the foregoing instru- 
 ment to be the free act and deed of the Second Precinct in Attleliorough. 
 Before me. 
 
 [Signed] Jon B. Savkry, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 Bristol County, Xorth District, Sept. 23, 1882. 
 Then received and recorded this deed in book 406 of Laud Records, pages 169 and 170. 
 Attest. [Signed] J. E. Wilbur, 
 
 Eegistrar. 
 
 A meetiug was held in Sturdy Block September 12, 188:!, and the following- 
 trustees organized: Joseph M. Bates, Everett S. Hoi'ton, Lucius Z. 
 Carpenter, Charles E. Bliss, Hartford S. Bal)cock, Charles E. Havvrard, 
 Jesse L. Carpenter, Shephard W. Carpenter, James H. Sturdy, John 
 Thacher, Albert A. Bushee, Everett S. Capron, Benjamin J. Angell, Henry 
 Wexel, and William H. Goff, with J. M. Bates, Pres., J. H. Sturdy, Vice- 
 Pres., and E. S. Horton, Sec. and Treas. 
 
 It was some time before any practical results beyoud cousummatiug the 
 purchase could be attained. Plans as to the best methods of embellishing 
 the common had to be discussed and decided upon, and then the all-important 
 funds needed had to be solicited. Under the earnest and diligent efforts of 
 the trustees, none of whom were more diligent than Major Horton, these 
 things were finally accomplished. The ground was curbed and properly 
 graded, and paths laid out in various directions, the expenditure for this 
 work being about 81,500-. For doing this work seven persons subscribed 
 $100, four $.')0, eleven $25, and sixteen |10 each, the total amounting to a 
 little less than the sum required. The remaining balance owed by the trus- 
 tees has been or will very soon be paid. 
 
 Meanwhile the people of the community had been requested to donate trees 
 to be set oat on the common when it should be properly prepared, and to this 
 call there was a very generous and general response, as may be seen by the 
 following list of donors : Geo. Mackie, G. T. Holmes, Seneca Cole, C. M. 
 Gustin, C. B. Des Jardins, Ed. Miller, D. C. Club and friends, L. Z. Car- 
 penter, Ray Hoi'ton, H. S. Babcock, W. O. Sweet, P. M. Carpenter, John 
 Mahony, P. ¥.. Brady, Mrs. W. M. Fisher, J. J. Thayer, Robert Burns, 
 
726 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 G. A. Adams, T. Vi. Williams, Mahel Horton, Mamie Horton, Johu Thacher, 
 E. D. Robbins, E. Clafliu, Isaac Bramau, C. E. Parmenter, Peter Nerney, 
 George Randall, Alice Holdeu, Dr. C. S. Holden, J. O. Mowry, O. W. 
 Hawkins, Elijah Caprou, S. N. Carpenter. E. E. Engley, Nella A. Blackin- 
 ton, G. L. Titus, Mrs. Chatterton's school, J. J. Horton, L. W. Barnes, 
 S. M. Holmau, E. H. Sweet, C. L. Watson, S. W. Carpenter, F. I. Babcock, 
 J. T. Bates, B. A. Cummings, S. H. Sprague, J. C. Cumraings, J. L. Car- 
 penter, AYalter A. Capron, L. B. Ca[)ron, Ralph B. Capron, F. A. Newell, 
 
 E. A. Morse, L. T. Starkey, High School classes of '88 and '89, Grammar 
 School classes of '88 and '89, Sub Grammar School girls, Sub Grammar 
 School boys, and Ladies' Relief Corps. 
 
 Each tree was numbered and the name of the donor of the same attached, 
 and these have been planted to the number of ninety-three. May each one 
 of these saplings grow and flourish mightily until it shall become a great tree, 
 and the whole place be " a thing of beauty, and a J03' forever" ! 
 
 This whole work was done under the management of the trustees chosen in 
 1883. The only changes made in the board up to 1887 were caused by the 
 death of Mr. Hay ward and of Mr. Augell, in whose places J. L. Sweet and 
 
 F. A. Newell were elected. » 
 
 We have given the history of the Attleborougli Common thus at length, 
 because the spot is an historic one. Many memories of early days cluster 
 about it, and its story furnishes many glimpses full of interest far back into 
 the past. It is also a great pleasure to record such actions as those of the 
 liberal-minded and public-spirited citizens who enlisted so heartily in this 
 laudable enterprise. They had constant need to remember the fact that their 
 really beneficial ends were positively possible of attainment only at the cost 
 of unremitting effort, for man}' discouragements met them on the way, and 
 many and great obstacles lay in theii- path ; but with great determination 
 they resolutely pushed the work steadily forward to its creditable completion. 
 For this they richly deserve hearty congratulations and high encomiums of 
 praise from the community and town, and indeed from many a passer-l)y who 
 must have wondered why the enterprising village of East Attleborough left 
 this central spot to be so long a blot upon its otherwise pleasing appearance. 
 
 If every controversy could with certainty be brought to its close in so 
 amicable and highly promising a manner as this one, the world might well 
 adopt the theory that "the end justifies the means." It might even indeed 
 be wise to start a small quarrel now and again, that out of the great evil 
 thereof a greater sood raiffht come. 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. iZl 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 CEMETERIES. 
 
 THE oldest graveyard in town, where the first settlers are buried, is the 
 "Old North Burying Ground," or "Hatch's burying ground," as it 
 is sometimes called, situated on the easterly side of the " Oulde Bay Road," 
 later the Boston and Providence turnpike, opposite the Hatch tavern, for- 
 merly the site of Woodcock's Ordinary. The situation was the result of 
 accident. During Philip's war, Nathaniel Woodcock was slain here by the 
 Indians and buried on the spot where he fell, which spot is still pointed out 
 in the centre of the yard. This parcel of land, " at least six rods square, 
 or the contents thereof," was set aside by John Woodcock, the father of 
 Nathaniel, especiall}' for his own family and his neighbors (for it will be 
 remembered it was in this vicinity that the first village settlement in town 
 was made), and they were to have the use of it for burial purposes forever, 
 as occasion should require. This was the only graveyard in the vicinity for 
 several years, "and the little settlement made use in common of neighbor 
 Woodcock's ground." No stones or mounds were raised over the earliest 
 graves, probably to keep the number of deaths from the knowledge of the 
 Indians. As the settlement increased and the enemy therefore became less 
 dangerous, the place assumed the appearance of a cemetery. 
 
 Some curious inscriptions were placed upon the stones here. The most 
 famous one is doubtless that over Caesar the slave. He was given by his 
 mother while he was an infant to Lieutenant Josiah Maxcy. When the latter 
 died, Caesar came into the hands of Levi Maxcy. Being a waiter in the 
 public house so long kept on the site of the " Old Garrison," and which in 
 those days was the resort of many travelers on that route, he was "known 
 to all the region round," and after his death many of these travelers " used 
 to stop over to visit the ground and read the strange inscription over his 
 grave." He was a member of the Baptist church at North Attleborough. 
 Tradition has preserved numerous anecdotes of him. He was simple-hearted, 
 but proved through a long life a remarkably honest and faithful servant in 
 the family where he lived. He survived his first master, and after his own 
 death, January 15. 1780, was buried in the same yard. A decent stone was 
 raised over his grave by his youugei- master, Levi Maxcy, in whose care he 
 was left (as has been said), with the following inscription, which in its 
 graphic lines will long preserve the memory of " CJcsar, the faithful Ethi- 
 opian " : — 
 
•-28 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Here lies tlie l)Ost of slaves, 
 Now tuniin<i iuto dust; 
 Ca'sar, the Ethiopian, eraves 
 A place umonj; the just. 
 
 His faithful soul has fled 
 To realms of heavenly light. 
 And Ijy the lilood that Jesus shed 
 Is changed from Black to White. 
 January 15, he quitted the stage. 
 In the TTth year of his age, 
 1780. 
 
 Caesar's stone has been broken in pieces and taken away. The stones in 
 this yard were dark, of what we call black slate. The only white one 
 erected there was to the memory of the wife of Cresar's owner. 
 
 Upon the stone of Josiah Draper, who died in 1795, was the following- 
 epitaph : — 
 
 Jesus his Sacrifice and Death, 
 
 Shall be my Finery and Wedding Dress. 
 
 The following is the epitaph of Hannah ^Yalcott, consort of Pentecost 
 
 Walcott : — 
 
 Most suddenly I've lost my breath. 
 My eyes are closed in silent death. 
 My husband dear pray now prepare 
 With me this dreadful fare to share. 
 
 One Josiah Love, who died November 1, 1791, in his tAventy-second year, 
 
 had above liim this inscription : — 
 
 My breath has gone at middle Age, 
 And Death has swept me ott" the stage. 
 
 There have been very few, if any, interments here since 1810, and the 
 larger part of the stones bear date from the latter part of the eighteenth 
 century. The Woodcocks, Maxcys, and Blackintons of the Baptist faith, 
 lie buried in this spot. Deacon John Daggett, who was the progenitor of 
 that family in town, was buried here, and the following was upon his stone : — 
 
 Here lies interred the body of Deacon .rohn Daggett, 
 DecM, Sept. 7'^ 1724, in the ()3d year of his age. 
 
 Upon the stone of one Thomas Daggett, who died in 1778, in the eighty- 
 fourth year of his age, are these words : — 
 
 Here lies the man 
 
 Washed in the Saviour's blood. 
 
 Once a sinner. 
 
 Now ti saint with God's Christ. 
 
 The Stones of some of the Maxcys bear date of 17-") 7 and 1758, and Lieu- 
 tenant Josiah Maxcy " died in 1772, in the 64th year of his age, after bury- 
 ing his wife and eight children." The following lines were inscribed upon 
 his tombstone : — 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 729 
 
 Behold and see as you pass by, 
 
 Mary my wife, and family 
 
 Lie here interred in the cold ,i;roimd 
 
 Availing the great Archangel's sound. 
 
 At whose dread trump the earth shall quake 
 
 And all the sleeping dust awake. 
 
 These liodies then shall surely rise 
 
 To the fair mansions in the skies. 
 
 Upou that of an infant son, the following : — 
 
 Jonathan the fourth boru son 
 Of our posterity, 
 (iod numbers first unto the dust, 
 Who iu his Grace doth lie. 
 
 To the fifth son, also named Jonathan, these lines were inscribed : — 
 
 Five pleasant children in the Grave 
 
 At present to remaiu, 
 
 A Sovereign God it thus would have 
 
 Behold, blessed be his name. 
 
 Behold, thyself come see; 
 
 And such once even we as thou. 
 
 And surely thou shalt be 
 
 Even dust as we are now. 
 
 The following inscription belongs to the sixth son in this same family : — 
 
 A pleasant child of earthly clod. 
 Poor heart, to Death he did submit. 
 O, may his parents hear [bear?] the Rod 
 And him that hath appointed it. 
 
 One more epitaph was found l)elonging to this numerous family, reading 
 as follows : — 
 
 In memory of Josiah, son of Mr. Josiah and Mary Maxcy, \Vho died Sep. 23d. 1TG(), in ye 
 2Sth years of his Age, Being ye lirst born child and ye eight here buried. 
 
 Many now probably all of the above inscriptions are wholly obliterated, for 
 some years since the following were the only names that could be found 
 designating the resting-places of these worthy dead: '' Ebenezer Swan; 
 Joseph Guild, ' That pious and excellent man ' ; Deacon Josiah Everett ; 
 Richard Everett ; Jeremiah Clark ; Henry Maxcy ; Josiah Love ; Nathan 
 Richards, his wife Mehitable, and their daughter Grace aged 24 years ; 
 William Everett; Martha Smith; Deacon Joshua Everett; Mayhew Daggett, 
 a representative in the general asseml)ly ; James Manning Daggett; David 
 Whiting, and Sylvia his daughter; Lionel Daggett, and his wife Esther." 
 
 More than fifty years ago the author wrote thus: " This cemetery is now 
 in a state of dilapidation, most of the stones have fallen down, and the 
 whole is rapidly going to decay. It is the duty of that neighborhood or the 
 town, (a duty which gratitude demands) to see the ground decently enclosed 
 and the stones erected, that the fcAv memorials which now exist of our early 
 ancestry may be preserved." 
 
730 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Tbe work of dceny has been going on ceaselessly during all the years since 
 those words were penned, and at the present time the little burial place is in 
 a pitiable condition. Something must be done and that speedily, or every 
 trace of this interesting and valuable landmark of antiquity will be lost 
 irrecoverably, and nothing be left but a dim, traditional remembrance of its 
 existence. 
 
 In 1873 an attempt was made to inaugurate the work of restoration. A 
 meeting of citizens was called at the old Universalist Church and a com- 
 mittee of live chosen to take this matter in charge. Mr. E. Ira Richards. 
 Jr., and Hon. John Daggett were appointed by this conmiittee to solicit 
 funds. It was thought that a thousand dollars would be required to properly 
 secure the desired and proper result. Mr. Richards collected or made 
 subscriptions to the amount of over four hundred dollars, — what Mr. 
 Daggett did is not known to the Editor, — but the " committee of five" took 
 310 further action and the matter was allowed to fall through. 
 
 The spot should at least be enclosed to prevent wanton destruction and 
 the depredations of cattle which wander there now at will to graze and 
 trample upon and break the few remaining stones, and as many of these as 
 possible should be restored and set up. Better still perhaps, as someone 
 has suggested, a monument might be erected with the names of the dead, so 
 far as these could be ascertained, plainly inscribed upon it. It would doubt- 
 less be necessary only to present tliis matter properly to the wealthy gentle- 
 men of the town, to secure their interest and attention, and ensure the 
 accomplishment of the laudable purpose in this or some other manner; and 
 Mr. Richards has recently said he stands ready as one to do his share 
 " toward preserving an ol)ject whose antiquity in itself, almost any other 
 town would be proud to possess and prouder still to keep." Or, indeed, 
 the matter might with great propriety be brought before the town, asking 
 for an appropriation of the necessary amount (a very trifling sum when 
 so distributed), and we feel confident that no loyal citizen would raise a 
 dissenting voice against favorable action upon such an article in a town 
 warrant.' 
 
 The next burying ground laid out in town was that at .South Attleborough, 
 in common parlance called "the city." It originally consisted of about two 
 acres given to the town for the purpose July 21, 1715, by the North Pur- 
 
 ' This matter has at length been taken in liand by the citizens of North Attleborough, and at a 
 certain town meeting it was voted tliat that town should appropriate $1,000 tc'vard the preservation 
 of this ground provided a like sum should be subscribed by private individuals. That amoust has 
 been raised aud two committees, one for the town and one for the citizens, have been appointed to 
 act conjointly in carrying out the proposed plan. The little burial plot will be fenced and improved 
 under the direction of a landscape gaiiiener, and the money remaining after that is completeil will be 
 used for a monument to mark this spot where lie our earliest dead. It is in the highest degree meet 
 and proper to observe this bicentennial year by presei'ving from furtlier desecration one of the most 
 interesting of all the historical spots within the original limits of the olil town, and it is always well 
 for the living to thus honor tlieir brave and pious dead. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROVGH. 731 
 
 chase. 1 It has had additions and is the reguhir phxce of interment for the 
 people of South and West Attleborough. The iidiabitants of the Head and 
 Ide neighborhood also come here to bury their dead. Its situation is a pleas- 
 ant one, on a little rise of ground, at the junction of the road from this 
 '• neighborhood" with that from the East village to South Attleborough, near 
 the old "city mill." It is one of the most interesting of the cemeteries in 
 town, for here lie buried many of the leaders in our public affairs a century 
 ago — men whose names should ever be honored — and, side by side with 
 them, many "mothers in Israel" whose memories are reverenced by all who 
 knew them. Here are found such well-known names as May, Tyler, Newell, 
 Ide, Robinson, Read, Barrows, Guild, Titus, Draper, Whiting, Carpenter, 
 Tingley, Day, Peck, Capron, Woodcock, Fuller, Hunt, Maxcy, etc. 
 
 It is a pleasure to wander about this little city of the dead, for one is not 
 saddened by signs of destruction or neglect. Time, it is true, has worked 
 his will on the ancient monuments, but gently and tenderly as is his wont, 
 for his touch is never harsh or rough. The more modern portions of the 
 ground are as usual laid out in lots with graveled pathways between, and 
 some of these are enclosed l)y fences or close arbor \\ix hedges, and there 
 are numerous handsome and substantial monuments. The central and most 
 elevated part is the most ancient, and here, covering a considerable tract of 
 land, stand row upon row of black slate stones with now and again upon the 
 outskirts a gleam of white marble. Almost all traces of paths are obliterated 
 — perhaps but few were ever made — and people of different families with 
 seemingly no connection lie closely side by side. These stones are all in a 
 remarkable state of preservation, only two among the many having appar- 
 ently been broken, and one of these has been carefully mended ; but while 
 they are all upright and promise to stand firm for many years to come a large 
 proportion are so moss-grown as to render it a matter of exceeding difficulty 
 to trace the inscriptions. On some a few words will be quite legible, or a 
 name or two. a date or a line of poetry can be I'ead ; sometimes nothing can be 
 traced correctly, while again the whole inscription is quite plain. Some of 
 the stones are curiously ornamented — angel faces meet the eye and the 
 familiar funeral urns ; now and again a grinning skull is seen, sometimes 
 with the cross-bones underneath, and one was noticed with a tracery of 
 leaves all around, and two hands with the finger tips just meeting finished this 
 at the top. Underneath lies the "• Bodey " of one " Mr. Christopher Bowen," 
 a young man who died in 1749. 
 
 A few inscriptions were copied to be placed here. The quaintest as well 
 as the oldest stone found is about two feet high, its top rounded, with the 
 following inscription in five close lines crowded into the circular space, leav- 
 ing the rest of the stone bare : " Here lies the Bodv of Martha the wife of 
 
 1 See N. P. Books, vol. ii, p. 28. 
 
732 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Jobu French Aged 43. Died August the 17 in the year 1717." Two stones, 
 side by side, erected to the memory of a father and daughter, the former 
 quaintly ornamented, are noticeable for the orthography and peculiar arrange- 
 ment of the inscriptions : — 
 
 Here lieth ye 
 Here lieth the body Body of Amy 
 
 Of lusiue Jeremiah y'' Daughter of 
 
 AVhippIe. who departed, Iiisine Jeremiah 
 
 This Ufe may y« 14:"> Whipple who 
 
 1721 iu ye 38 year Died April y^ 27 
 
 of his age. 1721 in \^ S'i 
 
 year of Her Age. 
 
 The date 1726 was found several times. A Mr. Samuel Bishop died in 
 that year, Hannah Stephens, " y* wife of John Stephens, Dec'd January y* 
 14""," and Samuel French, a boy in his twelfth year. Priscilla Robbins, 
 '' aged 18 years and 10 months," died in 1729. Mr. Jacob Newell died 
 "Feb^, loth: 1779 in 3^^ 75"* Year of his age." The rest of his epitaph is 
 illegible, but that of Sarah, his widow, who died in October of the same 
 year iu her seventy-second year, is as follows : — 
 
 Let worms devour my flesh, 
 And crumble it to dust. 
 My God shall raise my frame, 
 To live among the just. 
 
 Another reads : — 
 
 Iu Memory of E*'''. 
 
 Noah Fuller who 
 
 Died Auguft y« lO'h 
 
 1780 in ye 'A*^ 
 
 Year of his age. 
 
 The poetry here is illegible, but that inscribed to Lieutenant Aaron Bar- 
 rows, who died December 21, 1801, in his fifty-eighth year, is perfect in its 
 preservation and certainly after its style is complete : — 
 
 My time has come next may be thine, 
 Prepare for it whilst thou hast time. 
 And that thou may'st prepared be. 
 Live unto Him who died for thee. 
 
 One inscription can be seen where the surname, Robinson, is divided, 
 though there seems to be sufficient space on the line for the full name, but 
 here as in other instances the intention is apparent to make the lines even in 
 length, like the pages of a book. Perhaps the most curious epitaph in this 
 yard is that on the tombstone of "the Frenchman," so long a resident of the 
 neighboring village and the donor of the school legacy in that district. This 
 epitaph he composed himself, and entire it reads as follows : — 
 
 Joseph Antoine Richaud, 
 
 a native of Ginaservis, 
 
 born Jan. 24, 1748, 
 
 died Dec. 23, 1825. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 733 
 
 To an invisible eternal 
 
 God. To him alone I tnist 
 
 my poor soul. And when nature 
 
 revives again, 
 
 My soul return in a 
 
 ditterent form 
 
 Full of blessing. 
 
 A number of persons buried here lived to a very advanced age. Lieuten- 
 ant Moses Tyler died October 9, 1804, in his eighty-third year. His wife 
 Patience died in 1756, so it would seem that in a remarkable degree he was 
 faithful to her memory by living a widower for nearly fifty years. Beneath 
 one of the numerous large evergreens growing here and nearly covered by its 
 low-bending branches are four small stones in a row with such a record as 
 combined has rarely, perhaps never, been seen elsewhere, for each of the 
 persons to whom they were erected passed the fourscore mark in years, 
 Edward Pitcher died December 2(i, 1797, in his eighty-second year; Mrs. 
 Keziah Pitcher died June 17, 1808, aged eighty-two years; Mr. Samuel 
 Newell died March 81, 1830, in his eighty-third year ; and Mrs. Mary Read, 
 relict of Amos Read, died in 1<S34, aged eighty-two. One Benj. Allen died 
 in 1808 in his eighty-seventh year, and his inscription makes him suggest 
 to passers by his grave : "Tho' with age and pain I die, Yet I hope to live 
 on high." The three most aged persons, so far as discovered, placed here 
 for their final sleep, are the widow Damiris Tree, who died November 18, 
 1780, " in y® 92d Year of her age," Jeremiah Pierce, who died during his 
 ninety-fourth year, and Captain Samuel Robinson, who died November 2, 
 1826, in his ninety-eighth year. 
 
 Rather hopeful and cheering are the lines inscribed to one Loammi Day 
 and Mary, his wife : — 
 
 Calm is the spot that hides the good and Just, 
 And sweet their slumbers on the bed of dust, 
 Her bright example wipes our tears away. 
 And points the passage to the realms of day. 
 
 One more epitaph is given because the expression of sentiment it shows is 
 all too rare in this world of forgetfulness and is worthy of preservation in 
 annals far more widespread than these can ever hope to be : — 
 
 In Memory 
 
 of 
 
 Martin Robinson, 
 
 Born in Attleborough, 
 
 March 20, 1792. 
 
 Died in Providence, 
 
 Feb. 13, 1852. 
 
 This monument is erected by his 
 
 Providence friends. 
 
 As a token of their high regard for his many virtues. 
 
 his great integrity of character, 
 
 and purity of hfe. 
 
734 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 On the highest spot, nearly in the centre of the cemetery, in the very midst 
 of the beloved people for whom he so long labored, as if still leading and 
 ministering nnto them, lies the Rev. Habijah Weld, his wife by his side, 
 surrounded by various members of his numerous family ; and a few rods 
 away his successor. Rev. John Wilder, his first wife, Esther, "• the excellent 
 consort," three daughters, Esther, Betsey Brown, and Julia Green Wilder, 
 and an infant son, who lived but twenty days and was named Habijah Weld, 
 are buried. 
 
 One lingers here willingly and still lingers, more and more loth to leave the 
 sacred spot where the quiet belonging to a city of the dead still reigns. In 
 the restful atmosphere and peaceful silence of such an enclosure visions of 
 the past best love to gather, and here is one ancient burial place where 
 memories of the earl}' days may be recalled undisturbed as yet b}' the dis- 
 tracting noises and tumults of our busy life to-day, though not ver}' far away 
 on the one side there throbs a great modern engine, and on the other now and 
 again through the trees may be caught glimpses of a lightning-driven car 
 speeding swiftly on its way. 
 
 There were in the course of time several small burial lots set apart for the 
 accommodation of families or the inhabitants of sections in various parts of 
 the town. Among these was a small tract on Washington .Street in North 
 Attleborough at the terminus of the Branch Railroad. The interments made 
 in it never reached a large number, and recently all the bodies have been re- 
 moved to Mount Hope Cemetery, but no disposition of the land has been made. 
 
 The Mann burying ground is a small family yard on the land of Mr. 
 Gamaliel B. Draper on the " Old Post Road" running through the western 
 part of the town. Its occupants are all memlters of the family of Dr. 
 Bezaleel Mann and their descendants. The epitaphs of Dr. Mann, of his 
 wife, and of his son. Dr. Herbert Mann, who was lost in the awful catastro- 
 phe to the brig General Arnold in Plymouth Harbor, have already been given 
 in a previous chapter. 
 
 The inscriptions on some of the other stones erected to the dead here are 
 
 given : — 
 
 This Stone 
 
 iis erected to the memory 
 
 of 
 
 Mrs. Mary Draper, 
 
 wife of Mr. Josiah Draper, & eltlest 
 
 Daughter of Dr. B. it B. Mann. She 
 
 ilieil May 2d, 1808. in the 54th Year of 
 
 her age. 
 
 She i-ondneted her household and her 
 
 afTairs witli di.scretion. She tempered 
 
 her authority with a happy mixture of 
 
 tender afiection. 
 
 She met Death with the resignation 
 
 and hope of a Christian. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 735 
 
 There is no stoue erected to the memory of Mr. Josiah Draper. On that 
 of a son is the following : — 
 
 In memory of Benjamin 
 sou of Mr. .Josiah Draper, 
 
 & Mrs. Mary, his wife, 
 who died Oct. 12th, 1802, 
 in ye 18th year of his aije. 
 In bloom of youth I was cut down. 
 Just as the grass & flowers wei"e mown, 
 From death's arrest no age is free, 
 Prepare to die and follow me. 
 
 Sacred 
 
 To the memory of 
 
 — Bebe Mann Capron, 
 
 only daughter of 
 
 Doctor Seth Capron, 
 
 it Eunice, his wife. 
 
 She died grievously 
 
 lamented on the 25th, 
 
 day of Dec. A.D. 1796. 
 
 Aged 21 months & 17 days. 
 
 Here lies Eliza Maun, 
 daughter of Jno. Milton 
 Mann, A of his wife E 
 
 dizabeth Mann, who 
 died Decem'r 27th, 1790, 
 aged 1 Year, 9 Months & 8 Days. 
 This sweet unfolding beauteous flow'r. 
 Th' all bounteous God in love had given, 
 But soon, too soon 't was crop'd from earth 
 To bloom in heaven. 
 Transplanted hence. 
 
 The only other cemetery in what is properly West Attleborongh is the 
 Paine burying ground. This is in the Holmes neighborhood, and the land 
 was given for the purpose about forty years ago by a resident of that vicinity, 
 named Paine. Members of the Sweetland and Holmes families constitute 
 the majority of the persons buried there. 
 
 There is a cemetery connected with the little church at Briggsville, and 
 though both it and the meetinghouse are over the Rehoboth line many of its 
 silent inhabitants were once residents of this town. Doubtless numbers of 
 the stones here bear quite ancient dates. 
 
 Upon a small island in the mill pond at Dodge ville, connected with the land 
 by a roadway lined with trees, is the burial place of the family from whom 
 the village derives its name, who owned and carried on the manufactory there 
 many years ago. Only persons of the name of Dodge or members of the 
 family are buried in this ground. It is a pretty spot planted with trees and 
 surrounded by gently lapping water. The sleep of its inmates must be 
 peaceful with the soft green grass of the summer time above them or the 
 
736 -4 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 pure white mantle of winter snow ; they heed not tlie hum :iud clatter of the 
 busy mills hard bv, but rest calmly with murmuring waters all around them 
 and beautiful trees whispering soothingly over their heads. 
 
 Between Woodlawn Cemetery and the Branch Railroad there is a little 
 knoll shaded by old trees, and overgrown with wild, tangled shrubs and 
 vines, and containing a small cluster of gravestones. This has for genera- 
 tions been known as the ''old Peck burying-ground." It is no doubt a part 
 of the farm of Hezekiah Peck who settled here "soon after 1700," and 
 whose house stood near where the present " old Peck house " now stands, 
 where the railroad crosses North Main Street. By the books of the Pro- 
 priety it may be seen that as early as 1709 he and his family began to have 
 large tracts of laud laid out to them along the Bungay " Cedar Swamps," — 
 which extended from North Main Street at Blackintonville for quite a 
 distance up the river, — also on " Bungay plain," and at the southwest end 
 of the "great Bungay meadows" ; and this latter " lay out " very probably 
 includes this burial spot. It is a part of what is known in the Capron family 
 as the " 30 acre lot," the bounds of which are given as follows : '' Beginning 
 at the Bungay river bridge, running along by North Main St. to the land now 
 owned by Mrs. B. B. Day, and Mr. A. M. Everett, then east between Mr. 
 E. B. Bliss' and Mrs. Lucas Daggett's house, crossing Bank St. to John 
 Sweet's land, then north to the river, then by the river back to the bridge." 
 Subsequently to 1753 the widow of Hezekiah Peck the second of this town 
 sold her dower right in her husband's lands to Joseph Capron, of this town. 
 Very probably this thirty-acre lot was set apart as her dower, and the Joseph 
 Capron to whom she sold it was her husband's nephew — the son of Judith 
 Peck and Captain Joseph Capron. He was grandfather to Joseph W. 
 Capron of this town. February 3, 1797, Sarah, widow of the above- 
 mentioned Joseph, sold this same land to Jonathan Peck, her son-in-law. 
 He was grandson of Hezekiah the second, and father of the late Capron 
 Peek. It is said that at one time there was a road along the south side of 
 this land, running from North Main Street, as it is now called, to the 
 " Norton road," now Pleasant Street. 
 
 The first Hezekiah Peck of this town was without doubt the first person 
 buried in this ground, the spot being probably selected by his family at his 
 death in 1723. The site was a pleasant one, in view of his house and more 
 convenient than the Woodcock ground, four miles away, or the newly laid out 
 one at South Attleborough, not very much nearer. A writer speaking of 
 him and his wife says : " They Avere buried near his residence, the place 
 afterwards l)ecoming the family burial ground." Like the ground now best 
 known as the '' old Hatch burying-ground," this spot was used most probably 
 as both a family and neighborhood burial place. 
 
 It is supposed that Banfield Capron, the first of that name in town, was 
 buried here, but there is not the slightest trace of his grave to be found. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 737 
 
 There was no lack of means in his family, but his numerous children, to 
 whom he had been very generous, oue and all " forgot to erect a stone to his 
 memory." This fate was by no means singular, for many a worthy man lies 
 in the bosom of mother earth, whose resting-place almost from the very 
 beginning has been forgotten and unknown. Some of his descendants were 
 buried in this spot, probably during the forty or more years when it was in 
 possession of his family ; and some of these have been removed to the Old 
 Kirk Yard, and from one lot to another there. Mr. Capron used this thirty- 
 acre lot as a pasturing field for cows, and portions of it have been devoted 
 to that purpose up to the present time. These animals have no doubt 
 knocked down and trodden upon numbers of the gravestones, but their 
 vandalism has been equaled or surpassed during these many years by that 
 dreaded destroyer, the typical " small boy," whose chief end and aim in life 
 seems to be to demolish whatever he can lay his bauds on, and upon whose 
 natural ear the sound of cracking stones, if he wields the hammer, falls with 
 a peculiar attraction, even like strains of entrancing music upon a more 
 cultivated ear. 
 
 There are at this time of writing but twenty-one stones remaining. Four 
 of these are lying flat upon the ground, nearly all are more or less chipped 
 and broken, and many of the inscriptions are almost entirely effaced. All 
 are of the old-fashioned black slate and are hoary with the lichen growth 
 of more than six scores of years. The lettering on a few is still traceable. 
 
 The most ancient stone, that erected to the memory of the first occupant 
 of the little cemetery, is still almost intact, and its quaint inscription reads 
 
 as follows : — 
 
 Here lies ye Body 
 
 of Mf Hezekiah 
 
 Peek, who Depart 
 
 ed this Life Aiiuiist 
 
 Ye 9'h 17-23 in ye G2'i 
 
 Year of his age. 
 
 Two more of this same family wei'e found whose stones were still 
 
 undestroyed : — 
 
 Here lies ye Body 
 
 of Mrs. Deborah 
 
 Peck, Relict of 
 
 Mr Hezekiah 
 
 Peck. Deed 
 
 March ye 5th 1730 
 
 in ye Tl<^ year 
 
 of her Age. 
 
 Ill Memory of Mr. 
 
 Hezekiah Peck 
 
 Deed (date uot legible) 
 
 1753 in — 58"! Year 
 
 of his Ago. 
 
 Blessed are the Dead 
 
 that die in the Lord. 
 
738 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 On still another of this name could be traced only the name, Mr. John 
 Peck, and the single date, 1730. 
 
 On two of these black or dark-gray stones near the top is cut a cherub's 
 face with outspread wings on either side. One of these bears the name of 
 T. W. Richardson and the date 1 749 ; the other, the inscription which 
 follows : — 
 
 In memory of Mrs. 
 
 Lydia ye Wife of 
 
 Mr. Josiah Cooper, 
 
 Who Dec'^d Octor 
 
 Ye sat 1739, 
 
 Ai^ed 3S years. 
 
 Another stone is thus inscribed : — 
 
 1742 
 
 Here lyeth the body of 
 
 Fitz Tohnau, Dyd 
 
 Sep-- 14, 1727. 
 
 The first date must probably indicate the year in which the stone was 
 erected. One inscription was found entirely illegible, with the exception of 
 the name, which was Wellman ; and of another only 
 
 1733 ill 44 
 Year of his age 
 
 remained to be seen. 
 
 There is a group of stones belonging to various members of an Atwell 
 family. Upon the largest of these, that erected to the father of the family, 
 a handsome coat-of-arms is cut. This consists of a crown with a rampant 
 unicorn on either side, but no motto could be found. The stoue is thus 
 
 inscribed : — • 
 
 Sacred 
 
 To the memory of 
 
 Mr. Richard 
 
 Atwell. 
 
 He died January 26 
 
 A.D. 1767 
 
 In the 63d year 
 
 Of his Age. 
 
 Amos Atwell of Trovidence, 
 
 his son, 
 
 From sentiments of 
 
 Filial Duty, erected this 
 
 Monument. 
 
 On another of this group was deciphered : 
 
 Sarah Atwell, his daughter 
 Nov. 16, 1747, in the 
 20* year of her age. 
 
HISTOEY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 739 
 
 Ou another: " Atwell a son Dec. 29, 1739"; and on still another: 
 
 " Mary Atwell, 1755 " ; all else was illegible. 
 
 The most curious epitaph, still to be seen here, is that on a stone raised 
 to the memory of Mr. John Buckle ; but no dates are traceable. The 
 epitaph reads : — 
 
 Death's steps are swift. 
 Yet no noise it makes, 
 His hand unseen 
 Yet most surely takes. 
 
 There was once a stone here whose inscription stated of the man lyino- 
 beneath that " He died while eating his supper." It has now entirely 
 disappeared, nor, so far as the writer knows, has tradition preserved any 
 further facts with regard to this unfortunate being. Such a statement as 
 the one made, without any explanations, is rather unsatisfactory and gives 
 rise to unpleasant conjecture. Out of consideration for the feelings of those 
 who might read this inscription or as a necessary warning, the friends of 
 that man ought to have told posterity whether or not it was the supper that 
 killed him.i There are no signs of mounds, even where headstones are still 
 standing, and no idea can be formed by an examination of the ground as to 
 the number of burials made here, but someone has said: "The hill used 
 to be covered with graves," Now huckleberry bushes and the coarse growths 
 of neglected fields cover the place, and if anything is ever to be done in the 
 way of restoration and preservation it must be done soon, or it will be forever 
 too late. It will not be long before the last remaining vestiges which point 
 to this as a spot once set apart and made sacred to tlie memories of the dead 
 will have passed away, and then tradition even will have little thought to 
 bestow upon it. The coming generation will know nothing and care nothiuo- 
 for a group of decaying trees on a bit of moss-grown ground. 
 
 There has been some talk among the proprietors of WoodlaAvn Cemetery 
 about obtaining this ground with a view to restoring and caring for it 
 properly. It is a pretty spot, this little hillock, with its still beautiful trees 
 on the banks of the winding river, and if these proprietors could become its 
 owners it would make a most attractive addition to the already attractive 
 modern cemetery beside it. It is to be devoutly hoped that the right kind of 
 efforts in this direction will be made and that the commendable plan of 
 rescuing this very ancient burial place, one of the oldest in town, from 
 complete annihilation will be speedily accomplished, 
 
 OLD KIRK YARD. 
 
 Up to 1744 the greater portion of the burials from the east part of the 
 town were made in the " Old North Burying Ground," or " Hatch's," but in 
 October of that j^ear it was voted by the people of the Second Precinct 
 
 III has been ascertained that his name was Atwell, but nothing further seems to be known. 
 
740 --1 SKETCH OF THE 
 
 to have a place for this purpose hi their own vicinity. On October 10 it was 
 " Voted to have a burying place in the meeting-house lot, and that it should 
 be at the northwesterly corner of said lot." This spot then comprised about 
 half an acre, but afterwards it became necessary to add to it considerably 
 more than an acre, and both together constituted the Old Kirk Yard. At two 
 dift'ereut times this sacred precinct has been entered and despoiled b}- the 
 desecrating hands of railroad corporations, who demanded a portion of the 
 tract for their uses, and therefore many of the dead had to be moved from 
 their original resting-places beneath the sod. 
 
 ''In June 1831, an Act was passed establishing the Boston and Provi- 
 dence Rail Road Corporation, with the usual powers and privileges," and 
 under this act the corporation claimed the right to construct the road through 
 this place, " notwithstanding the statute for the protection of the Sepulchres 
 of the Dead." Their decision was that the line of the road must be straight,^ 
 as far as possible, and finding that this decision would cause the road to be 
 laid through the burying ground the entire community of East Attleborough 
 was roused to a high pitch of excitement and alarm, and the opposition to 
 the proposed measure was decided and outspoken. 
 
 After considerable delay and various remonstrances and proceedings on 
 the part of the proprietors, ^ the corporation proceeded, however, on the last 
 Monday in June (probably in 1834) ''to construct the road through the 
 Burying Ground, and to remove the remains of the Dead, by a sort of 
 forced consent of the relatives." They had indeed given notice " that, unless 
 the kindred would consent to the removal of their dead, they should pull up 
 the grave-stones and construct the road over the graves!" "This," says 
 one, " was freedom of choice with a vengeance ! " 
 
 The line of the road pas.sed obliquely through the groiuid, cutting it into two irregular and 
 une(iual partpi. In the course of the excavations! (al)out 30 feet in width) about 150 bodies, or 
 their remains, were removed, or rather attempted to be removed, for many of them were so 
 much decayed that nothing but a few bones could be found. Such a removal is a mere mock- 
 ery. And thus, says the author, this outrage has been committed, in contempt of the authority 
 of the selectmen, in detiance of pul>lic opinion, and in violation, as we l)eliove, of the laws of 
 the laud. 
 
 Has it come to this? Is there no spot in this wide world where the bones of the dead can 
 rest in peace? Can they spare us no space of earth which shall be privileged from Intrusion; 
 where we can feel an assurance that the hand of violence or cupidity shall not disturb the 
 ashes of our kindred? Will it be permitted, in a community of humane feelings, that a body 
 of men, strangers to the people in the vicinity, and having no interest or sympathy with them. 
 
 1 111 tlie early ibiys of railroad construction there were certain points on which engineers differed 
 widely, notably that one of laying straight or curved lines of roail. Some favored the former way 
 and cutting through all obstacles, and some the latter, avoiding obstacles by going around them. The 
 former was the English methoil and seems to have been the one which found favor with the corporation 
 in question. 
 
 = The parish owned this land and on application laid out lots in it to people, giving them not the 
 land but the right of buriMl in it. Those especially in whom such rights had been vested might 
 naturally be termed ,the proprietors, or etiually all the citizens of the parish might ;be so termed. 
 Records of this matter are on the parish books. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 741 
 
 may trample with impunity on the graves of our fathers? and all this, to gratify the; pride or 
 caprice, and promote the interest of a wealthy corporation! The first rail-road in Massachu- 
 setts has its foundation on the ashes of the dead! 
 
 This is not the worst. A few of our neighbors have been concerned in the transaction. 
 This was the " unkindest cut of all." Will it be believed by succeeding generations, that men 
 (hitherto regarded as men of feeling) could be found in this town, who. from selfish or worse 
 motives, were willing to lend their influence and combine with -a foreign corporation to disturb 
 the repose of the grave? Yet such is the fact! 
 
 The above quotations are from a pamphlet printed in 1834, containing 
 "Remarks" on this matter, quotations from an address by the Hon. Judge 
 Story, delivered at the consecration of Mount Auburn Cemetery, the public 
 actions of the parish and town, the laws of the State with regard to the 
 protection of burying grounds, and finally " Remarks on Corporate Powers," 
 arranged " By a Freeman ^ of Massachusetts." Thofee actions of our citizens 
 are given at length not only because the matter of which they treat was of 
 great importance to the town, — beyond its deep and personal interest to many 
 members of a single community, — but because subsequent events have 
 proved that the citizens were wholly right in the position they then assumed, 
 and the railroad company wholly wrong. No one will be inclined to deny the 
 fact that almost incalculable benefits have, as a matter of course, accrued to 
 the town from the passage of this railroad through it ; but the particular 
 route decided on has given rise to very much inconvenience and annoyance, 
 to the eastern portion especially, to many controversies between the town 
 and the corporation, to great expense, to a second desecration of the 
 burying-ground, and even to loss of life ; most, if not all of which, might 
 have been avoided, and the benefits to the town have in some ways increased. 
 In view of these things the company many years ago acknowledged that their 
 early procedures were unnecessary and that it would have been better for 
 the road had another route through the town, which was proposed, 
 been accepted. 
 
 A parish meeting was held in September, 1833, and a committee of the 
 seven following gentlemen was chosen to take what measures thev could in 
 behalf of the parish against the then contemplated innovation : John 
 Daggett, Jonathan Bliss, Willard Blackiuton, Abiathar Richardson, Jesse 
 Carpenter, Harvey Clallin, and Daniel Carpenter. The chairman of this 
 committee was the •' Freeman " above referred to. We give his report of the 
 proceedings of the committee and the actions of the citizens as found in 
 the pamphlet mentioned : — 
 
 The following documents, and the principles on which we opposed the measure, are here 
 embodied in a more permanent form than that in which they now exist, not only for the 
 bemetit of those who have an interest in the subject and have not had an opportunity of exam- 
 ining them, but that we may hereby make a Public Protest against the claim of the Corpora- 
 tion; and that this case may never be drawn into a precedent to justify future aggressions of 
 
 1 The author. 
 
742 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the kind, as many iire inclined to justify tiie abuse of power liy its use. The question ought to 
 have been legally settled, that the humanity of the law might have been vindicated. Measures 
 were in progress to bring the case to a judicial determination, — which would have been done 
 but for a few unexpected obstacles in the way. The ablest legal counsel had been consulted ou 
 the subject, whose opinion was adverse to the right of the claimants. i The fact, therefore, 
 that the case was not contested, is no evidence of our acciuiescence in their right to do what 
 they did. It is time for public attention to be called to the subject, that the (juestion, who are 
 the proprietors (in many cases) of Burying grounds, and the rights of the public therein, may 
 be determined ; and also, how far protection, by law, is designed to be extended to the dead in 
 their graves. 
 
 The following Remonstrance was sent to the Engineer and Agent by the Parish committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Proprietors of the Burying Ground in East Attleborough. Sept. 25th 
 1833, the following Resolutions were adopted : 
 
 Eesolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to attend to the interests of the Pro- 
 prietors of the Burying Ground, so far as those interests may be attected by the contemplated 
 route of the Boston and Providence Rail Road. 
 
 Resolved, That the Proprietors of. the Grave- Yard, regard tlie contemplated removal of 
 their dead with feelings of deep sensibility, and earnestly desire their committee to use their 
 utmost endeavors to prevent, if possible, such a violation of the Sanctuary of the grave. 
 
 In accordance with the above Resolutions, the committee deem it needless to add much to 
 what has been already said, in regard to the painful feelings, which such an event, as the 
 removal of the dead from the present Burying Ground, must inevitably produce in the bosoms 
 of surviving friends. Burial places have been regarded by all nations and in all ages as smic- 
 tuaries, as spots privileged from the intrusion of the business-concerns of life, and consecrated 
 to the undisturbed repose of the dead. Such places possess, in the view of even the most bar- 
 barous nations, a sort of religious sacredness; and no considerations, short of absolute 
 necessity, should induce the living to violate the sanctity of the grave. It is one of the holiest 
 feelings of our nature, which prompts us to reverence the places where the ashes of our 
 kindred rest; and such a feeling is entitled to respect, and should never be lightly regarded. 
 
 No pecuniary damages can ever compensate for that injury to feeling, which the promiscu- 
 ous disinterment of the remains of several generations, and thus bringing them to the view of 
 their surviving kindred, must necessarily create. Such a scene can but shock the common feel- 
 ings of humanity, and must be felt as sacrilegious. In other cases, private property may be 
 taken and an equivalent given. But who can give an equivalent for that wounded sensibility 
 which the forced removal of the dead, under such circumstances, must occasion? 
 
 The committee would, therefore, in behalf of the Proprietors, most earnestly request 
 those who have the selection of the route for the Rail Road, to spare, if possible, the violation 
 of the sanctuaries of the dead, which the location of the road over our Burying Ground must 
 necessarily produce. Even though the Corporation may have the leffal power thus to locate the 
 road, yet, we hope, that power will be exercised with a due regard to the feelings and interests 
 
 of the community. 
 
 Very respectfully Yours, 
 Attlel)orough Sept. 2Sth 1833 JOHN Daggett, Chairman. 
 
 The Proprietors, perceiving that the Corporation still persisted in their right, deemed it 
 expedient to make the grievance known to the Legislature, with the hope, if not of thus 
 obtaining redress in their case, at least of procuring some positive enactment or other legal 
 provision for the prevention of such injuries in future. For this purpose, they presented to 
 the Legislature the following 
 
 PETITION. 
 
 To the Hon. the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massa- 
 chusetts, in General Court assembled: 
 The Petition of us, the subscribers, interested in the Burying Ground in East Attlebor- 
 ough, respectfully represents : 
 
 1 " The haste, with which they proceeded in tlie coustructiou of tlie road after they had ascertained 
 this fact, is pretty good evidence that they themselves had some doubts about their right." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 743 
 
 That by authority or uuder color of an Act of the Legislature, entitled, an "Act to Iiicor- 
 porate the Boston and Providence Rail Road Corporation " passed the 22d dav of June A.D. 
 1831. the said Corporation, by their Auent.s, have located their Rail Road through the centre' of 
 the Burying Ground aforesaid, to the great damage and injury of your PetitLners; that this 
 Burying Ground was laid out in the year 1744, and has ever since been occupied for the 
 purpose of burying the dead, and now contains, by estimation, from ten to twelve hundred 
 graves; that the said location (if persisted in) will cause the removal of the greatest propor- 
 tion of the remains of the bodies in said ground, and will leave the remainder in an indecent 
 and unbecoming condition. And, therefore, your Petitioners pray this Houoral)le Court to 
 interpose their authority in our behalf, ami prevent this great injury to our interests and 
 feelings. 
 
 We respectfully represent, that, in our opinion, it is wholly unnecessary to locate said road in 
 that direction ; that from the nature of the ground in the vicinity, which is a level plain of great 
 extent, this graveyard might be avoided without any material "injury to the use and improve- 
 ment of said road; that a slight curve in the line of the road, wlii"ch,"in practice, would amount 
 to no perceptible variation, would entirely clear this Burying Ground, and thus render it 
 unnecessary to disturb the remains of the dead : That the said Act provides, that the said 
 Corporation shall take no ground or materials for the use of said road, without paying a full 
 compensation therefor; but that, from the nature of the case, the damages to which'we are 
 entitled are no adequate compensation for the injury caused; the mere cost of the ground and 
 of the removal of the dead, is no equivalent for disturbed peace and wounded sensibility. 
 Such an injury cannot be measured by any pecuniary standard. Burial places have been 
 regarded by all nations, and in all ages, as consecrated ground; and all needless exposure or 
 disturbance of them, is opposed to the universal sentiment of mankind, and is a violation of 
 the most sacred feelings of the heart. Such feelings are entitled to respect, and to the protec- 
 tion of the laws. By a recent Act, the Legislature, guided by a due regard for the tender asso- 
 ciations connected with the remains of our kindred, have seen fit to impose heavy penalties 
 upon any who should presume to violate the sanctuary of the grave: and have thereby ex- 
 pressed the feelings which the people of this Commonwealth entertain for the protection of the 
 cemeteries of the dead. We have a right to exi^ect that the feelings which dictated that Act. 
 will be extended to us in this case. That a right thus to disturb the sacred repose of the grave. 
 on the part of said Corporation, could not have been contemplated by the Legislature, at the 
 time of passing said Act of Incorporation ; and the exercising of such a power under that Act. 
 is, therefore, contrary to the true intent of the Legislature, and to the interests and good feel- 
 ings of the people of this Commonwealth. We claim protection in the case as a right guar- 
 anteed to us l>y the humane principles of our re\ered Constitution. We. therefore, most ear- 
 nestly and solenmly appeal to an enlightened and humane Legislature, actuated by a tlue regard 
 for the feelings and peace of the conununity, to grant us relief from this grievance, in such a 
 manner and by such means as they in their wisdom shall deem right and proper. 
 
 And your Petitioners further pray this Honorable Court, that they would pass some Act, for 
 the better preservation of burial places, especially against future grants of this kind; and thi.t 
 they would establish some impai'tial tribunal, who shall give a hearing to both parties in such 
 cases, to the end that, whenever hereafter any individual or corporation shall, in the location of 
 a road or canal, come in contact with a burying ground, the said trilnuial shall determine, on 
 full and fair examination, whether the exigencies of the case require that the same or any part 
 thereof should be removed. This we ask on the principle that, in a case which so deeply 
 affects the feelings and interest of the peo})le, as the removal of the dead from their graves, it 
 ought not to be left to the sole discretion of an interested individual, or a corporation, naturally 
 governed l^y self-interest alone, to judge of its necessity — that it is not just for them to deter- 
 mine whether the public good demands such a sacrifice. We respectfully ask, that all future 
 grants of this kind may be made subject to such a limitation. We earnestly protest against the 
 granting, in future, of the unqualified powers and privileges {of which we have complained) 
 to any corporation or body of men in this Commonwealth. And we, therefore, humbly pray 
 this Honorable Court, to adopt some measure allbrtiing a more adequate protection to Burying 
 Grounds. And as in duty bound will ever pray. itc. 
 
 Signed John Daggett, and 112 others. 
 
 Attleliorough, January 30th, 1^34. 
 
744 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 House of Represextatives, Feb. 6. lS3-t. 
 So much of thU Petition a^ relates to the grievaufc complained of, is referred to the Com- 
 mittee on Rail Ways and Canals. 
 
 Sent 11)1 for ronc-urrence. 
 
 L. S. CusHtN'G, Clerk. 
 
 Ix Sex ate, February T, 1834. 
 Coiifurred. and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Charles Calhoux, Clerk. 
 
 House of Represextatives, Feb. 6, 1834. 
 So nuicli of the above Petition as relates to the Preservation of Burying Grounds, is com- 
 mitted to the Committee on the Judiciary. 
 
 Attest, L. S. CushixCt, Clerk. 
 
 In accordance with the prayer of this Petition, the Judiciary committee (of which Theron 
 Metcalf, Es(i. of Dedham, was chairman, one of the most learned jurists in this state) very 
 promptly reported a Bill, which passed (we believe, without the least objection) into a law. 
 The feeling manifested on the subject was highly creditable to the memljer who drafted it. 
 
 The Railway Committee, to whom the former part of the petition was referred, reported 
 unfavorably to the prayer of the Petitioners, — on what grounds we have no means of know- 
 ing, as they saw tit to give no reasons for their report. Tt may be conjectured, however, that 
 it was on the ground that the grant was in the nature of a contract, and that, therefore, the 
 Legislature had no right to interfere. That it was so far in the nature of a contract as to pre- 
 clude them from interposing their authority to prevent the injury contemplated, may, at least, 
 admit of a doubt. We presume, however, that the committee did what they thought was their 
 duty. We have, therefore, no better remedy than to acquiesce in the decision, right or w'rong. 
 
 That the Directors of the Rail Road might have a " certain knowledge " of public opinion in 
 the town, the following Resolutions were sent to them. 
 
 At a town meeting held April 1^^, 1834, the following resolutions i were adopted. 
 
 Besolved, That the disturbance of the Burying Ground in East Attleborough is wholly 
 unnecessary, and that it was the duty of the Rail Road Corporation so to have located the 
 road as to avoid said ground, which might have been done without any material injury to the 
 use and improvement of said road. 
 
 Besolved, That the removal of the dead from the places where they have l)een deposited, 
 without the consent and contrary to the wishes of surviving kindred and friends, (unless 
 jmblic necessity absolutely require it,) is a violation of those feelings which ought to be held 
 sacred by the laws and the authorities of the land. 
 
 Besolved, That the location of the Rail Road through the Burying Ground aforesaid, under 
 the circumstances of the case, is a contempt of public opinion and an outrage upon pul)lic feel- 
 ing, and deserves the indignant reprobation of the community. 
 
 Besolved, That having solemnly appealed, but in vain, to the humanity and justice of the 
 Legislature, for protection, it is the duty of all interested in the case to use all legal and consti- 
 tutional means in their power to procure relief and prevent this contemplated injury to their 
 rights. 
 
 Besolved, That the granting, by the Legislature, of such undefined powers and privileges to 
 any person or corporation, as are given in the charter of said Rail Road Company, (and without 
 first requiring a specific location of the intended route,) is an unjustifiable disregard of private 
 property, and a violation of the rights intended to be secured by the Constitution to the people 
 of this Conunonwealth. 
 
 Besolved, That a committee be appointed to transmit a copy of the above Resolutions to each 
 of the Directors of the Boston and Providence Rail Road Corporation, with a request that they 
 would so far change the location of said road as to avoid the Burying Ground in East Attle- 
 borough. 
 
 Attleborough, April Tth, 1834. 
 
 "There were seven resolutions presented to the town, but the first, whicli was couched in rather 
 scathing terms, was not adopted. 
 
HIST OB Y OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 745 
 
 At tbe last meeting of the Proprietors, (which \Yas very fully attended,) held a few weeks 
 previous to the conimencemeut of the work, the following Resolution was passed. They were 
 resolved, that, if the aet should be done, the responsibility and odium of it should rest on those 
 by whom it was done; and would do nothing which might be construeil into acquiescence or 
 consent, that they might thus avoid tiie appearance of being made seeming partakers in the 
 outrage. 
 
 Besolved, That tlie Proprietors of the Burying Ground are still opposed to the passage of the 
 Eail Road over the same; that they will never encourage or consent to it, and that they deny 
 the right of the Corporation to construct said road over said ground, or to disturb or injure the 
 remains of the dead therein deposited. 
 
 As has been seen, all efforts in opposition to the corporation were unavail- 
 ing ; the road was laid through the burial ground and a third of an acre filled 
 full of graves condemned. It was necessary to remove not only the bodies 
 buried in the direct line of the road, but tliose in that portion of the yard east 
 of it, for, as may readily be seen, it would he entirely inappropriate to have 
 two distinct Inuial plots as small as these so near each other. One or two 
 families utterly refused to allow their dead to be removed, and many will 
 recall the little group of slate headstones which long remained on the com- 
 mon. It is said that the railroad company bought a piece of land somewhere 
 on the other side of the original lot, which they gave to the parish to add to 
 the kirkyard, and this might have been done to compensate the parish for the 
 necessary abandonment of the extreme eastern portion and to make room for 
 the bodies removed therefrom. There is every reason to suppose that money 
 compensations w^ere liljeral and as satisfactory as any such remunerations 
 could be made, but no amount of money or gifts can compensate for the real 
 damages in such cases. 
 
 In 1870, when the charter for the Attleborough Branch Railroad was obtained, 
 more land was demanded for its purposes near the depv>t. Land for a third 
 track was no doubt necessary, but all citizens cotild not understand why but 
 one route was possible or available. The company, however, decided that the 
 new line must join the old one in the immediate vicinity of the Old Kirk Yard, 
 and while in all probability this must, translated, would have meant simply 
 desire or convenience, as before, the corporation against individuals imjustly 
 won the day, and in spite of great opposition another work of desecration took 
 place in this unhappy spot. At this time fully a hundred bodies were removed, 
 or the remains of bodies, for many had almost crumbled to dust, and these 
 fragments were placed some in Mount Hope and some in Woodlawu Cemetery. 
 
 Since that time a petition has been circulated and signed by a large number 
 of people and presented to the Legislature. " Its reception was instrumental 
 in procuring the passage of laws, which will forever remove the possibility of 
 a like desecration of sacred ground." It is to be devoutly hoped that no body 
 of legislators will ever be assembled in our State capable of contemplating 
 even for a moment the repeal of any such laws as these. 
 
 There are it is thought about eight hundred bodies in the Old Kirk Yard, 
 and occasional interments still continue to be made there, but there are very 
 
746 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 few if any unoccupied lots, and only a few available spaces for graves remain. 
 ''For more than one hundred and forty years it has received its silent increase, 
 and witnessed the laying away of many great and good men." The grave of 
 Rev. Peter Thacher, that "highly respected and useful man," is here. He 
 requested that he might be buried near the old church where he preached so 
 long, and Avhen it became necessary to change his resting-place a similar spot 
 bv the new church was chosen l)y his descendants, and it seems as if his 
 o-odly spirit were hovering near his successors in the pulpit of that people to 
 whom he so long ministered, preaching the gospel with true Christian earnest- 
 ness and fidelity. Rev. Nathan Holman, pastor for more than a score of 
 years, lies in another portion of the yard ; and Colonel John Daggett, the 
 Revolutionary hero, William Bolkcom, Hezekiah Peck, and many others of 
 prominence in both earlier and later days are placed here. Here also is the 
 grave and the monument of Abiathar A. Richardson, the donor of the school 
 fund ; and various soldiers of our own and the earlier wars find here their last 
 camping ground. Among these are Oscar B. Cummings, Sergeant Abraham 
 Savery, and Lieutenant Darius N. Cole, who was killed at Spottsylvania, and 
 whose headstone bears the inscription, " He died for his country" ; and there 
 are several others who are remembered with the offerings of Memorial Day. 
 One of the veterans of the Revolution who were buried here was Captain 
 Jabez Ellis, who died November 14, 1808, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. 
 His name will be familiar to all who may read this book, for he did his town 
 good service in many ways during many years. He was allowed to rest in 
 peace only about sixty years, for his grave was disturbed by the Branch Road 
 and his remains, with those of about eighty others, were taken to Mount Hope 
 Cemetery. The most ancient date found on any tombstone now in the yard is 
 for 1736 on that of a member of the Tyler family, an ancestor of Professor 
 Tyler, of Amherst College. This person must have been first buried else- 
 where — perhaps in some family burial-ground afterwards deserted — as the 
 year of his death antedates by several years the laying out of the ground. 
 There were no doubt many quaint and curious epitaphs on the earlier stones 
 placed here, since their inscription was an almost universal fashion of those 
 times, but none of these have been preserved by the author. 
 
 Two or three epitaphs from stones in this yard have lieen found and are 
 here given. ^ 
 
 In memory of Mr. 
 
 John Sweet, Jim., who 
 
 ilied April ye Tth, 1762. 
 
 Aged 38 years :uid 4 months. 
 
 My loving friends as yon pass by 
 
 On mv Cold Grave but cast Your Eye; 
 
 I Taken from a newspaper publication on this town's history prepared for the centeuial celebration 
 in Harford, Penu. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUdH. 747 
 
 Your sun like mine may set at Noon, 
 Your soul be called for very soon ; 
 In tliis Dark place You'll quickly be, 
 Prepare for Death ami follow me. 
 
 The stone markin-j; Rev. Peter Thacher's grave is 3 feet 4 inches high and 2 feet wide. 
 Old fashioned carving under which we read : »' In memory of the Rev. Peter Thacher, m.a., 
 the late Faithful and beloved Pastor of the •2'nd Chh. of Christ in Attleborough ; he was borii 
 Jau-ry 25th. 1716; Ordained Nov'br 30th, 1748; Died Sepfbr 13th, 1785; in the Seventieth 
 year of his age, and 43d of his Ministry." 
 
 Whom Papist with not Superstitious tire 
 WouM dare to adore we justly may admire. 
 
 In memory of 
 
 Ebenezer Tyler, 
 
 Esquire, 
 
 A native of this town. 
 
 A valuable citizen, and for the 
 
 three years previous 
 
 to his removal to Pawtucket 
 
 a representative in the State 
 
 Legislature. 
 
 He was the son of John and Anna, 
 
 and Grandson 
 
 of Ebenezer and Catharine Tyler, 
 
 who are buried on his right. 
 
 He died 
 
 at his seat in Pawtucket, 
 
 Oct. 18, 1827, 
 
 Aged 67 years. 
 
 Yes. all nuist yield to death's remorseless rage. 
 Creation's brow shall wrinkle up with age, 
 Time shall remove the keystone of the sky, 
 Heaven's roof shall fall and all but virtue die. 
 
 This yard lias been almost entirely neglected for many years, and very little 
 has ever been done apparently in the w^ay of caring for it. Within a few 
 years, however, the matter has been placed in the hands of a committee, and 
 something in the direction of improvement has been attempted. Those who 
 have friends buried here should be interested every one, and it is to be hoped 
 that the parish will do its share of such a work and " make the Old Kirk 
 Yard a fitting representative of the public spirit, and an honorable evidence 
 of the care and respect of the town for its dead." The work of improvement 
 and embellishment would be the more obligatory should a new church edifice 
 be erected elsewhere, and considerable discussion resulting in some steps in 
 that direction has taken place. In that event, we hope no one would for a 
 moment contenaplate or suggest a general removal of the dead. For once let 
 the progress which means innovation and disturbance stay her hand ; let this 
 spot be improved to the utmost, but not diverted to other uses. Made cheer- 
 ful and attractive as a cemetery, it would greatly enhance the centre of its 
 village. Whether the church goes or stays, let this portion of the '' meeting- 
 
748 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 house lot" be beautified, as auothei- part has been, and let it remain here in 
 the midst of the bustle and stir of busy, active life, the possession of the 
 undisturbed dead forever. It will do the livino- no harm to have continually 
 before their eyes something which shall recall memories of those who are 
 gone.^ 
 
 Something over a hundred years ago, when there were only a few houses in 
 the vicinity of the Falls, '•' William Stanley, a man of public spirit and fore- 
 sio-ht, set apart a piece of land for a burying ground for himself and neighbors." 
 Judging rightly that the water power there would eventually cause a thriving 
 village to be built up, " he devoted an acre and a quarter of his farm to this 
 public purpose." There was no public record of the date of this transaction 
 kept, if any was made ; but the earliest stone, placed above an infant daugh- 
 ter of Enoch and Mindwell Robinson, bears date 1773, so it could not have 
 been, probably, far from that time when the yard was first opened. The 
 Robinson family appear thus to have been the earliest occupants, and several 
 different branches are represented. In one portion of the ground thirteen 
 are buried in a row ; and in 1839 two members of the family built a large 
 tomb. Some of the stones of this family date back to 1776, 1778, and 1788 ; 
 and that erected to Noah Robinson, who died in the latter year, has the same 
 epitaph as tiiat upon a stone in the old Woodcock ground : — 
 
 Jesus, bis sacritice and death. 
 
 Shall be my tinery and wedding dress. 
 
 Deacon Enoch Robinson, who died in 1798, has the following epitaph : — 
 
 'Tis I that speak although I'm dead, 
 'Tvvas sovereign God made this my bed, 
 All that I have to say to thee 
 Prepare for death and follow me. 
 
 Over some of the inscriptions on tombstones here skulls and cross-bones 
 are carved, "while round faced cherubs and the melancholy cypress urn" 
 are frequently to be found. Some members of the numerous D.aggett family 
 are buried here. Samuel B. Parris, m.d., the remarkably promising young 
 man, was laid here, but subsequently was removed from town ; Deacon 
 Jonathan Stanley, and Dr. Thomas Stanley, the son of the donor of the 
 ground, Lieutenant Amos Stanley and Anna his wife, and many others well 
 known as " honorable men and strong hearted women." 
 
 iThis lot is now tlie property of the Second Congregational Cliurcli. Whv could uot that body, 
 in connection with the relatives, friends, and descendants of those wlio are buried here, see that tliis 
 matter is accomplislied during this anniversary year? What more litting permanent memorial could 
 there be to this portion of our early ilead? How could we better celebrate tlie two Imndrcdtli anni- 
 versary of the incorporation of our town and tlie one hundred and tiftieth— in the same inontli — 
 anniversary of the setting apart of tliis spot as a place sacretl to the dead? Let us show tliat we 
 rememljer and lionor tliese godly fathers and mothers by making this little plot of earth, whicli surely 
 they have a right to claim, worthy of them and of ourselves. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 749 
 
 Elizabeth, wife of John Carpenter, has the following epitaph : — 
 
 Farewell, my dear husbaiid. she cries, 
 Now from thy kind bosom I leap, 
 AVith Jesu8 my Bridegroom to be. 
 My flesh in the tomb for to sleep. 
 
 That of Lydia, the wife of James Pullen, is : — 
 
 Pray stop and read as you pass by, 
 Your parents here together ly. 
 
 Many of the inscriptions here show that the people whom they commem- 
 orate lived to a very advanced age. 
 
 Very nearly all of the early settlers at the Falls were interred here, and 
 their followers continued to be largely up to the time of the opening of 
 Mount Hope Cemetery. Burials are even now made here, but at very infre- 
 quent intervals. It is upon the northern portion of this ground that the 
 Central Congregational Church edifice has been erected. The selection of 
 this site necessitated the removal of some forty or fifty bodies, which was 
 done with the consent of a majority of the persons directly concerned, but 
 with the decided disapproval of some of these, who claimed that another 
 equally desirable site might have been chosen and this " disturbance of the 
 dead " avoided. While it was unfortunate on this account that some other 
 place could not have been agreed upon, the object for which the remains 
 were removed was one far less harrowing to even the most sensitive feelings 
 than that for which so many were removed elsewhere in town ; and if this 
 long-moldering huniau dust could have formed itself anew into a living 
 reality, it might have voiced a glad willingness to be thus disturbed and 
 borne to another resting-place if by that means a way was to be made for 
 the continued preaching of God's Word. 
 
 About the time of the Revolutionary War, Captain Joel Robinson gave 
 about two acres of land to be used as a burial place. It lies on the west side 
 of the road from Dodgeville to Hebronville, between the one which runs past 
 the old Tiffany place to County Street and the one over Thurber's crossing 
 by the camp ground to Briggsville. To whom precisely this lot was given 
 does not transpire, but presumably it was set apart for the use of the people 
 of that vicinity as a public cemetery. Tradition says that the donor had 
 some quarrel with those to whom he had tendered the gift, and that he never 
 gave a deed of it. That fact made no difference in its use for the purpose 
 designated, however, and the donor himself is buried there, his gravestone 
 being in an excellent state of preservation. Subsequently Dr. Seba Carpen- 
 ter bought about half an acre of land and gave it to the yard, reserving a 
 right to be buried in the front part, but this right must have been forgotten 
 or wittingly disregarded, for he and his family are buried a considerable 
 
750 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 distance back from the street. At a much more recent date Cyi'us Webber 
 and Joab French made a purchase of hxud, which they also gave to the 
 cemetery, which, iuchiding all additions, comprises about four acres. There 
 seems to have been no attempt to lay out the old portion with any regularity, 
 for the graves are placed without much regard to straight lines or true angles. 
 Much of this disorderly appearance is no doubt due to the changes time 
 unhindered would inevitably make, for there is no evidence of unusual 
 neglect or wanton carelessness. This part is public property, "any one can 
 bury in it," but the new portions are laid out into lots to be disposed of in 
 the usual manner, and show marks of care and attention. 
 
 The first person buried here was Desire Fuller, who died in 1775, and Mr. 
 Zachariah Carpenter's stone bears the same date. The oldest stones are of 
 black slate, many moss-grown and some sunk nearly half their original height 
 into the ground. Some of the inscriptions are almost entirely illegible and 
 others are traced with considerable ditticulty. A large number of lengthy 
 epitaphs are to be found here and a few of them have been copied and will 
 be given Avith some names and dates from other stones. Captain Joshua 
 Tiffany and his wife are buried here ; Captain Ebenezer Tiffanj", who died 
 in 1807 in the seventy-fourth year of his age ; his wife, Mrs. Molly, who 
 died in 1825 in the eighty-seventh year of her age ; and a Miss Tenty 
 Tiffany, who died in 1789. One finds the name of Bates, Starkey, Lincoln, 
 and again and again Fuller. Dr. Seba Carpenter died March 12, 1854, at 
 the age of seventy-one ; and Remember, his wife, and several children are 
 buried near him. On two stones of the Carpenter famil}' is the curious name 
 of Lephe, one the wife of Captain Jon. Carpenter, in whose grave was 
 buried an infant child. There are many Wilmarths buried here, and an 
 enclosed lot on the highest ground in the yard, containing a monument, 
 belongs to a family of that name. Others are Babcock, Bourn, Kirkpatrick, 
 Hutchins, Freeman, Martin, Read, Atherton, Lothrop, — one named Libaus, 
 
 — Bucklin, Robinson, Allen, Mott, Tiffany, Thurber, — one named Zerviah, 
 
 — etc. In the new part are several handsome stones and monuments, bearing 
 the same familiar names, many of them, seen in the old part. 
 
 Following are the few inscriptions collected : — 
 
 Tn memory of 
 
 Mr. ' 
 -James Tittany, 
 who died Oi't. 
 
 1776 
 Aged 79 years. 
 Death 'tin a debt to Nature Due, 
 Which I have paid and so must you. 
 
 In memory of Mr. 
 
 •Jeduthen Fuller, 
 
 who died Nove'"'"" 
 
 15"! 1779 ai'ed 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 751 
 
 79 years 6 nioiis 
 
 it 23 Days. 
 
 Hark from the tombs a doleful sound, 
 
 My ears attend the cry, 
 Ye living- men come view the ground, 
 Where you must shortly lie. 
 Given Gratis by Abie! Fuller. 
 
 Mr. Ebenezer Wilmarth 
 
 died 
 
 Jan. 24, 1828 
 
 in his 89th year. 
 
 A Revolutionary pensioner. 
 
 Mrs. Ama Claflin 
 died in 1833 aged 51. 
 No more the weary pilgrim mourns, 
 Xo more alHiction wrings her heart, 
 Th' unfettered soul to Goc.l returns. 
 Forever she and anguish part. 
 
 Candace Dexter died in 1S3S in the 28th year of her age. 
 
 Farewell my dear a short farewell. 
 For I on earth a while must dwell. 
 
 And drop a tear of sorrow. 
 But not without hope's cheering ray, 
 That she who fades on earth today. 
 
 May bloom in Heaven tomorrow. 
 
 In memory 
 of 
 Mrs. Anna Read 
 wife of 
 Mr. Nathaniel Read. 
 She died Sept. 1 
 1840 
 aged 8(5 years. 
 Oh ! ever houorVl ever dear adieu. 
 How many tender names are lost in you. 
 Keep safe O, tomb! thy precious sacred trust, 
 Till life, divine, wakes her sleeping dust. 
 
 In memory of 
 
 Mr. 
 
 Nathaniel Read, 
 
 who died Dec. 10, 
 
 1875 
 
 in the 76'^ year 
 
 of his age. 
 
 What need the pen rehearse a life well spent. 
 
 A man's good deeds is his best monument. 
 
 Maria 
 
 wife of 
 
 John Dyett Peacock, 
 
 & daughter of 
 
 Jolm Bruster, 
 
752 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 born at Helinsworth 
 
 Yorkshire, Co. Eng. 
 
 died April 10, 1859 
 
 Aged 58 years. 
 
 As I pass by with grief I see 
 
 My only friend was taken from me. 
 
 Tho' taken by him who has a right 
 
 To call from me when he saw fit. 
 
 William J. Morguin. 
 
 Died 
 
 Oct. IT, 1872 
 
 In the (list year 
 
 Of his age. 
 
 Our loss is great, it gives us pain. 
 
 We ne'r shall find his like again. 
 
 Within a few years an association has been formed, which has this ceme- 
 tery in charge. Mr. Joseph G. Thurber is the president of this association. 
 The ground is called '' The Dodgeville Burying Ground." 
 
 Towards the middle of this century it became unmistakably evident that 
 more burial space was required, the increasing population of North Attlebor- 
 ough rendering such space especially necessary in that vicinity. A public 
 meeting was held, and plans proposed and arranged. Stock was issued and 
 at once subscribed for by about thirty persons. In 1849 these incorpora- 
 tors, who had organized their association under provisions of statute, pur- 
 chased seven acres of land of Benjamin Freeman and later by purchases 
 from other persons increased the amount of laud to about ten acres. These 
 grounds are in the Falls village on the road leading over Mount Hope hill, 
 from which no doubt it derived its name. 
 
 The consecration of Mount Hope Cemetery took place July 2, 1850. The 
 
 services were participated in by several clergymen, and the following poem 
 
 written for the occasion by Mrs. C. M. Jackson (then Miss Fuller) was 
 
 sung : — 
 
 Here, in thine ancient temple. Lord, 
 
 Where prayer was earliest made to thee, 
 Thy presence waiting children crave 
 And ask for each a blessing fi'ee. 
 
 We come as did thy sous of old, 
 
 This spot to mark as holy ground; 
 We consecrate it Lord, to thee, — 
 
 Here may thy spirit e'er be found. 
 
 May no rude feet pi'ofane this place. 
 
 Where rest in peace the sleeping dead, — 
 No thoughtless merriment intrude 
 
 Upon their silent, dreamless bed. 
 
 And when our tears bedew the graves 
 
 Of those who share our earthly love. 
 May faith's uplifted finger say, 
 
 Thev are not here — thev 're gone above. 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 753 
 
 Here may we never doiilit or fear. 
 
 But humbly trust pareutal love. 
 And ever cheerfully resign 
 
 Those, whom our Father calls above. 
 
 Here may the angel Hope arise, 
 
 AVith peace, for souls by sotTow riven, 
 And show them thro' this g'ate there lies 
 
 The nearest, easiest path to Heaven. 
 
 The address prepared by the Rev. J. M. B. Bailey, pastor of the F'irst 
 Church, at the request of the proprietors of the cemetery, was read at the 
 dedication by his friend, the author of this book, because he was at the time 
 too much prostrated by feeble health to be able to deliver it. A few extracts 
 are made in memory of the writer, whom numbers in town must still hold in 
 affectionate remembrance. 
 
 This is an occasion that excites our emotions. Though the common world !je near us, we 
 are secluded. We feel that we have come to this spot, as to one which does not belong to the 
 common acres of the globe. These are no longer common trees, nor this turf the public soil. 
 We are on selected territory, and the rural scenery about us is the drapery of our enclosure, 
 which divides us off from the lawns and fields adjacent. But our isolation does not account 
 for the emotions that thrill our souls. We are in the presence chambers of the Eternal. We 
 are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses. Departed saints seem to be gazing upon 
 us, as we come here to this dividing line between two worlds, as we gather where the dead 
 enter the vestibule of eternity. 
 
 Let all our arrangements have more reference to a resurrection, and the glory that follows, 
 than to what is merely material and ephemeral. Let our selection of places where our friends 
 shall slumber till they shall put on immortality, be made with reference to these solemn real- 
 ities. Let us choose a place so far removed from the stir and liustle of active life, that the 
 repose of the sleepers there shall not lie broken in upon by the noise of business, by the careless 
 ti-ead of those who regard not private right, or the endearments of love. Let it l>e retired, yet 
 the access easy. Let the spot be diversified with brook and pond and rushing stream, with 
 plain and hillock, with gentle declivity and retiring vale, with sunshine and shade, with the 
 natural forest and the cultivated grove. There let us set the leafy maple, the spreading elm, 
 the towering oak, the modest beech, the native and the foreign evergreen. Make the passage 
 ways open and broad, that no necessity may compel, or carelessness allow, the tombs of the 
 dead to be desecrated or marred. Appropriate a spot for the stranger that dies anions: you, 
 and let your lilieral hospitality grant him a free and an honorable burial. Let not parsimony 
 or speculation or covetousness have any share in the planning, the executing, the adorning or 
 the disposing. Suffer nature to do all that it can; let taste and art bring their contributions 
 and combine their beauties here. Let all its monuments be sacred, its paths, its avenues, its 
 carriage ways. Let all within it, all beneath, all above, even to the stars that shine sweetly 
 down upon it be sacred. Let them be forever hallowed; hallowed to repose, to silent converse 
 with the departed dead. Let all who alone pass through these walks, let all who in social 
 intercourse tread their way hither in twilight's gentle hour, or when the moon sheds down her 
 mildest light through these overspreading trees upon the grass, beneath which loved ones lie 
 sleeping; — let all who have been bereaved of partners, of son or daughter, of lover or friend, 
 let them listen, let them receive those lessons that soften, calm and elevate. Let everything 
 connected with, and belonging to, this most interesting place, its ti'ees, its monuments, its 
 grass, its foliage, its evergreens, point the visitor to the resurrection and the life to come. Let 
 them point him to that world where there is no death, no mourning, no sin; where all is 
 eternal freshness, eternal youth; where no destruction wasteth at noonday. 
 
 Standing here, I seem to see, coming from yonder cold gloomy vault a company of the dead 
 who have left their burial, that they may here find a more befitting resting place. I see 
 
764 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 following that coinpauy, at frequent iiitfrvals, one and another uf those now living. Their 
 silent tread, their bowed forms, their fallen heads and saddened countenances, all tell of the 
 visitation, of bereavement, of sorrow and sadness. Twenty out of every thousand of this 
 population will be interred liefore the end of this year. Soon the monument here will tell of 
 death's doings with an emphasis and a cadence, that will surprise every visitor. Over whom 
 of us will the first turfed roof be raised? Who can tell where the blow will lirst fall that will 
 sever the golden chord? Who shall lie first to bear hither the beloved wife or husband? What 
 parent will first bring here the son of his tlepeudence, or the daughter of his hope? 
 
 Come here to form a right estimate of time. Here is the goal of life. Here is the portal of 
 eternity. Pause here, all ye who tread these walks, and consider what will be a hundre<l years 
 hence. We often hear it uttered with seeming levity, " It will be all the same a hundred 
 years hence." But with what a pace, and with what certainty, will not these years come to 
 their termination. This day will draw to a close, and a number of such days will make a whole 
 revolution of the seasons. Year follows year, and a number of years make up a century. 
 These little intervals accumulate and fill up that mighty space, which appears to the fancy so 
 big and so immeasurable. A hundred years will come, and see out the wreck of whole genera- 
 tions. Every living thing that now moves upon the face of the earth, will disappear from it. 
 The infant, that now hangs on his mother's bosom, will live only in the remembrance of his 
 grandchildren. The scene of life and intelligence now before me will be changed into the dark 
 and loathsome forms of corruption. The people who now hear me will cease to be spoken of; 
 they will perish from the face of the earth. Their fiesli will be devoured by worms. The 
 dark and creeping things that live in the holes of the earth will feed upon their bodies. Their 
 coffins will have mouldered away, and their bones have been thrown up in the new-made 
 grave, unless prevented by your wholesome and spacious provisions. And is this the consum- 
 mation of all things? Is this the final end of man? Is there nothing beyond the grave to 
 relieve the picture? nothing to chase away these dismal images? Must we sleep forever in the 
 dust, and bid an eternal adieu to the light of heaven? 
 
 Come to this place, my friends, and learn to apportion your time wisely. Devote a proper 
 share to learn how to die, then the agonies of your dying day will not be heightened by the 
 agonies of despair. Come here and learn how to live. 
 
 So live, that when thy summons comes to join 
 The innumerable caravan, that moves 
 To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take 
 His chambei" in the silent halls of death. 
 Thou go not like the quarry slave at night. 
 Scourged to his dungeon; but, sustained and soothed 
 By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave. 
 Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
 About him. and lies down to pleasant dreams. 
 
 The first person buried liere was Mr. Martin Whitney, in 1850, and now 
 the silent inhabitants of this spot number many hundreds, among them many 
 of the most distinguished citizens of the town. Hon. Elisha May is interred 
 here and his gravestone l)ears the following epitaph : — 
 
 What though our inbred sins require 
 
 Our flesh to see the dust; 
 
 Yet as the Lord our Saviour rose 
 
 So all his followers must. * 
 
 That of Ruth, his widow, is as follows : — 
 
 Tho' I lie buried deep in dust 
 
 My flesh shall be thy care; 
 
 These withered limbs with thee I trust 
 
 To raise them strong and fair. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 755 
 
 Upon the stone erected to George Stanley are the following lines from Pope : 
 
 A wit '8 a feather, and a chief's a rod, 
 All honest man 's the noblest work of God. 
 
 There are a number of beautiful monuments in this cemetery, bearing the 
 names of prominent men and families. Arpong the handsomest are those of 
 the Richards family, H. N. Daggett, Oscar M. Draper, and the Freeman 
 brothers, while there are scores of others conspicuous for their beauty or 
 appropriateness. 
 
 Within a few years four and a half acres of land have been added to the 
 cemetery on the east side, and it now comprises from twelve to fifteen acres. 
 Since it was first opened it has been handsomely enclosed and much im- 
 proved, and the grounds are well graded and suitably divided into avenues 
 and paths. The tract has many natural advantages; its surface is happilv 
 diversified and portions of it beautifully shaded and adorned by groves of 
 our native forest trees. It is tastefully' laid out, and so nature and art have 
 combined harmoniously to make Mount Hope Cemetery the most attractive 
 in town. 
 
 There are now two Roman Catholic cemeteries in town. For manj' years 
 the people of that faith possessed no consecrated ground for this purpose, 
 and all their dead were taken to Pawtucket for interment. About 18.50 St. 
 Mary's parish was organized and land for church purposes was purchased, 
 but it was not until a number of years later that the people were able to pur- 
 chase their first tract of land for burial purposes. This is at the Falls village, 
 south and east of Mount Hope, and is called St, Mary's Cemetery. Already 
 it has many occupants ; monuments of various designs dot the surface here 
 and there, and many uplifted crosses glisten and gleam in the sunlight over 
 the rapidly increasing mounds. The greater portion of the burials from the 
 parishes of St. Mary and St. John are made here. 
 
 The only other Roman Catholic burying ground in town is the cemetery 
 connected with St. Stephen's Church in Dodgeville and called b}^ the same 
 name. 
 
 About twenty-five years ago the necessity for additional burial space in 
 the east part of the town had become imperative, and in 1865 a cemeter\' 
 association was formed. The first meeting of the association was held on 
 the first of July of that year to take measures for organizing as a corpora- 
 tion, but that idea was abandoned. The number of charter members of the 
 association was fifteen. Shares were issued, the par value of each being $25, 
 and forty-three of these were taken by the original stockholders, who num- 
 bered twenty-three. The first oflBcers elected were J. W. Capron, president, 
 C. E. Hayward, vice-president, A. M. Everett, clerk, John Cooper, treasurer, 
 and J. "W. Capron, C. E. Hayward, and L. W. Barnes, trustees. The name 
 selected was "■The Woodlawn Cemeter}' Association." A constitution was 
 
756 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 framed and adopted together with suitable bv-hiws on the fourteenth of July, 
 1865. This is a private association not incorporated by act of Legislature, 
 and in 1887 the number of shares had increased to seventy-one. 
 
 Soon after the organization of the association about ten acres of land 
 were purchased for a thousand dollars of INIr. Philip Brady. This tract lies 
 in what has long been familiarly called Blackintonville and is bounded bv 
 Mr. Brady's lands, the Bungay Kiver, and the former homestead lot of Mr. 
 William Blackinton, now the property of Mr. Neruey. Some two or three 
 years subsequent to the purchase substantial iron gates were erected at the 
 entrance to the ground on North Main Street, and in 1887 a little more than 
 two acres of land were purchased to enlarge the cemetery. 
 
 The site of Woodlawn is a cheerful and pretty one, as that of the grounds 
 set apart for " cities of the dead " ought to be. The surface is broken, por- 
 tions of it have trees, and the running river is a particularly attractive 
 feature. Many of the lots are tastefully arranged and many beautiful stones 
 and monuments have been erected to the honored dead lying beneath them. 
 Here as in every similar spot one finds newly inscribed year b3' year the 
 names of numbers of the best and most prominent men of the town, some 
 having lived out long and useful lives, fully ripe for the sickle of God's 
 reaper, but others, alas ! cut down in the prime of lusty manhood just when 
 their vigorous strength seemed most needed in the world's work ; and here too 
 one sees numbers of the waving flags which indicate the soldier's grave. 
 Among the finest monuments are those of the Bliss, Carpenter, and Dean 
 families, and those of Mr. Charles E Hayward, William Wilmarth, and 
 Everett Bliss. These are among the most conspicuous, but there are many 
 others equally tasteful and appropriate. 
 
 The new cemeteries of the town present a most creditable appearance ; if 
 the old burying grounds could receive the attention they demand and deserve, 
 such attention as is bestowed upon the new ones, there would be nothing left 
 in this line to be desired. 
 
 About three quarters of a century ago a small parcel of land was set aside 
 by Mr. Apollos FoUett as a family burial ground. It lies on the road lead- 
 ing from Park Street to the Bearcroft Road, between his house — now occu- 
 pied by his grandson, Walter H. Follett — and the residence of Mrs. Simpson 
 Harvey. There are but seven gravestones in this little yard, all probably 
 that have been placed, as onW a few people have been buried there. They 
 are of black slate and contain no epitaphs, only simple inscriptions, and no 
 oi'namentatious with one exception, a weeping willow being pictured upon 
 that of Mrs. Apollos Follett. The small footstones contain the initials of 
 those beneath, and in some instances the year of their death. All the stones 
 are in a row and near together, and are in memory of the persons whose 
 names follow : — 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 757 
 
 Mr. Jouathan Follet, wbo died Dec. 7, 1S19, in the Slst year of his age; Mrs. Mary, his wife, 
 who died Dec. 80, 1829, iu the 8.5th year of her age; Mr. Apollos Follett, (his sou) who died 
 July 4, 18.5.5, in the T6tli year of his age; Mrs. Cynthia, his wife, who died Aug. 9, 1844, in the 
 63d year of her age; Mr. ApoJlos Follett, Jr., who died Aug. 5, 1831, in the 24th year of his 
 age; Ferdinand, another sou, who died March 24, 1818, aged 10 months and 24 days, and Mary, 
 who died Nov. 14, 181.5, aged 4 years, 10 months and 14 days. 
 
 It was at the time of the last-uamed child's death that Mr. Follett made 
 the yard. Another daughter, Cynthia, who married a Mr. Hunt, of Norton, 
 was buried here with her infant child, but was subsequently removed to a yard 
 in Norton by her husband. Still another daughter, a second Mary, who married 
 William Rogers, is buried here ; but no stones have ever been placed above 
 their graves, which are fast becoming obliterated. An infant child of Mr. 
 Simpson Harvey was temporarily buried iu this place ; but no other burials 
 have been made so far as known. The stones are in a fair state of preserva- 
 tion, though somewhat moss-grown, but the ground is in a neglected condition, 
 covered with brambles and tangled grass. The enclosing wall is yet intact 
 but the gate is lacking and all together it is a rather forlorn-looking little spot. 
 
 There is another family burial ground not a great distance from the one 
 just mentioned, on the road leading from the " Mugg district" to Brio-o-s- 
 ville. It is not more than eighteen or twenty feet square and is filled by the 
 ten graves it contains. There are nine stones. These, with two exceptions, 
 a,re erected to persons of tlie name of Thayer. The first interment was 
 apparently in 1845, that of Mr. Abiathar Thayer, who died at the aoe 
 of seventy-seven. His wife Elizabeth died in 18.58 in her eighty-sixth vear. 
 Another Abiathar died in 1876, aged eighty. Phebe his wife, Ruel, Benjamin 
 L., and Mrs. Joanna Thayer, Mason Harvey, who died in 1849, aged seventy- 
 two, and a child of the name of Hewitt are the others to whom stones are 
 erected. All these stones are of white marble, with the exception of that of 
 Mr. Harvey, which is of black slate. Outside the enclosure there are two 
 graves. One is that of James B. Hewitt; the other has no stone. Three 
 scraggy old trees and a few tiny firs stand within the yard, but they detract 
 very little from the forsaken appearance of the place, a lonesome spot on 
 a lonely road. 
 
 Not far away is a similar spot enclosed by a substantial stone and iron 
 fence and containing one grave with a marble headstone, that of Mr. Edwin 
 S. Coombs. It lies on the crossroad from the one just mentioned to that 
 passing the Follett yard, which it joins near the residence of the late Captain 
 Edwin French. Mr. Coombs' place was the "old Codding farm," the home 
 of Mr. Abiel Codding. 
 
 On the place of the late Dr. James M. Solomon, now occupied by his sou, 
 Herbert F. Solomon, there is a small plot of ground which he set apart about 
 fifty years ago as a family burial-place. It contains but a few rods, two sides 
 being surrounded by a stone wall, the other two by a solid iron fence, and 
 the whole shaded by trees of a considerable growth, which he no doubt 
 
758 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 planted himself. There seem to have been about twenty interments in the 
 yard, all, with two or three exceptions, members of the family. A granite 
 monument near the centre has the following names inscribed upon it : " Dr. 
 James M. Solomon, Born Sept. 10, 1812, Died Nov. 22, 1889. Rebecca A. 
 his wife. Born March 20, 1824, Died Nov. 22, 1886 " ; and beneath "Amy 
 A.," a daughter. On another side are inscriptions to other children of Dr. 
 Solomon : Cornelia A., James F., William D., Sarah M., John J., and William 
 B., the two latter having the birth date only lettered, as they are still living. 
 Headstones containing simpl}' names are placed at the graves of several of 
 these near the monument and to two additional ones, Laura A. and Loammi 
 K., while one small stone is marked "The Children." There is a stone to 
 " Almira L. wife of Henry McCarthy," a sister of Dr. Solomon, who died 
 in 1852; one to John L., son of Henry and Almira McCarthy; and between 
 these a small stone inscribed to some member of their famil}', a child prob- 
 ably, who died in 1846 and was the first person buried in the yard. A large 
 stone marks the spot where Rebecca A. Chace, who " died in 1867 aged 74," 
 was buried, and makes the fifteenth in the entire group besides the monument. 
 In each of the corners farthest from the family and at the foot of the little 
 mound where they lie, marked by rongh black stones wholly unletttered, is a 
 grave : the one to the east being that of a servant in the doctor's family who 
 died many years ago, and the other that of some person unknown to the 
 present members. One stone here contains the most remarkable dates of au}^ 
 in town, so remarkable as to be very rarely seen anywhere. It is erected to 
 the mother of the late Dr. Solomon, and the inscription reads as follows : — 
 
 lu Memory, 
 
 of 
 
 Amy A. Solomon, 
 
 wife of 
 
 .John Solomon. 
 
 Born Feb. 9, 1760 
 
 Died May 8, 186-t. 
 
 Aged loi years & 
 
 3 months. 
 
 A kind and artectionate Mother. 
 
 None knew her but to love her, 
 
 None named her but to praise. 
 
 In God we live. 
 
 On the extreme western border of the town, on the Diamond Hill Road not 
 far from the Cumberland line, is another family burial ground in which there 
 seem also to have been about twenty interments. It is in a bright, sunny 
 location well toward the summit of a considerable elevation on the farm of 
 Mr. Lewis S. Carpenter, who occupies the commodious homestead dwelling- 
 house near by, and whose father, Mr. John Carpenter, about three quarters 
 of a century ago dedicated the spot to the uses of the dead. The space, 
 perhaps forty by eighty feet, is enclosed by a substantial iron fence with 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 759 
 
 double entrance gates. It is ou the edge of a little bluff, which rises 
 abruptly from one or two sides ; and stone steps lead from the roadside to 
 the gateway. The stones are of white marble or granite, the older ones well 
 preserved ; the broad, intersecting paths are concreted, and the wdiole enclos- 
 ure shows excellent care and attention. On the southerly side is a small plot 
 about twenty-five feet square also enclosed by an iron fence, but with no 
 indications of burials within it. 
 
 The earliest death indicated, and the one doubtless which caused the little 
 graveyard to be made, is that of a son of Mr. Carpenter, upon whose tiny 
 stone is this inscription : " Within this peaceful asylum repose the remains of 
 Asa C. sou of John Carpenter and Nancy his wife, wdio died March 1, 1816, 
 ao-ed 4 years and 6 months." Close beside are the stones to John Car- 
 penter himself, who died May 18, 1851, in his seventy-eighth year, and to 
 his wife, who died April 20, 1863. aged eighty-three years and six months. 
 Namon B. Carpenter, Sylvia his wife, Delia Maria a very young daughter, 
 and an infant daugliter unnamed form another group of those buried here ; 
 and near by is a granite monument, erected in 1868, on which is an inscrip- 
 tion to W. H. Carpenter, who died in 1888 at the age of seventy-four, and his 
 wife Hannah, who died in 1867 aged forty-seven. Cynthia B., wife of Joseph 
 B. Carpenter, died at the early age of " 23 years"; and Susan C, wife of 
 John B. Carpenter, and her little boy of nine lie side by side. Another 
 group of stones are raised to Noah A., Abby his wife, and their sou Henry 
 Albert Carpenter. David Brown, who died October 18, 1849, aged ninety- 
 three, Chloe, his wife, who died January 25, 1848, aged eighty-seven, and one 
 Lydia Brown, who died December 1, 1856, in her sixty-eighth year, are the 
 only persons of a dift"erent name buried here. The latest inscription is that 
 of ''Cynthia A. Cargill wife of Lewis S. Carpenter, Born Feb. 18, 1819, 
 Died July 21, 1890." Beside hers is the husband's stone and exactly like it, 
 on which is inscribed " Lewis S. Carpenter, Born May 12, 1817." It is 
 pleasant to mention a family burial yard where tlie highest respect to their 
 dead is shown by the living members in a careful preservation of all memo- 
 rials and a coustant attention to the ground made sacred to them as the rest- 
 ing-place of many of their loved ones ; and it is especially pleasant to note 
 one is so pretty a spot surrounded by sonie of the most attractive scenery in 
 the entire old town. 
 
 About a hundred years ago a little plot of ground on the farm of Nathan 
 Bolkcom, on Cutting's plain, began to be used as a burial place. It is just 
 south of the house of the late Lorenzo Morse, on the west side of the road, 
 and perhaps five or six hundred feet back from it. The space is about fifty 
 feet square and is on the summit of a little knoll. It was formerly walled 
 in, and i-emnauts of the wall still remain on two sides, the other two being- 
 bounded by a rail fence. The place is wholly given over to the growths of 
 nature, is now only a bit of wild woods. The graves are mostly leveled to 
 
760 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 the surface, scarcely more than six or eight indications of mounds being 
 visible. Two rough, unlettered stones, no doubt marking the head and foot 
 of a grave, are standing : in another place a single stone, and in still another 
 a small bowlder, which may also have been a grave-mark. Only thi*ee inscrip- 
 tions are to be found. On a piece of stone lying on the ground can be read, 
 •• Mrs. Hannah Hall, ^t. 55." The stone is so narrow that only one word 
 could be cut on a line, and the lower part of it, still embedded in the ground, 
 crumbled into fragments when an attempt was made to raise it, so the remain- 
 der of the inscription could not be ascertained. This Mrs. Hall, wife of 
 Ephraim Hall, is thought to be the first person buried here. 
 The second inscription reads : — 
 
 Chloe 
 
 Bolkcom died 
 
 Feb. 13, 1804 
 
 in the 2Tth year 
 
 of her age. 
 
 I turn to dust as here you see. 
 
 Prepare in time to follow nie. 
 
 One Hannah Bolkcom was buried here, and in the southeast corner of the 
 little yard a pair of twins and another 3'oung child of the same name. The 
 third inscription is as follows : — 
 
 In memory of 
 
 Mr. Manning B. Wight, 
 
 who died March 9, 1829 
 
 in the 22d year of his age. 
 
 The onlv son of Simon & Iluldah 
 
 Wight. 
 
 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord. 
 
 An unlettered stone marks the foot of this grave. Sally Wight, sister to 
 the above, Huldah Wight, Nathan Bolkcom and Sarah, his wife, were buried 
 here, and Betsy Bolkcom, the latter the last to be interred, and about forty 
 or fifty years ago. The most of the facts relating to this spot were obtained 
 from Mrs. Morse, widow of the late Lorenzo Morse and granddaughter of 
 Nathan Bolkcom. The only other burial, so far as recalled, was that of an 
 infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morse, who died January 3, 1839, at the age 
 of 1-i months and 9 days, in the midst of a storm so severe as to render it 
 impossible to get to the cemetery where other members of the family are 
 buried. Stones were erected to nearly if not quite all who were buried here, 
 but all excepting those mentioned have entirely disappeared and probably 
 by being destroyed, for when the wall was broken down they began to share 
 its fate. 
 
 This vicinitv is the ancient settling-place of the Bolkcoms. Of the three 
 brothers who came early to this country, one settled here, and large quantities 
 of land were cleared in time by members of the family who once owned 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 761 
 
 " down to the Fisher neighborhood." One of them worked for others at this 
 occupation, and was paid in land, one acre for one day's work. Nathan 
 Bolkcom, when he was a young man, concluded he would go away from home 
 to seek his fortune, which he apparently soon found and brought back with 
 him in the form of a wife, Sarah, — well-named Jewell, — of Haverhill. She 
 came to town with her husband at the age of twenty-four and lived to be 
 ninety-four, in all those seventy years returning but twice to her native town. 
 The women of those days did their full share in the pioneer work in which 
 the men were engaged and found enough to occupy their minds and hands in 
 the daily duties of their humble homes. They had no unhealthy craving for 
 publicity and the so-called necessary " wider sphere," but were content to 
 spend and be spent in the place where their lot was cast. It is a pity that 
 this woman who was crowned with almost a hundred years of life should 
 have no lasting memorial tablet inscribed with some tribute to her deeds and 
 virtues. 
 
 In the village of Briggsville, a few rods from Mr. Vickery's store, toward 
 the Rehoboth line, on the other side of the road, is a very ancient burial 
 place. One enters a cart-path leading into the woods, follows it a short dis- 
 tance, and then, turning to the right, scrambles through a thicket of low 
 bushes or scrub oaks, filled with brambles and briers, and presently in its 
 very midst comes upon a spot covered with cypress and finds here and there 
 signs of graves. A solitary footstone with a few scarcely traceable letters 
 inscribed upon it appears, and, looking about, the headstone comes into view, 
 with another alongside containing a few readable words. Peering about and 
 parting the branches, one finds a group of graves, one or two upright stones, 
 partly visible, and again, almost hidden by bushes, in a tangle of wild 
 vines and perhaps half-buried by the accumulations of the passing years, 
 another group of two or three with headstones. In a space covering a few 
 rods either way there are evidences of probably quite thirty burials, their 
 places all more or less readily determined by piles of small stones, of the 
 dimensions of mounds, over the bodies of adults, which remind one of the 
 far Western custom of covering freshly made graves in that manner, to pre- 
 vent the depredations of wild animals. Traces of rows are clear, but they 
 are not on a line with either the road or the path. The spot was perhaps in 
 the early days an attractive one, shaded with great trees and suri'ounded by 
 the primeval forest, through whose midst the lonely highway ran ; but it is 
 now scores of years since it was wholly abandoned to neglect and decay, for, 
 as our informant told us, " The second growth of timber is growing over the 
 place." The little yard may originally have contained about a hundred feet 
 square, for the graves now visible are all within that amount of space. It 
 is elevated slightly above both the road and path and slopes a little on the 
 other two sides, but there is not the slightest evidence of its ever having been 
 
762 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 enclosed by wall or fence. Very little could be ascertained regarding it, for, 
 while numbers know of its existence as a former burial place, no one appears 
 to know anything about its origin as such, and no interments have been made 
 within the remembrance of even elderly people. It is the property of Mr. 
 Joseph L. Wetherell, of Briggsville, and he has no recollection of its men- 
 tion in any deeds relating to the surrounding land. If therefore it was ever 
 formally set apart, the fact has apparently been forgotten. 
 
 Very few stones are to be found at the present time, and those still stand- 
 ing will soon disappear if left alone. Possibly some might be found b\' 
 digging beneath the surface, though attempts made in that direction have met 
 with no result ; either therefore there were none erected at many of the 
 graves, or they have been totally destroyed. Those found are all of black 
 slate, the majority ornamented with cherubs' faces, some of which are very 
 peculiar in their expression ; one can almost see depicted disgust at their 
 forlorn surroundings or discouragement over their melancholy fate. Some 
 twelve or fourteen stones were discovered and their inscriptions copied. The 
 most ancient one is to " Mr. John Titus who departed this life Oct. 9, 1732, 
 in his 30th Year." There are graves beside his, which are perhaps those 
 of his parents, though there is nothing to verify the conjecture. He may 
 have been of the family of Robert Titus, some of whose descendants are 
 living in the East village to-day, one of them, Mrs. J. O. Tiffany, daughter 
 of the late Joseph French, a great-granddaughter, and Mr. J. L. Sweet, a 
 great-great-grandson. There are a footstone with no lettering on it, a large 
 stone with the letters "A. D." and *■' Died in 1743," and a broken one with 
 "A. D." only traceable. The family of the deceased must have carved 
 these inscriptions as a matter of " saving," for the letters are only slightly 
 cut aud are queerly arranged, resembling in form those of the first attempts 
 of a child learning to print. 
 
 vSeveral members of the French family were buried here. On the stone of 
 one, "Daniel French" and " 1745" only could be read; on another, "Mr 
 Thomas French died June y* 3, 1746 in y^ 50"" year of his age " ; and on still 
 another, the full inscription, " In Memory of M' Christopher French who 
 died July 17, 1755 in his 8P' year," apparently; on another stone, •" Mr 
 Israel Reed jun. who died Sept. ye 26, 1756, in ye 25 year of his age " ; and 
 the footstone showing the name and year of death is standing. The two 
 best preserved stones are inscribed as follows : — 
 
 III Memory of In Memory of 
 
 Luniecb Blandiu Rachel widow of Mr. 
 
 he died March ye Lainech Blaudin, who 
 
 22<i 1774 in ye 51^1 died Fel). 2S'h 1812 
 
 year of his in the 85'h year of 
 
 Age. her age. 
 
 The footstones at these graves are both intact. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 763 
 
 Six stones bear tlie name of Wilmarth,' and the inscriptions are all trace- 
 able without nnicb ditficnlty. They are as follows: "In Memory of Lieut. 
 Daniel Willmarth, he Died Feb. 17th 1769 in the 54th year of his age." A 
 part of his footstone still remains. 
 
 In Memory of In Memory of 
 
 Mr. Jonathan Bulah Willmarth 
 
 Wihnarth Relict of M"- 
 
 who died Sep Jonathan Willmarth 
 
 teniber ye li Dec'd Feby lith 
 
 1756 in ye GTth 1770 in ye 79th 
 
 Year of his Year of her Age. 
 Age. 
 
 Both footstones with names and dates on theui are at these graves. 
 
 In Memory of 
 
 Jonathan Willmarth 
 
 .Inn. Dee'd A.\>v\\ yo 20 
 
 1752 in ye 2f)th Year of 
 
 his Age. 
 
 Remember me as yon pass by 
 For as yon are so once was I 
 And as I am so ninst yon be 
 Therefore prepare to follow me. 
 
 The stones erected to " Capt. Moses Willmarth," who *•' died Nov. 16, 1799 
 in his 68th Year," and to his wife, "• Mrs. Elizabeth "Wilmarth," who " died 
 Sept. 24 1814 in her 82d year," are in a good state of preservation. He 
 was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Joseph H. Lincoln and was probably the 
 Revolutionary captain. The old homestead of this branch of the family is 
 on what is now Horn Street, near the schoolhouse. With its ancient, well- 
 kept house, with long, low-sloping roof, generous barn, and yard with beauti- 
 ful elms, it is a noticeable place, one of peculiar New England attractiveness. 
 Wilmarths settled very early in this part of the town, and from them are 
 descended many if not all of the name and connection now in town. 
 Frenches have also been in this vicinity for many years, and as those are the 
 names most numerous in the little graveyard, the families being formerly, 
 perhaps, as in later years connected, it seems reasonable to suppose that 
 members of one or both may have put aside the land for a family or neigh- 
 borhood burial ground, though possibly, as a Titus was, so far as now known, 
 the first to be buried in it, that family may have devoted it to such uses. 
 The matter is entirely one of conjecture. 
 
 It is always sad to see a spot which has been set apart as a resting-place 
 for the dead in any way neglected or disturbed, even when its purpose remains 
 clearly visible ; but it is sadder still to find one like this totally abandoned 
 and allowed to return wholly unrestrained to its original state, a natural 
 forest. It would seem as if enough persons could be found among the 
 descendants of these early dead and those interested in the commencement 
 
764 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of the history of our town, to do the work uecessary to rescue from utter 
 oblivion this small piece of sacred ground and to preserve the few scattered 
 relics of some of the fathers yet remaining here, before a final "too late" 
 is said. 
 
 So far as known to the Editor those mentioned comprise all the burial 
 places both public and private in town. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 765 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. DESCRIPTION OF ATTLEBOROUGH, ENGLAND. EARLY CONDITION 
 
 OF THE COUNTRY, ETC. 
 
 ATTLEBOROUGH is cue of the ancient towns of the Commonwealth, 
 incorporated as has been seen in 1G94, and at that time comprising 
 what is now the town of Cumberhind, R. T. It was the northwest corner of 
 the Old Colony and included a large and valuable tract of country. Within 
 those former limits there is now a population probably of nearly if not quite 
 twenty-five thousand people, engaged in a great variety of employments. 
 The town is bounded on the north by Wreutham, on the east by Mansfield and 
 Norton, on the south by Rehoboth, Seekonlv, and Pawtucket, R. I., and on 
 the west by Cumberland, R. I. The latitude of the Second Congregational 
 Church is 41° 56' 42.55", and the longitude 71° 17' 10. 8G". The area by 
 actual survey is reported as 45^^^^^ square miles, or 29,331 acres, and is 
 among the largest towns in the State in size. The general surface is level, 
 more generally so than the majority of the towns in the State, though in some 
 sections it is diversified. The westerly and northwesterly portions are more 
 hilly and uneven than the eastern. Of the latter it has been said : " It may 
 be stated, as an illustration of the horizontal surface of this section, that the 
 railroad passes through it, 17 miles from Foxborough, south 36 degi'ees west, 
 in an exactly straight line to the last crossing of the Ten Mile River, near the 
 cove in Seekonk ; and in the whole distance very little excavation or bank 
 filling was required. At the crossing of the road leading from East Attlebor- 
 ough to Foxborough, east side of Bungay Swamp, it is 125 feet above high 
 water mark at Providence, and 129 above that of Boston. From thence, 
 southerly, it falls 5.86 feet per mile. At the station near the meeting-house, 
 it is 123 feet above high water, and the inclination is 8.97 feet per mile. The 
 grade of the road where it crosses the river, near the Dodgeville factory, is 
 108.33 feet, and the lowest bed of the river 85.41 feet above high water." i 
 
 There are no very high hills in the town. Ten Mile Hill, or as it is now 
 called Mount Hope Hill, is the highest, and its most elevated part " is said to 
 be the highest land in Bristol county." That region was quite famous in the 
 davs of Indian warfare, and incidents connected with it have been mentioned 
 previously. The views from this hill are quite extensive and very pretty in 
 several directions. This is especially true of that view which meets the eye 
 lookiuo- westward from the summit. At the foot of the hill lies the village of 
 
 1 See Sanitary Survey of Attleborough, published 1S50. 
 
766 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 North Attleborough, quite embowered in its myrinds of beautiful shade trees, 
 with here and there a roof or chinmey peeping above them or a churcli spire 
 pointing heavenward, while be^'ond the plain is dotted wdth thrifty farms and 
 comfortable homesteads, and in the far background stretch the gently sloping 
 Cumberland hills. The harsh lines of the manufactories are toned down by the 
 graceful environment of vivid, changing green or the flaming brilliancy with 
 which autumn surrounds us ; one is beyond the sound of the roaring and rum- 
 bling of engine and wheel, and for the moment the busy, bustling place becomes 
 to the vision that ever picturesque and charming spot, the peaceful, rural New 
 England village of a half-century or more ago. Oak Hill in the southern part of 
 the town is only a slight elevation, but as it rises abruptly from a level plain 
 it is visible from considerable distances in various parts of the town and even 
 beyond its limits. East of the village of Attleborough there is a somewhat 
 curious hilly formation, — that over which the Rehoboth carriage road passes, 
 — a ridge of land, in most places only Avide enough for the road, rising quite 
 abruptly from the level on either side. This is appropriately called the Ridge 
 Hill. Its elevation is also slight, but the surrounding territory is so flat that 
 an extended view is obtained toward the south and west. At one place the 
 village, Avith its group of factories, its spires and towers, seen through the 
 haze of a summer afternoon, looks like a section of a great city and as if the 
 next turn would bring into sight the whole wide teeming area. But the 
 vision fades with a glance and one scarce has a glimpse even of the village 
 again until its midst is nearly reached. Rattlesnake Hill and Red Rock Hill 
 near South Attleborough are worthy of mention with the other eminences. 
 The latter is part of a continuous range or ridge running through the westerl}^ 
 part of the territory from northeast to southwest in its general course until it 
 terminates at the Blackstone River. 
 
 The rock jutting out from this ridge and exposed to view presents a deep 
 and rather dark red color, which indicates the presence of iron ore in the soil 
 and was caused doubtless by the subjection of the earth in past ages to a 
 high degree of heat. This rock gradually crumbles to dust on exposure to 
 the atmosphere, and in sudden rains dull-colored streams are formed, which 
 flow down the sides of the elevation and over the roads in all directions, dye- 
 ing the adjacent soil with its own hue. In the Sanitary Survey above referred 
 to this ridge is called " a sti-ata of graywacke conglomerate soil, of the red 
 slaty variety," and Red Rock Hill "is comprised almost entirel}' of this 
 variety. It is frequently mixed with other varieties; and Professor Hitch- 
 cock' supposes that ' beds of limestone, enough to be worked, may be discov- 
 ered.' Some parts contain 94.6 per cent, of carbonate of lime; sometimes 
 
 1 Dr. Hitchcock, formerly a professor at Amherst, who is quoted aljove, suggested a geological 
 ♦ survey of this Slate, the first of a long series in tlie United States and also "the first survey of an 
 entire State under the authority of government in the world." 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUdH. 767 
 
 26.8 per cent, of alumina ; ^ and being often intermixed with red slate, it 
 would form when polished, a beautiful marble, if masses large enough could 
 be obtained.'" In many places this range obtains some considerable eleva- 
 tion, in others is depressed to the level of the adjoining surface, as if worn 
 away by the corrosions of tirne, but its soil preserves everywhere the same 
 color. Otherwise the prevailing rock in the town is generally conglomerate, 
 or pudding-stone, with only an unfrequent small ledge of granite. The 
 southern portion of the town has a light, sandy soil and includes an extension 
 of Seekonk Plain, which it is believed by geologists was once covered b}' 
 the sea. 
 
 The general growth of timber is oak, — white, red, black, and yellow, — 
 walnut, birch, white pine and black ; the lowlands include maple, birch, 
 beech, some ash, elm, chestnut, and cedar. Scattered here and there all 
 over the town ai'e many beautiful elms, some of them very large and some 
 very old ; again and again these may be seen throwing their long pendent 
 branches in a graceful and protecting manner over old homesteads, as if 
 expressing a desire to defend them from the destroying hand of man and 
 from the ravages of time. Maples, which grow rapidly and luxuriantly, are 
 much planted for shade trees, and in some of the village streets their broad- 
 spreading branches have intertwined and in the summer time form beautiful 
 arches of dense, green foliage overhead. 
 
 There are indications of coal in some parts of the town ; these extend 
 from Foxborough through Mansfield, Attleborough, and Cumberland. The 
 coal is of the anthracite variety and was mined in Cumberland about 1830 
 and used to some extent. Shafts were sunk in Mansfield many years ago, 
 and in later years boring was again tried, but the layers reached were found 
 to be too thin for profitable mining. A deeper penetration beneath the 
 surface might perhaps discover a more abundant supply, should the demand 
 ever make further attempts in this vicinity a necessity. At the time of the 
 settlement of the town the surface was largely covered with timber. This 
 was principally white oak of a large growth and suitable for ship building. 
 Portions of the low lands on the banks of the streams were open and 
 produced a growth of wild or meadow grass, and some spots had been 
 cleared and cultivated by the Indians. The streams abounded in fish and the 
 forests in certain species of game. According to tradition bears and rattle- 
 snakes were occasionally found. Rattlesnake Brook and Rattlesnake Hill, 
 before mentioned, and Bear Swamp, now called Bearcroft, in the eastern 
 part of the town, are names preserved to the present time and would seem 
 to confirm the tradition. The probable origin of the last-mentioned name 
 can still be traced. In the old house on Pleasant Street, owned by the late 
 Jacob Briggs, there lived something over a hundred years ago one Caleb 
 Parmenter ; and his wife, Elizabeth Parmenter, shot a bear from one of its 
 west windows. The animal doubtless came from the woods or swamp lying 
 
768 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 adjacent to the house, and the name given to the region would seem to l)e the 
 natural result of the incident. Fish being an important article of food 
 among the natives, they had a number of fishing stations in this region, such 
 as Waweepoonseag (the place of nets), Little Squisset and High Squisset, 
 Mamantapett, Sinnechiteconet, etc. Their rude tools and stone arrows, axes, 
 pestles, mortars, and other articles have frequently been found and are 
 sometimes to this day in plowing the grounds they once occupied. ' The 
 surface of the land in Attleliorough is similar to that of many other New 
 England towns, diversified in its scenery, comprising large portions of fertile 
 and valuable soil and other portions of what is called waste laud, unimproved. 
 Much of the surface which has not been subdued or cultivated is still 
 covered with wood, probably more than one third of the whole. There are, 
 as formerly, some swamps and low and wet lands, but a large part of the 
 soil consists of a gravelly aud sandy loam. There is n^uch good agriculture 
 in the town and abundance of fruit and vegetables, which find a ready 
 market in the different manufacturing villages. 
 
 The rivers are worthy of notice not so much for their size as for the 
 valuable water privileges which they atford. These are now and, since some 
 of the very earliest settlements were made, have been used for mauu- 
 facturing purposes. There are several streams of water in the town, the 
 principal of which is the Ten Mile River. This name was given to it very 
 early, though it would seem with but little propriety. It has its source on 
 the farm of the late Mr. John Fuller, in the southern part of Wrentham, 
 about a mile from the Attleborough line, and, running in a generally southerly 
 dii-ection through the length of this town and through Seekonk, empties into 
 Seekonk Cove, an arm of Narragansett Bay, now called Seekonk River. Its 
 length in this town is some thirteen miles, its entire length twenty-five miles. 
 In its passage through the town it falls about one hundred and thii-ty-two 
 feet. ''In an average current it discharges al)out 50 cubic feet of water 
 per second." Its average width is two rods and a half. This streaui is 
 exceedingly important to the interests of the town, for ou it still are man}' 
 of our principal manufacturing establishments. There are within the limits 
 of the town ten falls on this stream, which has furnished water-power to 
 many of the factories, to small cotton mills, saw and grist mills, etc., such 
 as were scattered over Massachusetts years ago. At one time long since 
 there were fifteen of these ; one in Wrentham, ten in Attleborough, and four 
 in Seekonk. To-day there are, no doubt, more factories in number along 
 the line of this little river and of a size and finish to astonish the log-built 
 grist-mill and its rude successors of the early days. The next stream in size 
 
 1 A small stone arrowhead wasfouiul in 1889 on the farm of the late author of this work. It was 
 turned up by the plow in a field lying on the " Old Bay Road " north of the house and was given by 
 the present owner of the farm to Major E. S. Horton and may be seen in his antiquarian collection. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 769 
 
 is Seven Mile River. This " traverses the westerly part of the town, from 
 north to south," and unites with the Ten Mile River a little above Kent's 
 factory near the Pawtucket line. Its entire length is about ten miles, " and 
 it discharges about 15 cubic feet a second." The third or fourth stream in 
 size is the Bungay, said sometimes to have been pronounced Bun^a.y, accent 
 on the last syllable, and sometimes Bungee. This has its source in the 
 northerly part of the town near the Mansfield line, a little below the Witch 
 Pond, and after a journey of about five miles over an unusually level bed 
 falls into the Ten Mile River nearly in the centre of the town, between the 
 Farmers and Mechanics factories. Originating in a number of springs, it 
 is an unfailing stream at all seasons of the year, but its current is sluggish 
 and it discharges only '' about 10 cu])ic feet per second." Another small 
 stream called Abbott's Run i rises in the northeasterly part of Cumberland 
 and crossing the line several times between that town and this empties into 
 the Blackstone River just below Valley Falls. Its length is about four miles. 
 There are two or three other streams which have been deemed worthy of 
 names : Four Mile Brook, about three and a half miles long, and Chartley 
 Brook, three miles long, while a tiny stream, which runs quietly along for 
 some distance through fields and meadows and crosses the road not far from 
 the Agricultural Association grounds, was called Rattlesnake Brook. 
 
 There are no natural ponds of any considerable size in town, but numbers 
 of artificial ones have been formed by the construction of dams to meet the 
 requirements of the manufactories in various places, and among these are 
 several which may justly be called very pretty. First in point of size and 
 beauty is the Falls Pond, which is divided into two portions by a carriage 
 road, and which to the casual observer at least presents most of the features 
 of a picturesque natural lake, while the '' Reservoir " if not so familiar 
 would seem to us an attractive ])ody of water, for it is in miniature like 
 many a wild mountain lake, which people have traveled miles to see. There 
 are several low swamps or meadows in town of a greater or less extent, of 
 which the most considerable is the " Bungay Great Swamp," as it is called in 
 some of the ancient deeds, or sometimes the " Cedar Swamp." It lies on 
 both sides of the river and extends from the village of Attleborough to the 
 reservoir. Near the sources of the Bungay is a pond which was originall}' 
 separate, but is now connected with the reservoir by the cutting many years 
 ago, in 1833, of a channel from it to the head of the stream. It is called 
 " Witch Pond" and is an extensive quagmire, including about fifteen acres, 
 only a small part of which is covered with water. It is rather singular in its 
 appearance and may be justly considered a curiosity. A hard bottom has 
 
 1 Said to have derived its name from cue Abljott, a boy vvlio was drowned tliere in the early settle- 
 ment of the place. It is supposed by some that the Indian name of the place was Waweepoonseag, 
 but this is doubtful conjecture. 
 
770 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 uever been discovered in any part of it. In some places it will at first bear 
 the weio-ht of a man, but if be stands for a time he will gradually sink till he 
 is unable to extricate himself. 
 
 The topography of our town contains nothing very peculiar, as h;is been 
 seen, and it is therefore needless to enlarge upon it, as is often done in the 
 sketches of towns. Suffice it to say that in this respect it is similar to most 
 towns in this vicinity, that its surface presents the usual diversity of hills 
 and vales, that its soil embraces much land that is poor and considerable that 
 is good, and that its natural and agricultural products are the same as those 
 of neighboring towns. It has, however, one peculiar characteristic. Vari- 
 ous causes, such as the great extent of territory, the location of mill powers 
 somewhat widely separated on the same or on separate rivers, " and the 
 genius and pursuits of industry of the inhabitants," generally diffused and 
 not confined to any one locality, " have given rise to several considerable 
 villages in different sections of the town, and prevented any one from 
 becoming a common centre for the whole." This was more especially true 
 forty years ago when these words were written, but subsequently, as is well 
 known, there came to be two large and thriving rival centres, and these 
 became each the leading centre of its town when the division was made. 
 
 Attleborough derived its name without doubt from the town of Attlebor- 
 ough in Norfolk County, England. Some of our early inhabitants emigrated 
 to this country from that region, settling at first in several different places, 
 but finally a few of them are known to have come to Rehoboth, and, after- 
 wards becoming interested in the purchase and settlement of this territory, 
 there is every reason to suppose that when it became a town they selected and 
 bestowed the name in remembrance of their native place. This origin of the 
 name is confirmed by the circumstance that in the English town there is a 
 river called Bungay,' of about the same size as the one of that name in this 
 town, and a town of the same name, Bungay, is in the near vicinity. One 
 Thomas Doggett- came to this country from Attleborough, England, and he 
 is supposed to be the brother of John, the first ■' ancestor of the Daggetts 
 of Massachusetts and Connecticut. A John Sutton,'* with his wife and four 
 children, also came from that place. His daughter, Anne, married John 
 Daggett, a son of that John who, so far as is known, was the first to lay 
 out lands at the Falls. ^ It is therefore both natural and reasonable to 
 
 1 See Globe Encyclop»dia, " Bungay," p. 531. 
 
 2 Thomas Daggett, aged thirty years, exaniiued for a certiticate of license to emigrate to New 
 England, May 1:5, 1637. See Drake's Researches, p. 50. 
 
 3 He went first, as has been seen, to Watertown, this State, and tlieuce to the Vineyard; and descend- 
 ants of his from there settled in both Rehoboth and this town. [Recent research does not confirm 
 this supposed relationship of Thomas and John. — Editor.] 
 
 ■>He came first to Hingham and then removed to Rehoboth, where he was as early as the " 4Ui rao. 
 1644." 
 
 s John Doggett, or Daggett, who married Anne Sutton, was one of tlie original proprietors of the 
 NorUi Purchase. He was son of Jolm the lirst, of Watertown. He probably, not his father, was the 
 
HI8T0BY OF ATTLEBOBOlTfiH. 771 
 
 decide that these people, with probabl}^ others from the same vicinity iu the 
 old country, gave its name to our town. 
 
 The derivation of the name is " At-le-lnirgh," meaning at the borough, 
 fort, or castle — " Atleburgh." In a work entitled " Bloomfield's Norfolk," 
 published iu 1739, volume i, page 501, may be found the following: " Atle- 
 burgh. This Place without doubt hath been very famous in early Times as 
 all the Authors that speak of it unanimously agree." The author then goes 
 on to say: "I think the present name shows its signification, which, it will 
 be proper to observe hath suffered but little change from the time of the Con- 
 fessor to this day. Atleburc, —burg, or borough is the same, and it beino- 
 certain that the terra burg or borough (as we now pronounce it) alvvavs sio-- 
 nifies a castle, fort, or such like as the learned Spelman in his Icenia justlv 
 observes, we may conclude that it was called At-le-burgh, or the town at the 
 burg, or the borough town from its being situated by an ancient burgh or 
 fortification and from its being larger and of more repute at that time than its 
 neighbors." According to one John Brame, a monk of Thetford, who, many 
 years before the writer above quoted, wrote a history of that region : '' It was 
 sometime not only a city, but the metropolis of all Norfolk, founded by 
 Atlinge.^ then King of that Province iu order to oppose Rond King of 
 Theodford, and by him fortified with a ditch, wall, four gates and four 
 towers ; and from this Atliuge he would have it called Atliuge's Burgh or 
 Atleburgh." Bloom field does not, however, credit that story, as he finds, he 
 says. '' no appearance or remains of any such walls, gates, or towers," and 
 some would, he is sure, have remained until his day had the city possessed 
 such considerable fortifications. He therefore considers that the burgh from 
 which the name came was a fortification of hills only, such forts having been 
 made during some of the early invasions of that portion of the country — 
 its low and fen lands having no natural hills to be fortified. Still another 
 writer thinks that the town was formerly called Ethelingburgh, " because it 
 might belong in the time of the Saxons to some eminent nobleman of that 
 name, who was nearly related to the Saxon kings, and had his residence here, 
 being induced to think thus, because this part belonged to the crown till the 
 Conqueror's time." 
 
 The real date of the founding of the place would seem to be shrouded in 
 more or less mystery, but the following quaint record, quoted by Bloomfield 
 from some " ancient book" will serve to show that its foundations were laid 
 at a very early period in England's history : "In the Year 841, Edmund, Son 
 of Alkmund King of Saxony, was born at Noremburg in Saxony, of Queen 
 Suiara, and soon after it happened that Ofl:'a, King of the East Angles, who 
 
 one who l.iid out lauds at the Falls (History of the Doggett-Daffgett family, by Samuel B. Doggett, 
 published 1894, iu Bostou). 
 
 iThe Editor was not able to find the date when that kiug is supposed to have reigned, but it was 
 probably not many centuries after the Christian era. 
 
772 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 had no Heir, passed thro' Saxony on his journey to the Holy Land, where he 
 went in Pilgrimage to beseech God, to give him an Heir, and Calling upon 
 his cousin Alkmund, he adopted Edmund his Son, his Heir, and then hastened 
 to Jerusalem, where having performed his Vows he return'd, but in his 
 Return, at a place called St. George's Arm, he was taken violently 111, upon 
 which he immediately sent for his Council, appointed Edmund his Successor, 
 and sent him his Ring which he received from the Bishop, when he was made 
 King of the East Angles, after he was dead the Angles went to the King of 
 Saxony, and demanded Edward (I^dmund) his Son, and received him, as 
 Offa's Successor, and hastening Home, they landed at Hunstauston, from 
 whence they carried him to the antient City called Atleburg, where he lived 
 a whole Year, yielding himself up chiefly to Devotion, here he perfected what 
 he had begun in Saxony, namely to repeat all the Psalms without a Book, 
 and at the Year's end, he went to Suffolk," etc. The present situation of 
 the village or "Town" is not its original one. Some historians conjecture 
 that the removal was because of the " lowness and raoistness of the situa- 
 tion," and that would seem to indicate that the original site of the '' antient 
 City " was nearer to the sea. In the Norfolk Domesday book the ' ' Burgh " 
 is called " Attelburc and the present Town is called the Other Attell)urc." 
 The "Burgh," as it is often called, was ''Head of the Hundred,"' and so 
 continued until its removal, or " till the neighboring castle of Bukenham was 
 built after the Removal of the Chief of the Inhabitants from it to the present 
 situation of the Town, which is far better than its old one at the Burgh." 
 
 All the records show that Attleborough was formerly a city of considerable 
 size and of great importance, and it no doubt retained its privileges and 
 crreat prosperity through a number of centuries. It established numerous 
 manufactories and engaged in an extensive trade with the surrounding 
 country, and it was a great market town. In the far back olden days it no 
 doubt had its great castles, which were maintained with all the rude magnifi- 
 cence and barbaric splendor pertaining to the great warrior barons of feudal 
 times. Among these was the once famous Bungay Castle, and the author 
 conjectured that the town may have gained some at least of its former dis- 
 tinction from being the situation of or in the near vicinity to this grand 
 baronial residence. Attleburgh Manor " contained the third part of Attle- 
 burgh, or all of the Other Attleburgh, or the whole of that part where the 
 present Church and Town stands." This belonged to the Mortimers,- a 
 family which figured prominently, it Avould seem, in at least county history 
 
 1 The name given in some parts of England to the sulxiivisions of a shire and said to have been a 
 Danish appelhition adopted by King Alfred in S97. 
 
 = By some this family appears to be confounded with that of the same name a member of which in 
 the fourteenth century was created Earl of 3Iarch, and who is said to liave had a castle here. Those 
 who bore that title were not, however, distinguished for advancing such causes as education and reli- 
 gion, as were the owners of Attleburgh Manor, who for many.generations are mentioned as bene- 
 factors of all good works. 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 773 
 
 and came into this possession "very early if not in the time of the Con- 
 queror," with whom the family, of French extraction, is said to have come 
 into Elngland. 
 
 The fonnder of the first churcli in Attleborough is not known, but one Sir 
 Wm. de Mortimer made the first alterations and previous to the year 1297. 
 In 1386 Sir Robert de Mortimer, knight, "designed the foundation of a 
 chantry or college in the parish church, to the honor of the exaltation of the 
 holy cross ; but being prevented by death, his executors or trustees built and 
 endowed the same for a master or warden and four secular priests, about the 
 seventh year of Henry IV." Sir Robert died in 1387 and was buried in the 
 church, and it is said the priests were to sing in the chapel forever for his 
 and his wife Margery's soul. In the year 1402 the estate of the Mortimer 
 family was divided, and this manor, through marriages probably in the 
 female line, came into possession of the Earls of Sussex, ^ a family very 
 familiar in later English history. Many famous persons it is said have been 
 buried in the church, and at one time it contained many monuments of the 
 families of Mortimer, Blickly, and Ratclift'e.- Attached to the church 
 organization were what were called "The Great" and "The Little Rectors- 
 Manor," the former containing the first and second, and the latter the third 
 part of the town. After the place ceased to be the capital of Norfolk 
 County, it was divided into Attleburgh Major and Attleburgh Minor, but later 
 these were again united under one name. Some turbulent people dwelt 
 aforetime within the confines of the old town, for an insurrection of the 
 common people against the gentry, which occurred June 20, 1549, began at 
 Attleborough and other places, and it assumed no mean proportions, for 
 the insurgents became 20,000 strong. It was called " Kitt's rebellion." The 
 town had early an endowed school and several other educational institutions, 
 and an ancient " Gild " where the poor were relieved is mentioned. Near the 
 town are the remains of an obelisk erected to the memory of Sir Edward 
 Rich, who in 1675 gave £200 towards the formation of a highway between 
 "Attleburgh" and Wymondham, for which an act was obtained "in the 
 seventh year of Wm. Ill," ■' and which is said to have been the first turnpike 
 
 ' Robert, Earl of Sussex in time of Henry VIII, spoiled portions of the church building, " pulled 
 up many lair, marble gravestones of his ancestors with monuments of brass upon them, and other 
 fair, good pavement, and carried them and laid them for floors, in his hall, kitchen and larder house ; " 
 he also " got H crosses and as much town plate as was then worth 100 1 from the church," by that 
 means reducing the chancel to ruins. The old recorder very justly calls him " of a covetous 
 disposition." 
 
 2 In " The Buruham Rolls" was found the following amusing record : " In Attleburgh Church lies 
 the famous Captain Giljbs who was a great gamester and horse racer in Charles II's time, and of 
 whom the greatest exploit recorded was how he ' laid a wager of £5U0, that he drove his light chaise 
 and four horses up and down the deepest part of the Devil's Ditch on Newmarket Heath '; which he 
 performed by making a very light chaise with a jointed perch and without any pole, to the surprise 
 of all the spectators."' 
 
 -'The above is quoted from a " British Gazetteer " puldished in 18.52, but thei-e seems to be an error 
 in its record. Charles II was king of England in 167.5, and according to Appleton's Encyclopa'dia the 
 first turnpike act was passed in that year, tlie sixteenth of his reign. The reign of William III did 
 not commence till 1689. Tlie fact given is worthy of uotice, and therefore this correction is made. 
 
774 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 road made in the kingdom. The town was very early a market town and a 
 place for holding fairs. In 1310 one Constantine Mortimer had a charter for 
 a yearly fair at his " Manor of Atleburgh," and up to within a recent date 
 fairs were held there on the Thursday before Easter, the Thursday after Holy 
 Thursday, and the fifteenth of August for cattle and toys, while the regular 
 weekly market-day was Thursday. The once prominent city has now 
 dwindled to a small village, its pristine glory has departed, its beauties have 
 faded and gone, and apparently the only relics of the famous past which it 
 now retains ai-e its regular market-days and annual fairs, which possibly are 
 still gi-eat occasions to the small tradespeople and the farmers of the sur- 
 rounding region. 
 
 There is a great natural curiosity not far from the town which, as will be 
 seen, is not inappropriately mentioned here. It is the Winfarthing Oak. 
 "This gigantic relic of the sylvan glories of 'the olden time,' stands on 
 the estate of the Right Hon. the Earl of Albemarle, ^ about four miles from 
 his seat of Quiddenham Hall, Winfartliiug, in the midst of what was for- 
 merly ' Winfarthing Great Park,' anciently a royal demesne, belonging to 
 the adjacent palace of Kenning Hall Place,^ from whence Mary of unhappy 
 memory, was called to the throne in 1553. It was conjectured that this tree 
 must have been in existence before the Christian era, and is probably the 
 oldest oak tree in the world, and this opinion is strengthened by the fact that 
 notwithstanding the obvious ravages of time upon its massive trunk, yet no 
 perceptible alteration has taken place within the last sixty years," In 1820 
 the oak was seventy feet in circumference at the extremity of the (visible) 
 roots, and in the middle, just above the ground, forty feet. "The trunk is 
 completely hollow, the heart being entirely decayed, and the inside present- 
 ing a singular appearance, resembling the old, rugged masonry befitting 
 a Druidical temple. It is fitted up inside with seats, a table, etc. Over the 
 door-way entrance is placed by the late Mr. Doggett, many years since the 
 respected tenant of the surrounding farm, a brass plate with an inscription 
 soliciting from visitors to the Oak donations for the Bible Society." 
 
 INSCRIPTION ON THE PLATE. 
 Ye who this venerable oak survey, 
 AVhich still survives through many a stormy clay, 
 Deposit here your mite with willing hands, 
 To spread in foreign climes, through foreign lands. 
 The Sacred Volume so divinely given 
 Whose pages teach the narrow way to Heaven. 
 
 Doargett. 
 
 1 He was one of the most enlightened and liberal-minded of noblemen, the advocate of liberal 
 principles, and the friend of America. In 1874 he presented an original portrait of Washington to 
 the Massachusetts Historical Society of Boston. He was a well-known peer of England and for 
 sometime was called "the father of the House of Lords." He died eaidy in the j'ear 1891 at the 
 remarkable age of about ninety-two years, having " seen the whole of the nineteenth century." 
 
 2 The seat of the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 775 
 
 Oil send out thy light and thy truth. 
 
 King David. 
 
 May every sulyect in my dominions possess a Bible, and be aljle to read it. 
 
 King George ITI.i 
 
 In the sumiuer of 1884 the Editor had the pleasure of visiting Attle- 
 borough, Old p:ugland, no doubt the first among the descendants of its 
 emigrants (or those of the near vicinity) to this town who has done so. 
 Certainly its ancient glories have departed, and its former grandeur is l)ut 
 a fast-fading memory. There could scarcely be a greater contrast than 
 exists between it and either one of the large, central villages of its name- 
 sake in New P^ngland to-day. Nothing in an English village ever seems to 
 look new and fresh ; our typical white, wooden house, with its green blinds 
 and shading elms, or the gayly painted ''Queen Anne" cottage is entirely 
 unknown. All the English houses are built of brick or stone or sometimes 
 of a combination of coljblestoues and stucco, and even in the process of 
 erection they look old. Everything bears the stamp of accumulated years; 
 even the fiowers in the dooryards and gardens seem to have bloomed and 
 faded and bloomed again in the same places and in the same staid and 
 decorous manner for many succeeding generations. Still the time-worn 
 look never degenerates into the appearance of neglect, everything looks trim 
 and thrifty, order and cleanliness prevail, and the impression that the old 
 age is a hale, hearty, and cheerful one is unmistakable. 
 
 Attleborough has a railroad, but running so far outside the village that 
 within its precincts the rush of the trains can scarcely be heard. We saw- 
 no traces of manufacturing ; no hum of business or rustle of trade reached 
 our ears ; hardly a person, either man, woman, or child, was to be seen in the 
 street ; even the unusual appearance of strangers evidently from afar aroused 
 no manifestation of curiosity, for the entire place continued during our stay 
 to be as quiet as if the most rigid, puritanical Sabbath had suddenly settled 
 down upon it. It is a rambling, straggling sort of village of possibly two 
 to three thousand inhabitants,- with one long, winding street through the 
 centre, lined on either side with low buildings, none exceeding two stories in 
 height. Within the length of two or three ordinary city blocks we counted 
 twelve or fifteen public houses, conclusive proof that market-days must still 
 be in vogue, when bountiful refreshment is needed both by man and beast, 
 and showing that this is no doubt amply provided, so far at least as liquids 
 are concerned, for each "public" was licensed to sell "beer, wine, and 
 
 'The book from which tliis description was taken is entitled " Xooks and Corners of Old England," 
 not a recent publication. 
 
 -This surmise has since been proved to be nearly correct. In 1849 the population of the town was 
 estimated to be 2,25'2. It contained 372 houses. Its area is 5,S00 acres, and about 1850 the assessed 
 property amounted to £9, .^77, not quite SiiO.OOO. Appearances in 1S84 indicated that these figures 
 would apply at the present time without material change. 
 
77G ^ ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 spirits." Over one door was u notice to the effect that the sale of these was 
 forbidden in that establishment on Sunday, and the proprietor found time 
 apparentlj' to combine wnth his duties as a landlord those of another occupa- 
 tion ; appropriately perhaps, he was also an undertaker. There were several 
 humble shops with cheap-looking, unattractive wares exposed for sale, 1)ut 
 one looked in vain for those unmistakable signs of briskness in trade to be 
 seen about Yankee village stores ; the attendants here were thoroughly 
 occupied in doing nothing. We saw but one lawyer's office and Init one 
 doctor's sign in our stroll through almost the entire length of the village. 
 The people, we concluded, must be either very peaceable and extremely 
 healthy, or pitiably ignorant of the requirements of the present enlightened 
 aiie in the directions controlled by memliers of these professions. Our town 
 can boast of great advancement in those lines of civilization, with its half- 
 dozen teachers in the marvelous intricacies of the law and its nearly two 
 .dozen guides among the devious paths and diverse methods of the healing art. 
 At the entrance to the village on our journey from the railway station 
 stands the church, conspicuous for size and much larger than any such struc- 
 ture in our town. It is built in a rather curious fashion of a combination of 
 both rough and smooth stones, and it presents a quaint and picturesque 
 appearance in its setting of green sward and clustering tombstones. It is 
 spoken of as " a fine collegiate edifice, in the form of a cross, with a tower 
 risino- at the intersection." This was the only church building we saw and it 
 looked venerable enough to be, as in its present condition it is said to be, 
 something over two hundred years old. The old church which stood here it 
 would seem almost " from time immemorial" was, we were told, considerably 
 battered in Cromwell's time and was subsequently rebuilt in its present form. 
 The interior is extremely plain, even to bareness, has no stained glass win- 
 dow-s, and possesses nothing of interest but an old wooden altar screen upon 
 which are painted the coats-of-arms of the twenty-four English bishops. 
 The following record from a parish register, which begins in 1552, seems to 
 refer to this screen : In 1615 some repairs were made by one John Forbes, 
 '• who set up the Bishopricks Arms in the Church, and those of the Colleges." 
 The screen now faces the altar at the opposite end of the chm-ch, where it 
 forms the front of a small gallery. We wandered about for some time among 
 the graves in the little churchyard but found no familiar names, though there 
 were many very ancient tombstones. A small narrow gate leads from this 
 spot directly to the rectory grounds, but the incumbent had but recently 
 entered upon his duties and would not probably have had any special knowl- 
 edge of the former history of the place or people, therefore we did not 
 venture to present ourselves before him soliciting information. We were 
 informed that it is at present very difficult to find any clergyman willing to 
 occupy the living, as " there are no gentry for him to associate with." Alas I 
 the mighty are fallen indeed ; not a single beiug is left to tread in the foot- 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 777 
 
 steps of the great ones of tbe past. Forty years ago the Methodists, Bap- 
 tists, aud Society of Friends had places of worship in the town, but we saw 
 nothing resembling Dissenting chapels in the region we explored. 
 
 We inquired of the old woman sweeping the church which might be tiie 
 best public house where we could lunch and were directed to a certain one as 
 the " least disreputable." Somewhat dismayed we crossed the street and 
 found ourselves at the undertaker's door, but no amount of ringing or rap- 
 ping brought even the faintest response from any living thing! The wide- 
 open door invited our entrance, and we crossed the threshold but wakened 
 only echoes along the hallway and from the stone-tlagged floor of the emptv 
 eating-room. It was as silent there as any typical undertaker's dwelling 
 could ever hope to be, and every member of the household had apparently 
 lent himself to the maintenance of the proper degree of decorous and tomb- 
 like silence. The pangs of a very real American hunger were fast becoming 
 paramount to all other feelings and forced us to try our fate elsewhere. All 
 the other places were said to be ''worse" than this first one indicated; so 
 what matters it which one is tried ? Again we crossed the street and rapped 
 vigorously at another door. A tidy, fresh-looking young English girl 
 promptly answered our summons and asked our pleasure. "Can we o-et 
 some lunch?" " What would you like?" "What have you?" ''We can 
 give you a chop" — the almost invariable formula in a small English country 
 inn and very speedily the typical and appetizing meal is served in a well- 
 appointed dining-parlor. Perfect chops, perfectly cooked, the cottage loaf 
 on its round board with knife beside it, the Cheddar cheese as good as the 
 bread, the pot of delicious tea, and if desired the mug of foaming home- 
 brewed ale. So excellent was the luncheon prepared for us in this unas- 
 suming little "public," and so well and neatly served, that we were fully 
 persuaded the old woman in the church was possessed of sinister motives or 
 personal spites and had, one and all, basely belied the inns of her native 
 place. Though very antiquated the old town has not lost all her youthful 
 cunning or forgotten all her useful knowledge, for her skill in cooking, if old 
 in fashion, is still superior, and we feel sure that so far as the entertainment 
 of her inns is concerned she can vie with her namesake of the new world in 
 the serviceable and delightful art of making guests comfortable and satisfied. 
 The ancient castles of this region must needs have been strong fortifica- 
 tions, for the surrounding country affords no natural advantages in the wav 
 of defence. It is for the most part decidedly level, though here and there 
 it becomes undulating, reseml)ling somewhat the formation of the rolling 
 prairies of our West. Its surface is not, however, wholly unlike that of our 
 town, the lack of hills considered. The trees appear to be more or less 
 stunted in their growth and are not so numerous as with us, yet many general 
 resemblances in the scenery may be recognized. We drove six or eight miles 
 to see the great " Winfarthing Oak," and our way lay through a succession 
 
778 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 of most fertile farms. The hay crops were enormous, frequently half clover, 
 
 ami there was scarcely space to heap them on the ground ; and the grain 
 
 appeared to be equally abundant in its yield. We bowled swiftly along over 
 
 roads as smooth and hard as if macadamized and laid out for the most part 
 
 in straight lines : road-making is not a lost art in that region as it seems to 
 
 be in ours. We passed through only one village in the entire length of our 
 
 drive. Its little central common was mostly covered by a shallow pond ; and 
 
 ducks, dogs, and children were making use of it as a general recreation 
 
 ground in the most cheerful and friendly manner. We caught sight first of 
 
 the lesser oak, which is visible from a great distance over the surrounding 
 
 plain, stretching its gaunt and almost leafless branches defiantly toward 
 
 heaven. Our giants of the forest would be but dwarfs by its side,i and it in 
 
 turn is a pygmy compared with its greater neighbor. The size of that one 
 
 has not been exaggerated. It would doubtless measure seventy feet around 
 
 the exposed roots, and the trunk, though increased in size by its ivy cover- 
 
 ino-, looked to be forty feet in circumference some considerable heiglit above 
 
 the ground. The inside is now filled with rubbish, but the cleared space 
 
 Avould seat two dozen people comfortably. The old tree is fast going to 
 
 decay and falling in several places, though it is propped with strong iron 
 
 bands. From the inside we could see one huge knot still alive, out of which 
 
 o-reat leafy branches were growing vigorously — large trees in themselves. 
 
 The present tenant of the surrounding farm was our guide to this interesting 
 
 spot upon the property, and he told us that the immediate predecessor of his 
 
 grandfather upon the place was the Mr. Doggett who put the inscription 
 
 upon the tree. All traces of the inscription are gone, but a box still remains 
 
 attached, bearing a request for offerings, not for the Bible So'ciety, but for the 
 
 "poor widows of the parish." One of us in proof of both general and 
 
 personal interest in this glorious old monarch of the woods was about to 
 
 drop in a half-crown when our host interposed, saying that nothing above a 
 
 shilling was ever expected from any visitor. This was in marked contrast to 
 
 the owner of our trap, who demanded nearly double the bargained price for 
 
 its use on our return to the inn where we hired it. AVe drove back through 
 
 the softened sunshine, — it is never glaring in England, —thinking if the 
 
 hedo-es were turned into stone walls, if the houses were built of timber, and 
 
 a wooded hill rose here and there, the appearance of the country would be by 
 
 no means unfamiliar. The emigrants in selecting what is now Attleborough, 
 
 Mass., for their new home may certainly have been reminded of the scenery 
 
 of the old home left behind. But beyond a certain general resemblance, 
 
 which nature furnislies to-day as formerly, all comparison must cease. The 
 
 1 There is an oak in one of tlie lielfls along: Horn Street, wliicli in niiniatnre resembles tliis lesser 
 tree. The trunk tapers raindly upward and the few remaining Ijranches are scraggy, knotted, and 
 gnarled, ft has lost its youthful grace and is lean and grim and crazy-looking, like the great Wlii- 
 
 farthing trees, which are dying front the top. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLE BOROUGH. 779 
 
 new Attleboi'ough is busy, enterprisiug, progressive — in a word thoroughly 
 alive ; the old Attleborougoh is inert, stagnant, dying, with not enough life 
 remaining to be ever again aroused to any degree of bustle and activity. 
 But this is only the result of the natural order of things. The same laws of 
 decadence govern the town, the city, that govern the nation ; all rise but to 
 fall in time. The same old processes have been at work there, but the name 
 still remains, and we may be proud that it is one which in ages past became 
 famous, and that our mother town once took high rank "among her compeers 
 in promoting and advancing both agricultural and industrial pursuits. 
 
 The first inhabitants of our town were a substantial and respectable class 
 of people. They were, like most of the settlers of the other towns of the 
 Old Colony, emigrants from England ; seldom any of them were from Scot- 
 land and "Wales. They were the right men and women to subdue and culti- 
 vate a new country and plant the civilization of their native land in this 
 wilderness, to introduce and improve upon here the institutions, both political 
 and religious, in which they had been educated in their native laud. They 
 were characterized by great simplicity in their habits. Industry and economy 
 were the prevailing traits of the people, and their plain style of living con- 
 tributed much to their health and longevity. Even when means afforded 
 opportunity, there was among our fathers less of that false pride which 
 engenders the love of display, which is so prevalent in the present age. 
 They lived more in accordance with the laws of nature, and there is no doubt 
 that there was generally more true happiness among the masses. The pres- 
 ent age is without doubt one of great advancement as compared with the 
 earlier ones, but the generation which amassed great fortunes in an hour? 
 rushed as speedily into wild extravagance in speech, deportment, and manner 
 of living, and these things are not yet " fast passing away." We might well 
 retrace some of our steps and sit down humbly at the feet of the fathers, to 
 learn from their lips many a sober and earnest lesson in the way of true and 
 honest living, to hear and heed many a prudent precept to guide us in the 
 paths of true wisdom and understanding. 
 
 In looking back over the early history of our town and, in a measure, of 
 the country, it is very natural to inquire what were the existing conditions on 
 the arrival of our forefathers, and what were the natural productions which 
 could afford them temporarily the means of living. The country was called 
 a wilderness, which in one sense was a true designation, but the impression 
 that the surface was entirely covered with an unbroken forest is erroneous. 
 Although a large part was covered with a permanent growth of wood and 
 heavy timber, yet a considerable portion was open land, which had been 
 cultivated by the natives in their rude forms of husbandry from time innne- 
 morial, and on the margins of the brooks and rivers a coarse meadow grass 
 grew in abundance, which was at first used for the support of the cattle. 
 The first white men found a variety of wood or timber: four kinds of oak, 
 
780 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 white, yellow, bhick, and red, differing in the leaf, timber, and color; also 
 ash, elm, willow, birch, beech, sassafras, juniper, C3'press, cedar, spruce, 
 pines, white and pitch, the latter furnishing turpentine, tar, etc., with other 
 materials for building ships and houses. They found also a variety of wild 
 animals, such as bears, wolves, foxes, several sorts of deer, beavers, otters, 
 martens, wildcats, wood ducks, and both gray and white (red?) squirrels in 
 great abundance, and the old chronicles mention also the flying squirrel. 
 These animals furnished those furs which afforded such a profitable means of 
 trade with the Indians for many years after the eai'liest settlement. On our 
 shores was found a great variety and abundance of sea fish. One old 
 chronicler mentions that he saw '' great store of whales and grampuses, and 
 such abundance of mackerel as astonished him." Codfish were also plenti- 
 ful, and a fish called a bass, " a most sweet and wholesome fish as I ever did 
 eat, which is altogether as good as our fresh salmon." Plenty of fish called 
 scate by our forefathers and thornback were found, and abundance of lob- 
 sters the old chronicler records, "and the least boy in the Plantation may 
 both catch and eat what he will of them. For my own part I w^as soon cloyed 
 with them, they were so great, and fat, and luscious. I have seen some 
 myself that have weighed sixteen pounds, but others have had divers times 
 so great lobsters as have weighed twenty-five pounds, as they have assured 
 me." The seashore abounded also in shell-fish : clams, quahogs, oysters, and 
 other varieties of excellent quality ; and the streams and ponds were supplied 
 with a variety of fresh-water fish. There was a great variety of natural 
 fruits and nuts : strawberries, raspberries, mulberries, plums, currants, 
 huckleberries, gooseberries, chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, butternuts, wild 
 chei-nes, and grapes hanging on the limbs of the trees in great festoons in 
 the woodlands, with various other small nuts and fruits. The fields w^ere 
 decorated with a fair variety of flowers, and among them were found the 
 single damask rose in l)loom, and this nnist therefore have been native to 
 the country. Wild fowl were found in abundance, to supply food for the 
 table: "partridges larger than those in England, as big as our hens; wild 
 turkeys found in the woods, which are very fleshy and fat, for they have an 
 abundance of food, as strawberries found everywhere in summer, and other 
 berries and fruit." Great flocks of pigeons filled the air in the winter time, 
 wild geese were innumerable, and wild ducks and other sea-fowl filled the 
 ponds, "so that," to use the words of the old chronicler again, "a great 
 part of the winter the planters have eaten nothing l)ut roast meat of divers 
 fowls which they have killed." The early settlers found that in the spring 
 alewives, fish resembling herrings, ran up the In-ooks and rivers in this town 
 to spawn, and these streams were plentifully supplied with various small 
 fresh-water fish. 
 
 Having glanced at the state of the country, it is natural also and may no\, 
 be out of place to glance at the inhabitants thereof and inquire what was 
 
HIS TOBY OF ATTLEBOEOUGH. 781 
 
 the character aud condition of tlic natives of these regions on which onr 
 forefathers settled. The land on which we of Attlel)orongli now dwell was 
 then the domain of the tribe of ^Vampanoags. At the time of the landing 
 of the Pilgrims in 1620, the territory they claimed and occupied was called 
 Paw^kuuawket — Pokanoket — and extended from Mount Hope Bay to Wren- 
 tham, including a portion of that ancient town. It probably extended over 
 the whole of the Old Colony and was then governed b}' the ' ' Good Massa- 
 soit the friend of the English." At the time this town was settled by white 
 men there was no permanent residence of the natives within its borders, 
 though the relics found in various parts of the town turned up l)y the plow^- 
 share and the condition of portions of the soil are indications that formerly 
 Indians had dwelt in certain localities. They had planted small tracts ; aud 
 there were places of resort for the purposes of hunting and fishing, places 
 of nets and snares. They straggled over the region occasionally and prob- 
 ably had temporary residences in their accustomed haunts during a few weeks 
 or months in the summer season; indeed, tradition points to a rocky cave on 
 Mount Hope Hill near the residence of the late George Price as one of these 
 occasional places of habitation. Like all barbarous peoples they changed 
 their habitations from place to place, living in the rudest simplicity and often 
 suffering great hardships as a consequence of their wanderings. " Their 
 shelters," says an old writer, "■are small and homely, made with small poles 
 pricked into the ground, and so bound and fastened at the tops, and on the 
 sides they are matted with bows, [boughs] and covered on the roof with 
 sedge and old mats ; and for their beds they have a mat." These rudely 
 constructed wigwams were but an imperfect protection against the storms of 
 the severe winters. Says the old writer again, in referring to the aborigines : 
 "They are a tall, strong-limbed people, and their color is tawny. They are 
 partially clothed in beasts skins. Their hair is generally black, aud cut 
 before like our gentlemen, one lock longer than the rest. For their weapons 
 they have bows and arrows, — some of them headed with bone, and some 
 Avith brass." Their mea+s were furnished by such wild game as they could 
 secure with their bows and arrows or by snares ; fish supplied a considerable 
 poition of their means of living, and they had the fruits aud nuts which the 
 soil produced naturally and abundantly. 
 
 The Indians planted corn in the more pliable soils. This was done in the 
 rudest manner by digging small holes in the ground with such unskilfully 
 consiructed implements as they could themselves manufacture, and dropping 
 the kernels into them. This "maize" pounded into meal in an awkward 
 way and formed into cakes, which they baked in the ashes or by heated stones, 
 made one of then' principal articles of food and was their only kind of meal. 
 Besides the ashes made by annually burning the fields, they manured the corn 
 wnth fish, when near enough to the seashore to obtain them. In this way 
 they often raised tolerable crops and frequently traded them to the whites. 
 
782 ^ SKETCH OF THE 
 
 Sometimes, however, there was a lack, and they themselves would suffer for 
 waut of tills food. They were a wholly improvident people and often like 
 wild animals in their modes of eating. When there was an abundance they 
 feasted even to goi'ging themselves, and when there was a scarcity they 
 fasted even to the verge of starvation ; but they never learned to provide for 
 possible dearth in the time of plenty. Their other productions were beans, 
 pompions or pumpkins, and squashes, all apparently indigenous. Their 
 cooking was of the simplest — hot ashes, heated stones, and fires upon the 
 ground their means, and roughly made pots and pans of clay their only 
 utensils, for they had no iron until after the advent of the Pilgrims. How 
 thev baked clams is known to almost every man, woman, and child on the 
 New England coast to-day. They also baked their beans ; while beans and 
 corn boiled together, and seasoned with clams when these could be obtained, 
 constituted that famous dish called succotash, a dish not to be lightly treated 
 even by epicures. For these three dishes, so celebrated not only throughout 
 New England but all over the land, and so welcome to every true son of that 
 eastern soil, wherever he may be, we are indebted to the aborigines. 
 
 Savage and ferocious as these people were as a race, some among them 
 possessed noble and attractive qualities; cruel and relentless to foes, they 
 were faithful and devoted to family and friends, if necessary even to the 
 death. They were trained to great physical endurance, and they bore the 
 most excruciating pain, suffered the most cruel hardships, and endured 
 the deepest agonies of sorrow in stern, uncomplaining silence. Many of them 
 possessed a wild sort of beauty, which they enhanced by the barbaric gaudi- 
 uess of their personal decorations. Their language was musical in sound, 
 and they gave expression to their thoughts in short but poetic phrases ; and 
 they were not devoid of religious beliefs. Their youths were taught to pos- 
 sess and maintain the greatest respect for the elders and chiefs of the tribes ; 
 and all advancement to places of prominence or responsibility in the conduct 
 of their affairs must be meritoriously earned before it could be obtained — two 
 customs worthy of imitation by the children of their usurpers. Their man- 
 ners were sober ai]d dignified, their speeches full of an untutored but eff'ective 
 eloquence ; and a council of their great sachems gathered in one of nature's 
 grand forest temples must have formed a highly impressive scene. If we 
 may believe the early writers, the dignity and grave propriety which charac- 
 terized the proceeduigs of these assemblies might well be copied in some of 
 the highest council-chambers of the land, even in this universally named 
 enlightened and civilized age. 
 
 .Such were the people whom our forefathers encountered when the}^ landed 
 on these shores. There was perhaps, on the whole, but little to attract and 
 much to repel in this savage, uncultivated race of men, who possessed none 
 of the arts and refinements of civilized life and had no inclination and but 
 little capacity for improvement in that direction. They adopted some of the 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 783 
 
 mechanical improvements of the white settlers, but had no genius for invent- 
 ing any for themselves. They did not take kindly to what would elevate 
 them, but unfortunately for themselves they learned with great readiness some 
 of the worst among the bad customs attendant upon civilization and became 
 thereby troublesome to the whites. Many of the Indians were lazy and 
 became drunkards, hung about the settlements, entered the dwellings of the 
 people and stole their goods, and committed many petty depredations. 
 These became such a nuisance that measures were taken to prevent their 
 annoyances. Treaties were made with the sachems on the subject, and laws 
 were enacted to- protect the settlers against such intrusions. Plymouth 
 provided ' ' forasmuch as complaint is made that many Indians pass into 
 divers parts of this Jurisdiction, whereby some of the plantations begin to 
 be oppressed by them, it is enacted by the Court that no strange or foreign 
 Indians shall V)e permitted to come into any part of this Jurisdiction so as 
 to make their residence there ; and for that end that notice be given to the 
 several Sagamores to prevent the same." ^ The laws empowered towns to 
 adopt measures to prevent these evils, and it may be seen in the first chapter 
 of this book that our town suffered some annoyances in this way and availed 
 itself of the provisions of the law to prevent their continuance or recurrence. 
 On these fair domains of the red man, in place of scattered groups of 
 temporary wigwams, now stand thriving cities and villages with thousands 
 of permanent dwellings ; instead of the smoke of blazing camp fires rising 
 here and there from forest glade or lakeside clearing, now rises from every- 
 where the smoke of countless manufactories; where youthful warriors 
 gathered round their aged chief to listen to his words of wisdom or hear 
 him relate the treasured traditions of the tribe, now rise stately halls of 
 learning, where the youths of the passing generations gather to glean stores 
 of wisdom from the accumulated lore of all the ages ; and w^here, in the leafy 
 bowers of nature's build, beneath the moon's pale beams the swarthy lover 
 wooed his dusky mate, now lie our busy streets, and the fair lover wooes some 
 blushing maiden 'neath brilliant beams from flaming gas jets or within the 
 searching glances of electric lights. Long since might has claimed the right 
 to the iuheritance of the poor Indian, and he has passed on from these 
 charming hilltops and lovely vales to the longed for and, let us hope, happy 
 and never to be disturbed hunting-grounds beyond the grave. For countless 
 centuries these savage races had remained in this their land, roaming over 
 these fields and through these forests, unchanged in their character and habits ; 
 but, coming at last in contact with a civilized and intellectual race, they were 
 doomed to perish. They must obey the fixed law of nature and succumb to 
 the superior race. However much we may lament or pity the fate of the red 
 man or listen sadlv to the departing footsteps of his people who preceded 
 
 1 See Old Col. Laws, p. 129. 
 
784 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 US, we know it was not in the order of Providence that this great continent 
 should be delivered over for all coming ages of time to such wild, wanderino- 
 tribes, who were incapable of improving the soil on which they trod, thereby 
 to exclude other races of men from its settlement and occupation and to arrest 
 that magnificent march of modern emigration and civilization which is 
 spreading all over this vast territory, a territory capable of supporting 
 hundreds of millions of men and bringing its inexhaustible natural resources 
 into the commerce of the world. 
 
 In reviewing the early history of our countiy, we can but look with pro- 
 found admiration and reverence upon our " Pilgrim Fathers," those men of 
 lofty principles and stern integrity, who were inspired of God with an 
 unflinching determination to plant and perpetuate free institutions in a free 
 land. They braved the perils of an unknown sea and the greater perils of 
 an unknown continent, with its untried clime and life of danger among 
 hostile savages, to gain for themselves and to bestow upon their children the 
 independence we now enjo}-. 
 
 Such as these were the men who settled our town, and the passing genera- 
 tions have seen here many worthy sons of these worthy sires. In Massa- 
 chusetts' great marches of advancement our town kept even pace with every 
 step, until it ranked among the foremost in progress and business enterprise. 
 No town could have a more interesting early history or a longer and more 
 honorable list of useful and distinguished men, among them some famous for 
 their learning and intellectual attainments. So its history ran on to the very 
 end, for now the page of records has no longer a single but a double leaf. 
 At the word of her citizens two towns have ))een made, both alike springing 
 from the parent stock fully armed and equipped, like Minerva from the brain 
 of her father Jove. These begin each a new and somewhat separate career, 
 but perchance, and let us so hope, only to be again united at no far distant 
 day, then to make a record even more honorable and brilliant than that of 
 the past. Though half-divided in name, the two towns cannot be wholly 
 divided in their histor}' so long as the chief business interest of both remains 
 the same. May this much at least be always true, and if it be so decreed 
 that they shall never be reunited under the ancient name, may the present 
 names ever remain unchanged, and the two towns when classed together be 
 known as " the two Attleboroughs." Then indeed the act of division will no 
 longer be remembered ; the granite pillars recently set up and the imaginary 
 lines connecting them and separating the two portions will be forgotten ; the 
 " ancient landmarks " only will be recalled, and the territor}' embraced by 
 them will seem as before an undivided whole ; then indeed the two fair 
 records of the future will be read together as one, and all those born within 
 her old-time borders, wherever they ma}' be, may still proudly and gratefully 
 say : " My birthplace is ' the good old town of Attleborough.' " 
 
HISTOBY OF ATTLEBOROUfiH. 
 
 ■85 
 
 NDEX. 
 
 Ai-ademies. North iiml Eiist Attleboroiigh, 
 
 333-33G. 
 Address to Committee of Correspondence, 
 
 (1773), 120. 
 Advocate, The Attleboro, 444. 
 Aid, State and military, 173, 17(1, 177, 180. 
 Alger, Isaac, 507-509. 
 Angle Tree controversies, 049-652. 
 Articles of Confederation, etc., Report on, 124. 
 Assouett Expedition, 129. 
 Attleborough Agricultural Association, 427. 
 Attlel^orough Branch Railroad, 445. 
 Attleborough, Norfolk County. England, 770- 
 
 779. 
 Aurora Lodge, 416. 
 
 Bailey, Rev. .John M. B.. 238. 
 Banks, 425. 
 
 Bardeu, Thomas A. and family, .509. 
 Barrows, Drs. George and Ira, 492, 493. 
 Barrows, Henry F., 510. 
 Barrows, H. F. & Co., 375. 
 Barton, Rev. Walter, 254. 
 Bates k Bacon, 376. 
 Bates, Ezekiel, 511. 
 Bates, Joseph M., 513. 
 Beers, Rev. J. S., 295. 
 Bethany Chapel, 242. 
 Bills of Credit Act, 1778, Petition on, 125. 
 Bishop (place and family), 680. 
 Blackinton family, 516-518. 
 Blackiuton. R. & Co., 393. 
 Blackinton, W. & S., 382. 
 Blackinton, V. H., .379. 
 Blackstone, William. 65-84. 
 Blackstone, John. 75. 
 Blake .t Clafliu, 378. 
 Bliss Brothers & Everett, 387. 
 Bloomery. The, 338. 
 Board of health, 424. 
 Boards of trade, A. and N. A., 424, 425. 
 Bonnett, John P.. 390. 
 
 Boundary line controversy between Massa- 
 chusetts and Rhode Island, 154. 
 Box manufactories, 3.59. 
 Bradford, Perez, 4.53. 
 
 Briggs, I). F., 391. 
 
 Briggsville, cemetery and ancient l)urial-place, 
 
 735, 761-764. 
 Bristol Commandery, K. of T., 416. 
 Bristol Lodge, F. and A. M., 412-415. 
 Building improvements, etc., 712-715. 
 Burying ground. Cutting's Plain, 759. 
 Busiiee, A. i^- Co., 382. 
 Button manufactories, 349-352. 
 
 Canton Attleborough, P. M., 418. 
 
 Cantwell, Rev. John S., 284. 
 
 Capron family, 518-521. 
 
 Capron, General Horace. 473. 
 
 Carlisle Lodge. I. U. G. T., 423. 
 
 Carpenter family burying ground, 758. 
 
 Carriage manufactories, 360. 
 
 Carrique, Rev. Richard, 280. 
 
 Centennial Committee (1875-76). 699. ' 
 
 Chafee, W. T., 389. 
 
 Chaplin, .Joseph, 659. 
 
 Chronicle. The Attlel)orough, 442. 
 
 Church, African ^Methodist Episcopal, 293. 
 
 Church, Briggsville, 290. 
 
 Chui'ch, The Centenary Methodist Episcopal, 
 
 291. 
 Church, Central Congregational, 299. 
 Church, First Congregational, 226-242. 
 Church, First Universalist, 279-286. 
 Church, Free Evangelical, 298. 
 Church, Grace (Episcopal), 294^298. 
 Church, Hebron, 286, 289. 
 Church, Hebronville Methodist Episcopal, 293. 
 Church. Murray Universalist, 303-306. 
 Church, North Baptist. 271-278. 
 Church, Second Congregational, 243-270. 
 Church, South Baptist, 278. 
 Church, St. John's (Roman Catholic), 308. 
 Church, St. Mary's (Roman Catholic), 307. 
 Church, St. Stephen's (Roman Catholic). 309. 
 Civil War, resolves and reports. 174. 175. 
 
 178, 181, 182. 
 Civil War, woman's work, 183. 
 Clark, Elder Gardner, 290. 
 Clark, W. G. & Co., 391. 
 Cobb, Thomas and family, 671-674. 
 
786 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE 
 
 CoiUling, Ahiel and family, 5-21. 
 Coildiug Brothers, 389. 
 Coflin-triniiiiiiig mamifactories, 360. 
 College gradiiate.s. List of, 039-042. 
 Company C Association, 425. 
 Committees of Correspondence, etc., 121, 127. 
 Constitution Convention, committee, etc., 127. 
 Coombs (burial yard), 757. 
 Cotton mills, Atherton (Hebrouville),ete.,34S. 
 Cotton mills, Beaver Dam factory, 342. 
 Cotton mills, City factory, 345. 
 Cotton mills. Dodge's factory. 347. 
 Cotton mills. Falls factory, 343. 
 Cotton mills. Farmers factory, .344. 
 Cotton mills, Lanesville factory, now Adams- 
 dale, 346. 
 Cotton mills. Mechanics fai'tory, 340. 
 Courts, superior and inferior, 121, 122. 
 Crane, Rev. Jonathan, 252. 
 Crotty. Daniel, 390. 
 Cummings family, 522. 
 Cummings & We.xell, 386. 
 Curtis, H. H. & Co., 391. 
 
 Daggett & Clap, 391. 
 
 Daggett, Hon. David and family, 404-408. 
 
 Daggett, Hon. Ebenezer, 494. 
 
 Daggett, Colonel John and Dr. Ebenezer, 462, 
 
 463. 
 Daggett, Hon. John (author), biographical 
 
 sketch, 11-39. 
 Daggett, H. N. and H. M., 524-527. 
 Daggett, Lyman W., 527. 
 Daggett, Rev. Naphtali and family, 454-462. 
 Dean, A. E.,395. 
 
 Dean family, L. W., G. A., etc., 529-533. 
 Dean, G. A. & Co.. 377. 
 Deeds (Rehoboth North Purchase) , 48, 49. 
 Deinarest & Brady, 394. 
 Dionys Lodge, 419. 
 
 Division, 1.53. 154, 157, 158, 159, 100-171. 
 Dodgeville burying ground, 749-752. 
 Dodge family yard, 7.35. 
 Doyle, Joseph J., 388. 
 Draft, Civil War, 223. 
 Draper, Frank S., 533. 
 Draper, F. S. & Co., 381. 
 Draper, Oscar M., 393. 
 Draper, Titi't it Co., 308. 
 Dye Works, The Attleborough, 361. 
 
 Early conditions of the country, 779. 
 Early settlements, 98-100. 
 East village early in this century, 674. 
 Electric street railways, 449-452. 
 Emigrants to other places, 064. 
 
 Enlistments, Civil War, artillery, cavalry, 
 
 and navy, 217. 
 Enlistments. Civil War, infantry, 204-217. 
 Enlistments, Civil War, in Rhode Island, 218- 
 
 222. 
 Esther Lodge, D. of K., 418. 
 Etzensperger, John, 388. 
 Ezekiel Bates Lodge, F. and A. M., 415. 
 
 Falls burying ground, 748. 
 Ferguson, Rev. John, 250. 
 Fire districts, A. and N. A., 429, 431. 
 Fisher family, 534-530. 
 Fisher, J. M. & Co.. 390. 
 Fisher, S. E. tt Co., 389. 
 Fiske, Rev. Frederick A., 290. 
 Follett burying ground, 750. 
 Foster. John, 468. 
 Franklin, E. I. & Co., 393. 
 Franklin School. 329-332. 
 Freeman, B. S. & Co., 373. 
 Freshet (1880), 701-712. 
 
 Gas Light companies, N. A. and A., 428- 
 
 429. 
 Gilbert, F. S., 392. 
 Gold Medal Braid Co., 357. 
 Gould, S. AV. A Co., 390. 
 
 Halliday, T. J. ,t Co., 392. 
 
 Harford, Penn., Settlement of, 004-008. 
 
 Harris, C. R., 392. 
 
 Hatch's burying ground, 727-730. 
 
 Hatch house, 97, 082. 
 
 Hatch, Colonel Israel and family, 95-98. 
 
 Hayward & Briggs, 372. 
 
 Hayward, Charles E., 536-540. 
 
 Hebron Manufacturing Company, 348. 
 
 High schools, 321, 322, 323, 327. 
 
 Holman, Rev. Nathan, 249. 
 
 Ilolman family (S. M., D. E., etc.), 540-547. 
 
 Hope Lodge, Sons of T., 423. 
 
 Hortou, Augell & Co., 3S3. 
 
 Horton family, 547-550. 
 
 Howard Encampment. 417. 
 
 Hugo, J. N. & Co.. 392. 
 
 Hunt family, 550-500. 
 
 Ide, Rev. Jacob. 497-.501. 
 
 Incorporation, Act of, SO. 
 
 Improvem(>nt District, Attleborough. 150, 431. 
 
 Independent Rifle Co., 405-411. 
 
 Indian War, 100-110. 
 
 Instructions to Representative (1776), 123. 
 
 Jenny, E. V., 396. 
 
HISTORY OF ATTLEBOBOUGH. 
 
 787 
 
 Kellogg Division, Sous of T., 423. 
 
 Kilham. Kev. Hobert. 280. 
 
 Kiug Hiniiii Royal Arch Chapter, 415. 
 
 Lawyers in town, 644. 
 
 Lazell. Rev. Ebenezer, 249. 
 
 Leatlier manufactories, 353, 355. 
 
 Leonard, Judge George, 668. 
 
 Library Association. 400. 
 
 License votes, 151, 152. 156, 157. 159. 
 
 Literary societies, 399. 
 
 Loan Fund Association, 426. 
 
 Lodges, Masonic, Odd Fellows, etc., 412-420. 
 
 Longevity. Instances of, 655-659. 
 
 Luther, J. W. & Co., 381. 
 
 Macdonal(l,R. B., 388. 
 
 Magnolia Council, A. L. of H.. 419. 
 
 Maun burying ground, 734. 
 
 Mann family, 468-474. 
 
 Marsh & Bigney, 389. 
 
 Mason. Draper & Co., 394. 
 
 Maxcy, Rev. Jonathan and family. 474-483. 
 
 May family. 483-486. 
 
 3Iay. Elisha G.,561. 
 
 Mechanics, Early history of, 669-674. 
 
 Merritt, H. D., 562. 
 
 Merritt, H. D. & Co., 375. 
 
 Militia companies. 405. 
 
 Militia Company I, 446-449. 
 
 Military services (Revolution), 128-134. 
 
 Mount Hope Cemetery, 7.52-755. 
 
 Mount Hope Lodge, 420 . 
 
 North Attleborough Steam and Electric Co., 
 
 434. 
 Nerney, Jobn, 661. 
 Xerney & Lincoln, 389. 
 Newman. Rev. Samuel, 44. 
 Newspapers, 442-445. 
 Nine Men's Misery, 114-116. 
 Norfolk and Bristol Turnpike Co., 684. 
 North Purchase lands. Division of, 106. 
 North village early in this century, 681. 
 
 Old Kirk Yard, 739-748. 
 
 Olive Branch Division, Sons of T., 424. 
 
 Orient Lodge, 417. 
 
 Original inhabitants (habits, customs, etc.), 
 
 780. 
 Osgood, Rev. George E., 207. 
 
 Paine burying ground, 735. 
 Parish, East, Records of, 243-245. 
 Parish, First, Records of, 235-237. 
 Parmenter family, 681. 
 
 Parris, Samuel Bartlett, 486. 
 
 Peck burying ground. 736-739. 
 
 Peck homestead and family, 677-686. 
 
 Peloubet, Rev. F. N., 253. 
 
 Pennington Lodge, A. O. U. W., 420. 
 
 Pensioners (1887), 224. 
 
 Perry, Mr. Dan, 660. 
 
 Petition on militia laws (1795), 148. 
 
 Petition on change of county town. 118. 
 
 Phillips, Rev. William, 275. 
 
 Physicians in town, 642-644. 
 
 Pierce, Alfred, 563. 
 
 Pierce's Fight, 109-113. 
 
 Pierce, Rev. J. D., 281-283. 
 
 Pokanoket Tribe, O. of R., 424. 
 
 Ponds, 769. 
 
 Porter, Burrill. Jr., 564. 
 
 Postmasters and postoffices, 644, 6S0-690. 
 
 Prentiss M. Whiting Post, G. A. R., 441. 
 
 Price family, 565-567. 
 
 Proprietors, North Purchase, List of those 
 
 first drawing lots, 62. 
 Proprietors. Proceedings of, 101-106. 
 Propriety, Clerks of, 106. 
 Powder House, 119. 
 Public libraries, 400-404. 
 Pythagoras Lodge, 418. 
 
 Razee's library, 404. 
 
 Read, Elder James and family, 273-275. 
 
 Read family, 567-569. 
 
 Read, Joel and Daniel, 489-491. 
 
 Rehoboth North Purchase, List of pur- 
 chasers, 57. 
 
 Rehoboth, Settlement of, 43. 
 
 Rehoboth North Purchase lands, Rehoboth 
 votes relating to same, 58-61, 62-04. 
 
 Representatives, List of, 630-632. 
 
 Revolution, Soldiers of, 134-143. 
 
 Richards. E. Ira A' Co., 369, 
 
 Richards family (H. M., E. I., J. D., etc.). 
 569-577. 
 
 Richards, J. J. & J. M.,380. 
 
 Richards Memorial Library Building, 403. 
 
 Richards & Price. 369. 
 
 Richardson. Al)iathar A., 580. 
 
 Richardson. Stephen, 577. 
 
 Richardson, Stephen & Co,, 370. 
 
 Richaud, Joseph Antoine, 660, 732. 
 
 Riley & French, 392. 
 
 Rivers, 768. 
 
 Robinson, W. H., Edwin A., etc., .371. 
 
 Robinson, Rev. Ezekiel, 501-506. 
 
 Ro1)inson family, 581-584. 
 
 Robinson, Samuel, 488. 
 
 Roman Catholic cemeteries, 7.55. 
 
788 
 
 .1 SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ATTLEBOROUGH. 
 
 Roxbury, Expedition to (Revoliitiou), 130. 
 Royal Arcanum. A. and N. A. councils, 419. 
 
 Sadler Brothers, 383. 
 
 Sadler, L. E.. 391. 
 
 Sandland, Capron & Co., 394. 
 
 Savery family, 584-589. 
 
 School districts, 313-318, 322, 323. 
 
 Schools, First in town. 313. 
 
 School funds, 318, 327-329. 
 
 School money. Divisions of, 316-318, 322, 325, 
 326. 
 
 Schoolmasters, First in town, 312, 313. 
 
 Seamans, Elder Job, 272. 
 
 Selectmen. List of, 634-G3S. 
 
 Senators, List of, 632. 
 
 Settlers in town previous to 1730, 623-629. 
 
 Shepard, Rev. Nathaniel. 271. 
 
 Shepard, John, '• the Ancient," 655. 
 
 Shepardson, C. A., 393. 
 
 Sherman, C. E. W., 589. 
 
 Sherman, C. E. W. & Sou, 375. 
 
 Short, Rev. Matthew, 227. 
 
 Short, Nerney & Co., 379. 
 
 Shuttle manufa(;tories, 355. 
 
 Sickness called the "cold plague,'' 654. 
 
 Simmons, R. F. it Co., 386. 
 
 Smith, Daniel II., 395. 
 
 Smith it Crosby, 394. 
 
 Smith family (T. I., etc.), 590. 
 
 Smith, T. I. it Co., 380. 
 
 Soldiers, Bounties to, 172, 174, 175, 176, 177, 
 178, 179. 
 
 Soldiers, Payment of (Revolution), 123, 124- 
 127. 
 
 Soldiers, Civil War, Reminiscences and expe- 
 riences of, 18(x-203. 
 
 Solomon family burial yard, 757. 
 
 Sons of Veterans, 440. 
 
 Sound disasters (steamer collision, etc.), 693- 
 699. 
 
 South Attleborouj^b burying ground, 730-734. 
 
 South and West Attleborough, 715. 
 
 Stanley Brothers, 385. 
 
 Stanley family (W. S., m.d., etc.), 491, .592. 
 
 Statistics, 644-648. 
 
 Stevenson, John, 77. 
 
 Sti-eeter Brothers, 395. 
 
 Sturdy family, 593-600. 
 
 Sturdy, J. F. & Co., 373. 
 
 Sumner Lodge, 418. 
 
 Superintendents of schools, 324, 327. 
 
 Suspender manufactory, 362. 
 
 Tanneries, 353. 
 
 Thacher, Rev. Peter, 245-248. 
 
 Thacher family, 600-605. 
 
 Thayer burial ground, 757. 
 
 "The Attleborough Common," History of. 
 
 719-726. 
 Thomson, J. N. it Co., 396. 
 Titfany family, 605. 
 Topography of the town, 765. 
 Totten, Thomas & Co., 396. 
 Town clerks, List of, 633. 
 Town farm, 151, 1.52. 
 Town house, 151, 154. 
 Town meetings. First record of, 87-89. 
 Tract called R. N. P., Purchase of, etc., 4(M.s. 
 
 Union Improvement District, 433. 
 
 Valuation of town, (1792), 147; (1887), 646. 
 Volunteers, Civil War, Mass. Reg., 204-217. 
 
 Wales family, 607-613. 
 
 War, Civil, Town actions, 172-183. 
 
 War (1812), Records of, etc., 149, 150, 685. 
 
 War, Revolutionary, 120-134. 
 
 Washington Lodge, K. of H., 418. 
 
 Washington Street burial-lot, 734. 
 ! Water Company (North Attleborough). 432. 
 ' Water district (Attleborough), 430. 
 
 Watson, Newell it Co., 388. 
 
 Webster, G. K., 389. 
 
 Weld, Rev. Habijah, 231-235. 
 
 Wheaton it Richards. 393. 
 
 White, Rev. Ebenezer, 229. 
 
 White it Shaw, 374. 
 
 Whitehill, Rev. John, 240. 
 
 Whiting family, 613-616. 
 
 Whiting Manufacturing Company, 356. 
 
 Whitney, E. it Co., 385. 
 
 Whitney, Felix G.. 616-618. 
 
 Whitney, F. G. it Co., 374. 
 
 Wilder, Rev. John, 237. 
 
 Willett, Captain Thomas, 51-56. 
 
 William A. Streeter Post. G. A. R., 434-440. 
 
 Williams, Rev. Thomas, 286-289. 
 
 Wilmarth family. 619-621. 
 
 Wilmarth, W. H. it Co., 394. 
 
 Witherell, P. E., 386. 
 
 Woodcock's Garrison, etc., 89-94. 
 
 Woodlawn Cemetery, 755. 
 
 Women's Christian Temperance uuions, 422. 
 
 Women's Relief Corps, 440. 
 
 " Women Schools," 314. 
 
 Women voters, 157, 159, 160. 
 
 Writers in town, 718. 
 
 Young & Bennett, 385. 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association, 420.